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TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
INTREPID POTASH, INC. | ||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Intrepid Potash, Inc.
707 17th Street, Suite 4200
Denver, CO 80202
April 3, 2014
Dear Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders of Intrepid Potash, Inc. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street, Denver, CO 80202.
You will find important information about the matters to be voted on at the meeting in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. We are sending most of our stockholders a one-page notice regarding the Internet availability of these materials and our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K instead of sending them a full set of printed materials. This notice tells you how to access and review on the Internet all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. This notice also tells you how to vote on the Internet or by phone and how to request to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we hope that you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote on the Internet or by telephone as described in the attached proxy materials. You also may vote by mail if you timely request to receive printed copies of these proxy materials in the mail.
Very truly yours, | ||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III Executive Chairman of the Board |
Intrepid Potash, Inc.
707 17th Street, Suite 4200
Denver, CO 80202
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Date | Wednesday, May 28, 2014 | |||
Time |
10:00 a.m. Denver local time |
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Place |
Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street, Denver, CO 80202 |
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Items of Business |
(1) |
To elect two Class III directors nominated by our Board of Directors to serve three-year terms expiring at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders |
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(2) |
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2014 |
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(3) |
To approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation |
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(4) |
To transact any other business that properly comes before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the meeting |
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The accompanying proxy statement provides more details about each of these proposals. |
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Record Date |
Only holders of record of our common stock on March 31, 2014, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponement or adjournment of the meeting. |
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Voting |
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to read the accompanying proxy materials and submit your vote as soon as possible. You can find specific information about how to cast your vote in the Question and Answer section of the accompanying proxy statement. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2014
This notice, our proxy statement, and our 2013 annual report are available on our website at investors.intrepidpotash.com.
By Order of the Board of Directors of Intrepid Potash, Inc. |
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Martin D. Litt Secretary |
Denver,
CO
April 3, 2014
Intrepid Potash, Inc.
707 17th Street, Suite 4200
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 296-3006
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why did I receive these proxy materials?
We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Intrepid Potash, Inc., a Delaware corporation, of proxies to be voted at our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street, Denver, CO 80202.
We will begin furnishing these proxy materials to stockholders on or about April 11, 2014.
When we use the term "Intrepid," "us," "we," or "our," we mean Intrepid Potash, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
We will ask stockholders to vote on the following matters at the annual meeting:
2014 Proxy Statement
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Why did I receive a one-page notice about the Internet availability of these materials instead of printed materials?
Under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, we have elected to furnish proxy materials to our stockholders on the Internet. This means that most of our stockholders will receive a one-page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of printed copies of the proxy materials. If you receive this notice, you will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless you specifically request them. The notice provides instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials on the Internet, how to request
to receive a printed set of the proxy materials by mail, and how to vote your shares.
The notice also provides instructions on how to elect to receive all future proxy materials electronically by email or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email or printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate it.
What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial holder?
Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank, or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. There are some important distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Stockholder of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., or Computershare, you are the stockholder of record for those shares and are receiving proxy materials directly from us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the meeting.
Beneficial Holder
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee (commonly referred to as being held in "street name"), you are the beneficial holder of those shares. Your broker, bank, or nominee is the stockholder of record and has forwarded proxy materials to you as beneficial holder. As the beneficial holder, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote your shares and are also invited to attend the meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from your broker, bank, or nominee giving you the right to vote the shares.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date of March 31, 2014, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. As of March 31, 2014, there were 76,078,700 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote on each item voted on at the annual meeting.
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for inspection by any stockholder at the annual meeting and during normal business hours for the ten days prior to the annual meeting at our corporate headquarters located at 707 17th Street, Suite 4200, Denver, CO 80202.
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Stockholder of Record
If you are a stockholder of record, you can vote over the telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions you received from us in the mail or by email. If you requested to receive a full set of proxy materials in the mail, you also can vote by mail using the proxy card included with the materials. Finally, you can vote in person at the meeting.
Beneficial Holder
If you are a beneficial holder, you can vote over the telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions you received from your bank, broker, or nominee in the mail or by email. If you requested to receive a full set of proxy materials in the mail, you also can vote by mail using the voting instruction card included with the materials. If you have not received this information from
your broker, bank, or other nominee, please contact them as soon as possible. You can vote in person at the meeting only if you obtain a signed proxy from your broker, bank, or nominee giving you this right.
If you do not give your bank, broker, or nominee instructions as to how to vote, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, your bank, broker, or nominee may not vote your shares on the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, or other non-routine items of business without your instructions. Please be sure to return your voting instructions to your bank, broker, or nominee so that your vote is counted.
Multiple Holdings
If you hold shares both as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial holder, you must vote separately for each set of shares.
Can I change or revoke my vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the annual meeting by taking any of the following actions:
If you are a beneficial holder, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker, or nominee following the instructions they provided.
Your attendance at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy.
What is the quorum requirement for the meeting?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary for any action to be taken at the meeting (other than adjournment or postponement of the meeting). Our bylaws provide that a quorum exists if stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock are present at the meeting in person or by proxy. If you submit a properly completed proxy, even if you abstain from
voting, your shares will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Broker non-votes (described below) also will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum provided that the bank, broker, or nominee uses its discretionary authority to vote on at least one routine matter.
2014 Proxy Statement
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Your shares will be voted in accordance with your properly submitted instructions.
Stockholders of Record
If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy but do not include voting instructions on a particular matter, your shares will be voted FOR each of the nominees named in Proposal 1 and FOR each of Proposals 2 and 3 in accordance with the recommendations of our Board. If any other matters are properly presented for a vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, your shares will be voted in the discretion of the named proxies.
Beneficial Holders and Broker Non-Votes
If you are a beneficial holder and you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker, or nominee, that organization will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote your shares on the particular matter. Under NYSE rules, these organizations have the discretion to vote your shares on routine matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2014 (Proposal 2). However, they do not have the discretion to vote your shares on non-routine matters, such as the election of directors and the advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Proposals 1 and 3). The unvoted shares are called "broker non-votes." Shares that constitute broker non-votes are considered present for purposes of determining a quorum but are not considered entitled to vote or votes cast on the particular matter.
What are the voting requirements for each matter?
Proposal
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Vote Required | Broker Discretionary Voting Allowed |
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(1) |
Election of each Class III director |
Majority of votes cast | No | |||||
(2) |
Ratification of appointment of KPMG |
Majority of votes cast | Yes | |||||
(3) |
Advisory vote to approve executive compensation |
Majority of votes cast | No |
For a proposal to receive a majority of the votes cast, the number of shares voted "for" that proposal must exceed the number of votes cast "against" that proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as votes cast on any of the proposals.
With respect to the election of Class III directors, each director nominee has tendered a contingent, irrevocable resignation to the Board that will become effective only if he fails to receive the required majority vote and the Board accepts the resignation. In the event a director does not receive a majority of the votes cast, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (sometimes referred to as the
Governance Committee) will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the resignation or whether some other action should be taken. The Board will act (taking into account the recommendation of the Governance Committee) and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days after the date of the certification of the election results.
Although the advisory vote to approve executive compensation is non-binding, as provided by law, our Board and its Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and will consider the results in making future decisions on executive compensation.
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A representative or designee of Computershare will act as inspector of election and tabulate the votes.
Who will pay the costs of soliciting votes for the meeting?
We will pay all costs of soliciting proxies. We have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We expect to pay Alliance Advisors, LLC $3,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. The solicitation may be made personally or by mail, telephone, email, or other electronic means of communication. In addition, our officers, directors, and employees, without additional compensation, may also solicit
proxies using any of these methods. We will send proxy materials or additional soliciting materials to banks, brokers, other institutions, nominees, and fiduciaries, and these organizations will then forward the materials to the beneficial holders of our shares. On request, we will reimburse these organizations for their reasonable expenses in forwarding these materials.
PROPOSAL 1ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS
Our Board consists of six directors who are divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II, and Class III. In accordance with our bylaws and certificate of incorporation, the number of directors constituting the entire Board is fixed exclusively by the Board from time to time. The directors are divided as evenly as possible into the three classes. If the number of directors is not evenly divisible by three, the remaining positions are allocated first to Class III and then to Class II. The classes of directors serve for staggered three-year terms, with their current terms ending at the annual meeting of stockholders in the following years: Class I directors2015; Class II directors2016; and Class III directors2014.
The Class III directors elected at the 2014 annual meeting will serve until the 2017 annual meeting. Our nominees for these Class III directorships are Robert P. Jornayvaz III and Hugh E. Harvey, Jr. Each nominee is currently serving on our Board and was most recently elected by stockholders at our 2011 annual meeting. In making these nominations, our Board and Governance Committee considered each nominee's specific experiences, qualifications, and skills as described below. In addition, Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey were nominated in accordance with a Director Designation and Voting Agreement that we entered into in 2008 with certain of their affiliated entities. You can find more information about this agreement below under the heading "Corporate GovernanceDirector Designation and Voting Agreement." Each nominee has consented to serve as a director if elected. However, if either or both nominees are unable to serve, or for good cause will not serve, the persons named in the proxy intend to vote in their discretion for one or more substitutes who will be designated by the Board.
To be elected, each nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast. Specifically, the number of shares voted "for" the nominee must exceed the number of votes cast "against" that nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as votes cast. Each nominee has tendered to the Board a contingent, irrevocable resignation that will become effective only if the nominee fails to receive the required majority vote and the Board decides to accept the resignation. In the event a nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast, the Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation or whether some other action should be taken. The Board will act (taking into account the recommendation of the Governance Committee) and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind its decision within 90 days after the date of the certification of the election results.
2014 Proxy Statement
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Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending directors for nomination by the Board for election as members of the Board. The Governance Committee performed its evaluation and nominating committee functions in early 2014. The Governance Committee seeks independent directors who represent a mix of backgrounds and experiences that it believes will enhance the quality of the Board's deliberations and decisions. When searching for new candidates, the Governance Committee considers the evolving needs of the Board and searches for candidates to fill any current or anticipated future gaps. The Governance Committee selects each nominee based on the nominee's skills, achievements, and experience. The Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the independent directors seek to promote through the nomination process an appropriate diversity on the Board. The Governance Committee also believes that each nominee should have the highest level of personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values together with expertise that is useful to Intrepid and complementary to the background and expertise of other members of the Board. Additionally, nominees are expected to have a willingness and ability to devote the time necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of membership on the Board and a desire to ensure that our operations and financial reporting are effected in a transparent manner and in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The Governance Committee evaluates each potential nominee individually and in the context of the Board as a whole. The objective is to recommend a group that will contribute to our long-term success and effectively represent stockholder interests. With respect to the nomination of continuing directors for re-election, the individual's contributions to the Board are also considered.
When seeking candidates for a new director, the Governance Committee may solicit suggestions from incumbent directors, management, stockholders, and others. The Governance Committee has authority under its charter to retain a search firm for this purpose. If the Governance Committee believes a candidate would be a valuable addition to the Board, it recommends his or her candidacy to the full Board.
The Governance Committee will consider suggestions by stockholders of possible future nominees. The Governance Committee does not intend to alter its criteria for evaluating potential director candidates, including the criteria described above, in the case of director candidates recommended by stockholders. Stockholders may nominate persons for election to the Board only in accordance with our bylaws. You can find more information about the requirements for submitting stockholder proposals, including proposals relating to director nominees, below under the heading "Stockholder Proposals."
Below is biographical and other information about our Class III director nominees and continuing directors. We also provide for each director the specific experience, qualifications, and skills that helped lead our Board to conclude that he should serve as a director.
