UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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To our shareholders:
2019 marked a year of focus
on strategic initiatives and transformation.
March 12, 2020
Portland, Oregon
Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to invite you toannounce that Portland General Electric Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in the Conference Center Auditorium located at Two World Trade Center, 25 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204.
This year’s meeting will focus on our core business strategies to decarbonize, electrify and proxy statement.perform. We will discuss key initiatives, innovative partnerships, and capital investments focused on strengthening resiliency and building a clean, integrated grid. At the center of this work is the Integrated Operations Center, which we began constructing in late 2019; our first-of-its-kind Smart Grid Test Bed; and collaboration with TriMet, Oregon’s largest mass transit provider, on a bus line fully powered by wind energy.
The Annual Meeting also will be a chance for shareholders to learn more about our opportunities for the year ahead, including:
Investing in a clean energy future, as PGE continues to decarbonize and provide renewable and clean energy options in direct response to growing customer demand for green energy
Keeping customers first and maintaining affordability
Improving resiliency to strengthen PGE’s grid
Being active in our community through new partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing commitments to a sustainable Oregon
Your vote is important. Only holders of record of PGE common stock at the close of business on March 1, 2018Friday, February 28, 2020 are entitled to vote at the meeting. It is advisable to vote your shares before the April 22 meeting date.For instructions on how to cast your vote, please refer to pages 66-69 of the Proxy Statement.
Thank you for your interest in PGE. We look forward to your participation in the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Portland, Oregon.
Cordially,
Jack E. Davis Chair | Maria M. Pope President and Chief Executive Officer |
Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
DATE & TIME April 22, 2020 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time | PLACE Conference Center Auditorium Two World Trade Center 25 SW Salmon Street Portland, Oregon 97204 | RECORD DATE February 28, 2020 You can vote if you were a shareholder of record on February 28, 2020 |
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Election to our Board of Directors of the 12 nominees identified in the following Proxy Statement for a term of one year
2. Advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers
3. Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020
4. Transaction of any other business that may properly come before our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Your vote is very important. Regardlessimportant to us. Please exercise your shareholder right to vote as soon as possible, regardless of whether you plan to attend the meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nora Arkonovich
Corporate Secretary
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2020 As permitted under SEC rules, we are mailing our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and submit proxy votes online. Our Proxy Statement and 2019 Annual Report are available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/annual. You may also access our proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com. We are making the Proxy Statement and the form of proxy first available on or about March 12, 2020. |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY | 1 | |||
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SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL | 6 | |||
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COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT | 26 |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding implementation of our business plans, industry outlooks, technology transitions, our business, strategies and financial performance, our offerings of new services, and other statements that are not historical fact, and actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ are set forth in the “Risk Factors” section, as well as other sections, of our 2019 Annual Report on Form10-K, available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/annual, and other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the numberdate of shares you own, we encourage youthis Proxy Statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to participate in the affairs of the company by voting your shares at this year’s annual meeting. update any such statements.
DATE & TIME April 22, 2020 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time | PLACE Conference Center Auditorium Two World Trade Center 25 SW Salmon Street Portland, Oregon 97204 | RECORD DATE February 28, 2020 | ADMISSION Photo identification and proof of share ownership as of the record date are required |
Even if you plan to attend the meeting, itAnnual Meeting in person, we encourage you to cast your vote as soon as possible.
ONLINE Vote online at www.proxyvote.com | BY PHONE Vote by phone from the US 1-800-690-6903 | BY MAIL If you have received a printed version of these proxy materials, you may vote by mail | BY BALLOT Attend our Annual Meeting and vote by ballot |
For additional information about our Annual Meeting, see Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting on pages 66 to 69.
AGENDA AND VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Voting Matter | Vote the Board Recommends | Page Reference (for more information) | ||
Item 1: Election of 12 director nominees | FOR | 19 | ||
Item 2: Advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers | FOR | 59 | ||
Item 3: Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020 | FOR | 62 |
OUR STRATEGY
At Portland General Electric, we are committed to being a clean energy leader and delivering steady growth and returns to shareholders. We are increasing opportunities for clean and renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and responding to evolving customer expectations. At the same time, we are building an increasingly smart, integrated, and interconnected grid that spans from residential customers to other utilities within the region. We are transforming all aspects of our business from our energy delivery systems and assets to ensuring our workforce becomes more results-oriented and purpose-driven.
From our founding, we’ve proudly delivered affordable, reliable electricity service to all. Our commitment to these values is unwavering. Today, we are doing our part to meet a good ideaglobal need while continuing to vote your shares before earn high marks for customer satisfaction.
Our strategy to be a clean energy leader that delivers shareholder value strives to balance interests, including business transformation, changing customer preferences and our commitment to delivering affordable, reliable electricity service. We will achieve our goal to deliver 100% clean energy to our customers by:
Decarbonizingthe meeting.power we supply to our customers
Electrifyingother areas of the economy, including transportation and buildings, where efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are underway
Performingas a business by improving work efficiency, the safety of our coworkers, and the reliability of our systems and equipment while targeting our goal of4-6% annual growth in earnings
Additional information about how we will execute this strategy can be found in a series of strategy papers at www.PortlandGeneral.com/CleanVision.
OUR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
In 2019 we delivered solid financial results while returning significant cash to our shareholders.
(1) | Dollars in millions |
BOARD AND GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
We are committed to maintaining strong corporate governance that promotes the long-term interests of our shareholders, strengthens Board and management effectiveness and builds public trust in the Company. The Corporate Governance section of this Proxy Statement beginning on page 7 describes our key corporate governance policies and practices, which include the following highlights:
The board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of each of our nominees listed below. |
BOARD DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES
Age at | Primary Occupation | Director Since | Committee Memberships | |||||||||||
Name | AC | FC | NC | CC | ||||||||||
John Ballantine
| 74
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Former EVP and Chief Risk Management Officer,
| 2004
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Rodney Brown
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64
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Founding partner, Cascadia Law Group PLLC
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2007
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Jack Davis, Chair
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73
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Former CEO, Arizona Public Service Company
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2012
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Kirby Dyess
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73
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Founder, Austin Capital Management and former
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2009
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C
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Mark Ganz
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59
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President and CEO, Cambia Health Solutions, Inc.
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2006
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Marie Oh Huber
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58
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SVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, eBay Inc.
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2019
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Kathryn Jackson
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62
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Former Chief Technology Officer and SVP, RTI
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2014
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Michael Millegan
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61
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CEO, Millegan Advisory Group 3 and Former President,
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2019
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Neil Nelson
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61
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President, Siltronic Corporation
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2006
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C
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Lee Pelton
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69
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President, Emerson College
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2006
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C
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Maria Pope
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55
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President and CEO, Portland General Electric Company
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2018
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Charles Shivery
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74
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Former Chairman, President and CEO, Northeast Utilities
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2014
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C
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AC = Audit Committee | FC = Finance Committee | NC = Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | CC = Compensation and Human Resources Committee | C = Chair
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
Our Compensation and Human Resources Committee oversees the design of our executive compensation program, the goal of which is to attract and retain highly qualified executives and to provide them with incentives to advance the interests of our stakeholders. Below are some of the highlights of our executive compensation policies and practices.
OUR COMPENSATION BEST PRACTICES
What we do | What we don’t do | |||||
Performance-based compensation aligned with strategy | No guaranteed taxgross-ups | |||||
Appropriate compensation peer group | No hedging or pledging Company stock | |||||
Annual compensation program risk analysis | No long-term employment contracts | |||||
Independent compensation consultant | No dividends on unvested equity | |||||
Meaningful stock ownership guidelines | No single-trigger change in control payouts | |||||
Robust incentive compensation clawback policy | No excessive dilution |
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE
The structure of our annual target direct compensation for our executives reflects our commitment to align pay with performance and the long-term interests of our stakeholders.
Target Direct Compensation—CEO
Target Direct Compensation—Average of Other Named Executive Officers*
*Amounts do not include one-time awards of compensation in connection with Mr. McFarland’s commencement of employment.
INCENTIVE AWARD PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS
In 2019 we made significant enhancements to our Annual Cash Incentive (ACI) Award Program and our equity-based Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Award Program to strengthen their alignment with our strategic priorities.
ACI Award Program—New Performance Metrics Tied to Strategic Imperatives Under our 2019 ACI Program, we tied 20% of our executives’ awards to three of our key Strategic Imperatives: |
Customer Retention and Growth: retaining our existing customers, adding new customers, and expanding the use of electricity Integrated Grid Initiative: building an integrated platform to ensure reliability and enable grid visibility, connectivity, and interoperability Environmental Leadership: expanding our renewable energy offerings and reducing our carbon footprint |
LTI Award Program—New Metric Tied to Decarbonization Strategy
For our 2019 LTI Award Program, we introduced a new performance metric specifically tied to our decarbonization strategy. Our Energy Supply Decarbonization metric focuses on achieving carbon reductions in our energy supply portfolio over a three-year period. Meeting this goal should put us on track to achieve our share of the total greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the state of Oregon. See page 39 in the Compensation Discussion Analysis section of this Proxy Statement for details.
2019 INCENTIVE AWARD METRICS AT A GLANCE
We have adopted a balanced incentive award program for our named executive officers, which is designed to incentivize the achievement of our short-term and longer-term financial, operating, and strategic goals.
2019 ACI PROGRAM
| 2019 LTI PROGRAM
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Metric
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Metric Weight*
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Metric Weight
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% of Target
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Financial Performance (EPS) | 50% | ROE as % of Allowed ROE | 33% | 0 to 167% | ||||||||||
Operating Performance | 30% | EPS Growth | 33% | 0 to 167% | ||||||||||
Customer Satisfaction | Carbon Potential Reduction | 33% | 0 to 167% | |||||||||||
Electric Service Power Quality | Subtotal | 0 to 167% | ||||||||||||
Generation Plant Availability | Relative TSR | Multiply Subtotal by | 80 to 120% | |||||||||||
Strategic Imperatives | 20% | |||||||||||||
Retain and Grow Customers | ||||||||||||||
Integrated Grid Initiative | ||||||||||||||
Environmental Leadership |
Sustainability, Environment & Social
At Portland General Electric, we are executing our strategy to achieve a clean and reliable energy future. We are taking a holistic approach that balances our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with core values that define our culture, and high standards of corporate governance to achieve our mission and create value for shareholders, customers and other stakeholders. The benefits of a future powered by clean electricity are real. Our actions in 2019 support our long-term goals, and include:
ADVANCING A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Increasing reliance on clean technologies | ||||||
• | Executed contracts for the Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility, which will combine 300 megawatts of wind generation, 50 megawatts of solar generation, and 30 megawatts of battery storage. PGE will own 100 megawatts of the wind project. | |||||
• | Filed our 2019 Integrated Resource Plan to add 150 average megawatts of renewable resources; pursue a similar amount of energy efficiency; strengthen partnerships with customers to balance the grid through flexible load programs; and pursue new clean technologies, like energy storage, to support grid reliability |
Accelerating transportation electrification | ||||||
• | Partnered with the state’s largest transit provider to create an electric bus system, including charging infrastructure, anall-electric bus line and a20-year fuel plan | |||||
• | Completed our fleet decarbonization study and plan to electrify almost 1,100 vehicles, while sharing our learnings with customers | |||||
• | Expanded our charging infrastructure network of Electric Avenues to seven in our service area | |||||
• | Launched a new electric bus program to help school districts in Oregon electrify their buses |
Enhancing system-wide resilience | ||||||
• | Broke ground on the construction of our $200 million Integrated Operations Center with enhanced technology and resilience against seismic, cyber, and physical security risks, to centralize key operations and functions | |||||
• | Launched a new microgrid composed of solar, battery storage and backup generation connected to our grid at the Beaverton Public Safety Center, supported by PGE funding of more than $1.5 million | |||||
• | Achieved 99.98% system reliability and 92% generation plant availability |
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
• | Donated $4.7 million to support local schools and nonprofits, together with PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation | |||||
• | Facilitated 60 scholarships and 55 summer internships for Oregon students | |||||
• | Volunteered 32,900 hours, by PGE, employees and retirees | |||||
• | Educated 71,779 students about electric safety and energy in classrooms and safety fairs |
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ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is elected by our shareholders to oversee management in its operation of the Company. In exercising its fiduciary duties, the Board’s goal is to build long-term value for our shareholders and ensure the vitality of the Company for our customers, employees, and the other individuals, organizations and communities who depend on us.
Key responsibilities of our Board of Directors include:
Establishing a corporate governance framework;
Overseeing and advising management on Company strategy;
Overseeing the Company’s risk management programs;
Overseeing the Company’s human capital management and corporate culture; and
Conducting Board and executive succession planning.
In the pages that follow we provide information about how our Board fulfills these responsibilities, as well as other important policies and practices of our Board.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
We are committed to maintaining sound corporate governance policies and practices that promote the long-term interests of our stakeholders. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews our key corporate governance policies to ensure that they reflect evolving best practices and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. The committee refers suggestions for how to improve our governance policies to the full Board for approval.
Highlights of our corporate governance program include:
Strong independent oversight of management
Independent Board Chair
Fully independent membership on all standing Board committees
All directors independent other than CEO
Executive sessions ofnon-management directors at all regularly scheduled Board meetings
Leadership accountability
Annual election of directors by majority vote of the shareholders
Shareholder right to act by written consent
No “poison pill” anti-takeover defenses
No supermajority voting requirements
Robust Board and executive stock ownership guidelines (see pages 15 and 47 for details)
Focus on leadership refreshment and quality
Active Board refreshment program (2 new directors in 2019)
Annual Board review of succession planning and talent development for senior leadership
Regular Board training focused on significant business risks and opportunities
Annual anonymous Board and committee self-evaluations
Engaged Board oversight of strategy and risk management
Annual offsite Board strategy session
Quarterly updates to Audit Committee on enterprise risk management program
Annual independent compensation program risk analysis
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| FIND OUR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES AND OTHER GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS ONLINE The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which, together with our articles of incorporation and bylaws, establish the governance framework for the management of the Company. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines address, among other matters, the role of our Board, Board membership criteria, director retirement policies, director independence criteria, director and officer stock ownership requirements, Board committees, and leadership development. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Board committee charters, and certain other corporate governance policies are available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governance. These documents are also available in print to shareholders, without charge, upon request to Portland General Electric Company at its offices at 121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention: Corporate Secretary. |
Our Board believes that the Company is best served by maintaining the flexibility to determine its leadership structure based on the evolving needs of the Company. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines call for the appointment of a Board Chair, but permit the Board to appoint any director to serve in this role. The duties of our Board Chair include:
Presiding over and managing meetings of the Board;
Approving agendas and materials for Board meetings;
Serving as the primary liaison between management and the othernon-management directors;
Advising senior management on strategy and significant matters as appropriate; and
Representing the Board at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
We currently separate the roles of CEO and Board Chair. Jack Davis, our current Board Chair, is independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards and our own Director Independence Standards, which are contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. We believe our current leadership structure promotes strong independent Board oversight and management accountability and allows our CEO to focus her time and efforts on establishing our strategic direction and managing the affairs of the Company.
Our Board periodically reviews our leadership structure to determine whether it continues to serve the interests of the Company. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the independent directors to appoint a Lead Independent Director if the Board Chair is not independent. The Lead Independent Director’s duties would include coordinating the activities of the independent directors, coordinating the agenda for and moderating sessions of thenon-management directors, and facilitating communications among the other members of the Board.
The Board takes an active role in assisting management with the development of the Company’s long-term business strategy. In recent years, our Board has conducted annual offsite Board sessions focused on our strategy. During these sessions, the Board and management discuss the competitive landscape in our industry, emerging technologies, significant business risks and opportunities, and strategic priorities of the Company. These sessions have generally included training provided by outside experts and business leaders on matters of strategic significance to the Company.
Throughout the year, our management team regularly reports to the Board on the execution of our long-term strategic plans, the status of important projects and initiatives, and the key opportunities and risks facing the Company. For more information on our long-term strategy, see page 2 of this Proxy Statement and our 2019 Annual Report.
BOARD OVERSIGHT OF RISK MANAGEMENT
Identifying and managing material risks facing the Company is a core responsibility of our Board, the committees of the Board, and our senior management.
TheBoard of Directors is responsible for assessing whether management has put in place effective systems to identify, evaluate, and manage the material risks facing the Company. The Board satisfies its oversight function through reporting from management on areas of material risk, including strategic, operational, cybersecurity, environmental, financial, legal, and regulatory risks. In addition, management reports each quarter to the Audit Committee on activities and findings of the Company’s risk management program.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
While the full Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for oversight of risk management, particularly with regard to strategic risks, each of the standing committees of the Board has been assigned a role in assisting the Board with its oversight responsibilities. Key risk areas overseen by the Board’s committees are shown below:
Committee | Key Areas of Responsibility | |
Audit | • Activities of Executive Risk Committee (described below) • Systems for risk identification and assessment • Financial reporting and internal controls • Compliance and litigation (including environmental) • Cybersecurity and information technology | |
Compensation and Human Resources | • Compensation plans and programs • Talent acquisition, management, and retention • Succession planning for senior leaders (other than the CEO) | |
Finance | • Financial risks, including operations, energy trading, capital projects, cash flow, capital markets and insurance | |
Nominating and Corporate Governance | • Board organization, membership and structure • CEO succession planning • Corporate governance |
Management is responsible forday-to-day identification and management of risk. To ensure consistency and comprehensiveness in its approach, the Company has established an Executive Risk Committee to oversee the Company’s risk management programs. One key function of the Executive Risk Committee is to sponsor an annual enterprise-wide risk assessment, the results of which are used to inform the Company’s goals and priorities for the next year. The Company has also established standing executive committees with responsibility for managing risks over defined areas and reporting as appropriate to the Executive Risk Committee or the Audit Committee. These include our Integrated Security, Operations, People, Strategy, and Customer Executive Committees.
BOARD SUCCESSION PLANNING AND RECRUITMENT
Identifying and recommending individuals for appointment or election to our Board is a core responsibility of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Governance Committee). The committee carries out this responsibility through a year-round process described below:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
Evaluation of BoardComposition
The Governance Committee evaluates the Board’s membership needs based | ð |
Candidate Recruitment
If the committee determines that there is a need for new candidates, individuals are identified through a variety of methods, including shareholder recommendations.
| ð |
Candidate Evaluation
Candidates are evaluated on whether they exhibit certain core attributes that our Governance Committee looks for in all candidates, as well as particular needs of the Board at the time.
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Recommendation
The Governance Committee recommends selected candidates to the full Board for nomination or appointment to the Board. |
Evaluation of Board Composition.Each year the Governance Committee evaluates the size and composition of the Board to assess whether they are appropriate in light of the Company’s evolving needs. In making this evaluation, the committee considers the Company’s strategic direction, current director qualifications, the results of Board and committee self-assessments, and legal and
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regulatory requirements. The committee also considers whether there may be a need to fill a future Board vacancy in light of our director tenure policy or anticipated dates of retirement. Generally, under our director tenure policy, which is contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, candidates elected to the Board before July 25, 2018 will not be nominated for election after age 75, and candidates elected after July 25, 2018 will not be nominated to serve on the Board for more than 12 years.
If the Governance Committee identifies a need to fill a future Board vacancy or add to the mix of skills and qualifications represented on the Board, the committee oversees the director recruitment process described below.
Candidate Recruitment.The Governance Committee identifies new Board candidates through a variety of methods, including the use of third-party search firms, suggestions from current directors, shareholders, or employees, and self-nominations. Our most recently appointed director, Marie Oh Huber, was recommended by a third-party search firm.
Director candidates identified by shareholders are evaluated by the same criteria applied to other director nominees, which are described below. To have a candidate considered by the Governance Committee, a shareholder should submit the recommendation in writing and include the following information:
The shareholder’s name and evidence of ownership of the Company’s common stock, including the number of shares owned and the length of time of ownership; and
The candidate’s name, resume, or listing of qualifications to be a director and consent to be named as a director nominee if selected by the Governance Committee and nominated by the Board.
The recommendation and information described above should be sent to the Chair of the Governance Committee, in care of our Corporate Secretary, at Portland General Electric Company, 121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301, Portland, Oregon 97204.
Candidate Evaluation.In evaluating director candidates, the Governance Committee seeks to identify individuals who, at a minimum, have the following characteristics:
A reputation for honesty, ethical conduct and sound business judgment;
Demonstration of significant accomplishment in a candidate’s field;
Experience and skills in the utility industry or other areas important to the strategic direction and operation of the Company;
Availability and willingness to be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of Board membership; and
Freedom from potential conflicts of interest.
In addition to evaluating a candidate’s individual qualifications, the Board and the Governance Committee consider how a candidate would contribute to the overall mix of experience, qualifications, skills and other attributes represented on our Board. While the Company has not adopted a formal diversity policy, we believe it is important that the Board exhibit diversity across a variety of parameters, including age, gender, and race.
Recommendation to the Board of Directors.Each year in advance of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Governance Committee recommends a group of nominees to be presented to the shareholders for election to the Board. As appropriate, the committee also recommends candidates for appointment to the Board between annual meetings. Directors who are appointed by the Board between annual meetings stand for election at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
For our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board selected our 12 director nominees based on their demonstration of the core attributes described above, and the belief that each can make substantial contributions to our Board and Company. See pages 20 to 25 for more information about the backgrounds and qualifications of our nominees.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION PLANNING
Our Board oversees senior management succession planning and talent development with the assistance of the Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee in an effort to maximize the pool of internal candidates who can assume executive officer positions without undue disruption of the business. In recent years, the full Board has conducted reviews of succession plans for senior management, including a review of the qualifications and development plans of potential internal candidates. Directors also regularly have an opportunity to meet and engage with potential internal senior management successors at Board and committee meetings. In addition, the Compensation Committee regularly conducts morein-depth reviews of development plans for promising management talent.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD OVERSIGHT OF HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE
Our Board understands that our people and our culture are critical to our continued success. We seek to attract and retain a talented, motivated, and diverse workforce and to maintain a culture that reflects our core values, our drive for performance, and our commitment to acting with the highest levels of honesty, integrity, and compliance.
Our Values | HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT Primary responsibility for overseeing the Company’s human capital management programs lies with our Compensation Committee. In addition to providing input on leadership succession planning and talent development, the Compensation Committee regularly engages with management on a broad range of human capital management topics, including health and safety, diversity and inclusion, pay equity, strategic workforce planning, employee engagement, and performance management. ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE To establish the foundation of our ethics and compliance culture, the Board has adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, which all directors, officers, and employees are expected to adhere to and affirm biannually. The code covers all areas of workplace conduct, including conflicts of interest, unfair or unethical use of corporate opportunities, protection of confidential information, and legal and regulatory compliance. In addition, our CEO, CFO, and Controller must abide by the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers. Employees are expected to report any violation of our ethics codes and may do so using a variety of methods, including an anonymous third-party hotline. The Audit Committee has also adopted procedures for receiving and addressing complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. The committee receives quarterly reports from our Ethics and Compliance department on key compliance metrics and employee conduct matters. | |||||
CHAMPION relentless safety | ||||||
SERVE customers boldly | ||||||
EMBRACE diversity & inclusion | ||||||
LISTEN & lead the way | ||||||
BE a great neighbor | ||||||
| ACT with integrity & live by our Guiding Behaviors BE accountable EARN trust DIGNIFY others TEAMWORK POSITIVE attitude MAKE the right thing happen |
| FIND OUR ETHICS CODES ONLINE The texts of the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct and the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers are available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governanceor in print to shareholders, without charge, upon request to Portland General Electric Company, 121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Any amendments to either of these codes, and any waiver of the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, and of certain provisions of the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct for directors, executive officers or our Controller, will be disclosed to our shareholders to the extent required by law. |
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Each year our Governance Committee reviews the composition and mandates of our standing committees to ensure that they continue to support the effective execution of the Board’s responsibilities. The Board approves committee and chair assignments at least annually.
