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LOGO

Watsco, Inc.

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901

Miami, Florida 33133

NOTICE OF THE 20152016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Date:  Monday, May 11, 2015June 6, 2016
Time:  9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time
Place:  Watsco, Inc. Corporate Office

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901Carrier Enterprise Canada

Miami, Florida 331331515 Drew Road

Mississauga, Ontario L5S 1Y8

Canada

Purpose:  

1.      For theour holders of our Common stock to elect one directortwo directors and for theour holders of our Class B common stock to elect two directors.

  

2.      To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year.

3.      To consider any other business that is properly presented at the meeting.

Who May Vote:  You may vote if you were a record owner of our Common stock (NYSE: WSO) or our Class B common stock (NYSE: WSOB) at the close of business on March 30, 2015.April 7, 2016.
Proxy Voting:  Whether or not you expect to be present, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card, and return it in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope as promptly as possible. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

BARRY S. LOGAN

Senior Vice President and Secretary

April 16, 201529, 2016

This is an important meeting, and all shareholders of record as of March 30, 2015April 7, 2016 are invited to attend the meeting and vote in person. We respectfully urge those shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting in person to execute and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed return envelope. No postage is required if mailed in the United States. Any shareholder who executes a proxy card may nevertheless attend the meeting, revoke his or her proxy and vote his or her shares in person.

NOTICE: Brokers are not permitted to vote on any of the proposalsproposal to elect directors contained in this Proxy Statement without instructions from the beneficial owner of shares entitled to vote at the meeting. Therefore, if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and you do not vote your shares in one of the ways described in this Proxy Statement, then your shares will not be voted in respect of anythe proposal to elect directors contained in this Proxy Statement.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   Page 

Information About our Annual Meeting

   1  

Proposal No. 1—Election of Directors, *

5

Executive Officers & Corporate Governance

   7

Board of Directors

85  

Stock Ownership

   1516  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   1718  

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

18

Executive Officers

   19  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   20  

Compensation Committee Report

   2829  

Compensation Tables

   2930  

Audit-Related MattersProposal No. 1—Election of Directors *

   3336

Proposal No. 2—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm *

37

Audit Committee Report

39  

Other Business *

   3641  

 

*To be voted on at the meeting


WATSCO, INC.

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901

Miami, Florida 33133

PROXY STATEMENT

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to Be Held on May 11, 2015June 6, 2016

The Company’s 20142015 Annual Report and this Proxy Statement are available at:

www.watsco.com

You are receiving this Proxy Statement because you owned shares of Watsco, Inc. Common stock or Class B common stock as of March 30, 2015,April 7, 2016, which entitles you to vote those shares at our 20152016 annual meeting of shareholders. Our Board of Directors which we refer(referred to as the Board,Board), is soliciting proxies from shareholders who wish to vote their shares of common stock at the meeting. By using a proxy, you can vote even if you do not attend the meeting. This Proxy Statement describes and provides information about the matters on which you are being asked to vote and provides information on those matters so that you can make an informed decision. Watsco, Inc. is referred to in this document as Watsco, we, us our and the Company.

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being mailed to holders of our Common stock and our Class B common stockshareholders on or about April 16, 2015.29, 2016. Shareholders should review the information contained in this Proxy Statement together with our 20142015 Annual Report, which accompanies this Proxy Statement.

In this Proxy Statement, we refer to Watsco, Inc. asWatsco,we,us,our and theCompany.

Our Internet website and the information contained therein or linked thereto are not incorporated by reference or otherwise made a part of this Proxy Statement.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ANNUAL MEETING

When and where is the annual meeting?

We will hold theThe annual shareholder meeting will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015,June 6, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time at the Watsco, Inc. Corporate Office, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.headquarters of our business subsidiary, Carrier Enterprise Canada, located near Toronto, Canada. The address is 1515 Drew Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5S 1Y8.

Who can attend the annual meeting?

Only shareholdersShareholders of record as of March 30, 2015April 7, 2016 (which we refer to as the record date), or their duly appointed proxies, and our invited guests are permitted to attend the annual meeting. To gain admittance, you must bring valid photo identification to the meeting, and we will verify your name against our shareholder list. If a broker or other nominee holds your shares and you plan to attend the meeting, you must bring a brokerage statement evidencing your share ownership as of the record date, a legal proxy from the broker to vote the shares that are held for your benefit and valid photo identification.

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

Our 20152016 annual meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

 1.To vote on the election of directors as follows:

 

 a.for the holders of Common stock to elect Cesar L. AlvarezDavid C. Darnell and George P. Sape to serve as a directordirectors until our 2019 and 2018 annual meetingmeetings of shareholders, respectively, or until his successor istheir successors are duly elected and qualified; and

 b.for the holders of Class B common stock to elect Aaron J. NahmadBarry S. Logan and Albert H. NahmadBob L. Moss to serve as directors until our 20182019 annual meeting of shareholders, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

2.To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP (referred to as KPMG) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year.

 

 2.3.To vote on such other business, if any, as may properly come before the meeting.

In addition, senior management will discuss the performance of the Company and respond to your questions.

Who can vote?

The Board has set March 30, 2015April 7, 2016 as the record date for the annual meeting. Holders of Watsco Common stock or Class B common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote their shares at the annual meeting, or any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) of the annual meeting. As of the record date, there

There were 30,214,07730,339,203 shares of our Common stock outstanding (representing 36,536,727 shares issued less 6,322,650 shares held in the Company’s treasury) and 4,987,360 shares5,099,013 of our Class B common stock issued and outstanding (representing 5,035,623 shares issued less 48,263 shares held inas of the Company’s treasury),record date, all of which are entitled to be voted.voted at the annual meeting.

A list of shareholders will be available at our corporate office at 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133 during the ten days immediately preceding the annual meeting, and this list will be available at the annual meeting itself for examination by any shareholder entitled to attend the annual meeting.

What are the voting rights of Watsco shareholders?

Holders of our Common stock are entitled to one (1) vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten (10) votes per share on each matter that is submitted to shareholders for approval.

Election of Directors

Holders of our Common stock vote separately to elect 25% of our directors (rounded up to the next whole number), which is presently three (3) directors. Holders of our Class B common stock vote separately to elect 75% of our directors (rounded down to the next whole number), which is presently six (6) directors.

Other Matters

Holders of our Common stock and our Class B common stock vote on a combined basis on all other matters or as required by applicable law.

How do I vote?

Shareholders of Record

. You are a shareholder of record if you are registered as a shareholder with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. To vote by mail, simply mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope. To vote in person, you must attend our annual meeting, bring valid photo identification and deliver your completed proxy card in person.

Beneficial Shareholders

. You are a beneficial shareholder if a brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other agent, referred to as a “nominee,” holds your shares. This is often called ownership in “street name” because your name does not appear on the list of our registered shareholders maintained with our transfer agent. If you hold shares in street name, you will receive voting instructions from your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee. If you are a beneficial

shareholder and would like to vote in person, then you must attend our annual meeting, bring valid photo identification, bring a brokerage statement validating your share ownership as of the record date and obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee to vote the shares that are held for your benefit, attach it to your completed proxy card and deliver it in person.

How do I revoke my proxy and change my vote?

A shareholder of record may revoke a proxy by giving written notice of revocation to our Secretary at our corporate office before the meeting, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by voting in person at the annual meeting. If you are a beneficial shareholder, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote by following your nominee’s procedures for revoking or changing your proxy.

What are the voting recommendations of the Board?

The Board recommends that you vote:

 

FOR the election of each of the director nominees. Please see Page 5nominees named in this Proxy StatementStatement.

FOR the ratification of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for information on the experience and qualifications of each nominee.2016 fiscal year.

What happens if I submit or return my proxy card without voting?

When you properly submit your proxy, the shares it represents will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with your directions. If you properly submit your proxy with no direction, the proxy will be voted:

 

FOR the election of each of the director nominees named in this Proxy Statement;

FOR the ratification of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year; and

 

In accordance with the recommendation of our boardBoard of Directors “For”“FOR” or “Against”“AGAINST” all other business as may properly be brought before the annual meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of Common stock and Class B common stock representing a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting the conduct of business at the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 30,214,077 shares of Common stock outstanding and 4,987,360 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, all of which are entitled to be voted at the annual meeting.

As of the record date, our directors and executive officers and entities affiliated with these persons owned (i) Common stock representing 0.8% of the outstanding shares of Common stock and (ii) Class B common stock representing 91.1%90.4% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, together representing 57.0% of the aggregated combined votes of Common stock and Class B common stock entitled to be cast at the annual meeting. Such persons and entities represent a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock on the record date and thus constitute a quorum, and wequorum. We believe that such persons and entities will vote all of their shares of Common stock and Class B common stock in favor of all proposals set forth in thethis Proxy Statement.

If less than a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Common stock and Class B common stock is represented at the annual meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the annual meeting to another date, time or place. Notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if announced at the annual meeting before an adjournment is taken, unless the Board, after adjournment, fixes a new record date for the annual meeting (in which case a notice of the adjourned meeting will be given to shareholders of record on such new record date, each of whom would be entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting).

How many votes are needed for the proposals to pass?

Election of Directors

IfUnder our Amended and Restated By-Laws, if a quorum is present, atto be elected as a director, a nominee must receive amajority of the annual meeting, the nominees receiving the greatest numbers of votes of Common stock and Class B common stock, voting as separate classes to the extent they are entitled to vote on a nominee, shall be elected as directors.cast in favor of such nominee’s election.

A properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD VOTE” with respect to the election of one or more directorsa director nominee will not be voted with respect tohave the director or directors indicated, but it will be counted as present ateffect of a vote AGAINST the annual meeting for purposeselection of determining whether there is a quorum.such nominee. Shareholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for directors.

Ratification of KPMG as our independent auditor

Under our Amended and Restated By-Laws, if a quorum is present, ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm requires that a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting are cast “FOR” ratification.

What is the effect of abstentions?

Proxies received but marked “ABSTAIN” will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but abstentions will not have an effect on the outcome of any proposal.

What are “broker non-votes” and what effect do they have on the proposals?

Broker non-votes occur when a broker, bank, or other nominee holds shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner, and that nominee does not vote the shares because it (1)(i) has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (2)(ii) lacks discretionary voting power to vote those shares with respect to a particular proposal. Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum exists for the transaction of business, but will not be counted as votes cast “for” or “against” any proposal and will have no effect on the voting results for any proposal.

A broker is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “routine” matters without instructions from the beneficial owner of those shares.shares, which include the proposal to ratify KPMG as our independent public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year. On the other hand, absent instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares,a broker is not entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “non-routine” matters, which include all of the proposalsproposal to elect directors described in this Proxy Statement.

If you hold your shares in street name, it is critical that you provide your broker, bank, or other nominee with instructions on how to cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors (Proposal 1) and in each other Proposal described in this Proxy Statement. If you hold your shares in street name, and you do not instruct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote, then no votesit will not be cast on your behalf.voted for the election of directors.

If any “routine”other routine matters are properly brought before the annual meeting in addition to Proposal 2, then brokers holding shares in street name may vote those shares in their discretion for any such routine matters.

Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum exists for the transaction of business, but will not be counted as votes cast “for” or “against” any proposal and will have no effect on the voting results for any proposal.

Who tabulates the votes?

Prior to the annual meeting, we will select one or more inspectors of election for the meeting. Such inspector(s) will determine the number of shares of Common stock and Class B common stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive, count and tabulate ballots and votes and determine the results thereof.

Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?

We pay the cost of soliciting your proxy, and we reimburse brokerage firms and others for forwarding proxy materials to you. In addition to solicitation by mail, we may also solicit proxies by letter, facsimile, e-mail, telephone or in person. Our directors, officers and employees may participate in the solicitation of proxies without additional consideration.

PROPOSAL NO. 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors & Executive Officers

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated BylawsBy-laws provide that our Board shall consist of no fewer than three nor more than nine members, and that it shall be divided, as nearly as possible into three equal divisions, each division of which serves for a staggered three yearthree-year term.

The three We refer to directors whose terms expire at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders are Cesar L. Alvarez, Aaron J. Nahmad and Albert H. Nahmad. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating & Strategy Committee, our Board has nominated Cesar L. Alvarez, Aaron J. Nahmad and Albert H. Nahmad for re-election at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, each of whom would serve for a three-year term expiring at the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, and each has consented to serve if elected. Cesar L. Alvarez has been nominated as a director to be elected by the holders of Common stock, and Aaron J. Nahmad and Albert H. Nahmad have been nominated as directors to be elected by the holders of Class B common stock.

Holders of our Common stock have previouslyas Common Directors and we refer to directors elected David C. Darnell and Steven R. Fedrizzi to serve as directors for terms expiring at the 2016 and 2017 annual meetings of shareholders, respectively. Holdersby holders of our Class B common stock have previously elected Denise Dickins, Barry S. Logan, Paul F. Manley and Bob L. Moss to serve as directors for terms expiring at the 2017, 2016, 2017 and 2016 annual meetings of shareholders, respectively.Class B Directors.

We believe that eachThe names of our directors possesses the experience, skills and qualities to fully perform his or her dutiesexecutive officers and their respective ages, positions (including designation as a directorCommon Director or Class B Director), biographies and contribute to our success. Our directors have been nominated because they possess the highest standards of personal integrity, interpersonal and communication skills, are highly accomplished in their fields, have an understanding of the interests and issues that are important to our shareholders and are able to dedicate sufficient time to fulfilling their obligations as directors. Our directors as a group complement each other and each of their respective experiences, skills and qualities. While our directors make up a diverse group in terms of age, gender, ethnic background and professional experience, they together comprise a cohesive body in terms of Board process and collaboration.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

Biographies and Qualifications of Nominees and Other Directors

Each director’s principal occupation and other pertinent information about particular experience, qualifications attributes and skills that led the Board to conclude that such personpersons should serve as a director, appeardirectors are set forth below.

Nominees

Name

Age

Position

Albert H. Nahmad

75Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Class B Director

Aaron J. Nahmad

34President and Class B Director

David C. Darnell *

63Common Director

Denise Dickins

54Class B Director

Steven R. Fedrizzi

61Common Director

Barry S. Logan *

53Senior Vice President, Secretary and Class B Director

Paul F. Manley

79Class B Director

Ana M. Menendez

51Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Bob L. Moss *

68Class B Director

George P. Sape *

71Common Director

*Director nominees at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.

Albert H. Nahmad, 74, has been the visionary and leader of Watsco for over 40 years, having served as our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer since December 1972. Among his many contributions, Mr. Nahmad ishas been instrumental in the Chair of the Nominating & Strategy Committee. He has more than 40 years of leadership experience as our President and Chief Executive Officer and has broad knowledgescaling of our Companybusiness through acquisitions, the cultivation of strategic vendor relationships, and long-standing experiencethe development of Watsco’s entrepreneurial culture. In 1988 Mr. Nahmad made the decision to pivot the Company’s strategic focus from manufacturing to distribution of HVAC/R products. Since that time, Watsco’s market capitalization has grown from $22 million to $4.1 billion, and its 25-year compounded annual growth rate of total shareholder return has been 19.6%, ranking Watsco #40 out of 1,297 public companies with a market capitalization of over $2 billion. With revenues exceeding $4 billion in 2015, Watsco has solidified its place as the HVAC/R industry.industry leader and now has approximately 5,000 employees serving 90,000 contractor customers through a branch network of nearly 600 locations.

Cesar L. AlvarezAaron J. (A.J.) Nahmad, 67, has served as the Co-ChairmanPresident of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. (“Greenberg”)Company since February 2012. Mr. Alvarez previously served as Greenberg’s Chief Executive Officer from 1997 until his election as Executive Chairman in 2010January 2016 and as its Executive Chairman from 2010 until his election as Co-Chairman.

Mr. Alvarez was elected to the Board in 1997 and is a member of the Nominating & Strategy Committee. The Board nominated Mr. Alvarez as a director because of his management experience as the current

Co-Chairman and as former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of one of the nation’s largest law firms with professionals providing services in multiple locations across the country and abroad as well as his many years of corporate governance experience, both counseling and serving on the boards of directors of other publicly traded companies.

Mr. Alvarez also serves on the boards of directors of Mednax, Inc., Fairholme Funds, Inc., St. Joe Company, Sears Holdings Corporation and Intrexon Corporation.

Aaron J. Nahmad, 33, hassince 2011. He served as our Vice President of Strategy and& Innovation sincefrom July 2010 until January 2016 and as Director of Global Business Development sincebeginning in 2005. Mr. NahmadHe holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.B.A. from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Aaron J. NahmadHe is the son of Albert H. Nahmad.

