UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(303) 770-8300
April 1, 2016March 28, 2018
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) of Century Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (which we refer to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), to be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center located at 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237, at 1:00 p.m. local time, on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.9, 2018.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals to:proposals: (1) to elect five (5) directors to serve for the ensuing year as members of the Board of Directors of the Company;Century; (2) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;2018; (3) to approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation; (4) to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and (3)(5) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. The accompanying Notice of 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describe these matters in more detail. We urge you to read this information carefully.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote:FOR each of the five (5) nominees for director named in the Proxy Statement, andFOR the ratificationapproval of the appointmentother proposals being submitted to a vote of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firmstockholders and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.a frequency of EVERY YEAR for future advisory votes on executive compensation.
Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting in person, and regardless of the number of shares of Century Communities, Inc.common stock that you own, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, I urge you to vote your shares of Century common stock via the Internet, by telephone, or by promptly marking, dating, signing, and returning the proxy card. Voting over the Internet, by telephone, or by written proxy will ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Century, Communities, Inc., we thank you for your participation.participation and continued support.
Sincerely, | |
Dale Francescon | |
Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Sincerely,You can help us make a difference by eliminating paper proxy materials. With your consent, we will provide all future proxy materials electronically. Instructions for consenting to electronic delivery can be found on your proxy card or at www.proxyvote.com. Your consent to receive stockholder materials electronically will remain in effect until canceled.
Dale FrancesconTABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Co-Chief Executive Officer
CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(303) 770-8300
NOTICE OF 20162018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 20169, 2018
The 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) of Century Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (which we refer to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 20169, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. local time at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center located at 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237. We will consider and act on80237, for the following items of business at the Annual Meeting:
purposes:
1. | To elect five |
2. | To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as |
3. | To approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation; |
4. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. |
The Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice describes each of these items of business in detail. Our Board recommends a vote:FOR eachOnly holders of the five (5) nominees for director named in the Proxy Statement, andFOR the ratificationrecord of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
Only stockholders of recordcommon stock at the close of business on March 28, 201615, 2018 are entitled to notice of, to attend, and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. A list of such stockholders eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, at theour principal executive office of the Companyoffices during regular business hours for a period of no less than ten (10)10 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote your shares of Century common stock via the Internet, by telephone, or by promptly marking, dating, signing, and returning the proxy card. Any stockholder attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if he or she previously submitted a proxy. If your shares of Century common stock are held by a bank, broker or other agent, please follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other agent to have your shares voted.
Sincerely,
David L. Messenger
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |
David L. Messenger | |
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
Greenwood Village, Colorado
March 28, 2018
April 1, 2016
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2016:This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 are available on the internet, free of charge, athttp://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/19474/. On this website, you will be able to access this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing materials that are required to be furnished to stockholders.
CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(303) 770-8300
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 20169, 2018
GENERAL INFORMATION
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Your proxy is solicited on behalf of theThe Board of Directors (which we refer to as our “Board”) of Century Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer is using this Proxy Statement to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”),solicit your proxy for use at our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which we refer to as the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016,9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. local time, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center located at 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237, or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof, for the purposes discussed in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting.thereof. Directions to attend the Annual Meeting may be obtained by calling Investor Relations at (303) 268-8398. Proxies are solicitedThe Board is soliciting proxies to give all stockholders of record an opportunity to vote on matters properly presented at the Annual Meeting. Please note that references in this Proxy Statement to “Century,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer to Century Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation, references to the “Board” refer to the Board of Directors of Century, and references to the “Annual Meeting” refer to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending an Important Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting (which we refer to as the “Notice”“Internet Notice”) to most of our stockholders of record, and paper or electronic copies of the proxy materials to certain otherour remaining stockholders of record. Brokers and other nominees who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners will be sending their own similar notice. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Internet Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to request a printed copy by mail or electronically may be found on the Internet Notice and on the website referred to in the Internet Notice, including an option to request paper copies on an ongoing basis.
On or about April 1, 2016,March 28, 2018, we intend to make this Proxy Statement and our 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (which we refer to as our “2017 Annual Report”), available on the Internet and to commence mailing of the Internet Notice to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. We intend to mail this Proxy Statement and 2017 Annual Report, together with a proxy card, to those stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting who have properly requested paper copies of such materials, within three (3) business days of such request.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018
This Proxy Statement and the Company’sour 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (which we refer to as our “2015 Annual Report”) are available on the Internet, free of charge, athttp://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/19474/www.proxyvote.com. This On this website, contains the following documents: the Notice of the Annual Meeting,you will be able to access this Proxy Statement, our 2017 Annual Report, and proxy card sample, and our 2015 Annual Report. Youany amendments or supplements to these materials that are encouragedrequired to be furnished to stockholders. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
Who Can Vote, Outstanding SharesGENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Record holders of our common stock asWhen and where will the Annual Meeting be held?
The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. local time, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center located at 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237.
What are the purposes of the closeAnnual Meeting?
The purposes of business on March 28, 2016, the record date for the Annual Meeting are entitled to vote on the following items described in this Proxy Statement:
Proposal No. 1 | Election of Directors |
Proposal No. 2 | Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Proposal No. 3 | Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation |
Proposal No. 4 | Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation |
Are there any matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting on all matters to be voted upon. As of the record date, there were 21,126,214 shares of our common stock outstanding, each entitled to one vote.
You may vote by attending the Annual Meeting and votingthat are not included in person or you may vote by submitting a proxy. The method of voting by proxy differs (1) depending on whether you are viewing this Proxy Statement on the Internet or receiving a paper copy, and (2) for shares held as a record holder and shares held in “street name.” If you hold your sharesStatement?
We currently are not aware of common stock as a record holder and you are viewing this Proxy Statement on the Internet, you may vote by submitting a proxy over the Internet by following the instructions on the website referred to in the Notice previously mailed to you. If you hold your shares of common stock as a record holder and you are reviewing a paper copy of this Proxy Statement, you may vote your shares by completing, dating and signing the proxy cardany business that was included with the Proxy Statement and promptly returning it, or by submitting a proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card. If you hold your shares of common stock in street name, which means that your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will receive a notice from your broker, bank or other nominee that includes instructions on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank or other nominee will allow you to deliver your voting instructions over the Internet and may also permit you to vote by telephone. In addition, you may request paper copies of the Proxy Statement and proxy card from your broker by following the instructions on the notice provided by your broker.
The Internet and telephone voting facilities will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 10, 2016. If you vote through the Internet, you should be aware that you may incur costs to access the Internet, such as usage charges from telephone companies or Internet service providers and that these costs must be borne by you. If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, then you need not return a written proxy card by mail.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. You should submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If you properly give your proxy and submit it to us in time to vote, one of the individuals named as your proxy will vote your shares as you have directed. Any stockholder attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if he or she previously submitted a proxy.
All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly submitted proxies (including those submitted electronically, telephonically and in writing) received before the polls are closedpresented at the Annual Meeting and not revoked or superseded, will be voted at the Annual Meetingother than as described in accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxies.this Proxy Statement. If, no direction is indicated on a proxy, your shares will be voted as follows:FOR each of the five (5) nominees for director named in the Proxy Statement, andFOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. With respect tohowever, any other matter thatis properly comes beforebrought at the Annual Meeting, or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof, the proxy-holders will vote as recommended by our Board, or if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time beforeincludes discretionary authority on the part of the individuals appointed to vote your proxy is votedshares or act on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
All of our stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting by taking any of the following actions:
Written notices of revocation and other communications with respect to the revocation of Company proxies should be addressed to:
Century Communities, Inc.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Meeting. If your shares are held in “streetstreet name,” however, you may change yournot vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee. You must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to find out how to do so. See below regarding how to vote in person if your shares are held in street name.
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote in person you will be given a ballot at the Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, and you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting unless you must bring to the Annual Meetingobtain a legal proxy from the record holder of the shares, which is the broker or other nominee, authorizing you to vote at the Annual Meeting.your shares.
Stockholders who wish to attend the Annual Meeting will be required to present verification of ownership of our common stock, such as a bank or brokerage firm account statement, and will be required to present a valid government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, to gain admittance to the Annual Meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Annual Meeting.
Quorum and Votes RequiredWho is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
The inspectorHolders of elections appointed forrecord of shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value, as of the close of business on March 15, 2018, the record date, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting will tabulate votes cast by proxyand any continuation, postponement or in personadjournment thereof. At the close of business on the record date, there were 29,644,097 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on any matter presented to stockholders at the Annual Meeting. The inspector of elections will also determine whether a
How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
A quorum is present. In order to constitute a quorum for the conduct of businessmust be present at the Annual Meeting for any business to be conducted. The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority in voting power of allour capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date will constitute a quorum. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum if you submit a proxy or vote at the Annual Meeting. Shares represented by proxies marked “abstain” and “broker non-votes” also are counted in determining whether a quorum is present.
What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?
If a quorum is not present or represented at the scheduled time of the sharesAnnual Meeting, (i) the chairperson of the stockAnnual Meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, must be present in person or represented by proxy, atmay adjourn the Annual Meeting. SharesMeeting until a quorum is present or represented.
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We recommend that abstain fromstockholders vote by proxy even if they plan to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. If you are a stockholder of record, there are three ways to vote by proxy:
• | by Internet—You can vote over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions on the Internet Notice or proxy card; or |
Telephone and Internet voting on any proposal, or that are represented by broker non-votes (as discussed below),facilities for stockholders of record will be treatedavailable 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on May 8, 2018. If you vote through the Internet, you should be aware that you may incur costs to access the Internet, such as usage charges from telephone companies or Internet service providers and that these costs must be borne by you.
If your shares that are present and entitledheld in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions on how to vote from the bank, broker or holder of record. You must follow the instructions of such bank, broker or holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting also may be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you should contact your bank, broker or agent to obtain a legal proxy or the bank’s or broker’s proxy card and bring it to the Annual Meeting in order to vote.
What is the difference between being a “record holder” and holding shares in “street name”?
A record holder holds shares in his or her name. Shares held in “street name” means that shares are held in the name of a bank or broker on a person’s behalf.
Am I entitled to vote if my shares are held in “street name”?
Yes. If your shares are held by a bank or a brokerage firm, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares held in “street name.” If your shares are held in street name, these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your bank or brokerage firm along with a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank or brokerage firm how to vote your shares, and your bank or brokerage firm is required to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions.
Generally, broker non-votes occur when shares held by a broker in “street name” for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a particular proposal because the broker (1) has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (2) lacks discretionary voting power to vote those shares.
A broker is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on routine matters. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal No. 2 is a routine matter; and accordingly, a broker is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on that proposal, without instructions from such beneficial owner. On the other hand, absent instructions from a beneficial owner, a broker is not entitled to vote shares held for such beneficial owner on non-routine matters. We believe based on the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that the election of directors in Proposal No. 1, the advisory vote on executive compensation in Proposal No. 3 and the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation in Proposal No. 4 are non-routine matters; and accordingly, brokers do not have authority to vote on such matters absent instructions from beneficial owners. Whether a voting proposal is ultimately determined routine or non-routine is determined by the NYSE. Accordingly, if beneficial owners desire not to have their shares voted by a broker in a certain manner, they should give instructions to their brokers as to how to vote their shares.
Broker non-votes count for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
Brokers or other nominees who hold shares of common stock in “street name” for a beneficial owner of those shares typically have
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How does the authority to vote in their discretion on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However, brokers are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with respect toBoard recommend that I vote?
The Board recommends that you vote:
Proposal No. 1:Election of Directors. A pluralitymembers of the votes cast byBoard until the holdersnext annual meeting of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. Accordingly, the five (5) director nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. Abstentionsstockholders and broker non-votesuntil their successors are not treated as votes cast,duly elected and therefore, will not have any effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
qualified;
If you return a properly completed proxy card, or vote your shares by telephone or Internet, your shares of common stock will be voted on your behalf as you direct. If not otherwise specified, the shares of common stock represented by the proxies will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations.
How many votes are required for the approval of the proposals to be voted upon and thus,how will withheld votes, abstentions and broker non-votes be treated?
Proposal | Votes Required | Effect of Votes Withheld / Abstentions | Effect of Broker Non-Votes |
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors | Plurality of votes cast. This means that the five nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. | Votes withheld will have no effect. | Broker non-votes will have no effect. |
Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | Affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. | Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. | We do not expect any broker non-votes on this proposal. |
Proposal No. 3: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation | Affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. | Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. | Broker non-votes will have no effect. |
Proposal No. 4: Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation | Plurality of votes cast. The choice of frequency that receives the greatest number of votes is considered the preference of our stockholders. | Abstentions will have no effect. | Broker non-votes will have no effect. |
What if I do not specify how my shares are generally not expected to result from the vote on Proposal No. 2.
Solicitation of Proxiesbe voted?
OurIf you submit a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, is soliciting proxiesas described above.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Internet Notice or more than one set of proxy materials?
It means that your shares are held in more than one account at the transfer agent and/or with banks or brokers. Please vote all of your shares. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, for each Internet Notice or set of proxy materials, please submit your proxy by phone, via the Internet, or, if you received printed copies of the proxy materials, by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
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Can I revoke or change my vote after I submit my proxy?
Yes. If you are a registered stockholder, you may revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before your shares are voted by one of the following methods:
Written notices of soliciting proxies from our stockholders. In additionrevocation and other communications with respect to the solicitationrevocation of proxies by delivery ofshould be addressed to:
Century Communities, Inc.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Your most recent proxy card or telephone or Internet proxy is the Notice or this Proxy Statement by mail, we will requestone that brokers, banks and other nominees that hold shares of our common stock, which are beneficially owned by our stockholders, send Notices, proxies and proxy materials to those beneficial owners and secure those beneficial owners’ voting instructions. We will reimburse those record holders for their reasonable expenses. We do not intend to hire a proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We may use several of our regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from our stockholders, either personally or by Internet, telephone, facsimile or special delivery letter.
A list of stockholders eligible to voteis counted. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting by itself will be available for inspection, for any purpose germanenot revoke your proxy unless you give written notice of revocation to the Secretary before your proxy is voted or you vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in street name, you may change or revoke your voting instructions by following the specific directions provided to you by your bank or broker, or you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting by obtaining a legal proxy from your bank or broker and submitting the legal proxy along with your ballot.
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We plan to announce preliminary voting results at the principal executive office ofAnnual Meeting and will report the Company during regularfinal results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within four business hours for a period of no less than ten (10) days prior toafter the Annual Meeting.
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Forward-Looking StatementsPROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
This Proxy Statement contains “forward-looking statements” (as defined inBoard Size and Structure
Our Bylaws provide that the Private Securities Litigation Reform ActBoard shall consist of 1995). These statements are based on our current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth inone or more members, with the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding actionsnumber to be takendetermined from time to time by us. We undertake no obligationthe Board. The Board has fixed the number of directors at five, and we currently have five directors serving on the Board. Each director holds office for a term of one year or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future eventshis or otherwise. Forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors in Item 1A of our 2015 Annual Reporther earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
Current Directors and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
OurThe Board currently consists of the following five (5) members, three (3) of whom are independent within our director independence standards, which satisfy the listing standards for independence of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”). members:
Dale Francescon | John P. Box | James M. Lippman |
Robert J. Francescon | Keith R. Guericke |
Based upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of ourthe Board, (which we refer to as the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”), our Board nominated each of the Company’sour current five directors named above for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
Our The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe thethat our current five directors collectively have or will have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to effectively oversee the management of the Company,Century, including a high degree of personal and professional integrity, an ability to exercise sound business judgment on a broad range of issues, sufficient experience and background to have an appreciation of the issues facing the Company,Century, a willingness to devote the necessary time to Board duties, a commitment to representing the best interests of the CompanyCentury and our stockholders, and a dedication to enhancing stockholder value. Three of our five directors are independent within our director independence standards, which satisfy the listing standards for independence of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act).
Each director elected at the Annual Meeting will serve a one (1)-yearone-year term until the Company’sCentury’s next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy-holders will vote the proxies received by them for the five (5) nominees named below. If any of the nominees is unable, or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the present Board to fill the vacancy. It is not presently expected that any of the nominees named below will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. If additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxy-holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in a manner to assure the election of as many of the nominees listed below as possible. In such event, the specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the proxy-holders.
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors as of the date of this Proxy Statement:
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OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE FIVE (5) NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Vacancies on our Board, including any vacancy created by an increase in the size of our Board, may be filled only by a majority of the directors remaining in office (even though less than a quorum of our Board) or a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. A director elected by our Board to fill a vacancy will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier retirement, resignation, disqualification, removal or death.
nominees. If any nominee should become unavailable for election prior to the Annual Meeting, an event that currently is not anticipated by ourthe Board, the proxies will be voted in favor of the election of a substitute nominee or nominees proposed by ourthe Board. Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected and ourthe Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Information about Director Nominees
Set forth below isare the names, ages and positions of our current directors and director nominees as of March 15, 2018 and biographical information for each nominee andnominee. Also below is a summary of the specific qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences whichthat led ourthe Board to conclude that each nominee should serve on ourthe Board at this time. There are no family relationships among any of theour directors or executive officers, of the Company, except for Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon, who are brothers.
Name | Age | Position with the Company |
Dale Francescon | 65 | Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Robert J. Francescon | 60 | Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
John P. Box(1)(2)(3) | 71 | Independent Director |
Keith R. Guericke(1)(2)(3) | 69 | Independent Director |
James M. Lippman(1)(2)(3) | 60 | Independent Director |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Member of the Compensation Committee. |
(3) | Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. |
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Dale Francescon. Mr. Dale Francescon serveshas served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer since August 2002 and has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since April 30, 2013. Mr. Dale Francescon possesses a broad background in all facets of operating a real estate company, and has had direct responsibility for the acquisition, financing, development, construction, sale and management of various residential projects including land development, single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. Mr. Dale Francescon has successfully managed the Company, a top 25 national homebuilder, through successive profitable years, in various economic cycles, from inception in August 2002 to the present. Prior to the formation of the Company, from 1996 to 2000, Mr. Dale Francescon served as Co-Division President for D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the United States. Prior to his tenure at D.R. Horton, Mr. Dale Francescon owned and operated Trimark Communities from 1993 to 1996 when it was sold to D.R. Horton. Trimark Communities was the largest builder of attached, for sale homes in the state of Colorado. Mr. Dale Francescon is actively involved in various civic and professional organizations. Mr. Dale Francescon is licensed in the state of Colorado as a real estate broker (inactive) and in the state of California as an attorney (inactive) and a certified public accountant (inactive). Mr. Dale Francescon received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law. Mr. Dale Francescon, as a co-founder of the Company,Century, is qualified to serve as a director due to his familiarity with our history and day-to-day operations, his expertise in the homebuilding industry, and his more than 25 years of experience operating real estate companies. In addition, as a result of his dual role as Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dale Francescon provides unique insight into our future strategies, opportunities and challenges and serves as a unifying element between the Board and our management.
Robert J. Francescon. Mr. Robert J. Francescon serveshas served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer andsince August 2002, as President since April 2013 and has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 30, 2013. Mr. Robert J. Francescon possesses a broad background in all facets of operating a real estate company, and has had direct responsibility for the acquisition, financing, development, architecture, construction, sale and management of various residential projects including land development, single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. Mr. Robert J. Francescon has successfully managed the Company, a top 25 national homebuilder, through successive profitable years, in various economic cycles, from inception in August 2002 to the present. Prior to the formation of the Company, from 1996 to 2000, Mr. Robert J. Francescon served as Co-Division President for D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the United States. Prior to his tenure at D.R. Horton, Mr. Robert J. Francescon owned and operated Trimark Communities from 1993 to 1996 when it was sold to D.R. Horton. Trimark Communities was the largest builder of attached, for sale homes in the state of Colorado. Mr. Robert J. Francescon also has management experience working in a variety of financial institutions, including thrifts and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Mr. Robert J. Francescon is actively involved in various civic and professional organizations. Mr. Robert J. Francescon received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Mr. Robert J. Francescon, as a co-founder of the Company,Century, is qualified to serve as a director due to his familiarity with our history and day-to-day operations, his management experience in various business enterprises, and his more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive within the homebuilding industry.
*James M. Lippman. Mr. Lippman is In addition, as a result of his dual role as director and has served onCo-Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robert Francescon provides unique insight into our Board of Directors since May 7, 2013. Mr. Lippman founded JRK Property Holdings in 1991future strategies, opportunities and currentlychallenges and serves as its Chairmana unifying element between the Board and Chief Executive Officer. From an initial purchase of five multifamily properties, JRK has grown to a national leader in the commercial real estate sector. In 2011, JRK was featured as the 25th largest Multifamily Owner and Manager in the U.S. by the National Multi Housing Council and ranked 27th in the nation by Multifamily Executive Magazine. Mr. Lippman is actively involved with Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where he serves on its board of directors, chairs its audit committee, and is a member of its executive committee, resource development committee, and executive compensation committee. In addition, Mr. Lippman currently serves on the board of trustees of Union College. Mr. Lippman also worked on Wall Street for many years where he traded equities, options and commodities for proprietary investment accounts. Mr. Lippman earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Union College. Mr. Lippman is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive leadership experience within the real estate industry, his financial management expertise, and his extensive contacts with senior real estate executives throughout the United States.our management.
*Keith R. Guericke. Mr. Guericke is a director and has served on our Board of Directors since May 7, 2013. Mr. Guericke has served as a director of the board of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (which we refer to as “Essex”) since June 1994. In 2002, Mr. Guericke was elected to the position of vice chairman of the board of Essex, a position he still holds. He held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Essex from 1988 through 2010. Effective January 2011, Mr. Guericke retired from his position as an executive officer. Mr. Guericke joined Essex’s predecessor, Essex Property Corporation, in 1977 to focus on investment strategies and portfolio expansion. Mr. Guericke prepared Essex for its initial public offering in 1994, and since then has overseen the significant growth of the Essex multifamily portfolio in supply-constrained markets along the West Coast. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Guericke began his career with Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a certified public accounting firm noted for its real estate expertise. Mr. Guericke is a member of NAREIT, the National Multi-Housing Council, and several local apartment industry groups. Mr. Guericke received his B.S. in Accounting from Southern Oregon College in 1971. Mr. Guericke is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive leadership experience at a publicly traded company, his expansive knowledge of the real estate industry, his strong relationships with many executives at real estate companies throughout the United States and his expertise in accounting and finance.
*John P. Box. Mr. Box is a director and has served on ourthe Board of Directors since May 23, 2014. Mr. Box is a commercial real estate practitioner who has served as regional chairman of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank since 2013. Prior to his current role, from 1988 through 2012, Mr. Box was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Frederick Ross Company, the largest locally owned commercial real estate service business in Colorado. Under his watch, the Frederick Ross Company diversified into several independent operating divisions and was active in commercial brokerage, consulting and property management, as well as apartment building and multi-family land sales. Mr. Box was recognized as honorary dean for 2002 by the University of Denver Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management, and in 2001, he was awarded the 2000 NAIOP President’s Award for contributions to the real estate community. Earlier in his career, Mr. Box was recognized four times by the Denver Board of REALTORS®REALTORS® as the recipient of the top commercial sales award for achieving the highest personal sales volume in the Denver area. Mr. Box also serves on the board of trustees for Regis University, on the board of directors for the National Crime Prevention Council, and is former board chair of ONCOR International, a worldwide affiliation of real estate companies. Mr. Box is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive leadership within the real estate industry, his relationships with many executives at real estate companies throughthroughout the United States, and his proven ability to successfully grow and diversify a real estate business.
Keith R. Guericke. Mr. Guericke is a director and has served on the Board of Directors since May 2013. Mr. Guericke has served as a director of the board of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (Essex) since June 1994. In 2002, Mr. Guericke was elected to the position of vice chairman of the board of Essex, a position he still holds. He held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Essex from 1988 through 2010. Effective January 2011, Mr. Guericke retired from his position as an executive officer. Mr. Guericke joined Essex’s predecessor, Essex Property Corporation, in 1977 to focus on investment strategies and portfolio expansion. Mr. Guericke prepared Essex for its initial public offering in 1994, and since then has overseen the significant
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growth of the Essex multifamily portfolio in supply-constrained markets along the West Coast. Prior to joining Essex, Mr. Guericke began his career with Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a certified public accounting firm noted for its real estate expertise. Mr. Guericke is a member of NAREIT, the National Multi-Housing Council, and several local apartment industry groups. Mr. Guericke received his B.S. in Accounting from Southern Oregon College in 1971. Mr. Guericke is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive leadership experience at a publicly traded company, his expansive knowledge of the real estate industry, his strong relationships with many executives at real estate companies throughout the United States and his expertise in accounting and finance.
James M. Lippman. Mr. Lippman is a director and has served on the Board of Directors since May 2013. Mr. Lippman founded JRK Property Holdings (JRK) in 1991 and currently serves as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. From an initial purchase of five multifamily properties, JRK has grown to a national leader in the commercial real estate sector. In 2011, JRK was featured as the 25th largest Multifamily Owner and Manager in the U.S. by the National Multi Housing Council and ranked 27th in the nation by Multifamily Executive Magazine. Mr. Lippman is actively involved with Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where he serves on its board of directors, chairs its audit committee, and is a member of its executive committee, resource development committee, and executive compensation committee. In addition, Mr. Lippman currently serves on the board of trustees of Union College. Mr. Lippman also worked on Wall Street for many years where he traded equities, options and commodities for proprietary investment accounts. Mr. Lippman earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Union College. Mr. Lippman is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive leadership experience within the real estate industry, his financial management expertise, and his extensive contacts with senior real estate executives throughout the United States.
The Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” the election of Dale Francescon, Robert J. Francescon, John P. Box, Keith R. Guericke and James M. Lippman to serve as members of the Board until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
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Corporate Governance Guidelines
OurThe Board has adopted corporate governance guidelinesCorporate Governance Guidelines covering, among other things, the duties and responsibilities of, and independence standards applicable to, our directors and Board committee structures and responsibilities. These guidelinesAmong the topics addressed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines are:
• | Role of directors |
• | Selection of the Chairman of the Board |
• | Selection of new directors |
• | Director qualifications |
• | Care and avoidance of conflicts |
• | Confidentiality |
• | Other directorships |
• | Director independence |
• | Directors who change their present job responsibility |
• | Retirement policy |
• | Director tenure |
• | Board compensation |
• | Separate sessions of independent directors |
• | Board and Board committee self-evaluations |
• | Strategic direction of the Company |
• | Board access to management |
• | Board materials |
• | Board interaction with institutional investors, analysts, press and customers |
• | Board orientation and continuing education |
• | Director attendance of annual meetings of stockholders |
• | Frequency of meetings |
• | Selection of agenda items for Board meetings |
• | Number and names of Board committees |
• | Independence of Board committees |
• | Assignment and rotation of committee members |
• | Evaluation of executive officers |
• | Succession planning |
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the “Governance“Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” section of our website.website located at www.centurycommunities.com. In addition, a printed copy of our corporate governance guidelinesCorporate Governance Guidelines is available free of charge to any stockholder who requests a copy by sending a written request to: Century Communities, Inc., 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Corporate Secretary. From time to time, the Board, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, reviews and updates the Corporate Governance Guidelines as it deems necessary and appropriate.
Board CompositionSize and SizeComposition; Director Nomination Process
OurThe Board currently consists of five (5) directors, each of whom was elected at our 20152017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 13, 2015.10, 2017. The Board has nominated each of these five current directors are each nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting as described above, andMeeting. If elected, these directors will hold office until the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or untilsubject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
Pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation andour Bylaws, the total number of directors constituting ourthe Board shall beis determined from time to time by action of the Board. All directors will be elected, appointed and removed by all common stockholders voting as a single class. Each of the members of ourthe Board will be elected at an annual meeting of the stockholders and will hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders, and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removaldisqualification or disqualification.removal.
Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office (although less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders, and the directors so chosen will hold office until the next annual or special meeting of stockholders called for that purpose and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, removaldisqualification or disqualification.removal.
OurThe Board seeks to ensure that the Board is composed of members whose particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, when taken together, will allow ourthe Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively. New directors are approved by ourthe Board after recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In identifying candidates for director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and ourthe Board take into account the following: (1)(i) the comments and recommendations of Board members regarding the qualifications and effectiveness of the existing Board, or additional qualifications
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that may be required when selecting new Board members, (2)members; (ii) the requisite expertise and sufficiently diverse backgrounds of ourthe Board’s overall membership composition, (3)composition; (iii) the independence of outside directors and other possible conflicts of interest of existing and potential members of our Board,the Board; and (4)(iv) any other factors they consider appropriate.
When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable ourthe Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and ourthe Board focused primarily on the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth above.biographies. Although diversity may be a consideration in the selection of directors, the Company and ourthe Board do not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees.
Our current leadership structure permitsThe Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended to it by our stockholders. Those candidates must be qualified and exhibit the roles of Chairmanexperience and expertise required of the Board’s own pool of candidates, as well as have an interest in our business, and the demonstrated ability to attend and prepare for Board, committee and Co-Chief Executive Officer to be filledstockholder meetings. Any candidate must state in advance his or her willingness and interest in serving on the Board. Candidates should represent the interests of all stockholders and not those of a special interest group. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders using the same or different individuals. Effectivecriteria it uses to evaluate candidates recommended by others as of April 30, 2013, Dale Francescon assumed the role of Chairman ofdescribed above. A stockholder that desires to nominate a person for election to the Board at a meeting of stockholders must follow the specified advance notice requirements contained in, and Co-Chief Executive Officer, with Robert J. Francescon assumingprovide the rolespecific information required by, our Bylaws, as described under “Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 2019 Annual Meeting” later in this Proxy Statement. During the fourth quarter of
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President. Our Board has determined this structure to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at this time due to both Dale Francescon’s and Robert J. Francescon’s extensive experience with the Company and in the homebuilding industry.
Under the listing requirementsstandards and rules of the NYSE, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. In addition, NYSE rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy theheightened independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and compensation committee members must satisfy heightened independence criteria set forth in the NYSE rules. Under the NYSE rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if the company’s board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the company, either directly or indirectly, that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
OurThe Board has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its Board committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each of our directors concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships with us, our senior management and our independent registered public accounting firm, ourthe Board has determined that all but two (2) of our directors, Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon, are independent directors under the standards established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”)SEC and the NYSE. In making this determination, ourthe Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with usCentury and all other facts and circumstances ourthe Board deemed relevant in determining their independence.
Our Board held seven (7) meetings during fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2015, all incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the combined total of (i) all Board meetings and (ii) all meetings of committees of our Board of which the incumbent director was a member. All directors are generally expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders.
Our non-management independent directors have the opportunity to meet in executive sessions without management to consider such matters as they deem appropriate, such as reviewing the performance of management. Executive sessions of our independent directors may beare typically held in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting.meetings.
Our independent directors appointhave appointed an independent director (which we refer(referred to as the “presiding independent director”) to preside over the executive sessions of the independent directors. The main duties of the presiding independent director are to (i) preside at regularly scheduled executive sessions or other meetings of the independent directors,directors; (ii) serve as liaison between the Chairman of ourthe Board and the Co-Chief Executive Officers, of the Company, on the one hand, and the independent directors, on the other hand, by means of consulting with the
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Chairman of ourthe Board and the Co-Chief Executive Officers of the Company as to agenda items for Board and committee meetings and advising them of the outcome of such meetings, as necessary,necessary; and (iii) coordinate with Board committee chairs in the development and recommendations of Board and Board committee meeting agendas.
Mr. Keith R. Guericke has beenserved as presiding independent director for 2017 and was recently appointed again by our independent directors as the presiding independent director for 2018.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the 2016 fiscal year.
The Board has determined that this current leadership structure is appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at this time for several reasons, including: (i) Both Dale Francescon’s and Robert J. Francescon’s extensive knowledge of our Company, business and industry, obtained through their 15 years of service to our Company and over 25 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, which benefit Board leadership and the Board’s decision-making process through their active roles as Co-Chief Executive Officers, and in the case of Dale Francescon, Chairman of the Board; (ii) unification of Board leadership and strategic direction as implemented by our management; and (iii) appropriate balance of risks relating to concentration of authority through the oversight of our independent and engaged presiding independent director and Board.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We currently have three (3) standing committees:committees of the Board: an Audit Committee, (which we refer to as the “Audit Committee”), a Compensation Committee, (which we refer to as the “Compensation Committee”), and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (which we refer to as the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”).Committee. The charters of all three (3) of our standing Board committees are available in the “Governance“Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” section of our website.website located at www.centurycommunities.com. The Board may establish other Board committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
The Audit Committee is comprised of our three (3) independent directors, James M. Lippman,John P. Box, Keith R. Guericke and John P. Box,James M. Lippman, each of whom the Board has determined is “financially literate” under the rules of the NYSE.NYSE and satisfies the heightened independence criteria for audit committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Mr. Guericke serves as the chairpersonChair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Guericke has been designated by the Board as our “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in the rules of the SEC.
The Audit Committee, pursuant to its written charter, among other matters, oversees (i) our financial reporting, auditing and internal control activities; (ii) the integrity and audits of our financial statements; (iii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors; (v) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors and (vi) our overall risk exposure and management. The Audit Committee held ten (10) meetings during fiscal year 2015.
Duties of the Audit Committee also include:
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Keith R. Guericke has been designated asThe Audit Committee charter authorizes the Audit Committee financial expert,to retain independent legal, accounting and other advisors as that term is defined init deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities. The Audit Committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, the rulesperformance of the SEC.Audit Committee, including compliance with its charter.
The Compensation Committee is comprised of our three (3) independent directors, James M. Lippman,John P. Box, Keith R. Guericke and John P. Box.James M. Lippman, each of whom the Board has determined satisfies the heightened independence criteria for compensation committee members under the NYSE rules. In addition, each of the Compensation Committee members is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and a an “outside director” under Code Section 162(m). Mr. Lippman serves as the chairpersonChair of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee held six (6) meetings during fiscal year 2015.
The Compensation Committee, pursuant to its written charter, among other matters:
The Compensation Committee charter also authorizes the Compensation Committee to retain a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel and other advisors and consultants as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. In February 2014,During 2017, the Compensation Committee retained Compensation and& Benefit Solutions, LLC (which we refer to as “CBS”) as its independent compensation consultant, and CBS acted(CBS) as the Compensation Committee’s independentexternal compensation consultant, during fiscal year 2015. and in October 2017, retained Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (FW Cook) as its external compensation consultant, to provide certain services related to executive and non-employee director compensation. The Compensation Committee effected this change in consultants because it believed it is important to obtain fresh ideas and perspectives on our compensation programs.
The Compensation Committee considers analysis and advice from CBSthese consultants when making compensation decisions and when making decisions on plan design. Specifically, the Compensation Committee relies on CBSthem for, among other things:
The Compensation Committee may request information or advice directly from CBSits consultant and may direct our management to provide or solicit information from CBS.them. The principal consultant for CBS regularly interacts with our management. The principal consultant for CBS attended one (1) of the six (6)management and from time to time attends Compensation Committee meetings held during fiscal year 2015.meetings.
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During 2017, neither CBS was paid approximately $62,000 for services rendered during 2015. During 2015, CBS did not providenor FW Cook provided any services to the Company unrelated to executive compensation, did notor director compensation. After considering the relevant factors, the Compensation Committee determined that no conflicts of interest have any businessbeen raised in connection with the services CBS or personal relationships with any membersFW Cook performed for the Compensation Committee in 2017.
The Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, the performance of the Compensation Committee, and maintained policies and procedures designed to avoid conflicts of interest.including compliance with its charter.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of our three (3) independent directors, James M. Lippman,John P. Box, Keith R. Guericke and John P. Box.James M. Lippman. Mr. Box serves as the chairpersonChair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The nominating and corporate governance held two (2) meetings during fiscal year 2015.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, pursuant to its written charter, among other matters:
Our Board may establishThe Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter authorizes the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to retain a search firm or other committeesconsultants to assist in the identification and evaluation of director candidates, including the sole authority to approve the search firm’s or other consultants’ fees and other retention terms. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also has authority to obtain advice and assistance from any outside legal expert or other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate fromto carry out its responsibilities.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, the performance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including compliance with its charter.
Board and Board Committee Meetings; Director Attendance
The Board held eight meetings during 2017. The Audit Committee held eight meetings, the Compensation Committee held six meetings, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings during 2017. All directors attended at least 75% of the combined total of (i) all Board meetings and (ii) all meetings of committees of the Board of which the director was a member during 2017.
We expect all of our directors to attend our annual meeting of stockholders and we customarily schedule a regular Board meeting on the same day as our annual meeting. All directors serving at the time to time.of our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 10, 2017 were in attendance.
Role of our Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
Risk is inherent with every business. We face a number of risks, including financial (accounting, credit, interest rate, liquidity and tax), operational, political, strategic, regulatory, compliance, legal, competitive, and reputational risks. Our management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks faced by us, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the Board ensures that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. The Board oversees risks through the establishment of policies and
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procedures that are designed to guide daily operations in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and risks acceptable to us. Our Co-Chief Executive Officers are members of the Board and regularly attend Board meetings and discuss with the Board the strategies and risks facing our Company.
One of the key functions of ourthe Board is informed oversight of our risk management process. OurThe Board administers this oversight function directly, with support from its three (3) standing committees (the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee), each of which will addressaddresses risks specific to its respective areas of oversight. In particular, the Audit Committee will havehas the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management takes to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee will also monitormonitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. The Compensation Committee will assessassesses and monitormonitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will provideprovides risk oversight with respect to corporate governance matters.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our officers, directors and any employees. Among other matters, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote the following:
Any waiver of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether such guidelines are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct.
Compensation Committee InterlocksCode of Business Conduct and Insider Participation
During their service on the Compensation Committee, none of the members had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, and none of the members of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. None ofEthics for our executive officers, serves,directors or any employees may be made only by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law and NYSE rules.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the past has served, as a member of the Compensation Committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members“Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” section of our Board or the Compensation Committee.website located at www.centurycommunities.com. In addition, printed copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available upon written request to Century Communities, Inc., 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Communications with the Board of DirectorsDirectors; Complaint Procedures
Any stockholder or other interested party may contact an individual director, ourthe Board as a group, or a specified Board committee or group, including the non-management directors as a group, by sending written communication to:
Century Communities, Inc.
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Attention: Corporate Secretary
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Management will initially receive and process communications before forwarding them to the addressee(s). We generally will not forward to the directors a communication that is primarily commercial in nature, relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or requests general information about the Company.
CodeWe maintain procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of Business Conductconcerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. A 24-hour, toll-free confidential ethics hotline and Ethics
Our Board has adopted a codeconfidential web-based reporting tool are available for the submission of business conductconcerns regarding these and ethics (which we refer to as our “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”) that applies to our officers, directors and any employees. Among other matters by any employee. Concerns and questions received through these methods relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters are promptly brought to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee and are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee. Complete information regarding our complaint procedures is contained within our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is designed to deter wrongdoingdescribed above and to promote the following:
Any waiver of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our executive officers, directors or any employees may be made only by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and will be promptly disclosedaccessed on our website as required by law and NYSE regulations.noted above.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the “Governance Documents” section of our website. In addition, printed copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available upon written request to Century Communities, Inc., 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee appoints our independent registered public accounting firm, or independent auditor. In this regard, the Audit Committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent auditor and determines whether to re-engage the current auditor. As part of its evaluation, the Audit Committee considers, among other factors, the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the independent auditor, including the performance, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of the lead audit partner and the audit team assigned to our account; the overall strength and reputation of the audit firm; the auditor’s national capabilities relative to our business; the auditor’s knowledge of our operations; and the auditor’s fees. Upon consideration of these and other factors, the Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (which we refer(E&Y) to as “E&Y”)serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, and our Board has directed that management submit2018.
Stockholder ratification of the appointmentselection of E&Y as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the appointment of E&Y to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain E&Y. Even if the selection is ratified by our stockholders, the stockholdersAudit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the Annual Meeting. year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Century and our stockholders.
A representative of E&Y is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of E&Y as our independent registered public accountants is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However, our Board is submitting the appointment of E&Y to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit, Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain E&Y. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accountant at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the Company’sAudit-Related, Tax and our stockholders’ best interests.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016.
Other Fees Incurred for Services by Principal Accountant
The fees billed for professional services provided by E&Y in fiscal years 20152017 and 20142016 were:
Type of Fees | 2015 | 2014 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
Audit Fees | $ | 795,000 | $ | 1,530,000 | $ | 1,684,790 | $ | 1,242,765 | ||||||
Audit Related Fees | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Audit-Related Fees | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Tax Fees | 110,803 | 56,513 | 0 | 77,850 | ||||||||||
All Other Fees | 4,125 | 0 | 2,130 | 2,130 | ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||
Total Fees | $ | 909,928 | $ | 1,586,513 | $ | 1,686,920 | $ | 1,322,745 | ||||||
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In the above table, in accordance with the definitions of the SEC, “Audit Fees” includeconsisted of fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our 20152017 Annual Report, reviewreviews of the unaudited financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, registration statements,and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, as well as services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, comfort letters, consents and assistance with documents filed with the SEC, and accounting and reporting consultation in connection withSEC. Audit Fees also included fees for the audit and/or quarterly reviews.of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For 2017, Audit Fees also included fees associated with our senior note and equity offerings and our merger with UCP.
“Audit-Related Fees” consisted of fees for assurance and related services, including fees for services performed related to due diligence on acquisitions.
“Tax Fees” consisted of fees billed for permissible tax consulting, planning and compliance services.
“All Other Fees” consisted of subscription fees for Internet-based professional literature.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has responsibility for selecting, appointing, evaluating, compensating, retaining and overseeing the work of theour independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established policies and procedures in its charter regarding pre-approval of any audit
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and non-audit service provided to the CompanyCentury by theour independent registered public accounting firm and the fees and terms thereof. Briefly, any audit and non-audit service provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or the Chair of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee considered the compatibility of the provision of other services provided by its registered public accountantE&Y with the maintenance of theirits independence. The Audit Committee approved all audit and non-audit services provided by E&Y in 20152017 and 2014.
The Audit Committee issued the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement and our 20152017 Annual Report.
Report:
1. | The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, |
2. | The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP those matters required by |
3. | The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the PCAOB regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning the accountant’s independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence from Century Communities, Inc. and its management. |
4. | Based on the review and discussions referenced to in paragraphs 1 through 3 above, the Audit Committee recommended to |
AUDIT COMMITTEE Keith R. Guericke, Chair John P. Box James M. Lippman |
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Keith R. Guericke, Chairman
James M. Lippman
John P. Box
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTBoard Recommendation
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERSThe Board of Directors unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Board is providing our stockholders with an advisory vote on our executive compensation pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), and Section 14A of March 28, 2016, there are 21,126,214 sharesthe Exchange Act. This advisory vote, commonly known as a say-on-pay vote, is a non-binding vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers as set forth in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement beginning on page 25, including in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the accompanying compensation tables and the corresponding narrative discussion and footnotes. This is our first say-on-pay vote. We were previously exempt from the say-on-pay requirements as a result of our common stock outstanding. The following table sets forthprior status as an “emerging growth company” under the beneficial ownershipJumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act).
Proposed Resolution and Reasons Why You Should Vote in Favor of our common stock as of March 28, 2016 by:Say-on-Pay Vote
Our compensation practices include many best pay practices that support our executive compensation objectives and principles, and benefit our stockholders.
What We Do | What We Don’t Do | ||
✔ | Structure our executive officer compensation so that a significant portion of pay is at risk | ✗ | No excessive perquisites |
✔ | Emphasize long-term performance in our equity-based incentive awards | ✗ | No repricing of stock options unless approved by stockholders |
✔ | Use a mix of performance measures and caps on payouts | ✗ | No discretionary bonuses |
✔ | Require minimum vesting periods on equity awards | ✗ | No tax gross-ups |
✔ | Require double-trigger for equity acceleration upon a change of control | ✗ | No excise tax gross-ups |
✔ | Maintain a competitive compensation package | ✗ | No pledging of Century securities |
✔ | Have robust stock ownership guidelines and stock retention requirements for executive officers | ✗ | No short sales or derivative transactions in Century stock, including hedges |
✔ | Provide for clawback provisions | ✗ | No current payment of dividends on unvested awards |
officers.
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We believe that our executive compensation program is competitive, focused on pay for performance and strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our directorsstockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that executive compensation for 2017 was reasonable, appropriate and justified by the performance of the Company and the result of a carefully considered approach. Accordingly, the Board recommends that our stockholders vote in favor of the say-on-pay vote as set forth in the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that our stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as a group;disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including in the “Compensation Discussion and
Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. As this is an advisory vote, the outcome of the vote is not binding on us with respect to future executive compensation decisions, including those relating to our named executive officers, or otherwise. The Compensation Committee and Board expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation, or say-on-pay vote.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF
FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Board is providing our stockholders with an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, or entity known by ussay-on-pay votes, such as that provided for in Proposal No. 3—Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation. This non-binding advisory vote is required to be conducted every six years under Section 14A of the Exchange Act pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. This is our first frequency of say-on-pay vote. We were previously exempt from the say-on-pay requirements as a result of our prior status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. The next required advisory vote on the frequency of future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation will occur no later than the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Stockholders may indicate whether they prefer that we hold a say-on-pay vote every year, every two years, every three years, or they may abstain from this vote.
Reasons For an Annual Say-on-Pay Vote Recommendation
After careful consideration, the Board, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, has determined that holding a say-on-pay vote every year is the best approach for Century and our stockholders at this time, and recommends that stockholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur every year. While our executive compensation program is designed to promote a long-term connection between pay and performance, the Board recognizes that executive compensation decisions are made annually and that an annual say-on-pay vote would:
Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. Instead, stockholders may indicate their preference regarding the frequency of future say-on-pay votes by selecting every year, every two years or every three years. Stockholders that do not have a preference regarding the frequency of future say-on-pay votes may abstain from voting on the proposal.
The option of every year, every two years or every three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by our stockholders will reflect the frequency for future say-on-pay votes that has been selected by our stockholders. As this is an advisory vote, the outcome of the vote is not binding on us, and the Compensation Committee and the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of Century and our stockholders to hold a say-on-pay vote more or less frequently than the preference receiving the highest number of votes of our stockholders. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in their vote on this proposal, and expect to take into account the outcome of this vote when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote for a frequency of EVERY YEAR, on an advisory basis, for future advisory votes on executive compensation, or say-on-pay votes.
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The table below sets forth information known to us as of March 15, 2018 as to entities that have reported to the SEC or have otherwise advised us that they are a beneficial owner, as defined by the SEC’s rules and regulations, of 5% or more than five percent of our outstanding common stock.
Class of Securities | Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | ||||
Common Stock | BlackRock, Inc.(2) | ||||||
55 East 52nd St. | |||||||
New York, NY 10055 | 2,276,323 | 7.7 | % | ||||
Common Stock | Dale Francescon(3) | ||||||
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650 | |||||||
Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | 2,052,667 | 6.9 | % | ||||
Common Stock | Robert J. Francescon(4) | ||||||
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650 | |||||||
Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | 1,922,904 | 6.5 | % | ||||
Common Stock | Oaktree Value Equity Holdings, L.P., et al.(5) | ||||||
333 S. Grand Avenue, 28th Floor | |||||||
Los Angeles, CA 90071 | 1,819,003 | 6.1 | % | ||||
Common Stock | Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(6) | ||||||
Building One | |||||||
6300 Bee Cave Road | |||||||
Austin, TX 78746 | 1,546,024 | 5.2 | % |
To our knowledge, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the securities shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the table. The number of securities shown represents the number of securities the person “beneficially owns,” as determined by the rules of the SEC. The SEC has defined “beneficial” ownership of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or investment power. A stockholder is also deemed to be, as of any date, the beneficial owner of all securities that such stockholder has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days after that date through (i) the exercise of any option, warrant or right, (ii) the conversion of a security, (iii) the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, or (iv) the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement.
The percentages reflect beneficial ownership as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and are based on 21,126,214 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 28, 2016. Except as noted below, the address for all beneficial owners in the table below is 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership as of March 28, 2016 | ||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Title / Position | Shares Owned | Percentage | |||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon (1) | Chairman of our Board of Directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2,983,479 | 14.12 | % | ||||||
Robert J. Francescon (2) | Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | 2,883,479 | 13.65 | % | ||||||
David L. Messenger | Chief Financial Officer | 156,795 | * | |||||||
James M. Lippman | Director | 11,157 | * | |||||||
Keith R. Guericke | Director | 11,157 | * | |||||||
John P. Box | Director | 22,657 | * | |||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons) | 6,068,724 | 28.73 | % | |||||||
5% or more Stockholders: | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon (1) | 2,983,479 | 14.12 | % | |||||||
Robert J. Francescon (2) | 2,883,479 | 13.65 | % | |||||||
Capital World Investors (3) | 1,716,000 | 8.12 | % | |||||||
Oaktree Value Equity Holdings, L.P., et al. (4) | 1,469,003 | 6.95 | % |
Percent of |
(2) | Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G of BlackRock, Inc., a parent holding company, filed with the SEC on February 2, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017, with sole investment discretion with respect to 2,276,323 shares and sole voting authority with respect 2,234,692 shares. BlackRock, Inc. does not have shared voting or dispositive power over any of the shares. |
(3) | Based in part on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed by Dale Francescon with the SEC on February 14, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. Includes |
(4) | Based in part on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed by Robert J. Francescon with the SEC on February 14, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. Includes |
(5) | Based solely on information |
(6) | Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G of |
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION
Executive OfficersSecurity Ownership by Management
The followingtable below sets forth information known to us regarding the currentbeneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2018 by:
• | each of the individuals named in the “Summary Compensation Table” under “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 25; and |
To our knowledge, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the Company. Biographicalsecurities shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the table and subject to community property laws, where applicable. The number of shares beneficially owned represents the number of shares the person “beneficially owns,” as determined by the rules of the SEC. The SEC has defined “beneficial” ownership of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or investment power. A stockholder is also deemed to be, as of any date, the beneficial owner of all securities that such stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days after that date through (i) the vesting of restricted stock units or the exercise of any option, warrant or right; (ii) the conversion of a security; (iii) the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement; or (iv) the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. The address for all beneficial owners in the table below is 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.
Class of Securities | Name of Beneficial Owner | Title / Position | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned(2) | ||||
Common Stock | Dale Francescon(3) | Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2,052,667 | 6.9 | % | |||
Common Stock | Robert J. Francescon(4) | Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | 1,922,904 | 6.5 | % | |||
Common Stock | John P. Box | Director | 27,750 | * | ||||
Common Stock | Keith R. Guericke | Director | 14,833 | * | ||||
Common Stock | James M. Lippman | Director | 16,250 | * | ||||
Common Stock | David L. Messenger | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | 94,379 | * | ||||
Common Stock | All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons) | 4,128,783 | 13.9 | % |
* | Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding common stock. |
(1) | Includes for the persons listed below the following shares of common stock subject to unvested restricted stock awards which will vest within 60 days of March 15, 2018 or shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards within 60 days of March 15, 2018: |
Name | Number of Shares of Restricted Stock | Number of Restricted Stock Units | ||||
Dale Francescon | — | 5,030 | ||||
Robert J. Francescon | — | 5,030 | ||||
John P. Box | 1,717 | 3,188 | ||||
Keith R. Guericke | 1,717 | 3,188 | ||||
James M. Lippman | 1,717 | 3,188 | ||||
David L. Messenger | — | 1,874 |
(2) | Percent of class is based on 29,644,097 shares of our common stock outstanding as of our record date, March 15, 2018. |
(3) | Based in part on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed by Dale Francescon with the SEC on February 14, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. Includes 467,875 shares of our common stock directly owned by Dale Francescon and 1,579,762 shares of our common stock beneficially owned through Dale Francescon’s ownership interest in DF Century, LLC, an entity controlled by him. See also note (1) above. |
(4) | Based in part on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed by Robert J. Francescon with the SEC on February 14, 2018, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2017. Includes 392,874 shares of our common stock directly owned by Robert J. Francescon and 1,525,000 shares of our common stock beneficially owned through Robert J. Francescon’s ownership interest in RJF Century, LLC, an entity controlled by him. See also note (1) above. |
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We have established stock ownership guidelines that are intended to further align the interests of our directors and named executive officers with those of our stockholders. The stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors and named executive officers are as follows:
Position | Guideline |
Non-Employee Director | 3x annual cash retainer |
Co-Chief Executive Officers | 6x annual base salary |
Other Named Executive Officers | 3x annual base salary |
Each director and named executive officer has five years from the date of appointment or hire or, if the ownership multiple has increased during his tenure, five years from the date established in connection with such increase to reach his stock ownership targets. Until the applicable stock ownership target is achieved, each director and Co-Chief Executive Officer subject to the guidelines is required to retain an amount equal to 100% of the net shares received as a result of the vesting of restricted stock awards or restricted stock unit awards and other named executive officers are required to retain an amount equal to 60% of the net shares received as a result of the vesting of restricted stock awards or restricted stock unit awards. All of our directors and named executive officers are in compliance with our stock ownership guidelines.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based on the information pertainingfurnished by the reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders were complied with on a timely basis during the year ended December 31, 2017, except that each of Dale Francescon, Robert J. Francescon and David L. Messenger filed one late report on Form 4 reporting the receipt of a restricted stock unit award.
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We have three executive officers: Dale Francescon, Robert J. Francescon and David L. Messenger. Below is information regarding our executive officers as of March 15, 2018. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors, except for Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon, each of whom is both a director and an executive officer of the Company, may be found in the section above entitled “Proposal No. 1, Election of Directors—Information About Director Nominees.”
who are brothers.
Name | Age | Position with Century | ||
|
|
| ||
Dale Francescon | 65 | Chairman of | ||
Robert J. Francescon | 60 | Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | ||
David L Messenger | 47 | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
Dale Francescon. Mr. Dale Francescon has served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer since August 2002 and as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since April 2013. Mr. Dale Francescon possesses a broad background in all facets of operating a real estate company, and has had direct responsibility for the acquisition, financing, development, construction, sale and management of various residential projects including land development, single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. Mr. Dale Francescon has successfully managed the Company, through successive profitable years, in various economic cycles, from inception in August 2002 to the present. Mr. Dale Francescon is actively involved in various civic and professional organizations. Mr. Dale Francescon is licensed in the state of Colorado as a real estate broker (inactive) and in the state of California as an attorney (inactive) and a certified public accountant (inactive). Mr. Dale Francescon received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law.
Robert J. Francescon. Mr. Robert Francescon has served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer since August 2002, as President since April 2013 and as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2013. Mr. Robert Francescon possesses a broad background in all facets of operating a real estate company, and has had direct responsibility for the acquisition, financing, development, architecture, construction, sale and management of various residential projects including land development, single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and apartments. Mr. Robert Francescon has successfully managed the Company, through successive profitable years, in various economic cycles, from inception in August 2002 to the present. Mr. Robert Francescon also has management experience working in a variety of financial institutions, including thrifts and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Mr. Robert Francescon is actively involved in various civic and professional organizations. Mr. Robert Francescon received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
David L. Messenger. Mr. David L. Messenger serveshas served as our Chief Financial Officer and has been employed by the Company since June 2013. Mr. Messenger has extensive experience in finance and accounting for real estate companies. His direct responsibilities are overseeing all accounting, finance, capital markets, risk management and financial planning and analysis. Prior to his tenure at the Company,Century, Mr. Messenger was at UDR, Inc., a publicly traded multifamily real estate investment trust, from August 2002 to May 2012, most recently as Chief Financial Officer. From June 2012 to February 2013, Mr. Messenger served as an independent consultant for UDR, Inc. Mr. Messenger is licensed in the State of Virginia as a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Messenger received a B.B.A. and M.A. in Accounting from the University of Iowa.
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) addresses the principles underlying our policies and decisions with respect to the compensation of our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” and material factors relevant to these policies and decisions. This CD&A should be read together with the related tables and disclosures that follow.
Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2017 were:
Named Executive Officer | Title |
Dale Francescon | Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Robert J. Francescon | Co-Chief Executive Officer and President |
David L. Messenger | Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
We sometimes collectively refer to these three individuals are our named executive officers or “NEOs.” In addition, we sometimes collectively refer to our Co-Chief Executive Officers as our “Co-CEOs” and individually as our “Co-CEO” and sometimes refer to our Chief Financial Officer as our “CFO.”
Executive Summary
We believe that the primary goal of executive compensation is to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders in a way that allows us to attract and retain the best executive talent. We have adopted compensation policies with respect to, among other things, setting base salaries, awarding bonuses and making future grants of equity awards to our executive officers. The Compensation Committee has designed a compensation program that is intended to reward factors that create favorable stockholder returns, stock appreciation, the Company’sCentury’s competitive position within the homebuilding industry and each executive officer’s long-term career contributions to the Company.
Century. The compensation components designed to further these goals take the form of base salary, short-term annual cash incentive compensation, as well as long-term equity incentives measured by Company and/or individual performance targets as established by the Compensation Committee.
The followingFiscal 2017 Business Highlights
Below are operational and financial highlights for 2015:2017. Some of these highlights include non-GAAP financial measures, the calculation of which are described below under “—Named Executive Officer Compensation.”
• | Completed UCP Acquisition. We expanded our geographical footprint as a result of our acquisition of UCP, Inc. (UCP) in August 2017. With the addition of UCP, Century’s reach now includes the states of California, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. |
• | Completed Sundquist Homes Acquisition. We completed the acquisition of Sundquist Homes in October 2017, strengthening our presence and enhancing operating efficiencies in the Seattle, Washington market. |
• | Achieved Over $1.0 Billion in Revenue. We exceeded targeted revenue by over 30%; targeted revenue was $1,088 million while actual revenue achieved was $1,424 million. This represented an increase of 44% from 2016 revenue of $994.4 million. |
• | Exceeded Adjusted EBITDA Target. We exceeded projected non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, as adjusted further to exclude transaction expenses and bonuses, by over 10%; targeted adjusted EBITDA was $110.7 million vs. actual non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $122.7 million. Actual non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased by over 24% over the prior year adjusted EBITDA of $98.6 million. |
• | Exceeded Budgeted Number of Closings. We exceeded the budgeted number of closings for 2017. Century’s projections targeted 3,106 closings, while Century achieved 3,640 closings in 2017—exceeding projections by over 17%. Additionally, year-over-year closings increased by 29% from 2,825 closings in 2016. |
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2017 Compensation Actions and Outcomes
One of our key executive compensation objectives is to link pay to performance by aligning the financial interests of our executives with those of our stockholders and by emphasizing pay for performance in our compensation programs. Fiscal 2017 compensation actions and incentive plan outcomes based on the performance described above is summarized below:
Pay Element | 2017 Actions | |
Base Salary | • | Co-CEOs received a base salary increase of 6.25% |
• | CFO received a base salary increase of 5.56% | |
Short-Term Annual Incentive | • | Payouts were 200% of target, which is the maximum payout level, based on fiscal 2017 performance: |
— For the Co-CEOs, metrics were revenue, EBITDA, and closings | ||
— For the CFO, metrics were revenue and quantifiable individual goals | ||
Long-Term Incentives | • | Restricted stock unit (RSU) awards were granted in February 2017 based primarily on the achievement, at maximum payout level, of a previously established pre-tax income goal for 2016 – these RSU awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date |
• | RSU awards were granted in February 2018 based primarily on the achievement, at maximum with kicker payout level, of a previously established pre-tax income goal for 2016 and 2017 – these RSU awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date | |
• | While the Compensation Committee reserved the right to factor in additional performance criteria in determining these RSU awards, no additional adjustments were made to these grants | |
• | The February 2017 and 2018 RSU awards were part of a plan to transition our LTI program to RSU awards based primarily on the achievement of previously established performance goals over a three-year performance period. Accordingly, in March 2017, the Compensation Committee established LTI award opportunities for our NEOs to be paid in RSU awards potentially to be granted in early 2020 based primarily on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal for the three-year period ending December 31, 2019, subject to the right of the Compensation Committee to factor in additional performance criteria – these RSU awards, if granted, will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date | |
• | In addition to the February 2017 RSU awards, RSU awards were granted in March 2017 to bring the NEOs’ target LTI opportunity closer to our target positioning – these RSU awards vest over three years in equal annual installments |
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Compensation Highlights and Best Practices
Our compensation practices include many best pay practices that support our executive compensation objectives and principles, and benefit our stockholders.
What We Do | What We Don’t Do | ||
✔ | Structure our executive officer compensation so that a significant portion of pay is at risk | ✗ | No excessive perquisites |
✔ | Emphasize long-term performance in our equity-based incentive awards | ✗ | No repricing of stock options unless approved by stockholders |
✔ | Use a mix of performance measures and caps on payouts | ✗ | No discretionary bonuses |
✔ | Require minimum vesting periods on equity awards | ✗ | No tax gross-ups |
✔ | Require double-trigger for equity acceleration upon a change of control | ✗ | No excise tax gross-ups |
✔ | Maintain a competitive compensation package | ✗ | No pledging of Century securities |
✔ | Have robust stock ownership guidelines and stock retention requirements for executive officers | ✗ | No short sales or derivative transactions in Century stock, including hedges |
✔ | Provide for clawback provisions | ✗ | No current payment of dividends on unvested awards |
Compensation Philosophy
Given the small size of the Company’s currentCentury’s executive team, each Executiveexecutive has assumed responsibilities beyond what is generally found for similar executives in comparable companies. Many of these additional responsibilities directly impact the growth of the Company.Century. Further, the CompanyCentury emphasizes performance-based compensation elements, with superior performance resulting in above marketabove-market pay, and underwhelming performance resulting in below-market pay. As such, the Compensation Committee has determined that fixed compensation (i.e., base salary) should be targeted at approximatelybetween the market 25th percentile and market median, with performance-based incentive compensation opportunities resulting in total direct compensation that ranges from well below the market median to the top quartile of the market (based on performance). The Compensation Committee has determined that target award levels will align total direct compensation with approximatelybetween the market 25th percentile and the market median, and maximum award levels will align total direct compensation with approximatelyat or above the market 75th75th percentile.
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Competitive ConsiderationsElements of Our Executive Compensation Program
We strive to compensateDuring 2017, our executive officers competitively relative to industry peers. To ensure reasonableness and competitivenesscompensation program consisted of the Company’sfollowing key elements: base salary, short-term incentive, long-term incentives in the form of restricted stock unit awards, perquisites and retirement benefits. The following table provides some of the key characteristics of and purpose for each element.
Element | Key Characteristics | Purpose | ||
Base Salary (Fixed, Cash) | A fixed amount, paid in cash periodically throughout the year and reviewed annually and, if appropriate, adjusted. | Provide a source of fixed income that is market competitive and reflects scope and responsibility of the position held. | ||
— For the Co-CEOs, base salary increase was 6.25% | ||||
— For the CFO, base salary increase was 5.56% | ||||
Short-Term Incentive (STI) (Variable, Cash) | A variable, short-term element of compensation that is payable in cash based on achievement of key pre-established annual corporate financial goals, and for our CFO, individual goals. | Motivate and reward our executives for achievement of annual financial and other goals intended to achieve our annual business plan objectives. | ||
— For the Co-CEOs, 2017 metrics were revenue, EBITDA, and closings | ||||
— For the CFO, 2017 metrics were revenue and quantifiable individual goals | ||||
— 2017 payouts were 200% of target, which is the maximum payout level, based on fiscal 2017 performance: | ||||
Metric | Target | Actual | ||
Revenue | $1,088 mil. | $1,424 mil. | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | $110.7 mil. | $122.7 mil. | ||
Closings | 3,106 | 3,640 |
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Element | Key Characteristics | Purpose | ||
Long-Term Incentives (LTI) (Variable, Restricted Stock Unit Awards) | A variable, long-term element of compensation that is provided in the form of RSU awards which are based primarily on the achievement of previously established performance goals over specified performance periods. The Compensation Committee also may adjust the size of the RSU award and/or grant additional RSU awards based on any other individual and Company performance factors it deems important at the time of grant and/or to bring an NEO’s target LTI opportunity closer to our target positioning. | Align the interests of our executives with our stockholders; encourage focus on long-term company financial performance measures that are deemed strategically and operationally important to our Company; promote retention of our executives; and encourage significant ownership of our common stock. | ||
RSU awards were granted to our NEOs in February and March 2017. | ||||
— The RSU awards granted in February 2017 were based primarily on the achievement, at maximum payout level, of a previously established adjusted pre-tax income goal for 2016. These awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. | ||||
Metric | Target | Actual | ||
Pre-tax income | $68.0 mil. | $80.8 mil. | ||
— The RSU awards granted in March 2017 were intended to bring the NEOs’ LTI opportunity closer to our target positioning – these awards vest over three years in equal annual installments. | ||||
RSU awards were recently granted to our NEOs in February 2018, which were based in part on 2017 performance. These RSU awards were based primarily on the achievement, at maximum with kicker payout level, of a previously established pre-tax income goal for 2016 and 2017. These awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. | ||||
Metric | Target | Actual | ||
Pre-tax income | $142.8 mil. | $196.1 mil. | ||
While the Compensation Committee reserved the right to factor in additional performance criteria in determining the February 2017 and 2018 RSU awards, no additional adjustments were made to these grants. | ||||
The February 2017 and 2018 RSU awards were part of a plan to transition our LTI program to RSU awards based primarily on the achievement of previously established performance goals over a three-year performance period. Accordingly, in March 2017, the Compensation Committee established LTI award opportunities for our NEOs to be paid in RSU awards potentially to be granted in early 2020 based on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal for the three-year period ending December 31, 2019, subject to the right of the Compensation Committee to factor in additional performance criteria. These grants, if made, will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. |
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Element | Key Characteristics | Purpose | ||
Perquisites | Includes an automobile and cell phone allowance and term life insurance. | Assist in allowing our executives to more efficiently utilize their time and support them in effectively contributing to our Company success. | ||
Retirement Benefits | Includes a defined contribution retirement plan with a discretionary Company match. | Provide an opportunity for employees to save and prepare financially for retirement. |
We describe each key element of our executive compensation package relative toprogram in more detail in the industry, the Compensation Committee regularly evaluates the Company’s peer groupfollowing pages, along with the aid of CBS, and with input from management. Data from the Company’s peer group is therefore consideredcompensation decisions made in the2017. The compensation benchmarking process as one input in helping to determine appropriate pay levels.
In establishing compatibility between the Company and the members of the peer group, the following factors are considered:
Based on these considerations, the following were selected as the Company’s peer group for 2015 in analyzing the market competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation programs.
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While the Company is below certain of the selected peers in terms of market capitalization, revenue and assets, the peer group was selected in order to approximate where the Company reasonably expects to be in the near term, while including companies that have experienced similar growth. Further, while the Company ranks at approximately the 34th percentile for revenue amongst the peer group companies, and in the bottom quartile for market capitalization, the Company ranks 2nd among the peer group companies for 1-year Total Shareholder Return (which we refer to as “TSR”) (3-year and 5-year TSR comparisons are not available as the Company has not been publicly traded for the requisite length of time for those measurements). Given the Company’s current position relative to the peer group and the projected growth of the Company, we believe that the selected peer group is appropriate for purposes of benchmarking compensation.
Named Executive Officer Compensation
Our named executive officers (which we refer to as our “NEOs”) for fiscal year 2015 were Dale Francescon, our Co-Chief Executive Officer (which we refer to as our “Co-CEO”), Robert J. Francescon, our Co-CEO, and David L. Messenger, our Chief Financial Officer (which we refer to as our “CFO”). The following is a summary of the elements of our compensation arrangements paid to our NEOs is governed, in part, by written employment agreements with them, which are described below under “—Employment and Other Agreements with NEOs.”
Pay-for-Performance and Pay Mix
We seek to motivate management to achieve improved financial performance of our Company through bonus plans that reward higher performance with increased bonuses and hold management accountable for fiscal year 2015, as well as a summary of the elements to be paid to our NEOs for fiscal year 2016.
Infinancial performance that falls below targeted levels by paying reduced bonuses. Accordingly, in general, our executive compensation program emphasizes variable, at-risk, pay elements as a significant portion of each NEO’s total compensation package. For 2015, the
The breakdown of variable, at-risk, pay (broken out between annual short-term incentives and long-term incentives) compared to fixed pay (i.e., base salary) reported for 2017 in the Summary Compensation Table for our Co-CEOs and CFO is as follows:
The composition of the 2015 total compensation for the Co-CEOs and CFO is as follows:
Annual Named Executive Officer Compensation
Base Salary
Purpose: Base salary is designed to compensate our NEOs at a fixed level of compensation that provides some financial certainty and security for our NEOs, and also serves as a retention tool throughout the executive’s career.
Competitive Positioning: In determiningsetting base salaries, the Compensation Committee considers many things,factors, including each executive’s roles and responsibilities, unique skills, future potential with the Company,Century, salary levels for
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similar positions in our market and internal pay equity.
While a Co-CEO executive structure is not commonly found in the marketplace, we believe our leadership structure is appropriate in light of our historical growth and expected future development. Further, the absence of other leadership positions within the Company’sCentury’s executive team, such as a Chief Operating Officer, that are otherwise generally found on the leadership teams of other companies, requires our executives to perform multiple roles and take on additional responsibilities that would otherwise not be required of CEOs. As such, when determining compensation amounts for the year, the Compensation Committee takes into account the fact that the CompanyCentury has two Co-CEOs who each perform a broad range of duties which would generally be spread over a number of executive positions as described above.
For 2014,Our goal is to target between the 25th market percentile and median as our strategic target for base salary. We review each executive’s base salary and performance every year to determine whether base salary should be adjusted. Along with individual performance, we also consider movement of salary in the market, as well as our financial results from the prior year to determine appropriate salary adjustments. Under their employment agreements, the base salaries of our Co-CEOs may not be adjusted downward.
While the Compensation Committee determined thatapplies general compensation concepts when determining the competitiveness of our Co-CEOs’executives’ salaries, the Compensation Committee generally considers base salaries as well as thatbeing competitive when they are within approximately 10% of our CFO, were belowthe stated market and therefore determined that an increase was warranted. Because the Company seeks to align fixed compensation with approximately the market median, while providing opportunities for additional compensation through its incentive compensation plans, for 2014, the Compensation Committee set the base salary of our Co-CEOs at $750,000 each, which was approximately the market median, and set the base salary of our CFO at $400,000, which was also approximately the market median.
2017 Review: The Compensation Committee reevaluated NEO compensation relative to the market data in early 20152017 and determined thatto increase the base salaries of our NEOs for 2015 remained consistent with the Company’s market, except for the 2015 base salary of our CFO, which was slightly below market. As such, no base salary adjustments were made for our Co-CEOs in 2015, while the base salary for our CFO was increased by $25,000 to $425,000 for 2015. Base salaries of our NEOs for 2014 and 2015 are reflected in the following table:as follows:
Named Executive Officer | 2014 Base Salary | 2015 Base Salary | Change (%) | 2016 Base Salary ($) | 2017 Base Salary ($) | Change (%) | |||||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | $ | 750,000 | $ | 750,000 | 0.0 | % | 800,000 | 850,000 | 6.25 | % | |||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | $ | 750,000 | $ | 750,000 | 0.0 | % | 800,000 | 850,000 | 6.25 | % | |||||||||||
David L. Messenger | $ | 400,000 | $ | 425,000 | 6.25 | % | 450,000 | 475,000 | 5.56 | % |
Short-Term Incentive—Annual Cash Bonus (which we refer
Purpose: Our short-term incentive, or annual cash bonus program, is designed to as “STI”)
reward the achievement of specific annual financial and operational objectives. Annual cash bonuses are designed to incentivize our NEOs at a variable level of compensation based on the Company’s as well as the individual’s performance. In connection with our annual cash bonus program, the Compensation Committee determines annual performance criteria that are flexible and that change with the needs of our business. Our annual cash bonus program is designed to reward the achievement of specific financial and operational objectives.
Co-CEOs
For fiscal year 2015, Dale Francescon’s and Robert J. Francescon’s bonuses were calculated pursuant to formulas detailed in their respective employment agreements and based on the satisfaction and performance of the following goals established by the compensation committee. Despite maximum performance, the bonuses earned by our Co-CEOs in 2013 were determined to be significantly below the market median. Accordingly, for 2014, the Compensation Committee recommended an increase in the bonus award opportunities for each of our Co-CEOs. The Compensation Committee established target STI awards equal to 150% of base salary, with a maximum award opportunity of 200% of target (i.e., 300% of base salary) and a threshold award level of 66.67% of target (i.e., 100% of base salary). Following the review of 2014 compensation conducted in early 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that the short-term incentive award levels for the Co-CEOs be maintained in 2015.
For 2015, the Compensation Committee, in considering the performance metrics that should apply in calculating our Co-CEOs’ short-term incentive awards, determined that the performance metrics should continue to be based on overall Company performance as opposed to individual performance. The Compensation Committee furthermore determined that the most important measures of Company success, which should form the basis of our Co-CEOs’ annual bonus, were number of closings, revenue and EBITDA. The Compensation Committee then set the target for each measure using the Company’s projected business plan for 2015 (i.e., as the amount in the target business plan presented to our Board). Threshold was set at 85% of target, and maximum was set at 115% of target.
All performance metrics are equally weighted in determining our Co-CEOs’ annual bonuses. If threshold level is not achieved with respect to a given performance metric, then no payout is made with respect to that metric.
The performance metrics, and the performance levels attached to each, as well as actual performance, are reflected in the following table.
Performance Measure | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual | ||||||||||||
Closings | 1,700 | 2,000 | 2,300 | 2,401 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 552.5 million | $ | 650.0 million | $ | 747.5 million | $ | 734.5 million | ||||||||
EBITDA (1) | $ | 53.6 million | $ | 63.0 million | $ | 72.5 million | $ | 79.2 million |
CFO
The Compensation Committee determined that our CFO’s STI award for 2013 was significantly below the market median. In light of the Company’s compensation philosophy to provide incentive award opportunities that range from below market median (in the case of poor performance) to at or above the market 75th percentile (in the case of outstanding performance), the Compensation Committee determined that our CFO’s target STI award should be set at approximately 75% of the recommended base salary, with a maximum award opportunity of 267% of target (i.e., approximately 200% of base salary) and a threshold award level of 50% of target (i.e., 37.5% of base salary). Following the review of 2014 compensation conducted by the Compensation Committee in early 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that an adjustment to the award levels for our CFO was warranted. As such, for 2015, the target award level for our CFO was set at 100% of base salary, with threshold continuing to be set at 50% of target (which now represented 50% of base salary) and maximum set at 200% of target (which continued to represent 200% of base salary).
The Compensation Committee and our Co-CEOs determined that our CFO’s STI award should continue to be based in part on Company financialCentury’s performance, as well as, in the case of our CFO, individual performance.
Competitive Positioning: Our strategy is to target between the market 25th percentile and market median for short-term incentives for performance goals. Thus,that meets expected levels and to target total cash compensation (base salary plus target STI) between the Compensation Committee retained revenuemarket 25th percentile and EBITDA as performance metrics applicable in determiningmarket median. We have established a range of possible payouts under the plan so that our CFO’s annual STI award, and also included an individual performance aspectcompetitive position could be above or below our stated strategy based on specific, identifiable goals.performance outcomes.
Plan Mechanics: Our STI program for 2017 was a component of and was paid under the terms of the Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
2017 STI Awards: For 2017, the financial goals, the same threshold, target and maximum levels were utilized as reflected in the table below. For the individual performance measures, our Co-CEOs make an independent assessment of the degree to which our CFO satisfied the goals. Our CFO’s individual performance goals for 2015 included the following: enhancement of internal controls, including updating process and procedure documents; shareholder relations management and oversight; development and management of financial services earnings; implementation and management of supplier rebate programs; management of risk exposures; and other relevant goals. The two financial performance metrics and the individual performance goals were equally weighted in determining our CFO’s annual STI payment.
The economic performance metricsopportunities for our CFO, and the performance levels attached to each,NEOs were as well as actual performance, are reflected in the following table.
follows:
Named Executive Officer | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 50% of target (75% of base salary) | 150% of base salary | 200% of target (300% of base salary) | |||||||||||||
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Robert J. Francescon | 50% of target (75% of base salary) | 150% of base salary | 200% of target (300% of base salary) | |||||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 50% of target (50% of base salary) | 100% of base salary | 200% of target (200% of base salary) |
In the case of our Co-CEOs as well as our CFO, the31
The Compensation Committee determined that the target award opportunities detailed above were in line with the market median for the Company’s peer group.
our target positioning. Although the Compensation Committee believes that the established bonus levels are reasonable, as a matter of governance best practice, the Compensation Committee retains negative discretion to reduce the size of any awards if the Compensation Committee believes that it is in the best interests of Century.
The performance metrics that applied for the Company.2017 short-term incentive plan were as described in the table below. In considering the performance metrics that should apply in calculating our Co-CEOs’ STI awards, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance metrics should be based on overall Company performance as opposed to individual performance. The Compensation Committee furthermore determined that the most important measures of Company success, which should form the basis of our Co-CEOs’ STI awards, were revenue, EBITDA, as adjusted, and number of closings. In considering the performance metrics that should apply in calculating our CFO’s STI award, the Compensation Committee determined that our CFO’s STI award should be based in part on Company financial performance and in part on quantifiable individual performance goals.
Named Executive Officer | 2017 Performance Metrics |
Co-CEOs | 40% revenue 40% adjusted EBITDA 20% closings |
CFO | 40% revenue 60% quantifiable individual performance goals: development and management of financial services earnings; general and administrative cost improvements; management of risk exposures; management of finance group; and stockholder relations management and oversight |
The Company financial performance metrics, and the performance levels attached to each, as well as actual performance, are reflected in the following table.
Company Performance Metric | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual |
Revenue | $979.4 million | $1,0888 million | $1,197 million | $1,424 million |
EBITDA, as adjusted(1) | $99.7 million | $110.7 million | $121.8 million | $122.7 million |
Closings | 2,795 | 3,106 | 3,417 | 3,640 |
(1) | This is a non-GAAP financial measure. EBITDA, as adjusted is calculated by excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization from net income and also excluding incremental EBITDA as a result of the UCP acquisition, transaction expenses and executive bonuses for 2017. |
In determining the threshold, target and maximum goals for each performance metric, the Compensation Committee set the target for each metric using Century’s projected business plan for 2017 (i.e., as the amount in the target business plan approved by the Board). Threshold was set at 90% of target, and maximum was set at 110% of target. If the threshold level was not achieved with respect to a given performance metric, then no payout was made with respect to that metric.
For 2015,2017, our Co-CEOs and our CFO earned cash bonuses based on maximum performance in nearly all Company financial metrics and our CFO earned a cash bonus based on maximum performance for both his Company financial metric of revenue and his individual categories (withgoals. This resulted in an STI award payout for each of our Co-CEOs and our CFO at maximum. The table below shows the exception being revenue which was between the target and maximum). Despite hitting and significantly exceeding their performance goals, the Co-CEOs suggested,various levels of payout and the Compensation Committee agreed, that the Compensation Committee should exercise its negative discretion to reduce the awards, because the Company is in the early stagesactual level of being publicly traded, and there is not a lot of performance history since the Company became publicly traded. Therefore, the Compensation Committee set our Co-CEOs’ STI bonus at 67% of the maximum. Our Co-CEOs,payout for the same reasons described above, also determined that they would exercise negative discretion with respect to STI to be paid to our CFO, and set his award at approximately 71% of the maximum. The following table shows the STI cash awards paid tofor each of our executive officersNEOs for 2014 and 2015.2017.
Named Executive Officer | Threshold Payout ($) | Target Payout ($) | Maximum Payout ($) | Actual Payout ($) | ||||||||
Dale Francescon | 637,500 | 1,275,000 | 2,550,000 | 2,550,000 | ||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 637,500 | 1,275,000 | 2,550,000 | 2,550,000 | ||||||||
David L. Messenger | 237,500 | 475,000 | 950,000 | 950,000 |
Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation | ||||||||
Executive Officer | 2014(1) | 2015(2) | ||||||
Dale Francescon | $ | 1,687,500 | $ | 1,500,000 | ||||
Robert J. Francescon | $ | 1,687,500 | $ | 1,500,000 | ||||
David L. Messenger | $ | 600,000 | $ | 600,000 |
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Long-Term Incentive—Equity AwardsIncentives
In fiscal year 2014, we began providing performance-based equity awardsPurpose: Our long-term incentive program is designed to ourreward NEOs pursuant to our First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to asfor the “Plan”). The awards made under the Plan in 2015 were granted toachievement of specific financial objectives, recognize such individuals’their efforts on our behalf, and to provide an additional incentive and retention element to their overall compensation package. Our LTI program is also intended to align the interests of our executives with our stockholders.
2015 Performance-Based GrantsCompetitive Positioning: We target between the market 25th percentile and the market median with our target LTI program and at or above market 75th percentile for above-target performance.
Similar to 2014,LTI Awards and Plan Mechanics: Our LTI awards are structured as restricted stock unit, or RSU, awards. The number of RSUs granted is based primarily on the achievement of previously established performance goals over specified performance periods. In addition, the Compensation Committee determined that eachmay adjust the size of our Co-CEOsthe RSU award and/or grant additional RSU awards based on any other individual and our CFO should receive performance-based awards under the Plan. Following discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended that the Company utilize a one-year performance period for the Plan year, as rapid growth and capital structure changes were expected in the upcoming year and long-term performance would be difficult to forecastfactors it deems important at the time of grant. Based on these considerations, the Compensation Committee determined that it would utilize Pre-Tax Income as the primary metric, as this metric is truly indicative of the success of the Company at this stage of its growth.
Awards would be granted based on achievement of the selected performance metric at the following levels:
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Target LTI award sizes for our Co-CEOs were determinedgrant and/or to be 150% of base salary, subject to satisfaction of performance-based goals. Threshold performance would dictatebring an award of 66.67% of target (i.e., 100% of
base salary), and maximum performance would result in an award of 200% of target (i.e., 300% of base salary). Our Co-CEOs earned a 2015 LTI award equivalent to approximately $2,250,000 due to achievement of the maximum performance criteria.
TheNEO’s target LTI award foropportunity closer to our CFO was set at approximately 117.6% of base salary, with a maximum award opportunity of 170% of target (i.e., 200% of base salary) and a threshold award level of 30% of target (i.e., 35% of base salary). Based upon a base salary of $425,000, target LTI would be $500,000 with a maximum award opportunity of $850,000 and a threshold award level of $150,000. Our CFO earned a 2015 LTI award equivalent to approximately $850,000 due to achievement ofpositioning. In 2017, RSU awards were granted under the maximum performance criteria.
LTICentury Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In 2018, RSU awards arewere granted inunder the form of restricted stock units of the Company, whereCentury Communities, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Once granted, one restricted stock unitRSU equals the right to receive one share of Century common stock when such restricted stock unitthe RSU award vests.
In 2017, RSU awards were granted to our NEOs in February and March. The number of RSUs granted in February was based primarily on the achievement, at maximum payout level, of a previously established adjusted pre-tax income goal for 2016. These awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. The RSU awards granted in March were intended to bring the NEOs’ LTI opportunity closer to our target positioning. These awards vest over three years in equal annual installments.
RSU awards were recently granted to our NEOs in February 2018, which were based in part on 2017 performance. These RSU awards were based primarily on the achievement, at maximum with kicker payout level, of restricted stock units thata previously established pre-tax income goal for 2016 and 2017. These awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
The February 2017 and 2018 RSU awards were earnedpart of a plan to transition our LTI program to RSU awards based primarily on 2015the achievement of previously established performance weregoals over a three-year performance period. Accordingly, as part of this program and as described in more detail below, in March 2017, the Compensation Committee established threshold, target, maximum and maximum with kicker LTI award opportunities for our NEOs to be paid in RSU awards potentially to be granted in early 2020 based on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal for the three-year period ending December 31, 2019, subject to the right of the Compensation Committee to factor in additional performance criteria. These grants, if made, will vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
2017 LTI Awards: For the February 2017 RSU awards, the Compensation Committee established the following threshold, target and maximum LTI award opportunities for our NEOs:
Named Executive Officer | Threshold | Target | Maximum |
Dale Francescon | 50% of target (25% of base salary) | 50% of base salary | 200% of target (100% of base salary) |
Robert J. Francescon | 50% of target (25% of base salary) | 50% of base salary | 200% of target (100% of base salary) |
David L. Messenger | 50% of target (16.67% of base salary) | 33.3% of base salary | 200% of target (66.67% of base salary) |
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The performance-based metric used for the February 2017 RSU award grants was 2016 adjusted pre-tax income. The Compensation Committee believed that this metric was truly indicative of the success of our Company at that time. In February 2017, the Compensation Committee granted RSU awards to our NEOs based on our achieved 2016 adjusted pre-tax income in comparison to the following pre-established adjusted pre-tax income performance levels:
Performance Metric | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Actual ($) |
Adjusted pre-tax income(1) | 61.2 million | 68.0 million | 74.8 million | 80.8 million |
(1) | This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted pre-tax income is calculated by excluding bonus expense, acquisition expense, and purchase adjustment from GAAP pre-tax income. |
Because our achieved 2016 adjusted pre-tax income exceeded the pre-established maximum performance level, our NEOs received an actual LTI award based on maximum performance. While the Compensation Committee reserved the right to factor in additional performance criteria, no additional adjustments were made to these RSU award grants. The table below shows the various levels of LTI award opportunities and the actual LTI award value and number of RSUs granted for each of our NEOs in February 2017.
Named Executive Officer | Threshold LTI Award Value ($) | Target LTI Award Value ($) | Maximum LTI Award Value ($) | Actual LTI Award Value ($) | Number of RSUs (#) | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 200,000 | 400,000 | 800,000 | 799,994 | 35,714 | ||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 200,000 | 400,000 | 800,000 | 799,994 | 35,714 | ||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 75,000 | 150,000 | 300,000 | 300,003 | 13,393 |
In addition, in March 2017, additional RSU awards representing 15,089 RSUs for each of our Co-CEOs and 5,621 RSUs for our CFO were made in March 2017 to bring their respective LTI opportunities closer to our target positioning. These RSU awards vest on the first, second and third year anniversaries of the grant date.
2018 Awards. For the RSU awards which were just granted in February 2018, the Compensation Committee established the following threshold, target, maximum and maximum with kicker LTI award opportunities for our Co-CEOs and CFO:
Named Executive Officer | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Maximum with Kicker |
Dale Francescon | 50% of target (50% of base salary) | 100% of base salary | 200% of target (200% of base salary) | 250% of target (250% of base salary) |
Robert J. Francescon | 50% of target (50% of base salary) | 100% of base salary | 200% of target (200% of base salary) | 250% of target (250% of base salary) |
David L. Messenger | 50% of target (33.3% of base salary) | 66.6% of base salary | 200% of target (133.2% of base salary) | 250% of target (166.5% of base salary) |
The Compensation Committee determined to add a new maximum with kicker LTI award opportunity with a 250% of target payout in order to further incentivize our management to over-achieve on performance.
The performance-based metric used for the February 2018 RSU award grants was again adjusted pre-tax income. However, this time as part of our plan to transition to three-year performance periods, the performance
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period was over two years instead of one, and was two-year cumulative adjusted pre-tax income for 2016 and 2017. In February 2018, the Compensation Committee granted RSU awards to our NEOs based on our achieved two-year cumulative adjusted pre-tax income for 2016 and 2017 in comparison to the following pre-established performance levels:
Performance Metric | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Maximum with Kicker ($) | Actual ($) |
Adjusted pre-tax income(1) | 128.5 million | 142.8 million | 159.9 million | 178.5 million | 196.1 million |
(1) | This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted pre-tax income is calculated by excluding bonus expense, acquisition expense, purchase adjustment and impairments. |
Because our achieved two-year cumulative adjusted pre-tax income for 2016 and 2017 exceeded the pre-established maximum with kicker performance level, our NEOs received an actual LTI award based on maximum with kicker performance. While the Compensation Committee reserved the right to factor in additional performance criteria, no additional adjustments were made to these RSU award grants. The table below shows the various levels of LTI award opportunities and the actual LTI award value and number of RSUs granted for each of our NEOs in February 2018.
Named Executive Officer | Threshold LTI Award Value ($) | Target LTI Award Value ($) | Maximum LTI Award Value ($) | Maximum with Kicker LTI Award Value ($) | Actual LTI Award Value ($) | Number of RSUs (#) | ||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 400,000 | 800,000 | 1,600,000 | 2,000,000 | 2,000,007 | 65,574 | ||||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 400,000 | 800,000 | 1,600,000 | 2,000,000 | 2,000,007 | 65,574 | ||||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 150,000 | 300,000 | 600,000 | 750,000 | 749,995 | 24,590 |
Future Awards. As mentioned above, the February 2017 RSU awards were based primarily on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal during a one-year performance period and the recent February 2018 RSU awards were based primarily on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal during a two-year performance period. While the Compensation Committee reserves the right to factor in additional performance criteria, no additional adjustments were made to these grants. These two awards were part of a plan to transition our LTI program to RSU awards based on achievement of previously established performance goals over three-year performance periods.
As part of this program, in March 2017, the Compensation Committee established the threshold, target, maximum and maximum with kicker LTI award opportunities for our NEOs described below, which RSU awards will potentially be granted in early 2020 based on the achievement of a previously established pre-tax income goal for the three-year period ending December 31, 2019, subject to the right of the Compensation Committee to factor in additional performance criteria. These RSU awards, if granted, will vest over a three-year period.on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
Named Executive Officer | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Maximum with Kicker |
Dale Francescon | 50% of target (52.5% of base salary) | 105% of base salary | 200% of target (210% of base salary) | 315% of target (330% of base salary) |
Robert J. Francescon | 50% of target (52.5% of base salary) | 105% of base salary | 200% of target (210% of base salary) | 315% of target (330% of base salary) |
David L. Messenger | 50% of target (35% of base salary) | 70% of base salary | 200% of target (140% of base salary) | 315% of target (220% of base salary) |
Other IncomeCompensation
Retirement Benefits. In 2015, each of Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon received other compensation of $65,609, comprised of Company contributions2017, our NEOs had the opportunity to participate in a qualified defined contribution plans,retirement plan on the same basis as our other employees. We believe this plan provides an opportunity for our
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executives to plan for and meet their retirement savings needs. Except for this plan, we do not provide pension arrangements or post-retirement health coverage for our employees, including our NEOs. We also do not provide any nonqualified defined contribution or other deferred compensation plans.
Perquisites and Other Benefits. We provide our NEOs with modest perquisites to attract and retain them and to allow them to more efficiently utilize their time and to support them in effectively contributing to the success of our Company. The perquisites provided to our NEOs during 2017 included an automobile and cellular telephone allowance and, in the case of our Co-CEOs, reimbursements for term life insurance. In fiscal year 2015, Mr. Messenger received other incomeWe believe these perquisites are an important part of $6,000, comprisedour overall compensation package and help us accomplish our goal of an automobileattracting, retaining, and cellular telephone allowance.rewarding top executive talent. The value of all of the perquisites provided to our NEOs for 2017 can be found under “—All Other Compensation for 2017 – Supplemental.”
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our NEOs. These employment agreements are further described under “—Employment and Other Agreements with our NEOs.” The purpose of these employment agreements is to define the essential terms of these executives’ employment relationships in a manner that will protect our business and other interests and the interests of the executive, including in the event his employment is terminated upon certain events.
Change in Control and Post-Termination Severance Arrangements
Change in Control Arrangements. To encourage continuity, stability and retention when considering the potential disruptive impact of an actual or potential corporate transaction, we have established change in control arrangements, including provisions in our employment agreements with our NEOs, which are described in more detail below under “—Potential Payments Upon a Termination or Change in Control.” These arrangements are designed to incentivize our NEOs to remain with our Company in the event of a change in control or potential change in control. These agreements provide certain payments and benefits in the event of a termination of employment in connection with a change in control. These “double trigger” change in control protections are intended to induce executives to accept or continue employment with our Company, provide consideration to executives for certain restrictive covenants that apply following termination of employment, and provide continuity of management in connection with a threatened or actual change in control transaction. If the employment of one of our NEOs is terminated by Century without cause or by him for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements) within 24 months following a change in control, the executive will be entitled to receive a severance payment and certain benefits. The receipt of any severance is conditioned upon the executive’s execution of a release of claims. These arrangements and a quantification of the payment and benefits provided under these arrangements are described in more detail under “—Potential Payments Upon a Termination or Change in Control.” These additional payments and benefits will not be triggered just by a change in control, but require a termination event not within the control of the executive, and thus are known as “double trigger” change in control arrangements. We believe these change in control arrangements with our NEOs are an important part of our executive compensation program in part because they mitigate some of the risk for executives working in a smaller public company where there is a meaningful likelihood that the company may be acquired. Change in control benefits are intended to attract and retain qualified executives who, absent these arrangements and in anticipation of a possible change in control of our Company, might consider seeking employment alternatives to be less risky than remaining with our Company through the transaction. We believe that relative to our Company’s overall value, our potential change in control benefits are relatively small and are aligned with current peer company practices.
Other Severance Arrangements. All of our NEOs are entitled to receive severance benefits upon certain other qualifying terminations of employment, other than a change in control, pursuant to the provisions of their employment agreements with us. These severance arrangements are intended to induce these executives to continue employment with our Company and are primarily intended to retain them and provide consideration to them for certain restrictive covenants that apply following a termination of employment. Additionally, we entered into these agreements because they provide us valuable protection by subjecting these executives to restrictive covenants that prohibit the disclosure of confidential information during and following their employment and limit their ability to engage in competition with us or otherwise interfere with our business relationships following their termination of employment. The receipt of any severance by these executives is conditioned upon his execution of a release of claims.
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Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines
In November 2016, we established stock ownership guidelines that are intended to further align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders. A stock ownership target for each of our NEOs has been set at that number of shares of our Century common stock with a value equal to a multiple of the NEO’s annual base salary. All of our NEOs are in compliance with our stock ownership guidelines.
Named Executive Officer | Stock Ownership Target as a Multiple of Base Salary |
Dale Francescon | 6x |
Robert J. Francescon | 6x |
David L. Messenger | 3x |
Each of the NEOs has five years from the date of hire or, if the ownership multiple has increased during his tenure, five years from the date established in connection with such increase to reach his stock ownership target. Until his stock ownership target is achieved, our Co-CEOs are required to retain an amount equal to 100% of the net shares received as a result of the vesting of restricted stock awards or RSU awards and our CFO is required to retain an amount equal to 60% of the net shares received as a result of the vesting of restricted stock awards or RSU awards. If there is a significant decline in the price of our shares that causes NEOs to be out of compliance, such executives will be subject to their respective retention ratio, but will not be required to purchase additional shares to meet the applicable targets. Compliance with these guidelines is reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors.
Risk Assessment
As a result of our assessment on risk in our compensation programs, we concluded that our compensation policies, practices, and programs and related compensation governance structure, work together in a manner so as to encourage our executives (and other employees) to pursue growth strategies that emphasize stockholder value creation, but not to take unnecessary or excessive risks that could threaten the value of our Company. For more information on this assessment, see the discussions below under “—Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies, Practices and Programs.”
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
In designing our executive compensation program, we consider the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which provides that we may not deduct more than $1 million ($1 Million Cap) paid to certain executive officers. During 2017, there was an exception for “performance-based” compensation meeting certain requirements. We believe that we have structured our STI and LTI awards granted under the Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan to qualify as “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), so that it is fully deductible by us without regard to the $1 Million Cap. In addition, while we believe we have designed our plans to operate in a manner intended to qualify as “performance-based” compensation under Code Section 162(m), it may not qualify or the Compensation Committee may decide to administer the plan in a manner that does not satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) to achieve a result that the Compensation Committee determines to be appropriate.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017 (Tax Act), repealed the exception from the $1 Million Cap for “performance-based” compensation. This change is effective for our fiscal years beginning January 1, 2018 and thereafter. In addition, the Tax Act expanded the group of executive officers who are subject to the $1 Million Cap. The revised limit for the $1 Million Cap will apply to any named executive officer who in the fiscal year ending in 2017, or in any year thereafter, was either the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, or one of the three highest paid officers (Covered Employee), and, once the limit applies to a Covered Employee, all future compensation payable to or on behalf of that individual will remain subject to the $1 Million Cap. As a result, certain compensation amounts that were previously outside of the scope of the $1 Million Cap will now be subject to it. Despite the changes to Code Section 162(m) as a result of the Tax Act, we expect that we will continue to structure our executive compensation program so that a significant portion of total executive compensation is linked to the performance of our Company.
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How We Make Compensation Decisions
There are several elements to our executive compensation decision-making, which we believe allow us to most effectively implement our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee, its independent external compensation consultant and management all have a role in decision-making for executive compensation. The following table summarizes their roles and responsibilities:
Responsible Party | Roles and Responsibilities | |
Compensation Committee (Comprised solely of independent directors and report to the Board of Directors) | • | Oversees all aspects of our executive compensation program. |
• | Annually reviews and approves our corporate goals and objectives relevant to Co-CEO compensation. | |
• | Evaluates each Co-CEO’s performance in light of such goals and objectives, and determines and approves his compensation based on this evaluation. | |
• | Determines and approves all executive officer compensation, including salary, bonus and equity and non-equity incentive compensation. | |
• | Administers our current equity and incentive compensation plans and reviews and approves all equity awards and executive incentive payouts. | |
• | Reviews our incentive compensation arrangements to confirm that incentive pay does not encourage unnecessary risk-taking. | |
• | Evaluates market competitiveness of each executive’s compensation. | |
• | Evaluates proposed changes to our executive compensation program. | |
• | Assists the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive officer positions and overseeing the development of executive succession plans. | |
• | Has sole authority to hire consultants, approve their fees and determine the nature and scope of their work. | |
Independent External Compensation Consultant (Currently Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. and formerly Compensation & Benefit Solutions, LLC) (Independent under NYSE listing standards and reports to the Compensation Committee) | • | Provides advice and guidance on the appropriateness and competitiveness of our executive compensation program relative to our performance and market practice. |
• | Reviews total compensation strategy and pay levels for executives. | |
• | Examines our executive compensation program to ensure that each element supports our business strategy. | |
• | Assists in selection of peer companies and gathering competitive market data. | |
• | Provides advice with respect to our equity-based compensation plans, including during 2017, our new omnibus incentive plan. | |
Co-Chief Executive Officers (With the support of other members of the management team) | • | Review performance of other executive officers and make recommendations with respect to their compensation. |
• | Confer with the Compensation Committee and compensation consultant concerning design and development of compensation and benefit plans. | |
• | Provide no input or recommendations with respect to their own compensation. |
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Competitive Considerations and Use of Market Data
We strive to compensate our executive officers competitively relative to industry peers. To ensure reasonableness and competitiveness of our executive compensation packages relative to the industry, the Compensation Committee regularly evaluates our peer group with the aid of our independent external compensation consultant and with input from management. Data from our peer group, therefore, is considered in the compensation benchmarking process as one input in helping to determine appropriate pay levels.
In establishing compatibility between Century and the members of our peer group, the following three factors are considered:
• Industry | • Revenue | • Market Capitalization |
2017 Peer Group
Based on these considerations, the following nine companies in the “homebuilding” industry, with revenues ranging from approximately less than $1 billion to over $4.1 billion and market capitalizations between $300 million and $2.3 billion, were selected as members of our peer group for purposes of analyzing the market competitiveness of our 2017 executive compensation program.
2017 Peer Group | ||
AV Homes Inc. | KB Home | Meritage Homes Corporation |
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. | M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. | WCI Communities, Inc. |
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. | M/I Homes, Inc. | William Lyon Homes |
While Century was below certain of these peer companies in terms of revenue and market capitalization, the peer group was selected in order to approximate where we reasonably expected Century to be in the near term, while including companies that have experienced similar growth. Further, while we ranked at the 30th percentile for revenue amongst these peer group companies, and in the bottom quartile for market capitalization, we ranked fourth among the peer group companies for one-year Total Stockholder Return (TSR) (three-year and five-year TSR comparisons were not available at such time as we had not been publicly traded for the requisite length of time for those measurements). Given our position relative to these peer companies and our projected growth at the time, we believed that this peer group was appropriate for purposes of benchmarking our 2017 executive compensation.
Changes Reflected in 2018 Peer Group
At the end of 2017, FW Cook worked with the Compensation Committee to review our peer group. As a result of this review, three new companies were added and one company was removed since it had been acquired. Accordingly, the following 11 companies were selected as members of our peer group for purposes of analyzing the market competitiveness of our 2018 executive compensation program (with the three new companies asterisked).
2018 Peer Group | ||
AV Homes Inc. | LGI Homes, Inc.* | Taylor Morrison Home Corporation* |
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. | M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. | TRI Pointe Group, Inc.* |
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. | M/I Homes, Inc. | William Lyon Homes |
KB Home | Meritage Homes Corporation |
All of these companies are public companies in the homebuilding industry whose business model involves development, design, construction of homes and/or development of land and that have annual revenues and a market capitalization generally within a range of our annual revenues and market capitalization. Though we are below the peer group 25th percentile for revenue and market capitalization, the overall range in the group is narrow. In constructing this new peer group, the Compensation Committee also considered whether companies disclosed Century as a peer, companies that appear in the peer groups of our peer companies and companies of which Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) considers a peer of ours in its latest voting recommendations report.
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The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with our management. Based on this review and these discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Proxy Statement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE | |
James M. Lippman, Chair | |
John P. Box | |
Keith R. Guericke |
Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies, Practices, and Programs
As a result of our annual assessment on risk in our compensation programs, we concluded that our compensation policies, practices, and programs and related compensation governance structure, work together in a manner so as to encourage our employees, including our named executive officers, to pursue growth strategies that emphasize stockholder value creation, but not to take unnecessary or excessive risks that could threaten the value of our company. As part of our assessment, we noted in particular the following:
As a matter of best practice, we will continue to monitor our compensation policies, practices, and programs to ensure that they continue to align the interest of our employees, including in particular our executive officers, with those of our long-term shareholders while avoiding unnecessary or excessive risk.
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The table set forth below summarizes the compensation earned by or paid to each of the individuals who served as our “principal executive officer” or “principal financial officer” during 2017. Our Co-CEOs and CFO are our only executive officers.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) | All Other Compensation ($)(4) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 2017 | 839,453 | — | 1,182,500 | 2,550,000 | 61,396 | 4,633,349 | ||||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2016 | 789,583 | — | 2,249,998 | 2,318,868 | 78,000 | 5,436,449 | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 750,000 | — | 2,249,986 | 1,500,000 | 65,609 | 4,565,595 | |||||||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 2017 | 839,453 | — | 1,182,500 | 2,550,000 | 61,258 | 4,633,211 | ||||||||||||||
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President | 2016 | 789,583 | — | 2,249,998 | 2,318,868 | 78,000 | 5,436,449 | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 750,000 | — | 2,249,986 | 1,500,000 | 65,609 | 4,565,595 | |||||||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 2017 | 469,727 | — | 442,496 | 950,000 | 13,570 | 1,875,793 | ||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | 2016 | 444,792 | — | 850,002 | 900,000 | 24,000 | 2,218,794 | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 415,909 | — | 599,990 | 600,000 | 6,000 | 1,621,899 |
(1) | We generally do not pay any discretionary bonuses or bonuses that are subjectively determined and did not pay any such bonuses to any NEOs in any of the years presented. Annual cash bonuses are based on performance against pre-established performance goals and are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. |
(2) | Amounts reported represent the grant date fair value of RSU awards granted to our NEOs, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 and based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Certain RSUs granted in 2017 to our Co-CEOs and CFO were determined based on the achievement of a performance metric during 2016. Similarly, the number of RSUs granted in 2016 and 2015 to our Co-CEOs and CFO were based on the achievement of a performance metric. |
(3) | Amounts reported represent payouts under our short-term incentive plan and for each year reflect the amounts earned for that year but paid during the following year. See “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Named Executive Officer Compensation—Short-Term Incentive—Annual Cash Bonus” for a description of our short-term incentive plan. |
(4) | Amounts reported in this column for 2017 are described under “—All Other Compensation for 2017 - Supplemental.” |
Employment and Other Agreements with NEOs
Co-Chief Executive Officers. In May 2016, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with each of our Co-Chief Executive Officers, Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon. Each of the employmentthese agreements was effective as of May 7, 2013,11, 2016, has an initial term of five years, and provides for automatic one-year extensions after the expiration of the initial term, unless either party provides the other with at least 90 days’ prior written notice of non-renewal. Each of the employmentthese agreements requires Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon, respectively, to dedicate substantially his full business time and attention to the affairs of the Company.Century.
The employmentThese agreements also provide for, among other things:
The employment
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These agreements contain customary confidentiality provisions as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during the term of the agreements and for two years after the termination of their employment by us for cause“cause” or without good reason.
We may terminate Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment at any time with or without cause, andby the executive may terminate his employment with or without good reason. If we terminate Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment for cause, if he either resigns without good reason, or if his employment is terminated due to death or disability, he will be entitled to receive any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation
and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination. In addition, any outstanding awards granted to him under the Plan will be paid in accordance with their terms.
If we terminate Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to the severance benefits described below. The severance benefits include the following:
The employment agreements also provide that if the termination occurs within 24 months following a “change in control” (asare defined in the employment agreements), in addition to the other payments provided for above (other than the payment in lieu of annual bonus), Dale Francescon. These agreements also contain severance and Robert J. Francescon will receive an amount equal to three times the target bonus (150% of base salary) for the current fiscal year.
change-in-control provisions, which are described under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
Chief Financial Officer. In November 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with our CFO, David L. Messenger. This agreement has an initial term of three years, and provides for automatic one-year extensions after the expiration of the initial term, unless either party provides the other with at least 90 days’ prior written notice of non-renewal. This agreement provides for, among other things:
This agreement is substantially similar to the amended and restated employment agreements with our Co-CEOs, as described above, except that the amount of payments and level of benefits to our CFO are generally less than those provided to our Co-CEOs. Mr. Messenger’s agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during the term of the agreement and for one year after the termination of Mr. Messenger’s employment by us for “cause” or by him without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the agreement). The agreement also contains severance and change-in-control provisions, which are described under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
All Other Compensation for 2017 – Supplemental
The table below provides information concerning amounts reported in the “All other compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2017 with respect to each NEO. Additional detail on these amounts are provided under “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Named Executive Officer Compensation—Other Compensation.”
Name | Company Match Contributions 401(k) ($) | Auto and Cell Phone Allowance ($) | Life Insurance Premiums ($) | Other ($) | Total Other Compensation ($) | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 1,000 | 30,000 | 30,396 | — | 61,396 | ||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 1,000 | 30,000 | 30,258 | — | 61,258 | ||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 7,570 | 6,000 | — | — | 13,570 |
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards During 2017
The table below provides information concerning grants of plan-based awards to each of our NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2017. Non-equity incentive plan awards were granted to our NEOs under our annual short-term incentive plan, the material terms of which are described under “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Named Executive Officer Compensation—Short-Term Incentive-Annual Bonus Plan.” Stock awards (in the form of RSU awards) were granted under our stockholder-approved plan that was in effect on the date of grant. The material terms of these awards are described under “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Named Executive Officer Compensation—Long-Term Incentives” or in the notes to the table below.
Estimated Future Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(2) (#) | Grant Date Fair Value Stock and Option Awards(3) ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | ||||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash incentive award | — | 637,500 | 1,275,000 | 2,550,000 | ||||||||||||||
RSU award | 02/08/17 | 35,714 | 799,994 | |||||||||||||||
RSU award | 03/17/17 | 15,089 | 382,506 | |||||||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash incentive award | — | 637,500 | 1,275,000 | 2,550,000 | ||||||||||||||
RSU award | 02/08/17 | 35,714 | 799,994 | |||||||||||||||
RSU award | 03/17/17 | 15,089 | 382,506 | |||||||||||||||
David L. Messenger | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash incentive award | — | 237,500 | 475,000 | 950,000 | ||||||||||||||
RSU award | 02/08/17 | 13,393 | 300,003 | |||||||||||||||
RSU award | 03/17/17 | 5,621 | 142,492 |
(1) | Amounts reported represent estimated future payouts under our short-term incentive plan. Actual payouts under the short-term incentive plan are reflected in the “Non-equity incentive compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | Amounts reported represent RSU awards granted under the Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The RSU awards granted on February 8, 2017 vest and become issuable on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, in each case, subject to the executive’s continued employment with us. The RSU awards granted on March 17, 2017 vest and become issuable in equal installments on the first, second and third year anniversaries of the grant date, in each case, subject to the executive’s continued employment with us. In addition, such RSU awards will vest in full immediately upon a termination of the executive’s employment by Century without cause or by the executive for good reason or in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment due to his death or disability, or in the case of our Co-CEOs, his retirement. |
(3) | Amounts reported represent the grant date fair value of the RSU awards granted to our NEOs, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. |
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2017
The following table sets forth information with respect to all outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and RSU awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2017. No other equity awards were held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2017.
Stock Awards as of December 31, 2017 | ||||||
Name | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)(1) | ||||
Dale Francescon | 200,648(2 | ) | 6,240,153 | |||
Robert J. Francescon | 200,648(2 | ) | 6,240,153 | |||
David L. Messenger | 70,735(3 | ) | 2,199,859 |
(1) | Value is calculated by multiplying the number of underlying shares of Century common stock underlying the restricted stock awards or RSU awards that have not vested by the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 2017 ($31.10), as reported by the NYSE. |
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(2) | Comprised of 15,089 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on March 17, 2017, 35,714 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on February 8, 2017, 105,857 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on February 10, 2016, and 43,988 unvested shares underlying restricted stock awards granted on February 18, 2015. Each of these awards, other than the RSU award granted on February 8, 2017, vests in equal installments on the first, second and third year anniversaries of the respective grant dates, subject to the executive’s continued employment with us. The RSU award granted on February 8, 2017 vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. In addition, such RSU awards will vest in full immediately upon a termination of the executive’s employment by Century without cause or by the executive for good reason or in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment due to his retirement, death or disability. |
(3) | Comprised of 5,621 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on March 17, 2017, 13,393 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on February 8, 2017, 39,991 unvested shares underlying RSU awards granted on February 10, 2016, and 11,730 unvested shares underlying restricted stock awards granted on February 18, 2015. Each of these awards, other than the RSU award granted on February 8, 2017, vests in equal installments on the first, second and third year anniversaries of the respective grant dates, subject to the executive’s continued employment with us. The RSU award granted on February 8, 2017 vests on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. In addition, such RSU awards will vest in full immediately upon a termination of the executive’s employment by Century without cause or by the executive for good reason or in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment due to his death or disability. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested During 2017
The table below provides information regarding stock awards (in the form of restricted stock awards and RSU awards) that vested for each of our NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2017. No option awards were exercised by any of our NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Stock Awards(1) | ||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($) | ||||
Dale Francescon | ||||||
Restricted stock awards | 67,352 | 1,629,839 | ||||
RSU awards | 52,929 | 1,206,781 | ||||
Robert J. Francescon | ||||||
Restricted stock awards | 67,352 | 1,629,839 | ||||
RSU awards | 52,929 | 1,206,781 | ||||
David L. Messenger | ||||||
Restricted stock awards | 67,352 | 682,747 | ||||
RSU awards | 27,306 | 455,886 |
(1) | The number of shares acquired upon vesting reflects the gross number of shares acquired or becoming non-forfeitable absent netting of any shares surrendered or sold to satisfy tax withholding requirements. The value realized on vesting represents the gross number of shares acquired or that became non-forfeitable, multiplied by the closing sale price of our common stock on the vesting date or the last trading day prior to the vesting date if the vesting date was not a trading day, as reported by the NYSE. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Co-CEO Employment Agreements. In May 2016, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with each of our Co-Chief Executive Officers, Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon. Under the terms of these agreements, the post-employment pay and benefits, if any, to be received by Dale Francescon or Robert J. Francescon in the event of a termination of his employment will vary according to the basis for his termination.
If we terminate Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment for “cause” or if he resigns voluntarily and without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the agreements), he will be entitled to receive any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination. In addition, any outstanding equity awards granted to him will be paid in accordance with their terms.
If, during the term of the agreement, we terminate Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment due to his disability, or his employment terminates due to his death or retirement (as defined below), he or his estate will be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination and accrued but unused vacation; (ii) any annual bonus and equity
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awards that the executive earned for any fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the executive’s employment terminated to the extent that such annual bonus and equity awards had not yet been paid or granted before the termination date, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the termination date; (iii) in lieu of the annual bonus for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates, a lump sum cash payment equal to the prorated amount of the annual bonus that would have become payable for the fiscal year if employment had not been terminated, based on performance actually achieved that year (determined by the Board following completion of the performance year); (iv) equity awards that the executive would have received for the fiscal year in which the executive’s employment terminated, on a prorated basis through the date of termination, as though his employment had not terminated, and assuming that all conditions or parameters to such receipt at the target level have been fully satisfied; provided, that the executive was employed for at least 50% of the year; (v) the immediate vesting as of the date of termination of all equity awards granted to him under our equity incentive plans (other than restricted stock awards in the event of retirement); and (vi) our payment of the employer’s portion of his COBRA premiums during any time in which he elects COBRA continuation coverage for up to 30 months following the date of termination, unless he becomes eligible to receive coverage under another comparable medical plan. For purposes of the agreements, “retirement” means his voluntary termination of his employment upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (a) he has reached (or will reach on or after the termination date) the age of 60 along with at least 18 years of employment with us (for purposes of the agreements, each executive’s employment with us is deemed to have commenced on November 1, 2000); and (b) he provides us with a termination notice stating his intent to terminate his employment due to retirement at least 90 days in advance of the termination date.
If during the term of the agreement, we terminate either Dale Francescon’s or Robert J. Francescon’s employment without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to (i) any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination and accrued but unused vacation; (ii) any annual bonus and equity awards that the executive earned for any fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the executive’s employment terminated to the extent that such annual bonus and equity awards had not yet been paid or granted before the termination date, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination; (iii) a lump sum cash severance payment in an amount equal to three times his then-current annual base salary; (iv) in lieu of the annual bonus for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates, a lump sum cash payment equal to the prorated amount of the annual bonus that would have become payable for the fiscal year if employment had not been terminated, based on performance actually achieved that year (determined by the Board following completion of the performance year); provided, that, if the date of his termination is within the initial term, the amount received shall be no less than the maximum allowable annual bonus that he could have been paid for such year pursuant to the terms of the agreement; (v) equity awards that the executive would have received for the fiscal year in which the executive’s employment terminated, on a prorated basis through the date of termination as though his employment had not terminated, and assuming that all conditions or parameters to such receipt at the target level have been fully satisfied; (vi) the immediate vesting as of the date of termination of all equity awards granted to him under our equity incentive plan; and (vii) our payment of the employer’s portion of his COBRA premiums during any time in which he elects COBRA continuation coverage for up to 30 months following the date of termination, unless he becomes eligible to receive coverage under another comparable medical plan.
The agreements also provide that if the termination without cause or for good reason occurs within 24 months following a “change in control” (as defined in the agreements), in addition to the other payments described above (but in lieu of the cash severance and prorated annual bonus payments), Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon will receive an amount equal to three times the higher of the following: (A) the sum of his annual base salary and target annual bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs; or (B) the sum of his average annual base salary and average annual bonus for the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date of termination. To the extent that any change in control payment or benefit would be subject to an excise tax imposed in connection with Section 4999 of the Code, such payments and/or benefits may be subject to a “best pay cap” reduction to the extent necessary so that the executive will receive the greater of the (i) net amount of the change in control payments and benefits reduced such that such payments and benefits will not be subject to the excise tax and (ii) net amount of the change in control payments and benefits without such reduction.
Most of the payments and benefits provided for above, other than the accrued payments and benefits, are conditioned upon our receipt of a release of claims from the executive.
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CFO Employment Agreement. In November 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with our CFO, David L. Messenger. Under the terms of this agreement, the post-employment pay and benefits, if any, to be received by Mr. Messenger in the event of a termination of his employment will vary according to the basis for his termination.
If we terminate Mr. Messenger’s employment for “cause” or if he resigns voluntarily and without “good reason” (as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to receive any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination. In addition, any outstanding equity awards granted to him will be paid in accordance with their terms.
If, during the term of the agreement, we terminate Mr. Messenger’s employment due to his disability or if his employment terminates due to his death, he or his estate will be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination and accrued but unused vacation; (ii) any annual bonus and equity awards that he earned for any fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which his employment terminated to the extent that such annual bonus and equity awards had not yet been paid or granted before the termination date, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination; (iii) in lieu of the annual bonus for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates, a lump sum cash payment equal to the prorated amount of the annual bonus that would have become payable for the fiscal year if his employment had not been terminated, based on performance actually achieved that year (determined by the Board following completion of the performance year) provided, that he was employed for at least 50% of the year; (iv) equity awards that he would have received for the fiscal year in which his employment terminated, on a prorated basis through the date of termination, as though his employment had not terminated, and assuming that all conditions or parameters to such receipt at the target level have been fully satisfied; provided, that he was employed for at least 50% of the performance period and provided further that in lieu thereof we may pay him in cash the fair market value of such equity award; (v) the immediate vesting as of the date of termination of all unvested equity awards granted to him under our equity incentive plans that vest based on the passage of time; and (vi) our payment of the employer’s portion of the executive’s COBRA premiums during any time in which the executive elects COBRA continuation coverage for up to 18 months following the date of termination, unless he becomes eligible to receive coverage under another comparable medical plan.
If during the term of the agreement, we terminate Mr. Messenger’s employment without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to (i) any earned but unpaid annual base salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination and accrued but unused vacation; (ii) any annual bonus and equity awards that he earned for any fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which his employment terminated to the extent that such annual bonus and equity awards had not yet been paid or granted before the termination date, and any other benefits that have been earned and accrued prior to the date of termination; (iii) a cash severance payment equal to his annual base salary payable as salary continuation over 12 months; (iv) in lieu of the annual bonus for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates, a lump sum cash payment equal to the prorated amount of the annual bonus that would have become payable for the fiscal year if his employment had not been terminated, based on performance actually achieved that year (determined by the Board following completion of the performance year); (v) equity awards that he would have received for the fiscal year in which his employment terminated, on a prorated basis through the date of termination as though his employment had not terminated, and assuming that all conditions or parameters to such receipt at the target level have been fully satisfied and provided further that in lieu thereof we may pay him in cash the fair market value of such equity award; (vi) the immediate vesting as of the date of termination of all equity awards granted to him under our equity incentive plan that vest based on the passage of time; and (vii) our payment of the employer’s portion of his COBRA premiums during any time in which he elects COBRA continuation coverage for up to 18 months following the date of termination, unless he becomes eligible to receive coverage under another comparable medical plan.
The agreements also provide that if the termination without cause or for good reason occurs within 24 months following a “change in control” (as defined in the agreement), in addition to the other payments described above (but in lieu of the cash severance and prorated annual bonus payments), Mr. Messenger will receive an amount equal to two times his annual base salary plus two times the greater of his target annual bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs or the average of his annual bonuses paid to him for the
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three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date of termination. To the extent that any change in control payment or benefit would be subject to an excise tax imposed in connection with Section 4999 of the Code, such payments and/or benefits may be subject to a “best pay cap” reduction to the extent necessary so that the executive will receive the greater of the (i) net amount of the change in control payments and benefits reduced such that such payments and benefits will not be subject to the excise tax and (ii) net amount of the change in control payments and benefits without such reduction.
Most of the payments and benefits provided for above, other than the accrued payments and benefits, are conditioned upon our receipt of a release of claims from Mr. Messenger.
Other Change in Control Provisions. The Century Communities, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2017 omnibus incentive plan) and Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan under which awards have been granted to our NEOs contain “change in control” provisions.
Under these plans, a “change in control” means:
Under the 2017 omnibus incentive plan, without limiting the authority of the Compensation Committee to adjust awards, if a change in control of Century occurs, then, unless otherwise provided in the award or other agreement, if an award is continued, assumed or substituted by the successor entity, the award will not vest or lapse solely as a result of the change of control but will instead remain outstanding under the terms pursuant to which it has been continued, assumed or substituted and will continue to vest or lapse pursuant to such terms.
If the award is continued, assumed or substituted by the successor entity and within two years following the change in control the executive is either terminated by the successor entity without “cause” or, if the executive is an executive officer of Century, resigns for “good reason,” each as defined in the 2017 omnibus incentive plan, then:
If a change in control of Century occurs, any outstanding awards that are not continued, assumed or substituted with equivalent awards by the successor entity will be subject to the following rules:
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performance goal based on actual performance achieved through the date of the change in control with the manner of payment to be made in cash or shares as provided in the award agreement within 30 days following the date of the change in control, but if payment is made in shares, the Compensation Committee may in its discretion provide the holder the consideration provided to other similarly situation stockholders in the change in control.
Under Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement, upon a change in control, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, determine whether the restriction period and performance period applicable to some or all outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards shall lapse in full or in part and whether the performance measures applicable to some or all outstanding awards shall be deemed to be satisfied. The Compensation Committee may further require that shares of stock of the corporation resulting from such a change in control, or a parent corporation thereof, be substituted for some or all of our shares of common stock subject to an outstanding award and that any outstanding awards, in whole or in part, be surrendered to us by the holder, to be immediately cancelled by us, in exchange for a cash payment, shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding us or a combination of both cash and such shares of stock.
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers. The table below shows potential payments to our NEOs under existing contracts (including, without limitation, employment agreements and equity award agreements) for various scenarios involving a termination of employment, including prior to or following a change in control, assuming a December 31, 20152017 termination date. David L. Messenger, our Chief Financial Officer, does not have an employment agreement or any other arrangements with the Company under which he is entitled to severance benefits upon termination of his employment. Please see the narrative above and the section above entitled “—Employment Agreements” for further details.
Name | Benefit | Termination without Cause or Good Reason Prior to Change in Control | Termination without Cause or Good Reason within 24 Months Following Change in Control | Voluntary Termination; Death, Disability | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon | Severance Pay | $ | 4,500,000 | $ | 4,500,000 | — | ||||||||
Incentive Pay | $ | 2,250,000 | $ | 3,375,000 | — | |||||||||
Stock Vesting | $ | 3,536,563 | $ | 3,536,563 | — | |||||||||
Other Benefits (1) | $ | 16,986 | $ | 16,986 | $ | 16,986 | ||||||||
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Robert J. Francescon | Severance Pay | $ | 4,500,000 | $ | 4,500,000 | — | ||||||||
Incentive Pay | $ | 2,250,000 | $ | 3,375,000 | — | |||||||||
Stock Vesting | $ | 3,536,563 | $ | 3,536,563 | — | |||||||||
Other Benefits (2) | $ | 23,193 | $ | 23,193 | $ | 23,193 | ||||||||
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David L. Messenger | Severance Pay | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Incentive Pay | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Stock Vesting | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Other Benefits | — | — | — |
Name | Benefit | Termination without Cause or for Good Reason Prior to Change in Control ($) | Termination without Cause or for Good Reason within 24 Months Following Change in Control ($) | Voluntary Termination ($) | Death or Disability ($) | Retirement ($) | ||||||||||
Dale Francescon | Severance Pay(1) | 2,550,000 | 8,747,904 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Incentive Pay(2) | 2,550,000 | — | — | 2,550,000 | 2,550,000 | |||||||||||
Equity Award Vesting(3) | 6,240,153 | 6,240,153 | — | 6,240,153 | 6,240,153 | |||||||||||
LTI Award Vesting(4) | 800,000 | 800,000 | — | 800,000 | 800,000 | |||||||||||
Other Benefits(5) | 47,847 | 47,847 | — | 47,847 | 47,847 | |||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | Severance Pay(1) | 2,550,000 | 8,747,904 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Incentive Pay(2) | 2,550,000 | — | — | 2,550,000 | 2,550,000 | |||||||||||
Equity Award Vesting(3) | 6,240,153 | 6,240,153 | — | 6,240,153 | 6,240,153 | |||||||||||
LTI Award Vesting(4) | 800,000 | 800,000 | — | 800,000 | 800,000 | |||||||||||
Other Benefits(5) | 65,337 | 65,337 | — | 65,337 | 65,337 | |||||||||||
David L. Messenger | Severance Pay(6) | 475,000 | 2,583,334 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Incentive Pay(7) | 950,000 | — | — | 950,000 | — | |||||||||||
Equity Award Vesting(3) | 2,199,859 | 2,199,859 | — | 2,199,859 | — | |||||||||||
LTI Award Vesting(4) | 300,000 | 300,000 | — | 300,000 | — | |||||||||||
Other Benefits(5) | 35,562 | 35,562 | — | 35,562 | — |
Represents: (a) three times the |
(2) | Represents: (a) maximum annual bonus for 2017 in the event of a termination without cause or for good reason prior to a change in control; and (b) actual earned bonus for 2017 in the event of a termination due to death, disability or retirement. |
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(3) | Based on: (a) the number of shares underlying unvested RSU awards and restricted stock awards held by such executive as of December 31, 2017, multiplied by (b) the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 2017 ($31.10), as reported by the NYSE. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a retirement of either Dale Francescon or Robert J. Francescon, restricted stock awards are not included and would reduce the equity award vesting payment to $4,872,126. |
(4) | Represents grant date fair value of target LTI award for 2017 performance. |
(5) | Represents our portion of the applicable COBRA premium for continued coverage under |
Tax Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits the amount of compensation in excess of $1,000,000 that the Company may deduct in any one year with respect to its chief executive officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers (excluding the chief financial officer). There are exceptions to the $1,000,000 limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements. The Company believes that it has satisfied all of the requirements for the STI and LTI awards granted under our First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan to qualify as “performance-based” within the meaning of Section 162(m), so that it is fully deductible by the Company without regard to the $1,000,000 limit.
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For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the following table summarized the compensation of all of the Company’s NEOs.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($)(1) | Bonus ($)(2) | Stock Awards ($)(3) | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) | All Other Compensation ($)(5) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dale Francescon, | 2015 | 750,000 | — | 2,249,986 | 1,500,000 | 65,609 | 4,565,595 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Co-Chief Executive Officer | 2014 | 681,891 | 250,000 | 1,499,990 | 1,687,500 | 66,842 | 4,186,223 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 466,666 | — | 1,260,000 | 1,500,000 | 55,400 | 3,282,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Robert J. Francescon, | 2015 | 750,000 | — | 2,249,986 | 1,500,000 | 65,609 | 4,565,595 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President | 2014 | 681,891 | 250,000 | 1,499,990 | 1,687,500 | 66,842 | 4,186,223 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 466,666 | — | 1,260,000 | 1,500,000 | 55,400 | 3,282,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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David L. Messenger, | 2015 | 415,909 | — | 599,990 | 600,000 | 6,000 | 1,621,899 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | 2014 | 355,320 | 125,000 | 1,000,000 | 600,000 | 6,000 | 2,086,320 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 135,417 | 250,000 | 242,500 | — | 3,500 | 631,417 |
(6) | Represents: (a) the executive’s current base salary in |
(7) | Represents actual earned bonus for 2017. |
For 2014, eachCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During their service on the Compensation Committee, none of Dale Francescon, Robert J. Francesconthe members had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K, and David L. Messenger earnednone of the maximum award under our 2014 STI program, based uponmembers of the satisfactionCompensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of Company and individual performance goals. The maximum award amounts were $2,250,000 for eachCentury or any of our Co-CEOs and $800,000 for our CFO. Althoughsubsidiaries. None of our executive officers earnedserves, or in the maximum award,past has served, as a member of the Compensation Committee, exercised negative discretionor other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of the Board or the Compensation Committee.
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Our non-employee director compensation program generally is designed to reduceattract and retain experienced and knowledgeable directors and to provide equity-based compensation to align the award paid to eachinterests of our Co-CEOs to 75% of the maximum award, and our Co-CEOs exercised negative discretion to reduce the award paid to our CFO to 75% of the maximum award. This resulted in actual awards paid in 2014 of $1,687,500 to eachdirectors with those of our Co-CEOs and $600,000 tostockholders. In 2017, our CFO, which amounts are reflectednon-employee director compensation was comprised of equity compensation, in the table.
form of annual RSU awards, and cash compensation, in the form of annual retainers. Each of these components is described in more detail below. Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon, receivedas employee directors, do not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors.
Process for Consideration and Determination of Director Compensation
The Board of Directors has delegated to the Compensation Committee the responsibility, among other things, to review and recommend to the Board any proposed changes in non-employee director compensation. In connection with such review, the Compensation Committee is assisted in performing its duties by our Human Resources Department and also engages an independent external compensation consultant to provide analysis regarding non-employee director compensation.
During 2017, the Compensation Committee engaged CBS to review our non-employee director compensation. CBS’s review consisted of, $66,842among other things, analysis of board compensation trends and a competitive assessment based on a selected group of companies operating in 2014, comprised of $6,842 in Company contributionsthe United States that are similarly situated to defined contribution plans, a $30,000 automobile and cellular telephone allowance and $30,000 in reimbursements for term life insurance. David L. Messenger received other compensation of $6,000 in 2014, comprised of an automobile and cellular telephone allowance.
Each of Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon received other compensation of $55,400 for fiscal year 2013, comprised of $9,400 in Company contributions to defined contribution plans, a $30,000 automobile and cellular telephone allowance and $30,000 in reimbursements for term life insurance. David L. Messenger received a $3,500 automobile and cellular telephone allowance for fiscal year 2013, which is the pro-rated amountus from a $6,000 annual allowance based on his actual period of service beginning on June 3, 2013.revenue and market capitalization perspective. The peer group used for this analysis was the same peer group used for the executive compensation analysis. The Compensation Committee considered this data in determining whether to recommend any changes to our non-employee director compensation program. Overall, the review by CBS showed that our non-employee director compensation program was aligned with market trends from a design perspective and aligned with our target positioning from a compensation level standpoint. No changes were made to our non-employee director compensation program during 2017.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2015Director Compensation Program
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to awards granted during 2015 to our NEOs.
Name | Grant Date | Shares of Restricted Stock (#) | Fair Value on Grant Date ($/share) | Grant Date Fair Value of Restricted Stock Awards | ||||||||||||
Dale Francescon | 2/18/2015 | 131,964 | $ | 17.05 | $ | 2,249,986 | ||||||||||
Robert J. Francescon | 2/18/2015 | 131,964 | $ | 17.05 | $ | 2,249,986 | ||||||||||
David L. Messenger | 2/18/2015 | 35,190 | $ | 17.05 | $ | 599,990 |
All equity awards were made under the Plan and will vest with respect to 1/3 of the shares on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2015
The following table sets forth information with respect to all unvested restricted stock awards to our NEOs that were outstanding as of December 31, 2015. Restricted stock will vest (restrictions will lapse) if the NEO remains employed on the vesting date.
Stock Awards as of December 31, 2015 | ||||||||
Name | Number of shares of stock that have not vested (#) | Market Value of shares of stock that have not vested(3) | ||||||
Dale Francescon | 199,693 | (1) | $ | 3,536,563 | ||||
Robert J. Francescon | 199,693 | (1) | $ | 3,536,563 | ||||
David L. Messenger | 70,510 | (2) | $ | 1,248,732 |
Following a market review of non-employee director compensation among the peer group companies by CBS, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, modifications to the existing compensation program for our non-employee directors. Pursuant to this compensation program, we paid2017.
2017 ($) | |||
Board Member Retainer | 75,000 | ||
Audit Committee Chair Retainer | 25,000 | ||
Audit Committee Member Retainer | 11,000 | ||
Compensation Committee Chair Retainer | 20,000 | ||
Compensation Committee Member Retainer | 10,000 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair Retainer | 20,000 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member Retainer | 10,000 | ||
Annual RSU Award | 100,000 |
The annual RSU award for 2017 was granted under the following fees to each of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
As part of the changes to the non-employee director compensation program, the Board eliminated all payments for attendance at meetings, either in person or telephonically. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as directors, including, without limitation, travel expenses in connection with their attendance in-person at Board and Board committee meetings. Directors who are employees do not and will not receive any compensation
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Summary Director Compensation Table for their services as directors.2017
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2017. Each of Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon is not compensated separately for his service as a director and his compensation is discussed under “Executive Compensation.”
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards (1) | Total | |||||||||
Keith R. Guericke | $ | 120,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 220,000 | ||||||
James M. Lippman | $ | 116,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 216,000 | ||||||
John P. Box | $ | 116,000 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 216,000 |
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards(1)(2) ($) | All Other Compensation(3) ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
John P. Box | 116,000 | 99,985 | — | 215,985 | ||||||||
Keith R. Guericke | 120,000 | 99,985 | — | 219,985 | ||||||||
James M. Lippman | 116,000 | 99,985 | — | 215,985 |
(1) | The |
(2) | As of December 31, 2017, each director held unvested restricted stock awards for 1,717 shares and unvested RSU awards for 7,662 shares. |
(3) | We do not provide perquisite and other personal benefits to our non-employee directors. |
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The table below provides information about our common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017.
Plan Category | Number of Securities to Be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) | Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) | ||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 695,746 | (1) | $ | 0.00 | (2) | 1,221,890 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||
Total | 695,746 | (1) | $ | 0.00 | (2) | 1,221,890 |
(1) | Amount includes 180,075 shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSU awards granted under the Century Communities, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 515,671 shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSU awards granted under the Century Communities, Inc. First Amended & Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
(2) | Not included in the weighted-average exercise price calculation are 695,746 RSUs. |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Policies and Procedures for Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to our officers, directors and any employees, and outlines the principles, policies and values that govern the activities of the Company,Century, including with respect to conflicts of interest.
A conflict of interest is defined as any situation in which a director, officer or employee has inconsistent, or seemingly inconsistent, interests with those of the CompanyCentury as a whole, which could, if not properly addressed, cause serious harm to the Company.Century. A conflict situation could arise when the individual takes actions or has interests that make it difficult for the individual to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. It is specifically required by our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that any transaction involving a conflict of interest be approved by a vote of a majority of the Company’sCentury’s disinterested and independent directors. Our Chief Financial Officer is generally responsible for overseeing and monitoring compliance with respect to transactions involving conflicts of interest. All reported violations will be promptly investigated and treated confidentially to the greatest extent possible.
On any new related party transactions, if the party involved in the transaction is a member of ourthe Board of Directors, such member of ourthe Board is required to recuse or abstain from involvement in the decision. If the remaining Board members ratify the transaction, ourthe Board will grant a waiver to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. In the event that such a waiver is granted to any of our officers or directors, we would announce the waiver within four (4) business days on a Current Report on Form 8-K and in the “Corporate Governance”“Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” section of our website.website at www.centurycommunities.com.
In addition, on a quarterly basis, ourthe Board reviews all existing related party transactions and any new transactions that are brought to the attention of either management or ourthe Board.
Transactions with Related Persons
For the period beginning on January 1, 20152017 to the date of this Proxy Statement, the following are our current arrangements with a related party:
Employment and Other Agreements with Named Executive Officers. We have entered into an employment agreement with each of our Co-Chief Executive Officers, Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon,
Dale Francescon and Robert J. Francescon serve as our Co-Chief Executive Officers. We haveChief Financial Officer, David L. Messenger. These agreements were entered into employment agreements with each of these officers,individuals in connection with their capacities as officers, which employment agreementsand provide for salary, bonus and other benefits, including the grant of restricted stock and options to purchase shares of our common stock,equity awards, and severance upon a termination of employment under certain circumstances. We may enter into similar employment arrangements with certain executive officers that we hire in the future. Please see the sections above entitled “Executive Officers“Executive Compensation—Employment and Compensation—Employment Agreements” and “Executive Other Agreements with Named Executive Officers and Compensation—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control”” for a description of these employment agreements.
Indemnification Agreements
. We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors, Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer. These agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We believe that the limitation of liability provision in our charter and the indemnification agreements will facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based on the information furnished by the reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors, and greater than ten percent stockholders were complied with on a timely basis during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, except for one delinquent filing by Mr. Keith R. Guericke in connection with the Company’s grant to him of shares of restricted stock pursuant to the Plan on May 13, 2015, which he reported on a Form 4 filed with the SEC on May 18, 2015.
Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 20172019 Annual Meeting
Proposals Pursuant to Rule 14a-8. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, our stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and for consideration at our next annual meeting of stockholders. To be eligible for inclusion in the 20172019 proxy statement, youra proposal must be received by us no later than December 2, 2016,November 27, 2018, and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8. While ourthe Board will consider stockholder proposals, we reserve the right to omit from the Proxy Statement stockholder proposals that we are not required to include under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8.
Nominations and Proposals Pursuant to Our Bylaws. Under our Bylaws, a stockholder wishing to nominate a candidate for election to ourthe Board, or propose other business for consideration, at the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is required to give written notice of such stockholder’s intention to make such a nomination or proposal to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Corporate Secretary. In order for a stockholder proposal for director nominations or other business, outside of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, to come before the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such notice of nomination or proposal must be made in accordance with our Bylaws, which require appropriate notice to us of the nomination or proposal not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A notice of nomination or proposal is also required to contain specific information as required by our Bylaws. A nomination which does not comply with the requirements of our Bylaws may not be considered. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider validly nominated director candidates and will provide its recommendations to ourthe Board. In general, to be timely, we must receive the notice of nomination or proposal not later than the 90th90th day nor earlier than the 120th120th day prior to the date of the first anniversary of the 20162018 Annual Meeting. In this regard, we must receive the notice of nomination or proposal no earlier than January 11, 20179, 2019 and no later than February 10, 2017.8, 2019.
Cost of Solicitation of Proxies
The Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting from our stockholders. We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies from our stockholders. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by delivery of the Internet Notice or this Proxy Statement by mail, we will request that brokers, banks and other nominees that hold shares of our common stock, which are beneficially owned by our stockholders, send Internet Notices, proxies and proxy materials to those beneficial owners and secure those beneficial owners’ voting instructions. We will reimburse those record holders for their reasonable expenses. Although we currently do not intend to hire a proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies, we reserve the right to do so if we believe it would be in the best interests of Century and our stockholders. If we engage a proxy solicitor, we expect the fees to be approximately $5,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. We may use several of our regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from our stockholders, either personally or by Internet, telephone, facsimile or special delivery letter.
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as banks and brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of banks and brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be householding our proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received
notice from your bank or broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your bank or broker, direct your written request to Century Communities, Inc., 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Investor Relations, or contact Investor
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Relations by telephone at (303) 268-8398. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their bank or broker.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which might incorporate future filings made by us under those statutes, the preceding Audit Committee Report under “Proposal No. 2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” will not be incorporated by reference into any of those prior filings, nor will any such report be incorporated by reference into any future filings made by us under those statutes. In addition, information on our website, other than our proxy statement,this Proxy Statement, notice and form of proxy, is not part of the proxy soliciting materials and is not incorporated herein by reference.
By OrderCopies of the Board of Directors
David L. Messenger
Chief Financial Officer
Greenwood Village, Colorado
April 1, 2016
0
CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
Proxy for2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. local time
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Dale Francescon and David L. Messenger, and each of them, with full power of substitution and power to act alone, as proxies to vote all the shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present and acting at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Century Communities, Inc., to be held on May 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. local time at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, as follows:
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
CENTURY COMMUNITIES, INC.
May 11, 2016
GO GREEN
e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy materials, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.amstock.com to enjoy online access.Report
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS:
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement, proxy card, andOur 2017 Annual Report, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K,
including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules thereto, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017 are available without charge upon written request to: Century Communities, Inc., 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 650, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Attention: Investor Relations. Our 2017 Annual Report is also available on our website at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/19474/www.centurycommunities.com.
Your vote is important.Please sign, datepromptly vote your shares of Century common stock by following the instructions for voting on the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or, if you received a paper or electronic copy of our proxy materials, by completing, signing, dating and mail
returning your proxy card in the
envelope providedor by Internet or telephone voting as soon
as possible.
Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.
described on your proxy card.
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