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Class III NomineesTerm Expires at 2014 Annual Meeting
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Biographical Information |
Specific Experiences, Qualifications, and Skills Considered by Our Board |
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Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
Mr. Jornayvaz has served as our Executive Chairman of the Board since May 2010. Mr. Jornayvaz served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from our formation in 2007 until May 2010. Mr. Jornayvaz served, directly or indirectly, as a manager of our predecessor, Intrepid Mining LLC, from 2000 until its dissolution at the time of our initial public offering, or IPO, in 2008. Mr. Jornayvaz is the sole owner of Intrepid Production Corporation, which owns approximately 14% of our common stock as of March 15, 2014. | Management experience with us and our predecessor company 15 years of experience in the potash mining industry and over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry Experience in extractive and commodities businesses |
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Hugh E. Harvey, Jr. |
Mr. Harvey has served as our Executive Vice Chairman of the Board since May 2010 and as a member of our Board since our formation in 2007. Mr. Harvey served as our Chief Technology Officer from May 2009 until May 2010, our Chief Operating Officer from February 2009 to October 2009, and our Executive Vice President of Technology from 2007 until May 2009. Mr. Harvey served, directly or indirectly, as a manager of our predecessor, Intrepid Mining LLC, from 2000 until its dissolution at the time of our IPO in 2008. Mr. Harvey is sole owner of Harvey Operating and Production Company, which owns approximately 12% of our common stock as of March 15, 2014. |
Management experience with us and our predecessor company |
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Class I DirectorsTerm Expires at 2015 Annual Meeting
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Biographical Information |
Specific Experiences, Qualifications, and Skills Considered by Our Board |
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Terry Considine |
Mr. Considine has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Apartment Investment Management Company, a publicly held, multi-family apartment real estate investment trust, since 1994. Mr. Considine also served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of American Land Lease, Inc., another publicly held real estate investment trust, from 1996 to February 2009. | Management and director experience with public companies Business experience in the real estate industry |
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Chris A. Elliott |
Mr. Elliott has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Agricultural Company of America Partners, LP, a privately held company that owns and manages agriculture real estate and operates farms producing a variety of crops over a diverse geographic spectrum, since 2007. Mr. Elliott has also served as President and co-owner of Accuform Technologies, LLC, a privately held agriculture product development company, since 2007. Mr. Elliott previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nutra-Park Inc., an agriculture plant growth regulator company, from 2002 to 2006. |
Over 25 years of business experience in the agriculture industry |
2014 Proxy Statement
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Class II DirectorsTerm Expires at 2016 Annual Meeting
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Biographical Information |
Specific Experiences, Qualifications, and Skills Considered by Our Board |
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J. Landis Martin |
Mr. Martin is the founder of the private equity firm Platte River Equity and has been its Managing Director since 2005. Mr. Martin retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Titanium Metals Corporation, an integrated producer of titanium metals, where he served from 1989 until 2005. Mr. Martin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NL Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of titanium dioxide chemicals, from 1987 to 2003 and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baroid Corporation, an oil services company, from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Martin is Chairman of the Board of Crown Castle International Corp. and is lead director of Halliburton Company and Apartment Investment Management Company. | Management and director experience with public companies Business experience with companies in the manufacturing sector and energy industry |
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Barth E. Whitham |
Mr. Whitham has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Enduring Resources, LLC, a privately held company focused on the acquisition and exploitation of upstream energy assets in domestic onshore basins, since 2005, and also serves on its board of directors. From 1991 to 2005, Mr. Whitham served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Westport Resources Corp., a publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production company, and also served on its board of directors. Mr. Whitham is a director of Ensign Energy Services Inc. |
Management and director experience with operations and management of public companies |
Recommendation of our Board of Directors
Our Board recommends a vote "for" each nominee. Proxies will be voted in favor of each nominee unless you specify otherwise in your proxy.
PROPOSAL 2RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2014
The Audit Committee of our Board has selected KPMG to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2014, and our Board is asking stockholders to ratify this selection. Stockholder approval or ratification is not required to appoint KPMG; however, our Board believes that submitting the appointment of KPMG to stockholders for ratification is good corporate governance. If stockholders do not ratify this appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain KPMG. If the selection of KPMG is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time it decides that a change would be in the best interest of us and our stockholders.
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KPMG has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2007. To our knowledge, neither KPMG nor any of its members has any direct or material indirect financial interest in Intrepid or any connection with Intrepid in any capacity other than as independent public accountants. A representative of KPMG is expected to be present at the meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.
We paid the following fees to KPMG for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and for other services provided in the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012. All of these services and fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
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2013 | 2012 | |||||
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Audit Fees |
$ | 709,920 | $ | 708,199 | |||
Audit-Related Fees |
| $ | 5,720 | ||||
Tax Fees |
| $ | 72,888 | ||||
All Other Fees |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total Fees |
$ | 709,920 | $ | 786,807 | |||
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Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; the review of our periodic reports; accounting consultations; services related to, or required by, statute or regulation, such as consents; and other audit services related to SEC and other regulatory filings. Audit-related fees for 2012 represent fees associated with the review of a universal shelf registration statement. Tax fees for 2012 include fees for assistance with technical and compliance tax research. The Audit Committee has concluded that the provision of these non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures
Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for approving the fees and any other significant compensation paid to our independent accountants and pre-approving any non-audit services to be performed by our independent accountants. The pre-approval requirement may be waived only if the non-audit services meet a de minimis exception allowed by law. In carrying out this responsibility, the Audit Committee follows the following general procedures:
Recommendation of our Board of Directors
Our Board recommends a vote "for" Proposal 2. Proxies will be voted in favor of the proposal unless you specify otherwise in your proxy.
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PROPOSAL 3ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We are asking stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our executives as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and SEC rules. This proposal is commonly called a "say-on-pay" vote. We encourage you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A, section of this proxy statement and the summary compensation and other tables that follow the CD&A. These sections provide detailed information about our compensation objectives, the design and operation of our executive compensation program, and the 2013 compensation of our executives.
We believe that our executive compensation program is aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. Specifically, our executive compensation program is designed to meet the following goals:
We are asking stockholders to approve the following non-binding resolution:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Intrepid's executives, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and related narrative discussions, is hereby APPROVED.
The say-on-pay vote gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our executives. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our executives and the principles, policies, and practices described in this proxy statement. As an advisory vote, the outcome of the vote is not binding on us, our Board, or the Compensation Committee. Our Board and Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when making future executive compensation decisions. At our 2013 annual meeting, our stockholders expressed support for the compensation of our executives, with 97% of the votes cast for advisory approval of our executive compensation.
At our 2011 annual meeting, our stockholders supported, on an advisory basis, holding the say-on-pay vote on an annual basis. After the 2011 annual meeting and taking into consideration stockholder support for an annual say-on-pay vote, our Board determined to hold the say-on-pay vote annually. Accordingly, the next say-on-pay vote will occur at our 2015 annual meeting. The next advisory vote on the frequency for the say-on-pay vote will occur at our 2017 annual meeting.
Recommendation of our Board of Directors
Our Board recommends a vote "for" Proposal 3. Proxies will be voted in favor of the proposal unless you specify otherwise in your proxy.
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Our Board is comprised of a majority of independent directors. Our Board has determined that each of Terry Considine, Chris A. Elliott, J. Landis Martin, and Barth E. Whitham is an independent director under the rules of the SEC and NYSE and does not have any material relationship with us other than his position as a director and stockholder. In making these determinations, our Board considered past employment, remuneration, and all other relationships with Intrepid, as well as the specific independence tests set forth in the NYSE's director independence rules. Our Board also considered the relationships described below among directors and in each case concluded that the relationship did not compromise the director's independence.
Messrs. Martin and ConsidineEach of Messrs. Jornayvaz, Harvey, and Considine has an investment in an investment fund controlled by Mr. Martin. Our Board considered among other things that each of these investments constitutes less than 1% of the total amount of the fund.
Messrs. Considine and WhithamEach of Messrs. Jornayvaz, Considine, and Whitham has made investments in companies that were created to acquire and own residential apartment properties and that are managed and controlled by Mr. Considine's son. Our Board considered among other things the size and characteristics of each of these investments.
Mr. WhithamEnduring Resources, LLC and BH Holdings LLC have entered into an Aircraft Dry Lease Agreement and Crew Services Agreement relating to an aircraft owned by BH Holdings. Mr. Whitham is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Enduring Resources, and BH Holdings is indirectly owned by Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey. Our Board considered among other things the monetary value of the proposed transactions and nature of the agreement. Enduring Resources did not use the aircraft owned by BH Holdings during 2013.
We currently do not have a position entitled chief executive officer. We have one individual serving as our principal executive officer and chairman of our Board. Specifically, our Board has appointed Mr. Jornayvaz to serve as our Executive Chairman of the Board and our principal executive officer for SEC and NYSE reporting purposes. Our Board believes that Mr. Jornayvaz is best situated to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and is most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and execution of strategy. We believe that independent directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. Our independent directors bring experience, oversight, and expertise from outside the company and from different industries, while Mr. Jornayvaz brings company- and industry-specific experience and expertise. In addition, Mr. Jornayvaz is our largest stockholder, holding approximately 14% of our outstanding common stock as of March 15, 2014. Consequently, Mr. Jornayvaz's interests are generally aligned with the interests of our other stockholders.
At this time, our Board believes that the combined role of Executive Chairman of the Board and principal executive officer promotes strategy development and execution and facilitates information flow between management and our Board, each of which is essential to effective corporate governance. One of the key responsibilities of our Board is to develop strategic direction and to hold management accountable for the execution of strategy once it is developed. Our Board believes the combined role of Executive Chairman of the Board and principal executive officer, supported by an independent lead director having the duties described below, is in the best interest of stockholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management.
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Our Board has selected Mr. Martin to serve as its independent lead director. Our lead director has the following responsibilities:
We are exposed to a number of risks, and at least annually we undertake a risk management review to identify and evaluate risks throughout our company and to develop plans to manage them effectively. We have established an enterprise risk management program to assist in this process. Our Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management is directly responsible for our risk management functions, and, in this role, he periodically updates the Board regarding ongoing assessment and mitigation of our risks and works closely with members of senior management, mine general managers, and others within Intrepid to identify and design programs or procedures to mitigate potential risks where possible. We also have established a compliance program, including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ancillary statements and policies, and have appointed a Chief Compliance Officer to manage the compliance program. In this capacity, our Chief Compliance Officer reports directly to the Audit Committee.
Our Board has an active role, as a whole and at its committee level, in overseeing management of our risks. Our Board regularly reviews information about our liquidity, capital expenditures, cost of goods sold, inventory, product pricing, and sales, as well as the associated risks in the potash market. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees the management of accounting, financial reporting, and financial risks and the management of our compliance program. The Governance Committee manages risks associated with director independence and potential conflicts of interest. Our Board oversees management of risks associated with operations, environmental, health, and safety. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of those risks, the entire Board is regularly informed about those risks through committee reports.
We have concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. You can find more information about our assessment of risks arising from compensation policies and practices below under the heading "Risks Arising from Compensation Policies and Practices."
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Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board, including our independent or non-management directors as a group, our lead director, or any other individual director, may do so by submitting a written communication to our lead director at the following address:
Lead
Director
c/o Intrepid Potash, Inc.
707 17th Street, Suite 4200
Denver, CO 80202
Communications can be made anonymously and confidentially using this method. A copy of communications will be forwarded to our legal counsel and retained for a reasonable period of time. Our lead director may discuss these communications with our legal counsel, independent advisors, non-management directors, or management and may take other action or no action as he determines in good faith, using reasonable judgment and discretion.
The Audit Committee oversees our procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or audit matters. We have established a toll-free telephone number for employees to use to report, on a confidential and anonymous basis, any concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters.
We believe that stock ownership by our directors and senior management better aligns their interests with those of our other stockholders. Our Board has established stock ownership guidelines that encourage these individuals to own meaningful amounts of our common stock. After a specified phase-in period, each covered individual is expected to own Intrepid common stock with a minimum average value equal to a specified multiple of his then-current annual salary or annual cash retainer. If the individual has not achieved this ownership level by the end of the phase-in period, the individual is expected to retain ownership of at least 50% of the total number of shares of our common stock received from the exercise of stock options, excluding any shares withheld to cover taxes and any shares sold or netted to pay the exercise price, until the ownership level has been achieved. In addition, after the phase-in period, the individual may not enter into any transaction that would result in non-compliance, excluding the withholding of shares to cover taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock or performance stock units.
The table below summarizes our stock ownership guidelines:
Individual
|
Multiple of Annual Salary or Cash Retainer |
Phase-In Period | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Executive Officer or Principal Executive Officer (CEO) |
6 | 5 years after first becoming CEO (or February 2016 if later) | |||
Senior Vice Presidents and above (Senior Employees) |
2 |
5 years after first becoming a Senior Employee (or March 2014 if later) |
|||
Non-employee Board members |
5 |
5 years after first becoming a Board member (or February 2016 if later) |
All of our directors and executives are in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines, or are within the applicable phase-in period.
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Insider Trading Policy and Hedging and Pledging Transactions
Our directors and executives are subject to various trading restrictions under our insider trading policy. These individuals may enter into transactions involving our securities or derivative securities only during regular quarterly trading periods and must receive our permission before entering into these transactions. Derivative transactions may allow a person to own our securities without the full risks and rewards of ownership and, as a result, the person may no longer have the same objectives as other holders of our securities. Accordingly, we approve transactions in derivative securities only when they do not involve this risk. Directors and executives are prohibited from engaging in short sales relating to our securities. They are also prohibited from pledging our securities as collateral for a loan, including holding our securities in a margin account (except under special circumstances as approved by us).
None of our directors or executives is involved in any hedging or pledging transactions relating to our securities.
Our Board met six times in 2013. In 2013, each director attended in person or by phone 75% or more of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board held while he was a director and of each committee on which he served during the period in which he served as a member of that committee. Each director is expected to attend our annual meetings. All but one of our directors attended our 2013 annual meeting in person or by telephone. Our independent and non-management directors meet regularly in executive session without management present.