The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, and the Finance Committee. Each standing committee has a Board-approved charter, which is reviewed annually by the respective committee and by our Governance Committee. The Board may also establish temporary committees as needed to address specific issues that arise from time to time.
Each Board committee may retain and compensate consultants or other advisors as necessary for it to carry out its duties. To the extent permitted by law and the NYSE listing standards, Board committees may form subcommittees and delegate authority to the subcommittees, or to a committee chair individually.
All of the current members of the Board’s standing committees have been determined by the Board to be independent for purposes of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards and our Director Independence Standards. Directors who serve on the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Human Resources Committee meet additional, heightened independence and qualification criteria applicable to directors serving on these committees under NYSE listing standards.
Below are brief descriptions of each standing Board committee. For more detailed descriptions, please refer to the committee charters available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governance.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Chair Neil Nelson Other Members Mark Ganz Michael Millegan Lee Pelton Charles Shivery Meetings in 2019: 4 Independence/Qualifications: • All members are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and the Company’s Director Independence Standards. • All members are “financially literate” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards. • Messrs. Ganz, Nelson and Shivery are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. | Key Responsibilities | |
• Assists the Board in its oversight of our financial statements, independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance, and internal controls over financial reporting | ||
• Appoints and oversees the work of our registered public accounting firm | ||
• Reviews the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial information with management and the independent registered public accounting firm | ||
• Pre-approves all audit, audit-related, tax and other services, if any, provided by the registered public accounting firm | ||
• Appoints and oversees the work of the Company’s Director of Internal Audit Services and approves the Company’s annual internal audit plan and budget | ||
• Approves the Audit Committee Report for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement | ||
• Oversees the development and implementation of the Company’s ethics and compliance program | ||
• Assists the Board with the oversight of the Company’s risk management program |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Chair: Kirby Dyess Other Members: John Ballantine Rodney Brown Mark Ganz Marie Oh Huber Kathryn Jackson Meetings in 2019:5 Independence/Qualifications: • All members are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and the Company’s Director Independence Standards. | Key Responsibilities | |
• Evaluates the performance of the CEO and makes a recommendation regarding her compensation to the independent directors | ||
• Approves the compensation of the executive officers other than the CEO | ||
• Reviews the Company’snon-management director compensation program and recommends appropriate levels of compensation fornon-management directors to the Board | ||
• Advises on human capital management matters, including talent management and diversity and inclusion initiatives | ||
• Reviews succession plans for executive officers other than the CEO, either as a committee or together with the full Board | ||
• Reviews the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in the Company’s proxy statement and approves the Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report for inclusion in the proxy statement | ||
• Together with the other independent directors, oversees the Company’s incentive compensation clawback policy and recovery of performance-based compensation awards | ||
• Reviews and approves severance or termination payment arrangements for executive officers |
No Compensation Committee Interlocks
The individuals who served on the Compensation Committee during 2019 were John Ballantine, Rodney Brown, Kirby Dyess, Mark Ganz, Marie Oh Huber, Kathryn Jackson, and Neil Nelson. All members of the committee during 2019 were independent directors and no member was an employee or former employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During 2019, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity whose executive officer served on our Compensation Committee or Board, or had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under SEC regulations.
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Lee Pelton Other Members: Jack Kirby Dyess Neil Nelson Meetings in 2019:2 Independence/Qualifications: • All members are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and the Company’s Director Independence Standards. | Key Responsibilities | |
• Reviews the size of the Board and recommends to the Board any appropriate changes | ||
• Identifies and recommends to the Board individuals qualified to serve as directors and on committees of the Board | ||
• Takes a leadership role in shaping our corporate governance, including the policies and practices described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines | ||
• Reviews succession plans for the CEO, either as a committee or together with the full Board | ||
• Oversees the self-assessment of the Board and its committees | ||
• Reviews any Company transactions involving directors, nominees, executive officers and other “related persons” in accordance with the Company’s Related Person Transaction Policy |
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair: Charles Shivery Other Members: John Ballantine Rodney Brown Marie Oh Huber Kathryn Jackson Michael Millegan Meetings in 2019: 4 Independence/Qualifications: • All members are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and the Company’s Director Independence Standards. | Key Responsibilities | |
• Reviews and recommends to the Board annual financing plans and capital and operating budgets | ||
• Reviews and approves or recommends to the Board certain costs for projects, initiatives, transactions and other activities within the ordinary business of the Company | ||
• Reviews our capital and debt structure, approves or recommends to the Board the issuance of debt, and recommends to the Board the issuance of equity | ||
• Reviews and recommends to the Board dividends, dividend payout goals and objectives | ||
• Reviews earnings forecasts | ||
• Assists the Board in overseeing the management of risks associated with the Company’s power operations, capital projects, finance activities, credit and liquidity | ||
• Reviews and recommends to the Board investment policies and guidelines | ||
• Oversees the management of benefit plan assets |
OTHER GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PRACTICES
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Executive management and members of our Investor Relations team engage regularly with our shareholders to seek their input on a variety of matters, including our strategy and value proposition, financial and operating performance, corporate governance, executive compensation, environmental sustainability and social policies and practices, and management’s perspective on regulatory and legislative developments. We also communicate with shareholders through a number of routine forums, including quarterly earnings presentations, SEC filings, our Annual Report, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and conferences. In addition, our management regularly engages with our other stakeholders, including representatives of local communities and organizations, political bodies, and our regulators. We relay feedback we obtain through these conversations to our Board and its committees and work to ensure that we adequately address the concerns of our stakeholders.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE SELF-ASSESSMENTS
Each year the Board conducts a self-assessment of its performance and effectiveness as well as that of its committees. The Chair of the Governance Committee leads the Board’s assessment process, which requires each director to complete a written evaluation of the performance of both the Board as a whole and, to the extent applicable, the committees on which the director serves. These evaluations are anonymous, except to the extent a director elects otherwise. In addition, at least every two years, the Governance Committee Chair conducts confidential interviews with each of the Board members to solicit additional feedback on Board and committee performance. The results of our directors’ feedback are summarized and provided to all of the Board members and the Chair of the Governance Committee leads a discussion regarding the results with the Governance Committee as well as the full Board.
BOARD MEETINGS
Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve, as well as the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. While the Board understands that circumstances may arise from time to time that prevent a director from attending a meeting, directors are expected to make these meetings a priority. During 2019, each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and meetings held by all committees on which the director served, and the directors collectively attended 99% of all Board and Board committee meetings. All of the directors also attended the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with the exception of Dr. Pelton, who was unable to attend due to urgent and unexpected circumstances. There were five meetings of the Board of Directors in 2019.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, thenon-management directors must meet in executive session without management at least quarterly. The Chair of the Board presides over executive sessions of thenon-management directors. In the event that thenon-management directors include directors who are not independent under the NYSE listing standards, our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the independent directors to meet separately in executive session at least once a year. There were four executive sessions of thenon-management directors in 2019. Throughout 2019, all of ournon-management directors were independent under the NYSE listing standards and our Director Independence Standards. Accordingly, the four meetings of ournon-management directors in 2019 also constituted meetings of our independent directors.
DETERMINATION OF DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The NYSE corporate governance listing standards require a majority of our directors and each member of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance Committee to be independent. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines also require a majority of our directors to be independent. For a director to be considered independent under the NYSE listing standards, the Board must affirmatively determine that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, including any of the relationships specifically proscribed by the NYSE independence standards.
To assist the Company in determining the independence of Board members and candidates, the Board has adopted Director Independence Standards, which identify types of relationships that could exist between the Company and a director that would prevent the director from being independent. Our Director Independence Standards are contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, published on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governance. Our Board considers a director or director nominee independent if he or she meets the criteria for independence in both the NYSE listing standards and our Director Independence Standards. The Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making its independence determinations.
During its annual review of director independence in February of 2020, the Board considered whether there were any transactions or relationships between the Company and any director or any member of his or her immediate family (or any entity of which a director or an immediate family member is an executive officer, general partner or significant equity holder). As part of its review of director independence, the Board considered Mark Ganz’s position as President and CEO and a director of Cambia Health Solutions, Inc. (Cambia) and Cambia’s business relationship with the Company during the last three fiscal years. PGE and Local Union No. 125 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have established a trust that is partly funded by PGE to provide health and welfare benefits to employees and retirees who are covered by one of the collective bargaining agreements between PGE and the union. By action of the Board of Trustees that administers the trust, the trust engaged Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, a subsidiary of Cambia, to provide health products and services. The Board also considered whether there were charitable contributions tonot-for-profit organizations for which a director or an immediate family member of a director serves as a board member or executive officer. In addition, the board considered that in the ordinary course of our business we provide electricity to some directors and entities with which they are affiliated on the same terms and conditions as provided to other customers of the Company.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that the following directors nominated for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are independent under the NYSE listing standards and our Director Independence Standards: John Ballantine, Rodney Brown, Jack Davis, Kirby Dyess, Mark Ganz, Marie Oh Huber, Kathryn Jackson, Michael Millegan, Neil Nelson, Lee Pelton and Charles Shivery. The Board determined that Maria Pope is not independent in light of her service as the Company’s President and CEO.
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTORS
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require eachnon-employee director to own shares of PGE common stock with a value equal to at least five times the value of the annual base cash retainer fee fornon-employee directors.Non-employee directors must meet this requirement within five years following the first meeting at which they are elected. All of our directors either meet the stock ownership requirement or are on track to do so by the applicable target date. Our stock ownership policy for executive officers is described on page 47 of this Proxy Statement.
DIRECTOR RESIGNATION POLICY
The Company has adopted a director resignation policy, which is contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Under the policy, any director nominee who fails to receive a majority vote in an uncontested election is expected to tender a resignation within five days following the certification of election results. The Governance Committee will consider the offer of resignation and, within 45 days following the date of the election of directors, recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the offer of resignation. The
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committee will base its decision on factors the committee deems relevant, including the stated reason or reasons why shareholders voted against the director’s reelection and whether the director’s resignation from the Board would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board will act on the committee’s recommendation within 90 days after the date of the shareholders’ meeting at which the election of directors occurred. A director who is required to tender a resignation may not participate in the deliberations or decision regarding the offer of resignation. Within four business days after the Board’s decision with respect to an offer of resignation, the Company will publicly disclose the Board’s decision and, if applicable, reasons for rejecting the offer of resignation, in a Form8-K filed with the SEC.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Our Board recognizes that transactions between the Company and certain individuals and entities, including the Company’s directors and officers, may raise questions as to whether those transactions are consistent with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board has adopted a written Related Person Transactions Policy, which addresses the Company’s policies regarding the review, approval, or ratification of certain transactions between the Company and certain “related persons,” including our directors, executive officers, director nominees, and owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities. Under the policy, transactions between the Company and a related person involving more than $120,000 in which the related person has a direct or indirect material interest are not permitted unless the Governance Committee determines that the transaction is not inconsistent with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Before entering into such a transaction with the Company, the related person or the business unit leader responsible for the potential transaction is required to provide notice to the General Counsel of the facts and circumstances of the proposed transaction. Certain types of transactions—including executive and director compensation that is required to be disclosed under SEC disclosure rules and the provision of tariff-based utility service—are exempt from the policy.
Our Related Person Transactions Policy supplements and does not supersede other policies that apply to transactions with related persons, such as our Code of Business Ethics and Conduct. Under our Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, our directors, officers, and employees must report any violation of the code or any situation or matters that may be considered to be unethical or a conflict of interest. Any potential conflict of interest under the code involving a director, an executive officer, or our Controller is reviewed by the Audit Committee. Only the Audit Committee may waive such a conflict, which will be promptly disclosed to our shareholders as required by law.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board and the Audit Committee have approved a process for handling communications to the Board and its committees. Shareholders and other interested parties may submit written communications to the Board (including the Chair), a Board committee, or thenon-management directors as a group. Communications may include the reporting of concerns related to governance, corporate conduct, business ethics, financial practices, legal issues and accounting or audit matters. Communications should be in writing and addressed to the Board, or any individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title, and should be sent in care of:
Portland General Electric Company
Attention: Corporate Secretary
121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301
Portland, Oregon 97204
All appropriate communications received from shareholders and other interested parties will be forwarded to the Board, or the specified director, board committee or group of directors, as appropriate.
A full description of our process for handling communications with the Board is published on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governance and is available in print to shareholders, without charge, upon request to Portland General Electric Company at its principal executive offices at 121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The compensation of ournon-management directors is determined by the Board of Directors upon a recommendation from the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, which reviews our director compensation program annually, considering factors such as workload and market data. The Company does not pay its management directors for Board service in addition to their regular employee compensation.
The Company offersnon-management directors both cash and equity compensation. Cash compensation is provided in the form of annual cash retainers for Board and committee service. Equity is provided in the form of an annual grant of restricted stock units with time-based vesting conditions (RSUs). The Company’s 2019 compensation arrangements, which have not been modified for 2020, are described below.
Annual Cash and Equity Compensation | Amount | |||
Annual Cash Retainer for Board Service | 50,000 | |||
Annual Cash Retainer for Board Chair | 100,000 | |||
Annual Cash Retainer for Audit Committee Chair | 15,000 | |||
Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Other Standing Committee Chairs | 12,500 | |||
Annual Cash Retainer for Committee Service (per committee) | 18,000 | |||
Grant-Date Value of Annual RSU Award | 110,000 |
CASH COMPENSATION
Directors’ cash retainers for Board and committee service are paid quarterly in arrears. We also reimburse certain expenses related to their Board service, including expenses related to attendance at Board and committee meetings.
RSU AWARDS
Under our current equity compensation arrangements, eachnon-management director receives an annual grant of a number of RSUs determined by dividing $110,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, rounding to the nearest whole share. These grants are typically made on or around the date of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Directors who join the Board during the year are awarded a pro rata portion of the annual award, based on the number of calendar quarters during which the director served on the Board that year.
Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock at a future date. Provided that the director continues to serve on the Board, all of the RSUs will vest on March 31 of the following year. If a director terminates his or her Board service before the normal vesting date for any reason other than for cause, a pro rata portion of the director’s RSUs will vest based on the percentage of the period from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020 that the director served on the Board. In addition, if the director experiences a termination effective upon consummation of a change in control of the Company, or experiences a termination following a change in control for any reason other than for cause or resignation, then any RSUs that have not previously vested will immediately vest in full.
Eachnon-management director is also granted one dividend equivalent right with respect to each RSU he or she is awarded. Each dividend equivalent right represents the right to receive an amount equal to the dividends that are paid on one share of common stock and that have a record date between the grant date and vesting date of the related RSU. The amount payable with respect to a dividend under a dividend equivalent right is paid in a number of shares of common stock determined by using the NYSE closing price of the Company’s common stock as of the payment date for such dividend (or in a case where the final vesting date of the related RSU falls between a dividend record date and the related payment date, the NYSE closing price of the Company’s common stock the last preceding trading day before the RSU vesting date). Dividend equivalent rights vest and become payable on the same terms as the related RSUs.
Awards of RSUs and dividend equivalent rights are made pursuant to the terms of the Portland General Electric Company Stock Incentive Plan and are subject to the terms and conditions of the plan and agreements between the Company and each director.
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DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
Directors first appointed or elected to the Board before April 23, 2019 are eligible to participate in the Company’s 2006 Outside Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. The plan allows participants to defer the payment of Board retainers as well as any other form of cash compensation they may receive from the Company. Deferral elections must be made no later than December 15 of the taxable year preceding the year in which the compensation is earned. Deferrals accumulate in an account that earns interest at a rate that isone-half a percentage point higher than the Moody’s Average Corporate Bond rate. Directors may elect to receive payments under the plan in a lump sum or in monthly installments for a period of up to 180 months.
2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below shows the compensation earned by each individual who served as a director during the year ended December 31, 2019 (excluding Ms. Pope, whose compensation is described in the Summary Compensation Table and related tables and disclosure beginning on page 48).
Name
| Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)
| Stock Awards
| All Other Compensation
| Total ($)
| ||||||
John Ballantine | 86,000 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 196,845 |
| ||||
Rodney Brown | 86,000 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 196,845 | |||||
Jack Davis | 161,750 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 272,595 | |||||
David Dietzler(4) | 43,000 | — | 889 |
| 43,889 | |||||
Kirby Dyess | 98,188 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 209,033 | |||||
Mark Ganz | 86,000 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 196,845 | |||||
Marie Oh Huber | 64,500 | 109,992 | — |
| 174,492 | |||||
Kathryn Jackson | 86,000 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 196,845 | |||||
Michael Millegan(5) | 86,000 | 134,939 | 198 |
| 221,137 | |||||
Neil Nelson | 101,000 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 211,845 | |||||
Lee Pelton | 97,250 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 208,095 | |||||
Charles Shivery | 97,250 | 109,956 | 889 |
| 208,095 |
(1) | Amounts in this column include all fees earned for Board and committee service, regardless of whether such amounts were deferred under the Company’s 2006 Outside Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(2) | Amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSU awards made in 2019, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, without taking into account estimated forfeitures, based on the NYSE closing price of our common stock on the grant date. As of December 31, 2019, eachnon-employee director other than Mr. Dietzler and Ms. Huber held 2,148 outstanding RSUs. Mr. Dietzler’s RSUs vested effective with his retirement from the Board on April 24, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, Ms. Huber held 2,082 outstanding RSUs. |
(3) | This column represents amounts earned in respect of dividend equivalent rights under RSU awards that vested in 2019. The value of the dividend equivalent rights was not reflected in the Stock Awards column for the year in which the related RSUs were awarded. No amount is shown for Ms. Huber in this column as none of the RSUs or related dividend equivalent rights granted to her after she joined the Board in 2019 had vested as of December 31, 2019. |
(4) | Mr. Dieztler served as a director until his retirement from the Board on April 24, 2019. |
(5) | Mr. Millegan joined the Board on January 1, 2019. He received an award of RSUs with a grant date value of $24,983 with respect to his service during the first quarter of 2019, in addition to the annual grant of RSUs made to thenon-management directors in April 2019 in respect of their service for the period from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020. |
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Under our bylaws, the Board of Directors has authority to determine the number of directors and to fill vacancies on the Board. Our Board currently has 12 members and there are no current vacancies on the Board.
Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Election by a majority means that a director nominee is elected if the number of votes cast “FOR” a director nominee exceeds the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that director nominee. A shareholder can vote to “ABSTAIN,” but that vote will not have any effect in determining the election results. In an uncontested election, a director who does not receive a majority of “FOR” votes cast must submit a letter of resignation to the Board. See page 15 for more information about our director independence policy.
On the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has nominated all 12 of our current directors for election at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Ms. Huber was first appointed as a director by the Board effective May 24, 2019. All of our other directors were elected at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If elected, each of the 12 nominees would hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor has been duly elected, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or retirement.
Each of the Board’s nominees has expressed a willingness to serve if elected. If a nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve as a director, the Board may propose another person in place of that nominee, and the individuals designated as your proxies will vote to appoint that proposed person. Alternatively, the Board may decide to reduce the number of directors constituting the full Board.
In the following pages we provide biographical information about each of our nominees, which highlights the particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills possessed by each director nominee that led the Board to determine that he or she should serve as a director. All director nominee biographical information is as of March 12, 2020.
We believe our slate of nominees brings to our Board a diverse range of skills, attributes and experience needed to provide effective oversight of the Company. As indicated in the following biographies, our nominees have held senior leadership roles at public companies or other large organizations and have extensive experience in a variety of fields, including utility operations and regulation, technology, health care, academia, finance and accounting, corporate governance, law, public policy, and consulting. All of our nominees have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards.
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The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the following nominees. |
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
JOHN W. BALLANTINE AGE: 74 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2004 COMMITTEES: Compensation and Human Resources, Finance |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Ballantine has been an active, self-employed private investor since 1998, when he retired from First Chicago NBD Corporation, where he had most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Management Officer. During his28-year career with First Chicago, Mr. Ballantine was responsible for international banking operations, New York operations, Latin American banking, corporate planning, U.S. financial institutions business, and a variety of trust operations. Mr. Ballantine also currently serves as a director of DWS Funds, where he is Vice Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. He is a past director of other public companies, including Healthways Inc., where he served as board chair from May 2011 to June 2014.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Ballantine’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his extensive experience in finance and risk management, his experience in various executive and leadership roles for First Chicago NBD Corporation, as well as his experience on the boards of other companies. Mr. Ballantine’s expertise in finance and risk management is of great value to the Board, given our significant capital programs and focus on enterprise risk management.
RODNEY L. BROWN, JR. AGE: 64 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2007 COMMITTEES: Compensation and Human Resources, Finance |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Brown is a founding partner of Cascadia Law Group PLLC, a Seattle, Washington law firm that specializes in environmental law in the Pacific Northwest. He is the principal author of Washington’s Superfund law, the Model Toxics Control Act, and has worked for years to reform and improve the environmental regulatory system. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Brown was a Managing Partner at the Seattle office of Morrison & Foerster, LLP, a large international law firm. Mr. Brown serves on severalnon-profit boards, including the Bulitt Foundation and the Sightline Institute.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Brown’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience as an environmental lawyer, his extensive knowledge of environmental laws and regulations, his knowledge of government and public affairs, and his experience as a management consultant for organizations handling large infrastructure projects and projects with challenging environmental issues.
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ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
JACK E. DAVIS AGE: 73 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2012 COMMITTEES: Nominating and Corporate Governance |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Davis served as Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Arizona’s largest electricity provider, from September 2002 until his retirement in March 2008, and as President of APS from October 1998 to October 2007. During his 35 years at APS, Mr. Davis held executive and management positions in various areas of the company, including commercial operations, generation and transmission, customer service, and power operations. Mr. Davis also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (”Pinnacle West”), the parent company of APS, from September 2003 to March 2008. He served as a director of APS from October 1998 to May 2008, and a director of Pinnacle West from January 2001 to March 2008. Mr. Davis has also served on the boards of the Edison Electric Institute and the National Electric Reliability Council, and as Chair of the Western Systems Coordinating Council.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Davis’ qualifications to serve on our Board include hisin-depth knowledge of the utility industry, including utility regulation, line and generation operations, and safety and environmental matters, his extensive leadership experience gained in senior executive positions at APS and Pinnacle West, and his knowledge and experience from serving on other public company boards.
KIRBY A. DYESS AGE: 73 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2009 COMMITTEES: Compensation and Human Resources (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance |
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Dyessis a principal in Austin Capital Management LLC, where she evaluates, invests in, and assists early stage companies in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to forming Austin Capital Management LLC in 2003, Ms. Dyess spent 23 years in various executive and management positions at Intel Corporation, most recently serving as Corporate Vice President of Intel Corporation from 1993 to 2002. Her positions at Intel included Vice President and Director of Intel Capital Operations from June 2001 to December 2002, Vice President and Director of Strategic Acquisitions/New Business Development from November 1996 to June 2001, and Vice President and Director of Worldwide Human Resources from January 1993 to November 1996. She currently chairs the board of Prolifiq Software and recently chaired the Oregon Community Foundation board. She has previously served on the boards of directors of Itron, Inc., Compli, Menasha Corporation, Merix Corporation, and Viasystems Group, Inc. and has served on several statewide higher education boards.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ms. Dyess’ qualifications to serve on our Board include the experience she acquired during her career at Intel Corporation and work with early stage companies in the areas of risk management, human resources, operations, government relations, mergers and acquisitions, sales and marketing, information technology, and the initiation ofstart-up businesses, and her extensive experience serving on boards of other companies.