Mr. A.J. Nahmad has served asled the transformation of Watsco into a membertechnology-enabled business. His promotion to President in January 2016 recognized this leadership and acknowledged the critical significance of the Board since 2011execution and is a memberadoption of these innovations across the Nominating & Strategy Committee. The Board nominated Mr. Nahmad as a director because of his experience as Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, the Company’s development and execution of new technologies and his accomplished educational background in business.

Other DirectorsWatsco enterprise.

David C. Darnell, 62, has served as thea Board member since 2012. He has been employed by Bank of America Corporation for 36 years, and most recently served as its Vice Chairman (his retirement is scheduled to occur on June 30, 2016). He previously served as Co-Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America Corporation (“Bank of America”) since August 2014. Mr. Darnell previously served as the President of Bank of America’s Global Commercial Banking team from 2005 until his election as Co-Chief Operating Officer in 2011 and as its Co-Chief Operating Officer from 2011 until his election as Vice Chairman.Chairman of Global Wealth & Investment Management in August 2014. Mr. Darnell’s career has spanned nearly four decades, beginning as a local credit analyst, working his way through the ranks from middle market banking group president to Florida commercial division group president in the 1990s. In

subsequent years, he was active in the strategic growth of the bank and an active leader in its merger and acquisition activities. Mr. Darnell joined Bank of America in 1979brings significant operational, acquisition, governmental, financial, leadership-development capabilities and is now responsible fortechnology execution skills to the Global Wealth and Investment Management division, which represents one of the largest firms in the world with $2.5 trillion in total client balances and nearly 17,000 wealth advisors.

Mr. Darnell has served as a member of the Board since 2012. The Board concluded that Mr. Darnell should serve as a director because of his years of executive oversight and senior management experience in the banking industry.Board.

Dr. Denise Dickins, 53, has served as a Board member since 2007. Since 2006, she has been employed by East Carolina University where she is currently an Associate Professor of Accounting and Auditing. She teaches courses in Auditing at East Carolina University where she has been employed since 2006.and Corporate Governance. From 2002 to 2006, while earning her Ph.D., she was an instructor of various accounting courses at Florida Atlantic University. Prior to that, she was with Arthur Andersen LLP where she served in differentvarying capacities from 1983 to 2002, including Partner in Charge of the South Florida Audit Division. Dr. Dickins is a certified public accountant and certified internal auditor.

Dr. Dickins was elected to the Board in 2007 and is the Co-Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Board concluded that Dr. Dickins should serve as a director because of her accomplished professional and academic experience in accounting and auditing as well as her other public company board experience, including experience with matters addressed by audit committees.

Dr. Dickins serveshas served on the board of directors of twothree other publicly-traded companies,companies: Steiner Leisure Ltd., where she is (chair of the audit committee and a member of the governance and nominating committee and is the Chairperson of the audit committee, andcommittee) until its sale in December 2015, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock where she is the Chairperson(chair of the audit committee. She also served oncommittee) until resigning in October 2015, and TradeStation Group, Inc. (lead director, chair of the boardnominating committee and member of directors and the audit and compensation and nominating committees of TradeStation Group, Inc.committees) until its sale in June 2011. Dr. Dickins brings auditing and accounting skills to the Board. She serves as co-chair of the Audit Committee and, beginning in November 2015, as the chair of the Compensation Committee. She is also a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee.

Steven R. Fedrizzi, 60, has served as a Board member since 2010. He was a co-founder and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Green Building Council (“USGBC”)(USGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Green Building Certification Institute. Mr. Fedrizzi was one of the original co-founders of the USGBC in 1993 and was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in April 2004. Prior to 2004,

his USGBC role, Mr. Fedrizzi had a distinguished 25 year25-year career at United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”)(UTC), where he served as an in-house environmental consultant and in various sales and marketing positions.

Mr. Fedrizzi has served as a member of the Board since 2010. The Board concluded that Mr. Fedrizzi should serve as a director because he He is a recognized leader in the global sustainability movement and an early promoter of green building methods. His skills and experience strengthen our ongoing commitment of providing consumers with energy efficient and environmentally responsible products.

products, both domestically and on an international basis. Mr. Fedrizzi serves on the boards of directors of a number of non-profit organizations. He is a member of the Compensation Committee.

Barry S. Logan, 52, has served as our Senior Vice President since November 2003 and as Secretarya director since 1997.2011. Mr. Logan served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to October 2003, as Treasurer from 1996 to 1998 and in other capacities beginning in 1992. Mr. Logan is a certified public accountant.

Mr. Logan has servedwas Watsco’s fourth corporate employee and is an integral participant in the Company’s business development initiatives, financial and other strategic activities during his 23-year career. He is also the principal contact with the institutional shareholder community and, as a member ofsuch, is the Board since 2011. The Board concluded that Mr. Logan should serve as a director because his long tenureprincipal contact for engagement with Watsco makes his service on the Board extremely valuable.our shareholders.

Paul F. Manley, 78, has been a director since 1984. Mr. Manley retired sinceafter serving as Executive Director of the law firm of Holland & Knight from 1987 to 1991. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Manley served as Vice President of Planning at Sensormatic Electronics Corporation. Prior to 1982, Mr. Manley served as the Managing Partner of the Miami office of Arthur Young & Company.

Mr. Manley was elected to the Board in 1984 and is the Co-Chairperson of the Audit Committee and Chaira member of the Compensation Committee. Additionally, Mr. Manley servesCommittee, and he served as our lead independent director. The Board concluded thatdirector for many years. Mr. Manley should servebrings his long-standing knowledge of the Company, its history and unique culture, and financial and accounting acumen as the Company’s long-time Audit Committee Co-Chair and member of the Board.

Ana M. Menendez has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 2003, as Treasurer since 1998, and as Assistant Secretary since 1999. Ms. Menendez is a director becausecertified public accountant. Ms. Menendez supervises all financial and accounting aspects of his executive oversightthe Company, including taxes, risk management, benefits, treasury and cash management, the Company’s system of internal control and other compliance activities. She also is the leader and principal contact for the Company’s banking relationships and actively participates at a senior management experience as well as his financial expertiselevel in accounting and auditing.a variety of strategic activities.

Bob L. Moss, 67, was appointed to the Board in 2014 and previously served as a director from 1992 to 2012. Mr. Moss is a dynamic leader and has built a successful career in the construction industry over the last 47 years. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moss & Associates LLC, founded in 2004, which ishas grown

into one of the largest general contractors in the Southern United States.States with revenues of over $1 billion. Mr. Moss previously served as chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer of Centex Construction Group, from 2000 to 2002,where he spent 23 years building Centex into the largest domestic general building contractor in the nation. Mr. Moss serves as our Vice Chairman of the Board, Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee and Lead Independent Director. Mr. Moss brings entrepreneurial skills, business-building abilities, leadership development experience and a wealth of knowledge of the construction industry to our Board.

George P. Sape was unanimously appointed by our directors in November 2015 to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Sape previously served as a Watsco director from 2003 to 2014. Mr. Sape retired in 2015 as the Managing Partner of WatscoEpstein Becker and Green, P.C., a New York-based law firm, after 29 years. Mr. Sape previously served as Vice President and General Counsel for 20 years from 1992Organizations Resources Counselors, Inc., a consulting services provider to 2012.

a number of Fortune 500 companies and has served as counsel or as an advisor to various congressional committees related to labor, education and public welfare. Mr. Moss was appointed toSape also serves on the Board in 2014 andboard of the University of Colorado School of Business. Mr. Sape is a member of the Audit Committee Compensation Committee and of the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee. The Board concluded that Mr. Moss should serveSape brings core leadership skills from his experience as the managing partner of a director because of his years of executive oversightlarge law firm and senior management experience in the construction industryconsulting for Fortune 500 companies as well as his prior experience as a director of the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEin governance matters and through private company directorships.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines forOverall Role of the purpose of defining responsibilities, setting high standards of professionalBoard. Our business and personal conduct and assuring compliance with such responsibilities and standards. We regularly monitor developments in the area of corporate governance. Our Corporate Governance Guidelinesaffairs are available on our website atwww.watsco.com,managed under the caption “Corporate Governance Guidelines” within the Corporate Governance section. These materials may also be requested in print by writing to our Investor Relations Department at Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.

Codes of Ethics and Conduct

The Board has adopted codes of ethics and conduct that are designed to ensure that directors, officers and employees of the Company are aware of their ethical responsibilities and avoid conduct that may pose risk to the

Company. We maintain an Employee Code of Business Ethics and Conduct that is applicable to all employees. Additionally, we maintain a Code of Conduct for Executives that is applicable to membersdirection of our Board, executive officers and senior operating and financial personnel, including provisions applicablewhich is the Company’s ultimate decision-making body, except with respect to those matters reserved to our senior financial officers consistentshareholders. The Board’s mission is to maximize long-term shareholder value. Our Board establishes our overall corporate policies, selects and evaluates our executive management team, which is charged with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. These codes require continued observance of high ethical standards, such as honesty, integrity and compliance with the law in the conduct of our business. These codes are publicly available onbusiness, and acts as an advisor and counselor to executive management. Our Board also oversees our website atwww.watsco.com, underbusiness strategy and planning, as well as the caption “Codesperformance of Conduct” within the Corporate Governance section. We intend to post onmanagement in executing our website amendments to or waivers from our Code of Conduct for Executives (to the extent applicable to our chief executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer). There were no amendments or waivers from our Code of Conduct for Executives in 2014. Violations under either code of conduct must be reported to the Audit Committee. We will provide a copy of these materials to any person without charge, upon written request to our Investor Relations Department at Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.business strategy and assessing and managing risks.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board Leadership Structure

Role of Chairman & CEO. Our Board regularly reviews its structure and composition taking into consideration the Company’s performance and expectations for the future. Under the leadership of Albert H. Nahmad our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)over the last 25, 10, and President, also serves asfive years, annual total shareholder returns (the measurement of stock appreciation, including the reinvestment of dividends) on a compounded basis have been 19.6%, 10.9%, and 17.7%, respectively, compared to average returns of the S&P 500 over these same periods of 3.6%, 2.7%, and 4.5%, respectively. The Board believes the Company’s track record of success reflects Mr. Nahmad’s effective leadership and creativity in devising and executing the Company’s strategic initiatives and in confronting its challenges. As Chairman and CEO, he facilitates a strong collaboration between management and the independent members of the Board. TheAccordingly, the Board believes that this leadership model is appropriate for the following reasons:Company and its shareholders are best served by having Mr. Nahmad continue to serve as Chairman and CEO.

our Board has adopted strongLead Independent Director. To facilitate and effective corporate governance policies and procedures to promotestrengthen the effective andBoard’s independent governanceoversight of the Company. See “Corporate Governance Guidelines”Company’s strategies, performance and “Codes of Ethicssuccession planning, and Conduct” above;

our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions led by our lead independent director without our CEO or any other members of management present;

the combined roles enable decisive leadership, ensure clear accountability and foster alignment between the Board and management on corporate strategy; and

the Board has demonstrated that it has functioned effectively and believes it will continue to function effectively with its current leadership structure and with Albert H. Nahmad as its Chairman.

In order to mitigate any potential disadvantages of one person serving as both CEO and Chairman of the Board,uphold effective governance standards, the Board has developed the role of a strong lead independent director to facilitate and strengthen the Board’s independent oversight of our performance, strategy and succession planning and to uphold effective governance standards.director. The position of lead independent director is currently held by Paul F. Manley,Bob L. Moss, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee andVice Chairman of the CompensationBoard, and as Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee.

The lead independent director As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Moss has the following duties and responsibilities:

 

advise the Chairman as to an appropriate schedule of Board meetings;meetings.

 

review and provide the Chairman with input regarding the agendas for the Board meetings;meetings.

 

preside at all Board meetings at which the Chairman is not present, including mandatory executive sessions of the non-managementindependent directors, and apprise the Chairman of the issues considered;considered.

be available for direct communication with the Company’s shareholders;shareholders.

 

call meetings of the non-managementindependent directors when necessary or appropriate; andappropriate.

 

perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.determine necessary.

In determiningRisk Oversight. As part of regular Board and committee meetings, our directors consider important external and internal risks that may impact the appropriate leadership structure,Company. The full Board regularly reviews reports from management on various aspects of our business, including related risks, strategies and tactics for addressing them. At least annually, the Board considered a number of factors, includingreviews our CEO succession planning as described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. While the candorfull Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight, the Board has delegated responsibility related to certain risks to the Audit Committee and dynamics of discussion among the directorsCompensation Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting risks and between directors and management, in addition tomonitors the effectiveness of the rolecontrol and risk management processes established to manage these risks. The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for overseeing the Company’s management of risks related to compensation for our NEOs, including our equity-based compensation plans.

Corporate Governance Guidelines. Watsco’s Board strongly supports effective corporate governance and has consistently, over many years, developed and followed a program of strong corporate governance. Watsco’s Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and updating the leadCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines on an annual basis. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are published on our website at www.watsco.com and are available in print to any shareholder who requests them from our Secretary.

Controlled Status. Watsco is a “controlled company” as defined by the New York Stock Exchange (referred to as NYSE) because of our Chairman & CEO’s effective voting control of 53.4% as of April 7, 2016; therefore, the Company is not required to comply with certain corporate governance policies required of other publicly-traded companies that are not a controlled company. For example, the Board is not required to be composed of a majority of independent directordirectors and the combined role of CEOCompany need not have a Compensation Committee or Nominating & Governance Committee. However, the Board strives to establish policies and Chairman of the Board.

Our business and affairsprocedures that it believes are managed under the direction of our Board, which is the Company’s ultimate decision-making body, except with respect to those matters reserved to our shareholders. Our Board’s mission is to maximize long-term shareholder value. Our Board establishes our overall corporate policies, selects and evaluates our executive management team, which is charged with the conduct of our business, and acts as an advisor and counselor to executive management. Our Board also oversees our business strategy and planning, as well as the performance of management in executing our business strategy and assessing and managing risks.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Board carries out its role in the oversight of risk directly and through its committees. The Board’s direct role includes the consideration and understanding of risk in the strategic and operating plans that are presented to the Board by management. Additionally, the Board’s committees carry out the Board’s oversight of risk as follows:

the Audit Committee oversees the integritybest interests of the Company’s financial reporting processshareholders and, internal control environment, legal and regulatory compliance, qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm, performance of our internal audit function, financial and disclosure controls, adherence toaccordingly, has adopted a policy whereby the Company’s CodesBoard is composed of Conducta majority of independent directors and makes determinations regarding significant transactions with related parties;

the Board has established both a Compensation Committee determines the compensation of our CEO and Vice President of Strategy and Innovation (“VPSI”), reviews the compensation of the other executive officers, administers benefit plans and policies with respect to our executive officers and considers whether any of those plans or policies create risks that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company; and

the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee selects and seeks(each of which is composed solely of independent directors). Over the last 10 years, our Chairman & CEO’s effective voting control has ranged from 52.0% to retain Board members, evaluates directors and director nominees, and recommends director nominees and the remuneration of directors.

While our Board oversees our management of risk as outlined above, management is responsible for identifying and managing risks and, as appropriate, bringing them to the attention of the Board.

Director Independence54.9%.

Director Independence. The Board has adopted independence guidelines for non-managementindependent directors towho serve on the Board that comply with applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange, referredNYSE. Board member independence is reviewed at least annually to as the “NYSE”. Eachensure that each non-management director and director nominee satisfies suchthe NYSE’s independence guidelines. Based on its independencethis review, the Board affirmatively determined that each of the following directors is independent: Cesar L. Alvarez;independent under the NYSE guidelines: David C. Darnell;Darnell, Dr. Denise Dickins;Dickins, Steven R. Fedrizzi;Fedrizzi, Paul F. Manley; andManley, Bob L. Moss. In determining that Mr. Alvarez was independent, the Board considered the legal services provided to us by Greenberg, a law firm for which Mr. Alvarez serves as Co-Chairman,Moss and in determining that Mr. Darnell was independent, the Board considered the bank-related services provided to us by Bank of America, a bank for which Mr. Darnell serves as Vice Chairman. Following such consideration, the Board determined that the services provided by Greenberg and Bank of America did not affect the independence of Mr. Alvarez or Mr. Darnell, respectively. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” Our independence guidelines are included in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website atwww.watsco.com, under the caption “Corporate Governance Guidelines” within the Corporate Governance section.George P. Sape.

Codes of Ethics and Conduct.The Board has adopted codes of ethics and conduct that are designed to ensure that directors, officers, and employees of the Company are aware of their ethical responsibilities and avoid conduct that may pose risk to the Company. We maintain (i) an Employee Code of Business Ethics and Conduct that is applicable to all employees, and (ii) a Code of Conduct for Executives that is applicable to members of our Board, our NEOs, and other senior operating and financial personnel. There were no amendments or waivers from either code of conduct in 2015. Oversight of investigations of known or potential violations under either code of conduct is the responsibility of the Audit Committee.