Our Board has an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a Compensation Committee. Each of these committees is comprised solely of independent directors. The charters for these committees are available on our website at www.intrepidpotash.com. Each of these committees meets regularly in executive session without management present.
The following table sets forth the chairperson and members of each committee and the number of meetings held in 2013.
Name of Director
|
Audit Committee |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
Compensation Committee |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||
Terry Considine |
X | Chair | X | |||
Chris A. Elliott |
X | X | X | |||
J. Landis Martin |
Chair | X | X | |||
Barth E. Whitham |
X | X | Chair | |||
Number of Meetings in 2013 |
8 | 3 | 7 |
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to us and our stockholders relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of our financial statements. The Audit Committee oversees management's processes and activities related to maintaining the reliability and integrity of our accounting policies, financial reporting practices, and financial statements; the assessment of the independent auditor's qualifications and independence; and compliance with laws and regulations and the requirements of the NYSE. The Audit Committee is solely responsible for the engagement and discharge of independent auditors and reviews the quarterly and annual financial results. The committee reviews the audit plan and the results of the audit with the independent auditors and reviews the independence of the auditors, the range of audit fees, the scope and adequacy of our system of internal accounting controls, and our risk management policies. The Audit Committee also has oversight
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responsibility for our internal audit function. Our Director of Internal Audit reports directly to the Audit Committee.
Audit Committee members are prohibited from serving on more than two other audit committees of public companies.
Our Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate in accordance with the rules of the NYSE and is independent under the NYSE's director independence standards applicable to audit committee members, including the heightened independence requirements under the SEC's rules. In addition, the Board has determined that each of Messrs. Martin, Considine, and Whitham qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by SEC rules.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Governance Committee reviews the overall composition of our Board, identifies individuals qualified to become members of our Board, and recommends to our Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting. The Governance Committee also oversees the evaluation of our Board and management succession plans, reviews from time to time our policies and practices on corporate governance including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and recommends to our Board any changes it may deem necessary. Additionally, the Governance Committee is responsible for the periodic review and recommendation to the Board of the compensation structure for the non-employee directors for Board and committee service.
Our Board has determined that each member of the Governance Committee is independent under the NYSE's director independence standards.
The Compensation Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to compensation of our executives; administers our equity incentive plans; and has overall responsibility for evaluating and approving (or recommending for approval to the Board) all compensation plans, policies, and programs that affect our executives. You can find more information about the Compensation Committee's role in setting executive compensation below under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The Compensation Committee may form and delegate responsibility to subcommittees as it deems necessary or appropriate; provided that any subcommittee must meet all applicable independence requirements. In addition, the Compensation Committee may not delegate to persons other than independent directors any functions that are required, under applicable NYSE rules or federal securities laws, to be performed by independent directors.
Our Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under the NYSE's director independence standards applicable to compensation committee members, including the heightened independence requirements under new rules recently adopted by the SEC.
Director Designation and Voting Agreement
Intrepid, Intrepid Production Corporation (or IPC), and Harvey Operating and Production Company (or HOPCO) are parties to a Director Designation and Voting Agreement that was entered into in 2008. Mr. Jornayvaz is the sole owner of IPC, and Mr. Harvey is the sole owner of HOPCO. IPC and HOPCO, together with Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey, in the aggregate own approximately 26% of our outstanding common stock as of March 15, 2014. Under this agreement, each of IPC and HOPCO has agreed to designate one candidate for nomination and election to our Board and to vote their shares in favor of the other's candidate. We have agreed to use our best efforts to ensure that the designees are included in the slate of nominees to the Board and recommended for election. We have also agreed not take any action
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to change the size of the Board to exceed seven members, without the prior consent of IPC and HOPCO, subject to any limitations imposed by the rules of the NYSE. The directors currently serving on our Board under this agreement are Mr. Jornayvaz (nominated by IPC) and Mr. Harvey (nominated by HOPCO). Each of Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey is serving as a Class III director and has been nominated for reelection at our 2014 annual meeting.
Each of IPC and HOPCO has also agreed, except in the case of a transfer to each other or their affiliates or a public tender offer, to not knowingly sell shares of its common stock to any person if the result of that sale would be that the purchaser of the shares would own, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding common stock. The rights and obligations under this agreement are not transferable upon sale or other transfer of common stock by IPC or HOPCO except to any affiliate of IPC or HOPCO. The agreement will terminate with respect to either stockholder party and its affiliates when their collective beneficial ownership falls below 5% of our outstanding common stock.
Other than the Director Designation and Voting Agreement, there are no arrangements or understandings between any director and any other person pursuant to which that director was or is to be elected.
You can find copies of our governance-related materials, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and the written charters of the Audit Committee, Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee, in the investor relations section of our website at www.intrepidpotash.com. Copies of these materials also are available in print to any stockholder who requests them by sending a written request to the following address:
Corporate
Secretary
Intrepid Potash, Inc.
707 17th Street, Suite 4200
Denver, CO 80202
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During 2013, Messrs. Whitham, Considine, Elliott, and Martin served on our Compensation Committee. None of our executive officers currently serves, or served during 2013, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee. No member of our Compensation Committee has ever been an executive officer or employee of Intrepid.
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The following report of the Compensation Committee is not "soliciting material," will not be deemed "filed" with the SEC, and will not be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (referred to as the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference therein.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF INTREPID POTASH, INC.
Barth
E. Whitham, Chairman
Terry Considine
Chris A. Elliott
J. Landis Martin
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This section describes our executive compensation program as it relates to the following individuals:
When we refer to our "executives" throughout this proxy statement, we mean the five individuals named above.
We believe that a strong executive team is critical to our long-term success. One of the key goals of our executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, and retain a talented team of executives who will provide leadership for our success in dynamic and competitive markets. We seek to accomplish this goal in a way that rewards performance and is aligned with our stockholders' long-term interests. We believe the design of our executive compensation program is effective and is in the best interests of our stockholders.
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2013 Performance
We are the largest producer of potash in the United States supplying approximately 9% of the country's annual consumption. Our financial results for 2013 included the following:
You can find more information about our 2013 financial performance in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
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Pay for Performance
Our executive compensation program is designed to reward performance and align our executives' interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. We emphasize pay for performance in several ways:
2013 Executive Compensation Summary
Below are key features of our 2013 executive compensation program. Each of these items is described in more detail later in this CD&A.
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2014 Executive Compensation Preview
In January 2014, we announced that we had implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives to better align our cost structure with the current business environment. As part of these initiatives, our executives proposed, and the Compensation Committee approved, reductions in executive compensation for 2014. Mr. Jornayvaz's salary was reduced by 50% as compared to 2013 (from $100,000 to $50,000) and his target annual bonus for 2014 was reduced to zero. The salaries of our other executives were reduced by 20% as compared to 2013. Because target bonuses for these executives are set as a percentage of salary, the salary changes also reduce their target bonuses for 2014 by 20%. The salary changes were effective on February 1, 2014. For 2014, the value of each executive's annual equity award remained unchanged as compared to 2013; however, the 2014 awards were granted entirely in the form of restricted stock.
Impact of 2013 Say-on-Pay Advisory Vote
At our 2013 annual meeting, stockholders expressed support for the compensation of our executives, with 97% of the votes cast for advisory approval of our executive compensation. When the Compensation Committee conducts its annual review of executive compensation during the first part of each year, it considers a variety of factors as discussed in this CD&A, including the results of the previous year's advisory vote to approve executive compensation. While the Compensation Committee has considered the results of the 2013 advisory vote, it did not make any changes to our executive program or policies as a result of the vote in light of the strong stockholder support.
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Objectives of Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program has three primary objectives:
The primary elements of our 2013 executive compensation program are described below:
Element
|
Purpose | Intrepid Practice | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Salary | To provide a fixed amount of pay for an executive's primary duties and responsibilities | Salaries are reviewed annually and are set based on market competitiveness and individual performance. | ||
Annual Cash Bonus |
To incentivize the achievement of near-term financial and operational corporate goals and individual objectives |
Target bonus amounts are reviewed annually and set based on market competitiveness and individual performance. Payout amounts vary relative to corporate and individual performance. |
||
Long-Term Equity Awards |
To support our goals of retaining our critical talent and aligning management interests with the interests of our other stockholders |
For 2013, we granted a combination of restricted stock and performance stock units. The value of any equity award is inherently linked to the longer-term performance of our stock. Both the restricted stock and performance stock units are subject to a three-year vesting period, meaning that the value of these awards becomes potentially realizable over the long term. In addition, the value of performance stock units is tied to our 2013 performance as compared to pre-established goals relating to production and relative TSR. |
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We also provide the following other compensation elements to our executives:
Element
|
Purpose | Intrepid Practice | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Employee Benefits | To provide basic employee benefits that are generally consistent with the benefits provided to our other employees and with benefits provided by other companies of our size | Our employees, including our executives, receive basic health, life, and disability insurance and 401(k) benefits. Executives are also entitled to the payment or reimbursement of supplemental long-term disability insurance premiums. | ||
Perquisites |
To provide benefits that are designed to keep our executives in good health and to increase their time and travel efficiencies |
Executives are eligible for a gym membership allowance and paid parking, which are benefits that are generally consistent with the benefits provided to all of our Denver-based employees. Executives are also eligible for an executive physical allowance and for personal use of corporate aircraft, subject to the explicit approval from our Executive Chairman of the Board or Executive Vice Chairman of the Board. |
||
Change-in-Control Benefits |
To preserve executive productivity and encourage retention in an actual or potential change in control |
These benefits are carefully tailored to our company and are generally competitive with benefits offered by similarly situated companies. |
Role of the Compensation Committee, Compensation Consultants, and Management
The Compensation Committee retains Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., or F.W. Cook, as its independent compensation consultant. F.W. Cook helps the Compensation Committee collect and analyze market data to provide a competitive reference on pay levels, structure, and performance alignment for executives and directors. F.W. Cook also advises the Compensation Committee on a variety of executive and director compensation matters and provides information about general compensation trends.
Outside of its role as independent compensation consultant, F.W. Cook does not provide any other services to us or our management and does not have any other direct or indirect business relationships with us or our management. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of F.W. Cook and concluded that its work does not raise any conflicts of interest.
While market data provided by an independent compensation consultant can be a useful guide in setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee believes that a successful compensation program also requires that the Compensation Committee apply its own judgment and subjective determination to reconcile the program's objectives with the realities of rewarding and retaining our valued executives and to measure the individual performance of our executives. In this regard, the Compensation Committee asks Messrs. Jornayvaz and Honeyfield to make recommendations about the compensation to be paid to executives. While the Compensation Committee is solely responsible for the appointment of the independent compensation consultant and for approving executive compensation, management supports the work of the Compensation Committee and the independent compensation consultant. In addition, at the request of the Compensation Committee, Messrs. Jornayvaz and Honeyfield and other members of our
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executive management team meet periodically with the Compensation Committee regarding the design of our compensation programs and other compensation matters. The Compensation Committee meets regularly in executive sessions without management present.
Role of Peer Groups and Benchmarking
In setting 2013 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee reviewed market data collected by F.W. Cook in 2012. The data consisted of information about the compensation paid in 2011 to executives at our peer companies, as reported in these companies' 2012 proxy statements. For each executive position, the data showed salary, target bonus, target total cash compensation (which includes salary and target bonus), target equity compensation, and target total direct compensation (which includes salary, target bonus, and target equity compensation) for similarly situated executives at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles.
With assistance from F.W. Cook and our management, the Compensation Committee approves the makeup of our peer group and reevaluates the group annually. In general, our peer group consists of companies with which we may compete for business, capital, or executive talent. Specifically, our peer group is made up of natural resource, diversified metal and mining, and fertilizer companies that are based in the U.S. and that had revenues and market capitalizations ranging from about 0.25 times to 4.0 times our revenue and market capitalization (or a revenue range from $175 million to $1.810 billion and a market capitalization range from $487 million to $5.236 billion). Our revenue and market capitalization were at approximately the median as compared to the peer group at the time the group was chosen and at the time the market data was reviewed by the Compensation Committee. Our 2013 peer group consisted of the following companies:
Allied Nevada Gold Corp. | H.B. Fuller Company | |
AMCOL International Corporation | Hecla Mining Company | |
Balchem Corporation | Minerals Technologies Inc. | |
Bill Barrett Corporation | Natural Resource Partners L.P. | |
Calgon Carbon Corporation | Rosetta Resources Inc. | |
Cheniere Energy, Inc. | Royal Gold, Inc. | |
Clayton Williams Energy, Inc. | Spectra Energy Corp. | |
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation | Stillwater Mining Company | |
Compass Minerals International Inc. | Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. | |
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. | Venoco, Inc. |
Our 2013 peer group was the same as our 2012 peer group, except that we removed SM Energy Company because its revenue no longer fell within the range described above.
At the direction of the Compensation Committee, management analyzed the market data collected by F.W. Cook and provided the results of its analysis, together with the recommendations of Mr. Honeyfield, to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee made its 2013 executive compensation decisions for executives other than Mr. Jornayvaz, as described in more detail below under the heading "2013 Compensation Decisions," after considering the market data, management recommendations, and the executives' individual experience and responsibilities. In general, the intent was to set targeted total cash compensation at the market median and to set targeted total direct compensation at or slightly below the market median reflecting the heavier weighting within equity compensation towards restricted stock over performance stock units.
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The Compensation Committee did not review market data with respect to Mr. Jornayvaz's 2013 compensation in light of his request, and our agreement, to reduce his compensation in connection with his May 2010 employment agreement, as discussed in more detail below under the heading "2013 Compensation DecisionsSalary."
Mr. Jornayvaz's current employment agreement sets his salary at $100,000, subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee. When we entered into this agreement with Mr. Jornayvaz in May 2010, he requested that we reduce his salary to $100,000 in connection with the reallocation of day-to-day responsibilities to other executives, including Mr. Honeyfield. The Compensation Committee did not make any changes to Mr. Jornayvaz's salary for 2013.
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee conducted its annual review of salaries for our other executives. Taking into account market data and the recommendations of Mr. Honeyfield, the Compensation Committee approved the following salary changes:
Name
|
2012 Salary | Increase | 2013 Salary (Increases Effective 1/22/13) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | |||||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 400,000 | 6 | % | $ | 425,000 | ||||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 315,000 | 3 | % | $ | 325,000 | ||||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 295,000 | 8 | % | $ | 320,000 | ||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 250,000 | 18 | % | $ | 295,000 |
In making these changes, the Compensation Committee generally set salaries at amounts that resulted in targeted total cash compensation at approximately the market median, as described above under the heading "Role of Peer Groups and Benchmarking."
Background
We have adopted a Short-Term Incentive Plan that allows for the payment of annual bonuses based on the attainment of pre-established annual performance goals. The plan was most recently approved by our stockholders in 2012 and is intended to allow us to grant awards that qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m). You can find more information about Section 162(m) below under the heading "Accounting Impact and Tax Deductibility of Compensation."
The Compensation Committee administers the plan. Within the first 90 days of each year, the Compensation Committee selects the executive officers and other key employees who are eligible to participate in the plan, establishes their target bonus amounts, and sets the performance goals for the year in accordance with the plan. In determining annual bonuses for executives, we use the same performance measures and goals as we use for non-executive employees. The target bonus amounts and performance goals are then communicated to plan participants. Shortly after the end of each year, the Compensation Committee certifies the bonus payments to be made for the year, if any, based on actual performance as compared to the pre-established goals. Bonuses are paid in cash or stock no later than March 15 of the following year. Our Board can amend or terminate the plan at any time, subject to any restrictions under Section 162(m).
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2013 Bonus Calculation
The following table shows the calculation of 2013 cash bonuses to executives under our Short-Term Incentive Plan:
|
Target Bonus | |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Salary | x |
Target Bonus Amount / Target Bonus as a Percentage of Salary |
x |
Performance Payout Percentage |
= |
2013 Cash Bonus |
|||||||||||||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
(1 | ) | $ | 500,000 | (1) | 49.4% | $ | 0 | (1) | |||||||||||||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 425,000(2 | ) | 75% | 49.4% | $ | 157,463 | |||||||||||||||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 325,000(2 | ) | 50% | 49.4% | $ | 80,275 | |||||||||||||||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 320,000(2 | ) | 50% | 49.4% | $ | 79,040 | |||||||||||||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 295,000(2 | ) | 50% | 49.4% | $ | 72,865 |
Target Bonuses
Mr. Jornayvaz's current employment agreement provides that his target annual bonus is generally intended to be $500,000; provided that his actual target bonus for any year will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. This amount was negotiated between the Compensation Committee and Mr. Jornayvaz when the agreement was entered into in May 2010. As noted in the table above, before the Compensation Committee approved the 2013 cash bonuses for executives, Mr. Jornayvaz requested that the Compensation Committee reduce his 2013 bonus to zero.
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee established the target bonuses for our other executives. Target bonuses are stated in terms of a percentage of salary, as shown in the table above. The Compensation Committee did not make any changes to these percentages as compared to the percentages used in 2012. When combined with the adjustments to salaries described above, the target bonuses resulted in targeted total cash compensation at approximately the market median.
Performance Payout Percentage
The actual bonus paid to each executive under our Short-Term Incentive Plan could have ranged from 0% to 200% of the executive's target bonus based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals.
In February 2013, taking into account management's recommendations, the Compensation Committee approved the 2013 performance measures, goals, and weightings under the plan. In general, for each measure, the Compensation Committee set threshold, target, and maximum levels of performance that corresponded to payouts within the range of 0% to 200%. The performance measures and weightings used
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for 2013 were the same as those used for 2012; however, the specific goals under each measure were updated for 2013.
In January 2014, the Compensation Committee reviewed actual performance in 2013 as compared to the pre-established goals and approved a performance payout percentage of 49.4% for 2013 under the Short-Term Incentive Plan calculated as follows:
Measure
|
Weight | Resulting Payout on the Measure Based on Actual Performance |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Safety |
20 | % | 128.8 | % | 25.8 | % | ||||
Net Sales Tons of Potash and Trio® |
20 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Adjusted Cash Operating Costs per Ton of Potash |
20 | % | 24.8 | % | 5.0 | % | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
20 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Capital Investment |
||||||||||
Non-Major Capital Projects |
3.2 | % | 60 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||
Major Capital Projects |
16.8 | % | 100 | % | 16.8 | % | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Performance Payout Percentage for Executives |
49.4 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
We include below more information about our reasons for selecting each of these measures and the calculations used to determine the resulting payout for each measure. Overall, management recommended, and the Compensation Committee approved, these measures, goals, and weightings because we believe they appropriately focus our executives and employees on the most important elements of our business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal: improve our medical reportable incident rate |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
200% | 20% improvement | |||||||||||||
100% | 5% improvement | |||||||||||||
85% | No change | 9.3% improvement | 128.8 | % | ||||||||||
0% | 20% worsening or a fatality | |||||||||||||
x 128.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 25.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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sales tons as the total number of tons of potash and Trio® sold less the number of tons sold on which we provided a quality adjustment to our customers for product that did not meet specifications. As a result, this measure is also intended to drive a quality requirement. Taking into account management's recommendation, the Compensation Committee set the goal for a 100% payout on this metric at the Board's forecasted amount for the year. Our net sales tons did not meet the threshold level required for payout on this measure primarily due to lower sales volumes as a result of unseasonable spring weather patterns and general cautiousness in the global potash market.
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|
|
|
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
200% | 1,112,230 | |||||||||||||
100% | 1,029,843 | 801,857 | 0 | % | ||||||||||
20% | 926,859 | |||||||||||||
x 0 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 0 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weight | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
200% | $166 | |||||||||||||
100% | $180 | $197 | 24.8 | % | ||||||||||
20% | $198 | |||||||||||||
x 24.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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28
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income adjusted to add back interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion related to our asset retirement obligation. In some cases, we may adjust EBITDA for non-cash, unusual, or non-recurring items. Taking into account management's recommendation, the Compensation Committee set the goal for a 100% payout on this metric at the Board's forecasted amount for the year. Our adjusted EBITDA did not meet the threshold level required for payout on this measure primarily due to the lower sales and higher cash operating costs, as described above.
Weight | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
200% | $185 million | |||||||||||||
100% | $154 million | $88 million | 0 | % | ||||||||||
20% | $127 million | |||||||||||||
x 0 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 0 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For non-major capital projects, which represented 16% of our total capital investments, we evaluated our ability to deliver against the estimated costs and timelines set forth in the original authorizations for expenditure, or AFEs, relating to projects completed in 2013.
Non-Major Capital Projects Weight (20% × 16% contribution) |
3.2 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal: new AFEs approved after January 1, 2010, and closed in 2013 were within 5% more or 15% less of the original AFE amount and were completed within three months of the estimated completion date |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
200% | 90% of AFEs in specified ranges | |||||||||||||
100% | 70% of AFEs in specified ranges | 62% of AFEs in specified ranges | 60 | % | ||||||||||
0% | Less than 50% of AFEs in specified ranges | |||||||||||||
x 60 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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29
For major capital projects, which represented 84% of our total capital investments, we measured performance using the following 12 milestones:
HB Solar Solution Mine | Met | |||
Pond construction substantially complete and within revised AFE amount by August 31, 2013 | Yes | |||
Brine make up system complete by July 31, 2013 | No | |||
Rustler wells capacity at 2,000 GPM by December 31, 2013 | Yes | |||
Mill construction substantially complete and within revised AFE amount by November 30, 2013 | No | |||
North Compaction Plant |
||||
Line 1 commissioned by June 30, 2013 | No | |||
Line 2 commissioned by September 30, 2013 | Yes | |||
Line 3 electrical work 75% complete by December 31, 2013 | Yes | |||
Total cost estimate for completed project within 5% of original AFE scope | Yes | |||
Moab Horizontal Cavern System |
||||
Total footage drilled exceeds 10,000 feet | Yes | |||
Percent contact in ore greater than 30% | Yes | |||
Drilling complete by December 31, 2013 | Yes | |||
Total cost estimate for completed project within an upper limit cost of $30 million | Yes |
Major Capital Projects Weight (20% × 84% contribution) |
16.8 | % | ||||||||||||
Performance Against Goal |
||||||||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal |
Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout on This Metric |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
200% | 12 milestones met | |||||||||||||
100% | 9 milestones met | 9 milestones met | 100 | % | ||||||||||
20% | 3 milestones met | |||||||||||||
x 100 | % | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution to Total Performance Payout Percentage | 16.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-Term Equity Awards
Background
We have adopted an Equity Incentive Plan that is designed to provide long-term equity incentives to attract, retain, and motivate eligible employees, directors, and consultants and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. The plan was most recently approved by our stockholders in 2012.
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2013 Annual Equity Awards
Target Award Amounts
The following table shows the 2013 target annual equity awards for our executives and any changes to these amounts from 2012:
|
Target Annual Equity Award (Percentages Represent Target as a Percentage of Salary) |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2013 Target Annual Equity Award (After Applying Percentage of Salary)* |
|||||||||
Name
|
2012 | 2013 | ||||||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 750,000 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 750,000 | ||||
David W. Honeyfield |
175 | % | 175 | % | $ | 743,750 | ||||
Martin D. Litt |
100 | % | 100 | % | $ | 325,000 | ||||
John G. Mansanti |
100 | % | 115 | % | $ | 368,000 | ||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
70 | % | 90 | % | $ | 265,500 |
Mr. Jornayvaz's current employment agreement provides that his annual equity award is generally intended to have a grant date fair value of $750,000; provided that his actual equity awards for any year will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. This amount was negotiated between the Compensation Committee and Mr. Jornayvaz when the agreement was entered into in May 2010.
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee conducted its annual review of target annual equity awards for our other executives. Taking into account the recommendations of Mr. Honeyfield, the Compensation Committee increased the target annual equity awards for Messrs. Mansanti and Feist, as shown in the table above. In approving target annual equity awards for executives other than Mr. Jornayvaz, the Compensation Committee targeted total direct compensation at or slightly below the market median reflecting the heavier weighting within equity compensation towards restricted stock over performance stock units, as described more fully above under the heading "Role of Peer Groups and Benchmarking."
Form of Awards and Vesting
The 2013 annual equity awards to executives consisted of the following:
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31
The restricted stock vests in three equal annual installments beginning on February 25, 2014, subject to the executive's continued employment with us. The awards also vest in the event of death, disability, or a qualifying change in control.
Each performance unit initially represented the equivalent of one share of our common stock. The performance stock units vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 25, 2014, subject to the executive's continued employment with us. The performance stock units also vest in the event of death, disability, or a qualifying change in control. Upon vesting, each performance unit is settled in a number of shares of our common stock ranging from 0% to 150% of the performance unit depending on our 2013 performance on one of two applicable performance measures. These measures were production tons and relative TSR.
Performance under the production tons measure was based on our total production tons of potash and langbeinite for 2013 as compared to forecasted amounts.
Performance under the relative TSR measure was based on our relative TSR for 2013 as compared to the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index and a group of four peer companies in the potash industry. These peer companies were Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc., The Mosaic Company, Agrium Inc., and Compass Minerals International, Inc. TSR was calculated generally as the average of the daily increase or decrease in the closing share price for each trading day during 2013 for the applicable company or index, adjusted for the reinvestment of dividends. The peer group we used for purposes of determining payout under the performance stock units is different from the peer group we used for setting 2013 executive compensation, which is described above under the heading "Role of Peer Groups and Benchmarking." For executive compensation purposes, we chose a peer group that is focused on companies with which we may compete for business, capital, or executive talent. On the other hand, in choosing the peer group for purposes of determining payout under the performance stock units, we focused on companies with which we compete for a share of the potash equity market and which our stockholders may view as relatively similar investments.