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MARK B. GANZ AGE: 59 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2006 COMMITTEES: Audit, Compensation and Human Resources |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Ganzhas served since 2003 as President and since 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambia Health Solutions, Inc. (“Cambia”), a parent corporation of 22 companies offering products and services across the U.S. in the health care sector. Mr. Ganz has held various positions with Cambia, including chief legal officer, corporate secretary, and chief compliance officer. Mr. Ganz is a member of the boards of directors of Cambia; Echo Health Ventures, a joint venture between Cambia and BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina; the Oregon Business Council; Greater Portland Inc, a regional economic development corporation; Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; America’s Health Insurance Plans (where he previously served as board chair); the Western Conference of Prepaid Health Plans; and the University of Portland Board of Regents.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Ganz’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience overseeing multiple companies within a large diversified corporate group, his knowledge of health care as a regulated industry, his experience in various executive roles, his 29 years of experience in the practice of corporate and regulatory law, and his expertise in executive compensation and compensation structures, corporate governance, and ethics and compliance programs.
MARIE OH HUBER AGE: 58 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2019 COMMITTEES: Compensation and Human Resources, Finance |
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Huber has over 25 years of experience as a business, legal and public policy leader in global, public Fortune 500 technology, internet,e-commerce and life sciences companies. She currently serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for eBay Inc., where she oversees the company’s global legal, government relations and public policy departments. Prior to joining eBay, she served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Agilent Technologies, a solution provider for the life sciences, chemical analysis, and diagnostic and clinical markets. Ms. Huber also currently serves on the boards of James Campbell Company LLC and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ms. Huber’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her 25 years of strategic business and legal experience in global Fortune 500 companies. She has an extensive track record as a business leader and advising boards of directors and executive leadership on global strategy, M&A transactions, customer strategy, corporate governance, legal and compliance, intellectual property, and operational matters.
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ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
KATHRYN J. JACKSON, PH.D. AGE: 62 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2014 COMMITTEES: Compensation and Human Resources, Finance |
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Jackson has served since January 2016 as the Director of Energy and Technology Consulting at KeySource, Inc., where she provides consulting services to clients in business growth, technology development and energy services. Dr. Jackson previously served as Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President at RTI International Metals, Inc. from June 2014 to July 2015; as the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Research & Technology at Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC from 2009 to 2014; and as the Vice President of Strategy, Research & Technology from 2008 to 2009. Prior to joining Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC, Dr. Jackson worked for 17 years at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she held various executive positions. She is a current director of Cameco Corporation and EQT Corporation and has previously served as a director of Hydro One Inc., Rice Energy, Inc., and the Independent System Operator of New England. She also serves on advisory boards at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Dr. Jackson’s qualifications to serve on our board include her background in engineering, her experience in senior executive roles and as a member and chair of the board of the Independent System Operator of New England, and her knowledge and experience in the areas of technology, large capital projects, contracts and vendor negotiations, generation facilities and energy trading operations, research and development on utility assets and systems, and environmental health and safety.
MICHAEL H. MILLEGAN AGE: 61 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2019 COMMITTEES: Audit, Finance |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Millegan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Millegan AdvisoryGroup-3, where he advises early-stage companies on strategy that drives technology innovation and shareholder value. Previously, he held a variety of executive leadership and management positions within Verizon, where he led large-scale and large-scope business units. As president of Verizon Global Wholesale Group, he was responsible for $11 billion in sales revenue, 13,000 employees and $1 billion in annual capital spending. He is a director of Wireless Technology Group and a strategic advisor and investor in Windpact, Inc. and Vettd, Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Millegan’s qualifications to serve on our board include his experience overseeing significant business units within a large corporate group, his experience in various executive and management roles, and his background in operations in a regulated industry, global sales and marketing, digital media platforms, network infrastructure deployment, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and supply chain management and operations.
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2020 | ||||
NEIL J. NELSON AGE: 61 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2006 COMMITTEES: Audit (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Nelsonhas served as President of Siltronic Corporation, a global leader in the market for hyperpure silicon wafers and a partner to manytop-tier chip manufacturers, since July 2003. He previously served as Vice President of Operations of Siltronic from 2000 to 2003. Mr. Nelson is a member of the board of directors of Siltronic Corporation. Mr. Nelson has also served as Chair and Vice Chair of Oregon Business and Industry (formerly Associated Oregon Industries).
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Nelson’s qualifications to serve on our board include his experience in overseeing company-wide and divisional operations for Siltronic Corporation and divisional operations for Mitsubishi Silicon America, his experience in overseeing manufacturing operations at the department, division and company-wide levels, his experience in risk oversight and environmental issues, his experience overseeing safety systems and the financial reporting process for Siltronic Corporation, and his experience in developing and overseeing compensation programs.
M. LEE PELTON, PH.D. AGE: 69 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2006 COMMITTEES: Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair) |
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Peltonhas served as President of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts since July 2011. Prior to joining Emerson College, Dr. Pelton served as President of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon from July 1999 to July 2011, and as Dean of Dartmouth College from 1991 until 1998. Prior to 1991, he held faculty and administrative posts at Colgate University and Harvard University. Dr. Pelton is a past director of PLATO Learning, Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Dr. Pelton’s qualifications to serve on our board include his experience in leadership positions at several universities, his connections to the academic community, his knowledge in the area of university relations and collaborations, his experience serving on boards of other companies, and the unique perspective he brings to various issues considered by the board as a result of his academic background and accomplishments.
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ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
MARIA M. POPE AGE: 55 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2018 COMMITTEES: None |
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Pope is President and Chief Executive Officer of Portland General Electric Company. She was appointed President on October 1, 2017 and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2018. She previously served from March 2013 to October 2017 as Senior Vice President of Power Supply, Operations and Resource Strategy, overseeing PGE’s generation plants, energy supply portfolio, and long-term resource strategy. Ms. Pope joined PGE in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. She served on PGE’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008. Prior to joining PGE, she served as Chief Financial Officer for Mentor Graphics Corporation and held senior operating and finance positions within the forest products and consumer products industries. She began her career in banking with Morgan Stanley. Ms. Pope also currently serves on the board of directors of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and Pope Resources, LP, which announced its merger with Rayonier Inc. in January 2020. Ms. Pope is also a director of the Electric Power Research Institute, the Oregon Business Council, the Oregon Global Warming Commission, and the Federal Reserve of San Francisco, Portland, Oregon branch. She is a past director of TimberWest Forest Corp., Premera Blue Cross, the Oregon Health Science University governing board, the Oregon Symphony and the Council of Forest Industries.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ms. Pope’s qualifications to serve on our board include her current role as President and Chief Executive Officer, her extensive knowledge of the company and the utility industry, her diverse leadership experience in business and financial roles, and her corporate and civic board experience.
CHARLES W. SHIVERY AGE: 74 DIRECTOR SINCE: 2014 COMMITTEES: Finance (Chair), Audit |
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Shivery served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Utilities, New England’s largest utility system, from March 2004 until his retirement in April 2012 following the completion of the merger between Northeast Utilities and NSTAR. Following his retirement, he served as chairman of the board of Northeast Utilities from April 2012 to October 2013, and as a member of the board from October 2013 to May 2014. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Shivery also served as chairman of the boards of several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Northeast Utilities, including The Connecticut Light and Power Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, and Yankee Gas Services Company. Prior to joining Northeast Utilities in 2002, Mr. Shivery worked for 29 years at Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, where he served in various executive positions, includingCo-President of Constellation Energy Group. From July 2009 to April 2018, Mr. Shivery served as a director of Webster Financial Corporation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Mr. Shivery’s qualifications to serve on our board include his extensive knowledge of utility finance and operations, including safety and environmental programs, based on his nearly 40 years of experience in the utility industry, and his senior management level experience in capital, financial and credit markets throughout his career at Constellation Energy and Northeast Utilities.
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Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report
The Compensation and Human Resources Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis and has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Kirby Dyess (Chair)
John Ballantine
Rodney Brown
Mark Ganz
Marie Oh Huber
Kathryn Jackson
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we discuss our executive compensation program and summarize the principal elements of the compensation awarded to our executives for 2019. The discussion is focused on the compensation of the following “named executive officers” for 2019:
2019 Named Executive Officers | ||||||
Maria | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
James Lobdell | Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||||
Lisa Kaner | Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer | |||||
John McFarland | Vice President, Customer Solutions and Chief Customer Officer | |||||
John Kochavatr | Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer |
Table of Contents |
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COMPENSATION GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The goals of our executive compensation program are to attract and retain highly qualified executives and to provide them with incentives to advance the interests of our stakeholders: our shareholders, our customers, our employees and the communities we serve. To accomplish these goals, we adhere to the following principles:
Reasonable, Competitive Pay
To attract and retain talented leaders, executive pay must be market-competitive.
The competitiveness of our executive pay should be measured relative to the 50th percentile of a group of companies that reflects the market for executive talent in which we compete.
In addition to market comparisons, other considerations, including Company performance, individual performance, and pay equity, should play a role in executive compensation decisions.
Performance-Based Pay, Aligned With our Stakeholders’ Interests
A significant portion of our executives’ pay should be “at risk” and based on Company performance relative to financial, operational and strategic goals that advance the interests of our stakeholders.
To ensure alignment with our shareholders, incentive compensation should emphasize equity-based awards.
Balanced, Risk-Calibrated Pay
Incentive awards should align executive pay with performance over both the short term and the long term.
Compensation programs should be designed to ensure that they do not incentivize imprudent risk-taking.
HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR COMPENSATION PRACTICES
We have adopted practices and policies that align with the guiding principles of our compensation program.
What we do
Significant pay at risk. In 2019, awards with no guaranteed payouts constituted 43% to 64% of our named executive officers’ target direct compensation (base salary plus annual cash incentive award and equity awards). | ||
Balanced mix of incentive awards, aligned with our strategy. Payouts under our incentive awards are based on a balanced mix of short-term and long-term Company performance relative to operational, financial and strategic goals. | ||
Reasonable stock award program. Our three-year average burn rate (the total number of equity award shares granted over a three-year period divided by the weighted average of the shares outstanding) was 0.23% for 2017 through 2019. | ||
Meaningful stock ownership guidelines. Our stock ownership guidelines are three times base salary for our CEO and one times base salary for our other executive officers. | ||
Clawback of incentive pay. The Company is authorized to seek reimbursement of an executive officer’s incentive compensation if the officer engages in misconduct that leads to a material restatement of our financial results or causes significant reputational or financial harm to the Company. | ||
Double-trigger change in control protections. Following a change in control, our executives are entitled to accelerated vesting of long-term incentive awards and enhanced cash severance payments only if their employment is terminated within two years of the change in control. | ||
Reasonable use of compensation market data. We evaluate our executive pay by reference to the median of a group of comparable companies that reflect the market for executive talent in which we compete. | ||
Reasonable severance arrangements. The maximum amount payable under our severance plan is one year’s base salary absent a change in control, and one year’s base salary plus the target value of the executive’s annual cash incentive award in the case of a termination following a change in control. |
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
What we don’t do
No hedging or pledging of Company stock.Our insider trading policy prohibits directors, officers, and employees from entering into hedging or pledging transactions or short sales of Company stock. | ||
No SERP benefits for current executives. None of the Company’s current executives participates in a supplemental executive retirement program. | ||
No guaranteed taxgross-ups.We have no arrangements that entitle our executives to taxgross-ups. | ||
No fixed term employment agreements with executives.We employ all of our executives at will. | ||
No dividends or dividend equivalents earned on unvested shares. Our long-term incentive awards provide dividend equivalent rights only on shares that vest. | ||
No excessive perquisites.We do not provide our executives with significant perquisites. |
2019 COMPANY PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
In 2019 we delivered solid financial results and strong operating performance, while executing on our long-term strategy.
Solid Financial Results
Our net income for 2019 was $214 million, resulting in earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $2.39. Return on equity (ROE) was 8.39%, or 88.32% of allowed ROE.
Strong Operating Performance
For the 13th year in a row, our residential customer satisfaction rankings were in the top quartile among large electric utilities in the Western region, according to a J.D. Power study.
We maintained a reliable power supply, demonstrating the value of our diverse generating portfolio and participation in the Western Energy Imbalance market.
We operated our generation plants effectively, achieving an average generation plant availability of over 92% for the year.
We made significant improvements to the reliability of our transmission and distribution system.
Through our continued focus on safety, we achieved a 21% decrease in workplace injuries for 2019.
Significant Progress on Strategic Priorities
We filed our 2019 Integrated Resource Plan with the OPUC, which outlines our plans for meeting the future needs of our customers while accelerating our reduction of carbon emissions. The plan calls for, among other things:
150 average megawatts of additional renewable resources by 2023, and
157 average megawatts of additional cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
We launched our Green Future Impact Program, which enables municipalities and large commercial and industrial customers to source 100% of their energy from new wind or solar energy facilities. Within minutes of the program’s launch, our customers committed to purchasing160-megawatts of renewable energy.
We began construction on the Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility in Eastern Oregon in collaboration with NextEra Energy Resources. Wheatridge will combine 300 megawatts of wind generation, 50 megawatts of solar generation and 30 megawatts of battery storage, the first project in North America to integrate these three technologies on this scale.
We broke ground on a new Integrated Operations Center that will centralize critical operations and functions in a facility designed for enhanced resilience against seismic, cyber, and physical security risks.
We launched our Smart Grid Test Bed, afirst-of-its-kind project that will integrate smart grid technology on an unprecedented scale in the United States. The program will enable more than 20,000 customers to take advantage of special demand-response signals and incentives for using smart-home technologies.
We filed our Transportation Electrification Plan, which outlines the Company’s current and future activities in support of transportation electrification in our region, a critical component of Oregon’s plans to meet its carbon reduction goals. We also developed business plans for new transportation electrification programs, launched six new Electric Avenue charging locations, and collaborated with local transit authority, TriMet, for the launch of its 100% wind-powered electric bus line.
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2019 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DECISIONS
Our executive compensation decisions for 2019 reflect the guiding principles of our compensation program.
2019 CEO Pay Opportunity and Payouts
Base Salary | Annual Cash Incentive Award | Long-Term Incentive Awards | ||||||||
Our CEO’s 2018 base salary was below the 50th percentile, consistent with her recent transition to CEO. Based on solid Company performance and outstanding individual contributions in 2018, her 2019 base pay was increased to the competitive reference point (50th percentile of the utility comparison group). | Our CEO’s 2019 ACI target award opportunity aligned with market median. Her actual ACI award payout reflects below target financial performance, offset by strong operational performance and significant progress on strategic priorities. | Our CEO’s 2019 LTI award opportunity was increased to align with the market median, consistent with her strong individual performance in 2018. The payout under her 2017 LTI award reflects close to target level performance on our ROE goal and below target performance on our relative TSR goal. The 2017 LTI award covers the performance period from 2017 through 2019. | ||||||||
ò | ò | ò | ||||||||
13% base salary increase | 1x base salary award opportunity (no change) 104% payout on 2019 ACI Award | 2.5x base salary award opportunity (increased from 2x base salary to align with market median) 89% payout on 2017 LTI Award |
Our CEO’s target total direct compensation* in 2019 is shown below:
*Assumes target level performance under the incentive awards.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Incentive Award Program Redesign
In 2019, the Compensation Committee conducted a comprehensive review of PGE’s executive incentive award compensation programs to ensure that they:
Align with our strategic direction;
Effectively support the Company’s culture and efforts related to executive talent attraction, retention and motivation;
Are in line with our own compensation guiding principles and market best practices; and
Can be well understood by executives and other participants in the programs.
Our review led to significant enhancements to our ACI and LTI Programs.
Enhancements to the ACI Program
We added new metrics to our ACI Program that are tied to three of our key Strategic Imperatives: Customer Retention and Growth, Integrated Grid Initiative, and Environmental Leadership. Twenty percent of our executives’ 2019 ACI awards were measured by progress on goals that must be achieved to execute on our long-term strategy. See page 34 for details.
Enhancements to the LTI Program
This year we awarded restricted stock units with time-based vesting conditions (RSUs), as well as restricted stock units with performance-based vesting conditions (PSUs), which we have traditionally included as a part of our LTI Award Program: of our executives’ total LTI award opportunity for 2019, 75% were PSUs and 25% were RSUs. To offset the impact of this change on our executives’ maximum LTI award opportunity, we increased the maximum payout under our PSU awards from 175% to 200%. These changes enhance the balance, effectiveness and competitiveness of our executive pay.
For our 2019 PSU awards, we added a new Power Supply Decarbonization metric to incentivize progress toward our strategic decarbonization goal. We also added EPS growth as a third core metric. Each core PSU metric—decarbonization, EPS growth and actual ROE as a percentage of allowed ROE—carries aone-third weighting.
We redesigned our PSU awards so that our relative TSR performance serves as an award modifier. TheTSR-modifier feature ensures that PSU payouts—while first driven by the three core metrics—are appropriately modified in support of our shareholders’ interests.
See pages33-41 for additional details about these programs.
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OVERVIEW OF COMPENSATION ELEMENTS
Our executive compensation program is made up of the principal elements summarized below. Each element is designed to achieve the objectives of our executive compensation program, consistent with our compensation guiding principles. In addition to these standard elements, we occasionally makeone-time awards of compensation, typically in the case of new hires or promotions or to ensure the market-competitiveness of an executive’s compensation. Each of these compensation elements is discussed in greater detail in the pages that follow.
Compensation Element | Form | Performance Metrics | Purpose | |||
Base Salaries | Cash | n/a | Provide a market-competitive level of fixed income that reflects each officer’s experience, skills and performance | |||
Annual Cash Incentive Awards | Cash | 50% EPS 30% Operations: – Customer Satisfaction – Generation Plant Availability – Electric Service Power Quality 20% Strategic Imperatives: – Customer Retention and Growth – Integrated Grid Initiative – Environmental Leadership | Incentivize the achievement of relatively short-term financial, operating and strategic goals | |||
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards | 75% PSUs | ROE/Allowed ROE EPS Growth Energy Supply Decarbonization TSR (used as a multiplier) | Align executives’ interests with the long-term interests of the Company and its stakeholders | |||
25% RSUs | n/a | Align executives’ interests with shareholders’ interest in stock price appreciation | ||||
Benefits | Retirement, | n/a | Provide a competitive benefits package that promotes retention and contributes to financial security and personal well-being |
The independent members of our Board approved our CEO’s 2019 base salary after receiving a recommendation from the Compensation Committee. This determination was based on a comprehensive review of Ms. Pope’s performance for 2018 as well as competitive market data.
The Compensation Committee considered the recommendations of our CEO and market data before setting the 2019 salaries of our other executive officers. Our CEO’s recommendations were based on a variety of considerations, including market competitiveness, individual performance and qualifications, internal pay equity and retention risk.
The table below shows the base salaries of our named executive officers for 2018 and 2019.
2018 Salary(1) ($) | 2019 Salary(2) ($) | Annual Increase | |||||||||||||
Maria Pope | 750,000 | 850,000 | 13% | ||||||||||||
James Lobdell | 445,582 | 500,000 | 12% | ||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner | 367,500 | 380,000 | 3% | ||||||||||||
John McFarland | n/a | 300,000 | n/a | ||||||||||||
John Kochavatr | 330,000 | 340,000 | 3% |
(1) | Effective March 12, 2018, except in the case of Ms. Pope, whose base salary was effective on her promotion date of January 1, 2018. |
(2) | Effective March 11, 2019, except in the case of Mr. McFarland, whose base salary was effective on his hire date of April 19, 2019. |
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ANNUAL MEETINGCASH INCENTIVE AWARDS
OVERVIEW
PGE executives are eligible to earn annual cash incentive awards under our 2008 Master Annual Cash Incentive Plan (ACI Plan), based on the achievement of goals that are established each year by the Compensation Committee.
For 2019, we retained key quantitative financial and operating performance metrics from our 2018 ACI Program: EPS, Customer Satisfaction, Generation Plant Availability, Electric Service Power Quality, and Net Variable Power Cost Reduction. New for 2019, we introduced qualitative metrics directly tied to our strategy.
New Metrics Tied to Three of Our Strategic Imperatives Customer Retention and Growth: retaining existing customers, adding new customers and expanding the use of electricity Integrated Grid Initiative: building an integrated platform to ensure reliability and enable grid visibility, connectivity, and interoperability Environmental Leadership: expanding our renewable energy offerings and reducing our overall carbon footprint |
The formula for calculating awards under our 2019 ACI Program is shown below:
AWARD EARNED | = | TARGET AWARD | X | FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE % X 50% | + | OPERATING PERFORMANCE % X 30% | + | STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE PERFORMANCE % x 20% | ||||||||||||
Under the formula above, award payouts are determined by multiplying each officer’s target award by a “performance percentage” based on the achievement of financial, operating and strategic goals during the year.
Each of the performance percentages can range from 0% to 150%, with financial performance weighted 50%, operating performance weighted 30%, and progress on Strategic Imperatives weighted 20%. This results in a maximum ACI Award opportunity equal to 150% of the target award.
• | No payouts are earned under the program if the financial performance is less than 70% of target. |
The performance metrics for the awards were established in the fourth quarter of 2018 and reflect the Company’s financial and business plans for 2019.
Vesting of an award generally requires continued employment until the date that payment is made under the award, but if an officer’s employment is terminated before that date due to retirement, death, or disability, the officer is entitled to a portion of the award, prorated based on the number of days served during the award year.
2019 ACI PROGRAM TARGET AWARDS
Target awards for the named executive officers were established by multiplying their base salary paid in 2019 by an award multiple established by the Compensation Committee. The target awards of each of our named executive officers were close to the market median for their positions. (See page 44 for a discussion of how we evaluate the market-competitiveness of our executives’ compensation.)
Name | Target Award ($) | Target Award as % of Base Salary | ||||||||
Maria Pope | 826,923 | 100 | % | |||||||
James Lobdell | 292,465 | 60 | % | |||||||
Lisa Kaner | 188,558 | 50 | % | |||||||
John McFarland | 88,788 | 45 | % | |||||||
John Kochavatr | 168,846 | 50 | % |
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2019 ACI PROGRAM METRICS
The table below summarizes the performance metrics used for our named executive officers’ 2019 ACI Program awards.
