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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
| ¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
| ¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
| þ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
| ¨ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
| ¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 | |
Kansas City Southern
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Not Applicable
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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| SEC 1913 (04-05) | ||||
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Kansas City Southern
Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement
May 7, 2015
| YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please submit your proxy or voting instructions by internet, telephone or mail.
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| We commenced mailing this Notice and Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy card and the accompanying 2014 Annual Report on or about April 6, 2015. |
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Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
| Thursday, May 7, 2015 3:00 p.m. Central Time |
Kansas City Southern Grand Hall 427 W. 12th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64105 |
Record Date The close of business March 9, 2015 |
Items of business:
1. Election of two directors;
| 2. | Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015; |
3. An advisory vote to approve the 2014 compensation of our named executive officers;
| 4. | A stockholder proposal, if presented at the Annual Meeting, to reduce the ownership percentage needed to call special stockholder meeting; and |
5. Such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2015 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Adam J. Godderz
Associate General Counsel &
Corporate Secretary
The date of this Notice is April 6, 2015.
Please date, sign and promptly return the enclosed proxy card, regardless of the number of shares you may own and whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. Alternatively, you may cast your votes by telephone or through the Internet as described on the proxy card. You may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person in accordance with the procedures described in this Notice and Proxy Statement. Please also indicate on your proxy card whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
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| Proposal 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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| Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control |
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This summary highlights information contained in this Proxy Statement. Please read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.
| 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders | ||||
| Thursday, May 7, 2015 3:00 p.m. Central Time |
Kansas City Southern Grand Hall 427 W. 12th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64105 |
Record Date The close of business March 9, 2015 | ||
| Agenda and Voting Recommendations | ||||
| Proposal |
Board Recommendation |
Page Reference for More Information | ||
| 1. Election of the following nominees for a one-year term: Lu M. Córdova Thomas A. McDonnell |
FOR each nominee | 6 | ||
| 2. Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015 |
FOR | 8 | ||
| 3. Advisory vote to approve the 2014 compensation of our named executive officers |
FOR | 8 | ||
| 4. Stockholder proposal to reduce ownership percentage needed to call special stockholder meeting |
AGAINST | 9 |
| Board of Directors | ||||||||
| Name |
Term Ending | Director Since | Independent | Committee Memberships | ||||
| Lu M. Córdova* |
2015 | 2010 | ü | A,F,N | ||||
| Thomas A. McDonnell* |
2015 | 2003 | ü | A,F,N | ||||
| Michael R. Haverty** |
2015 | 1995 | ||||||
| Terrence P. Dunn |
2016 | 2007 | ü | A,N | ||||
| Antonio O. Garza, Jr. |
2016 | 2010 | ü | E,F | ||||
| David L. Starling |
2016 | 2010 | E | |||||
| Henry R. Davis |
2017 | 2008 | ü | C,N | ||||
| Robert J. Druten, Chairman |
2017 | 2004 | ü | C,E,N | ||||
| Rodney E. Slater |
2017 | 2001 | ü | C,N | ||||
| * | Nominee for election to Board of Directors at 2015 Annual Meeting **Mr. Haverty is not eligible to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting. |
A-Audit C-Compensation & Organization E-Executive F-Finance N-Nominating & Corporate Governance
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Questions and Answers about Voting and Annual Meeting
| Q: | Why were you sent this Proxy Statement? |
| A: | On or about April 6, 2015, we began mailing this Proxy Statement to our stockholders of record on March 9, 2015 (the “Record Date”) in connection with our Board of Directors’ solicitation of proxies for use at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). We will hold the Annual Meeting at Kansas City Southern, Grand Hall, 427 W. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our 2014 Annual Report to Stockholders (the “Annual Report”), and a proxy card and voting instructions accompany this Proxy Statement. Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires, references in this Proxy Statement to “KCS” or the “Company” include Kansas City Southern and its consolidated subsidiaries. |
We will pay for the Annual Meeting, including the cost of mailing the proxy materials and any supplemental materials. Directors, officers and employees of KCS may, either in person, by telephone or otherwise, solicit proxy cards. They have not been specifically engaged for that purpose, however, nor will they be compensated for their efforts. We have engaged Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related informational support, for a service fee and the reimbursement of customary disbursements that are not expected to exceed $25,000 in the aggregate. We will pay these fees and expenses. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of our shares for their expenses in forwarding this Proxy Statement, the Annual Report and other soliciting materials to the beneficial owners.
Brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees, other custodians and their nominees are asked to forward this Notice and Proxy Statement, the proxy card and the Annual Report to the beneficial owners of our stock held of record by them. Upon request, we will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in mailing these materials to beneficial owners of our stock.
| Q: | Who may attend the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Only KCS stockholders or their proxies and guests of KCS may attend the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder or stockholder’s representative who, because of a disability, may need special assistance or accommodation to allow him or her to participate in the Annual Meeting may request reasonable assistance or accommodation from us by contacting the office of the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices, (888) 800-3690. If written requests are made to the Corporate Secretary of KCS, they should be mailed to P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105). To provide us sufficient time to arrange for reasonable assistance, please submit all requests by April 28, 2015. |
| Q: | Who may vote at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Only the holders of record of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and our 4% Noncumulative Preferred Stock, par value $25.00 per share (the “4% Preferred Stock”), at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, we had outstanding 242,170 shares of 4% Preferred Stock (excluding 407,566 shares held in treasury) and 110,544,998 shares of Common Stock (excluding 12,807,187 shares held in treasury) for a total of 110,787,168 shares eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. |
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| Q: | How many votes does each Voting Share have? |
| A: | The Common Stock and the 4% Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Voting Stock”) constitute our only voting securities and will vote together as a single class on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. Each holder of Voting Stock is entitled to cast one vote for each share of Voting Stock held on the Record Date on each matter. |
| Q: | How can you vote by proxy and what vote is necessary? |
| A: | Registered stockholders can vote by proxy in three ways, each of which is valid under Delaware law: |
• By Internet: Access our Internet voting site at www.envisionreports.com/ksu or by scanning the QR code on the proxy card with your smartphone and follow the instructions on the screen, prior to 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2015 (May 4, 2015 for participants in certain employee benefit plans discussed below).
• By Telephone: Using a touch-tone telephone, call toll-free at 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) and follow the voice instructions, prior to 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2015 (May 4, 2015 for participants in certain employee benefit plans discussed below).
• By Mail: Mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy or instruction card so it is received before the Annual Meeting (May 4, 2015 for participants in certain employee benefit plans discussed below).
If you are the beneficial owner of your shares, please refer to your voting form for specific voting procedures from your broker.
Stockholders owning at least a majority of the shares of Voting Stock entitled to vote must be present in person or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The shares of a stockholder who is present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, are counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, regardless of whether the stockholder votes the shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes (defined below) are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
We have described the vote necessary for each Proposal in the description for that Proposal.
Voting ceases when the chairman of the Annual Meeting closes the polls. The votes are counted and certified by three inspectors appointed by the Board of Directors in advance of the Annual Meeting. In determining whether a majority of shares of Voting Stock present have been affirmatively voted for a particular proposal, except in the election of directors, the affirmative votes for the proposal are measured against the votes for and against the proposal plus the abstentions from voting on the proposal. You may abstain from voting on any proposal. Except in the election of directors, abstentions from voting are not considered as votes affirmatively cast and therefore will have the effect of a vote against a proposal. With regard to the election of directors, abstentions will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect.
| Q: | What if you hold shares in a brokerage account? |
| A: | The Voting Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”). Under the rules of the NYSE, member stockbrokers who hold shares of Voting Stock in their name for customers are required to obtain directions from their customers on how to vote the shares. NYSE rules permit brokers to vote shares on certain proposals when they have not received any directions. The Staff of the NYSE, prior to the Annual Meeting, informs brokers of those proposals on which they are entitled to vote the undirected shares. |
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker holding shares of Voting Stock for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority for that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner (customer
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directed abstentions are not broker non-votes). Broker non-votes generally do not affect the determination of whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting because, in most cases, some of the shares held in the broker’s name have been voted, and, therefore, all of those shares are considered present at the Annual Meeting. A broker may vote without direction only on Proposal 2. A broker non-vote will not be considered present and entitled to vote on non-discretionary items and will have no effect on the vote.
| Q: | How are your shares voted if you submit a proxy? |
| A: | If you return a properly executed proxy card or properly vote via the Internet or telephone, you are appointing the Proxy Committee to vote your shares of Voting Stock covered by the proxy. The Proxy Committee is a committee of the three directors of KCS, whose names are listed on the proxy card, and are authorized to vote shares that the stockholder has authorized the Proxy Committee to vote as their proxy. If you wish to name someone other than the Proxy Committee as your proxy, you may do so by crossing out the names of the designated proxies and inserting the name of another person. In that case, it will be necessary for you to sign the proxy card and deliver it to the person so named and for that person to be present and vote at the Annual Meeting. Proxy cards so marked should not be mailed directly to us. |
The Proxy Committee will vote the shares of Voting Stock covered by a proxy in accordance with the instructions given by the stockholder(s) executing the proxy or authorizing the proxy and voting via the Internet or telephone. If a properly executed or authorized and unrevoked proxy does not specify how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, the Proxy Committee intends to vote the shares as recommended by the Board for each Proposal and in accordance with their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
| Q: | Can you revoke your proxy or voting instruction card? |
| A: | At any time before the polls for the Annual Meeting are closed, if you hold Voting Stock in your name, you may revoke a properly executed or authorized proxy by (a) an Internet or telephone vote subsequent to the date shown on the previously executed and delivered proxy or the date of a prior electronic or telephonic vote, or (b) with a later-dated, properly executed and delivered proxy, or (c) a written revocation delivered to our Corporate Secretary. If you hold Voting Stock in a brokerage account, you must contact the broker and comply with the broker’s procedures if you want to revoke or change the instructions previously given to the broker. Participants in certain employee benefit plans, as discussed below, must contact the plan trustee and comply with its procedures if they wish to revoke or change their voting instructions. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not have the effect of revoking your properly executed or authorized proxy unless you deliver a written revocation to our Corporate Secretary before your proxy is voted. |
| Q: | How do participants in the Kansas City Southern 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (the “KCS 401(k) Plan”) vote? |
| A: | If you participate in the KCS 401(k) Plan and own shares of Common Stock in your account, you have received a separate voting instruction card (accompanying this Proxy Statement) to instruct the trustee of the KCS 401(k) Plan how to vote the shares of Common Stock held on your behalf. The trustee is required under the trust agreement to vote the shares in accordance with the instructions given on the voting instruction card. Voting instructions may also be given by Internet or telephone by participants in the KCS 401(k) Plan. The accompanying voting instruction card contains the Internet address and toll-free number. If voting instructions are not received from a participant, the trustee must vote those shares, as well as any unallocated shares, in the same proportions as the shares for which voting instructions were received from plan participants. Voting instructions by Internet or telephone must be given by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 4, 2015. Unless you give voting instructions by Internet or telephone, the voting instruction card should be |
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| returned in the envelope provided to Proxy Services, c/o Computershare, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170. The voting instruction card should not be returned to us. KCS 401(k) Plan participants who wish to revoke their voting instructions must contact the trustee and follow its procedures. |
| Q: | Are the votes of participants in the KCS 401(k) Plan confidential? |
| A: | Under the terms of the KCS 401(k) Plan, the trustee is required to establish procedures to ensure that the instructions received from participants are held in confidence and not divulged, released or otherwise utilized in a manner that might influence the participants’ free exercise of their voting rights. |
| Q: | What is Householding? |
| A: | Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, services that deliver our communications to stockholders that hold their stock through a bank, broker or other nominee holder of record may deliver to multiple stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of our Annual Report and Proxy Statement. We will promptly deliver upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Annual Report and/or Proxy Statement to any stockholder at a shared address to whom a single copy of the documents was delivered. Written requests should be made to Kansas City Southern, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or if sent by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105), Attention: Corporate Secretary’s Office, and oral requests may be made by calling our Corporate Secretary’s Office at (888) 800-3690. Any stockholder who wants to receive separate copies of the Proxy Statement or Annual Report in the future, or any stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, should contact the stockholder’s bank, broker or other nominee holder of record. |
| Q: | Are there any other matters that will be presented at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that are expected to be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Our Bylaws require that stockholders intending to bring business before an Annual Meeting, including the nomination of candidates for election to the Board of Directors, give timely and sufficient notice to our Corporate Secretary in the manner described below. However, if other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment. |
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.edocumentview.com/ksu
Stockholders that wish to attend the meeting may obtain directions to the Annual Meeting by sending a written request directed to our Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or if by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105), or by calling (888) 800-3690.
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Proposals for 2015 Annual Meeting
| 1. Election of Directors |
The Board of Directors of KCS (the “Board”) is currently divided into three classes with nine total members. Prior to this year, the members of each class served staggered three-year terms of office. As a result of the stockholder proposal that was approved at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, KCS is de-classifying its Board over the next three years, starting with this year’s Annual Meeting. Going forward, each director will therefore be elected for a one-year term. The term of office for the two directors elected at this Annual Meeting will expire in 2016 or when their successors are elected and qualified, if earlier, or their earlier resignation or removal. Any directors who are currently serving a three-year term will continue to serve out the remainder of their term.
Lu M. Córdova and Thomas A. McDonnell are being nominated by the Board for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. Their biographies are set forth below. Both have indicated they are willing and able to serve as directors if re-elected and have consented to being named as nominees in this Proxy Statement. If any nominee should become unable or unwilling to serve, the Proxy Committee intends to vote for one or more substitute nominees chosen by the Board in their sole discretion. Mr. Haverty, whose term expires at this Annual Meeting, is not eligible to stand for re-election. Immediately after the Annual Meeting, the Board intends to reduce the number of directors to eight.
The biography of each nominee contains information regarding the person’s service as a director, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years and experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) and the Board to conclude that the person should serve as a director for the Company as of the time that this proxy statement was filed with the SEC.
Biographies of Nominees
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Age: 60 Director Since: 2010 Current Term Ends: 2015 Committees: • Audit • Finance (Chair) • Nominating & Corporate Governance |
Lu M. Córdova Chief Executive Officer of Corlund Industries, L.L.C.; General Manager of Almacen Storage-US, LLC
Experience: Chief Executive Officer of Corlund Industries, L.L.C. since 2005; General Manager of Almacen Storage-US, LLC since 2007
Qualifications: Ms. Córdova has extensive business leadership and entrepreneurial experience. She has developed strong leadership skills for high growth companies through her experience in leading companies in the start-up phases and growth-phases of business development. Her business experience has also given her extensive experience in corporate finance and strategic planning. In addition, Ms. Córdova is a citizen of both the United States and Mexico and has experience in managing and leading Mexican businesses. Ms. Córdova also has experience in the development of government financial and economic policies that she has developed through her formal education and experience with the Board of Directors of the 10th District Federal Reserve Bank.
Other Current Directorships: Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
Past Directorships: 10th District Federal Reserve Bank based in Kansas City | |
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Age: 69 Director Since: 2003 Current Term Ends: 2015 Committees: • Audit (Chair) • Finance • Nominating & Corporate Governance |
Thomas A. McDonnell Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Experience: President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014; Chief Executive Officer of DST Systems, Inc. from 1984 until September 2012
Qualifications: Mr. McDonnell is an experienced business leader with the skills necessary to serve as a director of the Company. He served for many years as the CEO of DST Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company and has developed strong business leadership skills in this role. Mr. McDonnell has extensive executive experience in corporate finance and accounting, technology, international operations and strategic planning. His service on other boards has provided him with a broad business background and leadership skills that are highly valued by Directors on the Company’s Board.
Other Current Directorships: Euronet Worldwide, Inc.; Blue Valley Ban Corp
Past Directorships: Commerce Bancshares, Inc.; DST Systems, Inc.; Garmin Ltd | |
| The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of these director nominees. |
Vote Required for Approval
Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, only directors that receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for or against such director by the holders of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors will be elected. Any nominee for re-election in an uncontested election who does not receive votes for his or her election equal to a simple majority of the votes cast must submit an offer to resign from the Board. The Board will then consider the resignation offer and may either (i) accept the resignation offer or (ii) reject the resignation offer and seek to address the underlying cause(s) of the “against” votes. The Board is required to make its determination within 90 days following the certification of the stockholder vote and make a public announcement of its decision, including a statement regarding the reasons for its decision if the Board rejects the resignation offer.
Under the rules of the NYSE, brokers are prohibited from giving proxies to vote on the election of directors unless the beneficial owner has given voting instructions as to each director. This means that if your broker is the record holder of your shares you must give voting instructions to your broker if you want your broker to vote your shares for the election of directors.
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| 2. Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our 2015 consolidated financial statements and provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. KPMG served as our independent registered public accounting firm in 2014. We are seeking our stockholders’ ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of our independent registered public accounting firm even though we are not legally required to do so. If our stockholders ratify the Audit Committee’s selection, the Audit Committee nonetheless may, in its discretion, retain another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee feels that such change would be in the best interests of KCS and its stockholders. Alternatively, if this proposal is not approved by stockholders, the Audit Committee may re-evaluate its decision. One or more representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity, if desired, to make a statement and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
| The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. |
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Voting Stock present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the rules of the NYSE, brokers may give proxies on Proposal 2 whether or not they receive instructions from the beneficial owners of those shares.
| 3. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation |
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. The 2013 compensation of our Named Executive Officers was overwhelmingly approved by our stockholders in the advisory vote held at last year’s annual meeting. Accordingly, the Compensation and Organization Committee (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the “Compensation Committee”) continued with its strategy, as described below and in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
| We believe that we maintain a compensation system that allows us to attract and retain quality Named Executive Officers and encourages our Named Executive Officers to continually improve the operations and performance of the Company in order to maximize the value of our cross-border rail network on behalf of our stockholders. A large percentage of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation is comprised of long-term incentive awards in the form of equity awards, many of which include performance measures to incent our Named Executive Officers to perform well. This not only encourages each Named Executive Officer to take steps to achieve the Company’s long-term goals, but also aligns their personal financial interests with those of our stockholders. Our Compensation Committee seeks to compensate each Named Executive Officer near market median of our peer group of |
At the 2014 Annual Meeting, stockholders representing 97.6% of the votes cast at the meeting voted in favor of the 2013 compensation of the Named Executive Officers. |
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companies in order to ensure that our Named Executive Officers are compensated fairly and equitably. Further, our Compensation Committee annually reviews the design of our compensation programs to ensure that they do not encourage excessive risk taking by the Named Executive Officer in order to obtain a short-term personal gain that negatively impacts our long-term value proposition. Our Compensation Committee believes it has implemented compensation programs that are structured in the best manner to support our long-term business strategy and increase stockholder value.