The overall structure of executives' annual equity compensation was generally the same in 2013 as it was in 2012. For 2013, we chose a mix of awards, and vesting and payout terms, that we believed would provide additional balance and diversity to our executive compensation packages. The three-year vesting schedule for restricted stock is designed to encourage executive retention and incentivize executives to act in our longer-term interests, while also providing some inherent value even if the value of our stock remains stable. In addition, the performance stock units were intended to further support our pay-for-performance goals as part of the blend of at-risk compensation. First, the value of each performance unit is tied to our shorter-term performance through the one-year performance goals relating to production tons and relative TSR. Second, the value of each performance unit is tied to our longer-term performance through the three-year vesting schedule.
Payout under Performance Stock Units
In January 2014, the Compensation Committee reviewed actual performance in 2013 as compared to the pre-established goals under the performance stock units. For the relative TSR performance stock units, our performance did not meet the threshold payout level, so no payouts will be made under the awards.
For the production tons performance stock units, our performance resulted in a payout level of 78.5%, subject to the vesting and other terms of the awards. As noted above, these awards are scheduled to vest and pay out in shares of our common stock in three equal annual installments beginning on February 25, 2014, subject to the executive's continued employment with us.
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The tables below summarize the payout calculations under these awards:
Performance Stock UnitsRelative TSR | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payout Range |
Goal: Relative TSR | Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout under Performance Stock Units at Vesting |
|||||
150% | 150% or more | |||||||
100% | 100% | Intrepid generated a TSR of | 0 | % | ||||
50% | 50% | (17.8)% compared to an | ||||||
0 | Less than 50% | average TSR of 7.8% for | ||||||
the peers and index | ||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction Tons | ||||||||
Payout Range |
Goal: Production Tons | Actual Performance |
Resulting Payout under Performance Stock Units at Vesting |
|||||
150% | 115% of target or greater | |||||||
100% | 1,047,810 tons (target) | 957,802 tons or 91.4% of target | 78.5 | % | ||||
50% | 80% of target | |||||||
0 | Fewer than 80% of target |
Executive-Specific Award Amounts and Potential Payouts
You can find executive-specific information about the 2013 annual equity awards, and the number of shares of common stock underlying performance stock units based on our actual 2013 performance, below under the headings "Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013" and "Outstanding Equity Awards at the End of 2013."
Our employees, including executives, are eligible for various employee benefits, including medical and dental insurance, group life insurance, accidental death and disability insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. We generally match 100% of an employee's 401(k) deferrals up to a specified percentage of compensation or as limited by law. In addition, executives are entitled to the payment or reimbursement of supplemental long-term disability insurance premiums. In some cases, we also provide an executive with a tax reimbursement relating to this benefit.
These benefits are generally consistent with the benefits provided by other companies of our size and help us remain competitive in attracting and retaining our executive talent.
We have adopted an aircraft use policy under which Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey, and other executives explicitly approved by Messrs. Jornayvaz or Harvey, are allowed personal use of aircrafts that we own or lease. We believe these benefits provide increased travel efficiencies, thereby allowing executives to use their time more productively and to focus more time on business-related activities.
Our executives are eligible for a gym membership allowance and paid parking. These benefits are generally consistent with the benefits we provide to all Denver-based employees. Executives are also eligible for an allowance for regular physical examinations. We believe that these benefits are appropriate and help us retain and reward our executive talent. We also believe that it is in our best interests for our executives and other employees to be in good health.
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We have entered into change-in-control severance agreements with our executives and other key employees. These agreements are intended to meet the following objectives:
We tailored these agreements to provide a mix of benefits that we believe support the objectives described above. Specifically, the agreements provide that unvested equity awards will vest immediately upon a change in control, but that no cash severance or other benefits will be paid unless there also is a qualifying employment termination event within 24 months after the change in control. You can find more information about these agreements below under the heading "Termination and Change-in-Control Payments."
Our current practice is to grant equity awards to executives on an annual basis using a grant date that occurs in the first quarter of each year following the release of the prior year's earnings. We also periodically grant equity awards in connection with certain management events, such as the hiring or promotion of an executive or the achievement by an executive of extraordinary personal performance objectives. Each equity award granted to our executives since the beginning of 2013 has a grant date that was on or after the date on which the Compensation Committee approved the award. It is possible that the Compensation Committee may possess material nonpublic information when it approves awards. However, awards are granted only at certain times of the year or in connection with certain management events, and the Compensation Committee does not try to achieve more advantageous grant dates in connection with the timing of the release of material nonpublic information.
Accounting Impact and Tax Deductibility of Compensation
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews projections of the estimated accounting and tax impacts of material elements of our executive compensation program. These factors alone rarely drive our compensation decisions, but rather they are considered along with other factors such as the cash and non-cash impact of the program and whether the program is consistent with our compensation objectives.
Section 162(m) generally provides that a publicly held corporation may not deduct in any one taxable year compensation in excess of $1 million to its chief executive officer and three other most highly compensated named executive officers employed at the end of the year other than its chief financial officer, unless certain specific and detailed criteria are satisfied. Certain awards granted under our Equity Incentive Plan and Short-Term Incentive Plan are designed to comply with Section 162(m) such that compensation paid pursuant to awards granted under the plans may be deductible by us, provided additional requirements are satisfied. We believe that it is in our best interests, and the best interests of our stockholders, to comply with the tax law while still preserving the flexibility to reward executives consistent with our compensation objectives as discussed above. On occasion, it may not be possible to satisfy all of the conditions of Section 162(m) for deductibility and still meet our compensation needs. In some circumstances, compensation that we pay may not satisfy all of the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m). Accordingly, we may pay compensation in excess of the Section 162(m) limitation from time to time.
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34
2013 Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the total compensation earned for services rendered during 2013, 2012, and 2011 by our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and three other most highly compensated executive officers for 2013.
Name and Principal Position (a) |
Year (b) |
Salary (c) |
Bonus (d) |
Stock Awards (e) |
Option Awards (f) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (g) |
All Other Compensation (h) |
Total (i) |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
2013 | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 703,646 | | | $ | 28,820 | $ | 832,466 | |||||||||||||
Executive Chairman |
2012 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 162,000 | $ | 749,079 | | $ | 194,000 | $ | 42,186 | $ | 1,247,265 | |||||||||||
of the Board |
2011 | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 249,973 | $ | 249,988 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 7,352 | $ | 1,007,313 | |||||||||||
David W. Honeyfield |
2013 | $ | 423,461 | | $ | 697,790 | | $ | 157,463 | $ | 22,521 | $ | 1,301,235 | ||||||||||||
President and |
2012 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 97,200 | $ | 852,153 | | $ | 116,400 | $ | 22,462 | $ | 1,488,215 | |||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2011 | $ | 396,193 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 339,983 | $ | 339,984 | $ | 382,929 | $ | 18,709 | $ | 1,552,798 | ||||||||||
Martin D. Litt |
2013 | $ | 324,385 | | $ | 304,896 | | $ | 80,275 | $ | 21,431 | $ | 730,987 | ||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, |
2012 | $ | 312,404 | $ | 49,152 | $ | 590,885 | | $ | 58,860 | $ | 21,497 | $ | 1,032,798 | |||||||||||
General Counsel, and Secretary |
2011 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 40,000 | $ | 105,000 | $ | 104,983 | $ | 158,280 | $ | 17,308 | $ | 725,571 | ||||||||||
John G. Mansanti |
2013 | $ | 318,461 | | $ | 345,229 | | $ | 79,040 | $ | 17,154 | $ | 759,884 | ||||||||||||
Senior Vice President of |
2012 | $ | 289,808 | $ | 46,949 | $ | 570,211 | | $ | 56,223 | $ | 14,269 | $ | 977,460 | |||||||||||
Operations |
2011 | $ | 264,154 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 92,723 | $ | 92,739 | $ | 174,209 | $ | 9,820 | $ | 683,645 | ||||||||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
2013 | $ | 292,231 | | $ | 249,079 | | $ | 72,865 | $ | 7,758 | $ | 621,933 | ||||||||||||
Senior Vice President |
2012 | $ | 246,885 | $ | 38,839 | $ | 176,338 | | $ | 46,511 | $ | 7,255 | $ | 515,828 | |||||||||||
of Sales and Marketing |
2011 | $ | 196,677 | $ | 113,835 | $ | 276,630 | $ | 73,482 | $ | 103,767 | $ | 4,337 | $ | 768,728 |
Bonus (Column d)
The amounts in this column represent discretionary cash bonuses. Annual cash bonuses paid under our Short-Term Incentive Plan are reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (column g).
Stock Awards (Column e)
The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of awards of restricted stock and performance stock units.
The following table describes each component of the 2013 amounts in this column:
Name
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Annual Award of Restricted Stock on February 25, 2013 |
Grant Date Fair Value of Annual Award of Performance Stock Units on February 25, 2013 |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 499,990 | $ | 203,656 | $ | 703,646 | ||||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 495,829 | $ | 201,961 | $ | 697,790 | ||||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 216,656 | $ | 88,240 | $ | 304,896 | ||||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 245,315 | $ | 99,914 | $ | 345,229 | ||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 176,999 | $ | 72,080 | $ | 249,079 |
We calculated the amounts in this column in accordance with financial statement reporting rules using the same assumptions used for financial statement reporting purposes. You can find information about these assumptions below under the heading "Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013" and in Note 10 to our financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
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These amounts are lower than the 2013 target annual equity awards shown above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis2013 Compensation DecisionsLong-Term Equity Incentive2013 Annual Equity Awards." For administrative purposes, when awards are granted, we use the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date to calculate the number of shares of restricted stock and performance stock units to grant. For purposes of the Summary Compensation Table, we are required to report these awards at their grant date fair values calculated in accordance with financial statement reporting rules. For the performance stock units relating to relative TSR, we estimated for financial statement purposes each performance unit's grant date fair value to be $12.12 using a Monte Carlo simulation model. This value was lower than the $19.26 closing market price of our common stock on the grant date in part because, on the grant date, our year-to-date TSR was already lower than the TSR of the comparator group.
For performance stock units, the grant date fair value reported in the tables above is based on the probable outcome of the underlying performance conditions, measured as of the grant date. The table below shows the potential value of these awards on the grant date assuming achievement of the highest level of performance conditions:
Name
|
Potential Value of Performance Stock Units on Grant Date Assuming Maximum Performance Level |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 374,992 | ||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 371,872 | ||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 162,477 | ||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 183,972 | ||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 132,701 |
Option Awards (Column f)
The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of awards of nonqualified stock options. We calculated these amounts in accordance with financial statement reporting rules using the same assumptions used for financial statement reporting purposes. You can find information about these assumptions in Note 10 to our financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
We did not grant any awards of nonqualified stock options in 2013 or 2012.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (Column g)
The amounts in this column represent annual cash bonuses paid under our Short-Term Incentive Plan. You can find more information about the 2013 amounts above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." Discretionary cash bonuses are reported under the table heading "Bonus."
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All Other Compensation (Column h)
The following table describes each component of the 2013 amounts in this column:
Name
|
Perquisites And Other Personal Benefits(1) |
Group Life Insurance Premiums(2) |
Supplemental Long-Term Disability Premiums(3) |
Company Contributions to 401(k) Plan(4) |
Tax Reimbursements(5) |
Total | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 23,730 | $ | 1,290 | | $ | 3,800 | | $ | 28,820 | |||||||||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 3,700 | $ | 1,170 | $ | 2,835 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 2,066 | $ | 22,521 | |||||||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 3,334 | $ | 1,170 | $ | 4,118 | $ | 12,750 | $ | 59 | $ | 21,431 | |||||||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 1,783 | $ | 3,354 | $ | 4,617 | $ | 7,400 | | $ | 17,154 | ||||||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 3,183 | $ | 1,170 | $ | 3,405 | | | $ | 7,758 |
For Messrs. Honeyfield and Litt, the amounts represent payments for office parking, reimbursements for gym membership fees and wellness event entrance fees, and the value of service or participation awards received by the executives. For Mr. Mansanti, the amount represents payments for office parking. For Mr. Feist, the amount represents payments for office parking and reimbursements for gym membership fees.
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013
The following table provides information about plan-based awards granted to our executives in 2013. Below the table, you can find additional details about each type of award.