Metric | Measurement | Why We Use this Metric | ||||
EPS | Measured by the Company’s net income for the year divided by average shares outstanding during the year. | EPS is a driver of shareholder value creation in the regulated utility industry. | ||||
Customer Satisfaction | Average of the Company’s residential, general business and key customer satisfaction scores on three independent utility industry surveys, where satisfaction is defined as a rating of 9 or higher on a10-point scale. These ratings are weighted by the annual revenue from each customer group that produces the annual rating. Customer satisfaction goals are updated annually based on projections of ratings required to achieve 50th, 65th and 90th percentile rankings of the companies included in the relevant surveys. | Customer satisfaction is a measure of our ability to run our business in a way that meets the needs of our customers. | ||||
Generation Plant Availability | Amount of time that a generating plant is able to produce electricity during the year (determined by subtracting from total hours in the period all maintenance outage hours, planned outage hours and forced outage hours), divided by the number of hours in the year. To set the maximum, target and threshold performance levels for this goal, we established individual plant goals, which were then weighted to produce overall performance targets. | Our ability to achieve our financial objectives and serve our customers depends in part on our generation plants’ delivery of reliable and affordable power. | ||||
Electric Service Power Quality | Measured by annual results for two industry-standard electric service reliability metrics: • SAIFI (outage frequency): the total number of customer outages over five minutes divided by total number of customers served • CAIDI (outage duration): SAIDI (defined as the sum of customer outage durations divided by total number of customers served) divided by SAIFI SAIFI was weighted 60% and CAIDI was weighted 40% to determine overall performance result. | Delivering reliable electric service is our Company’s core business. Outage frequency and outage duration are fundamental measures of service reliability that our customers care about. | ||||
Customer Retention and Growth | Measured by progress in the following areas: • Customer digital solutions • Brand strategyroll-out • Green energy offering | Our Company operates in an increasingly competitive business environment and we need to continue to earn the right to serve our customers. | ||||
Integrated Grid Initiative | Measured by progress in the following areas: • Field area network and SCADA across network • Advanced distribution management systems • Construction of Integrated Operating Center • Distribution automation • Energy storage projects • PGE Smart Grid Test Bed pilot project • Smart cities | Building an integrated grid promotes reliability and enables the visible and interoperable connection of customer technologies, a key component of our decarbonization and electrification strategies. | ||||
Environmental Leadership | Measured by progress in the following areas: • New renewable energy procurement • Transportation electrification plan | Making progress toward a clean energy future is an essential part of serving as a trusted energy partner for our customers and our region. |
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
2019 ACI PROGRAM GOAL WEIGHTINGS
The weightings assigned to the 2019 ACI Program goals for each of the named executive officers are shown below.
Maria Pope, James Lobdell, Lisa Kaner and John Kochavatr: | John McFarland: | |
2019 ACI PROGRAM PERFORMANCE RESULTS
In February 2020, our Compensation Committee met to review the performance results for the awards. The committee approved payouts under the 2019 ACI Award Program between 100% and 104% of target, based on the following results:
Financial Performance. Our 2019 EPS was $2.39, or 98% of target. This result yielded a financial performance percentage of 92%.
Operating Performance.Operating performance resulted in performance percentages between 115% and 128% for the named executive officers. Generation Plant Availability and Customer Satisfaction results were near maximum levels. Performance with respect to SAIFI exceeded the maximum goal, while performance relative to CAIDI improved relative to 2018, but was still below target.
Progress on Strategic Imperatives.After reviewing detailed summaries of progress made on the three Strategic Imperatives included in the 2019 ACI Program, the Compensation Committee determined that results were generally on target, while progress on our green energy offering, energy storage and new clean energy procurement goals were above target and progress on our brand enhancement and transportation electrification goals were slightly below target. Below are some of the highlights of our progress toward these goals:
Customer Retention and Growth
We saw solid growth of 0.9% in our customer base, including the return of a number of commercial customers that had previously elected to purchase electricity from another electricity supplier.
We enhanced our customer digital solutions and online platforms, significantly improving our ease of doing business ratings and successfully launching a new Peak Time Rebate Program, which rewards customers for reducing their energy use during periods of high energy demand.
We launched our FullCleanAhead media campaign to educate the general public about our innovative energy solutions.
We introduced our Green Future Impact Program, which allows municipalities and large industrial and commercial customers to source 100% of their energy needs from wind and solar facilities. Within minutes of the program’s launch it was fully subscribed, with our customers committing to the purchase of renewable energy equivalent to the output of a160-megawatt facility.
Integrated Grid Initiative
We obtained OPUC approval for our Smart Grid Test Bed and launched the program during the summer. The program has enrolled 14,500 customers in our demand response programs and enables more than 20,000 PGE customers to take advantage of demand-response signals and incentives for using smart-home technologies.
We completed the design and commenced construction on our new Integrated Operations Center, which will centralize some of our critical operations in a single secure, reliable and resilient facility.
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We began engineering and construction on our new Field Area Network, a wireless communications network that will connect field sensors and control devices throughout our system to the Integrated Operating Center.
We completed the design for a new automated distribution management system, which will comprise operational technology systems capable of monitoring and controlling all elements within our distribution system.
Environmental Leadership
Construction began on the Wheatridge Energy Facility, which combines wind, solar and battery energy on afirst-of-its-kind scale in North America.
We entered into a long-term agreement to purchase 160 megawatts of energy from a solar power facility in support of our Green Future Impact Program.
We began the development of a new transportation electrification business line and filed our new Transportation Electrification Plan with the OPUC. We also developed business plans for new transportation electrification programs, launched six new Electric Avenue charging locations, and collaborated with our local transit authority, TriMet, on the launch of its 100% wind-powered electric bus line, the first of its kind in the United States.
The table below shows the performance metrics and results for the 2019 ACI Program.
Performance Levels | ||||||||||||||||||||
Metrics | Threshold 50% Payout | Target 100% Payout | Maximum 150% Payout | Actual | Calculated Performance % | |||||||||||||||
Financial Goal | ||||||||||||||||||||
EPS* |
| $2.08 |
|
| $2.45 |
|
| $2.82 |
|
| $2.39 |
|
| 91.83% |
| |||||
Operating Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Generation Plant Availability |
| 87.00% |
|
| 89.87% |
|
| 91.31% |
|
| 92.03% |
|
| 150% |
| |||||
Customer Satisfaction |
| 50.70% |
|
| 57.70% |
|
| 63.70% |
|
| 59.22% |
|
| 112.67% |
| |||||
Electric Service Power Quality | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAIFI (weighted 60%) |
| 0.80 |
|
| 0.70 |
|
| 0.65 |
|
| 0.61 |
| 150% |
| ||||||
CAIDI (weighted 40%) |
| 170.00 |
|
| 150.00 |
|
| 127.00 |
|
| 160.11 |
| 74.73% |
| ||||||
Strategic Imperatives* | ||||||||||||||||||||
Customer Retention & Growth |
| “1” rating |
|
| “2” rating |
|
| “3” rating |
|
| 2 |
| 100% |
| ||||||
Integrated Grid Initiative |
| “1” rating |
|
| “2” rating |
|
| “3” rating |
|
| 2 |
| 100% |
| ||||||
Environmental Leadership |
| “1” rating |
|
| “2” rating |
|
| “3” rating |
|
| 2 |
| 100% |
|
*Based on a qualitative assessment of progress on the specific projects identified for each Strategic Imperative. Performance results for each project were rated by the Compensation Committee on a 0 to 3 scale. A minimum rating of “1” was required to earn a 20% payout for each Strategic Imperative, and a score of “3” yielded a payout of 150%. These results were averaged, with each project weighted equally, to yield an overall payout percentage for each Strategic Imperative.
In light of these performance results, the Compensation Committee approved ACI Award payouts for the named executive officers that were 100.44% and 104.17% of their target awards.
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARD PAYOUTS
Name | Financial Performance % | Operating Performance % | Strategic Imperative Performance % | Award ($) | Award (% of Target) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maria Pope |
| 91.83 | % |
| 127.52 | % |
| 100.00 | % |
| 863,406 |
| 104.17 | % | |||||||||||
James Lobdell |
| 91.83 | % |
| 127.52 | % |
| 100.00 | % |
| 304,661 |
| 104.17 | % | |||||||||||
Lisa Kaner |
| 91.83 | % |
| 127.52 | % |
| 100.00 | % |
| 196,421 |
| 104.17 | % | |||||||||||
John McFarland |
| 91.83 | % |
| 115.07 | % |
| 100.00 | % |
| 89,179 |
| 100.44 | % | |||||||||||
John Kochavatr |
| 91.83 | % |
| 127.52 | % |
| 100.00 | % |
| 175,887 |
| 104.17 | % |
36 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW
We grant equity-based long-term incentive (LTI) awards to our executives and other key employees pursuant to our Stock Incentive Plan.
In 2019 we continued our practice of granting restricted stock units with performance-based vesting conditions (PSUs). New for 2019, we allocated 25% of our officers’ total LTI award opportunities to restricted stock units with time-based vesting conditions (RSUs). We generally did not increase the total amount of our executives’ LTI opportunity as a multiple of base salary, although Ms. Pope’s and Ms. Kaner’s target LTI award opportunities were increased to align with the market median. The inclusion of RSUs in the total LTI award mix is consistent with the practice of nearly all of our peers, and therefore enhances the competitiveness and retention effectiveness of our compensation program.
Our 2019 LTI Award | Compensation Guiding Principle | PSUs | RSUs | |||
Retention | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Incentives to achieve specific Company objectives | ✓ | |||||
Alignment with shareholders | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Market-competitive pay | ✓ | ✓ |
CALCULATION OF SHAREHOLDERSTOTAL LTI AWARD OPPORTUNITY
The aggregate number of PSUs and RSUs we granted to our executive officers was the product of their 2019 base salary and an award multiple, divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date:
# of PSUs and RSUs Granted | = | 2019 Base Salary x Award Multiple Grant Date Closing Common Stock Price |
The table below shows the award multiples we used to calculate the awards for the named executive officers and the estimated value of the awards.
Name | Award Multiple | Target RSU ($) | Target PSU ($) | Total Target LTI Value* ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Maria Pope |
| 2.50 |
| 531,250 |
| 1,593,750 |
| 2,125,000 | ||||||||||||
James Lobdell |
| 1.20 |
| 150,000 |
| 450,000 |
| 600,000 | ||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner |
| 1.00 |
| 95,000 |
| 285,000 |
| 380,000 | ||||||||||||
John McFarland |
| 0.70 |
| 52,500 |
| 157,500 |
| 210,000 | ||||||||||||
John Kochavatr |
| 0.70 |
| 59,500 |
| 178,500 |
| 238,000 |
*Assumes that the Company will perform at target levels over the PSU performance period. Values are based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” on page 50 for additional details.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
37 |
2020 | ||||
2019 PSU AWARDS
Our 2019 PSU Award Program incorporates the following financial, strategic and market-based performance measures.
Metric | Measurement | Why We Use this Metric | ||
Return on Equity | The average of each of three consecutive years’ Accounting ROE as a percentage of Allowed ROE. • “Accounting ROE” is defined as annual net income, as shown on the Company’s income statement, divided by the average of the current year’s and prior year’s shareholders’ equity, as shown on the balance sheet. • “Allowed ROE” is the return on equity that the OPUC permits the Company to include in the rates it charges its customers. | Reflects how successful the Company is at generating a return on dollars invested by its shareholders. Because the Company’s return on its investment can fluctuate based on OPUC rate case orders, we believe the appropriate measure of our ability to generate earnings on shareholder investments is Accounting ROE as a percentage of Allowed ROE | ||
EPS Growth | 3-year average of the Company’s EPS growth rate, where EPS growth for a given fiscal year is defined as the percentage change in EPS over the previous fiscal year. | Provides a direct measure of the rate at which the Company has increased its profitability. EPS is a driver of shareholder value creation in the regulated electric utility industry. | ||
Energy Supply Decarbonization | Forecast total carbon emissions of available resources needed to serve the Company’s retail load, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent. The calculation is generally based on carbon emissions of available resources as reflected in the Company’s Annual Power Cost Update Tariff for Power Costs that we will file with the OPUC in 2020 (“2021 AUT”), except for specified items that will be based on forecast or normalized values. See page 39 for additional details. | Creates incentive to reduce carbon potential in the Company’s energy supply portfolio in support of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. | ||
Relative TSR | TSR over the3-year performance period relative to the TSR achieved by a comparison group of companies over the same period. • The comparison group consists of companies on the Edison Electric Institute regulated index on December 31, 2019, excluding those that have completed or announced a merger, acquisition, business combination, “going private” transaction or liquidation. Companies that are in bankruptcy will be assigned a negative one TSR. • TSR measures the change in a company’s stock price for a given period, plus its dividends (or other earnings paid to investors) over the same period, as a percentage of the stock price at the beginning of the period. • To calculate the value of stock at the beginning and end of the period, we use the average daily closing price for the20-trading day period ending on the measurement date. • Relative TSR is determined by ranking PGE and the comparison group companies from highest to lowest according to TSR. The percentile performance of PGE relative to the comparison group companies is determined based on this ranking. | TSR is a direct measure of value creation for shareholders. Use of relative rather than absolute TSR helps ensure that payouts reflect the Company’s relative performance rather than general market conditions. |
38 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OUR 2019 LTI PROGRAM DECARBONIZATION GOAL
We are committed to doing our part to achieve Oregon’s ambitious decarbonization goals, while meeting the needs of our customers for safe, reliable and affordable power. We recognize that in order to do this, it will be necessary to make significant changes to our energy supply portfolio. To drive progress toward our goal of a cleaner energy supply, for 2019 our Compensation Committee adopted a new decarbonization goal for all of our performance-based LTI awards.
Metric Overview—Energy Supply Decarbonization
Our new Energy Supply Decarbonization metric measures the carbon potential of our energy supply portfolio that is needed to serve our retail load. To measure the carbon potential of our portfolio, we rank all of our available resources according to their carbon emissions intensity, defined as total carbon dioxide emissions they produce per megawatt hour. Each resource is then assigned an “Available Energy” value, which is a measure of the amount of energy that a given resource can contribute to serve our customers. Using Available Energy values, we identify our energy supply resource “stack,” ranked from least carbon-intensive to most carbon-intensive. To measure our performance, we account for the potential emissions of the ranked resource stack, up to the level of our retail load.
As shown in the graph above, when we increase the amount ofnon-carbon-emitting resources in our portfolio mix, clean resources displace emitting resources and total carbon potential needed to serve a given retail load falls.
The formula for this calculation is described below:
[Portfolio Carbon Potential, MMTCO2e] = [Available Energy, MWh]Plant A x [Emissions Rate, tCO2/MWh]Plant A + [Available Energy, MWh]Plant B x [Emissions Rate, tCO2/MWh]Plant B + …
Where:
MWh = megawatt hours;
[Available Energy, MWh]Plant A + [Available Energy, MWh]Plant B + [Available Energy, MWh]Plant C + … = Total Forecasted Retail Load, MWh; and
[Emissions Rate, MMTCO2e /MWh]A£ [Emissions Rate, tCO2/MWh]B£ [Emissions Rate, tCO2/MWh]C£ ....
How We Set Our Performance Targets
We believe that the OPUC’s integrated resource planning (IRP) process is the right forum to establish energy supply goals that implement the climate policies of our state, while ensuring that our customers’ energy needs are met. For our 2019 PSU Award Program, the target level performance for our decarbonization metric is consistent with the Company’s forecast energy supply portfolio and load, as described in our 2016 IRP Update, which was acknowledgedby the OPUC in 2018.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
39 |
2020 | ||||
How We Measure Performance For Our Decarbonization Goal
Performance results for the awards will generally be based on retail load and Available Energy values as reflected in the 2021 AUT. However, in February 2020 we modified the awards to provide that results for certain items should be based instead on earlier forecasts or normalized values to ensure that payouts reflect actions management takes to increase our clean energy portfolio rather than factors beyond our control. These modifications are described in the table below:
Value | Measurement before Modification | Measurement After Modification | Rationale | |||
Retail load | Based on 2021 AUT | Based on forecast in 2016 IRP Update | Without this change, results under the awards could vary as a result of changes in customer growth in our service territory or the number of customers that choose to receive electricity service from us—with lower retail load being correlated with higher performance results. As we work to retain and grow our customer base, it is important that our LTI awards not reward outcomes that run counter to this strategic imperative. | |||
Available Energy from Qualifying Facility Power Purchase Agreements | Based on 2021 AUT | Based on forecast in 2016 IRP Update | We are required by law to enter into these agreements and we believe that results under awards should not be a function of new agreements that we enter into during the performance period or the failure of counterparties to existing agreements to comply with their contractual commitments. | |||
Available Energy from Wells Hydro Contract | Based on 2021 AUT | Available Energy from this contract will be adjusted to offset reduction in Available Energy resulting from the counterparty’s right to reduce the Company’s share of energy from the facility | We believe that results under the awards should not be a function of discretion exercised by a counterparty and should instead to the extent practicable be based on factors that are within management’s control. | |||
Available Energy from Wind Resources | Assumed wind capacity factors based on 2021 AUT | Assumed wind capacity factors based on 2016 IRP Update | This modification likewise helps ensure that awards are not inappropriately based on factors outside of management’s control. |
We believe that all of these modifications help ensure that the 2019 PSU awards will operate as originally intended—to incentivize management to add significantly to our clean energy portfolio—without rewarding, or penalizing, results that are not related to management’s actions in furtherance of this goal. Because of the substantial time remaining in the performance period and because achieving performance resulting in a payout under the modified award metric is by no means certain, we believe that the metric continues to represent a meaningful incentive to guide our management’s energy resource planning decisions. Notably, target performance levels were not modified. Our experience with the awards since their time of grant has taught us valuable lessons about how to most effectively measure progress toward our decarbonization goal. For 2020, we have introduced a more streamlined decarbonization metric, which measures the total clean energy resources that our management can add to our energy supply portfolio over the three-year performance period. Like our 2019 Energy Supply Decarbonization metric, our 2020 decarbonization metric is designed to align with our decarbonization strategy and the clean energy goals of our state.
40 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
2019 PSU AWARD METRICS AND PAYOUT CALCULATION
In the first quarter of 2022, the Compensation Committee will determine the performance results for the 2019 PSU awards in accordance with the metrics and formula described in the table below.
The Compensation Committee has discretion under the terms of our Stock Incentive Plan to adjust award payouts, but generally only does so as necessary to offset the impact of extraordinary ornon-recurring events.
Payout Metric(1) | Threshold* (50% Payout) | Target (100% Payout) | Maximum (167% Payout) | Metric Weighting | Percentage of Target Shares Earned | |||||
Return on Equity | 75% of Allowed ROE | 90% of Allowed ROE | 100% of Allowed ROE | 33% | 0% to 55.67% | |||||
EPS Growth | 3.5% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 33% | 0% to 55.67% | |||||
Energy Supply Decarbonization | 4.64 MMTCO2e | 4.42 MMTCO2e | 4.20 MMTCO2e | 33% | 0% to 55.67% | |||||
Payout % Subtotal | 0% to 167% | |||||||||
Payout Multiplier Metric(2) | (80% multiplier) | (100% multiplier) | (120% multiplier) | |||||||
Relative TSR | £ 20th Percentile of EEI Regulated Index | 50th Percentile of EEI Regulated Index | ³ 75th Percentile of EEI Regulated Index | Payout Multiplier | 80% to 120% | |||||
Total Percentage of Target PSU Award Earned | 0 to 200% |
(1) | Calculation of Payout Percentage Subtotal.At the end of the performance period, performance results are interpolated between threshold, target and maximum payout levels to determine payout percentages for each goal based on the schedule above. Results below threshold for any goal result in zero payouts for that goal. These results are weighted equally and added to determine a payout percentage subtotal. |
(2) | Application of Payout Multiplier Based on Relative TSR Results:Performance results for Relative TSR are interpolated between threshold, target and maximum levels to determine a multiplier between 80% and 120%, which is applied to the payout percentage subtotal to determine a total percentage of the target award earned. |
OTHER TERMS OF THE 2019 PSU AWARDS
Dividend Equivalent Rights. Under the 2019 PSU Awards, each named executive officer will receive a number of dividend equivalent rights (DERs) equal to the number of vested PSUs. A DER represents the right to receive an amount equal to dividends paid on the number of shares of common stock equal to the number of the vested PSUs, which dividends have a record date between the date of the grant and the end of the performance period. DERs will be settled in shares of common stock after the related PSUs vest. The number of shares payable on the DERs will be calculated using the fair market value of PGE common stock as of the date the Compensation Committee determines the number of vested PSUs.
Service Requirement. Under our PSU awards in 2019 and prior years vesting of the PSUs and their related DERs generally requires that the award recipient continue to be employed by the Company during the performance period. However, if the officer’s employment is terminated due to retirement, death, or disability before the end of the three-year performance period, a portion of the award will vest at the end of the performance period. See the discussion of this issue on page 57 in the section below entitled “Termination and Change in Control Benefits.” Under the terms of our 2020 PSU awards, recipients who terminate employment without cause and who satisfy the “Rule of 75” are eligible for vesting of their PSU awards based on performance results, without regard to their termination before the end of the performance period. An individual satisfies the Rule of 75 if, on the date of his or her termination of employment, (i) the individual is at least age 55 and has no less than 5 years of service with the Company or its affiliates, and (ii) the individual’s age plus years of service equals at least 75.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
41 |
2020 | ||||
2019 RSU AWARDS
Each of our executive officers was awarded RSUs representing 25% of their total LTI award opportunity. The RSU awards also include dividend equivalent rights on the same terms as the PSUs (see the description above). Vesting of the RSUs and their related DERs generally requires that the award recipient continue to be employed by the Company during the three-year vesting period. However, if the officer’s employment is terminated due to retirement, death, or disability before the normal vesting date, a pro rata portion of the RSUs will vest. See the discussion of the RSUs on page 57 in the section below entitled “Termination and Change in Control Benefits.”
2017 PSU AWARD PAYOUT
The payout under the PSU awards granted to our executive officers in 2017 was 89% of target, based on the following performance results:
Metric | Threshold (50% Payout) | Target (100% Payout) | Maximum (150% Payout for ROE; 200% Payout for TSR) | Metric
| Actual | Percentage of Target Award Earned | ||||||||||||||||
ROE as a % of Allowed ROE | 75% |
| 90% |
|
| 100% |
|
| 50% |
|
| 89.22% |
|
| 48.69% |
| ||||||
Relative TSR |
30th Percentile |
|
50th
|
| | 90th Percentile EEI Regulated Index | 50% | | 42nd Percentile | | 40.38% | |||||||||||
| Total |
|
| 89.07% |
|
These results yielded the award values set forth in the table below:
Number of PSUs Vested(1) | Award Payout Value(2) ($)
| |||||||||
Maria Pope |
| 12,156 |
| 678,183 | ||||||
James Lobdell |
| 11,571 |
| 645,546 | ||||||
Lisa Kaner |
| 6,340 |
| 353,709 | ||||||
John McFarland |
| — |
| — | ||||||
John Kochavatr |
| — |
| — |
(1) | Includes dividend equivalent rights settled in shares per the terms of the awards. |
(2) | Based on a $55.79 share price, which was the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2019, the vesting date for the awards. |
The terms of our 2017 PSU awards are described more fully in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement under the heading “2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”
42 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
• | 401(k) Plan.All of our employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Plan. |
• | Pension Plan.Two of our named executive officers (Ms. Pope and Mr. Lobdell) participate in the PGE Pension Plan. The plan was closed to new participants before our other named executive officers joined the Company. See page 52 of this Proxy Statement for a description of the basic benefit available tonon-union employees under the plan. |
• | Deferred Compensation Benefits.Executives and other key employees are eligible to participate in our 2005 Management Deferred Compensation Plan, which permits participants to defer the payment of income as well as the value of up to 80 hours of paid time off. Participants also earn interest on their account balances. See page 53 for details. |
SEVERANCE BENEFITS
• | Severance Pay.Executives who are involuntarily terminated without cause are eligible to receive severance pay. Absent a change in control, the maximum amount payable is 52 weeks of base salary. Executives who are terminated within 2 years following a change in control are eligible for enhanced severance benefits (52 weeks of base salary plus target ACI award). |
• | Outplacement Assistance.Employees who are eligible for severance pay may also be reimbursed for up to 12 months of outplacement assistance. |
• | Double Trigger Vesting of PSUs in Case of Change in Control.If an executive is terminated without cause within two years following a change in control, the vesting of the officer’s outstanding PSU awards is accelerated. See page 56 for details. Beginning in 2020, our executives’ RSU awards also provide for double-trigger vesting in the event of a change in control. |
HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
• | Medical/Dental/Vision.Our executives are eligible to participate in our broad-based medical, dental and vision insurance programs.Non-union medical insurance is limited to high deductible health plans. For employees enrolled in our high deductible health plans, the Company also makes annual contributions to a health savings account. |
• | Wellness Program.All employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s wellness program, which offers a variety of benefits, including mental health benefits, financial counseling and the opportunity to earn Company health savings account contributions. |
In April 2019, PGE hired John McFarland to serve as our new Chief Customer Officer. Before joining the Company, Mr. McFarland spent more than 16 years in general management, marketing, product innovation and digital transformation at General Motors and Procter & Gamble. Mr. McFarland’s depth of experience and proven track record of developing new strategies to meet the changing needs of customers make him an important addition to our team. In connection with Mr. McFarland’s hiring, the Compensation Committee approved awards of a cash signing bonus of $125,000 and RSUs with a grant-date value of $150,000 as well as reimbursement of $123,114 in moving expenses (grossed up for tax purposes). The Compensation Committee believes that finding the right executive for this position was crucial and that Mr. McFarland’s pay package is in keeping with the level of compensation required to attract a person with his experience and qualifications.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
43 |
2020 | ||||
COMPENSATION DECISION-MAKING ROLES
The Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for developing and overseeing the Company’s executive compensation program. The committee is aided in this work by FW Cook, the committee’s independent compensation consultant, the other independent members of the Board, who act as a committee of the board in determining our CEO’s pay, and the Company’s management, which provides input about Company business plans and performance. In developing its input and recommendations, our management team regularly consults with its own compensation consultant, Willis Towers Watson.