Board Meetings

.The Board meets regularly during the year and holds special meetings and acts by unanimous written consent whenever circumstances require. During 2015, the Board took action by unanimous written consent fourthree times and held five meetings during 2014. Each of theseven meetings. All directors attended 80%more than 75% or more of the

aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees on which the director served in 2014. Our non-management2015. Independent directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management present.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that all All of our directors should make every effortare encouraged to attend our shareholder meetings. Eight of our directors attended the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.shareholders (all attended in 2015).

Board Committees

The Board has established three separately designated standing committees to assist. During 2015, the Board in discharging its responsibilities: (1)maintained an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating & Strategy Committee. In December 2015, the Audit Committee; (2)Board discontinued the Compensation Committee; and (3)activities of the Nominating & Strategy Committee. Only independentCommittee, which had one meeting in 2015 and was composed of both non-management directors may serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees.

Auditmanagement directors. The Nominating & Governance Committee

During 2014, Messrs. Manley and Sape and Dr. Dickins were the members of the Audit Committee. Following Mr. Sape’s resignation from was established by the Board in March 2014,2016 and assumed the duties of the former Nominating & Strategy Committee, as well as certain duties that were previously the responsibility of the full board. For example, the full Board previously conducted an annual review of independence of non-management board members, which is currently the responsibility of the Nominating & Governance Committee.

Each committee is currently composed entirely of independent directors. The Committees keep the Board appointed Mr. Mossinformed of their respective actions and provide assistance to serve on the Audit Committee. All AuditBoard in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to shareholders.

Each Committee membersoperates under a formal charter that governs its duties and conduct, which are independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined inreviewed and evaluated annually by the applicable NYSE listing standards and rulescommittee. Any recommended changes to the charters are submitted to the Board for its approval. Copies of the Securities and Exchange Commission, referredcurrent charters are available on our website atwww.watsco.com, under the caption “Committees” within the Corporate Governance section. The charters are also available in print to any shareholder who requests them in writing to our Investor Relations department at Watsco, Inc., Investor Relations, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.

The table below provides current committee membership information as well as the “SEC.” The Audit Committeenumber of meetings held five meetings during 2014. All Audit Committee members possess the required level of financial literacy as defined in our Audit Committee charter, and Mr. Manley and Dr. Dickins, Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as defined by applicable SEC rules and regulations and meet the current standard of requisite financial management expertise as required by the NYSE and applicable SEC rules and regulations.committees in 2015:

Name

  Audit
Committee
   Compensation
Committee
   Nominating &
Governance
Committee
 

Dr. Denise Dickins

   Co-Chair     Chair     X  

Richard Fedrizzi

     X    

Bob L. Moss

       Chair  

Paul F. Manley

   Co-Chair     X    

George P. Sape

   X       X  

Number of Meetings Held

   6     10     n/a  

Audit Committee.The Audit Committee’s functions include overseeing the integrity of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm and the performance of our internal audit function and controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethics that management and our Board have established. In this oversight capacity,The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

overseeing and monitoring the Audit Committee reviews the scope, timing and fees for the annual audit and the resultsintegrity of audit examinations performed by our internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm, including their recommendations to improve thefinancial statements, our system of internal control over financial reporting, and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements and accounting matters.

appointing, terminating, compensating, retaining, evaluating, and internal controls as required by section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight ofoverseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm.auditor for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for the Company.

The Audit Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and conduct. The charter is reviewed annually

pre-approving all non-audit services, if any, to be performed by our independent auditor.

overseeing the Audit Committee, and any recommended changes to the charter are submitted to the Board for its approval. A copyactivities of the current Audit Committee charter is available onCompany’s internal audit function.

reviewing our website atwww.watsco.com, underannual audited financial statements, quarterly financial statements, regulatory filings, earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding our results of operations.

reviewing and approving related party transactions.

establishing and overseeing processes and procedures for the caption “Committees” within the Corporate Governance section. The charter is also available in print to any shareholder who requests it in writing toreceipt, retention, and treatment of complaints and employee submissions about accounting, internal controls or audit matters.

overseeing administration of our Investor Relations department at Watsco, Inc., Investor Relations, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.

KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, reports directly to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has adoptedcodes of ethics and conduct, including procedures for dealing with reported violations of our Employee Code of Business Ethics and Conduct and Code of Conduct for Executives to enable confidential and anonymous reporting of allegedly improper activities directlyactivities.

All Audit Committee members possess the required level of financial literacy as defined in our Audit Committee charter, and Mr. Manley and Dr. Dickins qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as defined by applicable Securities & Exchange Commission (referred to as the Audit Committee. See “CodesSEC) rules and regulations and meet the current standard of Conduct” for additional information.requisite financial management expertise as required by the NYSE and applicable SEC rules and regulations.

Please refer to theThe Report of the Audit Committee, which is set forth in this Proxy Statement, for a further description of ourdescribes the Audit Committee’s responsibilities and its recommendation with respect to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015.

Compensation Committee

During 2014, Messrs. Manley and Sape were the members of the Compensation Committee. Following Mr. Sape’s resignation in March 2014, the Board appointed Mr. Moss to serve on the Compensation Committee. All Compensation Committee members are independent as required by applicable listing standards of the NYSE

and applicable SEC rules.. The Compensation Committee held six meetings during 2014.oversees our compensation programs, including equity-based compensation plans. The Compensation Committee determinesCommittee’s responsibilities, which may not be delegated, include, but are not limited to:

establishing an executive compensation philosophy for the Company.

designing and approving an executive compensation program that uses a mix of ourfixed and variable pay elements that support the Company’s executive compensation philosophy and emphasizes performance-based pay through incentive and other forms of longer-term compensation linked to Company performance and the creation of shareholder value, and recognizes Watsco’s goal to secure and retain the services of top performing talent.

determining the CEO’s and President’s base salaries and incentive compensation arrangements.

reviewing, administering, interpreting and making recommendations regarding the Company’s incentive compensation and equity-based compensation plans.

conducting the performance evaluations of the CEO and VPSI, reviewsPresident.

considering the compensationresults of the othermost recent shareholder advisory vote on executive officerscompensation required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to as the Exchange Act) and readsevaluating the relationship between risk management policies or practices and recommends approvalcompensation.

periodically reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in our proxy statements. It also administers with respect to director compensation.

Nominating & Governance Committee. Our Nominating & Governance Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become members of our executive officersBoard consistent with the Watsco, Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2014 Plan”) and our Fourth Amended and Restated 1996 Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please refer to the Report of the Compensation Committee and Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which iscriteria set forth in this Proxy Statement, for a further descriptionour Corporate Governance Guidelines, to help in the evaluation of the effectiveness of our Compensation Committee’s responsibilitiesBoard and its compensation philosophy and a description of considerations underlying each component of compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers for 2014.

The Compensation Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and conduct. The charter is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee, and any recommended changes to the charter are submitted to the Board for its approval. A copy of the current charter is available on our website atwww.watsco.com, under the caption “Committees” within the Corporate Governance section. The charter is also available in print to any shareholder who requests it in writing to our Investor Relations department at Watsco, Inc., Investor Relations, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.

Nominating & Strategy Committee

During 2014, Cesar L. Alvarez, Aaron J. Nahmad, Albert H. Nahmad and George P. Sape were the members of the Nominating & Strategy Committee. Following Mr. Sape’s resignation in March 2014, the Board appointed Mr. Moss to serve on the Nominating & Strategy Committee. We have elected to apply the exemption related to a controlled company provided by the NYSE that allows a company that has more than 50% of the voting power held by an individual (Albert H. Nahmad controls common stock having combined voting power of 53.5% of our outstanding common stock as of the record date) to be exempted from complying with rules requiring that only independent directors comprise our Nominating & Strategy Committee or adopt a charter. The Nominating & Strategy Committee is responsible for (a) establishing procedures for the selection and retention of members of the Board, (b) evaluating Board nominees and members, and (c) recommending nominees. The Nominating & Strategy Committee is responsible for reviewing at least annually the qualifications of directorsto review and nominees, as well as the composition of the Board as a whole, in accordance with the Company’supdate our corporate governance guidelines. Whileprinciples. The Board may assume, change or add additional activities from time-to-time to assure the Nominating & Strategy Committee has no specific minimum qualifications for director candidates, the Committee takes into account each individual’s independence from management, background and considerations including diversity, age, skills and experience in the context of the needseffective operation of the Board. The Nominating & Strategy Committee also considers whether,Governance Committee’s activities include, but are not limited to:

assisting the Chairman and the Board by significant accomplishment in his or her field,identifying individuals qualified to become Board members.

recommending for the director or nominee has demonstrated an ability to make a meaningful contributionBoard’s approval nominees for election to the Board’s oversightBoard by our shareholders.

advising and making recommendations to the Board related to:

(i)the composition and governance of the Board and its committees,

(ii)the appointment of directors to committees of the Board, including chairpersons;

(iii)compensation programs for non-management members of the Board in consultation with the Compensation Committee.

reviewing director independence with respect to continuing and prospective directors.

overseeing the annual evaluation of the businessBoard, its individual members and affairsperforming a self-evaluation of the Company, as well as his or her reputation for honestyCommittee.

evaluating risks and ethical conduct in his or her personalexposures and professional activities. Whileadvising the Company’sBoard regarding director and management succession planning, corporate governance guidelines do not prescribe specific diversity standards, as a matter of practice,and overall board effectiveness.

making regular reports to the Board.

Director Nominations.The Board considers candidates for director who are recommended by the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee, by other Board members and by management. The Nominating & Governance Committee annually reviews the performance and contributions of individual Board members. To the extent they are candidates for re-election, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers diversityall aspects of each candidate’s qualifications and skills in the context of the Company’s needs at that point in time, their diversity of experience and individual perspectives. When considering candidates as potential Board as a wholemembers, the Board and takes into account considerations relating to ethnicity, gender, cultural diversity and the range of perspectives that the directors bring to their work.

Shareholders may recommend director nominees by sending a letter to the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee or may makeevaluate a nomination by complying with the notice procedures set forth in our Amended and Restated Bylaws and in accordance with the procedures outlined under “Shareholder Communications” provided in this Proxy Statement. When identifying, evaluating and considering potential candidates for membership on our Board, including those recommended or nominated by shareholders,candidate’s ability to contribute to such diversity. While not an exclusive list, the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee considers relevant educational, businessthe following important qualifications and industry experiencewhen evaluating a director candidate:

commitment to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders.

entrepreneurial background including business-building skills.

technology savvy.

an inquisitive and demonstrated characterobjective perspective.

leadership ability, including leadership development experience.

personal and professional ethics, integrity and values.

practical wisdom and sound judgment. The manner in which

finance and accounting knowledge.

familiarity with laws and regulations applicable to our business.

When evaluating re-nomination of existing directors, the Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee evaluatesalso considers the nominees’ past and ongoing effectiveness on the Board and, with the exception of the employee directors, their independence.

Director Election—Majority Vote. Director nominees for directors does not differare elected by our shareholders based on whether any such nominee is recommended by a shareholder. Further information related to the Nominating & Strategy Committee is included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.majority vote, voting as separate classes.

The Nominating & Strategy Committee met one time during 2014.

Director Compensation

We pay each director, who is not a Company employee,. Non-management directors are paid a $1,000 fee for each regular meeting of the Board attended in person by such director, and we reimburse directorsare reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in connection with their activities as directors. We do not pay a fee for director attendance at telephonic meetings. Directors who are also employeeseligible to receive stock options under the Watsco, Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (referred to as the 2014 Plan) at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. Employee directors do not receive any additional compensation for their service on the Board. The Nominating & StrategyGovernance Committee reviews directors’director remuneration along with the Compensation Committee and recommends to the Board any proposed changes to director remuneration. In connection with his rolecompensation. We generally grant up to 20,000 non-qualified stock options to new non-management directors upon appointment to the Board.

Dr. Dickins received annual fees of $45,000 in 2015 for service as lead director, Audit Committee Co-Chairperson and ChairmanCo-chair of the Compensation Committee,Audit Committee. Mr. Manley received annual fees of $55,000 in 2014 (in addition to fees2015 for meeting attendance) and was reimbursed for expenses associated with the performance of his duties. Dr. Dickins received an annual fee of $45,000 (in addition to fees for meeting attendance) for her roleservice as Co-ChairpersonCo-chair of the Audit Committee in 2014 and was reimbursed for expenses associated withChair of the performance of her duties. Our directors are eligible to receive stock options under our 2014 Plan at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. In 2015, Dr. Dickins and Mr. Fedrizzi each received fees of $10,000 as members of a special committee assignment authorized by the Board.

On May 19, 2014,November 9, 2015, Mr. MossSape was granted 10,000 non-qualified stock options forupon his re-appointmentreappointment to the Board. We generally grant 20,000Board and Dr. Dickins was granted 7,500 non-qualified stock options to each of our non-management directors upon appointment to the Board.for her expanded role as Compensation Committee Chair.

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by our non-employeenon-management directors for 2014.2015.

 

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

($)
   Option  Awards
($)(1)
 Total
($)
   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

($)
   Option  Awards
($)(1)
 Total
($)
 

Cesar L. Alvarez(2)

  $3,000     —     $3,000    $1,000     —     $1,000  

David C. Darnell

  $4,000     —     $4,000    $3,000     —     $3,000  

Denise Dickins

  $49,000     —     $49,000    $59,000    $125,692(3)  $184,692  

Steven R. Fedrizzi

  $3,000     —     $3,000    $13,000     —     $13,000  

Paul F. Manley

  $59,000     —     $59,000    $59,000     —     $59,000  

Bob L. Moss(2)

  $3,000    $169,034 (4)  $172,034    $4,000     —     $4,000  

George P. Sape(3)

  $1,000     —     $1,000    $1,000    $167,589(3)  $168,589  

 

(1)The following table sets forth the number of stock option awards outstanding for each non-management director as of December 31, 2014.2015.

 

Name

  Outstanding
Option Awards
 

Cesar L. Alvarez (2)

   —    

David C. Darnell

20,000

Denise Dickins

   —    

Denise Dickins

7,500

Steven R. Fedrizzi

   —    

Paul F. Manley

   —    

Bob L. Moss(2)

3,334

George P. Sape

   10,000

George P. Sape(3)

—    

 

(2)Mr. Moss was appointed toAlvarez withdrew as a nominee for re-election at the Board on March 3, 2014.Company’s 2015 annual meeting of shareholders.
(3)Mr. Sape resigned from the Board on March 3, 2014.
(4)Represents the grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The Company will recognize this share-based compensation expense over the relevant vesting period. For additional information regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards and the calculation method, please refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements, which are contained in our Annual Report to Shareholders, filed with the SEC as Exhibit 13 to our 20142015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management Succession. As reflected in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, one of the Board’s primary responsibilities includes planning for CEO succession and monitoring and advising on management’s succession planning for other NEOs, with the goal of establishing an effective succession plan. The Board routinely discusses management succession during the course of its meetings, including during sessions held by the Company’s non-management directors.

Minimum Stock Ownership Requirement for Directors and Officers.In an effort to more closely align the interests of our directors and executive officers with those of our shareholders, each director and NEO is required to meet the following minimum stock ownership requirements:

each director must own common stock or other equity of Watsco with a value of at least $100,000;

our CEO and our President each must own common stock or other equity of Watsco with a value of at least $1,000,000; and

other NEOs each must own common stock or other equity with a value of at least $250,000.

Our directors have two years from the date they became directors to comply with these ownership requirements. Compliance with the minimum stock ownership level will be determined on the date when the grace period set forth above expires, and annually on each December 31 thereafter, by multiplying the number of shares held by each director and officer and the average closing price of those shares during the preceding month. As of December 31, 2015, our directors and NEOs satisfied these minimum requirements. The number of shares (or other equity instruments) held by our directors and NEOs as of December 31, 2015 is summarized in the Stock Ownership Table below.

Director Tenure. Directors may be re-elected at the end of each term. The Board does not believe it should establish term limits because directors who have developed increasing insight into Watsco and its operations over time provide an increasing contribution to the Board as a whole. To ensure the Board continues to generate new ideas and operate effectively, the Nominating & Governance Committee evaluates individual Board member performance and takes steps as necessary regarding continuing director tenure. With respect to our non-management directors, three members have served on the Board for more than 10 years (Mr. Manley, Mr. Moss and Mr. Sape) and three members have served on the Board for less than 10 years (Dr. Dickins, Mr. Fedrizzi and Mr. Darnell).

Shareholder Proposals.Shareholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders may do so by following the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in such proxy materials, our Corporate Secretary must receive shareholder proposals no later than December 30, 2016. Any shareholder proposal submitted other than for inclusion in the proxy materials for that meeting must be delivered to us no later than March 23, 2017, or such proposal will be considered untimely. If a shareholder proposal is received after March 23, 2017, we may vote in our discretion as to the proposal all of the shares for which we have received proxies for the 2017 annual meeting of the shareholders.