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|
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All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (j) |
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Estimated Possible Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ($) |
Estimated Possible Payouts under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (#) |
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Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($) (k) |
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Compensation Committee Approval Date (c) |
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Name and Award Type (a) |
Grant Date (b) |
Threshold (d) |
Target (e) |
Maximum (f) |
Threshold (g) |
Target (h) |
Maximum (i) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Incentive Plan |
| | | $ | 500,000 | $ | 1,000,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | | | | 25,960 | $ | 499,990 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsTSR |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 3,245 | 6,490 | 9,735 | | $ | 78,659 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 3,245 | 6,490 | 9,735 | | $ | 124,997 | ||||||||||||||||||||
David W. Honeyfield |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Incentive Plan |
| | | $ | 318,750 | $ | 637,500 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | | | | 25,744 | $ | 495,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsTSR |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 3,218 | 6,436 | 9,654 | | $ | 78,004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 3,218 | 6,436 | 9,654 | | $ | 123,957 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Martin D. Litt |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Incentive Plan |
| | | $ | 162,500 | $ | 325,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | | | | 11,249 | $ | 216,656 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsTSR |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,406 | 2,812 | 4,218 | | $ | 34,081 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,406 | 2,812 | 4,218 | | $ | 54,159 | ||||||||||||||||||||
John G. Mansanti |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Incentive Plan |
| | | $ | 160,000 | $ | 320,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | | | | 12,737 | $ | 245,315 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsTSR |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,592 | 3,184 | 4,776 | | $ | 38,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,592 | 3,184 | 4,776 | | $ | 61,324 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Incentive Plan |
| | | $ | 147,500 | $ | 295,000 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | | | | 9,190 | $ | 176,999 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsTSR |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,148 | 2,297 | 3,445 | | $ | 27,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Stock UnitsProduction |
2/25/13 | 2/11/13 | | | | 1,148 | 2,297 | 3,445 | | $ | 44,240 |
Estimated Possible Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (Columns d, e, and f)
Amounts in these columns represent the estimated possible payouts that could have occurred for 2013 performance under our Short-Term Incentive Plan. Payout could have been zero if specified performance goals were not met. The actual payout that each executive received under this plan is reported above under the heading "2013 Summary Compensation Table" in the column entitled "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation."
Estimated Possible Payouts under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (Columns g, h, and i)
Amounts in these columns represent the estimated possible payouts that could have occurred for 2013 performance under performance stock units granted under our Equity Incentive Plan. Payout could have been zero if specified performance goals were not met at threshold levels. The actual payout that each executive will be entitled to receive on the vesting dates, subject to continued employment, is zero for the performance stock units relating to relative TSR and 78.5% for the performance stock units relating to production tons. You can find more information about how these payouts were calculated above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
The performance stock units vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 25, 2014, subject to the executive's continued employment with us on the applicable vesting date. Under the change-in-control severance agreements that we have entered into with our executives, the performance stock units also vest in full upon a qualifying change in control of Intrepid. You can find more information
2014 Proxy Statement
38
about these agreements below under the heading "Termination and Change-in-Control Payments." In addition, the performance stock units vest in the event of death or disability. The Compensation Committee may provide for the accelerated vesting of any performance unit in its discretion at any time. Prior to vesting, the performance stock units may not be sold, assigned, or transferred in any way, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Except as described above, upon an executive's termination of service for any reason, any unvested performance stock units held by the executive will be immediately forfeited.
All Other Stock Awards (Column j)
The amounts in this column represent shares of restricted stock granted under our Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were granted on February 25, 2013, and vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 25, 2014, subject to the executive's continued employment with us on the applicable vesting dates. Under the change-in-control severance agreements that we have entered into with our executives, the shares also vest in full upon a qualifying change in control of Intrepid. You can find more information about these agreements below under the heading "Termination and Change-in-Control Payments." In addition, the shares vest in the event of death or disability. The Compensation Committee may provide for the accelerated vesting of any shares of restricted stock in its discretion at any time. Prior to vesting, the shares may not be sold, assigned, or transferred in any way, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Except as described above, upon an executive's termination of service for any reason, any unvested shares of restricted shares held by the executive will be immediately forfeited.
Holders of restricted stock generally have all of the same voting, regular dividend, and other rights as holders of our common stock. With respect to any dividends to which holders are entitled under their award agreements, the dividend payment or distribution will be withheld and accrued by us and will be subject to the same vesting schedule as is applicable to the restricted stock and will be forfeited if the underlying restricted stock is forfeited.
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards (Column k)
The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of the restricted stock or performance unit award as calculated for financial statement reporting purposes.
For restricted stock and performance stock units relating to production tons, we estimated each award's grant date fair value using the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date.
For performance stock units relating to relative TSR, we estimated each award's grant date fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. This model simulates TSR for us, our peers, and the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index using market data for a period equal to the term of the performance period, correlates the simulated returns within the peer group and index, estimates a probable payout value, and discounts the probable payout value using a short-term risk-free rate of 0.16% (the yield of U.S. Treasury Securities at a one-year constant maturity).
2014 Proxy Statement
39
Outstanding Equity Awards at the End of 2013
The following table provides information regarding outstanding restricted stock, performance stock units, and stock options held by each of our executives as of December 31, 2013.
|
|
OPTION AWARDS | STOCK AWARDS | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested(2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested(2)(3) |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Option Exercise Price(1) |
Option Expiration Date |
|||||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
2/23/2011 | (4) | 8,507 | 4,254 | $ | 35.69 | 2/23/2021 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/4/2010 | (5) | 4,448 | | $ | 25.47 | 2/4/2020 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2009 | (5) | 42,964 | | $ | 20.80 | 2/25/2019 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 5,092 | (7) | $ | 80,657 | ||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 25,960 | (8) | $ | 411,206 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 2,110 | (10) | $ | 33,422 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 13,802 | (8) | $ | 218,624 | ||||||||||||
|
2/23/2011 | (4) | | | | | 2,335 | (8) | $ | 36,986 | ||||||||||||
David W. Honeyfield |
2/23/2011 | (4) | 11,570 | 5,785 | $ | 35.69 | 2/23/2021 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/4/2010 | (5) | 15,124 | | $ | 25.47 | 2/4/2020 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2009 | (5) | 14,689 | | $ | 20.80 | 2/25/2019 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 5,050 | (7) | $ | 79,992 | ||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 25,744 | (8) | $ | 407,785 | ||||||||||||
|
12/20/2012 | (11) | | | | | 2,343 | (8) | $ | 37,113 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 1,970 | (10) | $ | 31,205 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 12,882 | (8) | $ | 204,051 | ||||||||||||
|
2/23/2011 | (4) | | | | | 3,176 | (8) | $ | 50,308 | ||||||||||||
Martin D. Litt |
2/23/2011 | (4) | 3,572 | 1,787 | $ | 35.69 | 2/23/2021 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/4/2010 | (5) | 11,387 | | $ | 25.47 | 2/4/2020 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2009 | (5) | 5,484 | | $ | 20.80 | 2/25/2019 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 2,206 | (7) | $ | 34,943 | ||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 11,249 | (8) | $ | 178,184 | ||||||||||||
|
12/20/2012 | (11) | | | | | 4,296 | (8) | $ | 68,049 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 886 | (10) | $ | 14,034 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 5,797 | (8) | $ | 91,824 | ||||||||||||
|
2/23/2011 | (4) | | | | | 981 | (8) | $ | 15,539 | ||||||||||||
John G. Mansanti |
2/23/2011 | (4) | 3,156 | 1,578 | $ | 35.69 | 2/23/2021 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/4/2010 | (5) | 6,761 | | $ | 25.47 | 2/4/2020 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 2,497 | (7) | $ | 39,552 | ||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 12,737 | (8) | $ | 201,754 | ||||||||||||
|
12/20/2012 | (11) | | | | | 4,296 | (8) | $ | 68,049 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 829 | (10) | $ | 13,131 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 5,429 | (8) | $ | 85,995 | ||||||||||||
|
2/23/2011 | (4) | | | | | 866 | (8) | $ | 13,717 | ||||||||||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
2/23/2011 | (4) | 2,500 | 1,251 | $ | 35.69 | 2/23/2021 | | | |||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 1,803 | (7) | $ | 28,560 | ||||||||||||
|
2/25/2013 | (6) | | | | | 9,190 | (8) | $ | 145,570 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 492 | (10) | $ | 7,793 | ||||||||||||
|
3/5/2012 | (9) | | | | | 3,220 | (8) | $ | 51,005 | ||||||||||||
|
2/23/2011 | (4) | | | | | 687 | (8) | $ | 10,882 |
2014 Proxy Statement
40
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2013
The following table provides information about restricted stock and performance stock units that vested in 2013 for each of our executives. None of our executives exercised stock options in 2013.
|
STOCK AWARDS | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting(1) |
Value Realized on Vesting(2) |
|||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
11,109 | $ | 216,847 | ||||
David W. Honeyfield |
15,725 | $ | 304,269 | ||||
Martin D. Litt |
10,711 | $ | 198,267 | ||||
John G. Mansanti |
9,532 | $ | 172,555 | ||||
Kelvin G. Feist |
2,770 | $ | 52,570 |
2014 Proxy Statement
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taxes due upon the vesting, we withheld some of the acquired shares to cover these taxes, as described below.
Name
|
Number of Shares Withheld from Acquired Shares to Cover Taxes |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
| |||
David W. Honeyfield |
5,146 | |||
Martin D. Litt |
3,549 | |||
John G. Mansanti |
3,200 | |||
Kelvin G. Feist |
1,022 |
None of our executives participates in, or has any accrued benefits under, any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us. We do not currently intend to provide pension benefits to our executives, although we may decide to do so in the future if we determine that it would be in our best interests.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for 2013
None of our executives participates in, or has any account balances in, non-qualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans maintained by us. We do not currently intend to provide deferred compensation benefits to our executives, although we may decide to do so in the future if we determine that it would be in our best interests.
Employment Agreement with Robert P. Jornayvaz III
We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jornayvaz. In February 2013, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the agreement to extend its term for three years until April 18, 2016.
Under the agreement, Mr. Jornayvaz is entitled to an annual salary of $100,000, subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee. The agreement also provides that the general intent is for Mr. Jornayvaz to receive a target annual bonus of $500,000 and an annual equity award with a target grate date fair value of $750,000; provided that his actual target bonus and equity award for any year will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Mr. Jornayvaz is entitled to personal use of aircraft that we own or lease to the extent that it does not interfere with our use of the aircraft for business purposes, and the right to use the aircraft under a time-sharing arrangement pursuant to which he reimburses us the cost of the use up to the limits allowed by Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Mr. Jornayvaz also is entitled to all other benefits offered generally to our senior management.
2014 Proxy Statement
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If Mr. Jornayvaz's employment is terminated for any reason, he would be entitled to the following benefits:
He would not be entitled to severance, except as provided under his change-in-control severance agreement, which is described below under the heading "Termination and Change-in-Control Payments."
Mr. Jornayvaz has agreed that during the term of his employment and for a period of 24 months after termination, he will not solicit our employees or compete with us in the potash business and any other business in which we are engaged during the term or at his termination date.
Termination and Change-in-Control Payments
This section describes and quantifies potential payments that may be made to each of our executives at, following, or in connection with the termination of his employment or as a result of a change in control of Intrepid. We did not make any changes in 2013 to the potential termination and change-in-control payments described in this section.
We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jornayvaz that provides for certain benefits upon a termination of his employment. You can find more information about this agreement above under the heading "Employment Agreement with Robert P. Jornayvaz III."
Change-in-Control Severance Agreements
We have entered into change-in-control severance agreements with all of our executives. These agreements do not include any excise tax gross-up provisions.
Under these agreements, executives are entitled to the benefits described below.
Change in Control
Upon a change in control, each executive would receive full vesting on all of his outstanding equity awards.
Qualifying Termination Following a Change in Control
If an executive's employment is terminated by us without "Cause" or by him for "Good Reason" within 24 months of a change in control, the executive would be entitled to the following additional termination benefits:
2014 Proxy Statement
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The executive is not entitled to these benefits upon termination of employment for any other reason following a change in control, including a termination for "Cause," or as a result of death or disability.
To receive the benefits described above, the executive is bound by non-solicitation provisions that prohibit the executive from hiring our employees or soliciting our business relations for a period of one year following the date of termination.
A "change in control" occurs if any one of the following events occurs:
"Cause" means any (a) conviction of (or pleading nolo contendere to) a felony; (b) engaging in theft, fraud, embezzlement, or willful misappropriation of our property; (c) violation of any of our policies or practices regarding discrimination or harassment that would be grounds for termination of one of our employees in general; or (d) willful failure to perform substantially the executive's material duties that is not cured within 30 days.
"Good Reason" means (a) a reduction in the executive's salary or annual bonus opportunity; (b) a material diminution in the executive's responsibility or authority; (c) a change of more than 30 miles in the location at which the executive primarily performs his services; or (d) any material failure by us to comply with any material term of the executive's change-in-control severance agreement. The executive is required to notify us of any of these events or conditions within 90 days.
Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Payments
The tables below describe generally and quantify the post-employment and change-in-control payments to which our executives would be entitled upon the occurrence of the specified trigger events. For Mr. Jornayvaz, these benefits are provided under his employment agreement, his change-in-control severance agreement, and his equity award agreements. For our other executives, these benefits are provided under their change-in-control severance agreements and equity award agreements. All calculations assume that the termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2013.