Compensation Committee | Independent Directors | Management | Independent Consultant | |||
• Reviews the performance of the executive officers annually | • Discuss CEO performance and consider recommendation of Compensation Committee regarding CEO pay | • Makes recommendations on compensation plan design | • Advises the Compensation Committee on compensation plan design | |||
• Establishes base salaries, annual cash incentive awards and equity awards for all of the executive officers other than the CEO | • Approve base salary, annual cash incentive award and equity awards for the CEO | • Provides input on individual performance of the executive officers | • Advises the Compensation Committee on appropriate compensation levels and compensation and governance trends | |||
• Recommends a base salary, annual cash incentive awards and equity awards for the CEO | • Provides information about Company performance relative to incentive plan goals | • Performs annual compensation risk assessment for consideration by the Committee | ||||
• Seeks advice of its own compensation consultant in formulating input and recommendations to the Compensation Committee |
USE OF COMPENSATION MARKET DATA
We consider compensation market comparisons to ensure the competitiveness of our executives’ pay. We evaluate compensation by reference to the 50th percentile of the market, but each executive’s compensation is based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, performance, and considerations of internal equity.
To determine the relevant market reference point, we rely on benchmarking surveys, as well as publicly available information regarding the pay practices of a group of utility industry peer companies selected by our Compensation Committee each year. Although the benchmarking data on which we rely is generally based on utility industry surveys, we use general industry survey data as appropriate to reflect the realities of the competitive marketplace for the Company’s talent needs. The table below shows the most relevant benchmarking survey data for each of our 2019 named executive officers:
Named Executive Officer | Utility | General | ||||
Maria Pope | CEO | x | ||||
James Lobdell | SVP, Finance, CFO & Treasurer | x | ||||
Lisa Kaner | VP, General Counsel & Corporate Compliance Officer | x | ||||
John McFarland | VP, Customer Solutions & Chief Customer Officer | x | ||||
John Kochavatr | VP, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer | x |
(1) | Data sources included Willis Towers Watson 2018 Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey – U.S. |
(2) | Data source included the Willis Towers Watson 2018 General Industry Executive Compensation Survey – U.S. |
44 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
To select our utility industry peer group for our 2019 compensation decisions, we looked for companies that represented the best match with PGE based on the following criteria:
• | Vertically Integrated Utility. Our peer companies should be vertically integrated utilities, with a business mix focused on either regulated electric operations or a balance of regulated electric and regulated gas operations. |
• | MinimalNon-Regulated Business Activities.Non-regulated businesses should not be key drivers of the financial performance and strategy of our peer companies. |
• | Comparable Size. Our peer companies should be within a reasonable range relative to key financial measures, including revenues, market capitalization, and enterprise value. |
• | Investment-Grade Credit Ratings.Our peer companies should have credit ratings that allow for financing at a reasonable cost in most market environments. |
• | Balanced Customer Mix.Our peer companies should have a balanced retail, commercial and industrial mix and service territories not overly reliant on one key customer or industry sector. |
• | Regulatory Environment.Our peer companies should have a comparable cost of service ratemaking process and allowed return on equity, as well as a history of allowed recovery on regulatory assets, fuel and power costs and legitimate deferred costs. |
• | Capital Structure.Our peer companies should demonstrate moderate leverage (generally less than 60% debt to total capitalization ratio) and no significant liquidity concerns. |
• | Growth Opportunities. The growth opportunities of our peer companies should be based primarily on regulated activities. |
In the case of Northwest Natural Gas Company, we also considered geographic proximity, to the extent it could result in the company’s serving as a potential competitor for executive talent.
For 2019 the Compensation Committee selected the following companies to serve as our compensation peer group:
2019 PEER GROUP | ||||||
ALLETE, Inc. | El Paso Electric Company | Northwest Natural Gas Company | PNM Resources, Inc. | |||
Alliant Energy Corporation | Hawaiian Electric | NorthWestern Corporation | Puget Energy, Inc. | |||
Avista Corporation | IDACORP, Inc. | OGE Energy Corp. | SCANA Corporation | |||
Black Hills Corporation | Nisource Inc. | Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | Vectren Corporation |
Based on data compiled by FW Cook at the time of our 2019 peer group review, PGE was positioned near the median of the peer group in terms of revenue and market capitalization:
PGE VS 2019 PEER GROUP
After our 2019 compensation decisions were made, SCANA Corporation and Vectren Corporation were both acquired in separate mergers and therefore no longer form part of our compensation peer group for our 2020 compensation decisions. In their place we added Evergy, Inc.
We engage with our shareholders:
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
45 |
2020 | ||||
OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES
USE OF COMPENSATION CONSULTANTS
To assist the Compensation Committee with its compensation decisions, the committee has retained FW Cook as its independent compensation consultant. For 2019, FW Cook’s assignments included the following:
Review of the Company’s executive compensation program, including compensation philosophy, compensation levels in relation to Company performance, pay opportunities relative to those at comparable companies, short- and long-term mix and metric selection, executive benefits and perquisites, stock ownership levels and wealth potential, and stock ownership guidelines;
Review of the Company’s director compensation program, including design considerations such as ownership guidelines and vesting terms;
Reporting on emerging trends, legislative developments and best practices in the area of executive and director compensation;
Preparation of a comprehensive compensation risk assessment study to evaluate whether the Company’s compensation programs are likely to create material risk for the Company; and
Attendance at Compensation Committee meetings.
Before engaging FW Cook, the Compensation Committee reviewed the firm’s qualifications, as well as its independence and the potential for conflicts of interest. The committee determined that FW Cook is independent and its services to the committee do not create any conflicts of interest. The committee has the sole authority to approve FW Cook’s compensation, determine the nature and scope of its services, and terminate the engagement. FW Cook does not perform other services for or receive other fees from the Company.
ANNUAL COMPENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT
In 2019, as in prior years, the Compensation Committee engaged FW Cook to perform an annual comprehensive risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices. The assessment covered executive andnon-executive plan design and oversight as well as other aspects of our compensation practices, as summarized below:
Equity Award Program | Cash Incentive Programs | Other Compensation Practices | ||
• Equity grants | • Pay mix | • Incentive mix | ||
• Payment timing and adjustments | • Performance metrics | • Succession planning | ||
• Grant policies | • Performance goals and payout curves | • Severance | ||
• Stock ownership guidelines and trading policies | • Payment timing and adjustments | • Role of the Board of Directors |
The finding of the report was that our programs do not encourage excessive risk taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The report noted the following risk-mitigating features of our program, among others:
• | Independent Board Oversight. The Compensation Committee oversees incentive pay programs at all levels of the organization. The CEO’s pay is set by all of the independent directors, acting as a group. |
• | Balanced Pay Elements.Our compensation program includes an appropriate balance in fixed and variable pay, cash and equity, formulas and discretion, and short-term and long-term measurement periods. |
• | Robust Governance Policies.Policies are in place to mitigate compensation risk such as ownership guidelines, insider-trading prohibitions, and compensation clawbacks. |
• | Incentive Mix.Incentive awards cover multiple overlapping time frames, ranging fromone-to-three years, dampening the impact of stock price and financial performance volatility in rewards. Multiple financial goals prevent an over-emphasis on any single metric. |
• | Risk-Adjusted Incentive Targets.Incentive award targets encourage improvements but not at levels that would encourage imprudent risk-taking. |
46 |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Under our Insider Trading Policy, all of our officers, employees and directors are prohibited from trading in options, warrants, puts and calls, or similar instruments on Company securities, or selling Company securities “short.” In addition, employees and directors may not purchase Company securities on margin or pledge Company securities.
The Company has adopted a stock ownership and holding policy for our executive officers. The primary objectives of the policy are to create financial incentives that align the interests of executive officers with strong operating and financial performance of the Company, and encourage executive officers to operate the business of the Company with a long-term perspective. Under the policy, our CEO is required to hold Company stock with a value equal to at least three times her annual base salary, while the other executive officers are required to hold Company stock with a value equal to at least one times their annual base salary. The policy does not require executive officers to immediately acquire shares in an amount sufficient to meet the holding requirement. However, until the holding requirement is met, executive officers are subject to certain restrictions on their ability to dispose of shares of Company stock. The CEO is required to retain 100% of her shares until the holding requirement is met. All other executive officers are required to retain an amount of shares equal to 50% of their netafter-tax performance-based equity awards until the holding requirement is met. The number of shares required to satisfy the stock ownership requirements isre-calculated annually, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the calculation. The Compensation Committee also reviews each officer’s holdings annually to ensure that appropriate progress toward the ownership goals is being made. All of our officers either meet the stock ownership requirement or are on track to do so by the applicable target date. Our stock ownership policy fornon-employee directors is described on page 15 of this Proxy Statement.
Under the terms of our Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee is authorized to make grants of equity awards, but may delegate this authority as it deems appropriate. The committee has delegated authority to our CEO to make annual discretionary grants of RSUs with performance-based or time-based vesting conditions tonon-executive employees for the purposes of attracting and retaining qualified employees. For 2019, the maximum RSU value that the CEO was authorized to award was $580,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 per award. The Compensation Committee has not delegated the authority to make executive awards.
We expect that we will continue to grant equity awards to the executive officers and other key employees, and to delegate authority to our CEO to make limited discretionary equity awards for attraction and retention purposes. We also expect to continue to make annual grants of restricted stock units with time-based vesting conditions to the Company’s directors.
The committee has not adopted a formal policy governing the timing of equity awards. However, we have generally made awards to officers in the first quarter of the fiscal year, and we expect to continue this practice.
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION CLAWBACK POLICY
In 2017, our Board of Directors adopted a compensation clawback policy that allows the independent directors, acting as a group, to cancel unvested incentive compensation and recover previously paid incentive compensation in the event a current or former executive officer engages in misconduct that contributes to the need for a material restatement of our financial results. Compensation awarded or earned during the3-year period preceding the date as of which the Company is required to prepare a restatement is subject to clawback, provided that the compensation was awarded on or after the date the policy was adopted. In February 2019, the board amended and restated our clawback policy to permit the Company also to recover compensation based on a current or former executive officer’s egregious misconduct that causes significant reputational or financial harm to the Company. In the event of such misconduct the independent directors are authorized to cancel all unvested incentive compensation awards and require the return of compensation earned during theone-year period preceding the Company’s discovery of the misconduct. In determining the amount of compensation to recover under the policy, the independent directors may take into account any considerations they deem appropriate, including events that led to a financial restatement, the conduct of the executive, the impact of the misconduct, the cost of the recovery process, and the likelihood of successful recovery under governing law.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
47 |
2020 | ||||
The table below shows the compensation earned by the Company’s named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Only 2018 and 2019 compensation is shown for Mr. Kochavatr and Ms. Kaner, who joined the Company in 2018, and only 2019 compensation is shown for Mr. McFarland, who joined the Company in 2019.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($)(2) | Bonus ($)(3) | Stock Awards | Non-Equity Incentive Plan | Change in Pension Value and Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(6) | All Other | Totals ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maria Pope President and CEO(1) |
|
2019
|
|
|
876,077
|
|
| —
|
|
|
2,124,935
|
|
|
861,406
|
|
|
134,472
|
|
|
69,058
|
|
|
4,065,948
|
| ||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
789,183
|
|
| —
|
|
|
1,499,987
|
|
|
853,078
|
|
|
10,032
|
|
|
63,782
|
|
|
3,216,062
|
| |||||||||
|
2017
|
|
|
540,491
|
|
| —
|
|
|
545,362
|
|
|
333,540
|
|
|
88,124
|
|
|
71,937
|
|
|
1,579,454
|
| |||||||||
James Lobdell Senior Vice President, Finance, CFO and Treasurer |
|
2019
|
|
|
507,892
|
|
| —
|
|
|
599,952
|
|
|
304,661
|
|
|
263,703
|
|
|
67,440
|
|
|
1,743,648
|
| ||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
459,184
|
|
| —
|
|
|
534,677
|
|
|
303,606
|
|
| —
|
|
|
61,222
|
|
|
1,358,689
|
| |||||||||
|
2017 |
|
|
457,362
|
|
| —
|
|
|
519,114
|
|
|
264,111
|
|
|
190,458
|
|
|
63,100
|
|
|
1,494,145
|
| |||||||||
Lisa Kaner Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
377,596
|
|
| —
|
|
|
379,957
|
|
|
196,421
|
|
| —
|
|
|
36,615
|
|
|
990,589
|
| ||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
363,461
|
|
| —
|
|
|
430,743
|
|
|
207,773
|
|
| —
|
|
|
29,250
|
|
|
1,031,227
|
| |||||||||
John McFarland Vice President, Customer Solutions, Chief Customer Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
208,846
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
359,938
|
|
| 89,179
|
|
| —
|
|
|
241,112
|
|
|
1,049,075
|
| ||||||||
John Kochavatr Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
353,762
|
|
| —
|
|
|
237,996
|
|
|
175,887
|
|
| —
|
|
|
100,134
|
|
|
867,779
|
| ||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
300,442
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
430,973
|
|
|
148,231
|
|
| —
|
|
|
263,438
|
|
|
1,343,084
|
| |||||||||
(1) | Ms. Pope was appointed President effective October 1, 2017 and CEO effective January 1, 2018. She previously served as Senior Vice President, Power Supply, Operations and Resource Strategy. |
(2) | Amounts in the Salary column include base salary earned and, where applicable, the value of paid time off deferred under the 2005 MDCP. |
(3) | Amounts shown in the Bonus column relate to cash signing bonuses received in connection with the commencement of employment. |
(4) | Amounts shown in the Stock Awards column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of PSU and RSU awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting. The grant date fair values reported above will likely vary from the actual amount realized by the named executive officer based on a number of factors, including the number of RSUs and PSUs that ultimately vest and the closing market price of our common stock on the vesting date. For RSUs, we calculate grant date fair value by multiplying the number of shares underlying the award by the NYSE closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date. For PSUs, we calculate grant date fair value by assuming the satisfaction of performance-based goals at the “target” level for all metrics other than TSR and multiplying the corresponding number of shares earned by the NYSE closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date. For the TSR portion of the PSUs, fair value is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for additional details regarding the assumptions made in the valuations reflected in this column. |
48 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
If the maximum number of shares issuable under the PSUs had been used to calculate the grant date fair value of the PSUs, the value of the PSUs and the aggregate grant-date fair value of all stock awards for 2019 would have been as follows:
Name | Maximum 2019 PSU Value ($) | Maximum Total 2019 Stock Award Value ($) | ||||||||
Maria Pope
|
|
3,187,451
|
|
| 3,718,660
|
| ||||
James Lobdell
|
| 899,928
|
|
| 1,049,916
|
| ||||
Lisa Kaner
|
| 569,983
|
|
| 664,948
|
| ||||
John McFarland
|
| 314,997
|
|
| 517,437
|
| ||||
John Kochavatr
|
| 356,994
|
|
| 416,493
|
|
(5) | Amounts in theNon-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column represent cash incentive awards earned under the Company’s 2008 Annual Cash Incentive Master Plan for Executive Officers (ACI Plan). The terms of the 2019 awards are discussed on page 33 in the section entitled “Annual Cash Incentive Awards.” |
(6) | Amounts in this column include the increase in the actuarial present value of the named executive officers’ accumulated benefits under the Portland General Electric Company Pension Plan. |
(7) | The amounts in the All Other Compensation table for 2018 are described in the table below. |
Name | Dividend ($)(a) | 401(k) ($)(b) | Contributions ($)(c) | HSA ($)(d) | Relocation ($)(e) | Long-Term ($)(f) | Other ($)(g) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maria Pope
|
|
43,639
|
|
| 18,762
|
|
| —
|
|
| 1,750
|
|
| —
|
|
| 4,800
|
|
| 107
|
|
| 69,058
|
| ||||||||||||||||
James Lobdell
|
| 40,720
|
|
| 17,723
|
|
| 2,194
|
|
| 1,750
|
|
| —
|
|
| 4,700
|
|
| 353
|
|
| 67,440
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner
|
| 1,751
|
|
| 29,462
|
|
| —
|
|
| 1,750
|
|
| —
|
|
| 3,625
|
|
| 27
|
|
| 36,615
|
| ||||||||||||||||
John McFarland
|
| —
|
|
| 19,177
|
|
| 166
|
|
| 1,313
|
|
| 218,530
|
|
| 1,883
|
|
| 43
|
|
| 241,112
|
| ||||||||||||||||
John Kochavatr
|
| 3,721
|
|
| 29,242
|
|
| 507
|
|
| 1,750
|
|
| 61,625
|
|
| 3,246
|
|
| 43
|
|
| 100,134
|
|
(a) | Represents the value of dividend equivalent rights earned under restricted stock unit awards, which is not included in the Stock Awards column in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(b) | Represents Company contributions to the named executive officers’ accounts under the 401(k) Plan. |
(c) | Represents Company contributions to the named executive officers’ accounts under the 2005 MDCP. See page 28 under the heading“Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation” for a discussion of the terms of the 2005 MDCP. |
(d) | Represents Company contributions to named executive officers’ individual health savings accounts. |
(e) | Represents (i) in the case of Mr. McFarland, reimbursement of $123,114 in relocation-related expenses and a $95,886 taxgross-up of that amount, and (ii) in the case of Mr. Kochavatr, a $61,625 taxgross-up of reimbursements for relocation expenses that were incurred in 2018. |
(f) | Represents Company contributions for long-term disability insurance. |
(g) | Includes the value of ID theft protection, wellness plan incentive rewards and miscellaneous taxgross-ups. |
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
49 |
2020 | ||||
The following table summarizes grants of plan-based awards made to the named executive officers in 2019.
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) | All Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (Number of Shares) | Target (Number of Shares) | Max (Number of Shares) | Grant Date Fair Value ($)(4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maria Pope |
2/12/2019
|
|
413,462
|
|
|
826,923
|
|
|
1,240,385
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
16,380
|
|
|
32,759
|
|
|
65,518
|
|
|
1,593,725
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
10,919
|
|
|
531,209
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James Lobdell |
2/13/2019
|
|
146,233
|
|
|
292,465
|
|
|
438,698
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
4,625
|
|
|
9,249
|
|
|
18,498
|
|
|
449,964
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
3,083
|
|
| 149,988
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner |
2/12/2019
|
|
94,279
|
|
|
188,558
|
|
|
282,836
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
2,929
|
|
|
5,858
|
|
|
11,716
|
|
|
284,992
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
1,952
|
|
|
94,965
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John McFarland |
2/12/2019
|
|
44,394
|
|
|
88,788
|
|
|
133,183
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4/23/2019
|
|
1,556
|
|
|
3,112
|
|
|
6,224
|
|
|
157,498
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
4/23/2019
|
|
1,037
|
|
|
52,483
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4/23/2019
|
|
2,963
|
|
|
149,957
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Kochavatr |
2/12/2019
|
|
84,423
|
|
|
168,846
|
|
|
253,269
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
1,835
|
|
|
3,669
|
|
|
7,338
|
|
|
178,497
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
2/13/2019
|
|
1,223
|
|
|
59,499
|
|
(1) | These columns show the range of potential payouts for cash incentive awards granted in 2019 under our ACI Plan. The amounts shown in the Threshold column reflect payouts at threshold performance, which are 50% of target awards. The amounts in the Target column reflect payouts at target performance, which are 100% of the target awards. The amounts shown in the Maximum column reflect maximum payouts, which are 150% of the target awards. See the section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitled “Annual Cash Incentive Awards” on pages 33 to 36 for a description of the awards. |
(2) | These columns show the estimated range of potential payouts for awards of PSUs granted in 2019 under our Stock Incentive Plan. The amounts shown in the Threshold column reflect the minimum number of PSUs that could vest, which is 50% of the target amount shown in the Target column. The number of PSUs shown in the Maximum column is equal to 200% of the target amount. See the section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitled “Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards” on pages 37 to 41 for a description of the awards. |
(3) | This column shows the number of RSUs granted to the named executive officers in 2019. |
(4) | The grant date fair values for the PSUs assume performance at target levels. The grant date fair values of the awards of PSUs and RSUs to Mr. McFarland are based on a stock price of $50.61 (the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of April 23, 2019). The grant date fair values of the awards of PSUs and RSUs to the other named executive officers are based on a stock price of $48.65 (the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of February 13, 2019). |
50 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2019
The following table summarizes the unvested equity-based awards held by our named executive officers at December 31, 2019.