We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation program as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say on pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we ask our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company, approve, on an advisory basis, the 2014 compensation of the Named Executive Officers as discussed and disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore, not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officers’ compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
| The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the resolution. |
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Voting Stock present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to approve the resolution. Under the rules of the NYSE, brokers are prohibited from giving proxies to vote on executive compensation matters unless the beneficial owner of such shares has given voting instructions on the matter. This means that if your broker is the record holder of your shares, you must give voting instructions to your broker with respect to Proposal 3 if you want your broker to vote your shares on this matter.
| 4. Special Shareowner Meetings |
Mr. John Chevedden, on behalf of Mr. James McRitchie and Ms. Myra Young, 9295 Yorkship Court, Elk Grove, CA 95758, who represent that they hold not less than 50 shares of our common stock, has submitted the following proposal for consideration at the Annual Meeting:
Resolved, Shareowners ask our board to take the steps necessary (unilaterally if possible) to amend our bylaws and each appropriate governing document to give holders in the aggregate of 10% of our outstanding common stock the power to call a special shareowner meeting. This proposal does not impact our board’s current power to call a special meeting.
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Delaware law allows 10% of shareholders to call a special meeting and dozens or hundreds of companies have adopted the 10% threshold. Special meetings allow shareowners to vote on important matters, such as electing new directors that can arise between annual meetings. Shareowners input on the timing of shareowner meetings is especially important when events unfold quickly and issues may become moot by the next annual meeting.
This is also important because there could be a 15-month span between our annual meetings. This proposal topic won more than 70% support at Edwards Lifesciences and SunEdison in 2013. Vanguard sent letters to 350 of its portfolio companies asking them to consider providing the right for shareholders to call a special meeting.
Delaware law allows 10% of shareholders to call a special meeting without mandating a holding period. However it takes 25% of Kansas City Southern shareholders, from only those shareholders with at least one-year of continuous stock ownership, to call a special meeting.
Thus potentially 50% of Kansas City Southern shareholders could be disenfranchised from having any voice whatsoever in calling a special meeting due to the Kansas City Southern one-year restriction. The average holding period for stock is less than one-year according to “Stock Market Investors Have Become Absurdly Impatient.”
Please vote to enhance shareholder value:
Special Shareowner Meetings – Proposal 4
Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to Proposal 4
The independent Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors carefully considered the stockholder proposal with the assistance of outside legal counsel. Acting upon the recommendation of that Committee, the Board of Directors decided to oppose the proposal and unanimously recommends that you vote “AGAINST” it for the following reasons:
The Company’s stockholders already have the ability to call a special meeting. The Board believes that adoption of this proposal is unnecessary because the Company’s stockholders already have the ability to call a special meeting. The Company amended its Bylaws in May 2014 to provide that stockholders who have an aggregate “net long position” of at least 25% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock may call a special meeting of stockholders upon written request to the Company’s Secretary. At the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this amendment was overwhelmingly approved by more than 99% of the votes cast by the Company’s stockholders and is now embodied in Article II, Section 10 of our Bylaws.
The current 25% threshold strikes an appropriate balance. In recommending this Bylaw to stockholders last year, the Board determined after careful consideration that a 25% threshold would strike the appropriate balance between giving stockholders the ability to call a special meeting and protecting against the risk that a small minority of stockholders could trigger the expense and distraction of a special meeting to pursue matters that are not widely viewed as requiring immediate attention. For every special meeting, the Company is required to incur significant expenses, including legal, printing and mailing expenses, and preparation for a meeting requires significant attention of the Company’s directors, officers and employees. The Company holds a regular meeting of stockholders every year. The Board believes that the current 25% threshold helps to ensure that a special meeting will be called only when unusual events or circumstances require that a matter be addressed immediately, rather than waiting for the next annual meeting.
A 10% threshold is not in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Board believes that it is not in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company to give holders of only 10% of our outstanding common stock the ability to call a special meeting of stockholders. A threshold that low could permit a small group of stockholders to use the extraordinary measure of calling a special meeting to serve the group’s
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narrow self-interests at the expense of the vast majority of the stockholders and the Company. For example, event-driven hedge funds or other activists could pursue a special meeting with the goal of disrupting the Company’s business or proposing issues that facilitate their own short-term aims. This concern is heightened if stockholders who may have a perspective substantially different from the majority of the stockholders can borrow shares from other stockholders for the sole purpose of meeting the required threshold necessary to call a special meeting. If this proposal is implemented, any stockholder or ad hoc group holding 10% of the Company’s shares could call a special meeting in its sole discretion, in its own self-interest, at any time, for any reason. Based on our stockholder base over the last several years, a 10% group could have meant just one or two stockholders. The Board believes that if fewer than 25% of the shares desire a special meeting, then the need for a special meeting has not been demonstrated.
The current 25% threshold is well within the mainstream. Among companies in the S&P 500, 25% of outstanding shares is the most common trigger for companies that permit stockholders to call a special meeting. Of U.S.-domiciled companies in the S&P 500 where stockholders are permitted to call a special meeting, 70% set the threshold at 25% or above. Fewer than 5% of companies in the S&P 500 permit stockholders holding just 10% of the outstanding common stock to call special meetings.
The Company is committed to a robust corporate governance regime. Finally, this proposal should be evaluated in the context of the Company’s overall corporate governance profile. The Company is committed to a strong corporate governance regime and has implemented a number of policies and procedures in the past that evidence this commitment, including amending the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to declassify the Board of Directors. The Board believes in strong and independent directors and, as described elsewhere in this proxy statement, our goal is to have two-thirds of the members of the Board qualify as “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards. Currently seven of our nine directors are independent within this meaning. Each of our directors in an uncontested election must be elected by a “majority of the votes cast” standard. And the Board recently amended our Bylaws to require an independent Chair of the Board. In light of the Board’s continuing commitment to ensuring effective corporate governance, the Board believes that adoption of this proposal is not necessary and could be disruptive of the Company’s operations and permit the special interests of a small group of stockholders to exert undue influence.
| The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal. |
Vote Required for Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Voting Stock present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to approval this proposal. Under the rules of the NYSE, brokers are prohibited from giving proxies to vote on this matter unless the beneficial owner of such shares has given voting instructions. This means that if your broker is the record holder of your shares, you must give voting instructions to your broker with respect to Proposal 4 if your want your broker to vote your shares on this matter.
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| The Board of Directors |
There are currently nine members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Haverty’s term expires at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, Mr. Haverty is not eligible to be nominated for election to the Board because he previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the Board intends to reduce the number of directors on the Board to eight. The biographies of the two directors who are standing for re-election to the Board are set forth in Proposal 1. The biographies of the other six directors continuing as directors after the Annual Meeting are set forth below.
The Board met eight times in 2014. The Board meets regularly to review significant developments affecting KCS and to act on matters requiring Board approval. The Board reserves certain powers and functions to itself; in addition, it has requested that the Chief Executive Officer refer certain matters to it. During 2014, all directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which they served.
|
Age: 74 |
Henry R. Davis President, Promotora DAC, S.A. de C.V.
Experience: President of Promotora DAC, S.A. de C.V. since 1998
Qualifications: As the Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Grupo
Cifra,
Other Current Directorships: Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V.; Fibra Uno, S.A.B. de C.V.
Past Directorships: Grupo Cifra; Grupo Aeroportuario de Pacífico S.A.B. de C.V.;
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|
Age: 67 |
Robert J. Druten (Chairman) Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Experience: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hallmark
Qualifications: Mr. Druten has extensive executive experience in corporate finance
Other Current Directorships: EPR Properties; Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.
Past Directorships: American Italian Pasta Company
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Age: 65 |
Terrence P. Dunn Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, J.E. Dunn Construction Group
Experience: President and
Chief Executive Officer of J.E. Dunn Construction
Qualifications: Mr. Dunn was the President and Chief Executive Officer of J.E.
Other Current Directorships: J.E. Dunn Construction Group; UMB Financial
Past Directorships: Federal Reserve Bank based in Kansas City
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|
Age: 55 |
Antonio O. Garza, Jr. Counsel, White & Case, LLP
Experience: Counsel, White & Case, LLP since 2009; United
States Ambassador to
Qualifications: Mr. Garza
brings strong political, diplomatic and international
Other Current Directorships: Basic
Energy Services; MoneyGram International;
Past Directorships: BBVA Compass and the U.S. holding companies of BBVA
| |
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Age: 60 |
Rodney E. Slater Partner, Squire Patton Boggs LLP
Experience: Partner, Squire Patton Boggs LLP since 2001; United States
Secretary
Qualifications: Mr. Slater
brings strong leadership skills to the Board developed
Other Current Directorships: Southern Development Bancorporation; Transurban
Past Directorships: ICx Technologies, Inc.; Delta Airlines; International Battery,
Inc.;
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|
Age: 65 |
David L. Starling Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Southern
Experience: Chief Executive Officer of KCS since
August 1, 2010; President and
Qualifications: Mr. Starling has extensive executive experience in the North
Other Current Directorships: Ferrellgas, Inc.
| |
| Board Committees |
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (referred to in this Proxy Statement as the “Nominating Committee”), a Finance Committee and an Executive Committee. Committee members are elected by the Board at the Board’s annual meeting immediately following our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Finance Committees detailing all of their responsibilities, a copy of which is available in the “Corporate Governance — Governance Documents” section under the “Investors” tab of our website at www.kcsouthern.com.
| Audit Committee
|
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| The Audit Committee consists of three Directors elected by the Board, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, to serve one-year terms. All members of the Audit Committee are independent (as defined in the NYSE’s listing standards) and meet the additional independence standards in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company does not limit the number of public company audit committees on which the members of our Audit Committee may serve. However, for any director to simultaneously serve on our Audit Committee and the audit committees of more than two other public companies, the Board must affirmatively determine that such simultaneous service will not impair the director’s ability to effectively serve on our Audit Committee.
|
Committee Members:
McDonnell (Chair)
Córdova
Dunn
Number of Meetings in 2014: 5 |
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| The Board has determined that Mr. McDonnell is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in applicable securities regulations based upon his prior experience as the Chief Executive Officer of DST, his accounting and financial education, his experience actively supervising others performing accounting or auditing functions, and his past and current memberships on audit committees of other public companies.
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing and pre-approving the fees of our independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving fees for other non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit Committee monitors the quality and integrity of our financial reporting process, financial statements and systems of internal controls. |
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| Compensation Committee
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| The Compensation Committee consists of three Directors
The Compensation Committee is responsible for
|
Committee Members:
Davis (Chair)
Druten
Slater
Number of Meetings in 2014: 5 | |
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| Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.
During 2014:
• no member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of KCS or was formerly an officer of KCS;
• no member of the Compensation Committee had any material relationship with KCS other than service on the Board and Board committees and the receipt of compensation for that service, except as described below in “Certain Transactions”;
• no executive officer of KCS served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; and
• no executive officer of KCS served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, if the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of KCS. |
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| Nominating Committee
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| The Nominating Committee consists of six Directors
The Nominating Committee generally
will consider director |
Committee Members:
Slater (Chair)
Córdova
Davis
Druten
Dunn
McDonnell
Number of Meetings in 2014: 9 | |
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| Finance Committee
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| The Finance Committee consists of three Directors elected by the Board, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, to serve one-year terms. The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving financial transactions exceeding $25 million, but not exceeding $200 million. The Finance Committee also reviews management’s financing plans and reports and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to matters affecting our financing plan and capital structure. |
Committee Members:
Córdova (Chair)
Garza
McDonnell
Number of Meetings in 2014: 3 | |
|
Executive Committee
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| The Executive Committee consists of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board, and one independent director elected by the Board, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, to serve a one-year term. When the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee has all the powers of the Board in all cases in which specific directions have not been given by the Board. |
Committee Members:
Druten (Chair)
Garza
Starling
Number of Meetings in 2014: 4 |
| Corporate Governance |
Governance highlights
The Company actively communicates with its major stockholders about various issues concerning the Company, including various corporate governance matters. In recent years, the Company has undertaken a number of corporate governance initiatives in response to feedback it has received from its stockholders, including:
| • | Elimination of classified Board on a phased-in basis; complete declassification by 2017 |
| • | Adoption of majority voting |
| • | Elimination of super-majority voting |
| • | Amendment of Bylaws to allow for stockholders to call a special meeting |
| • | Separation of leadership roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO |
| • | Adoption of policy requiring independent Chairman of the Board |
| • | Amendment of Bylaws to prohibit nomination of former Company CEOs to the Board |
| • | Disclosure of political contributions on the Company’s website |
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Corporate Governance Guidelines of Kansas City Southern (the “Guidelines”) are available for review in the “Corporate Governance — Governance Documents” section under the “Investors” tab of our website at www.kcsouthern.com. In addition, this section of our website makes available all of our corporate governance materials, including our Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), board committee charters, code of business conduct and ethics and our anti-harassment and equal employment opportunity policies. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews corporate governance developments and modifies the Guidelines, committee charters, and key practices as it believes warranted.
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The “Investors” section of our website also includes a copy of the brochure for our United States Speak Up! line in portable document format (i.e., PDF). Our United States Speak Up! line is a means for employees, customers, suppliers, stockholders and other interested parties to submit confidential and anonymous reports of suspected or actual actions they believe may violate our corporate policies or the law. Our United States Speak Up! line is operated by an independent outside vendor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any employee, stockholder, or other interested party can call the following toll-free (within the United States) number to submit a report:
1-800-727-2615
We have a similar hotline in Mexico, the KCSM Speak Up! line, to receive confidential and anonymous reports of suspected or actual actions that the reporting party believes may violate our corporate policies or the law. The KCSM Speak Up! line is operated by an independent outside vendor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any employee, stockholder or other interested party can call the following toll-free number to submit a report:
Initial Toll Free-Phone Number: 01-800-112-2020
Access Code: 800-727-2615
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of KCS and its subsidiaries and embodies our principles and practices relating to the ethical conduct of our business and our commitment to honesty, fair dealing and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the “Corporate Governance — Governance Documents” section under the “Investors” tab of our website at www.kcsouthern.com and in print to any stockholder who requests it. Any waiver or amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are also made available on our website.
Policy on Director Attendance at Annual Stockholder Meetings
Our directors are encouraged to attend the annual stockholder meetings. Other than Mr. Slater, all directors serving at the time of the 2014 annual stockholder meeting attended that meeting.
Director Qualifications, Qualities and Skills
The Guidelines establish certain qualifications, qualities and skills that directors and nominees must meet to be eligible to serve on our Board of Directors. Under the Guidelines, directors and nominees must be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders and meet, at a minimum, the following qualifications:
| • | High personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; |
| • | Independence, in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE, unless their lack of independence would not prevent two-thirds of the Board from meeting such requirements; |
| • | No current service on boards of companies that, in the judgment of the Nominating Committee, are in competition with, or opposed to the best interests of, the Company; |
| • | Below the age of 75 years as of the date of the meeting at which his or her election would occur; and |
| • | Has not previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. |
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Additionally, it is considered desirable that directors and nominees possess the following qualities and skills:
| • | Significant experience at policy making levels in business, government or education; |
| • | Significant experience or relationships in, or knowledge about, geographic markets served by us or industries that are relevant to our business; and |
| • | Willingness to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively, including service on appropriate committees of the Board. |
Director Independence
The Guidelines require that a majority of the Board of Directors must be independent, as determined affirmatively by the Board in accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE, although our goal is to have two-thirds of the members of the Board meet these requirements. We refer to directors who meet the NYSE independence standards as “Independent Directors”. The Independent Directors constitute more than two-thirds of our Board of Directors. The Independent Directors are Messrs. Davis, Druten, Dunn, McDonnell and Secretary Slater, Ambassador Garza and Ms. Córdova. Mr. Haverty does not meet the NYSE independence standard due to his prior relationship with the Company. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each Independent Director has no material relationship with the Company and is independent in accordance with applicable NYSE listing standards. These standards assist the Board in determining that a director or nominee has no material relationship with KCS, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with KCS.
The Board holds regular executive sessions of the Independent Directors. All Board committees, other than the Executive Committee, are comprised of only Independent Directors. Thus, the Independent Directors directly oversee critical matters such as the compensation of executive management, the selection and evaluation of Board nominees, the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, and the development of corporate governance programs of the Company.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board regularly considers the appropriate leadership structure for the Company and recently revised our Bylaws and our Guidelines to require that the position of Chair of the Board be filled by an Independent Director. The effect of these revisions is to separate the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. The Board believes this structure ensures appropriate oversight by the Independent Directors. Meetings of the Independent Directors will be presided over by the Chair (currently Mr. Druten) since he or she will also be an Independent Director.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Company’s enterprise risk management process and program. This includes understanding the Company’s philosophy and strategy towards enterprise risk management and mitigation. The Board reviews the Company’s most significant risks and whether management is responding within the Company’s risk management and mitigation strategies. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the primary responsibility for reviewing the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. Management periodically reports to the Audit Committee on the Company’s risk identification, assessment and mitigation activities. The Company has an enterprise risk management coordinator who supervises the enterprise risk management process. Furthermore, the Company has given its disclosure committee responsibility to review the comparability of the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Company’s enterprise risk profile. The risk oversight structure has no effect on the Board’s leadership structure.
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Director Diversity
The Nominating Committee strives to nominate directors who represent an appropriate mix of backgrounds and experiences to best enhance the functions of the Board. The Nominating Committee considers diversity in the broadest sense, thus including factors such as age, sex, race, ethnicity and geographic location, as well as a variety of experience and educational backgrounds (such as operations, finance, accounting and marketing experience and education) when seeking Board nominees. The Nominating Committee does not have a diversity policy in place.
Stockholder/Interested Person Communication with the Board
Any stockholder or interested person may communicate with the Independent Directors by sending such communication in writing to the office of the Corporate Secretary, Kansas City Southern, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri, 64121-9335, or by express carrier to the Corporate Secretary, Kansas City Southern, 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. In its capacity as the agent for the Independent Directors the office of the Corporate Secretary may review, sort and summarize the communications and, in accordance with the directions provided by and procedures established by the Independent Directors, forward such communications to the Independent Directors as appropriate. To be considered, such communications must be signed by the stockholder or other interested party, with the stockholder’s or other interested party’s name, address and telephone number. The Independent Directors shall review such communication with the Board, or the group addressed in the communication, for the purpose of determining an appropriate response and any appropriate action that should be taken. Any communications received may be shared with management on the instruction of the Independent Directors.