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Robert P. Jornayvaz III, Executive Chairman of the Board
Type of Compensation
|
Termination Unrelated to a Change in Control |
Change in Control without Termination |
Change in Control and Qualifying Termination |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance |
| | $ | 956,000 | ||||||
Prorated Bonus for Year of Termination |
| | $ | 500,000 | ||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock(1) |
| $ | 666,816 | $ | 666,816 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Performance Stock Units(1) |
| $ | 314,899 | $ | 314,899 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Stock Options(2) |
| | | |||||||
Other BenefitsHealth & Welfare(3) |
| | $ | 55,969 | ||||||
Other BenefitsOutplacement Services |
| | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Compensation |
| $ | 981,715 | $ | 2,498,684 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
David W. Honeyfield, President and Chief Financial Officer
Type of Compensation
|
Termination Unrelated to a Change in Control |
Change in Control without Termination |
Change in Control and Qualifying Termination |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance |
| | $ | 1,521,529 | ||||||
Prorated Bonus for Year of Termination |
| | $ | 318,750 | ||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock(1) |
| $ | 699,257 | $ | 699,257 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Performance Stock Units(1) |
| $ | 305,902 | $ | 305,902 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Stock Options(2) |
| | | |||||||
Other BenefitsHealth & Welfare(3) |
| | $ | 55,969 | ||||||
Other BenefitsOutplacement Services |
| | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Compensation |
| $ | 1,005,159 | $ | 2,906,407 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Martin D. Litt, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
Type of Compensation
|
Termination unrelated to a Change in Control |
Change in Control without Termination |
Change in Control and Qualifying Termination |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance |
| | $ | 956,292 | ||||||
Prorated Bonus for Year of Termination |
| | $ | 162,500 | ||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock(1) |
| $ | 353,596 | $ | 353,596 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Performance Stock Units(1) |
| $ | 134,988 | $ | 134,988 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Stock Options(2) |
| | | |||||||
Other BenefitsHealth & Welfare(3) |
| | $ | 55,969 | ||||||
Other BenefitsOutplacement Services |
| | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Compensation |
| $ | 488,584 | $ | 1,668,345 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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John G. Mansanti, Senior Vice President of Operations
Type of Compensation
|
Termination unrelated to a Change in Control |
Change in Control without Termination |
Change in Control and Qualifying Termination |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance |
| | $ | 967,381 | ||||||
Prorated Bonus for Year of Termination |
| | $ | 160,000 | ||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock(1) |
| $ | 369,516 | $ | 369,516 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Performance Stock Units(1) |
| $ | 143,859 | $ | 143,859 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Stock Options(2) |
| | | |||||||
Other BenefitsHealth & Welfare(3) |
| | $ | 55,969 | ||||||
Other BenefitsOutplacement Services |
| | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Compensation |
| $ | 513,375 | $ | 1,701,725 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Kelvin G. Feist, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Type of Compensation
|
Termination unrelated to a Change in Control |
Change in Control without Termination |
Change in Control and Qualifying Termination |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance |
| | $ | 799,117 | ||||||
Prorated Bonus for Year of Termination |
| | $ | 147,500 | ||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock(1) |
| $ | 207,456 | $ | 207,456 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Performance Stock Units(1) |
| $ | 98,271 | $ | 98,271 | |||||
Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Stock Options(2) |
| | | |||||||
Other BenefitsHealth & Welfare(3) |
| | $ | 55,969 | ||||||
Other BenefitsOutplacement Services |
| | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Post-Employment or Change-in-Control Compensation |
| $ | 305,727 | $ | 1,313,313 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
2014 Proxy Statement
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Benefits on Death or Disability
Our salaried employees, including executives, are eligible for group life, accidental death, and disability insurance benefits upon a termination of employment due to death or disability. In addition, executives and other senior employees who receive equity awards receive partial or full accelerated vesting on their unvested equity awards and all vested stock options remain exercisable for 12 months following the termination of employment due to death or disability. Assuming a termination of employment due to death or disability on December 31, 2013, and using the same calculations as are described in footnotes (1) and (2) to the tables immediately above, the value of this accelerated vesting for each of our executives would have been as follows:
Name
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Robert P. Jornayvaz III |
$ | 692,842 | ||
David W. Honeyfield |
$ | 728,260 | ||
Martin D. Litt |
$ | 365,571 | ||
John G. Mansanti |
$ | 387,573 | ||
Kelvin G. Feist |
$ | 223,249 |
Executives other than Mr. Jornayvaz are also eligible for supplemental disability and long-term care insurance benefits upon a termination of employment due to disability. In general, the executive could receive up to approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per month in supplemental disability and long-term care insurance benefits for the duration of the disability.
RISKS ARISING FROM COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our compensation policies and practices. We performed, and the Compensation Committee reviewed, an assessment to determine whether the risks arising from any of our compensation policies or practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. We reviewed material elements of both executive and non-executive employee compensation. We concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
We believe that we have created a balanced and diverse compensation program that does not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking. Below is a summary of some of the more significant risk-mitigating factors that apply to our compensation programs:
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The table below sets forth the compensation paid to or earned by our directors, other than Mr. Jornayvaz, whose compensation is reported above under the heading "Executive Compensation2013 Summary Compensation Table." For Mr. Harvey, the amounts reported in the table below represent compensation paid to or earned by him for his role as our Executive Vice Chairman of the Board. Neither of Messrs. Jornayvaz or Harvey receives any additional compensation for his service on the Board. For all other directors, the amounts reported in the table below represent compensation paid to or earned by them in accordance with our non-employee director compensation policy, which is described below the table.
Name
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
Stock Awards(1) |
All Other Compensation |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hugh E. Harvey, Jr.(2) |
| $ | 703,646 | $ | 106,980 | $ | 810,626 | ||||||
Terry Considine |
$ | 92,500 | $ | 84,997 | | $ | 177,497 | ||||||
Chris A. Elliott |
$ | 85,000 | $ | 84,997 | | $ | 169,997 | ||||||
J. Landis Martin |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 84,997 | | $ | 184,997 | ||||||
Barth E. Whitham |
$ | 95,000 | $ | 84,997 | | $ | 179,997 |
Mr. Harvey
held a total of 42,097 shares of restricted stock, 55,919 vested options, and 4,254 unvested options on December 31, 2013. He also held unvested performance stock units
representing 7,202 shares of common stock on December 31, 2013.
None of Messrs. Considine, Elliott, Martin, and Whitham held any shares of restricted stock, performance stock units, or options on December 31, 2013.
2014 Proxy Statement
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Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
In March 2013, the Governance Committee conducted its annual review of director compensation. The Compensation Committee, on behalf of the Governance Committee, engaged F.W. Cook to assist with this review. As part of the review, the Governance Committee reviewed general industry data collected by F. W. Cook showing that our non-employee director compensation was below the median compensation for non-employee directors of companies of comparable size to us.
Taking into account the recommendations of F.W. Cook, the Governance Committee recommended and the Board approved the changes to our non-employee director compensation described below:
|
January- March 2013 |
April- December 2013 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annual cash retainer |
$ | 55,000 | $ | 65,000 | |||
Annual grant of common stock |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 85,000 | |||
Additional annual cash retainer to each committee chairperson: |
|||||||
Audit Committee |
$ | 15,000 | $ | 15,000 | |||
Compensation Committee |
$ | 10,000 | $ | 10,000 | |||
Governance Committee |
$ | 7,500 | $ | 7,500 | |||
Additional annual cash retainer to each committee member: |
|||||||
Audit Committee |
$ | 6,000 | $ | 10,000 | |||
Compensation Committee |
$ | 5,000 | $ | 10,000 | |||
Governance Committee |
$ | 4,000 | $ | 5,000 |
All cash retainers are paid in quarterly installments. The annual stock grant is made at the first Board meeting after the annual meeting.
In December 2013, our non-employee directors decided to waive their cash compensation beginning for the first quarter of 2014 and until further notice in light of the cost-savings initiatives announced by us in January 2014. Non-employee directors will continue to receive their annual grants of common stock. Our Board approved this change.
Hugh E. Harvey, Jr.'s Employee Compensation
Stock Awards
Mr. Harvey's current employment agreement provides that his annual equity award is generally intended to have a grant date fair value of $750,000; provided that his actual equity award for any year will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. For 2013, the value of this award was split among time-vested restricted stock (two-thirds), performance stock unitsproduction (one-sixth), and performance stock unitsrelative TSR (one-sixth). These awards generally have the same terms as the awards granted to our executives, which are described above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
Mr. Harvey's current employment agreement provides that his target annual bonus is generally intended to be $500,000; provided that his actual target bonus for any year will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Before the Compensation Committee approved Mr. Harvey's 2013 cash bonus, Mr. Harvey requested that the Compensation Committee reduce his 2013 bonus to zero from $247,000, which is the amount that he otherwise may have been entitled to based on corporate performance under our Short-Term Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee approved the
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reduction. You can find more information about our Short-Term Incentive Plan above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
All Other Compensation
The following table provides details about other compensation paid to or earned by Mr. Harvey for 2013 in connection with his employment with us. Although Mr. Harvey is allowed personal use of aircraft that we own or lease, he did not have any personal use in 2013.
Name
|
Salary for Employee Position as our Executive Vice Chairman(1) |
Group Life Insurance Premiums(2) |
Company Contributions to 401(k) Plan(3) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hugh E. Harvey, Jr. |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 1,980 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 106,980 |
As described above under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," in January 2014, we announced that we had implemented a number of cost-savings initiatives to better align our cost structure with the current business environment. As part of these initiatives, our executives and certain other key employees including Mr. Harvey proposed, and the Compensation Committee approved, reductions in their compensation for 2014. Mr. Harvey's salary was reduced by 50% as compared to 2013 (from $100,000 to $50,000) and his target annual bonus for 2014 was reduced to zero.
Employment and Change-in-Control Severance Agreements
On May 18, 2010, we entered into our most recent employment agreement with Mr. Harvey in connection with his employment as our Executive Vice Chairman of the Board. The original term of the agreement was for 18 months, and the term automatically extends by 12 months on the last day of the initial 18-month term and on each anniversary of that date thereafter, unless one party provides written notice of non-renewal to the other party at least 90 days prior to the effective date of an automatic extension. The other terms of this agreement are substantially similar to the terms of our employment agreement with Mr. Jornayvaz, which is described above under the heading "Employment Agreement with Robert P. Jornayvaz III." We also have entered into a change-in-control severance agreement with Mr. Harvey, pursuant to which he is entitled to severance benefits in connection with the change in control of Intrepid. The terms of this agreement are substantially similar to the terms of our change-in-control severance agreement for our executives, which is described above under the heading "Termination and Change-in-Control Payments."
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2013, regarding our equity compensation plan:
Plan Category
|
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights |
(b) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights |
(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
434,955 | (1) | $ | 26.24 | (2) | 3,650,710 | (3) | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
434,955 | $ | 26.24 | 3,650,710 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The table below sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2014 (except where another date is indicated), by the following persons:
The table is based on information that we received from the nominees, other directors, and executive officers and information disclosed in filings made with the SEC. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Shares of common stock subject to options that are exercisable as of March 15, 2014, or will be exercisable within 60 days of that date, are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of computing the total and percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
None of our directors or executive officers has pledged as security any of the shares that they beneficially own. Unless otherwise noted, each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting and
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investment power (or under marital property laws, shares these powers with his spouse) with respect to the shares shown in the table below. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each stockholder is c/o Intrepid Potash, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 4200, Denver, CO 80202.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Total Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percent of Shares Outstanding Beneficially Owned(1) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stockholders Owning More Than 5% |
|||||||
Robert P. Jornayvaz III, Executive Chairman of the Board |
10,797,594 | (2) | 14.2 | % | |||
Hugh E. Harvey, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman of the Board |
8,862,133 | (3) | 11.6 | % | |||
SouthernSun Asset Management |
7,663,687 | (4) | 10.1 | % | |||
FMR LLC |
6,571,551 | (5) | 8.6 | % | |||
Heartland Advisors, Inc. |
5,693,474 | (6) | 7.5 | % | |||
Piper Jaffray Companies |
5,249,767 | (7) | 6.9 | % | |||
Spring Creek Capital, LLC |
5,200,000 | (8) | 6.8 | % | |||
BlackRock, Inc. |
4,514,175 | (9) | 5.9 | % | |||
Directors and Executives (in addition to Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey, whose information is presented above) |
|||||||
Terry Considine, Director |
65,893 | (10) | < 1 | % | |||
Chris A. Elliott, Director |
13,018 | < 1 | % | ||||
J. Landis Martin, Director |
88,129 | (11) | < 1 | % | |||
Barth E. Whitham, Director |
24,993 | < 1 | % | ||||
David W. Honeyfield, President and Chief Financial Officer |
174,891 | (12) | < 1 | % | |||
Martin D. Litt, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary |
77,721 | (13) | < 1 | % | |||
John G. Mansanti, Senior Vice President of Operations |
79,161 | (14) | < 1 | % | |||
Kelvin G. Feist, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
29,861 | (15) | < 1 | % | |||
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons including the 10 named above) |
20,309,486 | 26.6 | % |
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to 7,184,897 of the shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all of the shares. The principal business office of SouthernSun is 6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38119.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Policy on Transactions with Related Persons
Our Board has adopted a written policy with respect to related person transactions. Under this policy, the Audit Committee must review and approve or ratify any transaction, arrangement, or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) or series of similar transactions, arrangements, or relationships in which (a) we are a participant, (b) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000, and (c) a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. For purposes of this policy, a "related person" means (a) any of our directors, executive officers, or nominees for director, (b) any stockholder that beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (c) any immediate family member of the foregoing, and (d) any firm, corporation, or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or other principal or has a substantial ownership interest (more than 10%) or control of the entity. The Audit Committee approves or ratifies only those transactions that it determines in good faith are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of us and our stockholders.