Name | Grant Date | Number of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Units of Stock That Have Not ($)(1) | Equity Awards: Number of Unearned Units Have Not Vested ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested ($)(1) | |||||||||||||
Maria Pope | 02/14/2018(2) |
| 37,556 |
| 2,095,249 | |||||||||||||
02/13/2019(3) |
| 32,759 |
| 1,827,625 | ||||||||||||||
02/13/2019(4) |
| 10,919 |
| 609,171 | ||||||||||||||
James Lobdell | 02/14/2018(2) |
| 13,387 |
| 746,861 | |||||||||||||
02/13/2019(3) |
| 9,249 |
| 516,002 | ||||||||||||||
02/13/2019(4) |
| 3,083 |
| 172,001 | ||||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner | 02/14/2018(2) |
| 8,281 |
| 461,997 | |||||||||||||
02/13/2019(3) |
| 5,858 |
| 326,818 | ||||||||||||||
02/13/2019(4) |
| 1,952 |
| 108,902 | ||||||||||||||
John McFarland | 04/23/2019(3) |
| 3,112 |
| 173,618 | |||||||||||||
04/23/2019(4) |
| 1,037 |
| 57,854 | ||||||||||||||
04/23/2019(5) |
| 2,963 |
| 165,306 | ||||||||||||||
John Kochavatr | 02/14/2018(2) |
| 5,783 |
| 322,634 | |||||||||||||
02/13/2019(3) |
| 3,669 |
| 204,694 | ||||||||||||||
02/01/2018(6) |
| 2,399 |
| 133,840 | ||||||||||||||
02/13/2019(4) |
| 1,223 |
| 68,231 |
|
(1) | Market value is based on the NYSE closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2019, which was $55.79. |
(2) | Amounts in these rows relate to awards of PSUs with a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2020 granted under the 2018 LTI Award Program. Pursuant to SEC rules, the PSUs are represented at the target amount of shares that may be earned under the awards. The actual number of shares that will vest under the PSUs (if any) will be determined based on the Company’s performance relative to the metrics for the awards (ROE as a percentage of allowed ROE and relative TSR), subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. The amount shown does not represent our estimate of the actual achievement to date under the awards. |
(3) | Amounts in these rows relate to awards of PSUs with a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2021 granted under the 2019 LTI Award Program. Pursuant to SEC rules, the PSUs are represented at the target amount of shares that may be earned under the awards. The actual number of shares that will vest under the PSUs (if any) will be determined based on the Company’s performance relative to the metrics for the awards (ROE as a percentage of allowed ROE, EPS growth, energy supply decarbonization and relative TSR), subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. The amount shown does not represent our estimate of the actual achievement to date under the awards. |
(4) | Amounts in this row relate to the award of RSUs with a vesting date of February 13, 2022. |
(5) | Amount in this row relates to an award of RSUs to Mr. McFarland in connection with his commencement of employment on April 19, 2019. Of the total number of RSUs awarded, 50% have a vesting date of April 19, 2020 and 50% have a vesting date of April 19, 2021. |
(6) | Amount in this row relates to an award of RSUs to Mr. Kochavatr in connection with his commencement of employment on February 1, 2018. The amount shown vested on February 1, 2020. |
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
51 |
2020 | ||||
The following table shows, for each of the named executive officers, the number and aggregate value of restricted stock units and related dividend equivalent rights that vested during 2019.
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting of Restricted Stock Units(1) | Value Realized on ($)(2) | ||||||||
Maria Pope | 11,724 | 570,373 | ||||||||
James Lobdell |
| 10,943 |
| 532,377 | ||||||
Lisa Kaner |
| 2,284 |
| 111,117 | ||||||
John McFarland |
| — |
| — | ||||||
John Kochavatr |
| 2,476 |
| 118,105 |
(1) | The amounts shown in this column constitute the aggregate number of PSUs and/or RSUs, together with related dividend equivalent rights, that vested in 2019. The amounts shown include shares that were withheld for applicable taxes. See page 41 under the heading “Service Requirement” and page 42 under the heading “2019 RSU Awards” for a discussion of the vesting conditions of the PSUs and RSUs, respectively. |
(2) | Pursuant to SEC rules, the “value realized” on the vesting of PSUs and related dividend equivalents is equal to the number of shares that vested multiplied by the NYSE closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date. |
The following table shows the actuarial present value of Ms. Pope’s and Mr. Lobdell’s accumulated benefit under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2019. The Pension Plan was closed to new participants before Ms. Kaner, Mr. McFarland and Mr. Kochavatr joined the Company.
Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit | ||||||||||||
Maria Pope | Pension Plan |
| 11.00 | $ | 499,338 | ||||||||||
James Lobdell | Pension Plan |
| 35.00 | $ | 1,658,410 | ||||||||||
Lisa Kaner | Pension Plan |
| — |
| — | ||||||||||
John McFarland | Pension Plan |
| — |
| — | ||||||||||
John Kochavatr | Pension Plan |
| — |
| — |
Participants in the Portland General Electric Company will be heldPension Plan (Pension Plan) earn benefits under the plan during each year of employment. Employees are vested in plan benefits after 5 years of service. Normal retirement age under the plan is 65. Early retirement income is available to participants after age 55, but benefits are reduced for each year prior to the normal retirement date. Mr. Lobdell, but not Ms. Pope, is currently eligible for early retirement under the Pension Plan.
Fornon-union plan participants, the basic monthly pension benefit is based on Final Average Earnings (“FAE”), defined as the highest consecutive 60 months of earnings (base pay paid, excluding reductions due to income deferrals) during the last 120 months of employment.
The basic pension benefit under the plan is calculated as follows:
Monthly Benefit | = | 1.2% of FAE for first 30 years of service | + | 0.5% of FAE in excess of 35-Year Average of Social Security Taxable Wage Base | + | 0.5% of FAE for each year of service over 30 years | ||||||||
52 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
The normal form of payment for a participant who does not have a spouse is a straight life annuity, which makes periodic payments to the participant until his or her death. The normal form of payment if the participant has a spouse is a contingent annuity, which makes full payments for the life of the participant and thereafter 50% of the full payments until the death of the spouse if he or she survives the participant.
Pension Plan calculations are based on assumptions that are reviewed annually with the Company’s actuaries. The benefit calculation shown in the table above assumes retirement at age 65 (or current age if later), a discount rate of 3.43% and mortality assumptions based on the Conference Center Auditorium located at Two World Trade Center, 25 SW Salmon Street,Generational Annuitant Mortality(PRI-2012 with MP2018 projection and 20 year convergence to SSA smoothed long-term rates). These assumptions are the same ones used for financial reporting purposes.
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
We offer a select group of management and highly compensated employees an opportunity to defer compensation under the Company’s 2005 Management Deferred Compensation Plan (2005 MDCP). Before January 1, 2005 (the effective date of the 2005 MDCP), eligible employees were able to defer compensation under the Portland Oregon 97204, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific TimeGeneral Electric Company Management Deferred Compensation Plan established in 1986 (1986 MDCP). The following table shows the named executive officers’ contributions and earnings in 2019 and balances as of December 31, 2019 under the 2005 MDCP and 1986 MDCP. The accompanying narrative describes key provisions of the plans.
Name | Plan | Executive Contributions in 2019 ($)(1) | Company Contributions in 2019 ($)(2) | Aggregate Earnings in 2019 ($) | Aggregate Balance at 12/31/19 ($)(3) | |||||||||||||
Maria Pope |
2005 MDCP | 44,447 | — | 54,952 | 1,295,813 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP
| — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
James Lobdell |
2005 MDCP | 150,689 | 2,194 | 49,537 | 1,207,627 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP
| — | — | 121,079 | 1,847,274 | ||||||||||||||
Lisa Kaner |
2005 MDCP | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP
| — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
John McFarland |
2005 MDCP | 5,538 | 166 | 74 | 5,778 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP
| — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
John Kochavatr |
2005 MDCP | 39,807 | 507 | 2,180 | 69,062 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP
| — | — | — | — |
(1) | Amounts in this column include salary andpaid-time-off deferrals that are reflected in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table, as well as cash incentive award deferrals that are reflected in theNon-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | Amounts in this column include a Company matching contribution of 3% of annual base salary deferred under the applicable plan. These amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table under “All Other Compensation.” |
(3) | All amounts included in this column were reported as compensation to the named executive officer in the Company’s Summary Compensation Table for previous years, other than amounts earned before the officer first became a named executive officer. |
Each calendar year participants may defer up to 80% of their base salary and 100% of their cash incentive compensation. Participants may also contribute cash payments in lieu of up to 160 hours of canceled paid time off (the excess, as ofyear-end, of their unused paid time off over 200 hours). The Company provides a 3% matching contribution for base salary deferred.
Amounts deferred under the 2005 MDCP accrue interest that is .5% higher than the annual yield on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.
Payments under both plans are triggered by termination of employment (under the 2005 MDCP, beginning six months after separation from service; a participant’s account balance during thesix-month delay continues to accrue interest). Under both plans, benefits are paid in one of the following forms, as elected by the participant in a payment election form filed each year for the following purposes, which are more fully describedyear’s deferrals: (i) alump-sum payment; (ii) monthly installments in equal payments of principal and interest over a period of up to 180 months; or (iii) monthly installment payments over a period of up to 180 months, consisting of interest only payments for up to 120 months and principal and interest payments of the proxy statement that accompanies this notice:
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
53 |
2020 | ||||
TERMINATION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS
The tables below show the estimated value of payments and other benefits to which the named executive officers would be entitled under the Company’s plans and programs upon termination of employment in specified circumstances and following a change in control of the Company. The amounts shown assume that the effective date of the termination or change in control was December 31, 2019. Benefits that (i) do not discriminate in favor of executive officers and are generally available to salaried employees or (ii) are disclosed above under “Pension Benefits” and“Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation” are not shown in the tables below.
Maria Pope
Benefit Plan or Award | Voluntary
| Involuntary
| Change in
| Termination
| Death or
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(1)
|
| —
|
|
|
850,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,676,923
|
|
|
—
|
| ||||||||||
PSUs(2)(3)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 4,083,159
|
|
| 1,922,189
|
| ||||||||||
RSUs(4)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 178,809
|
| ||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 861,406
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6)
|
| —
|
|
| 25,000
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
| ||||||||||
Total
|
| —
|
|
| 875,000
|
|
| —
|
|
| 5,760,082
|
|
| 2,962,404
|
|
James Lobdell
Benefit Plan or Award | Voluntary ($)
| Involuntary
| Change in Control ($)
| Termination
| Death or ($)
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(1)
|
| —
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
792,465
|
|
|
—
|
| ||||||||||
PSUs(2)(3)
|
| 643,984
|
|
| 643,984
|
|
| —
|
|
| 1,316,365
|
|
| 643,984
|
| ||||||||||
RSUs(4)
|
| 50,487
|
|
| 50,487
|
|
| —
|
|
| 50,487
|
|
| 50,487
|
| ||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5)
|
| 304,661
|
|
| 304,661
|
|
| —
|
|
| 304,661
|
|
| 304,661
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6)
|
| —
|
|
| 25,000
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
| ||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plan(7)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 73,890
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
| ||||||||||
Total
|
| 999,132
|
|
| 1,524,132
|
|
| 73,890
|
|
| 2,463,978
|
|
| 999,132
|
|
Lisa Kaner
Benefit Plan or Award | Voluntary ($)
| Involuntary
| Change in Control ($)
| Termination
| Death or ($)
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(1)
|
|
—
|
|
|
380,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
568,558
|
|
|
—
|
| ||||||||||
PSUs(2)(3)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 822,066
|
|
| 400,684
|
| ||||||||||
RSUs(4)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 31,966
|
| ||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5)
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| 196,421
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6)
|
| —
|
|
| 25,000
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
|
| —
|
| ||||||||||
Total
|
| —
|
|
| 405,000
|
|
| —
|
|
| 1,390,624
|
|
| 629,071
|
|
54 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
John McFarland
Benefit Plan or Award | Voluntary ($)
| Involuntary
| Change in Control ($)
| Termination
| Death or ($)
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(1)
| — |
|
300,000
|
| — |
|
388,788
|
| — | ||||||||||||||||
PSUs(2)(3)
| — | — | — |
| 178,361
|
|
| 52,833
|
| ||||||||||||||||
RSUs(4)
| — | — | — | — |
| 100,579
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5)
| — | — | — | — |
| 89,179
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6)
| — |
| 25,000
|
| — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
| — |
| 325,000
|
| — |
| 567,149
|
|
| 242,591
|
|
John Kochavatr
Benefit Plan or Award | Voluntary ($)
| Involuntary
| Change in Control ($)
| Termination
| Death or ($)
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(1)
| — |
|
340,000
|
| — |
|
508,846
|
| — | ||||||||||||||||
PSUs(2)(3)
| — | — | — |
| 549,922
|
|
| 272,646
|
| ||||||||||||||||
RSUs(4)
| — | — | — | — |
| 148,009
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5)
| — | — | — | — |
| 175,887
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6)
| — |
| 25,000
|
| — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
| — |
| 365,000
|
| — |
| 1,058,768
|
|
| 596,542
|
|
(1) | The amounts shown in the Involuntary Not for Cause Termination column consist of severance payments equal to 12 months of base salary at December 31, 2019 salary levels. The amounts shown in the Termination Following Change in Control column consist of 12 months of base salary at December 31, 2019 salary levels plus the value of the target ACI award for 2019. |
(2) | Amounts in the Voluntary Termination and Death or Disability columns reflect the value at December 31, 2019 of PSUs granted in 2018 and 2019, assuming performance at 89.0% of target for the 2019 grants and 93.0% of target for the 2018 grants. The payout percentages for the PSU awards are based on forecasted results. The values reflect the NYSE closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2019 ($55.79). No amounts are shown for the named executive officers other than Mr. Lobdell in the Voluntary Termination column because at December 31, 2019 these officers were not retirement-eligible, as defined in the Pension Plan. See below under the heading “Vesting of PSUs and RSUs in Event of Death, Disability or Retirement.” |
(3) | Amounts in the Termination Following Change in Control column constitute the value at December 31, 2019 of PSUs granted in 2018 and 2019. These grants included provisions for accelerated vesting in the event of a termination following a Change in Control, as described in the narrative below. The value shown reflects the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2019 ($55.79). |
(4) | The amounts shown in the Voluntary Termination and Death or Disability columns reflect the value at December 31, 2019 of outstanding RSUs. No values are shown in the Voluntary Termination column for Ms. Pope and Ms. Kaner and Mr. McFarland and Mr. Kochavatr because they were not retirement-eligible, as defined under the Company’s Pension Plan, at December 31, 2019. See below under the heading “Vesting of PSUs and RSUs in Event of Death, Disability or Retirement.” |
(5) | Amounts shown in this row consist of payouts under awards made under the ACI Plan. The amount of the payout is based on actual performance results for the year. No amounts are shown in the Voluntary Termination column for the named executive officers other than Mr. Lobdell because at December 31, 2019 these officers were not retirement-eligible as defined in the Pension Plan, which is required for early vesting in the event of voluntary termination under the terms of the ACI Plan. See below under the heading “ACI Plan” for additional details. |
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
55 |
2020 | ||||
(6) | Amounts in this row are the estimated value of outplacement assistance consulting services the named executive employee would receive, assuming that the executive is granted twelve months of outplacement assistance, at a value of $20,000 for the first nine months and $5,000 for an additional three months. |
(7) | In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the 1986 MDCP, participants are eligible to take an accelerated distribution of their account balances at a reduced forfeiture rate. See the section below entitled “1986 MDCP” for additional information. Of the 2019 named executive officers, only Mr. Lobdell has an account balance under the 1986 MDCP. The amount shown in the Change in Control column is the amount by which the forfeiture would be reduced, assuming that a Change in Control occurred on December 31, 2019 and Mr. Lobdell elected to take an early distribution of his 1986 MDCP account balance as of that date. |
SEVERANCE PAY PLAN
Under the Company’s Severance Pay Plan for Executive Employees, executives of the Company are eligible for severance pay if they are terminated without cause, or voluntarily terminate employment for good reason and within 90 days following the event that constitutes good reason. If the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, the benefit is equal to 12 months of base pay plus the value of the executive’s target annual cash incentive award. If the termination is not within two years of a change in control, the severance benefit is equal to 12 months of base pay.
For purposes of the plan, the terms “change in control,” “cause,” and “good reason” have the following meanings:
“Change in control” means any of the following:
A person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of Company securities representing more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of the period constitute the members of the Board of Directors and any new director whose election to the Board of Directors or nomination for election to the Board of Directors by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at leasttwo-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors;
The Company merges with or consolidates into any other corporation or entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding immediately thereafter securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or other surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
The shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
“Good reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
A material adverse change in the nature of the executive’s duties or responsibilities (provided that merely ceasing to be an officer of a public Company does not itself constitute a material adverse change);
A material reduction in the executive’s base compensation or incentive compensation opportunities; or
A mandatory relocation of the executive’s principal place of work in excess of 50 miles.
“Cause” in the case of a termination that occurs within two years of a change in control is defined as:
The substantial and continuing failure of the executive to perform substantially all of his or her duties to the Company (other than a failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after 30 days’ notice from the Company;
The violation of a Company policy that could reasonably be expected to result in termination;
Dishonesty, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty;
The commission of an act of fraud or embezzlement, as found by a court of competent jurisdiction;
The conviction of a felony; or
A material breach of the terms of an agreement with the Company, provided that the Company provides the executive with adequate notice of the breach and the executive fails to cure the breach within 30 days after receipt of notice.
“Cause” in the case of a termination that does not occur within two years of a change in control is defined as a violation of Company standards of performance, conduct or attendance (as construed by the Company in its sole discretion).
56 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Compensation Committee Discretion in Event of Change in Control
Under the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, in the event of a change in control or a significant change in the business condition or strategy of the Company, the Compensation Committee may accelerate distribution of stock awards, provide payment to the participant of cash or other property equal to the fair market value of the award, adjust the terms of the award, cause the award to be assumed, or make such other adjustments to awards as the committee considers equitable to the participant and also in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
Change in Control Provisions in PSU Awards
Our PSU awards for executives provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the executive’s termination following a change in control. Under the terms of the grant agreements, a number of such performance RSUs will vest automatically if, within two years following a change in control: (i) the grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or (ii) the grantee voluntarily terminates employment for good reason within 90 days after the event constituting good reason. For purposes of the PSU awards, the terms “change in control,” “cause,” and “good reason” have the same definitions as those described above under the heading “Severance Pay Plan.”
To determine the number of PSUs that would vest in the event of a termination following a change in control, the Compensation Committee is required to use a performance percentage calculated in accordance with the terms of the awards, subject to the committee’s right to adjust awards, and to the following principles:
For the return on equity performance goal, Accounting ROE would be assumed to be actual accounting ROE for any fiscal years that ended prior to the termination of employment, and target ROE for any other fiscal years included in the performance period.
For the relative total shareholder return goal, target performance results would be assumed for the3-year performance period.
The number of dividend equivalent rights would be determined in accordance with the terms of the awards, calculated as if the date of termination were the end of the performance period.
Vesting of PSUs and RSUs in Event of Death, Disability or Retirement
The PSU and RSU award agreements with the named executive officers provide for early vesting of the performance RSUs in the event an officer’s employment is terminated due to the officer’s death, disability or retirement (as defined under our Pension Plan, which requires five years of service and a minimum age of 55). In the case of PSUs, the number of units that vest is determined by multiplying the performance percentage by the number of PSUs originally granted and by the percentage of the performance period that the officer was actively employed. In the case of RSUs, the number of units that vest is determined by multiplying the number of RSUs originally granted by the percentage of the vesting period that the officer was employed.
ACI PLAN
Under the terms of the ACI Plan, if a participant’s employment terminates due to death, disability or retirement, the Company will pay an award to the participant or the participant’s estate if and when awards are payable generally to other participants under the plan. The amount of the award will be prorated to reflect the number of full and partial months during the year in which the participant was employed. For the purposes of this provision, “retirement” means a participant’s termination of employment after meeting the requirements for retirement under the Pension Plan (currently age 55 with five years of service).
OUTPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE PLAN
The Company maintains the Portland General Electric Company Outplacement Assistance Plan to cover the cost of outplacement assistance for certain employees who lose their jobs as a result of corporate, departmental or work group reorganization, including the elimination of a position or similar business circumstances. Eligible management employees, including officers, are offered the services of an outside outplacement consultant for three to twelve months, with the exact length of the services determined by the Compensation Committee.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
57 |
2020 | ||||
1986 MDCP
The 1986 MDCP allows participants to elect an accelerated distribution of all or a portion of their accounts, which results in a forfeiture of a portion of the distributed amounts. Following a Change of Control, as defined in the plan, only 6% of the distribution is forfeited, rather than the 10% forfeiture normally provided for under the plan. “Change of Control” is defined in the 1986 MDCP as an occurrence in which: (1) a person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing 30% or more of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, or (2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of the period constituted the Board, and any new director whose election by the board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by at leasttwo-thirds of the directors in office who either were directors as of the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination was previously so approved, cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board.
In accordance with SEC rules, we are disclosing the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the annual total compensation of the individual we have identified as our median employee for this purpose.
We identified our median employee by examining 2019 taxable earnings, as reported onW-2 forms(W-2 taxable earnings), for all individuals who were employed by the Company on December 31, 2019, other than our CEO. We believe that the use ofW-2 taxable earnings, which is a broad and widely used measure of annual compensation, is an appropriate measure by which to determine the median employee. We included all employees, whether employed on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis, and we did not annualize the compensation of any full-time employee who was employed for less than the full 2019 calendar year. After identifying the median employee based on 2019W-2 taxable earnings, we calculated annual total compensation for the median employee using the same methodology that we use for our named executive officers as set forth in the Totals column in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table. As measured using that methodology, our CEO’s annual total compensation for 2019 was $4,065,948 and our median employee’s annual total compensation for 2019 was $122,167. As a result, our 2019 CEO to median employee pay ratio was approximately 33:1.
58 |
Item 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
As described in detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, our executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers and to provide them with incentives to advance the interests of our stakeholders, which include our customers, our shareholders, our employees, and the communities we serve.
We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this Proxy Statement by voting to approve the resolution set forth below. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we will ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of the Portland General Electric Company (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2019 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.”
Approval of this proposal will require that the number of votes cast in favor of this proposal exceeds the number of votes cast against this proposal.
While this is anon-binding, advisory vote, the Compensation Committee will take the outcome of the vote into account when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
The Board of Directors
|
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
59 |
2020 | ||||
The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities are to assist the Board with oversight of the integrity of PGE’s financial statements and system of internal controls, the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, the performance of PGE’s internal audit function and independent auditor, and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, for the Company’s accounting and financial reporting principles, and for the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the Company’s financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.
In performing its oversight role, the Audit Committee has considered and discussed the audited financial statements with each of management and the independent registered public accounting firm for 2019, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte). The committee has discussed with Deloitte significant accounting policies that the Company applies in its financial statements, as well as alternative treatments and critical audit matters addressed during the audit. We have further discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed under applicable PCAOB standards. We have received from Deloitte the written disclosures required by applicable PCAOB rules regarding Deloitte’s independence, discussed with Deloitte its independence, and considered whether thenon-audit services provided by Deloitte are compatible with maintaining its independence.
Based upon the reports and discussions referenced above, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Neil Nelson (Chair)
Mark Ganz
Michael Millegan
Lee Pelton
Charles Shivery
60 |
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table provides information about fees the Company paid to Deloitte in 2018 and 2019.
2018 | 2019 | |||||||
Audit Fees(1)
|
| 1,747,880
|
| $
| 1,787,755
|
| ||
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
| 25,000
|
|
| 26,000
|
| ||
Tax Fees(3)
|
| 15,404
|
| — | ||||
All Other Fees(4)
|
| 3,790
|
|
| 1,895
|
| ||
Total
|
| 1,792,074
|
|
| 1,815,650
|
|
(1) | For professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports onForm 10-Q. Audit Fees also include services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC, the issuance of consents and comfort letters, as well as the independent auditor’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. |
(2) | For assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements not reported under “Audit Fees” above, including attest services that are not required by statute or regulation, consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, and audits of the statements of activities of jointly owned facilities. Also includes amounts reimbursed to PGE in connection with cost sharing arrangements for certain services. |
(3) | For professional tax services, including consulting and review of tax returns. |
(4) | For all other products and services not included in the above three categories, including reference products related to income taxes and financial accounting matters. Both 2018 and 2019 “Other Fees” include Deloitte & Touche annual DART (Deloitte Accounting Research Tool site) subscription. |
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY FOR INDEPENDENT AUDITOR SERVICES
The Board has adopted a policy forpre-approval of all audit and permissiblenon-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditor. Each year, the Audit Committee approves the terms on which the independent auditor is engaged for the ensuing fiscal year. All requests for audit, audit-related and tax services that are not on thepre-approved list of specified services must be approved by the Audit Committee. Management and the independent auditors are required to report at least quarterly to the Audit Committee regarding the services provided, and fees paid for such services, compared to the services and fees that werepre-approved in accordance with thepre-approval policy. The committee is authorized under thepre-approval policy to delegate itspre-approval authority to a member of the committee.