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The following table contains information concerning the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of the Record Date by:
| • | Beneficial owners of more than five percent of our Common Stock that have publicly disclosed their ownership in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); |
| • | The members of our Board of Directors, including our Chief Executive Officer; |
| • | Our Chief Financial Officer and the other executive officers for whom information is provided in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement; and |
| • | All current executive officers, directors and nominees for director as a group. The address for each of our directors and executive officers listed is 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. |
We are not aware of any beneficial owner of more than five percent of the 4% Preferred Stock. None of our directors or executive officers owns any shares of 4% Preferred Stock. No officer or director of KCS owns any equity securities of any subsidiary of KCS. Beneficial ownership is generally defined as either the sole or shared power to vote or dispose of the shares. Except as otherwise noted, the beneficial owners have sole power to vote and dispose.
| Beneficial Owners | Common Stock(1) | Percent of Class(1) | ||||
| The Vanguard Group |
8,167,715 | (2) | 7.4% | |||
| BlackRock, Inc. |
7,125,693 | (3) | 6.5% | |||
| T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc |
5,953,380 | (4) | 5.4% | |||
| Viking Global Investors LP |
5,560,280 | (5) | 5.0% | |||
| Directors | ||||||
| Lu M. Córdova Director |
7,028 | (6) | * | |||
| Henry R. Davis Director |
106,527 | * | ||||
| Robert J. Druten Director |
22,907 | (7) | * | |||
| Terrence P. Dunn Director |
34,871 | (8) | * | |||
| Antonio O. Garza, Jr. Director |
5,463 | * | ||||
| Michael R. Haverty Director |
801,285 | (9) | * | |||
| Thomas A. McDonnell Director |
115,000 | (10) | * | |||
| Rodney E. Slater Director |
20,191 | * | ||||
| David L. Starling Director; Chief Executive Officer |
172,706 | (11) | * | |||
| Current Executive Officers | ||||||
| Warren K. Erdman Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs |
61,513 | (12) | * | |||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer President |
74,463 | (13) | * | |||
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| Common Stock(1) | Percent of Class(1) | |||||
| Michael W. Upchurch Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
24,428 | (14) | * | |||
| José G. Zozaya President and Executive Representative of Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V. (“KCSM”) |
69,640 | (15) | * | |||
| Former Officers | ||||||
| David R. Ebbrecht |
5,495 | (16) | * | |||
| All Directors and Current Executive Officers as a Group (18 Persons) |
1,632,538 | (17) | 1.48% | |||
| * | Less than one percent of the outstanding shares. |
| (1) | This column includes Common Stock, including restricted shares, beneficially owned by officers, directors, nominees for director and beneficial owners of more than five percent of our Common Stock. In accordance with SEC rules, this column also includes shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options or other convertible securities that are exercisable or convertible on the Record Date, or will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of that date, which are considered beneficially owned. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares subject to options or other convertible securities held by that person that are exercisable or convertible on the Record Date, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the Record Date, are deemed outstanding. These shares are not, however, deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. In addition, under applicable law, shares that are held indirectly are considered beneficially owned. Directors, nominees for director and executive officers may also be deemed to own, beneficially, shares included in the amounts shown above which are held in other capacities. The holders may disclaim beneficial ownership of shares included under certain circumstances. The list of our executive officers is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. See the last page of this Proxy Statement for instructions on how to obtain a copy of the Form 10-K. |
| (2) | The address of The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. Based on a Schedule 13G, filed February 9, 2015, Vanguard reports sole voting power of 197,403 shares, sole power to dispose of 7,988,289 shares and shared power to dispose of 179,426 shares. |
| (3) | The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. This information is based on BlackRock, Inc.’s Schedule 13G/A filed on January 12, 2015. Black Rock reports sole voting power of 6,234,812 shares and sole dispositive power of 7,125,693 shares. |
| (4) | The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 10, 2015, Price Associates reports sole power to vote 1,758,516 shares and sole power to dispose of 5,953,380 shares. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which Price Associates serves as investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. |
| (5) | The address of Viking Global Investors LP (“VGI”), Viking Global Performance LLC (“VGP”), Viking Global Equities LP (“VGE”), Viking Global Equities II LP (“VGEII”), VGEII Portfolio Ltd. (“VGEIII”), Viking Long Fund GP LLC (“VLFGP”), Viking Long Fund Master Ltd. (“VLFM”), Viking Global Opportunities GP LLC (“VGOGP”), VGO Portfolio GP LLC (“VGOP”), VGO Liquid Portfolio Swo-Master LP (“VGOLP”), O. Andreas Halvoren, David C. OH, Thomas W. Purcell, Jr. and Daniel S. Sundheim is 55 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830. Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 5, 2015, VGI reports shared power to vote and dispose of 5,560,280 shares, VGP reports shared power to vote and dispose of 3,767,133 shares, VGE reports shared power to vote and dispose of 1,284,598 shares, VGEII reports shared power to vote and dispose of 75,324 shares, VGEIII reports shared power to vote and dispose of 2,407,211 shares, VLFGP and VLFM each reports shared power to vote and dispose of 1,480,475 shares, VGOGP, VGOP and VGOLP each reports shared power to vote and dispose of 312,672 shares. Messrs. Halvorsen, OH and Purcell each report shared power to vote and dispose of 5,560,280 shares. |
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| (6) | Ms. Córdova’s beneficial ownership includes 29 shares held in a trust. |
| (7) | Mr. Druten’s beneficial ownership includes 617 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Druten disclaims beneficial ownership. |
| (8) | Mr. Dunn’s beneficial ownership includes 33,572 shares held in a revocable trust for which he is the trustee with sole voting and dispositive power and 1,299 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Dunn disclaims beneficial ownership. |
| (9) | Mr. Haverty’s beneficial ownership includes 3,002 restricted shares, 761,674 shares held jointly with his spouse, and 36,609 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Haverty disclaims beneficial ownership. |
| (10) | Mr. McDonnell’s beneficial ownership includes 75,000 shares held in a trust for which he is the trustee with sole voting and dispositive power, and 40,000 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. McDonnell disclaims beneficial ownership. |
| (11) | Mr. Starling’s beneficial ownership includes 14,481 restricted shares, 76,151 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date, 50,020 shares held jointly with his spouse, 10,000 shares held in an Individual Retirement Account, and 5,778 shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Starling disclaims beneficial ownership. |
| (12) | Mr. Erdman’s beneficial ownership includes 3,147 restricted shares, 22,415 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date, 33,309 shares held jointly with his spouse and 991 shares allocated to his account in the KCS 401(k) Plan. |
| (13) | Mr. Ottensmeyer’s beneficial ownership includes 15,803 restricted shares, 22,226 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date, and 240 shares allocated to his account in the KCS 401(k) Plan. |
| (14) | Mr. Upchurch’s beneficial ownership includes 5,098 restricted shares and 9,178 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date. |
| (15) | Mr. Zozaya’s beneficial ownership includes 4,373 restricted shares and 29,076 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date. |
| (16) | Mr. Ebbrecht’s beneficial ownership is based on his last Form 4, which was filed on July 1, 2014 and includes 11 shares allocated to his account in the KCS 401(k) Plan. |
| (17) | The number includes 82,565 restricted shares, 175,886 shares that may be acquired through options that are exercisable as of, or will become exercisable within 60 days of, the Record Date, 856,455 shares held jointly, and 136,758 shares otherwise held indirectly. Mr. Druten, a Director, disclaims beneficial ownership of 617 of the total shares listed. Mr. Dunn, a Director, disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,299 of the total shares listed. Mr. Haverty, a Director, disclaims beneficial ownership of 36,609 of the total shares listed. Mr. McDonnell, a Director, disclaims beneficial ownership of 40,000 of the total shares listed. Mr. Starling, a Director and our Chief Executive Officer, disclaims beneficial ownership of 5,778 of the total shares listed. |
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Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Company’s executive compensation for 2014 for our Named Executive Officers or “NEOs”, who are listed below and in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.
| Current Named Executive Officers | ||
| David L. Starling | Chief Executive Officer | |
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer | President | |
| José G. Zozaya | President, General Manager and Executive Representative of KCSM | |
| Michael W. Upchurch | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| Warren K. Erdman | Executive Vice President—Administration and Corporate Affairs | |
David R. Ebbrecht, the Company’s former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is also included in this proxy statement as a Named Executive Officer. Mr. Ebbrecht’s employment with the Company ended on June 30, 2014.
2014 Say-On-Pay Vote on Executive Compensation
At the 2014 Annual Meeting, stockholders representing 97.6% of the votes cast at the meeting voted in favor of the 2013 compensation of the named executive officers. Supported by the overwhelming approval of the 2013 compensation program for our NEOs, the Compensation Committee decided to maintain the same program for 2014.
Key Features of Executive Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing our executive compensation policies and overseeing our executive compensation practices to align compensation with the principles described herein. The Compensation Committee believes our executive compensation program will achieve the following objectives:
| • | Facilitate the attraction and retention of highly-qualified executives; |
| • | Motivate our executives to achieve our operating and strategic goals; |
| • | Align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders by rewarding them in accordance with the creation of stockholder value; and |
| • | Deliver executive compensation in a responsible and cost-effective manner that reflects sound governance principles on the part of the Company and its Board. |
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The Compensation Committee seeks to provide base salaries, target total cash and target total direct compensation that are consistent with market median practices, recognizing internal equity and incumbent-specific considerations such as performance, future potential, and tenure with the Company. We define the market as comparably-sized transportation and mature capital intensive companies. Based on the findings of the executive compensation analysis in 2014, the Compensation Committee believes that our targeted executive compensation levels are “competitive” in aggregate, within a +/- 15% of the target market 50th percentile (i.e., 85% to 115% of target market 50th percentile).
| What We Do | ||
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We tie pay to performance. The great majority of executive pay is not guaranteed. We set clear financial goals for corporate performance. | |
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We seek to mitigate undue risk, including utilizing caps on potential payments and robust Board and management processes to identify risk. | |
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We have adopted stringent share ownership guidelines, which all Named Executive Officers meet. | |
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We reward our executives for long-term growth and therefore measure our performance over a three-year cycle. | |
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We provide only modest perquisites that have a sound benefit to the Company’s business. | |
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We have reasonable post-employment and change in control provisions in our executive employment agreements. | |
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Our equity plans under which awards may be granted generally provide for accelerated vesting of future awards after a change in control only if an employee is also terminated (a double-trigger). | |
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Our Compensation Committee benefits from its utilization of an independent compensation consulting firm. | |
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The Compensation Committee closely monitors any other services provided to the Company by its compensation consulting firm to ensure they don’t create a potential conflict of interest. | |
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Pursuant to the claw back provision in our performance share award agreement, participants who engage in gross misconduct must forfeit outstanding awards and repay awards previously paid. | |
| What We Don’t Do | ||
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We do not reprice underwater stock options. | |
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We do not provide tax gross-ups for perquisites. | |
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We do not have excise tax gross-ups other than historical provisions contained in employment agreements entered into prior to 2007. | |
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We prohibit hedging of Company stock by officers, directors and employees. | |
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Primary Elements of Compensation
The primary elements of our 2014 executive officer compensation package are described below. The amount and types of elements differ between our U.S. and Mexico executives as a result of custom, traditions, compensation statutes and tax law differences.
| Compensation Element | Purpose | Characteristic | ||
| Base Salary | To provide a fixed element of pay for an individual’s primary duties and responsibilities. | Base salaries are reviewed annually and are set based on competitiveness versus market and internal equity considerations. | ||
| Annual Incentive | To encourage and reward the achievement of specified financial goals on an annual basis. | Performance-based cash award opportunity; amount earned is based on actual results relative to pre-determined goals. | ||
| Long-Term Incentives | ||||
| Performance Share Awards |
To motivate management for long-term financial success. | Three-year performance-based share awards with pre-determined financial goals. | ||
| Restricted Stock |
To align the executives’ interests with those of investors (via creation of stockholder value), to encourage stock ownership, and to provide an incentive for retention. | Service-based long-term incentive opportunity; ultimate award value depends on share price. | ||
| Non-Qualified Stock Options |
To incent and reward the creation of stockholder value. | Service-based long-term incentive opportunity; amounts realized are dependent upon share price appreciation. | ||
Other Elements of Compensation
We provide certain benefit programs that are designed to be competitive within the marketplace from which we recruit our employees. The majority of employee benefits provided to our Named Executive Officers are offered through broad-based plans available to our management employees generally.
KCS 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (the “KCS 401(k) Plan”). The KCS 401(k) Plan is a qualified defined contribution plan. Eligible U.S. employees may elect to make pre-tax or post-tax deferral contributions, called 401(k) contributions, to the KCS 401(k) Plan of up to 75% of eligible compensation subject to certain limits under the Code. We match contributions to the KCS 401(k) Plan equal to 100% of a participant’s 401(k) contributions and up to the lesser of a maximum of 5% of a participant’s eligible compensation or the statutory limit imposed by the Code. Our matching contributions for the KCS 401(k) Plan vest over five years as follows:
| • | 0% for less than two years of service; |
| • | 20% upon two years of service; |
| • | 40% upon three years of service; |
| • | 60% upon four years of service; and |
| • | 100% upon five years of service. |
We may also make, in our discretion, annual profit sharing contributions to the KCS 401(k) Plan in an amount not to exceed the maximum allowable deduction for federal income tax purposes and certain limits under the Code. Only employees who have met certain standards as to hours of service are eligible to
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receive profit sharing contributions. No minimum contribution is required. Each eligible participant, subject to maximum allocation limitations under the Code, is allocated the same percentage of the total contribution as the participant’s compensation bears to the total compensation of all participants. Profit sharing contributions are 100% vested when made. No profit sharing contributions were made in 2014.
Participants may direct the investment of their accounts in the KCS 401(k) Plan by selecting from one or more of the diversified investment funds available under the KCS 401(k) Plan.
Executive Plan. In order to provide executives with competitive retirement and savings plans, we maintain a supplemental benefit plan known as the “Executive Plan” for those U.S. executives who are designated by the President, Chief Executive Officer or Compensation Committee as participants in the plan. Our Executive Plan provides a benefit based on an amount equal to 10% of the excess of (a) the greater of (i) an executive’s base salary times the percentage specified in his or her employment agreement (ranging from 145% to 175%) or, for those executives without employment agreements, 145% (see the “Summary Compensation Table — Narrative to Summary Compensation Table”) or (ii) the sum of the executive’s base salary earned for the year plus any short-term incentive that was earned during the applicable year, over (b) the maximum compensation that can be considered for benefit purposes in a qualified retirement plan. Payments are generally made annually under this plan and executives receive such payments in one year restricted stock, which may be forfeited in the event of termination of employment prior to the end of the twelve-consecutive-month period beginning on the grant date.
Perquisites. As noted in our Summary Compensation Table, we provide our U.S. Named Executive Officers with certain perquisites consistent with market practice. We do not view perquisites as a significant element of our comprehensive compensation structure for our U.S. Named Executive Officers. For Mr. Zozaya and other executives employed by KCSM, we provide perquisites as required by Mexican law and consistent with Mexican customary practice.
We reimburse financial counseling expense for our Named Executive Officers up to a stated limit in accordance with the KCS Financial Planning Reimbursement Policy. The maximum amount of the annual reimbursement under this policy for our CEO is $8,000. The maximum amount of the annual reimbursement under this policy for our other Named Executive Officers is $5,000. We also pay for three years’ of the administrative fees charged by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (“GKCCF”) related to donor advised funds established by our U.S. executives at the GKCCF. These fees are paid out of funds from the Company’s charitable foundation, which is administered by the GKCCF.
Consistent with applicable law and perquisite practices in Mexico generally, we provide the following perquisites to Mr. Zozaya: (1) annual Christmas bonus equal to 30 days of wages or salary (Mexican law requires an annual Christmas bonus equal to at least 15 days of wages or salary), (2) vacation and vacation premium payments of 50% (Mexican law requires a vacation premium of at least 25%), (3) food stipend (up to a maximum of Ps. 2,131 per month), (4) automotive allocations or use of a leased company car (and maintenance for the leased car), (5) gasoline coupons, (6) 100% payment of the employee’s social security fees and (7) a limited reimbursement of expenses for financial planning services in accordance with the KCS Financial Planning Reimbursement Policy. The annual Christmas bonus is a payment in the amount equal to one month’s salary, prorated based on time with the Company. Executives based in Mexico have a number of vacation days as set forth in their respective employment agreements and a corresponding vacation premium equal to 50% of their earned vacation days, generally paid on or around their annual anniversary date, in accordance with the Company’s payroll policy.
The Compensation Committee believes these perquisites are conservative, but reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program, industry practice and applicable law, and better enable the Company to attract and retain high-performing employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee does not plan to materially increase the perquisites currently provided, subject to, with respect to Mr. Zozaya, requirements under Mexican law.
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Other Benefits. For our U.S. employees, we pay a portion of premiums for medical coverage, pay premiums for short-term disability coverage, pay premiums for 50% coverage for long-term disability and pay premiums for AD&D coverage up to 2 1/2 times the annual salary for each employee up to a maximum of $600,000. For U.S. and Mexico executives, we provide a basic amount of group life insurance coverage. Additionally, we provide eligible U.S. employees with the opportunity to purchase KCS Common Stock at a discount under the Kansas City Southern 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which plan is intended to satisfy Section 423 of the Code.
Benefits Provided for KCSM Executives. We provide accident, medical and life insurance for our executives based in Mexico. Each of our Named Executive Officers based in Mexico may contribute to a savings fund up to 13% of his base salary up to Ps. 2,659.30 monthly, the legal maximum. We make a matching contribution to each such Named Executive Officer’s savings fund. In addition, we are required under Mexican law to make certain severance payments to any employee (including a Named Executive Officer) who is terminated without cause. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” for a more detailed discussion of these payments.
Change in Control Benefits
Various compensation arrangements provide for award and account vesting and separation pay for our Named Executive Officers upon a change in control or the occurrence of certain events after a change in control. These arrangements are designed to:
| • | preserve our ability to compete for executive talent; |
| • | provide stability during a change in control by encouraging executives to cooperate with and achieve a change in control approved by the Board, without being distracted by the possibility of termination of employment or demotion after the change in control; and |
| • | provide an economic incentive to encourage an acquirer to evaluate whether to retain our executives rather than its own. |
Please see the “Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” for a discussion of why the Compensation Committee believes the current levels of post-employment termination compensation and benefits are appropriate and consistent with our compensation objectives.
Pay Mix
The percentage of a Named Executive Officer’s total compensation resulting from each of the compensation elements is not specifically determined, but instead is a result of the targeted competitive positioning for each element. By design, “at-risk” components (particularly long-term incentives) comprise a significant portion of a Named Executive Officer’s total compensation. This is consistent with the Compensation Committee’s desire to reward long-term performance in a way that is aligned with stockholders’ interests. In 2014, the target pay mix for our Chief Executive Officer and all other Named Executive Officers serving on December 31, 2014 (as an average) was as follows:
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Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee has set stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers and other members of senior management, which require executives to own a certain number of shares of Company Common Stock based upon a multiple of base salary, with the number of shares required for each executive determined by salary grade. The required multiples for our Named Executive officers are as follows:
| Multiple of Base Salary |
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| Chief Executive Officer |
5X | |||
| Other Named Executive Officers |
3X | |||
The Compensation Committee will periodically review the continued appropriateness of the stock ownership guidelines. Executives are given five years from their start date or promotion date to meet the required stock ownership thresholds. All stock sales by executives who are not in compliance will be reviewed by the Corporate Secretary and approved by the CEO. If executives have not met this stock ownership requirement within five years, then they may be required to retain long-term incentive plan grants and 50% of AIP payouts may be awarded in stock until the executive is compliant.
Shares that count in determining compliance with the stock ownership guidelines are shares beneficially owned by the executive, shares held by the executive in any KCS benefit plan, restricted shares at the time of grant (even if not yet vested), performance shares when earned (even if not yet vested), and shares issued and retained on exercise of stock options. As of December 31, 2014, all of our executives met the stock ownership guidelines.
Participants in the Compensation Process
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, which is responsible for establishing our executive compensation policies and overseeing our executive compensation practices, is comprised of three directors. Each of these directors meets the independence requirements of the NYSE, qualifies as an outside director under Section 162(m) of the Code, and is considered a non-employee director under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Role of Towers Watson, our Compensation Consultant. For assistance in fulfilling its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee retained Towers Watson as its compensation consultant to review and independently assess various aspects of our compensation programs, including the compensation of individuals serving as executives of KCSM, and to advise the Compensation Committee in making its executive compensation decisions for 2014. The Compensation Consultant is engaged by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee and has been retained again for 2015. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of the Compensation Consultant pursuant to SEC rules, analyzed whether the work performed raised any conflict of interest, and concluded that the Compensation Consultant is independent and that no conflict of interest exists. The Compensation Consultant’s role in 2014 has been to provide market data, including market trend data, to the Compensation Committee, to advise the Compensation Committee regarding the Company’s executive compensation relative to the market data, and to make recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation structure and components.
In 2014, at the direction of the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Consultant performed an executive compensation market analysis to assess the competitiveness of the compensation of the executives of the Company, including the Named Executive Officers. This study is typically conducted every two years and the data and findings are used to inform compensation program decisions going forward until the next study is performed, as well as evaluate actions that have been taken relative to the Company’s market position in compensation. The study was used to inform decisions regarding 2014 programs and grants.
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The results of the most recent analysis were presented to the Compensation Committee in February 2014. The Compensation Consultant analyzed the market competitiveness of the following elements for each of the covered executive positions:
| • | Base salary; |
| • | Target annual incentive award opportunity (award that may be earned for achieving expected annual performance results); |
| • | Target total cash compensation (salary plus target annual incentive award opportunity); |
| • | Annualized expected value of long-term incentive grants/awards (estimated value on date of grant); and |
| • | Target total direct compensation (target total cash compensation plus the annualized expected value of long-term incentive awards). |
The Compensation Consultant also assessed the relative market positioning of retirement programs provided to executives including the Named Executive Officers, as well as perquisites.
In performing the study, the Company’s executive positions were initially “matched,” based on the Compensation Consultant’s understanding of the positions’ primary duties and responsibilities, to similar positions in Towers Watson’s 2014 Executive Compensation Data Bank. At the request of the Company, a premium was applied to the market compensation data for certain benchmark survey position matches to reflect the differences between the responsibilities of the Company’s positions and those of the benchmark survey job matches.
Peer Group
In connection with this analysis and prior benchmarking analyses, the Compensation Committee with its Compensation Consultant defined the Company’s primary United States and Mexico competitive market as transportation and mature, capital-intensive companies with annual revenues of at least $1 billion, but no more than $5 billion that participate in the Compensation Consultant’s Executive Compensation Database. In 2014, with respect to our U.S. Named Executive Officers, this group was comprised of the following companies, all of which had revenues in 2013 between $1 billion and $5 billion:
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With respect to Mr. Zozaya, this group was comprised of the following companies, all of which had revenues in Mexico in 2013 between $250 million and $2.5 billion:
Conclusions of Compensation Committee
The results of the study conducted by the Compensation Committee with its Compensation Consultant found that (i) our base salaries are, on average, aligned with approximately local country market 50th percentile levels; (ii) our target total cash compensation levels are on average within a competitive range around the U.S. market median; (iii) our target annual incentive award opportunities, expressed as a percentage of salary, are, on average, aligned with the U.S. market 50th percentile level; and (iv) our target long-term incentive award opportunities, and resulting target total direct compensation levels, are, on average, consistent with U.S. market median practices. Results for individual officers varied. For the Named Executive Officers as a group, average competitive positioning for base salary was competitive with the median for the market. The study also found that the Company’s retirement benefits fall within the competitive range, but toward the lower end of this range. The study concluded that perquisites were modest, but consistent with typical current practices.
The conclusion by our Compensation Committee is that the Named Executive Officers are being compensated at or near market median given their positions and responsibilities. The Compensation
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Committee is satisfied that the ratio of compensation between the CEO and the other Named Executive Officers is acceptable and reasonable, particularly when taking into consideration the differences in responsibilities of each. The policies or decisions relating to the compensation of the CEO are not materially different than the other Named Executive Officers.
Risk Considerations in our Compensation Program
The Company also engaged Towers Watson to review its compensation program to assess the risks that it could create, as reflected in the Company’s risk management practices and policies. The review covered a number of key facets of the Company’s compensation plans, including their purposes, the types of performance measures used, the number and organizational level of participants, the aggregate amount and maximum individual amounts payable under the plans, the ability of the participants to take actions that could influence the calculation of their awards, the scope of the risks that could be created by actions taken to enhance the amounts payable under the plans, and how the Company’s risk management policies and governance practices are structured to mitigate these risks. As a result of this review, the Company concluded that its compensation program does not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its stockholders.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the deduction by publicly held corporations for federal income tax purposes of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the chief executive officer as of the end of the year and the next three highest compensated Named Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table, other than the chief financial officer, unless it is “performance-based.” Except as otherwise described in this section, the Compensation Committee intends to qualify compensation expense as performance-based and therefore deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The compensation packages of the Named Executive Officers for 2014 included base salary, annual cash incentives under the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan, performance share awards, restricted stock and non-qualified stock options. The highest total base salary was within the $1 million limit. The Company’s Annual Incentive Plan document was approved by stockholders in 2011 and is a performance-based plan under Section 162(m) of the code. Restricted shares with time-based vesting requirements awarded under the provisions of the 1991 Plan or the 2008 Plan do not qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). The restricted shares awarded to the Named Executive Officers have the potential to result in total compensation in excess of the $1 million limit under Section 162(m). Restricted shares with performance-based vesting requirements, stock options and performance shares awarded under the provisions of the 1991 Plan or 2008 Plan are intended to qualify as performance based compensation under Section 162(m) because the awards are earned based on our performance.
The Compensation Committee will review from time to time the potential impact of Section 162(m) on the deductibility of executive compensation. However, the Compensation Committee intends to maintain the flexibility to take actions it considers are in the best interests of KCS and our stockholders and which may be based on considerations in addition to tax deductibility.
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews projections of the estimated accounting (pro forma expense) and tax impact of material elements of the executive compensation program.
| 2014 Compensation Decisions |
2014 Salary Adjustments
In February 2014, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases of 3% for our Chief Executive Officer and the other U.S. Named Executive Officers and 4% for Mr. Zozaya.
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2014 Short Term Incentive Plan
In February 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2014 AIP”) for our Named Executive Officers. Similar to the AIP in prior years, each Named Executive Officer was assigned incentive targets at the threshold, target and maximum incentive performance levels that are a percentage of the Named Executive Officer’s 2014 base salary earned in 2014. The target percentage assigned for each performance level depended on the executive’s salary grade and is set forth in the following table:
| Percentage of Base Salary | |||||||||||||||
| Current Officers |
Threshold Performance Level |
Target Performance Level |
Maximum Performance Level | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Starling |
50 | % | 100 | % | 200 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Upchurch |
30 | % | 60 | % | 120 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Zozaya |
30 | % | 60 | % | 120 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Ottensmeyer |
30 | % | 60 | % | 120 | % | |||||||||
| Mr. Erdman |
27.5 | % | 55 | % | 110 | % | |||||||||
| Former Officer |
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| Mr. Ebbrecht |
30 | % | 60 | % | 120 | % | |||||||||
Following are the 2014 consolidated operating ratio incentive targets, as well as the percentage payout of the executive’s total incentive target for these metrics:
| Performance Level |
Consolidated Operating Ratio |
Percentage Payout at Total Incentive Target | ||||||||
| Threshold |
68.8 | % | 50 | % | ||||||
| Target |
67.8 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
| Maximum |
67.5 | % | 200 | % | ||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2014, our consolidated operating ratio as defined in the 2014 AIP was 67.1%. As a result of this, the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Ebbrecht) each earned a 2014 AIP payout of 200% of the target amount. See the Summary Compensation Table for actual amounts paid. Mr. Ebbrecht was not entitled to a payout under the 2014 AIP. Each year, the Compensation Committee will determine whether an annual incentive program will be adopted for that year and will establish participation, award opportunities and corresponding performance measures and goals, considering general market practices and its own subjective assessment of the effectiveness of such program in meeting its goals of motivating and rewarding our executives.
2014 Long-Term Incentive Program
As a result of the performance of the Company’s Named Executive Officers and the overwhelming approval of the say-on-pay vote at last year’s annual meeting, the Compensation Consultant utilized the guidelines developed during the creation of the 2013 long-term incentive program (the “2013 LTI Program”) to assist in the development of the 2014 LTI Program. The Compensation Committee agreed that the 2014 LTI Program should continue to:
| • | Drive sustained improvement in our operating performance; |
| • | Communicate strong performance focus to the external market; |
| • | Support execution of our long-term business strategy; |
| • | Provide a balanced program based on performance, share price leverage and employee retention; |
| • | Maintain flexibility to dovetail with our other talent management tools; |
| • | Maintain our external competitiveness; and |
| • | Be simple and transparent. |
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The 2014 LTI Program was approved in February 2014. The mix of awards was as follows:
2014 Long-Term Incentive Mix
Performance Shares: Under the 2014 LTI Program, a three-year performance share award was granted. The performance metrics for earning the performance shares awarded under the 2014 LTI Program were determined by setting performance goals for each year of the three-year performance period. The average of the results for each year as measured against these performance goals at the end of the three-year performance period will then be multiplied by the total number of shares awarded at target to determine the number of performance shares earned. The Compensation Committee decided this was an appropriate manner to determine the shares earned, and believed this best aligned executives’ long-term incentive compensation with our multi-year business plan as well as with the interests of our stockholders.
Management may earn between 50% and 200% of the performance share award by meeting or exceeding the performance criteria set for the three-year period. The performance criteria for the three year plan were set at the February 2014 meeting of the Compensation Committee. The performance shares earned, if any, will vest at the end of the three year period, on the later of (i) February 28, 2017 or (ii) the date the Compensation Committee certifies that the Performance Goals for the three-year Performance Period are (or are not) satisfied.
The Compensation Committee determined to use the Company’s return on invested capital (“ROIC”) and consolidated operating ratio (“OR”) as the performance metrics for the performance shares under the 2014 LTI Program, weighted 75% and 25%, respectively. The Compensation Committee believes that ROIC allows it to not only assess the Named Executive Officers’ performance with respect to our earnings, but also allows the Compensation Committee to measure the efficiency of management in stewarding our capital base and determine the success of management in making long-term capital investment decisions to improve our financial and operating performance. ROIC provides the Compensation Committee a measurement that can hold management accountable for earning a return in excess of our cost of capital.
For this purpose, ROIC is defined as the quotient of the Company’s net operating profit after taxes (“NOPAT”) for the applicable performance period divided by the Company’s invested capital where (i) NOPAT is the sum of the Company’s net income, interest expense and interest on the present value of the Company’s operating leases (all preceding items tax effected), with further adjustments to eliminate the after-tax effects of (a) the amount of lease termination costs recognized as a separate line item within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income, (b) debt retirement costs, (c) foreign exchange gains/losses, (d) the foreign exchange impact on the Company’s Effective Tax Rate (“ETR”), (e) the impacts
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of changes in statutory income tax rates and laws on the Company’s ETR, (f) the impacts of changes in accounting principles, and (g) other special one-time adjustments included in Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share as reported by the Company which are not already included in the preceding points; and (ii) invested capital is the sum of the Company’s average equity balance, average debt balance and the present value of the Company’s operating leases, with further adjustments to eliminate the average equity impacts of (x) changes in accounting principles, and (y) incremental debt incurred after January 1, 2014 for lease conversions. Incremental debt is defined as debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment under existing operating leases and the purchase of replacement equipment as operating leases expire, reduced by the present value of the related operating leases.
The Compensation Committee determined to use OR as the other performance metric believing it to be a solid indicator of the Company’s financial performance and profitability. The Compensation Committee recognized that OR is a measure easily monitored by our management employees and is widely monitored by investors. For this purpose, OR is defined as the Company’s consolidated operating ratio with any necessary adjustments to eliminate the effects of (i) the amount of lease termination costs recognized as a separate line item within operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income, (ii) changes in accounting principles, and (iii) other special one-time adjustments included in Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share as reported by the Company which are not already included in the preceding points.
Following are the performance levels for the 2014 LTI Program*:
| Performance Level |
Return on Invested Capital (75% weight) |
Consolidated Operating Ratio (25% weight) |
Percentage Payout at Total Incentive Target | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | |||||||||||||||
| Threshold |
8.6 | % | 68.8 | % | 50 | % | |||||||||
| Target |
9.0 | % | 67.8 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Maximum |
9.2 | % | 67.5 | % | 200 | % | |||||||||
| 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| Threshold |
9.0 | % | 67.8 | % | 50 | % | |||||||||
| Target |
9.5 | % | 67.3 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Maximum |
9.7 | % | 67.0 | % | 200 | % | |||||||||
| 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| Threshold |
9.5 | % | 67.3 | % | 50 | % | |||||||||
| Target |
10.0 | % | 66.7 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Maximum |
10.2 | % | 66.5 | % | 200 | % | |||||||||
*These performance levels should not be viewed as predictions or estimates of future performance and the actual achievement of these levels is subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those described under “forward looking statements”, “risk factors” or similar headings in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC. The Compensation Committee establishes these levels solely to help it align pay with performance. The levels are not intended to provide investors or any other party with guidance about our future financial performance or operating results.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, our return on invested capital (as defined under the 2014 LTI Program) was 10.0%. Our consolidated operating ratio (as defined under the 2014 LTI Program) was 67.1%. These results will be combined with the results of 2015 and 2016 to determine the average results of the three-year performance period that will be used to determine the number of performance shares earned under the 2014 LTI Program.
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The following awards were granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers for the 2014 LTI Program:
| Current Officers | Number of Target Performance Shares Granted Under the 2014 LTI Program |
Number of Non-Incentive Stock Options Granted Under the 2014 LTI Program |
Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted Under the 2014 LTI Program | ||||||||||||
| David L. Starling |
11,249 | 13,835 | 5,625 | ||||||||||||
| Michael W. Upchurch |
3,152 | 3,876 | 1,576 | ||||||||||||
| José G. Zozaya |
3,152 | 3,876 | 1,576 | ||||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer |
3,152 | 3,876 | 1,576 | ||||||||||||
| Warren K. Erdman |
2,258 | 2,777 | 1,129 | ||||||||||||
| Former Officer | |||||||||||||||
| David R. Ebbrecht |
3,152 | 3,876 | 1,576 | ||||||||||||
Restricted Stock: In addition to the performance share component of the 2014 LTI Program, the Compensation Committee determined it appropriate that 25% of the award be in the form of time-based, cliff vesting, restricted stock of the Company for purposes of acting as a management retention tool during the three-year term of the program. The restricted stock awarded under the 2014 LTI Program does not vest until February 28, 2017.
Options. The other 25% of the award is in the form of time-based non-qualified stock options under the 2014 LTI Program, which provides a high degree of alignment between management and stockholders. The options become vested and exercisable in equal installments on February 20, 2015, February 20, 2016 and February 20, 2017, respectively. The stock options must be exercised in all events no later than ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price of the stock options is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
The restricted stock, stock options and performance shares granted to the Named Executive Officers were awarded under the Company’s 2008 Stock Option and Performance Award Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The purpose of the 2008 Plan is to allow officers, directors, employees and consultants of KCS and its affiliates to acquire or increase equity ownership in the Company. The 2008 Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company on October 7, 2008. In 2013, stockholders re-approved the material terms of the performance measures under the 2008 Plan for the payment of performance-based awards granted under the 2008 Plan. The equity awards described in the Non-Management Director Compensation Table and Summary Compensation Table were awarded under the 2008 Plan.
Discretionary Supplemental Cash Award
The total number of performance shares earned under the terms of the 2012 long-term incentive program (the “2012 LTI Program”) was 83.8% of the performance shares granted to the executives for the 2012 LTI Program. Achievement of the 2012 LTI Program targets was negatively impacted by a lease conversion program that commenced in 2013. Under this program, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company issued debt at historically low interest rates and used the proceeds in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to purchase or replace locomotives and other equipment that were under operating leases. The Company estimates that the conversion of leased equipment to company-owned equipment will produce significant long-term incremental financial benefit. As a result of incremental debt incurred to finance the purchase of locomotives and equipment and one-time lease termination costs, the lease conversion program negatively impacted ROIC for 2013 and 2014 and negatively impacted OR for 2014. At the time the 2012 LTI Program targets were established, the Company was in the very early stages of analyzing the lease conversion opportunity and related financial impacts, and therefore the ROIC and OR goals established in the 2012 LTI Program did not include any potential impacts from these transactions. Consequently, the lease conversion program resulted in a reduction in the number of performance shares earned by the executives under the 2012 LTI Program and will also have a negative impact to the performance shares earned under the 2013 long-term incentive program. The Compensation Committee believes that this lease conversion program
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was in the best interests of the Company and wants to incent executives to take actions that benefit all stockholders as originally intended under these long term incentive plans. The Committee also intends to review in 2016 the impact of the lease conversion program to achievement of targets under the 2013 long term incentive program. In February 2015, the Compensation Committee approved a discretionary supplemental cash award to each of the Company’s current executives who are participants in the 2012 LTI Program. This amount is shown in the “Bonus” column in the Summary Compensation Table for the Named Executive Officers. The total amount of this discretionary supplemental cash award to all executives was $2.1 million.
The Compensation Committee has received and discussed with management the disclosures contained in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in this Proxy Statement. Based on that review and analysis, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section be included in this Proxy Statement.
The Compensation Committee
Henry R. Davis, Chairman
Robert J. Druten
Rodney E. Slater
This Compensation Committee Report is not deemed “soliciting material” and is not deemed filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or the liabilities under Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
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| Summary Compensation Table |
The following table and narrative disclose compensation earned in 2014 by the Named Executive Officers. The table shows amounts earned by such persons for all services rendered in all capacities to KCS and its subsidiaries during the past year.
| Current Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
Option Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David L. Starling, |
2014 | $ | 875,500 | $ | 705,245 | $ | 1,744,103 | $ | 530,019 | $ | 1,751,000 | $ | 79,732 | $ | 5,685,599 | |||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
2013 | $ | 850,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,019,104 | $ | 523,373 | $ | 1,496,000 | $ | 43,610 | $ | 4,932,087 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 800,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,885,490 | $ | 484,364 | $ | 1,600,000 | $ | 42,049 | $ | 4,811,903 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michael W. Upchurch, |
2014 | $ | 432,720 | $ | 201,175 | $ | 489,808 | $ | 148,490 | $ | 519,264 | $ | 46,502 | $ | 1,837,959 | |||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
2013 | $ | 420,116 | $ | 0 | $ | 579,632 | $ | 146,823 | $ | 443,643 | $ | 23,448 | $ | 1,613,662 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 407,880 | $ | 0 | $ | 547,496 | $ | 138,121 | $ | 489,456 | $ | 26,927 | $ | 1,609,880 | ||||||||||||||||||
| José G. Zozaya, |
2014 | $ | 380,986 | $ | 203,123 | $ | 445,519 | $ | 148,490 | $ | 457,183 | $ | 413,329 | $ | 2,048,630 | |||||||||||||||||
| President and Executive Representative of KCSM(4) |
2013 | $ | 390,810 | $ | 0 | $ | 536,907 | $ | 146,823 | $ | 412,695 | $ | 202,290 | $ | 1,689,525 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 377,693 | $ | 0 | $ | 510,852 | $ | 138,121 | $ | 453,236 | $ | 303,919 | $ | 1,783,821 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, |
2014 | $ | 447,772 | $ | 201,175 | $ | 508,748 | $ | 148,490 | $ | 537,327 | $ | 14,836 | $ | 1,858,348 | |||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing |
2013 | $ | 434,730 | $ | 0 | $ | 598,013 | $ | 146,823 | $ | 459,075 | $ | 14,448 | $ | 1,653,089 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 422,068 | $ | 0 | $ | 569,871 | $ | 138,121 | $ | 506,482 | $ | 19,336 | $ | 1,655,878 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Warren K. Erdman, |
2014 | $ | 393,928 | $ | 144,173 | $ | 356,660 | $ | 106,387 | $ | 433,321 | $ | 44,069 | $ | 1,478,538 | |||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Administration Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David R. Ebbrecht, |
2014 | $ | 226,600 | $ | 0 | $ | 489,054 | $ | 148,490 | $ | 0 | $ | 782,776 | $ | 1,646,920 | |||||||||||||||||
| Former Executive Vice |
2013 | $ | 415,778 | $ | 0 | $ | 544,214 | $ | 146,823 | $ | 439,061 | $ | 25,335 | $ | 1,571,211 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 362,667 | $ | 0 | $ | 759,358 | $ | 99,011 | $ | 456,721 | $ | 6,031 | $ | 1,683,788 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | This column presents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards made in 2014, 2013 or 2012, as applicable, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information, refer to Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC. The amount for 2014 reflects (a) the grant date fair value for time vested stock awards and (b) the probable outcome at grant date for the performance share grant made pursuant to the 2014 LTI Program. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for more detail on these awards and the 2014 LTI Programs and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table for the value for each grant. The value of the 2014 performance shares awards, assuming the highest level of performance achieved, would be, respectively, as follows: Mr. Starling — $2,119,987; Mr. Upchurch — $594,026; Mr. Zozaya — $594,026; Mr. Ottensmeyer — $594,026; Mr. Erdman — $425,543; and Mr. Ebbrecht — $594,026. |
| (2) | This column presents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards made in 2014, 2013 or 2012, as applicable, computed in accordance with FASB ASC topic 718. For additional information, refer to Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC. |
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| (3) | “All Other Compensation” for the Named Executive Officers consists of: |
| Name |
KCS 401(K) Plan Matching Contributions ($)(a) |
Group Term Life Insurance Premiums ($) |
AD&D Premiums ($) |
LTD Premiums ($) |
Matching Charitable Gifts ($)(b) |
Financial Planning Reimbursement ($) |
Other ($)(c) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Starling |
2014 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 8,000 | $ | 27,034 | (d) | $ | 79,732 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 19,400 | $ | 8,000 | $ | 1,762 | $ | 43,610 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 16,000 | $ | 7,530 | $ | 4,321 | $ | 42,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Upchurch |
2014 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 276 | $ | 26,666 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 46,502 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 4,000 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 23,448 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 276 | $ | 11,900 | $ | 691 | $ | 0 | $ | 26,927 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Zozaya |
2014 | N/A | $ | 8,862 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 404,467 | (e) | $ | 413,329 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | N/A | $ | 9,326 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,540 | $ | 189,424 | (e) | $ | 202,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | N/A | $ | 5,733 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 298,186 | (e) | $ | 303,919 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ottensmeyer |
2014 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 276 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 14,836 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 14,448 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 12,500 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 276 | $ | 0 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 19,336 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Erdman |
2014 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 276 | $ | 29,233 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 44,069 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ebbrecht |
2014 | $ | 13,000 | $ | 690 | $ | 90 | $ | 69 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 767,927 | (f) | $ | 782,776 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 3,500 | $ | 2,387 | $ | 25,335 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | $ | 1,333 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 180 | $ | 138 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 6,031 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | Subject to Internal Revenue Service rules, we match 100% of each employee’s elective 401(k) contributions which do not exceed 5% of his or her compensation. For 2014, the maximum match was $13,000. |
| (b) | We provide a two-for-one Company match of eligible charitable contributions made by our Named Executive Officers. The maximum amount of contributions we will match in any calendar year for any Named Executive Officer is $15,000. Of this $15,000, only half may be contributed to one organization. |
| (c) | For U.S. executives, we have historically paid and continue to pay country club initiation fees (with monthly dues paid by the executive). For all executives, we provide an annual physical exam through our medical plan. All employees of the Company, including the Named Executive Officers, are given the opportunity to use our stadium and arena suites to the extent the suites are not being used for business purposes. Our Named Executive Officers may use the services of their administrative assistants for limited personal matters. In addition, spouses of certain of our Named Executive Officers accompanied them on private aircraft chartered to transport the Named Executive Officers for business purposes. Personal use of the company’s aircraft by our Chief Executive Officer is calculated as the incremental cost to the Company of such use. |
| (d) | “Other” for Mr. Starling in 2014 includes the $1,304 for airfare for his spouse that accompanied him on business travel and $25,730 for Mr. Starling’s personal use of the Company’s aircraft, which is based on the incremental cost to the Company. |
| (e) | “Other” for Mr. Zozaya consists of the payments set forth in the following table, payment of which is consistent with Mexican law and perquisite practices. |
| Christmas Bonus ($) |
Vacation Premium ($) |
Food Stipends ($) |
Auto Maintenance and Gasoline ($) |
Leased Vehicles ($) |
Vehicle Bonus ($) |
Savings Fund ($) |
Social Security ($) |
Personal Security ($) |
Spouse Airfare for Company Events ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 |
$ | 32,301 | $ | 7,537 | $ | 1,667 | $ | 2,595 | $ | 0 | $ | 27,202 | $ | 2,161 | $ | 1,219 | $ | 325,597 | $ | 4,188 | $ | 404,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 |
$ | 32,568 | $ | 7,599 | $ | 1,806 | $ | 2,633 | $ | 0 | $ | 12,719 | $ | 2,349 | $ | 1,129 | $ | 125,605 | $ | 3,016 | $ | 189,424 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 |
$ | 32,568 | $ | 7,599 | $ | 1,806 | $ | 2,633 | $ | 0 | $ | 12,719 | $ | 2,349 | $ | 1,129 | $ | 125,605 | $ | 3,016 | $ | 189,424 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (f) | “Other” for Mr. Ebbrecht in 2014 includes a $749,625 severance payment (including attorney’s fees) that was paid under a separation agreement between Mr. Ebbrecht and the Company in connection with Mr. Ebbrecht’s termination of employment and $18,302 in unused vacation. |
| (4) | All amounts of Mr. Zozaya’s compensation (other than the aggregate grant date fair value for stock and option awards) are paid to Mr. Zozaya in Mexican Pesos. The 2014 amounts reported on this table were converted from Mexican pesos at a conversion rate of $14.718 Mexican Pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de Mexico on December 31, 2014. The 2013 amounts reported on |
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| this table were converted from Mexican pesos at a conversion rate of 13.0765 Mexican Pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de Mexico on December 31, 2013. The 2012 amounts reported on this table were converted from Mexican pesos at a conversion rate of 13.0101 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de Mexico on December 31, 2012. |
| (5) | Mr. Ebbrecht’s employment with the Company ended on June 30, 2014. As a result, Mr. Ebbrecht forfeited the stock and option awards reflected in this table. |
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
Employment Agreements. Each of the Named Executive Officers is a party to an employment agreement.
Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Zozaya, Ottensmeyer, and Erdman receive as compensation for their services an annual base salary at the rate approved by the Compensation Committee. We believe that the unique responsibilities, rail and international transportation experience, accountability, leadership and achievements of Mr. Starling as our Company’s Chief Executive Officer are worthy of special consideration in setting his compensation. The salaries for these executive officers shall not be reduced except as agreed to by the parties or as part of a general salary reduction applicable to all officers. Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Zozaya, Ottensmeyer, and Erdman are eligible to participate in benefit plans or programs generally available to management employees of KCSR or KCSM, as applicable. Each of the employment agreements of Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Ottensmeyer, and Erdman provides that the value of the respective Named Executive Officer’s annual compensation is fixed at a percentage of base salary for purposes of determining contributions, coverage and benefits under any disability insurance policy and under any cash compensation-based plan provided to the Named Executive Officer as follows: 175% for Mr. Starling; 145% for Mr. Upchurch; 175% for Mr. Ottensmeyer; and 145% for Mr. Erdman.
For information regarding potential payments to the Named Executive Officers upon termination of employment or change in control, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” below.
Indemnification Agreements. We have entered into indemnification agreements with our KCS officers and directors. Each of our U.S. Named Executive Officers is an officer of KCS. These agreements are intended to supplement our officer and director liability insurance and to provide the officers and directors with specific contractual assurance that the protection provided by our Bylaws will continue to be available regardless of, among other things, an amendment to the Bylaws or a change in management or control of KCS. The indemnification agreements provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and for the prompt advancement of expenses, including attorneys’ fees and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which the director or officer was or is a party, is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved, or to which the director or officer was or is a party, is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved by reason of service in certain capacities. Under the indemnification agreements, if required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, an advancement of expenses incurred will be made upon delivery to us of an undertaking to repay all advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined by final adjudication that the officer or director is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses. The indemnification agreements allow directors and officers to seek court relief if indemnification or expense advances are not received within specified periods, and obligate us to reimburse them for their expenses in pursuing such relief in good faith.
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| Grants of Plan-Based Awards |
The following table provides information for each of the Named Executive Officers regarding 2014 grants of annual incentive awards, equity incentive plan awards, restricted shares, and stock options.
| Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)(5) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David L. |
N/A | $ | 437,750 | $ | 875,500 | $ | 1,751,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 5,625 | 11,249 | 22,498 | $ | 1,059,993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 5,625 | (3) | $ | 530,044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,635 | (4) | $ | 154,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 13,835 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 530,019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael W. |
N/A | $ | 129,816 | $ | 259,632 | $ | 519,264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | 3,152 | 6,304 | $ | 297,013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | (3) | $ | 148,506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 470 | (4) | $ | 44,288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 148,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| José G. |
N/A | $ | 114,296 | $ | 228,591 | $ | 457,183 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | 3,152 | 6,304 | $ | 297,013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | (3) | $ | 148,506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 148,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patrick J. |
N/A | $ | 134,332 | $ | 268,663 | $ | 537,327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | 3,152 | 6,304 | $ | 297,013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | (3) | $ | 148,506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 671 | (4) | $ | 63,228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 148,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warren K. |
N/A | $ | 108,330 | $ | 216,660 | $ | 433,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,129 | 2,258 | 4,516 | $ | 212,771 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,129 | (3) | $ | 106,386 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 398 | (4) | $ | 37,504 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 2,777 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 106,387 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David R. |
N/A | $ | 135,960 | $ | 271,920 | $ | 543,840 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | 3,152 | 6,304 | $ | 297,013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 1,576 | (3) | $ | 148,506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 462 | (4) | $ | 43,534 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 02/20/2014 | 3.876 | $ | 94.23 | $ | 148,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The amounts reflected in these columns represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts that could have been earned under our 2014 AIP. Actual amounts paid for 2014 performance are reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table. |
| (2) | These amounts represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts that could have been earned for the performance share awards made under our 2014 LTI Program. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for additional details of the 2014 LTI Program, including the performance goals. The amounts in the grant date fair value column represent the probable outcome at grant date of the performance goals for the 2014 LTI Program. |
| (3) | This amount reflects restricted stock awards granted under the 2008 Plan pursuant to our 2014 LTI Program. The shares vest in full three years after the grant date. For participants that are retirement eligible, 1/3 of the shares become non-forfeitable in three annual installments beginning one year from the grant date; however, such shares remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions in accordance with the original vesting schedule. Mr. Starling and Mr. Erdman are retirement eligible and Mr. Ottensmeyer and Mr. Zozaya will become retirement eligible during the vesting period. |
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| (4) | This amount reflects restricted stock awards granted under the 2008 Plan pursuant to our Executive Plan. The shares vest in full one year after the grant date. For participants that are retirement eligible, the shares become non-forfeitable immediately; however, such shares remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions in accordance with the original vesting schedule. Mr. Starling and Mr. Erdman are retirement eligible. |
| (5) | The amounts in this column reflect non-qualified stock options granted under the 2008 Plan pursuant to our 2014 LTI Program. The options vest in equal 1/3 amounts on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date. |
| (6) | Mr. Zozaya is paid in Mexican pesos. His threshold, target and maximum non-equity incentive plan award amounts were converted from Mexican pesos at a conversion rate of $14.7180 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de Mexico on December 31, 2014. |
| (7) | Mr. Ebbrecht’s employment with the Company ended on June 30, 2014. As a result, Mr. Ebbrecht was not eligible for a 2014 AIP payment and forfeited the stock and option awards reflected in this table. |
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| Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End |
The following table provides information for each of the Named Executive Officers regarding outstanding stock options, unvested stock awards and unearned stock awards held by them as of December 31, 2014.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable (1) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(2) |
Market Value of Shares of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David L. Starling |
43,910 | $ | 5,358,337 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,880 | — | $ | 51.55 | 07/29/18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,600 | — | $ | 35.41 | 02/29/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21,900 | — | $ | 52.62 | 02/22/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,965 | 5,482 | $ | 66.99 | 02/21/22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,356 | 8,712 | $ | 97.77 | 02/20/23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 13,835 | $ | 94.23 | 02/19/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23,721 | $ | 2,894,674 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael W. Upchurch |
12,310 | $ | 1,502,189 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,316 | — | $ | 52.62 | 02/22/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,563 | 1,563 | $ | 66.99 | 02/21/22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,222 | 2,444 | $ | 97.77 | 02/20/23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | 02/19/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9,065 | $ | 1,106,202 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| José G. Zozaya |
12,310 | $ | 1,502,189 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13,700 | — | $ | 35.41 | 02/29/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,950 | — | $ | 52.62 | 02/22/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,127 | 1,563 | $ | 66.99 | 02/21/22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,222 | 2,444 | $ | 97.77 | 02/20/23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | 02/19/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8,595 | $ | 1,048,848 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer |
12,310 | $ | 1,502,189 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,850 | — | $ | 35.41 | 02/29/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,950 | — | $ | 52.62 | 02/22/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,127 | 1,563 | $ | 66.99 | 02/21/22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,222 | 2,444 | $ | 97.77 | 02/20/23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 3,876 | $ | 94.23 | 02/19/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9,266 | $ | 1,130,730 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warren K. Erdman |
8,810 | $ | 1,075,084 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,400 | — | $ | 35.41 | 02/29/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,980 | — | $ | 52.62 | 02/22/21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,242 | 1,120 | $ | 66.99 | 02/21/22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 874 | 1,746 | $ | 97.77 | 02/20/23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 2,777 | $ | 94.23 | 02/19/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,813 | $ | 587,330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David R. Ebbrecht |
N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (1) | The vesting dates of the options listed in these columns are shown in the following table, and are subject to acceleration on a change of control or upon the retirement, death or disability of a Named Executive Officer. |
| Name |
Number of Securities (#) |
Exercisable Date |
||||||
| Starling |
6,867 | 11/19/2010 | ||||||
| 6,867 | 12/08/2010 | |||||||
| 6,866 | 01/07/2011 | |||||||
| 7,300 | 02/23/2012 | |||||||
| 5,483 | 02/22/2013 | |||||||
| 7,300 | 02/23/2013 | |||||||
| 3,880 | 07/30/2013 | |||||||
| 4,356 | 02/21/2014 | |||||||
| 5,482 | 02/22/2014 | |||||||
| 7,300 | 02/23/2014 | |||||||
| 4,612 | 02/20/2015 | |||||||
| 4,356 | 02/21/2015 | |||||||
| 5,482 | 02/22/2015 | |||||||
| 4,612 | 02/20/2016 | |||||||
| 4,356 | 02/21/2016 | |||||||
| 4,611 | 02/20/2017 | |||||||
| Upchurch |
1,222 | 02/21/2014 | ||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2014 | |||||||
| 2,316 | 02/23/2014 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2015 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2015 | |||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2015 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2016 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2016 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2017 | |||||||
| Zozaya |
4,567 | 11/19/2010 | ||||||
| 4,567 | 12/08/2010 | |||||||
| 4,566 | 01/07/2011 | |||||||
| 2,317 | 02/23/2012 | |||||||
| 1,564 | 02/22/2013 | |||||||
| 2,317 | 02/23/2013 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2014 | |||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2014 | |||||||
| 2,316 | 02/23/2014 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2015 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2015 | |||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2015 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2016 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2016 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2017 | |||||||
| Ottensmeyer |
2,283 | 11/19/2010 | ||||||
| 2,284 | 12/08/2010 | |||||||
| 2,283 | 01/07/2011 | |||||||
| 2,317 | 02/23/2012 | |||||||
| 1,564 | 02/22/2013 | |||||||
| 2,317 | 02/23/2013 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2014 | |||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2014 | |||||||
| 2,316 | 02/23/2014 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2015 | |||||||
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| Name |
Number of Securities (#) |
Exercisable Date |
||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2015 | |||||||
| 1,563 | 02/22/2015 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2016 | |||||||
| 1,222 | 02/21/2016 | |||||||
| 1,292 | 02/20/2017 | |||||||
| Erdman |
3,800 | 11/19/2010 | ||||||
| 3,800 | 12/08/2010 | |||||||
| 3,800 | 01/07/2011 | |||||||
| 1,660 | 02/23/2012 | |||||||
| 1,121 | 02/22/2013 | |||||||
| 1,660 | 02/23/2013 | |||||||
| 874 | 02/21/2014 | |||||||
| 1,121 | 02/22/2014 | |||||||
| 1,660 | 02/23/2014 | |||||||
| 926 | 02/20/2015 | |||||||
| 873 | 02/21/2015 | |||||||
| 1,120 | 02/22/2015 | |||||||
| 926 | 02/20/2016 | |||||||
| 873 | 02/21/2016 | |||||||
| 925 | 02/20/2017 | |||||||
| (2) | The vesting dates of the restricted and performance shares listed in this column are shown in the following table. |
| Name |
Number of Securities (#) |
Vesting Date | ||||||
| Starling |
14,528 | 02/27/2015 | ||||||
| 1,784 | 02/27/2015 | (a) | ||||||
| 1,875 | 02/27/2015 | (b) | ||||||
| 1,784 | 02/29/2016 | |||||||
| 1,875 | 02/29/2016 | (b) | ||||||
| 1,875 | 02/28/2017 | |||||||
| Upchurch |
5,987 | 02/27/2015 | ||||||
| 1,502 | 02/29/2016 | |||||||
| 1,576 | 02/28/2017 | |||||||
| Zozaya |
5,517 | 02/27/2015 | ||||||
| 1,502 | 02/29/2016 | |||||||
| 1,051 | 04/29/2016 | (b) | ||||||
| 525 | 02/28/2017 | |||||||
| Ottensmeyer |
6,188 | 02/27/2015 | ||||||
| 1,502 | 02/29/2016 | |||||||
| 1,051 | 05/31/2016 | (b) | ||||||
| 525 | 02/28/2017 | |||||||
| Erdman |
2,969 | 02/27/2015 | ||||||
| 358 | 02/27/2015 | (a) | ||||||
| 377 | 02/27/2015 | (b) | ||||||
| 357 | 02/29/2016 | |||||||
| 376 | 02/29/2016 | (b) | ||||||
| 376 | 02/28/2017 | |||||||
| (a) | These shares remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions until February 29, 2016. |
| (b) | These shares remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions until February 28, 2017. |
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| (3) | The amounts in these columns were calculated by multiplying the closing price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014, the last trading day in 2014, which was $122.03, by the number of shares of stock that have not vested. |
| (4) | The amounts in this column reflect the maximum performance shares for the performance shares granted pursuant to the 2013 LTI and 2014 LTI Programs, in each case which may be earned upon certification by the Compensation Committee of achievement of pre-determined performance goals for the performance period ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, respectively. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for more information on 2014 LTI Program. For information on the 2013 LTI Program, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2014. Actual amounts earned may be more or less than reflected depending on whether such performance shares are earned at the threshold, target or maximum level. If earned, these shares will vest on the later of (a) February 29, 2016 for the 2013 LTI Program and February 28, 2017 for the 2014 LTI Program, or (b) the date the Compensation Committee certifies the achievement of the related performance targets. Performance shares that are not earned within the applicable performance period are forfeited. |
| Option Exercises and Stock Vested |
The following table provides information for each of the Named Executive Officers regarding stock option exercises and vesting of stock awards during 2014.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1) |
||||||||||||
| David L. Starling |
— | — | 46,537 | (2) | $ | 4,515,155 | ||||||||||
| Michael W. Upchurch |
— | — | 11,610 | $ | 1,090,411 | |||||||||||
| José G. Zozaya |
— | — | 11,173 | $ | 1,049,368 | |||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer |
— | — | 11,798 | $ | 1,108,068 | |||||||||||
| Warren K. Erdman |
— | — | 8,219 | (3) | $ | 771,928 | ||||||||||
| David R. Ebbrecht |
6,784 | $ | 379,416 | 8,377 | $ | 786,768 | ||||||||||
| (1) | The amounts in these columns were calculated by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the fair market value of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the exercise/vesting date, or if the market was not open on such date, the fair market value of our Common Stock on the NYSE on the next preceding trading date and for options subtracting the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares. For awards granted prior to November 1, 2008, the fair market value was calculated by averaging the high and low stock price. For awards granted after November 1, 2008, the fair market value equaled the closing price. |
| (2) | 5,830 of these shares became non-forfeitable due to the fact that Mr. Starling meets the retirement criteria under the 2008 Plan; however, they remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions. |
| (3) | 1,249 of these shares became non-forfeitable due to the fact that Mr. Erdman meets the retirement criteria under the 2008 Plan; however, they remain subject to sale and transfer restrictions. |
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| Potential Payments Upon Termination
Of Employment or Change in Control |
As described above in the section titled “Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table,” each of our Named Executive Officers is a party to an employment agreement. Each agreement provides certain benefits in the event of the termination of the U.S. Named Executive Officer’s employment without cause or after a change in control. The agreements do not provide for any benefits in the event of the termination of employment resulting from death, disability or retirement. We believe that providing certain severance protections in the event of a change in control plays an important role in attracting and retaining key executive officers. The Compensation Committee believes the severance benefits are an appropriate and necessary component of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation package.