Communications with the Company and the Board. Interested parties may communicate with the Company by (i) letter addressed to Investor Relations, Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133, or (ii) e-mail to Investor Relations,info@watsco.com.

Interested parties may communicate with our Board by (i) calling (800) 4WATSCO in the United States and leave a message for the Lead Independent Director, or (ii) e-mailing our Lead Independent Director at presidingdirector@watsco.com (which can also be accessed via our website atwww.watsco.com under the caption “Lead Director” within the Corporate Governance section). Regardless of the method used, the Lead Independent Director will be able to view your unedited message and determine whether to relay your message to other members of the Board.

Corporate Governance Documents.Please visit our website atwww.watsco.com, under the caption “Corporate Governance” section for the following:

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Director Independence

Codes of Ethics and Conduct

Committee Charters (Audit, Compensation and Nominating & Governance)

These materials may also be requested in print by writing to our Investor Relations Department at Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

We review, atAt least annually we review all relationships and transactions in which the Company and our directors or executive officersNEOs or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest. We may use outside legal counsel to assist in such determination. As required under

under SEC rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related person are disclosed in this Proxy Statement. In addition, as set forth in the Audit Committee Charter,charter, the Audit Committee reviewshas established a formal process by which related party transactions are subject to its review and approves or ratifies anyapproval.

The Audit Committee considers the following factors, among others, in determining whether to approve a transaction:

the interests of all related person transaction that is required to be disclosed. The following is a summary of certain agreementspersons in the transaction.

whether the terms are fair, on an arms-length basis and transactions among related parties and us. It is our policy that any such agreements and transactions must be entered into in good faith on reasonable terms.

whether the transaction is material and on fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorableis beneficial to us than those that would be availablethe Company.

the role the related person played.

the structure of the transaction.

Pursuant to us in a comparableits related-party transaction in arms-length dealings with an unrelated third party. We believe that all agreements and transactions described below met that standard at the time they were effected and approved or ratified bypolicy, the Audit Committee.Committee approved the following transactions:

Mr. Alvarez, a director, isBank of America has provided bank account administration services and has participated in the Co-Chairman of Greenberg, which receives customary fees for legal services. During 2014, we paid Greenberg approximately $120,000 for services performed. We currently anticipate that this arrangement will continue.

Company’s revolving credit agreements since 1989 and as an aircraft lessor beginning in 2012. Mr. Darnell a director, is thehas served as Vice Chairman of Bank of America which provides servicessince August 2014 and is scheduled to us, includingretire in June 2016. He has served as onea director of the lenders under our syndicated revolving credit agreement, the lessor for our corporate aircraft, cash management services and other bank-related services.Company since 2012. During 2014, we paid2015, payments made to Bank of America approximately $3,300,000 forincluded $2.0 million of lease payments, bank account administrative fees of $1.4 million and $800,000 of interest related to its participation in the Company’s line of credit (the lead agent of which is JP Morgan Chase). Bank of America has not provided, nor has it ever provided, advisory or investment banking services and lease payments. We currently anticipate that these arrangements will continue. For additional information on our revolving credit agreement, please refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements, which are containedat any time in our Annual Report to Shareholders, filed with the SEC as Exhibit 13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedCompany’s history. At December 31, 2014.

Aaron J. Nahmad,2015, Bank of America had assets of over $2 trillion and revenues of over $80 billion. Mr. Darnell does not have a director andmaterial direct or indirect interest in any of our Vice Presidenttransactions with Bank of Strategy and Innovation, is the son of Albert H. Nahmad, our Chairman of the Board, President and CEO. Aaron J. Nahmad receives annual compensation and benefits that are consistent with the compensation and benefits provided to other executive officers with equivalent qualifications, experience and responsibilities. For further information, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion thereof contained in this Proxy Statement.America.

Shareholder Agreement

In 2009, we formed a.We have three business joint ventureventures with Carrier Corporation whichand entities affiliated with Carrier (which we collectively refer to as Carrier,Carrier), which were formed in 2009, 2011 and 2012. As consideration for our equity interest in these joint ventures, we issued 2,985,6854,235,685 shares of Common stock and 94,784 shares of Class B common stock to Carrier as consideration. Watsco and Carrier entered intoits affiliates, all of which are presently owned by them. We have a shareholder agreement referredin place that pertains to Carrier’s ownership of our common stock (referred to as the Shareholder Agreement. In 2012, we formed another joint venture with UTC Canada Corporation, which we refer to as UTC Canada, an affiliate ofAgreement and Carrier and issued 1,250,000 shares of Common stockits affiliates are defined in the agreement as consideration. At that time, we amended and restated the Shareholder Agreement. The Shareholder Agreement defines Carrier, its parent corporation, UTC, and all of UTC’s subsidiaries, including Carrier and UTC Canada as the “Shareholder Group Members”Members). The Shareholder Agreement applies to all shares beneficially owned by them.the Shareholder Group Members.

Among other things, the standstill and restrictions section of the Shareholder Agreement provides that, for as long as Carrier’s and UTC Canada’s aggregate ownership of our Common stock and Class B common stock exceeds five percent (5%) of the total number of outstanding shares of Common stock and Class B common stock:

 

at any meeting of our shareholders (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), however called, or in connection with any action by written consent or other action of our shareholders, Carrier and UTC Canada must vote (or cause to be voted) all of the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them and the Shareholder Group Members in the same proportion as votes cast for, against or abstain by all other holders of our common stock; and

 

at any meeting of our shareholders (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), however called, or in connection with any action by written consent or other action of our shareholders, pursuant to which holders of any class of our common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class, Carrier and UTC Canada must vote (or cause to be voted) all of the shares of such class of our common stock beneficially owned by them and by Shareholder Group Members in the same proportion of votes cast for, against or abstain by all other holders of such class of our common stock.

The Shareholder Agreement also provides, among other things, that Shareholder Group Members may not, directly or indirectly, acquire, offer to acquire, or agree to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, unless specifically requested by us in writing:

 

any shares, or the power to vote and/or direct the vote of shares, of our Common stock and Class B common stock that would result in the Shareholder Group Members owning in aggregate more than 19.9% of the total number of shares, or voting power, of our Common stock and Class B common stock then outstanding; or

 

any material assets of Watsco or any subsidiary thereof, other than i)(i) in the ordinary course of business or ii)(ii) assets of the joint venture or any of its subsidiaries.

In addition, the Shareholder Agreement provides, among other things, that Shareholder Group Members shall not:

 

make, or in any way participate in, any solicitation of proxies to vote, or seek to advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of, any voting securities of Watsco;

 

submit to Watsco any shareholder proposal for inclusion in any proxy statement;

 

seek or propose to obtain representation on the Board;

 

make any public announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer of any extraordinary transaction involving us or our securities or assets;

 

form, join or in any way participate in a group in connection with any of the foregoing; or

 

seek in any way which would require public disclosure under applicable laws to have any provision of the standstill and restrictions section of the Shareholder Agreement amended, modified or waived or otherwise take any actions with the purpose or effect of avoiding or circumventing any provision of the standstill and restrictions section of the Shareholder Agreement.

Communications with the Company and the Board

All interested parties may communicate with the Company by writing to our Investor Relations Department at Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133. You may also contact the Company by e-mail at info@watsco.com.

All interested parties may communicate with our Board by calling (800) 4WATSCO in the United States and leave a message for the lead independent director. You may also contact the lead independent director by e-mail at presidingdirector@watsco.com or by going to our website atwww.watsco.com, under the caption “Lead Director” within the Corporate Governance section. Regardless of the method you use, the lead independent director will be able to view your unedited message. The lead independent director will determine whether to relay your message to other members of the Board.

Shareholder Proposals

Shareholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders may do so by following the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in such proxy materials, shareholder proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than December 12, 2015. Any shareholder proposal submitted other than for inclusion in the proxy materials for that meeting must be delivered to us no later than February 26, 2016, or such proposal will be considered untimely. If a shareholder proposal is received after February 26, 2016, we may vote in our discretion as to the proposal all of the shares for which we have received proxies for the 2016 annual meeting of the shareholders.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common stock and Class B common stock by:

by (i) each shareholder known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of anyeither class of our voting securities;

(ii) each of our directors and director nominees;

(iii) each of our named executive officers; and

(iv) our directors and executive officers as a group.

The table also contains, in the final column, the combined voting power of the voting securities on all matters presented to the shareholders for their approval, except for the election of directors and for such separate class votes as are required by Florida law. Holders of our Common stock are entitled to one (1) vote per share on each matter that is submitted to shareholders for approval and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten (10) votes per share on each matter that is submitted to shareholders for approval. All information is as of the record date, March 30, 2015.April 7, 2016. As of the record date, we had 30,214,07730,339,203 shares of Common stock and 4,987,3605,099,013 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner(1)

  Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(2)
 Class B
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(2)
 Combined
Percentage
of Voting
Power
 
Shares   Percent Shares   Percent 

Shareholders owning more than 5% of any class of Common Stock:

        

Name and Address

of Beneficial Owner (1)

  Common stock
Beneficially Owned (2)
 Class B
common stock
Beneficially Owned (2)
 Combined
Percentage
of Voting
Power
 
Shares   Percent Shares   Percent 

Shareholders owning more than 5% of either class of common stock:

        

United Technologies Corporation (3)

   4,235,685     14.0  94,784     1.9  6.5   4,235,685     14.0  94,784     1.9  6.4

FMR LLC (4)

   2,933,652     9.7           3.7

BlackRock, Inc. (5)

   2,435,121     8.1           3.0

BlackRock, Inc. (4)

   2,056,761     6.8  —       —      2.5

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (5)

   1,827,088     6.0  —       —      2.2

The Vanguard Group (6)

   1,598,254     5.3           2.0   1,728,363     5.7  —       —      2.1

Directors, Director Nominees and Named Executive Officers:

                

Albert H. Nahmad (7)

   1,294     *    4,286,853     86.0  53.5   1,327     *    4,345,746     85.2  53.4

Barry S. Logan (8)

   115,525     *    126,246     2.5  1.7   130,604     *    105,037     2.1  1.5

Aaron J. Nahmad (9)

   2,792     *    104,305     2.1  1.3   2,825     *    116,142     2.3  1.4

Ana M. Menendez (10)

   70,235     *    50,200     1.0  *     70,268     *    41,904     *    *  

David C. Darnell (11)

   20,000     *             *  

Cesar L. Alvarez

   27,657     *             *  

Dr. Denise Dickins

   5,296     *             *  

David C. Darnell

   5,754     *    —       —      *  

Denise Dickins (11)

   7,796     *    —       —      *  

Steven R. Fedrizzi

   2,113     *             *     2,166     *    —       —      *  

Bob L. Moss (12)

   19,467     *             *     22,800     *    —       —      *  

Paul F. Manley (13)

   6,248     *    1,255     *    *     6,248     *    1,255     *    *  

All directors, director nominees and named executive officers as a group (10 persons) (14)

   270,627     *    4,568,859     91.1  57.2

George P. Sape (14)

   11,914     *    —       —      *  

All directors, director nominees and named executive officers as a group (10 persons) (15)

   261,702     *    4,610,084     90.4  57.0

 

 *Less than 1%.
(1)Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, (a) the address of each of the beneficial owners is c/o Watsco, Inc., 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133 and (b) each beneficial owner has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares identified in the table above.
(2)

Percentages are based on 30,214,07730,339,203 shares of Common stock and 4,987,3605,099,013 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date. The percentage for each individual shareholder additionally includes the number of shares of common stock that such beneficial owner may acquire within 60 days of the record date pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of options or other rights. The

number and percentage of shares beneficially owned is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under applicable rules of the SEC, although each named person and all directors and named executive officers as a group are deemed to be the beneficial owners of securities that may be acquired within 60 days through the exercise of, exchange, or conversion of options

or other rights, the number of shares set forth opposite each shareholder’s name does not include shares of Common stock issuable upon conversion of our Class B common stock notwithstanding that the Class B common stock is immediately convertible into Common stock on a one-for-one basis.
(3)Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on May 7, 2012. United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”)(UTC) is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 4,330,469 shares of common stock, 3,080,469 of which are owned directly by Carrier Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC, and 1,250,000 shares of which are owned directly by UTC Canada Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC. UTC has shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 4,330,469 of such shares. Carrier Corporation has shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 3,080,469 of such shares. The address of UTC is One Financial Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06101. The address of Carrier Corporation is One Carrier Place, Farmington, Connecticut 06034.
(4)Based on Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2015. FMR LLC, a parent holding company, has sole dispositive power over 2,933,652 of such shares and sole voting power over 72,151 of such shares. The address of FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
(5)

Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on January 23, 2015.27, 2016. BlackRock, Inc., a parent holding company, has sole dispositive power over 2,435,1212,056,761 of such shares and sole voting power over 2,330,0761,953,191 of such shares. The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.10055.

(5)Based on Schedule 13G filed on February 1, 2016. JPMorgan Chase & Co., a parent holding company, has sole dispositive power over 1,827,088 of such shares, sole voting power over 1,610,632 of such shares and shared voting power over 620 of such shares. The address of JPMorgan Chase & Co. is 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
(6)Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 10, 2015.11, 2016. The Vanguard Group, an investment advisor, has sole dispositive power over 1,565,1191,709,858 of such shares, shared dispositive power over 33,13518,505 of such shares, sole voting power over 18,905 of such shares and soleshared voting power over 35,5351,200 of such shares. The address of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.
(7)The number of shares of Common stock indicated are owned pursuant to the Watsco, Inc. Amended and Restated Profit Sharing Retirement Plan & Trust, (“referred to as the 401(k) Plan”).Plan. The number of shares of Class B common stock indicated consists of (i) 330,572312,697 shares directly owned, (ii) 498,845 shares owned by various family-related trusts, (iii) 1,330,000 shares owned by Albert Capital LP, a limited partnership over which Mr. Nahmad maintains effective control, (iv) 25,000 shares owned by custodial accounts over which Mr. Nahmad is the custodian, (v) 1,415,622 shares issued under Restricted Stock Agreements held by Albert Henry Capital L.P., a limited partnership over which Mr. Nahmad maintains effective control, (vi) 629,814688,707 additional shares issued under Restricted Stock Agreements and (vii) 57,00074,875 shares owned by the Albert H. and Jane D. Nahmad Foundation, Inc., a charitable organization over which Mr. Nahmad shares voting power as a member of its board with other family members.
(8)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 4,00019,046 shares directly owned, (ii) 2,3252,358 shares owned pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, (iii) 450 shares owned in an Individual Retirement Account and (iv) 108,750 shares issued pursuant to Restricted Stock Agreements. The number of shares of Class B common stock indicated consists of (i) 23,046 shares directly owned and (ii) 103,200 shares issued under Restricted Stock Agreements.
(9)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 1,408 shares directly owned, (ii) 1,150 shares owned by Mr. Nahmad’s spouse and (iii) 234267 shares owned pursuant to the 401(k) Plan. Mr. Nahmad disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his spouse, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The number of shares of Class B common stock indicated consists of (i) 51,60563,605 shares directly owned and (ii) 40,70052,537 shares issued under Restricted Stock Agreements and (iii) 12,000 shares issuable upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted pursuant to the 2001 Plan.Agreements.
(10)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 28,954 shares directly owned, (ii) 1,2811,314 shares owned pursuant to the 401(k) Plan and (iii) 40,000 shares issued pursuant to Restricted Stock Agreements. The number of shares of Class B common stock indicated consists of (i) 35,20037,037 shares issued under Restricted Stock Agreements and (ii) 15,0004,867 shares issuable upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted pursuant to the 2001 Plan.directly owned.

(11)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 5,296 shares directly owned and (ii) 2,500 shares issuable upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted pursuant to the 20012014 Plan.
(12)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 10,00016,666 shares for which Mr. Moss shares voting and dispositive power with his spouse, (ii) 1,800 shares owned in an Individual Retirement Account, (iii) 1,000 shares owned by Mr. Moss’ spouse and (iv) 6,6673,334 shares issuable upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan. Mr. Moss disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his spouse, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(13)The number of shares of Common stock indicates shares owned by trusts controlled by Mr. Manley. The number of shares of Class B common stock indicates shares owned by a trust controlled by Mr. Manley.
(14)The number of shares of Common stock indicated consists of (i) 8,581 shares directly owned and (ii) 3,333 shares issuable upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan.
(15)Includes shares beneficially owned by directors and named executive officers as described in footnotes(7)-(13)(14).

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our equity securities. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of such reports that we received, our records and written representations received from our directors, executive officers and certain of those persons who own greater than 10% of any class of our equity securities, for the year ended December 31, 2014,2015, all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with on a timely basis.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table contains information as of December 31, 20142015 with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which any of our equity securities are authorized for issuance.

 

  Equity Compensation Plan Information(1)   Equity Compensation Plan Information (1) 

Plan Category

  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
column (a))
   Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in

column (a))
 
  (a) (b)   (c)   (a) (b)   (c) 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   241,450(2)  $73.62     2,523,175(3)    257,334(2)  $102.96     2,187,550(3) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —      —       —       —      —       —    
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total

   241,450   $73.62     2,523,175     257,334   $102.96     2,187,550  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

(1)See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 20142015 Annual Report for additional information regarding share-based compensation and benefit plans.
(2)Composed of 206,950 sharessolely of Common stock and 34,500 shares of Class B common stock.
(3)Composed of 2,007,9711,681,992 shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan and 515,204505,558 shares reserved for issuance under the Fourth Amended and Restated 1996 Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”)(referred to as the ESPP). An aggregate of 6,9956,493 shares of Common stock were purchased under the ESPP in 2014.2015.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERSCOMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The namesIntroduction.

Our executive compensation program is grounded by the guiding principle that compensation should be highly dependent uponlong-term shareholder returns. This key tenet of our fourcompensation philosophy has driven the unique design of our program for many years and has enabled our executive leadership team to stay solidly focused on long-term growth—generating a compounded annual growth rate for total shareholder return of 19.6% over the last 25 years.

What makes our program unique in comparison to other companies is our approach to long-term incentives. All of the restricted shares we have granted to more than 40 key leaders of our Company, including our named executive officers are set forth in(referred to as NEOs), vest only upon retirement (at age 62 or older).This means that our key leaders will not know the table below,value and we refer to such persons as our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”). Incannot realize the following Compensation Discussionvalue of their equity awards until they have spent their career with us. Granting restricted stock effectively balances strategic risk-taking and Analysis, we describelong-term performance, creates an ownership culture, and aligns the policies and practices that relate tointerests of high-performing executives with the compensationinterests of our NEOs.shareholders. Additionally, we believe these awards help build a sustainable future for the Company by ensuring that our executives are making the right long-term decisions that will survive well past their retirement.

This compensation discussion and analysis (referred to as CD&A) explains our executive compensation program for our NEOs listed below. It also describes the Compensation Committee’s process for making pay decisions, as well as its rationale for decisions related to 2015.

 

Name

  

Title

Years at Watsco

Albert H. Nahmad

  

Chairman of the Board, President and& Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”(CEO)

43

Aaron J. (A.J.) Nahmad

President10

Barry S. Logan

Senior Vice President & Secretary (SVP)23

Ana M. Menendez

  

Chief Financial Officer and& Treasurer (“CFO”)

Barry S. Logan

(CFO)
  

Senior Vice President and Secretary (“SVP”)

Aaron J. Nahmad

17
  

Vice President of Strategy and Innovation (“VPSI”)

Biographical information for Albert H. Nahmad, Barry S. Logan and Aaron J. Nahmad can be found2015 Business Performance. Watsco produced another year of solid performance in the section entitled “Proposal No. 1—Election2015:

Earnings per share increased 13% to a record $4.90.

Operating income improved 10% to a record $337 million on higher operating margins.

Technology spending was $19 million in 2015 compared to $12 million in 2014.

Sales increased 4% to a record $4.11 billion.

Operating cash flow increased 53% to a record $221 million.

Dividends were raised 21% in January 2016 to an annual rate of Directors.$3.40.

Total shareholder return in 2015 was 12.0%.

Philosophy, Culture & Performance

Ana M. MenendezCompensation Philosophy.We measure our success by our ability to create shareholder value over significantly long periods of time. The vision and leadership of our entrepreneurial leaders are at the core of our historic performance and it is their continued commitment to driving long-term sustainable growth that we believe will solidify our ongoing success. To this end, we must attract, motivate and retain high-caliber executive talent. Accordingly, our executive compensation program is designed to reward our leadershipwith an emphasis on the long-term.

Pay-For-Performance & Ownership Culture. For employees throughout Watsco, including the NEOs, we maintain a pay-for-performance culture that provides rewards through a variety of performance-based pay, commission programs, cash incentives and long-term incentives. Our stock-based plans include 401(k) matching contributions to eligible employees, a voluntary employee stock purchase plan and the granting of stock options

and restricted stock awards based on individual merit and measures of performance. Equity compensation plans are designed to promote long-term performance, as well as to create and sustain long-term employee retention, continuity of leadership and an “ownership culture” whereby management and employees think and act as owners of the Company. As described above, our restricted stock program is particularly unique as an employee’s restricted shares vest entirely at the end of his or her career (upon retirement), 50,subjecting such awards to significant market and forfeiture risks.

Concentrated Use of Long-Term Incentives Using Restricted Stock. For our Chairman & CEO, the President and other NEOs, the primary method of long-term incentive compensation is stock-based compensation awards in the form of restricted stock. This method has servedbeen consistent over the Company’s history and is rooted in the principle that long-term, stock-based compensation is the most effective method to align shareholder interests with those of executives. To be fully effective and long-term focused, the Company’s stock awards havecliff-vesting upon retirement so that executives have the opportunity to build wealth, while facing significant risks over the vesting period. This program also extends to approximately 40 other key leaders of Watsco.

The Company believes this balance of risk and reward over long time periods is more effective than more conventional equity-based programs that provide considerably shorter-term vesting and payouts, and effectively ties together the development ofshareholder wealthalong withemployee wealth. The program also serves as an important method to retain key leaders for the duration of their working careers.

All Historical Restricted Stock Awards Granted to Our NEOs Remain Unvested. The Company began granting restricted stock awards to a variety of leaders beginning in 1997. As it relates to our Chief Financial OfficerNEOs,none of their restricted share awards have ever vested.On a weighted-average basis, our NEO’s respective restricted share awards have been outstanding for approximately 10 years and, Treasurer since November 2003, as Treasurer since 1998due to the cliff-vesting upon retirement, will not begin to vest until 2022 (and for Watsco’s President, not until 2045). This long-term vesting demonstrates the distinct nature of this program, and as Assistant Secretary since 1999. Ms. Menendezthe long-term perspective that is a certified public accountant.at the core of the Company’s compensation philosophy. Based on data provided by Equilar of the population of companies referred to in the table that follows, the duration of the cliff-vesting periods is unique to Watsco.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISTotal Shareholder Return.Total shareholder return (referred to as TSR) measures share price appreciation plus the reinvestment of dividends. The Company views total shareholder return as the simplest and most fundamental method of measuring long-term value creation for shareholders and considers it as a metric in determining long-term incentive awards. Based on data provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. (referred to as FactSet), the Company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for TSR in comparison to a variety of public-company market indices as of December 31, 2015 is as follows:

LOGO

Our 3-year, 5-year and 10-year TSR and the 25-year TSR of 19.6% in particular demonstrates the sustained level of performance of our Company over long periods of time. These results are also important in assessing the Company’s business strategy, quality of leadership, culture and the relative effectiveness of our compensation practices. Based on further analysis of data from FactSet, the Company’s performance ranks as follows:

Number of U.S. public companies with a market capitalization of greater than $2 billion at December 31, 2015

1,296

Number of these companies that exceed 10% 25-year CAGR for total shareholder return

343

Number of these companies that exceed 18% 25-year CAGR for total shareholder return

64

Watsco’s rank for total shareholder return out of the 1,296 companies studied

#40

Governance, Compensation Actions & Summary of Details

Executive SummaryCompensation Governance Practices. We believe that our executive compensation program promotes sound governance standards and includes many shareholder-friendly features, such as:

We are committed to a philosophy

Vast majority of pay for performance,is performance-based, consisting of restricted stock with significantly long cliff-vesting periods.

Clawback policy.

No short sales and anti-hedging policy.

No significant perquisites.

No severance agreements.

No employment agreements, other than the Chairman & CEO.

Cap on the amount of equity compensation that may be earned.

Cap on the number of shares that may be issued under the Company’s 2014 Plan.

No defined benefit program or supplemental executive retirement plans.

No backdating or repricing of equity-based share awards.

Annual independence assessment of advisors to the Compensation Committee.

Annual risk assessment by the Compensation Committee which we referrelated to as the “Committee” in thisCompany’s compensation policies.

2015 Compensation DiscussionActions At-A-Glance. Our NEOs are compensated through pay elements designed to drive long-term sustained business performance, build a culture of ownership and Analysis and the tables that follow, reviews our compensation programs on an ongoing basis to ensure that our compensation policies serve the best interests of the Company andcreate long-term value for our shareholders. We describe in greater detail below in thisThe Compensation Discussion and Analysis how we link performance with payCommittee took the following compensation-related actions for our NEOs.

Consideration of Shareholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensationfiscal 2015:

In 2014, shareholders were presented with a non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation

No base salary increases of our NEOs which shareholderswere approved in 2015, except for A.J. Nahmad whose salary was increased from $250,000 to $275,000 in July 2015 in recognition of his on-going contribution to the development and launch of strategic technologies. In addition, to demonstrate leadership and commitment to 2016 cost saving initiatives undertaken by 74%the Company, our NEOs accepted salary reductions in December 2015. Our Chairman & CEO reduced his salary by 20%, and other NEOs reduced their salaries by 10%.

There were no annual cash incentives paid to our NEOs related to 2015 performance in deference to the grant of long-term incentives.

Long-term incentives were granted consistent with historic practices. In 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the discretionary issuance of 24,691 restricted shares of Class B common stock to ten key leaders, including NEOs (other than our Chairman & CEO), for 2015 performance. As part of company-wide cost reduction activities beginning in 2016, our Chairman & CEO voluntarily agreed to forego 30% of the votes cast onrestricted stock award he would have otherwise been entitled to receive applicable to 2015 performance.

The Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC (referred to as Pearl Meyer) an independent compensation consulting firm, to provide advice, relevant market data and best practices in relation to A.J. Nahmad’s 2016 compensation program upon his promotion to President in January 2016. The Compensation Committee assessed the proposal. The Committee considersindependence of Pearl Meyer against the resultsspecific criteria under applicable SEC and NYSE rules, received a letter from Pearl Meyer confirming their independence and determined no conflict of interest is raised by Pearl Meyer’s work for the advisory votes on executive compensation together with the Company’s compensation philosophy, as described in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, when considering executive compensation arrangements, including any changes to the executive compensation program. The next non-binding advisory vote to approve the executive compensation of our NEOs will be held at our 2017 annual meeting.Committee.

OversightDetermination of Executive Compensation

.The Board delegated to the Committee itsdelegates responsibility for determining totalthe compensation forstructure of our NEOs.Chairman & CEO and our President to the Compensation Committee. For our other NEOs, our Chairman & CEO determines their compensation structure after review and consultation with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee currently consists of twothree independent directors appointed by the Board. Each member is independent in accordance with applicable rules and regulationsIn providing input into determination of the SEC and NYSE.

The responsibilities of the Committee, as stated in its charter, include the following:

to fairly and justly determine short, intermediate and long-termNEO’s compensation, for the NEOs;

to regularly re-evaluate executive compensation practices to ensure the fairness, relevance, support of the strategic goals of the Company and contribution to the creation of long-term shareholder value;

to consider the relevant mix of compensation based upon three components: base salary, annual cash incentives and long-term share-based compensation (non-qualified stock options and non-vested (restricted) stock), each of which is intended to be an important part of an overall compensation package; and

to develop a compensation plan that allocates a significant portion of the executives’ total compensation through incentives and other forms of longer-term compensation linked to Company performance and the creation of shareholder value, including share-based awards and programs.

The Committee is responsible each year to:

within the first 90 days of the calendar year, determine with the CEO his base salary and incentive compensation for that year;

review and approve, in advance, any changes to the compensation of the CFO and SVP;

unilaterally determine the compensation of the VPSI;

review and discuss with management the disclosures made in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis prior to the filing of our proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders; and

complete a Committee self-evaluation to ensure that the Committee has performed all items required under its Charter.

Role of Named Executive Officers in Determining Compensation

None of our NEOs has a direct role in determining the amount of his or her compensation. Our CEO recommends compensation packages for our NEOs, except for the VPSI and himself. The CEO’s assessment of each executive’s compensation is based onconsiders the particular executive’s general responsibilities, the overall financial performance of the Company, the performance of the department or function that each executive leads and the collective success of the team meeting certain strategic priorities. Our CEO has considerable discretion in respect of the compensation packages he recommends.

ExecutiveThe Compensation Philosophy

The long-standing objective considered in the design of executive compensation is to closely align compensation with the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders. This core philosophy is the foundation of our executive compensation decisions and reflected in a set of guiding principles. The application of these principles enables us to create a meaningful link between compensation and long-term, sustainable growth for our shareholders. The guiding principles are as follows:

Pay for Performance – A significant portion of compensation should be variable, contingent and directly linked to individual and Company performance.

Shareholder Alignment – The financial interest of executives should be aligned with the interests of our shareholders through share-based compensation that correlate with long-term shareholder value.

Long-Term Focus – Long-term share-based compensation for executives should significantly outweigh short-term compensation.

Sharing of Risk – Variable compensation should represent the greatest portion of total compensation in order to directly link compensation with both the upside opportunity and the downside risk associated with the Company’s actual performance. For the NEO’s, variable compensation represented 85% of their total compensation for 2014.

Competitiveness – Total compensation should be competitive to attract, retain and motivate an executive team capable of maximizing shareholder value. Each element should be determined based on an assessment of internal pay, external market competitiveness and total shareholder value creation.

Balance – The portion of total compensation contingent on performance should increase with an executive’s level of responsibility. Incentive compensation opportunities should reward the appropriate balance of short-term and long-term financial and strategic results. Long-term share-based compensation opportunities should significantly outweigh short-term cash-based opportunities. For the NEOs, short-term incentives represented 5% of variable compensation, and long-term incentives represented 95% of variable compensation in 2014.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Our executive compensation is made up of three principal elements: base salary; annual cash incentives; and long-term share-based compensation, each of which is intended to be an important part of total executive compensation. Each year, the Committee reviews the compensation for our NEOs and sets compensation for our VPSI and CEO. Our CEO determines, in his discretion, base salaries for all other NEOs, after consultation with and subject to the approval of the Committee. The Committee has the opportunity to meet with the executives at various times during the year, which allows the Compensation Committee to form its own assessment of each individual’s performance.

UseElements of DiscretionExecutive Compensation.Our executive compensation is currently made up of three principal elements: base salary, short-term incentive compensation generally paid in cash, and long-term incentive compensation generally paid in restricted shares of Class B common stock, each of which is intended to be an

The determination

important part of the amount of each element of compensation for NEOs, other than the CEO, is discretionary and is not weighted or based on specific performance metrics; therefore, the relative amount of each element of compensation may vary from year-to-year.total executive compensation. As described above, however, our core compensation

philosophy focuses on long-term performance, which results in a relatively high portionproportion of executive compensation in the form of share-based compensation. The annual base salary and incentive compensation for the CEO is discussed separately below.restricted shares.

Named Executive Officers other than the CEO

Base Salary

. Base salary is designed to adequately compensate and reward the NEOs for their day-to-day performance. The Compensation Committee determines base salary for our Chairman & CEO and for our President. Our Chairman & CEO determines in his discretion, base salaries for allour other NEOs other than the VPSIafter review and himself, after consultation with and subject to the approval of theCompensation Committee. When setting and adjusting each NEO’s salary level, the executive’s roles and responsibilities, experience, potential and performance are considered. Other factors are considered such as the annual merit increase, if any, paid to all other Company employees, demand in the labor market for the particular executive and succession planning. These factors are not weighted. Adjustments to base salary are discretionary and based on an overall assessment of all of these factors. Additionally, neither base salary nor any other element of executive compensation is benchmarked at any particular level versus a peer group or compensation survey data. Instead, reasonable judgment is used to set a base salary that, when combined with all other compensation elements, results in a competitive pay package.

The Committee reviews NEO salaries annually and setspackage intended to align with the salaries for our VPSI and CEO. Effective July 1, 2014,compensation philosophy of the Committee approved an increase in the base salary of our VPSI from $225,000 to $250,000 based on an increase in his responsibilities. The determination was made that the base salaries for the other NEOs were adequate based on their respective roles and responsibilities; therefore, we made no adjustments in 2014. The salariesCompany, while retaining high-performing executives. Salaries paid to the NEOs during 2014in 2015 are shown in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table presented in this Proxy Statement.Table.

Annual Cash Incentives

.Annual cash incentives are discretionary and are used to reward NEOs for their current contributions to the Company and to align executive compensation with annual performance. Our CEO determines, in his discretion, annual cash incentives for all NEOs, other than the VPSIgoals and himself, after consultation with and subject to the approvalstrategic objectives of the Committee.Company. Some of the factors considered when determining these incentivesthe Compensation Committee considers include, but are not limited to, the overall financial performance of the Company, the performance of the department or function that each executive leads and an assessment of the executive team’s collective achievement of strategic priorities. The Committee’s approval and determination whether to pay cash incentives has been, and continues to be, entirely discretionary and is not based on any specific performance-based factors.

For 2014, the CEO determined and the Committee approved an annual cash incentive of $170,000 each for our CFO and SVP based on the overall financial performance of the Company. Also, the Committee determined and approved an annual cash incentive of $170,000 for our VPSI for 2014 based on the overall financial performance of the Company. Factors considered in these determinations included record performance in revenues, operating income and diluted earnings per share. TheThere were no annual cash incentives paid to theour NEOs during 2014 are shown infor 2015 performance.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Our long-term incentive compensation plan is administered through the 2014 Summary Compensation Table presented in this Proxy Statement.

Share-Based Compensation

We currently maintain one share-based compensation plan, the 2014 Plan, which provides a broad varietyPlan. As of share-based compensation alternatives. At December 31, 2014,2015, the 2014 Plan had a total of approximately 200 participants. Asparticipants, including the NEOs. Awards to our NEOs and other leaders of December 31, 2014, awards under the 2014 Plan consistedWatsco generally consist of: (1) non-qualified stock options; and (2) awards of non-vested (restricted) stock. Grants are made to retain executives, align their incentives with the long-term interests of our shareholders and reward them for potential long-term contributions. Our CEO determines, in his discretion, the allocation between awards of(i) non-qualified stock options and non-vested (restricted) stock for all NEOs, other than the VPSI and himself, after consultation with and subject to the approval of the Committee.

Share-based compensation awards generally provide either medium-term or long-term incentives. Awards of non-qualified stock options are granted as medium-term incentives, which generallythat vest in two equal installments over three and four years from the date of service. By comparison, non-vested (restricted)grant and (ii) awards of restricted stock veststhat vest upon an executive’s retirement age, generally resulting in longer vesting schedules; therefore, such awards are granted as long-term incentives.

As described above,(age 62 or later). For the NEOs, our core compensation philosophy is heavily-weightedheavily weighted toward long-term incentives, which create an owner-oriented culture; therefore, the discretionary allocation between non-qualified stock options and non-vested (restricted)restricted stock generally favors the latter.

Stock Options

Stock options provide executives with an opportunity to purchase our Common stock at an exercise price equal to Given the market pricecontinued emphasis toward the use of our Common stock on the grant date. Options under the 2014 Plan generally vest over three to four years of service. Vesting may accelerate in certain circumstances prior to the original vesting date. There is a limited term in which the optionee can exercise stock options, known as the option term. Options under the 2014 Plan have a term of five years. A stock option becomes valuable only if our Common stock price increases above the option exercise price, and the holder of the option remains employed during the period required for the option to “vest”; therefore, these options provide an incentive for the holders to remain employed with us.

In recent years, the CEO has determined and the Committee has approved that, as between awards of non-qualified stock options and non-vested (restricted) stock,long-term incentives, would be composed entirely of non-vested (restricted) stock, which generally vest over a significantly longer period of time than stock options. This determination was based on our philosophy that compensation should both (i) help establish a culture whereby executives think and act with a long-term point of view (i.e. create an owner-oriented culture) and (ii) provide executives with an incentive to sustain their career with the Company. Nono stock options were granted to the NEOs during 2015. In 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the discretionary issuance of 24,691 restricted shares of Class B common stock to ten key leaders, including NEO’s (other than the Chairman & CEO), for 2015 performance. Consistent with our prior practice, discretionary awards are reflected in our Summary Compensation Tables in the 2014 fiscal year. The approvalyear they are determined and determination not to award stock options to the NEOs has been, and continues to be, entirelyissued. As these awards were discretionary and iswere not based on any specific performance-based factors or becauseissued until 2016, the value of any failure onsuch awards are not reflected in the part of the executives to meet performance expectations. Instead, the determination was based on our core compensation philosophy outlined above.

Non-Vested (Restricted) Stock2015 Summary Compensation Table.

Awards of non-vested (restricted)Restricted stock are designed to focus on the long-term performance of the Company for the duration of an executive’s career andawards are subject to forfeiture until certain specified events occur (generally, upon retirement at age 62 or later, death, long-term disability or a change in control of the Company). These features enhance our ability to retain, throughout their entire careers, those individuals who are key to the creationAwards of shareholder value. Shares of non-vested (restricted)restricted stock may be awarded in either shares of either our Common stock or Class B common stock, none of which may be sold or disposed of prior to vesting, and which may be forfeited in the event of termination of employment prior to the end of athe restriction period. Class B common shares are generally issued in connection with restricted period. A participant granted non-vested (restricted) stock generally has allawards. Shares of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, includingrestricted stock include the right to vote and the right to receive dividends. Awardsdividends prior to vesting. The value of non-vested (restricted) stock are grantedrestricted shares is measured at no costthe date of grant and is amortized ratably over the period from the date of grant until the date of cliff-vesting. The Company receives a tax deduction equal to the employee.value of the shares at the vesting date. If the underlying shares appreciate in value, the income tax benefits that accrue to the Company will be substantially higher than if annual award amounts were paid in cash.

Non-vested (restricted)Restricted stock awards vary each yearare dependent upon the Company’s performance. For our Chairman & CEO, the number of shares granted is based on the criteria and formula set forth below. For our President, prior to his appointment as President, the annual amount of his restricted stock award was based solely on the discretion of

the Compensation Committee. Subsequent to his promotion in the case of NEOs other than the VPSI,January 2016, restricted stock awards to our President are based inon specific criteria determined by the discretion ofCompensation Committee as summarized below.

For our other NEOs, the Chairman & CEO after consultation withconsiders and recommends discretionary share grants, which are subject to the review and approval by the Committee. For our VPSI, the award is based solely in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. We have no formal program or pre-established performance or financial targets that determine the amount, if any, of awards. The Committee’s decision to grant non-vested (restricted)restricted stock awards to our other NEOs is based on the subjective weighting of the factors described below,following criteria together with the overall performance of the Company.

The CEO and the Committee consider the following factors with respect to the amount of an individual NEO’s non-vested (restricted) stock award:Company:

 

the individual’s personal contribution toward Company performance and overall achievements;

 

current levels of equity held by such NEO in comparison to other NEOs;

 

the NEO’s role within the Company;

the NEO’sand tenure with the Company;

 

the NEO’s prospective retirement age (which is generally when vesting occurs); and

 

the compensation cost of the awards to the Company.

During 2014,2015, the amount of non-vested (restricted)restricted stock awarded to our NEOsPresident was based on their respectivehis then current levelslevel of equity relative to the other NEOs. The grant date fair value of the non-vested (restricted)restricted stock awarded to the NEOsPresident during 20142015 is shown in the 2014below Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table presented in this Proxy Statement.

Authorization of Share-Based Awards

The Committee approves the grant of share-based compensation to the CEO. The Committee has delegated to the CEO the authority to grant options andTable. This award restricted stock under the 2014 Plan to the other NEOs except for the VPSI. The amounts granted to NEOs vary each year and are based on the discretion of the Committee in the case of the CEO and VPSI, and the discretion of the CEO in the case of the other NEOs.

Other than in connection with the CEO’s annual incentive opportunity, as discussed below, we do not have a formal policy or timetable for the granting of share-based compensation. Generally, we consider grants annually, during performance reviews or upon hiring. The decision to award only non-vested (restricted) stock in 2014 was based on our core philosophy described above, together with the recognition that medium-term incentives (i.e. non-qualified stock options) were already outstanding.

Additional long-term incentive compensation information related to the NEOs is included in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table,Tables at grant date fair value, due to the 2014 Grantsunusually long vesting period (28 years based on the cliff-vesting date of Plan Based Awards TableOctober 17, 2043) and associated market and forfeiture risks, the Outstanding Equity Awardspresent value of the President’s award is likely significantly less than grant date fair value. Independent valuations obtained by the Company suggest that the present value of such awards is at least 25% less, and may be as of December 31, 2014 Table presented in this Proxy Statement.great at 50% less.

Chief Executive Officer

Compensation of Our Chairman & CEO.Albert H. Nahmad has served as our Chairman of the Board, President and& CEO since December 1972. His leadership hasvision and entrepreneurship have been instrumental in our growth and success over the past 4243 years, and his leadership continues to be of great importance to our future performance. Given the foregoing, Mr. Nahmad’s

The Chairman & CEO’s compensation is materially differentcomposed of two components: (i) base salary and (ii) a long-term incentive award of restricted shares. Since 2011, his annual base salary has been $1,100,000. Beginning in January 2016, in connection with the appointment of A.J. Nahmad as President, A.J. Nahmad assumed a number of our Chairman & CEO’s day-to-day responsibilities. As a result, our Chairman & CEO’s base salary was reduced from $1,100,000 to $825,000 to reflect the changes in responsibilities.

The design of our Chairman & CEO’s long-term incentive is simple. He is rewarded based on the performance of two fundamental metrics: (i) annual growth of earnings per share (referred to as EPS) and greater than,(ii) the compensation paidyear over year increase in Watsco’s stock price. If either criteria grows, he will earn a restricted stock award. If neither criteria grows, he is not entitled to a restricted stock award. No restricted stock awards were received by our other NEOs.

Financial Metrics UsedChairman & CEO in Executive Compensation

Two key financial metrics are considered in measuring performance for our CEO:

Earnings per Share

To ensure that compensation is2007 or 2008. EPS growth recognizes the importance of a proportional to the return on investment earned by shareholders we use earnings per share, or EPS, as one of the metrics to determine annual incentive compensation for our CEO. EPSand is defined as diluted earnings per shareEPS calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Common Stock Price

As is the case with EPS, we also look at the closing market price for our Common stock as a means to ensure compensation is proportional to the potential return on investment earned by shareholders. Incentive compensation for our CEO takes into account the change in the price of our Common stock from year to year.

Our CEO does not earn any incentive compensation unless one of the two metrics above has increased for the year in which the incentive compensation is determined.

Annual Incentive Compensation

Each year, our CEO has an annual incentive opportunity based upon the increase, if any, in EPS and Common stock price appreciation is also a fundamental method of measuring value creation on a year-to-year basis, and reflects not simply performance, but other assessments made by shareholders related to the quality and nature of the Company. Effective January 1, 2014, we amended and renewed, and the Committee subsequently approved, an amendmententerprise.

To be eligible to our employment agreement with Mr. Nahmad, dated January 31, 1996, which we refer to as the CEO Agreement. Under the terms of the CEO Agreement, Mr. Nahmad may earn this annualreceive a long-term incentive award, pursuant to and under the 2014 Plan. Mr. Nahmadour Chairman & CEO must be employed for the entire year to be entitled to his annual incentive compensation for such year, unless the Compensation Committee otherwise specifically determines that such amounts are to be paid in respect of aotherwise. The Compensation Committee determines the performance criteria each year in which Mr. Nahmad is employed for only part of such year. The Committee and Mr. Nahmad mutually agree, within the first 90 days of the calendar year on the metrics to be used in determining performance-based compensation for the applicable year. Such metrics are administered by the Committee and documented in the form ofdocuments such

criteria as an amendment to the CEO Agreement,Chairman & CEO’s employment agreement (such agreement and amendments are referred to as the Employment Agreement), which is filed with the SEC.SEC (the amendment for the 2015 long-term incentive award was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).

For 2014,2015, the amount of our Chairman & CEO’s long-term incentive compensation was effectively determined usingas follows:

EPS growth

$130,500 in value is awarded for each one cent of growth in the following formula:Company’s EPS from the prior year,plus

Common stock price growth

(i) Zero in value if the NYSE quoted value of Watsco’s common stock did not exceed $107.00* on December 31, 2015, or

(ii) $2,400 in value is awarded for each one cent of increase in the NYSE quoted value of Watsco’s common stock from the prior year(if less than $123.00), or

(iii) $3,600 in value is awarded for each one cent of increase in the NYSE quoted value of Watsco’s common stock from the prior year(if greater than $123.00#)

 

A.  

Earnings Per Share

  Annual Incentive
Compensation for CEO
 
  

For each $.01 increase from the prior year

  $65,250  
B.  

Increase in Common Stock Price

    
  (i) If the closing price of a share of Common stock on 12/31/14 failed to exceed $96.06  $0  
  (ii) If the closing price of a share of Common stock on 12/31/14 exceeded $96.06 but did not equal or exceed $113.00, for each $0.01 increase in per share price of a share of Common stock above $96.06  $1,200  
  (iii) If the closing price of a share of Common stock on 12/31/14 equaled or exceeded $113.00, for each $0.01 increase in per share price of a share of Common stock above $96.06  $1,800  
*$107.00 represents the closing price of Watsco’s common stock at December 31, 2014.
#$123.00 represents a 15% increase in the closing price of Watsco’s common stock versus December 31, 2014.

For 2014,The Employment Agreement sets forth that long-term incentives, if any, will be awarded in the CEO’s incentive compensation was paid in a numberform of non-vested (restricted)restricted Class B common shares equalshares. Although such awards are presented in the below Summary Compensation Tables at grant date fair value, due to the dollar amount earned (as described inunusually long vesting periods and associated market and forfeiture risks, the table above), multiplied by a factorpresent value of two and dividedsuch awards is likely significantly less. Independent valuations obtained by the closingCompany suggest that the present value of such awards is at least 25% less.

During 2015, Watsco’s annual EPS increased from $4.32 per share in 2014 to $4.90 per share in 2015 and the price forof its Common shares increased from $107.00 to $117.13. Based on the performance criteria factors set forth above, the calculated gross value of the 2015 long-term incentive award earned by our Chairman & CEO was $10.0 million (84,134 restricted Class B Common shares). However, as part of a Company-wide effort adopted in December 2015 to reduce costs, our Chairman & CEO voluntarily agreed to forego 30% of the of his award ($3.0 million, 25,241 restricted Class B common stock onshares). Accordingly, the NYSE as of the close of trading on December 31, 2014. The value of any fraction of a share was paid in cash. The incentive compensation earned is multiplied by a factor of two because it is converted from cash to shares that vest in their entirety in approximately 8 years and are subject to events of forfeiture prior thereto as set forth in theCompany issued 58,893 restricted stock agreements.

For 2014, based on the achievement of the performance factors described above, Mr. Nahmad’s incentive compensation for 2014 was $10,977,600. Mr. Nahmad was entitled to receive 102,479 shares of Class B common stock, which was issued by the Company during the first quarter of 2015. These non-vested (restricted)Common shares vest in their entiretyto our Chairman & CEO. Such restricted shares are scheduled to cliff-vest on October 15, 20222026 and are subject to forfeiture prior to this vesting date as set forth in the restricted stock agreements.agreement. The issuance of such restricted shares increased his combined voting control from 52.1% to 52.5%. Mr. Nahmad also received $50.00$118.02 in cash related tolieu of fractional shares.

For 2016, a similar formula-based design was adopted for our Chairman & CEO, except that in recognition of the promotion of A.J. Nahmad as President (and his assumption of certain previous duties and responsibilities of our Chairman & CEO), the amount of long-term incentives that our Chairman and CEO is eligible to earn has been reduced by 30%. For example, for each one-cent increase in EPS in 2016, our Chairman & CEO will earn $91,350 in value. The value of long-term incentives that our Chairman & CEO can be awarded in 2016 is limited to $20 million.

Other BenefitsPromotion of A.J. Nahmad to President. On January 15, 2016, A.J. Nahmad was promoted to the position of President. Under his direction and Programs

A limitedleadership, Watsco began actively increasing its investment in a number of other benefitsscalable technologies in 2012 as a means of further strengthening its leadership position in the HVAC/R

marketplace. His promotion to President acknowledged his leadership and programsrecognized the critical importance of the execution and adoption of these technological innovations across the Watsco enterprise. His promotion is availablealso considered an important event for the Company in terms of management succession with the goal of achieving long-term, generational continuity and consistency of Watsco’s unique culture.

In consultation with Pearl Meyer, the Company’s independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee designed A.J. Nahmad’s compensation arrangement, which was adopted upon his promotion. Such arrangement includes (i) a base salary of $550,000; (ii) an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity of up to our NEOs. We offer these benefits$450,000 contingent upon achievement of pre-established strategic and programs as partfinancial objectives set by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each NEO’s total compensation package. A list2016, and (iii) a long-term incentive in the form of specific benefitsrestricted Class B common shares based on the attainment of specified performance goals (a portion of the long-term incentive is noted below:at-risk based on three-year stock price performance). A.J. Nahmad’s cliff-vesting date for the majority of his restricted share awards is October 17, 2043 (age 62) with the remainder on October 17, 2045 (age 64).

Employee Stock Purchase PlanBenefits Programs

We maintain an. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans (medical, dental, vision, life and other insurance), a 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan which isand other programs that are generally available to all eligible employees, that enables such employees to purchase our Common stock at a discounted rate, thereby keeping our employees’ interests aligned with the interests of our shareholders. Executives (other than our CEO) may participate in this plan on the same basis as all other eligible employees. After ninety days of employment, eligible employees may elect to contribute to this plan through payroll deductions or lump sum contributions of up to $25,000 in any calendar year based on calculating the fair market value as of the grant date, as provided under the plan. Shares are purchased at a 5% discount to the closing share price of our Common stock at specified times, subject to certain restrictions.

Health and Welfare Benefits

We offer a variety of health and welfare programs to all eligible employees. Executives generally are eligible for the same benefit programs on the same basis as the rest of our employees. The health and welfare programs are intended to protect employees against catastrophic loss and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Our health and welfare programs include medical, wellness, pharmacy, dental, vision and life, accidental death and disability insurance.

Company Airplane

.Pursuant to his employment agreement, Albert H. Nahmadour Chairman & CEO has limited access to our corporate aircraft for personal use (up to 40 hours per calendar year)during 2015), and the value of such use is included in his annual compensation. We review the aircraft flight logs and categorize the flights as business-related or non-business-related to determine Mr. Nahmad’sour Chairman & CEO’s personal use of the aircraft. The value of the personal use of the Company aircraft reported as compensation to our Chairman & CEO is determined following the Internal Revenue Service guidelines, which may be different than the Company’s aggregate incremental cost of such use.

Pension Plans

While we.We do not provide a defined benefit pension plan or supplemental executive retirement plan, we provide to all of our eligible employees a profit sharing retirement plan that is qualified under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under the plan, we may make matching contributions in our discretion, which may be in the form of our Common stock or cash. For 2014, we elected to match 50% of each participant’s contributions up to a maximum 1.5% of such participant’s compensation (as defined under the plan) in the form of our Common stock.plan.

Other CompensationEmployment Agreements

We provide.There are no employment agreements with our NEOs, with other benefits described in the All Other Compensation column in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table presented in this Proxy Statement, which we believe are reasonable, competitive and consistent withexcept for our overall executive compensation philosophy. The costs of these benefits constitute only a small amount of each NEO’s total compensation.Chairman & CEO’s Employment Agreement.

Severance PlanPlan.

We do not have severance agreements with any of our NEOs.NEOs except for the established termination provisions set forth in our Chairman & CEO’s Employment Agreement.

Clawback Policy. The Company maintains a clawback policy whereby the Company has the ability to require that NEOs reimburse the Company for all or any portion of any incentive or equity-based compensation in the event of a material restatement of the Company’s financial statements or if the NEOs engaged in a fraud or criminal misconduct related to the Company or its business.

Stock Option Backdating & Repricing.We do not and have not backdated or repriced stock option awards.

Hedging of Shares. We do not permit and have not permitted short sales or transactions using derivatives of Watsco shares, including hedging transactions.

Shareholder Engagement. The Company regularly educates and updates shareholders about the Company’s unique culture and philosophy as part of its investor relations program (i.e. investor meetings and conferences). More information can be found atwww.watsco.com in the Investor Relations section.

Say-On-Pay Vote by Shareholders. The Compensation Committee considers results of the advisory votes on executive compensation together with the Company’s compensation philosophy and overall performance when considering executive compensation arrangements, including any changes to the executive compensation program. The results of the 2014 advisory vote were considered by the Compensation Committee in determining the compensation structure of our President. The next non-binding advisory vote to approve the executive compensation of our NEOs will be held at our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.

Employment AgreementsCertain Tax Considerations. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (referred to as Section 162(m)), public companies may generally not take a tax deduction for non-performance compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to certain executive officers, including the Chairman & CEO or any of the next three most highly compensated officers other than the CFO. If compensation qualifies as “performance-based” under Section 162(m), it does not count against the $1.0 million deduction limit. Our policy with respect to Section 162(m) is to make reasonable efforts to ensure that compensation is deductible without limiting our ability to attract and retain qualified executives. The Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy that all compensation must be deductible, believing in the importance of retaining flexibility to design compensation programs that recognize a full range of criteria important to our success, even where compensation payable under the programs may not be fully deductible. Our Compensation Committee intends to monitor compensation levels and the deduction limitation.

Except for the CEO Agreement discussed above, weRisk Considerations in our Compensation Programs.We have reviewed our compensation structures and policies as they pertain to risk and have determined that our compensation programs do not create or encourage the taking of risks that are reasonably likely to have employment agreements witha material adverse effect on the Company.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.

No member of the Compensation Committee during 2015 was an officer, employee or former officer of ours or any of our NEOs.

Accelerationsubsidiaries or had any relationship that would be considered a compensation committee interlock and would require disclosure in this Proxy Statement pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. None of Vesting; Change in Control

Under the 2014 Plan the Committee or the Board may, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability, the lapsing of restrictions or the expiration of deferral or vesting periods of any award, and such accelerated exercisability, lapse, expiration and, if so provided in the award agreement, vesting shall occur automatically in the caseour named executive officers served as a member of a “changecompensation committee or a director of another entity under the circumstances requiring disclosure in control” of the Company. Except in the case of our CEO, a “change in control” generally means (a) the electionthis Proxy Statement pursuant to the Board of the Company, without the recommendation or approval of the incumbent Board of the Company, of directors constituting a majority of the number of directors of the Company then in office; or (b) approval by shareholders of (i) a reorganization, merger or consolidation with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting securities, (ii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

In the case of our CEO, a “change in control” means (a) the acquisition by any person, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of common stock entitled to vote in the election of any directors of the Company; provided, however, that the acquisition of any shares owned by or for the benefit of the CEO or the CEO’s spouse or descendants shall not be taken into account for this purpose; (b) the election to the Board of the Company, without the recommendation or approval of the incumbent Board of the Company, of directors constituting a majority of the number of directors of the Company then in office; or (c) approval by shareholders of (i) a reorganization, merger or consolidation with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting securities, (ii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.SEC rules and regulations.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The following report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCD&A contained in this Proxy Statement with management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.

This report is provided by theThe following independent directors, who comprise the Compensation Committee:Committee, provide this report:

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Paul F. Manley,Denise Dickins, Chairman
Bob L. MossPaul Manley
Rick Fedrizzi

Risk Considerations in our Compensation Programs

We have reviewed our compensation structures and policies as they pertain to risk and have determined that our compensation programs do not create or encourage the taking of risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation Committee during 2014 was an officer, employee or former officer of ours or any of our subsidiaries or had any relationship that would be considered a compensation committee interlock and would require disclosure in this Proxy Statement pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. None of our executive officers served as a member of a compensation committee or a director of another entity under the circumstances requiring disclosure in this Proxy Statement pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.

COMPENSATION TABLES

20142015 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation earned by the NEOs for services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012.2013.

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
Awards
($)(1)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(2)
   All Other
Compensation

($)
   Total
Compensation

($)
   Year   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Restricted
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(2)
   All Other
Compensation

($)
   Total
Compensation

($)
 

Albert H. Nahmad (3)

Chief Executive Officer

   2014    $1,100,000     —      $10,977,550    $50    $89,147    $12,166,747     2015    $1,077,096     —      $7,000,022    $118    $134,309    $8,211,545  
 2013    $1,100,000     —      $16,100,007    $93    $93,152    $17,293,252    2014    $1,100,000     —      $10,977,550    $50    $89,147    $12,166,747  
 2012    $1,100,000     —      $6,002,064    $36    $90,726    $7,192,826    2013    $1,100,000     —      $16,100,007    $93    $93,152    $17,293,252  

Ana M. Menendez (4)

Chief Financial Officer

   2014    $350,000    $170,000     —       —      $3,852    $523,852     2015    $346,356     —       —       —      $3,975    $350,331  
 2013    $350,000    $200,000    $318,220     —      $3,825    $872,045    2014    $350,000    $170,000     —       —      $3,852    $523,852  
 2012    $321,749     —      $246,750     —      $3,750    $572,249    2013    $350,000    $200,000    $318,220     —      $3,825    $872,045  

Barry S. Logan (4)

Senior Vice President

   2014    $435,000    $170,000     —       —      $3,852    $608,852     2015    $430,471     —       —       —      $3,975    $434,446  
 2013    $435,000    $200,000    $227,300     —      $3,825    $866,125    2014    $435,000    $170,000     —       —      $3,852    $608,852  
 2012    $429,265     —      $176,250     —      $3,750    $609,265    2013    $435,000    $200,000    $227,300     —      $3,825    $866,125  

Aaron J. Nahmad (4)

Vice President of Strategy and Innovation

   2014    $237,500    $170,000    $914,000     —      $3,531    $1,325,031  
 2013    $200,000     —      $1,398,300     —      $2,987    $1,601,287  
 2012    $162,568     —      $176,250     —      $2,430    $341,248  

Aaron J. Nahmad (4)

Vice President of Strategy & Innovation during 2015

   2015    $259,740     —      $1,250,000     —      $3,975    $1,513,715  
 2014    $237,500    $170,000    $914,000     —      $3,531    $1,325,031  
 2013    $200,000     —      $1,398,300     —      $2,987    $1,601,287  

 

(1)The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. This amount of share-based compensationCompensation expense will berelated to restricted stock awards is recognized over the relevant vesting period for each NEO. For the 2015 restricted stock awards reflected above, the annual expense to be included in the Company’s annual financial results is approximately $580,000 for Albert H. Nahmad’s stock award (vesting date is October 15, 2026) and $45,000 for Aaron J. Nahmad’s restricted stock award (vesting date is October 17, 2043). Although such awards are presented in the Compensation Tables at today’s value, due to the unusually long vesting periods and associated risks of forfeiture, the present value of such awards is likely significantly less. Independent valuations obtained by the Company.Company suggest that the present value of such awards is at least 25% less, and may be as great as 50% less. For additional information regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards and the calculation method, please refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements, which are contained in our Annual Report to Shareholders, filed with the SEC as Exhibit 13 to our 20142015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For further information on the CEO’s annual incentive compensation, see discussion in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement.
(2)Represents the cash value of fractional shares earned in connection with Albert H. Nahmad’s annual incentive award, the terms of which are discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement.award.
(3)For Albert H. Nahmad, all other compensation in 2014 includes2015 included (i) $3,852$3,975 related to the 401(k) Plan matching contribution; (ii) $15,644$26,360 related to additional health insurance benefits paid by the Company for Mr. Nahmad and his spouse, such as deductibles and co-insurance, among others and (iii) $69,651$103,974 related to Mr. Nahmad’s use of our aircraft for personal travel pursuant to his employment agreement.Employment Agreement.
(4)For Ms. Menendez, Mr. Logan and Aaron J.A.J. Nahmad, all other compensation comprises 401(k) Plan matching contributions.

2014Comparison of CEO Compensation to Total Shareholder Return. The following chart represents the comparison for the last five calendar years of (i) our Chairman & CEO’s total compensation as summarized in the Summary Compensation Table above, (ii) compensation actually paid (consisting of his base salary) and (iii) total shareholder return for each of the last five calendar years.

LOGO

2015 Grants of Plan-Based Restricted Stock Awards

This table discloses the number of non-vested (restricted)restricted stock awards granted to our NEOs during 20142015 and the grant date fair value of these awards. No non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock were granted to our NEOs during 2014. This table should be read together with the information set forth under the heading “Chief Executive Officer” contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement.2015.

 

Name

 Grant
Date
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units

(#)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)(3)
 
   

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards

 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units

(#)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)(2)
 

Name

Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)(2)
 Maximum
(#)
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units

(#)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)(3)
  Grant
Date
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)(1)
 Maximum
(#)
 
 $0   $0    (1  0    102,479    (1   12/31/15    —      —      —      —      58,893    —      —     $7,000,022  

Aaron J. Nahmad

  08/09/14          10,000   $914,000    09/25/15    —      —      —      —      —      —      10,000   $1,250,000  

 

(1)As described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Chief Executive Officer,” Albert H. Nahmad has an annualRepresents the 2015 long-term incentive opportunity based upon the increase in the Company’s EPS and Common stock price.
(2)Amount shown is based on the number of non-vested (restricted) shares granted in connection with the CEO’s annual incentive compensation.award for our CEO. For further information, see the discussion in the Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCD&A section of this Proxy Statement.above.
(3)(2)The grant date fair value of the non-vested (restricted)restricted stock awards represents the total amount of share-based compensation expense that we will recognizebe recognized over the relevant vesting period.period, which extends to October 15, 2026 for Albert H. Nahmad and to October 17, 2043 for Aaron J. Nahmad. Annual expense to be included in the Company’s financial results in prospective years is approximately $580,000 for Albert H. Nahmad’s stock award and $45,000 for A.J. Nahmad’s restricted stock award. Although such awards are presented in the above table at today’s value, due to the unusually long vesting periods and associated risks of forfeiture, the present value of such awards is likely significantly less. Independent valuations obtained by the Company suggest that the present value of such awards is at least 25% less, and may be as great as 50% less.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 20142015

The following table shows outstanding stock option awards classified as exercisable and unexercisable at December 31, 2014 for the NEOs. The table also shows non-vested (restricted)summarizes stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2014.2015 for the NEOs. All such awards represent restricted stock. There were no stock option awards outstanding for the NEOs at December 31, 2015.

 

Name

  Option Awards   Stock Awards 
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price

($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not

Vested
(#)
   Market
Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested

($)(1)
 

Albert H. Nahmad (2) (3)

   —       —       —       —       1,942,957    $208,129,554  

Ana M. Menendez(4)

   15,000     —      $56.09     7/23/2015     —       —    
   —       —       —       —       75,200    $8,050,624  

Barry S. Logan (5)

   —       —       —       —       —       —    
   —       —       —       —       211,950    $22,691,034  

Aaron J. Nahmad(6)

   12,000     —      $56.70     7/06/2015     —       —    
   —       —       —       —       40,700    $4,359,784  

Name

  Restricted Stock Awards 
  Number of
Shares  or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
   Market
Value  of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested

($)(1)
 

Albert H. Nahmad

   2,045,436    $243,120,523  

Ana M. Menendez

   75,200    $8,869,072  

Barry S. Logan

   211,950    $25,004,240  

Aaron J. Nahmad

   50,700    $6,026,202  

 

(1)BasedThe market value is based on the respective closing market prices of our Common stock and Class B common stock on December 31, 2014.2015. Shares vest upon dates specified in the restricted stock agreements or upon death, disability or upon a change in control of the Company.

A summary of restricted stock held by our NEOs, including the range of years such shares were granted, the range of cliff-vesting dates, and the weighted-average years remaining until the cliff-vesting date is reached is as follows:

Name

 Common
Shares
   Class B
Common
Shares
   Range of Years for
Grants of Restricted
Stock Awards(1)
   Range of Dates  for
Cliff-Vesting of Restricted
Stock Awards (2)
   Weighted average
Years Remaining
Until Cliff-Vest Date
 

Albert H. Nahmad

  —       2,045,436     1997 through 2015     October 2022 and 2026     8.0 years  

Ana M. Menendez

  40,000     35,200     1999 through 2013     December 2026 and 2028     11.7 years  

Barry S. Logan

  108,750     103,200     1997 through 2013     December 2024 and 2026     9.3 years  

Aaron J. Nahmad

  —       50,700     2011 through 2015     October 2043 and 2045     28.3 years  

(1)The Company has granted restricted awards to our NEOs over the years summarized above in a manner described in the CD&A, none of which have vested due to the long-term duration of cliff-vest dates.
(2)Albert H. Nahmad’s awardsThe scheduled vesting dates for the restricted shares generally represent Class B common stock that has been granted primarily in connection with his employment agreement, dated January 31, 1996, as amended, as described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Chief Executive Officer”. Mr. Nahmad’s stock awards will vest upon the earlier of October 15, 2022 or his death or disability.
(3)Albert H. Nahmad’s stock awards exclude 102,479 shares of Class B common stock with a market value of $10,977,550 issued in 2015.
(4)Ms. Menendez’s stock awards include 40,000 shares of Common stock and 35,200 shares of Class B common stock. Ms. Menendez has 47,000 stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of December 2, 2026, when she reachesour NEOs anticipated retirement age (age 62 or her death or disability and 28,200 stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of December 2, 2028, or her death or disability. Ms. Menendez’s options award represents non-qualified option awards as to shares of Class B common stock. All of Ms. Menendez’s awards were granted under the 2001 Plan.
(5)Mr. Logan’s stock awards include 108,750 shares of Common stock and 103,200 shares of Class B common stock. Mr. Logan has 178,750 stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of December 14, 2024, when he reaches retirement age, or his death or disability and 33,200 stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of December 14, 2026, or his death or disability. Mr. Logan’s options award represents non-qualified option awards as to shares of Class B common stock. All of Mr. Logan’s awards were granted under the 2001 Plan.
(6)Aaron J. Nahmad’s stock awards include 40,700 shares of Class B common stock. Mr. Nahmad has 27,500 Class B common stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of October 17, 2043, when he reaches retirement age, or his death or disability and 13,200 Class B common stock awards that will vest upon the earlier of October 17, 2045, when he reaches retirement age, or his death or disability. Mr. Nahmad’s options award represents non-qualified option awards as to shares of Class B common stock. Mr. Nahmad’s non-qualified stock option award was granted under the 2001 Plan. Mr. Nahmad has 30,700 stock awards that were granted under the 2001 Plan and 10,000 stock awards that were granted under the 2014 Plan.older).

20142015 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth certain information regardingsummarizes options exercised during 20142015 for the NEOs. NoThere were no stock option awards granted to NEOs or stock that vested during 2014.2015.

 

Name

  Option Awards   Option Awards 
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)(1)
  Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)(1)
 

Albert H. Nahmad

   —       —       —       —    

Ana M. Menendez

   —       —       15,000    $1,065,900  

Barry S. Logan

   7,500    $252,900     —       —    

Aaron J. Nahmad

   —       —       12,000    $832,800  

 

(1)Calculated based on the difference between the market price on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control

As described above, certain share-based compensation agreementsAgreements for awards of the NEO’srestricted stock have provisions that provide for accelerated vesting due to a change in control. See “Acceleration of Vesting; Change in Control” under the “Other Benefits and Programs” sectioncontrol of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement. Additionally, agreements for awards of non-vested (restricted) stock have provisions that provide for accelerated vesting due toCompany, or upon the death or disability of the executive. In the event that vesting is accelerated under these agreements, any unrecognized share-based compensation expense would be immediately recognized. Other than the foregoing, we haveThere are no other agreements or other arrangements with our NEOs that provide for compensation or other benefits upon a change in control of the Company.

The table below illustrates the value of the accelerated vesting of the equity awards for each NEO had Watsco experienced a change in control on December 31, 2014.2015 along with the amount of unrecognized share-based compensation that would be recognized. The amounts presented in the table below are estimates and do not necessarily reflect the actual value of the benefits that would be received by the NEOs, which would only be known at the time that a change of control occurs.

 

Name

  Stock Options(1)   Non-Vested
(Restricted)
Stock(2)
   Total   Stock Options   Restricted
Stock(1)
   Unrecognized
Share-Based
Compensation(2)
 

Albert H. Nahmad(3)

   —      $219,107,104    $219,107,104     —      $250,120,545    $49,450,003  

Ana M. Menendez

  $765,450    $5,375,624    $6,141,074     —      $5,940,822    $1,830,230  

Barry S. Logan

   —      $20,551,034    $20,551,034     —      $22,661,640    $2,688,953  

Aaron J. Nahmad

  $605,040    $4,359,784    $4,964,824     —      $6,026,202    $4,283,508  

 

(1)Represents the difference between the closing priceThis value is based on the NYSE for a share of our Class B Common stock on December 31, 2014 ($107.12) and the exercise price of the option multiplied by the number of stock options that would have been subject to accelerated vesting.
(2)Represents the amount of the respective closing prices on the NYSE for a share of our Common stock ($107.00) and Class B Commoncommon stock ($107.12) on December 31, 2014,2015, multiplied by the number of non-vested (restricted)restricted shares of Common stock or Class B common stock, as applicable that would have been subject to accelerated vesting. The amount realized would be taxable compensation to the NEO and, subject to the provisions of Section 162(m), would result in significant tax benefits for the Company.
(3)(2)Includes December 31, 2014 grantRepresents the amount of 102,479 shares of Class B common stock related to Albert H. Nahmad’s 2014 annual incentive opportunity as described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Chief Executive Officer” and the value of sharesshare-based compensation expense that would be immediately recognized in the case of a change in control would be withheld by the Company as payment to satisfy related tax withholdings.event accelerated vesting.

AUDIT-RELATED MATTERSPROPOSAL NO. 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Nominating & Governance Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors nominated the following persons as nominees for election as members of our Board of Directors at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. All such persons are incumbent directors.

Name

Term Expiring

Common stock

David C. Darnell

2019 annual meeting of shareholders

George P. Sape

2018 annual meeting of shareholders

Class B common stock

Barry S. Logan

2019 annual meeting of shareholders

Bob L. Moss

2019 annual meeting of shareholders

The section titled “Directors & Executive Officers” on pages 5-7 of this Proxy Statement contains more information about the leadership skills and other experience that caused the Nominating & Governance Committee and the Board of Directors to determine that these nominees should continue to serve as directors of the Company.

We believe that each of these directors possesses the experience, skills and qualities to fully perform his or her duties as a director and contribute to our success. Our directors have been nominated because they possess the highest standards of personal integrity, interpersonal and communication skills, are highly accomplished in their fields, have an understanding of the interests and issues that are important to our shareholders and are able to dedicate sufficient time to fulfilling their obligations as directors. Our directors as a group complement each other and their respective experiences, skills and qualities. While our directors make up a diverse group in terms of age, gender, ethnic background and professional experience, they together comprise a cohesive body in terms of Board process and collaboration.

Report ofTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

PROPOSAL NO. 2—RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Our Audit Committee selected and appointed KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year. KPMG has served as Watsco’s independent registered accounting firm since 2009. In selecting KPMG as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for 2016, the Audit Committee considered a number of factors, including:

The following report

the professional qualifications of KPMG, the lead audit partner, and other key engagement personnel.

KPMG’s independence and its processes for maintaining its independence.

KPMG’s depth of understanding of Watsco’s business, accounting policies and practices, and internal control over financial reporting.

the appropriateness of KPMG’s fees for audit and non-audit services.

the results of KPMG’s most recent PCAOB inspection report.

the results of management’s and the Audit Committee’s annual evaluations of the qualifications, performance and independence of KPMG.

Although ratification is not required by our By-Laws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of KPMG to our shareholders for ratification. The Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed withwill consider the SEC nor shalloutcome of this information be incorporated by reference into any filing undervote in future deliberations regarding the Securities Actappointment of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.

During 2014, our Audit Committee consisted of Denise Dickins, Paul F. Manley and George P. Sape. Following Mr. Sape’s resignation from the Board in March 2014, the Board appointed Mr. Moss to serve on the Audit Committee.

The role ofindependent registered public accounting firm; however, the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and internal control environment, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Board, in its business judgment, has determined that each Audit Committee member is “independent,” as independence for audit committee members is defined in the applicable NYSE listing standards and rules of the SEC.

The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Company’s Board. Management has the primary responsibilitysolely responsible for the financial statementsappointment and the reporting process, including the Company’s systemtermination of internal controls.

The Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the Company’s internalour auditors and KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements, as well as Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders, with management and KPMG LLP. Consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder, the Audit Committee discussed with KPMG LLP those matters required to be discussed pursuant to Auditing Standard No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committees,” adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), and the rules of the SEC, and reviewed a lettermay do so at its discretion.

A representative from KPMG LLP disclosing such matters.is expected to attend the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders and will have the opportunity to answer questions, if any.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCONTING FIRM FOR THE 2016 FISCAL YEAR.

In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG LLP the firm’s independence from Company management and the Company and has reviewed the written disclosures and letter from KPMG LLP pursuant to applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with KPMG LLP’s independence.

The Audit Committee has discussed with the Company’s internal auditors and KPMG LLP the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee has met with the internal auditors and KPMG LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their audits; their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, including internal control over financial reporting; and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Denise Dickins, Co-Chairperson

Paul F. Manley, Co-Chairperson

Bob L. Moss

Auditor Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The table below summarizes the fees and expenses billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, for the years ended December 31, 20142015 and 2013.2014. There were no audit-related fees or other fees billed to us by KPMG LLP for the years ended December 31, 20142015 and 2013,2014, therefore, the columncolumns for such fees waswere excluded from the following table.

 

Year

  Audit Fees   Tax Fees   All Other Fees   Total 

2014

  $1,648,000    $395,000     —      $2,043,000  

2013

  $1,570,000    $425,000    $45,000    $2,040,000  

Audit fees for 2014 and 2013 were for professional services rendered for (i) the audits of our consolidated financial statements and of our internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (ii) the reviews of interim financial statements included in ourForms 10-Q and (iii) the statutory audits for our international operations.

Tax fees for 2014 and 2013 relate to tax compliance and tax planning services.

All other fees for 2013 relate to advisory services.

The Audit Committee has considered the compatibility of the provision of services covered by the three preceding paragraphs with the maintenance of the principal accountant’s independence from the Company and has determined that the provision of such services is not incompatible with the maintenance of such independence.

The Audit Committee annually reviews the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and the fees and expenses charged for their services.

Year

  Audit Services   Tax Services   Total 

2015

  $1,722,000    $244,000    $1,966,000  

2014

  $1,648,000    $395,000    $2,043,000  

Policy for Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retentionappointing, terminating, compensating, retaining, evaluating, and oversight ofoverseeing the work of ourthe independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm reports directly to the Audit Committee. As part of its responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy requiring the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. In pre-approving services, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.independence or if such services would in any way negatively impact the quality of the audit conducted.

Prior to the annual engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for an upcoming audit/non-audit service period, defined as a twelve-month period, KPMG LLP submits a detailed list of services expected to be rendered during that period as well as an estimate of the associated fees for each of the following four categories of services to the Audit Committee for approval:

Audit Services

. Audit services consist of services rendered by an independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of our consolidated financial statements (including tax services performed to fulfill the auditor’s responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards) and our internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the interim financial statements included in Forms 10-Q and includes services that generally only an external auditor can reasonably provide, such as comfort letters, statutory audits, attest services, consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.

Audit-Related Services

. Audit-related services consist of assurance and related services (e.g., due diligence) by an external auditor that are reasonably related to audit or review of financial statements, including employee benefit plan audits, due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, accounting consultations and audits in connection with proposed or consummated acquisitions, internal control reviews, attest services related to financial reporting that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. There were no audit-related services provided by KPMG in 2015 or 2014.

Tax Services

. Tax services consist of services not included in Audit Services above, rendered by an external auditor for tax compliance, tax consulting and tax planning.

Other Non-Audit Services

. Other non-audit services are any other permissible work that is not an Audit, Audit-Related or Tax Service. There were no other non-audit services provided by KPMG in 2015 or 2014.

Circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services or additional effort not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed with the SEC nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.

During 20142015, our Audit Committee consisted of Co-chairs Denise Dickins and 2013,Paul F. Manley, and Bob L. Moss. Following George P. Sape’s appointment to the Board in November 2015, the Board appointed Mr. Sape to replace Mr. Moss on the Audit Committee. The Board determined that each Audit Committee member is “independent,” as independence for audit committee members is defined in the applicable NYSE listing standards and rules of the SEC. The Board also determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and have accounting or related servicesfinancial management expertise, and allhas designated the Co-chairs of the Audit Committee as audit committee financial experts, as defined by NYSE listing standards and SEC rules. Although designated as audit committee financial experts, the Audit Committee Co-chairs are not accountants for the Company nor, under SEC rules, an “expert” for purposes of the liability provisions of the Securities Act or for any other services provided by KPMG LLP were pre-approvedpurpose.

The role of the Audit Committee is to (a) assist the Board in its oversight responsibilities relating to (i) the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, (ii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, (iii) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors and (iv) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and (b) prepare the Committee’s report required by the SEC to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

The Audit Committee influences the overall tone for quality financial reporting, sound internal controls, and ethical behavior. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, for the appropriateness of the accounting and reporting policies that are used by the Company, and for the establishment and effectiveness of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, expressing an opinion as to the conformity of such financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and for reviewing the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements.

The independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to recommend to the Board the nomination of the independent auditors for approval by the shareholders on an annual basis. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, termination, compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.

A representativeIn 2015, the Audit Committee formally met and held discussions with management, the Company’s VP of Internal Audit, and KPMG, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, six times. In addition, members of the Audit Committee had numerous informal conversations with the Company’s financial management, internal auditors, and independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, interim financial statements, system of internal control over financial reporting, and policies and procedures designed to reduce the likelihood of events of non-compliance with rules and regulations with management, internal auditors, and KPMG, including discussions of the quality, not just the acceptability, of accounting policies and principles, significant judgments and estimates, system of internal control over financial reporting, and clarity of disclosures. The Audit Committee reviewed the annual plan and scope of work to be performed by internal audit and KPMG, and throughout the year, routinely met outside of the presence of management with both internal audit and KPMG to discuss their respective audit results, evaluations

of Watsco’s internal controls, and the overall quality of Watsco’s financial reporting. Consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder, the Audit Committee discussed with KPMG those matters required to be discussed pursuant to PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committees,” and the rules of the SEC, and reviewed a letter from KPMG LLP is expecteddisclosing such matters.

The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG the firm’s independence from the Company and its management team, and reviewed the written disclosures and letter from KPMG pursuant to attendapplicable requirements of the 2015 annual meetingPCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and considered the compatibility of shareholdersnon-audit services with KPMG’s independence.

Based upon the reports and will havediscussions described above, the opportunityAudit Committee, in accordance with its responsibilities, recommended to make a statement and answer appropriate questions.the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Denise Dickins, Co-Chairperson

Paul F. Manley, Co-Chairperson

George P. Sape

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board knows of no other business to be brought before the annual meeting. If, however, any other business should properly come before the annual meeting, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy Statement will vote proxies in their discretion as they may deem appropriate, unless they are directed by a proxy to do otherwise.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO

BARRY S. LOGAN

Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

April 16, 201529, 2016

WATSCO, INC.

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901

Miami, Florida 33133

PROXY FOR COMMON STOCK

20152016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints ALBERT H. NAHMAD and BARRY S. LOGAN and each of them, as proxies and true and lawful attorneys and agents for and in the name of the undersigned, with full power of substitution for and in the name of the undersigned, to vote all shares of Common stock, par value $.50, of WATSCO, INC., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), in the manner set forth below. The undersigned is entitled to vote at the 20152016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Watsco, Inc. Corporate Office, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133Carrier Enterprise Canada, 1515 Drew Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5S 1Y8 on Monday, May 11, 2015,June 6, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and at any and all adjournments thereof.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL SET FORTH BELOW.

The undersigned hereby instructs said proxies or their substitutes:

 

 (1)FOR¨ ALL [    ] WITHHOLD VOTE¨ALL [    ] FOR ALL EXCEPT [    ] To elect Cesar L. AlvarezDavid C. Darnell as a Common stock director until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2019 and to elect George P. Sape as a Common stock director until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2018, or until his successor istheir respective successors are duly elected and qualified.qualified, except for the following nominee(s)                      (if any).

 

 (2)FOR [    ] AGAINST [    ] ABSTAIN [    ] To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year.

(3)In the proxies’ discretion, on any other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

(SEE REVERSE SIDE)


(CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE)

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of (i) the Company’s 20142015 Annual Report to Shareholders, (ii) the Proxy Statement and (iii) the Notice of Annual Meeting dated April 16, 2015.29, 2016.

 

Date:

, 2016
Date:, 2015 

[SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER]

[SIGNATURE OF JOINT HOLDER]
 
[SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER]
[SIGNATURE OF JOINT HOLDER]Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.


WATSCO, INC.

2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901

Miami, Florida 33133

PROXY FOR CLASS B COMMON STOCK

20152016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints ALBERT H. NAHMAD and BARRY S. LOGAN and each of them, as proxies and true and lawful attorneys and agents for and in the name of the undersigned, with full power of substitution for and in the name of the undersigned, to vote all shares of Class B common stock, par value $.50, of WATSCO, INC., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), in the manner set forth below. The undersigned is entitled to vote at the 20152016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Watsco, Inc. Corporate Office, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Miami, Florida 33133Carrier Enterprise Canada, 1515 Drew Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5S 1Y8 on Monday, May 11, 2015,June 6, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and at any and all adjournments thereof.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL SET FORTH BELOW.

The undersigned hereby instructs said proxies or their substitutes:

 

 (1)FOR ALL¨ [    ] WITHHOLD ALL¨ [    ] FOR ALL EXCEPT¨ [    ] To elect Aaron J. NahmadBarry S. Logan and Albert H. NahmadBob L. Moss as Class B common stock directors until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2018,2019, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, except for the following nominee(s)(if                      (if any).

 

 (2)FOR [    ] AGAINST [    ] ABSTAIN [    ] To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year.

(3)In the proxies’ discretion, on any other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

(SEE REVERSE SIDE)


(CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE)

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of (i) the Company’s 20142015 Annual Report to Shareholders, (ii) the Proxy Statement and (iii) the Notice of Annual Meeting dated April 16, 2015.29, 2016.

 

Date:

, 2016
Date:, 2015 

[SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER]

[SIGNATURE OF JOINT HOLDER]
 
[SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER]
[SIGNATURE OF JOINT HOLDER]Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.