In addition, our Board-adopted Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides that no director, officer, or employee may pursue for his or her own account a business or investment opportunity if he or she has obtained knowledge of the opportunity through his or her affiliation with us.
Our Board or the Audit Committee approved each of the arrangements described below under the heading "Related Person Transactions" when we originally entered into or agreed to it.
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Set forth below is a description of related transactions between us and our officers, directors, and greater than 5% stockholders since the beginning of 2013.
Director Designation and Voting Agreement
You can find more information about this agreement above under the heading "Corporate GovernanceDirector Designation and Voting Agreement."
Intrepid, IPC, and HOPCO are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement that was entered into in 2008. As noted previously, Mr. Jornayvaz is the sole owner of IPC, and Mr. Harvey is the sole owner of HOPCO. Under this agreement, each of IPC and HOPCO has the right, in certain circumstances, to require us to register for sale some or all of the shares of common stock held by it. Subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, each of IPC and HOPCO will have the right to make three "demands" for registration, one of which may require a shelf registration statement. In addition, in connection with future registered offerings by us, whether pursuant to a "demand" registration or otherwise, IPC and HOPCO will have the ability to exercise certain "piggyback registration rights" and have some or all of their shares included in the registration statement. We will bear all costs of registration pursuant to the registration rights provided under this agreement.
We have adopted an aircraft use policy under which Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey, and other executives explicitly approved by Messrs. Jornayvaz or Harvey, are allowed personal use of aircrafts that we own or lease. Additionally, Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey may use these aircrafts under time sharing agreements that require them to reimburse us for the lesser of the actual cost of the usage or the maximum amount chargeable under Federal Aviation Administration rules.
In 2009, we entered into an aircraft dry-lease agreement with Intrepid Production Holdings LLC (or IPH), which is indirectly owned by Mr. Jornayvaz. The agreement allows us to use an aircraft owned by IPH for Intrepid business purposes. The term of the agreement is for one year beginning on January 9, 2009, and automatically renews for successive one-month terms. Either party may terminate the agreement upon 30 days' written notice to the other party. We have agreed to pay $5,950 per flight hour for the use of the aircraft. We are also responsible for taxes and insurance deductibles relating to our use of the aircraft. For 2013, we paid $418,880 to IPH under this dry-lease agreement.
During 2013, we were also a party to an aircraft dry-lease agreement with BH Holdings LLC (or BH), which is indirectly owned by Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey. We entered into our most recent dry-lease agreement with BH in June 2013, and we terminated this agreement effective as of January 1, 2014. This agreement allowed us to use an aircraft owned by BH for Intrepid business purposes. The term of the agreement was for one year beginning on January 1, 2013, and automatically renewed for successive one-year terms. On a monthly basis, we paid $3,000 per flight hour and half of the fixed costs for the use of the aircraft. At the end of each calendar year, these amounts were adjusted upwards or downwards to reflect the actual costs attributable to our use of the aircraft during the year. We were also responsible for taxes and insurance deductibles relating to our use of the aircraft. For 2013, we paid $635,469 to BH under this dry-lease agreement.
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Sublease of Hangar Space from Rare Air Limited, LLC
In 2012, we entered into an agreement with Rare Air Limited, LLC, or Rare Air, to sublease hangar deck and storage space from this entity. Rare Air is indirectly owned in part by Mr. Jornayvaz. We previously subleased hangar deck and storage space from an unaffiliated company that provides aircraft maintenance services to us. In 2012, that company moved its operations to the Rare Air facility. As a result, we decided to enter into the sublease agreement with Rare Air in part so that we could continue to receive aircraft maintenance services from the same company we had been using in the past. For 2013, we paid $51,984 to Rare Air under this agreement.
In 2008, we entered into a Transition Services Agreement with Intrepid Oil & Gas, LLC (or IOG). IOG is owned in equal parts by IPC and HOPCO. In April 2013, we and IOG entered into an amendment to this agreement to extend the term of the agreement to April 24, 2015. Under this agreement, IOG may request specified employees of Intrepid or its subsidiaries (other than Messrs. Jornayvaz and Harvey) to provide a limited amount of geology, land title, and engineering services in connection with IOG's oil and gas ventures with payment by IOG to Intrepid for these services at cost plus 10%.
IOG is obligated to reimburse us for an amount equal to the sum of the following amounts:
The aggregate time spent by any employee of Intrepid or its subsidiaries on projects under the agreement is limited to 15%. This limit may be exceeded only with the prior approval of our Board.
In addition, the parties to the Transition Services Agreement (a) acknowledge that IOG owns the rights that permit IOG to drill an oil and gas well at an agreed location near our Moab, Utah, mine; and (b) consent to and authorize the drilling of the well by IOG at its own expense, provided that the drilling does not interfere with our operations. If and to the extent any costs are incurred by us in connection with IOG's drilling of the well, those costs will be reimbursable. If IOG determines in its sole discretion that the well is noncommercial for oil and gas production, and we agree that the well should be converted for use in its potash production, we will buy the well from IOG for a specified amount not to exceed $750,000 or IOG's actual out-of-pocket cost for the drilling and related costs and expenses incurred by IOG to drill the well to the base of the potash zones. IOG has agreed to indemnify us for any damage to the Moab mine that is caused by the drilling of the well. For 2013, IOG paid us $4,296 for services under this agreement.
Surface Use Easement Agreement
In 2009, we entered into a Surface Use Easement and Water Purchase Agreement with IOG in connection with oil and gas rights owned by IOG that exist below the surface of land owned by us. Under the agreement, we have granted IOG an easement across a portion of our land to access a drilling site for one of its wells. The easement continues for so long as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities from the well or from any unit or communitized area that includes the well. As consideration for the easement, IOG paid us $9,500 and has agreed to pay us $7,500 (plus an administrative fee) on July 2 of each year during the term of the easement. Among other things, we have agreed to sell IOG water or salt brine to
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the extent that we have excess water or salt brine available that we may legally sell. For 2013, IOG paid us $8,250 under this agreement.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors and officers for monetary damages for a breach of their fiduciary duty of care as a director or officer. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors and officers exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director or officer will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability for the following:
These limitations of liability do not generally affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
As permitted by the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our current and former directors and officers and anyone who is or was serving at our request as the director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, and may indemnify our current or former employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, subject to limited exceptions. In addition, we may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of our current or former directors, officers, employees or agents against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them as a result of their positions with Intrepid. We have obtained liability insurance for our directors and officers.
Our certificate of incorporation requires us to advance expenses to our directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding, subject to receiving an undertaking from the director or officer to repay advanced amounts if it is determined he or she is not entitled to indemnification. Our bylaws provide that we may advance expenses to our employees and other agents, upon any terms and conditions as we deem appropriate.
We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers, which may be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. These indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. These indemnification agreements also require us to advance any expenses incurred by the directors or officers as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified and to obtain directors' and officers' insurance, if available on reasonable terms.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, our directors and executive officers, and certain persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, must report their initial ownership of our common stock and any changes in that ownership in reports filed with the SEC. These individuals and entities are required to furnish us with copies of all of these reports. Based solely on a review of reports furnished to us, and written representations from our directors and executive officers that they were not required to file any
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other reports during 2013, we believe that all of our directors, executive officers, and 10% owners timely filed all reports required to be filed for 2013 under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
The following report of the Audit Committee is not "soliciting material," will not be deemed "filed" with the SEC, and will not be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference therein.
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to (a) the integrity of Intrepid's financial statements and financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (b) the qualifications, independence, and performance of Intrepid's independent accountants, (c) the performance of Intrepid's internal audit function, and (d) other matters as set forth in the charter of the Audit Committee approved by the Board.
Management is responsible for Intrepid's financial statements and the financial reporting process, including the systems of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. The independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of Intrepid's financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent accountants the audited consolidated financial statements of Intrepid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (which superseded Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended). In addition, the Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountants' communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent accountants the independent accountants' independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements of Intrepid be included in Intrepid's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, that was filed with the SEC.
THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS OF INTREPID POTASH, INC.
J.
Landis Martin, Chairman
Terry Considine
Chris A. Elliott
Barth E. Whitham
We have adopted a practice called "householding." This practice allows us to deliver only one copy of certain of our stockholder communications (including proxy-related materials, annual reports and information statements) to stockholders who have the same address and last name and who do not participate in email delivery of these materials, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies us that he or she would like to receive an individual copy. If you share an address with another stockholder and receive only one set of proxy-related materials and would like to request a separate copy for this year's
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annual meeting or for any future meetings or stockholder communications, please send your written request to Intrepid Potash, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 4200, Denver, CO 80202, Attention: Secretary, or call us at (303) 296-3006. Upon request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy to you. Similarly, you may also contact us through either of these methods if you receive multiple copies of proxy-related materials and other stockholder communications and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future.
A stockholder who would like to have a proposal considered for inclusion in our 2015 proxy statement must submit the proposal so that it is received by us no later than December 12, 2014. SEC rules set standards for eligibility and specify the types of stockholder proposals that may be excluded from a proxy statement. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to the Secretary, Intrepid Potash, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 4200, Denver, CO 80202.
For stockholder proposals submitted outside of the SEC proposal rules, our bylaws require that advance written notice in proper form of stockholder proposals for matters to be brought before an annual meeting be received by our Secretary not less than 90 days or more than 120 days before the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. Accordingly, notice of stockholder proposals for the 2015 annual meeting must be received by us between January 28, 2015, and February 27, 2015.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND OTHER SEC FILINGS
If you request, we will provide you with a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, without charge. You should send your written requests to Secretary, Intrepid Potash, Inc., 707 17th Street, Suite 4200, Denver, CO 80202. The exhibits to the annual report are available upon payment of charges that approximate our cost of reproduction.
You can also obtain copies of the annual report and exhibits, as well as other filings that we make with the SEC, on our website at investors.intrepidpotash.com or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Management does not know of any other matters to be brought before the 2014 annual meeting. If any other matters not mentioned in this proxy statement are properly brought before the meeting, the individuals named in the enclosed proxy intend to use their discretionary voting authority under the proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment on those matters.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
|
Martin D. Litt |
April 3, 2014
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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 01T2DB 1 U P X + Annual Meeting Proxy Card . Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below C Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. + A Company Proposals The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees listed in Proposal 1. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Proposals 2-3. For Against Abstain 2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2014. For Against Abstain 3. The approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation. 1. The election of two Class III directors to our Board of Directors to serve three-year terms expiring at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. 01 - Robert P. Jornayvaz III 02 - Hugh E. Harvey, Jr. IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION For Against Abstain For Against Abstain Change of Address Please print new address below. B Non-Voting Items 1 8 6 7 5 3 1 1234 5678 9012 345 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ C123456789 MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMM MMMMMMM MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND C 1234567890 J N T qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q 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. (Mountain Time) on May 28, 2014. Vote by Internet Go to www.envisionreports.com/IPI 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 |
2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Intrepid Potash, Inc. May 28, 2014, 10:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Intrepid Potash, Inc. for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 28, 2014. The undersigned hereby appoints David W. Honeyfield and Martin D. Litt, and each of them, the undersigneds true and lawful agents and proxies (with full power of substitution in each) to represent and to vote as directed all common stock of Intrepid Potash, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders of Intrepid Potash, Inc. to be held at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, on May 28, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the Stockholders Meeting), upon those matters as described in the Proxy Statement. The proxies are also authorized to vote in their discretion upon any other matters as may properly come before the Stockholders Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof). IF NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE TWO NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2-3. You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, SEE REVERSE SIDE, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations. The proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card. . Proxy Intrepid Potash, Inc. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 28, 2014. The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at envisionreports.com/IPI. qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q |