All audit and permissiblenon-audit services provided by the independent auditors during 2019 and 2018 werepre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
61 |
2020 | ||||
Item 3: Ratification of the Appointment of Deloitte as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our Audit Committee is directly responsible for the selection, appointment, compensation, and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. Deloitte has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2004.
The Audit Committee annually reviews Deloitte’s qualifications, performance and independence in determining whether to retain Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In conducting its review, the Audit Committee considers, among other factors:
Deloitte’s professional qualifications and reputation for integrity and competence in the fields of accounting and auditing,
the qualifications of the lead audit partner and other key audit engagement members,
Deloitte’s current and historical performance on the Company’s audits, including the extent and quality of its communications with the Audit Committee and the Company’s management and internal audit department,
the depth of Deloitte’s knowledge of the Company’s business, internal controls, and accounting practices,
the nature and extent of Deloitte’snon-audit services,
an analysis of Deloitte’s known legal risks and significant proceedings that could impair its ability to perform the Company’s annual audit,
the appropriateness of Deloitte’s audit fees,
Deloitte’s tenure as the Company’s independent auditor, and
the potential impact of selecting a different independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the retention of Deloitte to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2020 is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and we are asking shareholders to ratify the appointment of Deloitte. Although ratification is not required by law or under our bylaws or other corporate governance documents, the Board is submitting the appointment of Deloitte to our shareholders for ratification because we value our shareholders’ views on this matter and as a matter of good corporate governance. If our shareholders do not ratify the appointment, this will be considered a recommendation to the Board and the Audit Committee to consider the selection of a different firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Representatives of Deloitte are expected to be present at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will require that the number of votes cast in favor of this proposal exceeds the number of votes cast against this proposal.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the |
62 | ||
TABLE OF CONTENTS Proxy Statement Summary 1 Proposal 4: Approval of Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated 24 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers 5 Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report 30 Section 16(a) Beneficial Reporting Compliance 6 Compensation Discussion and Analysis 30 Executive Officers 6 Executive Summary 30 Corporate Governance 7 How We Make Compensation Decisions 31 Board of Directors 7 Elements of Compensation 35 Non-Employee Director Compensation 9 Other Compensation Practices 44 Director Independence 10 Executive Compensation Tables 45 Board Committees 11 Summary Compensation 45 Policies on Business Ethics and Conduct 14 Grants of Plan-Based Awards 47 Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions 14 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 48 Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 14 Stock Units Vested 49 Equity Compensation Plans 14 Pension Benefits 49 Audit Committee Report 15 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation 50 Principal Accountant Fees and Services 16 Termination and Change in Control Benefits 51 Pre-Approval Policy for Independent Auditor Services 16 Additional Information 56 Proposal 1: Election of Directors 17 Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting 56 Board of Directors 17 Shareholder Proposals for the 2019 Annual Meeting 59 Director Nominees 17 Communications with the Board of Directors 59 Proposal 2: Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 22 Appendix A - Portland General Electric Company Amended Stock Incentive Plan A-1 Proposal 3: Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Approval of Compensation of Named Executive Officers 23
On PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARYThis summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. It does not contain all of the information you should consider. Please review the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.Annual Meeting of Shareholders Date and Time: April 25, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Pacific TimePlace: Conference Center AuditoriumTwo World Trade Center25 SW Salmon StreetPortland, Oregon 97204Record Date: March 1, 2018Voting Matters and Board Voting Recommendations Proposal 1: Election of DirectorsThe Board recommends a FOR vote for the election of each of the director nominees named in the proxy statement.Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmThe Board recommends a FOR vote on this proposal.Proposal 3: Advisory Vote on Executive CompensationThe Board recommends a FOR vote on this proposal.Proposal 4: Approval of the Portland General Electric Company Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restatedThe Board recommends a FOR vote on this proposal.PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES Name Age Director Since John W. Ballantine 72 2004 Rodney L. Brown, Jr. 62 2007 71 2012 David A. Dietzler 74 2006 Kirby A. Dyess 71 2009 Mark B. Ganz 57 2006 Kathryn J. Jackson 60 2014 Neil J. Nelson 59 2006 M. Lee Pelton 67 2006 Maria M. Pope 53 2018 Charles W. Shivery 72 2014 PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMWe are asking our shareholders to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018. Set forth below is a summary of information with respect to Deloitte's fees for services provided in 2017 and 2016. 2017 2016 Audit Fees $ 1,665,725 $ 1,625,000 Audit-Related Fees 99,000 79,564 Tax Fees — — All Other Fees 3,790 5,700 Total $ 1,768,515 $ 1,710,264 PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONWe are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, our named executive officer compensation. The Board of Directors recommends a “FOR” vote because it believes that our compensation policies and practices help us achieve our goals of rewarding strong and sustained financial and operating performance, leadership excellence and alignment of our executives' long-term interests with those of our stakeholders.Below are some of the key features of our executive compensation program that we believe help enable the company to achieve its performance goals:A significant percentage of compensation at risk.Incentive pay based on quantifiable company measures.Balanced focus on financial results and operations.Stock ownership guidelines that align executives’ interests with those of shareholders.An independent compensation consultant that reports directly to the Compensation and Human Resources Committee.Low burn rate (the rate at which equity incentive awards are made).No significant perquisites.These features are reflected in the 2017 compensation of our named executive officers, which is summarized in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the additional information on our executive compensation program included in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement and the related executive compensation tables.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLEName and Principal Position Year Salary Stock Award Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings All Other Compensation Totals 2017 858,671 1,562,979 901,106 138,351 324,146 3,785,253 2016 836,431 1,517,452 680,574 135,052 148,124 3,317,633 2015 805,549 1,395,704 688,826 41,221 138,451 3,069,751 2017 457,362 519,114 264,111 190,458 63,100 1,494,145 2016 449,074 461,998 206,396 114,897 45,824 1,278,189 2015 413,356 402,470 201,648 14,470 44,943 1,076,887 2017 540,491 545,362 333,540 88,124 71,937 1,579,454 2016 477,576 494,985 245,180 55,384 60,683 1,333,808 2015 464,728 438,582 234,258 25,302 64,135 1,227,005 2017 203,768 342,992 113,943 47,281 117,238 825,222 2016 398,086 332,983 166,364 54,397 48,352 1,000,182 2015 385,729 289,784 169,364 (1,375 ) 48,796 892,298 2017 332,534 230,684 174,173 198,538 43,278 979,207 2016 322,903 223,992 135,991 120,053 39,627 842,566 2015 317,720 216,781 142,684 46,614 43,586 767,385 2017 309,599 218,894 137,817 111,974 41,330 819,614 *Mr. Piro resigned as President effective October 1, 2017 and as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2018 in connection with his retirement from the company. Ms. Pope was appointed President effective October 1, 2017 and previously served as Senior Vice President, Power Supply, Operations and Resource Strategy.PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF STOCK INCENTIVE PLANWe are submitting the Portland General Electric Company Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) for shareholder approval. The purpose of the Stock Incentive Plan is to provide incentives that will attract, retain and motivate highly competent persons as officers, directors and key employees of the company by providing them with incentives and rewards in the form of rights to earn shares of the common stock of the company and cash equivalents. The Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options and stock appreciation rights. To date, the company has only granted restricted stock units and restricted stock awards under the Stock Incentive Plan.The Stock Incentive Plan was last approved by our shareholders in 2013. Since that time, the Stock Incentive Plan has been amended to extend the expiration date from March 31, 2016 to March 31, 2024 and was most recently amended on February 13, 2018 to make certain other changes as described in Proposal 4. We are not requesting additional shares for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan. Shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan will have the effect, among others, of authorizing the extension of the term of the plan and providing that awards granted to employees under the plan after its original expiration on March 31, 2016 may be settled in stock to the extent that such awards vest in accordance with their existing terms.Important Dates for 2019 Annual Meeting We plan to hold our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 24, 2019. Shareholder proposals submitted for inclusion in our 2019 proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received by us by November 14, 2018. Shareholder proposals to be brought before the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders outside of Rule 14a-8 must be received by us by December 26, 2018. After November 14, 2018, and up to December 26, 2018 a shareholder may submit a proposal to be presented at the annual meeting, but it will not be included in our proxy statement or form of proxy relating to the 2019 annual meeting.Proxy Statement This proxy statement is being furnished to you by the Board of Directors of Portland General Electric Company (“PGE” or the “company”) to solicit your proxy to vote your shares at our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held at the Conference Center Auditorium located at Two World Trade Center, 25 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card and 2017 Annual Report are being mailed to shareholders, or made available electronically, on or about March 14, 2018.March 1, 2018February 28, 2020 there were 89,207,82089,463,547 shares of PGE common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth, as of that date unless otherwise specified, the beneficial ownership of PGE common stock of (1) known beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of PGE common stock, (2) each director or nominee for director, (3) each of our “named executive officers” listed in the Summary Compensation Table, and (4) our executive officers and directors as a group. Each of the persons named below has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite his, her or its name, except as otherwise noted.Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Amount and Nature of Ownership Percent of Class 5% or Greater Holders The Vanguard Group, Inc.(1) 8,061,203 9.04 % 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 BlackRock, Inc.(2) 8,922,780 10 % 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 JP MORGAN CHASE & CO.(3) 4,591,098 5.1 % 270 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 Non-Employee Directors John W. Ballantine 20,416 (4) * Rodney L. Brown, Jr. 19,740 (4) * Jack E. Davis 11,905 (4) * David A. Dietzler 20,416 (4) * Kirby A. Dyess 16,782 (4) * Mark B. Ganz 20,416 (4)(5) * Kathryn J. Jackson 8,593 (4) * Neil J. Nelson 20,016 (4)(5) * M. Lee Pelton 20,416 (4) * Charles W. Shivery 9,011 (4) * Named Executive Officers James J. Piro 182,486 * James F. Lobdell 39,546 * Maria M. Pope 19,641 (5) * J. Jeffrey Dudley 49,355 * William O. Nicholson 20,581 * W. David Robertson 20,404 * All of the company's executive officers and directors as a group (23 persons) 558,485 *
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class | ||||||
5% or Greater Holders | ||||||||
The Vanguard Group, Inc.(1) 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 |
| 9,847,842 |
|
| 11.01 | % | ||
BlackRock, Inc.(2) 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 |
| 7,018,588 |
|
| 7.9 | % | ||
Non-Employee Directors | ||||||||
John Ballantine |
| 25,045 | (3)(4) |
| * |
| ||
Rodney Brown |
| 24,369 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Jack Davis |
| 16,534 | (3)(5) |
| * |
| ||
Kirby Dyess |
| 21,411 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Marie Oh Huber |
| 2,111 | (3) | |||||
Mark Ganz |
| 25,045 | (3)(6) |
| * |
| ||
Kathryn Jackson |
| 13,222 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Michael Millegan |
| 2,723 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Neil Nelson |
| 24,645 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Lee Pelton |
| 25,045 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Charles Shivery |
| 13,640 | (3) |
| * |
| ||
Named Executive Officers | ||||||||
Maria Pope |
| 40,662 | (7) |
| * |
| ||
James Lobdell |
| 57,251 | (8) |
| * |
| ||
Lisa Kaner |
| 6,505 | (9) |
| * |
| ||
John McFarland |
| 2,802 | (10) |
| * |
| ||
John Kochavatr |
| 2,975 | (11) |
| * |
| ||
All of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group (21 persons) |
| 383,845 | (12) |
| * |
|
* | Percentage is less than 1% of PGE common stock outstanding. |
(1) | As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the |
(2) | As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the |
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
63 |
2020 | ||||
(3) | Includes |
(4) | Includes 300 shares of common stock held indirectly in the John W. Ballantine Self Declaration of Trust. |
(5) | Includes 14,356 shares of common stock held jointly with |
(6) | Includes 21,641 shares of common stock that are held jointly with Mr. Ganz’s spouse, who shares voting and investment power. |
(7) | Includes 5,157 shares of common stock that would be issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon) that would vest within 60 days of February 28, 2020 if Ms. Pope terminates employment due to (i) death, (ii) disability, or (iii) retirement after attaining age 55 with at least five years of service. Includes 35,505 shares jointly held with Ms. Pope’s spouse, who shares voting and investment power with respect to such shares. |
(8) | Includes 3,837 shares of common stock that would be issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon) that would vest within 60 days of February 28, 2020 if Mr. Lobdell terminates employment due to (i) death, (ii) disability, or (iii) retirement after attaining age 55 with at least five years of service while satisfying the Rule of 75, as described on page 41. |
(9) | Includes 927 shares of common stock that would be issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon) that would vest within 60 days of February 28, 2020 if Ms. Kaner terminates employment due to death or disability. |
(10) | Includes 1,281 shares of common stock that would be issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon) that would vest within 60 days of February 28, 2020 if Mr. McFarland terminates employment due to death or disability. |
(11) | Includes 577 shares of common stock that would be issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon) that would vest within 60 days of February 28, 2020 if Mr. Kochavatr terminates employment due to death or disability. |
(12) | Includes 41,405 shares of common stock issuable within 60 days of February 28, 2020 upon the vesting of restricted stock units (and dividend equivalent rights accrued thereon). |
Section 16(a) of the SecuritiesExchange Act requires the Company’s directors and Exchange Commissionexecutive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in their ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. SEC rules require that we disclose late filings of reports of stock ownership (and changes in stock ownership) by our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock. To the best of our knowledge, all of the filings required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock were made on a timely basis in 2017.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1) | Stock Awards (2) | All Other Compensation (3) | Total | |||||||||||
John W. Ballantine | $ | 92,250 | $ | 89,310 | $ | 1,650 | $ | 183,210 | |||||||
Rodney L. Brown, Jr. | 84,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 175,710 | |||||||||||
Jack E. Davis | 141,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 232,710 | |||||||||||
David A. Dietzler | 84,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 175,710 | |||||||||||
Kirby A. Dyess | 96,000 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 186,960 | |||||||||||
Mark B. Ganz | 84,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 175,710 | |||||||||||
Kathryn J. Jackson | 84,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 175,710 | |||||||||||
Neil J. Nelson | 99,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 190,710 | |||||||||||
M. Lee Pelton | 92,250 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 183,210 | |||||||||||
Charles W. Shivery | 84,750 | 89,310 | 1,650 | 175,710 |
Annual Cash Retainer Fees | |||
Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Directors | $ | 50,000 | |
Additional Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Chairman of the Board | 75,000 | ||
Additional Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Audit Committee Chair | 15,000 | ||
Additional Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair | 11,250 | ||
Additional Annual Cash Retainer Fee for Other Committee Chairs | 7,500 | ||
Annual Committee Service Fee (per committee) | 18,000 | ||
Value of Annual Grant of Restricted Stock Units | 90,000 |
Plan Category | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) |
Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders | 625,323(1) | N/A | 3,345,262(2)(3) |
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by security holders | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Total | 625,323(1) | N/A | 3,345,262(2)(3) |
2017 | 2016 | |||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 1,665,725 | $ | 1,625,000 | ||
Audit-Related Fees(2) | 99,000 | 79,564 | ||||
Tax Fees(3) | — | — | ||||
All Other Fees(4) | 3,790 | 5,700 | ||||
Total | $ | 1,768,515 | $ | 1,710,264 |
Number of Units Subject to Contingent Employee Awards | |||||||||
Time Based Awards | Performance Based Awards | ||||||||
Name and Position | Dollar Value | Threshold | Maximum | ||||||
James J. Piro Chief Executive Officer (1) | $ | 518,129 | — | 12,041 | 21,072 | ||||
James F. Lobdell Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | $ | 1,053,823 | — | 25,451 | 44,539 | ||||
Maria M. Pope President and Chief Executive Officer (1) | $ | 2,045,400 | — | 50,230 | 87,903 | ||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer | $ | 58,892 | — | 1,369 | 2,395 | ||||
William O. Nicholson Senior Vice President, Customer Service, Transmission and Distribution | $ | 468,373 | — | 11,311 | 19,795 | ||||
W. David Robertson Vice President, Public Policy | $ | 444,380 | — | 10,732 | 18,781 | ||||
All current executive officers (11 people) | $ | 7,734,657 | 4,797 | 181,753 | 318,068 | ||||
All current non-employee directors | $ | 900,000 | 19,450 | — | — | ||||
All other employees including current non-executive officers | $ | 4,000,283 | 9,949 | 86,610 | 151,568 |
Revenues (1) | Net Income (2) | Market Capitalization (as of 12/31/17) | Enterprise Value (as of 12/31/17) | |||||||||
75th Percentile | $2,636 | $361 | $7,266 | $11,224 | ||||||||
Median | 1,700 | 199 | 4,979 | 6,628 | ||||||||
25th Percentile | 1,356 | 138 | 3,238 | 5,403 | ||||||||
PGE | 1,987 | 200 | 4,423 | 6,711 | ||||||||
PGE Percentile Rank | 53 | 50 | 45 | 51 |
2016 Salary (1) | 2017 Salary (2) | Annual Increase | ||||||
James J. Piro | $798,662 | $822,622 | 3.0 | % | ||||
James F. Lobdell | 420,000 | 432,604 | 3.0 | % | ||||
Maria M. Pope | 450,000 | 454,500 | 1.0 | % | ||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 370,000 | 381,106 | 3.0 | % | ||||
William O. Nicholson | 320,000 | 329,608 | 3.0 | % | ||||
W. David Robertson | 295,000 | 312,723 | 6.0 | % |
Target Awards.Additional Information
Target awards were established by multiplying base salary paid in 2017 by the applicable percentage shown in the table below. The target awards of all of our executives were close to the competitive reference point for their positions.
Target Awards (Award at Target Performance) | Award at Maximum Performance | Target Award as Multiple of Base Salary | |||||
James J. Piro | $805,422 | $1,208,132 | 95% | ||||
James F. Lobdell | 236,066 | 354,100 | 55% | ||||
Maria M. Pope | 272,056 | 408,083 | 55% | ||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley* | 189,059 | 283,588 | 50% | ||||
William O. Nicholson | 163,512 | 245,268 | 50% | ||||
W. David Robertson | 123,183 | 184,774 | 40% |
Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||
Percentage of Target | 85 | % | 100 | % | 115 | % | |||
Earnings Per Share | $1.91 | $2.25 | $2.59 | ||||||
Performance Percentage | 50.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 150.0 | % |
GENERATION PLANT AVAILABILITY | |||||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||
Performance Percentage | 50.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 150.0 | % | |
Performance Targets | 86.73 | % | 88.48 | % | 90.23 | % | |
Generation plant availability is measured by the amount of time that a generating plant is able to produce electricity over a certain period (determined by subtracting from total hours in the period all maintenance outage hours, planned outage hours and forced outage hours), divided by the number of hours in the period. To set the threshold, target and maximum performance levels for this goal, we established individual plant goals, which were then weighted to produce overall performance targets. To establish each individual plant goal, we used the following formulas: |
ACI |
annual cash incentive | ||||||||
ACI Plan | 2008 Annual Cash Incentive Master Plan for Executive Officers | |||||||
Annual Meeting | 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2020 | |||||||
Board | Portland General Electric Company Board of Directors | |||||||
CEO | Chief Executive Officer | |||||||
CFO | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
Company | Portland General Electric Company | |||||||
Compensation Committee | Compensation and Human Resources Committee | |||||||
Deloitte | Deloitte & Touche, LLP | |||||||
EPS | earnings per diluted share | |||||||
FASB ASC | Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification | |||||||
FW Cook | Frederic W. Cook & Company, Inc. | |||||||
Governance Committee | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | |||||||
LTI | long-term incentive | |||||||
1986 MDCP | Portland General Electric Company Management Deferred Compensation Plan | |||||||
2005 MDCP | Portland General Electric Company 2005 Management Deferred Compensation Plan | |||||||
named executive officers | the |
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | |||||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||
Performance Percentage | 50.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 150.0 | % | |
Performance Targets | 39.80 | % | 44.10 | % | 54.70 | % | |
Customer satisfaction is measured by the average of the company’s residential, general business and key customer satisfaction scores, where satisfaction is defined as a rating of 9 or higher on a 10-point scale. Scores are determined by calculating the weighted average of the following: | |||||||
• Average of 4 quarterly ratings of the Market Strategies Study for Residential Customers. | |||||||
• Average of 2 semiannual ratings of the Market Strategies Study for Business Customers. | |||||||
• Annual rating results from the TQS Research, Inc. 2017 Annual Benchmark of Large Key Accounts. | |||||||
These ratings are weighted by the annual revenue from each customer group that produces the annual rating. |
ELECTRIC SERVICE POWER QUALITY & SYSTEM RELIABILITY | |||||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||
Performance Percentage | 50.0 | % | 100.0% | 150.0% | |||
Performance Targets | |||||||
SAIDI (weighted 70%) | 83.00 | 76.00 | 71.00 | ||||
SAIFI (weighted 15%) | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.65 | ||||
MAIFI (weighted 15%) | 2.00 | 1.60 | 1.30 | ||||
• SAIDI is a service reliability index equal to the sum of customer outage durations (in minutes) divided by total number of customers served. | |||||||
• SAIFI is the total number of customer outages divided by total number of customers served. | |||||||
• MAIFI is the total number of customer momentary interruptions divided by total number of customers. |
POWER COST MANAGEMENT | ||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||
Performance Percentage | 50.0% | 100.0% | 150.0% | |
Performance Targets | $11.0M | $22.0M | $33.0M | |
Power Cost Management is measured by net variable power cost reduction, which is equal to wholesale power and fuel sales less the sum of all variable power costs, including wholesale (physical and financial) power purchases, fuel costs, and other costs that change as power output changes. |
this Proxy Statement | ||||||
NYSE | New York Stock Exchange | |||||
OPUC |
Oregon Public Utility Commission | |||||||
PCAOB | Public Company Accounting Oversight Board | ||||||
Pension Plan | Portland General Electric |
Company Pension Plan | ||||||
PGE | Portland General Electric Company | |||||
PSU | performance-vested restricted stock unit | |||||
ROE | return on equity | |||||
RSU | time-vested restricted stock unit | |||||
SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||
SERP | supplemental executive retirement plan | |||||
TSR | total shareholder return |
Corporate Governance
https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/corporate-governance
Annual Cash Incentive Metrics | Actual | Threshold | Target | Max | Performance % | |||||||
Financial Goal | ||||||||||||
EPS* | $2.29 | $1.91 | $2.25 | $2.59 | 105.9 | % | ||||||
Operating Goals | ||||||||||||
Generation Plant Availability | 90.34 | % | 86.73 | % | 88.48 | % | 90.23 | % | 150.0 | % | ||
Customer Satisfaction | 54.49 | % | 39.80 | % | 44.10 | % | 54.70 | % | 149.1 | % | ||
Electric Service Power Quality and System Reliability | ||||||||||||
SAIDI | 112.80 | 83.00 | 76.00 | 71.00 | 0.0 | % | ||||||
SAIFI | .62 | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.65 | 150.0 | % | ||||||
MAIFI | 1.35 | 2.00 | 1.60 | 1.30 | 141.7 | % | ||||||
Power Cost Management | $37.1M | $11.0M | $22.0M | $33.0M | 150.0 | % |
Sustainability, Environmental and Social
https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/ESG
Proxy Materials and Annual Reports
https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/annual
Investor FAQs
https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/investor-faqs
Please note that information on our CEO’s award. The Compensation Committeewebsite is not, and the independent directors didwill not exercise their discretion under the planbe deemed to adjust awards downward. The cash incentive award payoutsbe, a part of the named executive officers are shown in the table below.