The severance benefits described below are required to be provided pursuant to the terms of employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers. These agreements may only be amended with the consent of the U.S. Named Executive Officer. In connection with his appointment as President of the Company, Mr. Ottensmeyer executed a new employment agreement, which replaced his prior employment agreement. The terms of Mr. Ottensmeyer’s new and prior employment agreements are reflected in this summary. Under his prior employment agreement, Mr. Ottensmeyer was entitled to certain additional benefits, including excise-tax protection and tax gross-up. His new employment agreement does not contain those provisions.
Mr. Ebbrecht’s employment with the Company ended on June 30, 2014. In connection with the termination of Mr. Ebbrecht’s employment, the Company made a severance payment to him that is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. In addition, pursuant to his separation agreement, the Company paid Mr. Ebbrecht a non-compensatory amount of $749,625 (including attorney fees).
Severance Benefits Other than After a Change in Control
U.S. Named Executive Officers. Each of Messrs. Starling’s, Upchurch’s, Ottensmeyer’s, and Erdman’s employment agreement provides that in the event of termination of employment without cause for any reason other than a change in control, death, disability or retirement, such Named Executive Officer will receive one year of salary, payable in equal installments over a 12-month period at the rate in effect immediately prior to the termination of his employment. Additionally, Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Ottensmeyer, and Erdman will receive reimbursement of health and life insurance costs for twelve months. Executives will also remain eligible, in the year in which a termination of employment without cause for any reason other than a change in control, death, disability or retirement occurs to receive benefits under any other compensatory or benefit plan in which such U.S. Named Executive Officer participates, if such plans are then in existence and the U.S. Named Executive Officer was entitled to participate immediately prior to termination in accordance with the applicable provisions of such plans, but only to the extent the U.S. Named Executive Officer meets all the requirements of any such plan for the plan year at the time of termination. After termination of employment without cause for any reason other than a change in control, death, disability or retirement, the U.S. Named Executive Officer would not be entitled to accrue or receive benefits under any other employee benefit plan under the current provisions of such plans.
As part of his employment agreement, each of Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Ottensmeyer, and Erdman has agreed not to use or disclose any trade secrets of the Company or any of its affiliates, as applicable, after any termination of his employment. Severance payments are conditioned upon the U.S. Named Executive Officer’s waiver of any claims against the Company upon termination. In addition, each U.S. Named Executive Officer has agreed not to compete with the business of the Company in the geographic area in which the Company operates for a period of one year following the date of termination (other than in the event of a change in control, with respect to Messrs. Ottensmeyer, and Erdman). They have also agreed for a period of one year following the date of termination (other than in the event of a change in control with respect to Messrs. Ottensmeyer, and Erdman) not to (i) divert business from the Company, (ii) accept any business of any customer or prospective customer of the Company with whom the
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U.S. Named Executive Officer had any contact or association or who was under the U.S. Named Executive Officer’s supervision, or the identity of whom was learned by the U.S. Named Executive Officer as a result of his employment with the Company, whether or not solicited by the U.S. Named Executive Officer or (iii) induce, solicit or cause any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company.
None of the U.S. Named Executive Officers is eligible to receive payments or benefits upon a voluntary termination of employment or a termination of employment for cause.
Mr. Zozaya. For 2014, Mr. Zozaya is the only Named Executive Officer employed in Mexico. We are required under Mexican law to provide certain termination benefits to all employees employed in Mexico, including any Named Executive Officers. We have provided additional termination benefits to Mr. Zozaya, as described below, in order to remain competitive with benefits offered in the local country market, as well as to facilitate our retention and recruitment efforts.
Upon a termination of employment without cause, Mr. Zozaya is entitled under Mexican law to a severance payment equal to a minimum of ninety days’ integrated salary (consisting of base salary plus benefits), plus an additional payment equal to twenty days’ integrated salary for each year of service with KCSM. In addition and as required by Mexico law, as of December 31, 2014, Mr. Zozaya would be eligible to receive a seniority premium equal to Ps. 1,758.5 per year for each year of service for KCSM (which if converted at a conversion rate of 14.7180 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de México on December 31, 2014, would equal $119.48 per year). Mr. Zozaya is also entitled to a payment equal to one year’s base salary upon the termination of his employment, as well as other termination benefits provided pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with KCSM.
If Mr. Zozaya’s employment with KCSM is terminated, whether or not the termination was for cause, he would receive a payment equal to the value of any earned but unpaid Christmas bonus, vacation premium, food stipend and savings plan balance. The Christmas bonus is paid on a pro rata calendar year basis, while the vacation premium is paid on an annual pro rata basis that commences on each anniversary of the employee’s seniority date. Because the food stipend is paid to Mr. Zozaya on a monthly basis, he is only eligible to receive a pro rata payment of the amount earned but not paid in the month of termination. Finally, Mr. Zozaya would receive a payment equal to the account balance of his savings plan, including all amounts contributed to the plan by the Company.
Mr. Zozaya is not eligible to receive payments upon a voluntary termination of employment or a termination of employment for cause, other than the payment of the earned but unpaid Christmas bonus, vacation premium, food stipend and savings plan balance, as each is described in the immediately preceding paragraph.
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Severance Benefits Following a Change in Control
Summary of Benefits. In the event of a termination of employment by the Company without “cause” in the case of our U.S. Named Executives Officers, or without “just cause” in the case of Mr. Zozaya, or a resignation by a U.S. Named Executive Officer for “good reason” (as defined below), or a resignation for “unjust causes” in the case of Mr. Zozaya, within a two-year period after a change in control with respect to Messrs. Erdman, Starling, Upchurch, Ottensmeyer, and Zozaya, the executives receive the following benefits pursuant to the terms of their respective employment agreements:
| Cash Severance (paid in a lump sum, less any amounts paid over 12 months as described above for a termination without cause) | • Starling: Salary x 2 x 1.75 | |
| • Upchurch: Salary x 2 x 1.60 | ||
| • Zozaya: Salary x 2 x 1.00 (subject to adjustment as described below) | ||
| • Ottensmeyer: Salary x 2 x 1.75 (under his prior agreement, his severance payment was his Salary x 3 x 1.75) | ||
| • Erdman: Salary x 2 x 1.60 | ||
| Unvested Equity Awards | • Become immediately vested, generally upon occurrence of a change in control. | |
| Health and Welfare Benefits | • Medical, prescription and dental continue for three years at the cost of the Company for Mr. Edrman (and for Mr. Ottensmeyer under his prior agreement) and, for all other U.S. Named Executive Officers, one year at the rate that would be charged to an active employee with similar coverage. Mr. Erdman may continue medical and prescription coverage following the attainment of age 60, at the cost of the executive, which cost may be no more than the cost of such benefits to active or retired peer executives at the Company immediately prior to the change in control. | |
| Excise-Tax Protection and Tax Gross-Up | • Under Mr. Ottensmeyer’s prior employment agreement, he was eligible to receive payment for excise taxes incurred as a result of any excess parachute payments, as well as a tax gross-up for income taxes payable as a result of the excise tax reimbursement. His new employment agreement does not include these benefits. • Under Mr. Erdman’s employment agreement, he is eligible to receive payment for excise taxes incurred as a result of any excess parachute payments, as well as a tax gross-up for income taxes payable as a result of the excise tax reimbursement. |
Although the employment agreement of Mr. Erdman contains the excise tax protection and tax gross-up provisions described above, the Compensation Committee directed in 2006 that, going forward, no new employment agreements contain such provisions. The employment agreement of Mr. Erdman predated this decision. In addition, the health and welfare benefits contained in the Company’s U.S. executive
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employment agreements has been modified to limit this benefit to one year of medical and dental coverage paid for by the Company following a change in control.
Termination Provisions of Employment Agreements of U.S. Named Executive Officers
Definition of “cause” and “good reason.” The employment agreements of Messrs. Starling, Upchurch, Ottensmeyer and Erdman generally define “cause” in the context of a termination of employment prior to a change in control to include:
| • | breach of the executive’s employment agreement by the executive; |
| • | dishonesty involving the Company; |
| • | gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties; |
| • | failure to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities, including willful failure to follow reasonable instructions of the Board, President or other officer to whom he reports; |
| • | breach of an express employment policy; |
| • | fraud or criminal activity; |
| • | embezzlement or misappropriation; or |
| • | breach of fiduciary duty to the Company. |
The employment agreements of the U.S. Named Executive Officers generally define “cause” in the context of a termination of employment after a change in control to mean commission of a felony or a willful breach of duty, but excluding:
| • | bad judgment or negligence; |
| • | an act or omission believed by the executive in good faith to be in or not opposed to the interest of the Company, without intent to gain a profit to which he is not entitled; |
| • | an act or omission with respect to which a determination could be made by the Board that the executive met the standard of conduct entitling him to indemnification by the Company; or |
| • | an act or omission occurring more than 12 months before the date on which any member of the Board knew or should have known about it. |
The employment agreements of the U.S. Named Executive Officers generally define “good reason” in the context of a resignation by the executive after a change in control to include:
| • | assignment to the executive of duties inconsistent with his position, authority or duties that result in a diminution or other material adverse change in his position, authority or duties; |
| • | for Mr. Erdman, a failure by the Company to comply with the change in control provisions in the agreement or a material change in the geographic location where he performs his services; |
| • | a material diminution in compensation; or |
| • | any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of the agreement. |
Triggering Events. Messrs. Ottensmeyer’s, Starling’s, and Upchurch’s employment agreements generally provide that the following events (which we also refer to as “triggering events”) constitute a “change in control”:
| • | a majority of the members of the Company’s Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period with directors whose appointment or election was not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board, in office immediately prior to the date of such appointment or election; or |
| • | any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) or group has acquired during a twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group of ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding stock of the Company; or |
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| • | any person or group has acquired ownership of stock of the Company that constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the outstanding stock of the Company; or |
| • | any person or group has acquired during a twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group assets of the Company that have a total gross fair market value of more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition. |
Mr. Erdman’s employment agreement generally provides that the following events (which we refer to as “triggering events”) constitute a “change in control”:
| • | for any reason at any time less than 75% of the members of our Board shall be incumbent directors, as described in the agreement; or |
| • | any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than as shall have become after September 18, 1997, according to a public announcement or filing, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of KCS or KCSR representing 30% (or, with respect to certain payments to be made to the Named Executive Officer under his or her employment agreement, 40%) or more (calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3) of the combined voting power of our or KCSR’s then outstanding voting securities; or |
| • | the stockholders of KCS or KCSR shall have approved a merger, consolidation or dissolution of KCS or KCSR or a sale, lease, exchange or disposition of all or substantially all of our or KCSR’s assets, if persons who were the beneficial owners of the combined voting power of our or KCSR’s voting securities immediately before any such merger, consolidation, dissolution, sale, lease, exchange or disposition do not immediately thereafter beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportions, more than 60% of the combined voting power of any corporation or other entity resulting from any such transaction. |
Termination Provisions of Mr. Zozaya’s Employment Agreement
Summary of Benefits. Mr. Zozaya entered into an amendment to his employment agreement in May 2009. Pursuant to the terms of this amendment, in the event of a termination of employment by KCSM without “just cause” or a resignation by Mr. Zozaya for “unjust cause” (as defined below) within a two year period after a “change in shareholder control” (as defined below), (a) Mr. Zozaya will be eligible to receive, in addition to any other severance benefits for which he is eligible under Mexican law, a lump sum payment equal to the product of (i) the rate of his annual base salary as of the date of termination, multiplied by (ii) two, and less (iii) the aggregate amount of other severance payments for which he is eligible under Mexican law, (b) any unvested or unexercisable equity awards shall become immediately vested or exercisable, as applicable, and (c) if applicable, Mr. Zozaya will have the opportunity to purchase the executive vehicle assigned to him at the time, in accordance with KCSM’s vehicle policy. In addition, KCSM will transfer the right to Mr. Zozaya to use the telephone number corresponding to the cellular telephone assigned to him by KCSM.
In addition to the above, if Mr. Zozaya’s employment with KCSM is terminated, whether or not the termination was for cause, he would receive a payment equal to the value of any earned but unpaid Christmas bonus, vacation premium, food stipend and savings plan balance as described above in the description of his severance benefits other than after a change in control.
Definition of “just cause” and “with cause.” The employment agreement of Mr. Zozaya generally defines “just cause” or “with cause” in the context of a termination of employment following a change in shareholder control to include the rescission of employment by KCSM without liability to KCSM as provided for by the Federal Labor Law of Mexico, including termination for the commission of any criminal offense or the failure of the executive to comply with his obligations while performing his duties.
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Definition of “unjust cause” or “without just cause.” The employment agreement of Mr. Zozaya generally defines “unjust cause” or “without just cause” in the context of a resignation by him following a change in shareholder control to include any of the following events:
| • | a significant reduction or other significant negative change in the responsibilities, powers or duties of the executive; |
| • | a reduction of the remunerations of the executive; |
| • | KCSM requiring the executive to perform his regular duties from any office or site located more than sixty (60) kilometers from the place where he had performed his duties prior to receiving such order; or |
| • | any other action or omission on the part of KCSM that would constitute a breach of the executive’s employment agreement or a violation of the Federal Labor Law of Mexico. |
Triggering Events. Mr. Zozaya’s employment agreement generally provides that the following events (which we refer to as “triggering events”) constitute a “change in shareholder control:”
| • | the majority of the members of the KCS Board of Directors are replaced during any twelve (12) month period with directors whose election or appointment was not submitted or resolved by the majority of the members of the KCS Board of Directors serving immediately prior to such election or appointment; or |
| • | any person or group of persons has acquired during a twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group of ownership of stock of KCS possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding stock of KCS; or |
| • | any person or group has acquired ownership of stock of KCS that constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the outstanding stock of KCS; or |
| • | any person or group has acquired during a twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group assets of KCS that have a total gross fair market value of more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of KCS immediately before such acquisition; or |
| • | any individual person or legal entity or any group of persons other than KCS or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or related entities (the “KCS Group”), directly or indirectly acquires ownership of more than 50% of the outstanding stock of KCSM; or |
| • | any individual person or legal entity or any group of persons other than the KCS Group acquires KCSM assets representing a gross fair market value of more than 51% of the total gross fair market price for all KCSM assets immediately prior to such acquisition; or |
| • | the majority of the members of the KCSM Board of Directors is replaced with board members whose appointment or election has not been approved by the entities of the KCS Group that are stockholders in KCSM. |
Double-Trigger Severance Benefits
Severance benefits under the employment agreements for our Named Executive Officers do not become due only upon a change in control. Severance benefits are payable upon a termination of employment without cause or a resignation for good reason within a two-year period (three-years for Mr. Erdman and under Mr. Ottensmeyer’s prior agreement) after a change in control. Requiring that a termination of employment without cause or a resignation for good reason after a change in control before certain compensation and benefits are available is called a “double trigger.” We believe a double trigger for severance benefits is in the best interest of our stockholders because it:
| • | encourages executives to help transition through a change in control; |
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| • | mitigates any potential disincentive for the executives when they are evaluating and/or implementing a potential change in control, particularly when the acquiring company may not require the services of our executives; and |
| • | protects executives from termination of employment without cause or an adverse change in position following a change in control. |
Reasonableness of Change in Control Severance Payments
The post-employment termination compensation and benefits described above are required under the terms of employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers and, with respect to Mr. Zozaya, applicable Mexican law. These benefits may be amended only with the consent of the executive, or not at all in the case of benefits required under Mexican law, and in all events cannot be changed unilaterally. In 2013, the Compensation Committee asked the Compensation Consultant to perform a competitive analysis of the Company’s employment agreements with respect to the reasonableness of the change in control severance payments thereunder. The Compensation Consultant advised that the potential financial impact of change in control severance arrangements in the general marketplace was approximately 1-3% of the transaction value. Based on the results of this information and the analysis performed by the Compensation Consultant, which were presented to the Compensation Committee in February 2013, the Compensation Committee determined that the benefits included and amounts paid under these agreements, including amounts paid upon a change of control of the Company, were reasonable and not in excess of predominant market practices and were consistent with the compensation philosophy adopted by the Compensation Committee.
Other Compensatory Plans that Provide Benefits on Retirement or Termination of Employment
Described below are the portions of our compensation plans in which the accounts of Named Executive Officers become vested as a result of (a) their retirement, death, disability or termination of employment, (b) a change in control of us, or (c) a change in the Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities following a change in control.
KCS 401(k) Plan. Participants, including our U.S. Named Executive Officers, are fully vested in their accounts under the KCS 401(k) Plan, other than their matching contributions. Subject to certain exceptions, Company matching contributions vest as follows: 20% vesting after 2 years of service, 40% after 3 years of service, 60% after 4 years of service and 100% after 5 years of service. Vesting is accelerated in the case of retirement at age 65, death or disability or upon a change in control of us (as defined in the KCS 401(k) Plan). Distribution of benefits under the KCS 401(k) Plan will be made in connection with a participant’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment. Subject to certain restrictions, a participant may elect whether payment of his or her benefits will be in a lump sum or installments. Benefits are normally paid in cash. However, to the extent a participant’s accounts are invested in whole shares of our Common Stock, the participant may elect to receive distributions of benefits under the KCS 401(k) Plan in cash, whole shares of our Common Stock, or in a combination of cash and whole shares of our Common Stock.
2008 Plan. Subject to the terms of the specific award agreements, under the 2008 Plan, the termination of affiliation of a grantee of an award by reason of death, Disability, Retirement or on account of a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the 2008 Plan) may accelerate the ability to exercise an award.
Death or Change of Control. Upon the death, or upon the termination of affiliation on account of a Change of Control, of a grantee of an award under the 2008 Plan, unless otherwise specified in the award agreement,
(i) the grantee’s restricted shares and restricted share units, if any, that were forfeitable will become nonforfeitable,
(ii) any options or SARs not exercisable at that time will become nonforfeitable and exercisable and the grantee’s personal representative or other transferee upon death may exercise such options or SARs
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up to the earlier of the expiration of the option or SAR term, one year after the death of the grantee, or 10 years from the grant date of the award,
(iii) the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has ended will become nonforfeitable, and the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has not ended will become nonforfeitable in the amount that would be earned for such performance period if the performance goals for such performance period were met at target, and
(iv) any shares subject to a deferred stock award will become nonforfeitable.
Disability or Retirement. Upon the termination of affiliation by reason of Disability or Retirement of a grantee of an award under the 2008 Plan, unless otherwise specified in the award agreement,
(i) the grantee’s restricted shares and restricted share units, if any, that were forfeitable will become nonforfeitable in a number determined by multiplying the total number of restricted shares and restricted share units by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of 12-month periods of employment commencing on the grant date that have been completed by the grantee, and the denominator of which is the total number of 12-month periods in the period of restriction,
(ii) any options or SARs not exercisable at that time will become nonforfeitable and exercisable and the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative (or the grantee’s transferee upon the death of the grantee) may exercise such options or SARs up to the earliest of the expiration of the option or SAR term, one year following the grantee’s termination of affiliation by reason of Disability, five years following the grantee’s termination of affiliation by reason of Retirement (for options granted prior to February 2015) or 10 years from the grant date of the award,
(iii) the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has ended will become nonforfeitable, and the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has not ended will be forfeited, and
(iv) any shares subject to a deferred stock award will become nonforfeitable.
Other Termination of Affiliation. Upon the termination of affiliation of a grantee of an award under the 2008 Plan for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement, or on account of a Change of Control, then, unless otherwise specified in the award agreement,
(i) the grantee’s restricted shares and restricted share units, if any, that were forfeitable on the date of the grantee’s termination of affiliation, are forfeited on that date,
(ii) any options or SARs not exercisable at that time will be forfeited, and any options or SARs that are vested and exercisable or become exercisable at that time may be exercised by the grantee up to the earlier of the expiration of the option or SAR term, three months following the grantee’s termination of affiliation, or 10 years from the grant date of the award; provided, however, that if termination of affiliation is for Cause (as defined in the 2008 Plan), then any unexercised options or SARs will be forfeited,
(iii) the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has ended but which are not vested will be forfeited, and the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has not ended will be forfeited, and
(iv) any nonvested shares subject to a deferred stock award will be forfeited.
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1991 Plan. Subject to the terms of the specific award agreements, under the 1991 Plan, the death or disability, retirement or other Termination of Affiliation (as such terms are defined in the 1991 Plan) of a grantee of an award or a Change of Control (as defined in the 1991 Plan) may accelerate the ability to exercise an award, as described below.
Death, Disability or Retirement. Upon the death, disability or retirement of a grantee of an award under the 1991 Plan,
(i) the grantee’s restricted shares, if any, that were forfeitable will become nonforfeitable unless otherwise provided in the specific award agreement,
(ii) any options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) not exercisable at that time become exercisable and the grantee (or his or her personal representative or transferee under a will or the laws of descent and distribution) may exercise such options or SARs up to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the option or SAR term or (B) 12 months from the date of death or disability or five years from the date of retirement, and
(iii) the benefits payable with respect to any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has not ended will be determined based upon a formula described in the 1991 Plan or the applicable award agreement.
Change of Control. Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 1991 Plan),
(i) a grantee’s restricted shares, if any, that were forfeitable become nonforfeitable,
(ii) any options or SARs not exercisable at that time become immediately exercisable,
(iii) we will pay to the grantee, for any performance share or performance unit for which the performance period has not ended as of the date of the Change of Control, a cash payment based on a formula described in the 1991 Plan or the applicable award agreement, and
(iv) all LSARs (which may be granted in tandem with options awarded under the 1991 Plan) are automatically exercised upon a Change of Control that is not approved by our Incumbent Board (as such terms are defined in the 1991 Plan). Upon exercise of an LSAR, the grantee may receive a cash payment based upon the difference between the fair market value on the date of the Change of Control or other specified date and the per share exercise price of the related option and the related option is canceled.
Termination of Affiliation. If a grantee has a Termination of Affiliation (as defined in the 1991 Plan) for any reason other than for Cause (as defined in the 1991 Plan), death, disability or retirement, then
(i) the grantee’s restricted shares, if any, to the extent forfeitable on the date of the grantee’s Termination of Affiliation, are forfeited on that date,
(ii) any unexercised options or SARs, to the extent exercisable immediately before the grantee’s Termination of Affiliation, may be exercised in whole or in part, up to the earlier of the expiration of the option or SAR term or three months after the Termination of Affiliation, and
(iii) any performance shares or performance units for which the performance period has not ended as of the Termination of Affiliation will terminate immediately upon that date.
Certain Award Agreements under 2008 Plan. Certain award agreements provide for alternate termination provisions than those provided for in the 2008 Plan.
| • | Restricted Shares Award Agreements for newly hired or promoted executives provide that if there is a termination of affiliation by reason of retirement prior to vesting, then for every consecutive 12-month period of employment completed during the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the date of termination of affiliation by reason of retirement, 1/5 of the number of restricted shares will vest and no longer be subject to restriction. |
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| • | Restricted Shares and Performance Shares Award Agreements for the 2013 LTI Program and 2014 LTI Program provide that the restricted shares will vest and no longer be subject to restrictions upon a termination of affiliation by reason of a disability prior to vesting. Additionally, for the performance shares, if there is a termination of affiliation due to a disability prior to vesting, then upon such termination of affiliation the executive will be deemed to have earned a number of shares determined as if the Performance Goals were at Target. Also, for the performance shares, if there is a termination of affiliation prior to vesting due to retirement, a portion of the performance shares will be forfeited where the forfeited portion shall equal the number of performance shares times a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of remaining whole months in the performance period and the denominator of which is 36 months. The portion of performance shares not forfeited pursuant to the foregoing shall be earned based on the applicable performance percentage achieved and shall be paid on the later of the vesting date or the date the results are certified. |
| • | Restricted Shares Award Agreements used for our Executive Plan provide that restricted shares will no longer be subject to restrictions upon a termination of affiliation due to retirement prior to vesting. |
Trusts Securing the Rights of the Officers, Directors, Employees and Former Employees
We have established a series of grantor trusts (commonly referred to as “rabbi” trusts) that are intended to secure the rights of our officers, directors, employees, former employees and others (each a “Beneficiary”) under various contracts, benefit plans, agreements, arrangements and commitments. The function of each trust is to receive contributions from us and, following a change in control of KCS (as defined by the trust), if we fail to honor certain obligations to a Beneficiary, the trust shall distribute to the Beneficiary amounts accumulated in such Beneficiary’s trust account, or in the general trust account, to discharge such obligations as they become due, to the extent of available trust assets. The trusts require that we be solvent as a condition to making distributions. Trusts have been established with respect to the employment continuation commitments under employment agreements, the Executive Plan, the Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan, indemnification agreements, the 1991 Plan, the 2008 Plan and our charitable contribution commitments, among others. New trusts were executed on February 24, 2011. The new trusts are revocable by the Board of Directors until a change in control of KCS. KCSR has established similar trusts tied to any failure by KCSR to honor its obligations to beneficiaries following a change in control of KCSR.
Tables Summarizing Payments Upon Employment Termination
The following tables summarize the estimated payments that would be made under each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement which provides for payments to a Named Executive Officer at, following, or in connection with any termination of employment, including by resignation, retirement, disability, or dismissal or resignation for good reason following a change in control. None of our Named Executive Officers is eligible to receive payments upon a voluntary resignation or a termination for cause (as defined above), except that because Messrs. Starling and Erdman meet the definition of “retirement” under the 1991 Plan and the 2008 Plan in that each is over 55 years old and has over ten years of service to KCS, each has restricted stock that is non-forfeitable and would be payable upon a voluntary resignation. In accordance with SEC regulations, we do not report any amount to be provided under any arrangement which does not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of our Named Executive Officers and which is available generally to all salaried employees in the United States or Mexico, as applicable. The following tables do not repeat information provided in the Summary Compensation Table or the Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End Table, except to the extent the amount payable would be enhanced by the termination event.
For purposes of the quantitative disclosure in the following tables, and in accordance with SEC regulations, we have assumed that the termination took place on December 31, 2014, the last trading day in 2014, and that the price per share of our Common Stock was $122.03, the closing market price on that date.
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| David L. Starling | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit |
Death | Disability | Retirement | Change in Control |
Without Cause or Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,064,250 | $ | 875,500 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Equity (Intrinsic Value) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unvested Restricted Stock |
$ | 1,415,914 | $ | 1,415,914 | $ | — | $ | 1,415,914 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested Performance Shares |
$ | 4,443,844 | $ | 4,443,844 | $ | 3,093,094 | $ | 4,443,844 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unexercisable Options |
$ | 897,695 | $ | 897,695 | $ | 897,695 | $ | 897,695 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested KCS 401(k) Plan Contributions |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 6,757,453 | $ | 6,757,453 | $ | 3,990,789 | $ | 6,757,453 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Other Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Welfare (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8,722 | $ | 8,722 | ||||||||||
| Tax Gross-Ups |
$ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | N/A | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8,722 | $ | 8,722 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 6,757,453 | $ | 6,757,453 | $ | 3,990,789 | $ | 9,830,425 | $ | 884,222 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ottensmeyer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit |
Death | Disability | Retirement | Change in Control |
Without Cause or Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,350,803 | (a) | $ | 447,772 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Equity (Intrinsic Value) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unvested Restricted Stock |
$ | 709,116 | $ | 709,116 | $ | — | $ | 709,116 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested Performance Shares |
$ | 1,254,346 | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unexercisable Options |
$ | 253,072 | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested KCS 401(k) Plan Contributions |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,216,534 | $ | 2,216,534 | $ | — | $ | 2,216,534 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Retirement Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree Medical (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 38,029 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 38,029 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Other Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Welfare (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,800 | (a) | $ | 4,577 | |||||||||
| Tax Gross-Ups |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,800 | (a) | $ | 4,577 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,216,534 | $ | 2,216,534 | $ | $ | 4,625,166 | (a) | $ | 452,349 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (a) | Under Mr. Ottensmeyer’s new employment agreement, the amounts listed under Cash Severance, Health & Welfare, and Total would be $1,567,202, $4,577, and $3,788,313, respectively. |
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| Jose G. Zozaya(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit |
Death | Disability | Retirement | Change in Control |
Without Cause or Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance |
$ | — | $ | 18,598 | $ | 18,598 | $ | 1,121,850 | $ | 1,121,850 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Equity (Intrinsic Value) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unvested Restricted Stock |
$ | 627,234 | $ | 627,234 | $ | — | $ | 627,234 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested Performance Shares |
$ | 1,254,346 | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unexercisable Options |
$ | 253,072 | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested KCS 401(k) Plan Contributions |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,134,652 | $ | 2,134,652 | $ | — | $ | 2,134,652 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Other Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Welfare (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Tax Gross-Ups |
N/A | $ | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,134,652 | $ | 2,153,250 | $ | 18,598 | $ | 3,256,502 | $ | 1,121,850 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (a) | Cash severance payments to Mr. Zozaya are paid in Mexican pesos. All cash severance amounts were converted from Mexican pesos at a conversion rate of $14.718 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, the conversion rate reported by Banco de México on December 31, 2014. |
| Michael W. Upchurch | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit |
Death | Disability | Retirement | Change in Control |
Without Cause or Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,384,704 | $ | 432,720 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Equity (Intrinsic Value) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unvested Restricted Stock |
$ | 684,588 | $ | 684,588 | $ | — | $ | 684,588 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested Performance Shares |
$ | 1,254,346 | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | $ | 1,254,346 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unexercisable Options |
$ | 253,072 | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | $ | 253,072 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested KCS 401(k) Plan Contributions |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,192,006 | $ | 2,192,006 | $ | — | $ | 2,192,006 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Retirement Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree Medical (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Other Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Welfare (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,482 | $ | 13,482 | ||||||||||
| Tax Gross-Ups |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,482 | $ | 13,482 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,192,006 | $ | 2,192,006 | $ | — | $ | 3,590,192 | $ | 446,202 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
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| Warren K. Erdman | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit |
Death | Disability | Retirement | Change in Control |
Without Cause or Good Reason |
|||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,260,570 | $ | 393,928 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Equity (Intrinsic Value) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Unvested Restricted Stock |
$ | 285,062 | $ | 285,062 | $ | — | $ | 285,062 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested Performance Shares |
$ | 898,263 | $ | 898,263 | $ | 627,112 | $ | 898,263 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unexercisable Options |
$ | 181,203 | $ | 181,203 | $ | 181,203 | $ | 181,203 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Unvested KCS 401(k) Plan Contributions |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 1,364,528 | $ | 1,364,528 | $ | 808,315 | $ | 1,364,528 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Retirement Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree Medical (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 89,599 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 89,599 | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Other Benefits |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Welfare (Present Value) |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 47,290 | $ | 13,482 | ||||||||||
| Tax Gross-Ups |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 47,290 | $ | 13,482 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 1,364,528 | $ | 1,364,528 | $ | 808,315 | $ | 2,761,987 | $ | 407,410 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
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This section describes the compensation paid to our directors. Only directors who are not members of management receive compensation for service as a director. David L. Starling, our CEO, serves on our Board, but is not paid any compensation for his service on the Board. His compensation as an executive is described in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement.
| Director Fees |
Director Compensation Practices
The Compensation Committee recommends each component of director compensation to the Board. The Compensation Committee seeks to recommend competitive compensation packages that include both cash and stock components. The Board does not delegate its authority for determining director compensation to any other person.
In recommending director compensation, the Compensation Committee may consider, and determine the weight it will give to, any combination of the following:
| • | market competition for directors; |
| • | securities law and NYSE independence, expertise and qualification requirements; |
| • | director compensation provided by peer group companies selected by the Compensation Committee with the assistance of the Compensation Consultant; |
| • | directors’ duties and responsibilities; and |
| • | director retention. |
Director Compensation Program
Under the current director compensation program (the “Director Compensation Program”), each non-management director receives the following compensation for his or her service as a member of the Board:
Annual Retainers for Board and Committee Membership
| Type |
Amount | |||
| Annual Board retainer |
$ | 50,000 | ||
| Chair of the Board retainer |
$ | 60,000 | ||
| Audit Committee Chair |
$ | 10,000 | ||
| Compensation Committee Chair |
$ | 7,000 | ||
| Executive Committee Chair |
$ | 15,000 | ||
| Finance Committee Chair |
$ | 7,000 | ||
| Nominating Committee Chair |
$ | 7,000 | ||
| Audit Committee Membership |
$ | 5,000 | ||
Fees per Meeting Attended
| Type |
Amount | |||
| Board (in person meeting) |
$ | 4,000 | ||
| Board (telephonic meeting) |
$ | 3,000 | ||
| Committee (in person meeting) |
$ | 2,000 | ||
| Committee (telephonic meeting) |
$ | 1,500 | ||
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Director Stock Awards
Under the Director Compensation Program, each non-management director is awarded a grant of Common Stock under the 2008 Plan on the date of each annual meeting, which vests immediately. The grant is for a number of shares equal to $90,000 in value divided by the average closing price of the Company’s stock for the 30 days prior to the grant date. Following the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, each director was awarded 898 shares of Common Stock calculated in accordance with the above-described formula, based on an average closing price over the 30 days prior to the grant date of $100.14 per share.
Director Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for directors that require each director to beneficially own shares of our Common Stock with a fair market value equal to at least five times the base annual retainer for serving as a Board member (currently 5 x $50,000 = $250,000). Restricted stock granted to directors will count toward this requirement. Directors must achieve this ownership level within five years from the date of their election to the Board. All of the directors currently meet this stock ownership requirement.
Director Expense Reimbursement
In addition to compensating the directors as discussed above, we also reimburse the directors for their expenses in attending Board and Committee meetings.
Directors’ Fee Deferral Plans
Directors are permitted to defer receipt of directors’ cash fees and retainers under an unfunded Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan (which we refer to as the “Deferred Fee Plan”) adopted by the Board. Earnings on deferred fees and earnings credited to the director’s account are determined by the hypothetical “investment” of deferred fees based on the director’s election among investment options designated by us from time to time for the Deferred Fee Plan. An underlying investment rate determined from time to time by the Board (currently the rate on United States Treasury securities with a maturity of 10 years plus one percentage point, adjusted annually on July 1) is used to credit with interest any part of a director’s account for which a mutual fund has not been designated as the hypothetical “investment.” A director’s account value will be paid after the director ceases to be a director of KCS. Amounts deferred, including related earnings, will be paid either in installments or a lump sum, as elected by the director. Distributions under the Deferred Fee Plan are allowed prior to cessation as a director in certain instances as approved by the Board. The Board may designate a plan administrator, but in the absence of such designation, the Corporate Secretary of KCS will administer the Deferred Fee Plan. Ms. Cordova participated in the Deferred Fee Plan during 2014.
In 2011, the Board adopted the Director Deferred Stock Program (the “Deferred Stock Program”). Under the Deferred Stock Program, cash retainers paid each year may be deferred into shares of KCS common stock. Meeting fees are not eligible for the Deferred Stock Program. Directors may defer a percentage or a specific dollar amount into KCS common stock. The number of shares granted under the Deferred Stock Program will be equal to (a) the aggregate value of annual cash retainers elected to be deferred, divided by (b) the fair market value per share on the grant date. The stock is 100% vested, but has no voting rights. Dividend equivalents (if any) will also be credited to the KCS deferred stock account. Directors may elect the date that distribution of the deferred shares occurs. They may also choose to receive payment in either lump sum or installments (up to 5 years). Payment will be accelerated in the event of a change in control of KCS or the director’s death. Mr. Druten participated in the Deferred Stock Program during 2014.
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| 2014 Director Compensation |
The following table shows the compensation paid to our directors in 2014.
| Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
Option Awards ($)(2) |
All Other Compensation ($)(5) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||
| Lu M. Córdova |
$ | 121,500 | (3) | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,102 | $ | 213,151 | |||||||||
| Henry R. Davis |
$ | 112,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 41 | $ | 201,590 | ||||||||||
| Robert J. Druten |
$ | 188,000 | (4) | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 28,118 | $ | 305,667 | |||||||||
| Terrence P. Dunn |
$ | 110,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,102 | $ | 229,651 | ||||||||||
| Antonio O. Garza, Jr. |
$ | 89,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 44,102 | $ | 222,651 | ||||||||||
| Michael R. Haverty |
$ | 80,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,067 | $ | 199,616 | ||||||||||
| Thomas A. McDonnell |
$ | 121,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,067 | $ | 240,616 | ||||||||||
| Rodney E. Slater |
$ | 112,000 | $ | 89,549 | $ | 0 | $ | 102 | $ | 201,651 | ||||||||||
| (1) | This column presents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards made in 2014 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The shares were awarded under our 2008 Plan. Each director received a grant of 898 shares of Common Stock on the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
| (2) | No options were granted to any director in or for 2014. |
| (3) | Ms. Cordova deferred receipt of $121,500 pursuant to the Directors Deferred Fee Plan. |
| (4) | Mr. Druten deferred receipt of $125,000 pursuant to the Directors Deferred Stock Program. He accrued 1,253 deferred shares as a result of this deferral and receives dividend equivalents on such deferred shares. |
| (5) | All Other Compensation for directors consists of: |
| Name |
Group Term Life Premiums |
AD&D Premiums |
Charitable Matching Gifts(a) |
Other | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Lu M. Córdova |
$ | 84 | $ | 18 | $ | 2,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,102 | ||||||||||
| Henry R. Davis |
$ | 34 | $ | 7 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 41 | ||||||||||
| Robert J. Druten |
$ | 55 | $ | 12 | $ | 28,051 | $ | 0 | $ | 28,118 | ||||||||||
| Terrence P. Dunn |
$ | 84 | $ | 18 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,102 | ||||||||||
| Antonio O. Garza, Jr. |
$ | 84 | $ | 18 | $ | 20,000 | $ | 24,000 | (b) | $ | 44,102 | |||||||||
| Michael R. Haverty |
$ | 55 | $ | 12 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,067 | ||||||||||
| Thomas A. McDonnell |
$ | 55 | $ | 12 | $ | 30,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,067 | ||||||||||
| Rodney E. Slater |
$ | 84 | $ | 18 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 102 | ||||||||||
| (a) | We provide a two-for-one Company match of eligible charitable contributions made by our directors. The maximum amount of contributions we will match in any calendar year for any director is $15,000. Of this $15,000 maximum, only half may be contributed to one organization. |
| (b) | “Other” for Mr. Garza consists of director fees paid by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., for serving as a member of its board of directors. |
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The Board of Directors is empowered to review, approve and ratify any transactions between the Company and “related persons,” as that term is defined by Item 404 of Regulation S-K. The charter of the Nominating Committee contains procedures for the review of related person transactions and the reporting of such transactions by the Nominating Committee to the full Board of Directors for approval or ratification. These transactions, which include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, are reviewed for approval or ratification for any transaction between the Company and its directors, director nominees, executive officers, greater than five percent beneficial owners and their respective immediate family members, where the amount involved in the transaction exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000 in a single fiscal year. The Nominating Committee has directed the Corporate Secretary to review on behalf of the Nominating Committee responses to annual director and officer questionnaires to determine whether any related person has, or has had, a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction with the Company or its subsidiaries, other than the receipt of ordinary director or officer compensation in the last fiscal year. The charter of the Audit Committee contains procedures designed to ensure that any related person transactions that are ratified or approved by the Nominating Committee are properly reported by the Company in its financial statements and SEC filings.
The policy outlined in the Nominating Committee Charter provides that the Nominating Committee reviews certain transactions subject to the policy and determines whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. In doing so, the Nominating Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate:
| • | the significance of the transaction to the Company; |
| • | the best interests of the Company’s stockholders; |
| • | the materiality of the transaction to the related person; |
| • | whether the transaction is significantly likely to impair any judgments an executive officer or director would make on behalf of the Company; |
| • | the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; |
| • | whether a related person serves on the Compensation Committee and if so, whether such continued service is appropriate in accordance with the Compensation Committee charter; and |
| • | whether the terms of the transaction are more favorable to the Company than would be available from an unrelated third party. |
There were no related party transactions in 2014.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and certain other officers and persons who own more than 10 percent of our Common Stock or Preferred Stock (collectively “Reporting Persons”), to file reports of their ownership of such stock and changes in such ownership with the SEC, the NYSE and KCS (the “Section 16 Reports”). Based solely on a review of the Section 16 Reports for 2014 and any amendments thereto furnished to us and written representations from certain of the Reporting Persons, we believe no Reporting Person was late in filing such Section 16 Reports for fiscal year 2014.
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In accordance with the Audit Committee’s written charter duly adopted by the Board of Directors, we have reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and to issue a report thereon. Our responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes on behalf of the Board of Directors.
We have discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees.
We discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their audit. We met with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their audits, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.
We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and have discussed with the registered public accounting firm its independence from management.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the consolidated financial statements referred to above be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee
Thomas A. McDonnell, Chairman
Lu M. Córdova
Terrence P. Dunn
This Audit Committee Report is not deemed “soliciting material”
and is not deemed filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A
or the liabilities under Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2014. KPMG performed professional services in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements we filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act and registration statements we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. KPMG also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 and issued an attestation report.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The following table presents the total fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by KPMG, the independent registered public accounting firm to KCS, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | |||||||
| Audit fees(1) |
$ | 2,252.7 | $ | 2,493.9 | ||||
| Audit-related fees(2) |
80.0 | 77.0 | ||||||
| Tax fees(3) |
30.2 | 26.6 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 2,362.9 | $ | 2,597.5 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (1) | Audit Fees principally include fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting (integrated audit), the audit of the consolidated financial statements of our wholly-owned subsidiary KCSM, the review of our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q filings, comfort letters and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
| (2) | Audit-Related Fees principally include fees for other attestation services. |
| (3) | Tax Fees consist of tax compliance services. |
Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee must pre-approve the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements.
The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures, as described in its charter, provide that the Audit Committee will approve all fees for audit and non-audit services prior to engagement. The Chair of the Audit Committee is authorized to pre-approve any audit and non-audit services on behalf of the Audit Committee, provided that such decisions are provided to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
The Audit Committee pre-approved all services provided by KPMG for 2014.
Selection of KPMG as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2015
The Audit Committee has selected KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our 2015 consolidated financial statements and provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.
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Stockholder Proposals for 2016 Annual Meeting
Our Bylaws set forth the advance notice requirements that stockholders must follow in order to either make a director nomination or bring any other business at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and explicitly provide that the procedure provided in the Bylaws is the exclusive means for a stockholder to make such nominations or proposals (other than proposals submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement governed by Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act). The Bylaws provide that to be properly brought before a meeting, a proposal must be brought (i) pursuant to our proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) by a stockholder who (A) was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice for the meeting and at the time of the meeting and is entitled to vote at the meeting and (B) has timely complied in proper written form with the procedures set forth in the Bylaws. In addition, the Bylaws (A) expand the required disclosure regarding stockholders making proposals or nominations to include, among other things, disclosure of all ownership interests, class and number of shares owned, hedges, derivative and or short positions, hedging or other transactions, profit interests, options, any voting or dividend rights with respect to any shares of securities of the Company, any material interests of the stockholder (and beneficial owner, if any) in the nomination or proposal, and any other information that would be required in a solicitation of proxies for the nomination or proposal, and (B) require a stockholder nominating a person for election as a director to include in the advance notice certain biographical information about each such nominee, a fully completed Director’s Questionnaire on the form supplied by the Company, a written representation of such nominee as to any voting commitments or related transactions, and an agreement by such nominee to comply with the Company’s corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines.
If a holder of our Common Stock wishes to present a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be made in accordance with the applicable laws and rules of the SEC and the interpretations thereof, as well as our Bylaws. Any such proposal should be sent to our Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or if by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105) and must be received no later than December 8, 2015.
Director Nominations
Any stockholder who meets the requirements set forth in our Bylaws may submit a director nomination for consideration by the Nominating Committee by complying with the requirements of this section, including: (i) the stockholder must be a record owner both at the time of giving notice for the meeting and at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting; (ii) the stockholder must deliver a timely written nomination notice to the office of our Corporate Secretary, providing the information required by this section; and (iii) the nominee must meet the minimum qualifications for directors established by the Board.
With respect to stockholder nominations of candidates for our Board of Directors, our Bylaws provide that not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting any stockholder who intends to make a nomination at the current year’s annual meeting shall deliver a notice in writing (the “Stockholder’s Notice”) to our Corporate Secretary setting forth, as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate (i) all information relating to such person required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or as otherwise required, pursuant to applicable rules of the SEC or the NYSE; (ii) the nominee’s written consent to be named in the Proxy Statement, to serve as a director and to comply with our rules, guidelines and policies applicable to directors; (iii) the name, age and business and residence address of the nominee; (iv) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee; (v) the class and number of shares of KCS which are owned beneficially and of record by the nominee and stockholder; (vi) description of any hedging or other transaction entered into by the nominee with respect to our securities; (vii) a description of all arrangements between the stockholder and nominee pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (viii) a fully completed Director’s Questionnaire on the form supplied by us, executed by the
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nominee; (ix) such other information as required by our Bylaws; and (x) such other information as the Nominating Committee reasonably deems relevant, to be provided within such time limits as reasonably imposed by the Nominating Committee or required by applicable law; provided, however, that if an annual meeting is to be held more than 30 days before, or more than 60 days after, such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be delivered not earlier than the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the later of (a) the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or (b) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by us. Public announcement is disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document filed by us with the SEC. Proposals to nominate directors to be timely for the 2016 annual meeting must be received at our principal executive offices no earlier than February 7, 2016 and no later than March 8, 2016.
The qualifications for membership on the Board of Directors are described above in the “Director Qualifications, Qualities and Skills.”
No nominee from a stockholder will be considered who was previously submitted for election to the Board of Directors and who failed to receive at least 25% of the votes cast at such election, until a period of three years has passed from the date of such election.
Matters Other than Director Nominations
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a proposal other than director nominations (other than a proposal requested to be included in the Proxy Statement, as noted above) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to our Corporate Secretary. To be timely, such Stockholder’s Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if an annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, to be timely, the Stockholder’s Notice must be so received no earlier than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the later of (i) the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made. A Stockholder’s Notice to our Corporate Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of KCS which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and the name and address of record under which such stock is held, (iv) description of any hedging or other transactions, proxies or contracts entered into pursuant to which the stockholder has a right to vote any of our securities, rights to dividends, performance-related fees that the stockholder is entitled based on any change in the value of our shares, (v) a statement regarding whether the stockholder will deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy, (vi) any material interest of the stockholder in such business, and (vii) such other information as required by our Bylaws. Proposals for matters other than director nominations (other than proposals submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement) to be timely for the 2016 annual meeting must be received at our principal executive offices no earlier than February 7, 2016 and no later than March 8, 2016.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Adam J. Godderz
Associate General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
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KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN
Kansas City, Missouri
April 6, 2015
Our Annual Report includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (without exhibits) as filed with the SEC. We will furnish without charge upon written request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a list of all exhibits thereto. We will furnish copies of such exhibits upon written request therefor and payment of our reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibits. Each such request must include a good faith representation that, as of the Record Date, the person making such request was a beneficial owner of Voting Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Such written request should be directed to our Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or if by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105), (888) 800-3690. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 is also available free of charge on our website at www.kcsouthern.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing or furnishing of these reports with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 with exhibits, as well as other filings by us with the SEC, are also available through the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, our corporate governance guidelines, ethics and legal compliance policy, and the charters of our Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee are available on our website. These guidelines and charters are available in print to any stockholder who requests them. Written requests may be made to our Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 219335, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9335 (or if by express delivery to 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105).
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||||||||
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Electronic Voting Instructions | ||||||||
| Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! | ||||||||
| Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. | ||||||||
|
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. | ||||||||
| Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 4, 2015. | ||||||||
|
|
Vote by Internet
• Go to www.envisionreports.com/KSU
• Or scan the QR code with your smartphone
• Follow the steps outlined on the secure website | |||||||
| Vote by telephone | ||||||||
|
• Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone
| ||||||||
| • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message | ||||||||
| Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. | x | |||||||
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| A | The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3: | |||||
|
1. |
Election of Directors: |
For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | + | ||||||||||||||
| 01 - Lu M. Córdova | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 02 - Thomas A. McDonnell | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||
| 2. | Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 3. | Advisory (non-binding) vote approving the 2014 compensation of our named executive officers. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| B | The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal 4: | |||||
| For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||||||
| 4. | Approval of a proposal to reduce ownership percentage needed to call a special stockholder meeting. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||||||||||
| In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matter or matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. | ||||||||||||||||||
| C | Non-Voting Items |
| Change of Address — Please print new address below. |
Meeting Attendance | |||
| Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. | ¨ |
| D | Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign | |
| Below |
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear. All joint owners should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, and officers of corporate stockholders should indicate the capacity in which they are signing.
| Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.
|
Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.
|
Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
| ||||||
| / / |
Table of Contents
2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Thursday, May 7, 2015
3:00 P.M. Central Time
Kansas City Southern
Grand Hall
427 West 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting:
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.edocumentview.com/ksu.
| q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| ||
|
Voting Instruction Card — KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS — MAY 7, 2015
This voting instruction card is solicited by the Trustee.
I hereby direct that the voting rights pertaining to shares of stock of Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) held by the Trustee and allocated to my account shall be exercised at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 7, 2015, or any adjournment thereof, as specified hereon and in its discretion on all other matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting and matters incidental to such meeting.
This voting instruction card, when properly executed, will be voted as directed, or if no choice is specified, such card will be voted “For” the nominees named hereon, “For” proposal 2, “For” proposal 3, and “Against” proposal 4.
If voting instructions are not received by May 4, 2015, the Trustee will vote such shares in the same proportions as the shares for which voting instructions were received from other plan participants.
CONFIDENTIAL VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN 401(K) AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN.
(Continued on reverse side)
Table of Contents
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|
| |||||||
| Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
|
x | |||||||
q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| A | The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3: |
|
1. |
Election of Directors: |
For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | + | ||||||||||||||
| 01 - Lu M. Córdova | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 02 - Thomas A. McDonnell | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||
| 2. | Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 3. | Advisory (non-binding) vote approving the 2014 compensation of our named executive officers. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| B | The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal 4: | |||||
| For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||||||
| 4. | Approval of a proposal to reduce ownership percentage needed to call a special stockholder meeting. |
¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||||||||||
| In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matter or matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. | ||||||||||||||||||
| C | Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign | |
| Below |
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear. All joint owners should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, and officers of corporate stockholders should indicate the capacity in which they are signing.
| Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. | Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. | Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. | ||||||
| / / |
Table of Contents
2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Thursday, May 7, 2015
3:00 P.M. Central Time
Kansas City Southern
Grand Hall
427 West 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting:
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.edocumentview.com/ksu.
| q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| ||
|
Proxy — KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS — MAY 7, 2015
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors.
Terrence P. Dunn, Henry R. Davis and Antonio O. Garza Jr. , or any one of them, are hereby authorized, with full power of substitution, to vote the shares of stock of Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) entitled to be voted by the stockholder(s) signing this proxy at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 7, 2015, or any adjournment thereof, as specified herein and in their discretion on all other matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed, or if no choice is specified on a returned card, such proxies will vote “For” the nominees named hereon, “For” proposal 2, “For” proposal 3, and “Against” proposal 4.
This proxy confers discretionary authority as described, and may be revoked in the manner described, in the Proxy Statement dated April 6, 2015, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
(Continued on reverse side)
Table of Contents
|
|
| |||||||
| Electronic Voting Instructions | ||||||||
| Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! | ||||||||
| Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. | ||||||||
|
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. | ||||||||
| Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2015. | ||||||||
|
|
Vote by Internet
• Go to www.envisionreports.com/KSU
• Or scan the QR code with your smartphone
• Follow the steps outlined on the secure website | |||||||
| Vote by telephone | ||||||||
|
• Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone
| ||||||||
| • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message | ||||||||
| Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. |
x | |||||||
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| A | The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposals 2 and 3: | |||||||||
|
1. |
Election of Directors: |
For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | + | ||||||||||||||
| 01 - Lu M. Córdova | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 02 - Thomas A. McDonnell | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||
| 2. | Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2015. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 3. | Advisory (non-binding) vote approving the 2014 compensation of our named executive officers. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| B | The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal 4: | |||||||||
| For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||||||
| 4. | Approval of a proposal to reduce ownership percentage needed to call a special stockholder meeting. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||||||||||
| In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matter or matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. | ||||||||||||||||||
| C | Non-Voting Items |
| Change of Address — Please print new address below. |
Meeting Attendance | |||
| Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. | ¨ |
| D | Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign | |
| Below |
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear. All joint owners should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, and officers of corporate stockholders should indicate the capacity in which they are signing.
| Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. | Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. | Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. | ||||||
| / / |
Table of Contents
2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Thursday, May 7, 2015
3:00 P.M. Central Time
Kansas City Southern
Grand Hall
427 West 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting:
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.edocumentview.com/ksu.
| q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
| ||
|
Proxy — KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN
|
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS — MAY 7, 2015
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors.
Terrence P. Dunn, Henry R. Davis and Antonio O. Garza Jr. , or any one of them, are hereby authorized, with full power of substitution, to vote the shares of stock of Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) entitled to be voted by the stockholder(s) signing this proxy at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 7, 2015, or any adjournment thereof, as specified herein and in their discretion on all other matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed, or if no choice is specified on a returned card, such proxies will vote “For” the nominees named hereon, “For” proposal 2, “For” proposal 3, and “Against” proposal 4.
This proxy confers discretionary authority as described, and may be revoked in the manner described, in the Proxy Statement dated April 6, 2015, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
(Continued on reverse side)