Named Executive Officer | Financial Performance Percentage | Operating Performance Percentage | Final Award | Final Award as % of Target | ||
James J. Piro | 105.9% | 117.8% | $901,106 | 111.9% | ||
James F. Lobdell | 105.9% | 117.8% | 264,111 | 111.9% | ||
Maria M. Pope | 105.9% | 139.3% | 333,540 | 122.6% | ||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 105.9% | 117.8% | 113,943 | 111.9% | ||
William O. Nicholson | 105.9% | 107.1% | 174,173 | 106.5% | ||
W. David Robertson | 105.9% | 117.8% | 137,817 | 111.9% |
Name | Award Value at Target Performance | Award Value at Maximum Performance | Target Award as Multiple of Base Salary | ||||
James J. Piro | $1,562,979 | $2,735,202 | 1.9 | ||||
James F. Lobdell | 519,114 | 908,449 | 1.1 | ||||
Maria M. Pope | 545,362 | 954,405 | 1.1 | ||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 342,992 | 600,225 | 0.9 | ||||
William O. Nicholson | 230,684 | 403,707 | 0.7 | ||||
W. David Robertson | 218,894 | 383,053 | 0.7 |
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||||||
RETURN ON EQUITY RESULTS | REGULATED ASSET BASE RESULTS | TSR RESULTS | |||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017* | Average | As of 12/31/2017 (Thousands) | 2017 | ||||||||
Allowed ROE | 9.68 | % | 9.60 | % | 9.60 | % | Target Asset Base | $5,318,992 | Target | 50th Percentile | |||
Accounting ROE | 8.26 | % | 8.38 | % | 8.54 | % | Actual Asset Base | $5,557,663 | Actual | 36th Percentile | |||
Accounting ROE as % of Allowed ROE | 85.3 | % | 87.3 | % | 89.0 | % | 87.2% | Actual Amount as % of Target | 104.5% | ||||
Payout Percentage | 90.7% | 150.0% | 65.9% |
RSUs Vested | Vesting Date Award Value * | |||
James J. Piro | 41,901 | $1,673,526 | ||
James F. Lobdell | 12,104 | 483,434 | ||
Maria M. Pope | 13,190 | 526,809 | ||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 7,307 | 291,842 | ||
William O. Nicholson | 6,520 | 260,409 | ||
W. David Robertson | 6,020 | 240,439 |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary (2) | Stock Awards (3) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4) | Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (5) | All Other Compensation (6) | Totals | ||||||||||||||||||
James J. Piro Chief Executive Officer(1) | 2017 | $858,671 | $1,562,979 | $901,106 | $138,351 | $324,146 | $3,785,253 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 836,431 | 1,517,452 | 680,574 | 135,052 | 148,124 | 3,317,633 | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 805,549 | 1,395,704 | 688,826 | 41,221 | 138,451 | 3,069,751 | |||||||||||||||||||
James F. Lobdell Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 2017 | 457,362 | 519,114 | 264,111 | 190,458 | 63,100 | 1,494,145 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 449,074 | 461,998 | 206,396 | 114,897 | 45,824 | 1,278,189 | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 413,356 | 402,470 | 201,648 | 14,470 | 44,943 | 1,076,887 | |||||||||||||||||||
Maria M. Pope President (1) | 2017 | 540,491 | 545,362 | 333,540 | 88,124 | 71,937 | 1,579,454 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 477,576 | 494,985 | 245,180 | 55,384 | 60,683 | 1,333,808 | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 464,728 | 438,582 | 234,258 | 25,302 | 64,135 | 1,227,005 | |||||||||||||||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer | 2017 | 203,768 | 342,992 | 113,943 | 47,281 | 117,238 | 825,222 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 398,086 | 332,983 | 166,364 | 54,397 | 48,352 | 1,000,182 | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 385,729 | 289,784 | 169,364 | (1,375 | ) | 48,796 | 892,298 | ||||||||||||||||||
William O. Nicholson Senior Vice President, Customer Service, Transmission & Distribution | 2017 | 332,534 | 230,684 | 174,173 | 198,538 | 43,278 | 979,207 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 322,903 | 223,992 | 135,991 | 120,053 | 39,627 | 842,566 | |||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 317,720 | 216,781 | 142,684 | 46,614 | 43,586 | 767,385 | |||||||||||||||||||
W. David Robertson Vice President, Public Policy | 2017 | 309,599 | 218,894 | 137,817 | 111,974 | 41,330 | 819,614 | ||||||||||||||||||
2020 | ||||||
ALL OTHER COMPENSATION
Name | 2005 MDCP Contributions | Dividend Equivalent Rights* | 401(k) Contributions | Accrued Vacation | Total | ||||||||||
James J. Piro | $7,345 | $163,987 | $16,200 | $136,614 | $324,146 | ||||||||||
James F. Lobdell | 1,159 | 45,741 | 16,200 | — | 63,100 | ||||||||||
Maria M. Pope | — | 56,154 | 15,783 | — | 71,937 | ||||||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 2,532 | 36,016 | 6,190 | 72,500 | 117,238 | ||||||||||
William O. Nicholson | 98 | 26,980 | 16,200 | — | 43,278 | ||||||||||
W. David Robertson | — | 25,130 | 16,200 | — | 41,330 |
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Threshold (Number of Shares) | Target (Number of Shares) | Maximum (Number of Shares) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
James J. Piro | $402,711 | $805,422 | $1,208,132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 18,162 | 36,323 | 63,565 | $1,562,979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
James F. Lobdell | 118,033 | 236,066 | 354,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 6,032 | 12,064 | 21,112 | 519,114 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Maria M. Pope | 136,028 | 272,056 | 408,083 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 6,337 | 12,674 | 22,180 | 545,362 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 94,529 | 189,059 | 283,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 3,986 | 7,971 | 13,949 | 342,992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William O. Nicholson | 81,756 | 163,512 | 245,268 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 2,681 | 5,361 | 9,382 | 230,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
W. David Robertson | 61,591 | 123,183 | 184,774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2/15/2017 | 2,544 | 5,087 | 8,902 | 218,894 |
Name | Grant Date | Number of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (5) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (6) | ||||||
James J. Piro | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 63,565 | $2,897,293 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 60,585 | 2,761,464 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 38,347 | $1,747,856 | — | — | |||||||
James F. Lobdell | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 21,112 | 962,285 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 18,446 | 840,769 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 11,058 | 504,024 | — | — | |||||||
Maria M. Pope | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 22,180 | 1,010,964 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 19,763 | 900,798 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 12,050 | 549,239 | — | — | |||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 13,949 | 635,795 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 13,295 | 605,986 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 7,962 | 362,908 | — | — | |||||||
William O. Nicholson | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 9,382 | 427,632 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 8,943 | 407,622 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 5,956 | 271,474 | — | — | |||||||
W. David Robertson | 02/15/2017 (1) | — | — | 8,902 | 405,753 | ||||||
02/17/2016 (2) | — | — | 8,244 | 375,762 | |||||||
02/18/2015 (3) | 5,500 | 250,690 | — | — |
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting of Restricted Stock Units | Value Realized on Vesting | ||||
James J. Piro | 49,943 | $2,149,047 | ||||
James F. Lobdell | 13,923 | 599,107 | ||||
Maria M. Pope | 17,106 | 736,071 | ||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 10,978 | 472,383 | ||||
William O. Nicholson | 8,214 | 353,448 | ||||
W. David Robertson | 7,657 | 329,481 |
Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit | |||||
James J. Piro | Pension Plan | 37.6 | $1,796,961 | |||||
1986 MDCP��and 2005 MDCP | 37.6 | — | ||||||
James F. Lobdell | Pension Plan | 33.2 | 1,436,691 | |||||
1986 MDCP and 2005 MDCP | 33.2 | — | ||||||
Maria M. Pope | Pension Plan | 9.0 | 354,834 | |||||
2005 MDCP | 9.0 | — | ||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | Pension Plan | 29.0 | 1,231,348 | |||||
1986 MDCP and 2005 MDCP | 29.0 | 191,908 | ||||||
William O. Nicholson | Pension Plan | 37.5 | 1,509,523 | |||||
1986 MDCP and 2005 MDCP | 37.5 | — | ||||||
W. David Robertson | Pension Plan | 13.6 | 462,605 | |||||
1986 MDCP and 2005 MDCP | 13.6 | — |
Name | Plan | Executive Contributions in 2017 (1) | Company Contributions in 2017 (2) | Aggregate Earnings in 2017 (3) | Aggregate Balance at 12/31/17 (4) | |||||||||||||
James J. Piro | 2005 MDCP | $485,035 | $7,345 | $135,898 | $3,272,922 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | 217,946 | 3,286,195 | ||||||||||||||
James F. Lobdell | 2005 MDCP | 105,764 | 1,159 | 35,706 | 852,497 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | 106,793 | 1,610,234 | ||||||||||||||
Maria M. Pope | 2005 MDCP | 60,699 | — | 46,109 | 1,071,950 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
J. Jeffrey Dudley | 2005 MDCP | 196,178 | 2,532 | 83,117 | 2,037,666 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | 17,145 | 243,547 | ||||||||||||||
William O. Nicholson | 2005 MDCP | 7,358 | 98 | 6,287 | 146,662 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | 69,667 | 1,050,448 | ||||||||||||||
W. David Robertson | 2005 MDCP | 11,365 | — | 6,227 | 143,544 | |||||||||||||
1986 MDCP | — | — | — | — |
James J. Piro | ||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | $131,448 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | $822,622 | — | $1,628,044 | — | |||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $3,835,192 | — | — | 3,711,807 | $3,835,192 | |||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 901,106 | — | — | — | 901,106 | |||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | 8,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total | 4,736,298 | 830,622 | 131,448 | 5,339,851 | 4,736,298 |
James F Lobdell | ||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | $64,409 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | $432,604 | — | $668,671 | — | |||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $1,153,220 | — | — | 1,114,522 | $1,153,220 | |||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 264,111 | — | — | — | 264,111 | |||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | 8,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total | 1,417,331 | 440,604 | 64,409 | 1,783,193 | 1,417,331 |
Maria M. Pope | |||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | ||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | $650,000 | — | $922,056 | — | ||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $1,241,599 | — | — | 1,200,395 | $1,241,599 | ||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 333,540 | — | — | — | 333,540 | ||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | 8,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Total | 1,575,139 | 658,000 | — | 2,122,451 | 1,575,139 |
J. Jeffrey Dudley | ||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | $9,742 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $819,255 | — | — | $792,089 | $819,255 | |||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 113,943 | — | — | — | 113,943 | |||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | $8,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total | 933,198 | 8,000 | 9,742 | 792,089 | 933,198 |
William O. Nicholson | ||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | $42,018 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | $329,608 | — | $493,120 | — | |||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $580,689 | — | — | 562,503 | $580,689 | |||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 174,173 | — | — | — | 174,173 | |||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | 8,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total | 754,862 | 337,608 | 42,018 | 1,055,623 | 754,862 |
W. David Robertson | |||||||||||||||||||
Benefit Plan | Retirement | Involuntary Not for Cause Termination | Change in Control | Termination Following Change in Control | Death or Disability | ||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans(1) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Severance Pay Plan(2) | — | $312,723 | — | $435,906 | — | ||||||||||||||
Performance RSUs(3)(4) | $538,072 | — | — | 521,116 | $538,072 | ||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Award(5) | 137,817 | — | — | — | 137,817 | ||||||||||||||
Outplacement Assistance Plan(6) | — | 8,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Total | 675,889 | 320,723 | — | 957,022 | 675,889 |
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability ofthese proxy materials?
We are providing these proxy materials this year insteadto you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by PGE’s Board of Directors for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and for any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and a full set of proxy materials?
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Noticein the mail instead of printed copies of the proxy materials?
Making the proxy materials available to shareholders via the Internet saves us the cost of printing and mailing documents and will reduce the impact of the Annual Meeting on the environment. If you received only a Notice of Internet Availability”) to our shareholdersAvailability, you will not receive a printed copy of record and beneficial owners.the proxy materials unless you request it. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice of Internet Availability or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials at no charge. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials on the Internetinternet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice of Internet Availability. In addition, shareholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis by following the instructions on the website referred to in the Notice of Internet Availability.
Why am I receiving thesedid some shareholders receive printed or email copies of the proxy materials?
We are distributing printed copies of Directors has made these materials available to you on the Internet, or, upon your request, will deliver printed versions of theseproxy materials to youshareholders who have previously requested printed copies . We are providing shareholders who have previously requested electronic delivery of proxy materials with an email containing a link to the website where the materials are available via the Internet.
What is “householding” and how does it affect me?
The Company has adopted the “householding” procedure approved by mail,the SEC, which allows us to deliver one set of documents to a household of shareholders instead of delivering a set to each shareholder in connection witha household, unless we have been instructed otherwise. This procedure is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective because it reduces the board’s solicitationnumber of proxies for use at our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. You are invitedcopies to attend the annual meetingbe printed and are requestedmailed. Shareholders who receive proxy materials in paper form will continue to receive separate proxy cards to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement.
How can I access the proxy materials online?
This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, as well as our 2019 Annual Report, are available on our website at https://investors.portlandgeneral.com/annual.
Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?
Holders of PGE common stock as of the close of business on the record date, March 1, 2018,February 28, 2020, may vote at the annual meeting,Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy. As of the close of business on March 1, 2018,February 28, 2020, there were 89,207,82089,463,547 shares of PGE common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. The common stock is the only authorized voting security of the company,Company, and each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the annual meeting.
What matters will be voted on at the annual meeting?
There are fourthree matters scheduled for a vote at the annual meeting:
The election of 12 directors; |
Item 2 | An advisory,non-binding vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and |
Item 3 | The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What are the board’sBoard’s voting recommendations?
The boardBoard recommends that you vote your shares in the following manner:
“FOR” the election of each of the company’sCompany’s 12 nominees for director;
“FOR” the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and
“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm for
2018;
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or AST, you are considered the “shareholder of record” with respect to those shares.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, those shares are held in “street name” and you are considered the “beneficial owner” of the shares. As the beneficial owner of those shares, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares, and you will receive separate instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee describing how to vote your shares. You also are invited to attend the annual meeting.Annual Meeting. However, because a beneficial owner is not the shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting.
How can I vote my shares beforevote?
Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting?
By Telephone:If you are located in the United States or Canada, you can vote your shares by calling1-800-690-6903 and following the instructions contained inon the Notice of Internet Availability. proxy card or voting instruction form.
By Internet. Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the online instructions.
By Mail.If you request printed copies of thereceived your proxy materials by mail, you may alsocan vote by completing,marking, signing and dating the enclosedyour proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
In Person.If you are a shareholder of record and attend the Annual Meeting in person, you may use a ballot provided at the meeting to vote. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you must present a written legal proxy from the broker, bank, or other nominee will provide you with materials and instructions for voting your shares.
Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 19, 2020 for shares held in the Portland General Electric Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan and through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 21, 2020 for all other shares. For telephone and Internet voting, you will need the16-digit control number included on your notice or proxy card or in the voting instruction form that accompanied your proxy materials.
How will my shares be voted if I give my proxy but do not specify how my shares should be voted?
If your shares are held in your own name as a shareholder of record and you return your signed proxy card but do not indicate your voting preferences, your shares will be voted as follows:
“FOR” the election of each of the company'sCompany’s 12 nominees for director;
“FOR” the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and
“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year
2018;
NYSE rules applicable to broker-dealers grant your broker discretionary authority to vote your shares without receiving your instructions on certain routine matters. Your broker has discretionary authority under the New York Stock ExchangeNYSE rules to vote your shares on the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. However, unless you provide voting instructions
Portland General Electric 2020 Proxy | ||||
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2020 | ||||
to your broker, your broker does not have authority to vote your shares with respect to the election of directors and the approval of the compensation of the company’sCompany’s named executive officers and the approval of the Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.officers. As a result, we strongly encourage you to submit your proxy and exercise your right to vote as a shareholder.
Could other matters be decided at the annual meeting?
As of the date of this proxy statement,Proxy Statement, we are unaware of any matters, other than those set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that may properly be presented at the annual meeting.Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the meeting to another time or place, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card, or their duly constituted substitutes, will be deemed authorized to vote those shares for which proxies have been given or otherwise act on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
What do I need to bring to be admitted to the annual meeting?
All shareholders must present a form of personal photo identification in order to be admitted to the meeting. In addition, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to attend the annual meeting,Annual Meeting, you must bring an account statement or letter from the broker, bank or other nominee indicating that you were the owner of the shares on the record date, February 28, 2020.
March 1, 2018.
If you hold shares in your own name as a shareholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before voting begins by:
Notifying our Corporate Secretary in writing that you are revoking your proxy;
Delivering another duly signed proxy that is dated after the proxy you wish to revoke;revoke, or delivering a later-dated vote by telephone or on the internet; or
Attending the annual meetingAnnual Meeting and voting in person by properly completing and submitting a ballot. (Attendance at the meeting, in and of itself, will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you vote at the meeting.revoked.)
Any written notice of revocation, or later dated proxy, should be delivered to:
Portland General Electric Company
Attention: Corporate Secretary
121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301
Portland, Oregon 97204
Alternatively, you may hand-deliver a written revocation notice, or a later dated proxy, to the Corporate Secretary at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting before the voting begins.
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and wish to change your vote with respect to those shares, please check with your broker, bank or other nominee and follow the procedures your broker, bank or other nominee provides you.
What are the voting requirements to elect directors and approve the other proposals described in the proxy statement?
The vote required to approve each of the matters scheduled for a vote at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting is set forth below:
Proposal | Vote Required | |
Election of directors | Votes in Favor Exceed Votes Against | |
Advisory vote on compensation of the Company’s named executive officers | Votes in Favor Exceed Votes Against | |
Ratification of appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP | Votes in Favor Exceed Votes Against | |
What is the “quorum” for the annual meetingAnnual Meeting and what happens if a quorum is not present?
The presence at the annual meeting,Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of March 1, 2018February 28, 2020 is required to constitute a “quorum.” The existence of a quorum is necessary in order to take action on the
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
matters scheduled for a vote at the annual meeting.Annual Meeting. If you vote online or by telephone, or submit a properly executed proxy card, your shares will be included for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. Proxies marked “abstain” and “brokernon-votes” (each of which are explained below) also will be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. If the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting are not sufficient to constitute a quorum, the chairmanchair of the meeting, or the shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy, may, without further notice to any shareholder (unless a new record date is set), adjourn the meeting to a different time and place to permit further solicitations of proxies sufficient to constitute a quorum.
What is an “abstention” and how would it affect the vote?
An “abstention” occurs when a shareholder sends in a proxy with explicit instructions to decline to vote regarding a particular matter. Abstentions are counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. However, an abstention with respect to a matter submitted to a vote of shareholders will not be counted for or against the matter. Consequently, an abstention with respect to any of the proposals at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting will not affect the outcome of the vote.
What is a “brokernon-vote” and how would it affect the vote?
A brokernon-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee who holds shares for another person does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for the proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Brokers will have discretionary voting power to vote shares for which no voting instructions have been provided by the beneficial owner with respect to the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, but not with respect to the other proposals. Accordingly, there might be brokernon-votes with respect to the election of directors and the advisory vote to approve the compensation of the company’sCompany’s named executive officers andofficers. A brokernon-vote will not be counted for or against the approval of the Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. A broker non-vote will have the same effect as an abstentionmatter and, therefore, will not affect the outcome of the vote with respect to any of the proposals at the annual meeting.
Who will conduct the proxy solicitation and how much will it cost?
The companyCompany is soliciting your proxy for the annual meetingAnnual Meeting and will pay all the costs of the proxy solicitation process. We have engaged Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. to assist in the distribution of proxy materials, and we will pay their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for those services. Our directors, officers and employees may communicate with shareholders by telephone, facsimile, email or personal contact to solicit proxies. These individuals will not be specifically compensated for doing so. We will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonableout-of-pocket expenses for forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of PGE common stock.
Who will count the votes?
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will tabulate the votes cast by mail, Internet,internet, or telephone. Nora E. Arkonovich, our AssistantCorporate Secretary, will tabulate any votes cast at the annual meetingAnnual Meeting and will act as inspector of election to certify the results.
If you have any questions about voting your shares or attending the annual meeting,Annual Meeting, please call our Investor Relations Department at(503) 464-8586.
We plan to hold our 2019 annual meeting2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders on April 24, 2019. If you wish28, 2021.
Requirements for Shareholder Proposals to submit a proposalBe Considered for Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Materials
For shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in ourthe Proxy Statement and form of proxy materials forrelating to the 2019 annual meeting2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders, the proposalthey must be in proper form as requiredreceived by the Company’s Corporate Secretary no later than November 12, 2020. All proposals must also comply with Rule14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which lists the requirements for the inclusion of shareholder proposals in Company proxy materials.
Requirements for Shareholder Proposals to Be Brought Before the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and our Corporate Secretary must receive theDirector Nominations
Notice of any proposal by November 14, 2018. In addition, under our bylaws, in order for a proposal outside of Rule 14a-8 to be considered “timely” within the meaning of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such proposal must be received at our principal executive offices by December 26, 2018. After November 14, 2018, and up to December 26, 2018,that a shareholder may submit a proposalintends to be presentedpresent at the 2019 annual meeting,2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders, but it willdoes not beintend to have included in our proxy statement orthe Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to the meeting.2021 Annual Meeting of shareholders, as well as any director
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nominations, must be delivered to the Company’s Corporate Secretary not earlier than November 23, 2020 and no later than the close of business on December 23, 2020. In addition, the notice must set forth the information required by the Company’s bylaws with respect to the shareholder submitting the notice and each director nomination or other proposal that the shareholder intends to present at the Annual Meeting.
Shareholder proposals and nominations should be addressed to Portland General Electric Company, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 121 SW Salmon Street, 1WTC1301, Portland, Oregon 97204. We recommend that shareholders submitting proposals or nominations use certified mail, return receipt requested, in order to provide proof of timely receipt. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal or nomination that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements, including the rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on 04/21/2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. ET on 04/19/2020 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ATTN: CHRISTOPHER LIDDLE ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS 121 SW SALMON STREET 1 WTC0509 If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy PORTLAND, OR 97204 materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet 1 and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials Investor Address Line 1 electronically in future years. Investor Address Line 2 Investor Address Line 3 1 1 OF VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Investor Address Line 4 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET Investor Address Line 5 on 04/21/2020 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. ET on 04/19/2020 for shares John Sample held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the 1234 ANYWHERE STREET 2 instructions. ANY CITY, ON A1A 1A1 VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. CONTROL # NAME THE COMPANY NAME INC. - COMMON SHARES 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS A 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS B 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS C 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS D 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS E 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS F 123,456,789,012.12345 THE COMPANY NAME INC. - 401 K 123,456,789,012.12345
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: