SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to§240.14a-12

PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC.

 

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LOGO

701 Western Avenue

Glendale, California 91201-2349

March 23, 201822, 2019

Dear PS Business Parks, Inc. Shareholder:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of PS Business Parks, Inc., I am pleased to invite you to our 20182019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, April 24, 2018,23, 2019, at 10:459:00 a.m., PacificEastern Daylight Time, at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale, 100 West Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, California 91202.The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134.

We have includedThis letter includes the official notice of meeting, proxy statement, and form of proxy with this letter.proxy. The proxy statement describes in detail the matters listed in the notice of meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote your shares over the Internet, by telephone, or, if you elect to receive printed proxy materials, by mail by following the instructions on the proxy card or the voting instruction card. Of course, even if you vote your shares ahead of time, you may still attend the meeting.

Thank you for your continued support of PS Business Parks.Parks, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at our 20182019 Annual Meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Maria R. Hawthorne

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Notice ofNOTICE OF THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

March 22, 2019

To our shareholders:

We invite you to attend the 20182019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

      Date:

  Date

 Tuesday, April 24, 201823, 2019
      Time:

  Time

 10:459:00 a.m., PacificEastern Daylight Time
      Place:  Place Hilton Los Angeles North/GlendaleThe Biltmore Hotel
 100 West Glenoaks Boulevard
Glendale, California 91202
1200 Anastasia Avenue

 Matters to

      be Voted On:

 

 ●Coral Gables, Florida 33134

  Matters to be

  voted on

 

•

•

•

Election of Directors

●

Advisory vote to approve executive compensation

 

●

Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 20182019

 

• ●

Any other matters that may properly be brought before the meeting

      By order of the Board of Directors,  Record Date

 

      LOGO

Close of business on March 1, 2019

      Maria R. Hawthorne

      President and Chief Executive Officer  Proxy Materials

 

 March 23, 2018The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report on Form10-K are available free of charge at the Investor Relations section ofpsbusinessparks.com

Please vote promptly.

If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. See “How proxies will be voted” on page 5962 of this proxy statement.Proxy Statement.

We sent a Proxy Statement to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2018,2019, together with an accompanying form of proxy card and Annual Report, on or about March 23, 2018.

The shareholders of record of PS Business Parks, Inc. common stock at the close of business on March 1, 2018 will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any postponement or adjournments thereof.

22, 2019. Whether or not you expect to attend, we urge you to sign, date, and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope or vote via telephone or the Internet in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. If you attend the meeting, you may vote your shares in person, which will revoke any prior vote.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Jeffrey D. Hedges

Executive Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the 20182019 Annual Meeting: This proxy statementProxy Statement and our 20172018 Annual Report are available at the Investor Relations section of our website,psbusinessparks.com. psbusinessparks.com.

Table of Contents

 

 

2018 Proxy Summary2019 PROXY SUMMARY

  13

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

  

Election of Directors

13		 9

Executive Summary

  1014

About the Director Nominees

  1014

Nominees’Nominees Qualifications

  1115

Corporate Governance and Board Matters

  1720

Corporate Governance Framework

  1720

Commitment to Diversity

  1720

Board Leadership

  1720

Presiding Independent Presiding Director

  1721

Board Responsibilities and Oversight of Risk Management

  1821

Board Orientation and Education

  1822

Board Retirement Policy

  1822

Director Independence

  1922

Committees of the Board of Directors

  1922

Communications with the Board of Directors

  2226

Board and Committee Meetings and Attendance

  2226

Compensation of Directors

  2327

Proposal 2:

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

  2629

Advisory Vote

  2730

Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A)

  2831

Executive Summary

  2831

Our Executive Officers

  2932

Compensation Philosophy, Objectives and Process

  2933

Our Key Governance Practices

  3435

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

  35

2017 Executive Compensation

38		 35

2018 Executive Compensation

38

2019 Compensation Outlook

  4244

Compensation Committee Report

  4345

Executive Compensation Tables

  4446

I. Summary Compensation Table

  4446

II. Grants of Plan-Based Awards

  4547

III. Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 20172018

  4648

IV. Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End

  4749

V. Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

  48

i

50

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 20172018

   5052 

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   5153 

Security Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Management

54

i

Table of Contents

Additional Information about our Directors and Executive Officers; Certain Relationships

   5355 

Proposal 3:

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   5557 

Executive Summary

   5658 

Audit andNon-Audit Fees

   5658 

Auditor Independence

   5658 

Policy to Approve Ernst & Young LLP Services

   5658 

Audit Committee Report

   5759 

General Information About the Meeting

   5961 

Purpose of the Proxy Solicitation

59

Date, Time and Place of the Annual Meeting

59

Who Can Vote

59

Quorum for the Annual Meeting

59

How Votes are Counted

59

How Proxies will be Voted

60

How to Cast a Vote

60

How to Vote as a Participant in the 401(k) Plan

60

Changing Your Voteproxy solicitation

   61 

CostDate, time and place of this Proxy Solicitationthe annual meeting

   61 

Contacting Our Transfer AgentWho can vote

   61 

Consideration of CandidatesQuorum for Directorthe annual meeting

   61 

Deadlines for Receipt of Shareholder ProposalsHow votes are counted

   61 

Annual Report on Form10-KHow proxies will be voted

   62 

Other MattersHow to cast a vote

   62

How to vote as a participant in the 401(k) Plan

62

Changing your vote

63

Cost of this proxy solicitation

63

Contacting our transfer agent

63

Consideration of candidates for director

63

Deadlines for receipt of shareholder proposals

63

Annual report on Form 10-K

64

Other matters

64 

Appendices

   6365 

Appendix A:Reconciliation ofNon-GAAP Measures to GAAP and Other Information

   6365 

Appendix BB:: CalculationCEO realized compensation and calculation of 2016 CEO Compensation for Purposes of Year-Over-Year Comparisons and Analyses

   6567 

 

ii

20182019 Proxy Summary

 

 

2018 Proxy Summary2019 PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and does not contain all the information you should consider. You should carefully read the entire proxy statement before voting.

 

 

Proxy statementPROXY STATEMENT

Your vote is very important. The Board of Directors (the Board) of PS Business Parks, Inc. (the Company, PS Business Parks, or PSB) is requestingrequests that you allow the proxies named on the proxy card to represent your PS Business Parks shares of Common Stock (the Common(Common Stock) to be represented at.

At the annual meeting by the proxies named on the proxy card.

ThisBoard’s direction, our management has prepared this proxy statement, which is being sent or made available to you in connection with this request and has been prepared for the Board by our management.request. This proxy statement is being sent and made available to our shareholders on or about March 23, 2018.22, 2019.

 

 

Annual meeting overviewANNUAL MEETING OVERVIEW

Voting Matters to be voted on:

 

1.    Election of directors  9 
2. Advisory vote to approve executive compensation  26 
3. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018  55 
5. Any other matters that may properly be brought before the meeting   
Proposal

Board

Recommendation

Vote
Required

Page

Election of Directors (Proposal 1)

FOR

each nominee

Majority of votes cast*13

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Proposal 2)

FORNon-binding vote29

Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3)

FORMajority of votes cast57

*

Directors not receiving a majority of votes are required to submit their resignation to be considered by the Board.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 3    

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board recommends you vote:has nominated the eight incumbent directors listed on page 15 forre-election. Five are independent. Ifre-elected by shareholders at our annual meeting, they have agreed to serve until next year’s annual meeting.

FOR each director nominee (Proposal 1),Snapshot of Board Composition

FOR advisory approval of executive compensation (Proposal 2), and

FOR ratificationBelow is a snapshot of the independent accounting firm appointedexpected composition of our Board if the eight incumbent nominee directors named in the proxy statement are elected.

LOGOLOGO
LOGO

LOGO

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 4

2019 Proxy Summary

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

PS Business Parks strives to create diversity of background, experience, and influence in its workplaces and at our governance level. Our people are our core strength, and we are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion. By hiring employees and nominating Board members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we fuel insight and shareholder value. Below are highlights of this commitment.

Gender and Race

Diversity

●   Our workforce is 41% diverse based on ethnicity, and 27% of our diverse work pool is in a supervisory role.

●   Women make up 52% of our workforce, and 37% of that pool work in a supervisory role.

●   We are a U.S. Affirmative Action Plan Employer.

●   Our President and CEO is a woman and diverse.

Generational

Diversity

●   Our workforce has diversity of generational perspective.

●   We are:

✓  51% Millennials (employees aged24-42)

✓  29% Generation X (employees aged43-54)

✓  20% Baby Boomers (employees aged55-73)

Governance

Diversity

●   Our Board members have diverse experiences that collectively lend broad governing perspectives. Their fields of specialty include finance, real estate, executive recruitment, banking, talent management, and governance.

✓  25% of our directors are women.

✓  38% of our directors are under the age of 60.

✓  63% of our directors are independent.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 5    

OUR COMMITMENT TOENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY,SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND GOODGOVERANCE PRACTICES

PS Business Parks believes that a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance practices is good for our business and benefits our shareholders, employees, partners, and other stakeholders. Below are highlights of our primary areas of focus and initiatives.

Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

We are committed to growing our business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

Reducing the use of single-purpose plastic at our facilities

●

We purchased reusable water bottles for each of our employees, eliminating consumption of over 25,000 plastic water bottles at our properties annually.

Reducing energy consumption through the use of efficient lighting technologies

●

We employ “on demand” controls, including occupancy sensors, photo cell sensors, dimmers, and timers to maximize energy efficiency.

●

When we renovate space, we upgrade inefficient lighting and ballasts toT-5,T-8, or LED fixtures.

●

We use real-time energy management programs to collect energy consumption data, identify energy reduction opportunities, and incorporate “quick solutions” to inefficiently programmed systems.

●

Three of our properties hold a LEED or Energy Star designation.

●

In new offices we install18-inch sidelights that promote natural light and reduce lighting needs.

●

We use Energy Management Systems in the majority of our office buildings to maximize lighting efficiencies.

Partnering with our civil engineers, vendors, and construction contractors to maximize recycling efforts and green building policies

●

We use trash compactors to reduce recycling pickups and train staff on facility protocols that simplify and maximize waste segregation and safe disposal, including the safe disposal of electronics.

●

During construction, we reuse existing material when possible and useultra-low or no VOC paint.

●

We use carpet and flooring glues that are water (not solvent) based.

●

For new parking lots or parking lot replacements, when possible, we use synthetic material instead of less environmentally friendly, traditional tar.

●

We reduce water consumption with efficient low flow and motion sensor plumbing devices, efficient irrigation systems, and the conversion of retention ponds to ecofriendly environments and systems.

●

We minimize energy wasted by leaks in “building envelopes” by using environmentally safe sealant, tinting windows to maximum efficiency, and replacing the large majority of roofs with reflective “cool roofs” that have the potential to reduce building energy consumption by up to 20%. Since 2010, we invested almost $11.1 million to replace 59 roofs.

        PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 6

2019 Proxy Summary

Reducing heating andair-conditioning expenses by tightly controlling temperatures and by replacing older equipment with energy efficient systems

●

For new and replacement HVAC installations we purchase equipment with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings and economizers.

●

Since 2010, we invested almost $8.1 million to replace over 260 major HVAC components, such as chillers, air handler units, cooling towers, and compressors with high efficiency equipment.

●

Since 2010, we invested almost $12 million to replace approximately 1,100 HVAC Roof Top Units (RTUs), wall units or heat pumps.

●

We employ Optimum Start/Stop programs to achieve temperature setbacks and increases during the night, weekends, and holidays.

Since 2010, we have spent more than $31.2 million on energy efficient capital replacements

LOGO

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 7    

Social Responsibility

We are committed to investing in our employees and building customer, investor, and community relationships, as highlighted below.

● We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer

● Robust Talent Recruitment and Employee Development Program

● Highly Competitive Compensation Packages for Employees, with over 45% of Our Employees Having Received Stock Grants

● Regular Engagement With and Outreach to Customers, Investors, and our Communities

● Comprehensive and Competitive Health Benefits for All Full-Time Employees and Dependents

● Employee Wellness Initiatives

● Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Executives

● Employee Volunteers in our Communities

● Code of Conduct for Employees and Directors

● Gender and Racial Diversity at All Employee Levels

● Comprehensive Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program

● Regular Employee Outreach and Engagement

        PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 8

2019 Proxy Summary

Governance Highlights

The Company follows the corporate governance best practices highlighted below. For a detailed discussion of our corporate governance, please see page 20.

● Substantial Majority of Independent Directors

● Presiding Independent Director

● Annual Election of Directors/No Classified Board

● Robust Stock Ownership Requirements

● Executive Sessions ofNon-Management Directors

● Annual Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

● Oversight of Risk by the Full Board

● No poison pill

● Shareholder Right to Amend Bylaws

● Anti-Short-Sale and Anti-Hedging Policies

● Executive Compensation is Tied to Performance

● No Employment Agreements with Officers

● All Audit Committee Members are Independent and Financial Experts

● All Directors Meet Stock Ownership Guidelines

● Shareholder Proxy Access

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 9    

PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

PS Business Parks continued its strong performance in 2018 under the leadership of Maria R. Hawthorne and the Company’s senior management, supported by the oversight of our Audit Committee (Proposal 3).Board. Below are highlights relating to the Company’s performance and compensation program.

  Strong 2018   performance continues   to support sustained   shareholder value

●   We delivered 7.9% in total shareholder return (TSR) in 2018. Since 2003, our TSR has averaged 11.4% per year vs. 7.8% for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 index.

●   We increased our annual dividends to $3.80 per share, up from $3.40 in 2017 and $3.00 in 2016.

●   Total rental income grew by $11.3 million, or 2.8%.

●   Same park adjusted rental income1 grew by 2.0%.

●   Core Funds From Operations (FFO)2 per share grew by 5.5%.

  We maintain a   conservative balance   sheet with a focus on   low leverage and cash   flow

●   We continued to maintain a conservative balance sheet that is structured with minimal debt and the use of permanent preferred equity.

●   Even when considering preferred equity as a debt-like instrument, we maintain one of the lowest leverage levels among all real estate investment trusts (REITs).

●   By virtue of our low leverage, a consistently conservative financial posture, and robust earnings capability, we are one of very few REITs that maintain an S&P corporate credit rating of“A-”, which significantly enhances our liquidity.

  Our compensation   program is rigorous and  long-term focused

●   Our compensation program reflects the Board’s philosophy of paying for performance and incentivizing our executive officers to create long-term shareholder value.

●   A significant portion of the regular annual compensation for our named executive officers (NEOs) is tied to the achievement of performance goals that are key drivers to the success of our business.

●   Equity award grants to NEOs vest in equal installments over four or five years.

●   We have robust stock ownership guidelines for NEOs and directors.

  CEO pay directly tied to   performance

●   Our CEO and the other NEOs delivered strong results for the Company as a whole and across all of our business segments.

1

Same park adjusted rental income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to page 23 our Form 10-K filed February 26, 2019, for information on this non-GAAP measure.

2

Core FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to pages 35-36 of our Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2019, for information regarding Core FFO.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 10

2019 Proxy Summary

As the following charts illustrate, the increase in our total CEO compensation over the last five years has been supported by growth in our Core FFO per share and dividends per share, an important component of shareholder return. Over the last five years:

●

Core FFO per share increased each year and in the aggregate by 36.8%; and

●

Since 2014, regular dividends per share increased each year and increased by an aggregate of $1.80.

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*Refer to pages(For more35-36 of our Form10-K filed on February 26, 2019, for information see pages referenced above.)regarding Core FFO. Refer to Appendix B to this proxy statement for a calculation of CEO realized compensation, including 2016 CEO realized compensation for purposes of year-over-year comparisons and analyses.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 111    

2018 Proxy Summary

As the following charts further illustrate, the increase in our CEO compensation over the last five years has also been supported by growth over the same period by our internal calculations of:

●

Return on assets,* which increased by 9.8% during the period;

●

EBITDA,* which increased by 17.8% during the period; and

●

Rental income, which increased by 10.1% during the period.

These metrics are consistent with those used by a leading proxy advisory firm to standardize comparisons of public company CEO pay and financial performance:

LOGO

LOGO

*Refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement for reconciliations and other information regarding return on assets and EBITDA. EBITDA is anon-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Appendix B to this proxy statement for a calculation of CEO realized compensation, including 2016 CEO compensation for purposes of year-over-year comparisons and analyses.

 

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 12

Proposal 1:

Election of Directors

The Board has nominated the nine incumbent directors listed on page 11 forre-election. Six are independent. Ifre-elected by shareholders at our annual meeting, they have agreed to serve until next year’s annual meeting.

Governance Highlights

The Company follows the corporate governance best practices highlighted below.

For a detailed discussion of our corporate governance, please see page 17.

✓Majority voting for Directors✓Active shareholder engagement
✓Substantial majority of independent Directors✓Diverse Board and senior management
✓No classified board✓Independent Presiding Director
✓Executive sessions ofnon-management Directors✓Robust stock ownership guidelines
✓Clawback provision in our equity plan✓

Annual Board and Committee

self-evaluations

✓Oversight of risk by the full Board✓No poison pill

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 2

2018 Proxy Summary

Performance and Compensation Highlights

PS Business Parks continued its strong performance in 2017 under the leadership of Maria R. Hawthorne and the Company’s senior management, supported by the oversight of our Board. Below are highlights relating to the Company’s performance and compensation program.

Strong 2017 performance continues to support sustained shareholder value●We delivered 10.3% in total shareholder return (TSR) in 2017. Since 2002, our TSR has averaged 13.0% per year vs. 9.9% for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 index.
●We increased our annual dividends to $3.40 per share, up from $3.00 in 2016 and $2.20 in 2015.
●

Total rental income grew by $15.3 million, or 4.0%.

●Same park adjusted rental income1 grew by 4.6%.
●FAD2 per share grew by 2.2%.
We maintain a conservative balance sheet with a focus on low leverage and cash flow●We continued to maintain a conservative balance sheet, which is structured with minimal traditional bank debt and the use of permanent preferred equity.
●We have one of the lowest leverage levels in the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry.
●By virtue of historically low leverage, a consistently conservative financial posture and robust earnings capability, we maintained our S&P corporate credit rating of“A-.”
●We continue to be one of only a handful of REITs to earn this excellent credit rating.

Our compensation program

is rigorous and

long-term focused

●Our compensation program reflects the Board’s philosophy of paying for performance and incentivizing our executive officers to create long-term shareholder value.
●Over 70% of the realized compensation for our named executive officers (named executive officers or NEOs) is “at risk” and tied to the achievement of performance goals that are key drivers to the success of our business.
●Equity award grants to NEOs vest in equal installments over four years.
●We have robust stock ownership guidelines for NEOs and directors.
CEO pay directly tied to performance●Our CEO and the other NEOs delivered strong results for the Company as a whole and across all of our business segments.
●A significant portion (87%) of total CEO realized compensation in 2017 was performance-based.
●Our CEO’s compensation package has generally remained unchanged from 2013 through 2017, except to reflect the transition from Joseph D. Russell, Jr. to Maria Hawthorne inmid-2016.
We have a strong governance structure●Our Independent Presiding Director provides many of the governance checks and balances that would be performed by an independent Chairman of the Board.
●Our Board and its committees maintained strong oversight over our management and business in holding a total of 18 meetings and calls on financial and operational results, governance, compensation and other topics.

1Same Park rental income is anon-GAAP financial measure. Refer to our 2017 Annual Report on Form10-K for reconciliation and other information on thisnon-GAAP measure.
2FAD is anon-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Appendix A to this Proxy Statement for reconciliation and other information on thisnon-GAAP measure.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 3

2018 Proxy Summary

As illustrated in the following charts, the increase in our total CEO compensation over the last five years is supported by growth in our funds available for distribution (FAD) per share, which we consider to be the key driver of our business, and dividends per share, an important component of shareholder return. Over the last five years:

●FAD per share increased by 36.9%;
●Regular dividends per share increased each year since 2013, and since 2013 increased by an aggregate of $1.64;
●Except for a decrease from 2013 to 2014 resulting from the sale of 1.9 million square feet ofnon-strategic assets and a common stock issuance in late 2013, FAD per share increased each year; and
●No long-term incentive compensation was paid to our CEO in 2013, as annual targeted returns under the Company’s predecessor compensation plan were not achieved. The Company’s 2014-2017 long-term equity incentive program (the LTEIP) was adopted in March 2014.

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*See the Realized Compensation Table in footnote 7 of the Summary Compensation Table section of this proxy statement.Refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement for reconciliations and other information regarding FAD. Refer to Appendix B to this proxy statement for a calculation of 2016 CEO realized compensation for purposes of year-over-year comparisons and analyses.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 4

2018 Proxy Summary

As further illustrated in the following charts, the increase in our CEO compensation over the last five years is also supported by growth over the same period in our internal calculations of:

●Return on assets*, which increased by 4.6% during the period;
●Rental income, which increased by 4.0% during the period; and
●EBITDA*, which increased by 7.4%during the period.

These are consistent with metrics a leading proxy advisory firm uses to standardize comparisons of public company CEO pay and financial performance:

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LOGO

*Refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement for reconciliations and other information regarding return on assets and EBITDA. Net operating income (rental income less cost of operations, which excludes depreciation) divided bypre-depreciation cost of real estate facilities.EBITDA is anon-GAAP financial measure.See the Realized Compensation Table in footnote 7 of the Summary Compensation Table section of this proxy statement.Refer to Appendix B to this proxy statement for a calculation of 2016 CEO compensation for purposes of year-over-year comparisons and analyses.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 5

2018 Proxy Summary

Our Commitment to Diversity

PS Business Parks strives to create diversity of background, experience and influence in its workplaces and at our governance level. Our people are our core strength and we are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion. By hiring employees and nominating Board directors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we fuel insight, success and shareholder value.

Below are highlights of this commitment.

Gender and Race Diversity●

Our workforce is 38% diverse based on ethnicity and 28% of our diverse work pool is in a supervisory role.

●

Women make up 56% of our workforce and 38% of that pool work in a supervisory role.

●

We are a U.S. Affirmative Action Plan Employer.

●Our President and CEO is a woman and diverse.
Generational Diversity●

Our workforce has diversity of generational perspective.

●

We are:

✓  34% Millennials (employees aged18-34)

✓  41% Generation X (employees aged35-50)

✓  25% Baby Boomers (employees aged51-69)

Governance Diversity●

Our Board members have diverse experiences that collectively lend broad governing perspectives. Their fields of specialty include finance, real estate, executive recruitment, banking, talent management and governance.

✓  33% of our directors are women

✓  44% of our directors are under the age of 60

✓  67% of our directors are independent

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    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 6

2018 Proxy Summary

Our Commitment to Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

PS Business Parks has a number of energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. Below are highlights of our primary areas of focus.

Reducing energy consumption through the use of efficient lighting technologies●We employ “on demand” controls, including occupancy sensors, photo cell sensors, dimmers, and timers to maximize energy efficiency.
●When we renovate space (Office, Flex or Industrial), we upgrade inefficient lighting and ballasts toT-5,T-8, or LED fixtures.
●We use real-time energy management programs to collect energy consumption data, identify energy reduction opportunities, and incorporate “quick solutions” to inefficiently programmed systems.
●Three of our properties hold a LEED or Energy Star designation.
●In new offices we install 18 inch sidelights that promote natural light and reduce lighting needs.
●We use Energy Management Systems in the majority of our office buildings to maximize lighting efficiencies.
Partnering with our civil engineers, vendors, and construction contractors to maximize recycling efforts and green building policies●We use trash compactors to reduce recycling pickups and train staff on facility protocols that simplify and maximize waste segregation and safe disposal, including the safe disposal of electronics.
●During construction, we reuse existing material when possible and useultra-low or no VOC paint.
●We use carpet and flooring glues that are water (not solvent) based.
●For new parking lots or parking lot replacements, when possible, we use synthetic material instead of less environmentally friendly, traditional tar.
●We reduce water consumption with efficient low flow and motion sensor plumbing devices, efficient irrigation systems, and the conversion of retention ponds to ecofriendly environments and systems.
●We minimize energy wasted by leaks in “building envelopes” by using environmentally safe sealant, tinting windows to maximum efficiency, and replacing the large majority of roofs with reflective “cool roofs” that have the potential to reduce building energy consumption by up to 20%. Since 2010, we invested almost $9.8 million to replace 52 roofs.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 7

2018 Proxy Summary

Reducing heating andair-conditioning expenses by tightly controlling temperatures and by replacing older equipment with energy efficient systems●For new and replacement HVAC installations we purchase equipment with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings and economizers.
●Since 2010, we invested almost $7.4 million to replace over 190 major HVAC components, such as chillers, air handler units, cooling towers and compressors with high efficiency equipment.
●Since 2010, we invested almost $11.2 million to replace approximately 940 HVAC Roof Top Units (RTUs), wall units or heat pumps.
●We employ Optimum Start/Stop programs to achieve temperature setbacks and increases during the night, weekends and holidays.

Since 2010, we spent in

excess of $28.4 million

on energy efficient

capital replacements

LOGO

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 8

Proposal 1:

Election of Directors

 

 

 

  Our Board has nominated nineeight directors, who, if elected by shareholders at our annual meeting,Annual Meeting, have agreed to serve until next year’s annual meeting.Annual Meeting. All nominees are currently directors of the Company.
  

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

Vote FOR all nominees

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 913    

Proposal 1

 

 

 

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors

 

Executive Summary

 

In evaluating potential candidates for service on the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of our Board (the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee) and the Board have and exercise broad discretion to select director candidates who will best serve the Board and PS Business Parks in the current and anticipated business environment. The goal in the vetting and nomination process is to achieve an appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, diversity, and capability on the Board. The Board, through the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, considers the following experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of both potential director nominees and existing members of the Board:

 

 ● Senior leadership experience
 ● Accounting/financial expertise
 ● Public company board experience
 ● Industry experience
 ● Operational management experience
 ● Capital markets/investment banking expertise
●Mergers and acquisitions experience
 ● Governance experience
 ● Executive recruitment, compensation, and development experience
●Legal and regulatory compliance expertise
 ● Diversity (gender, race, nationality, and other attributes)

Our director nominees have qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to our business. Each director has experience, mainly at senior executive levels, in other organizations, and a majority of the directors hold or have held directorships at other U.S. public companies. Most of our directors have served as chief executive officers and all have demonstrated superb leadership, intellectual, and analytical skills gained from deep experience in management, finance, and corporate governance.

About the Director Nominees

 

Our Board consists of nine directors, six of whom are independent. Each nominee is presently a director of PS Business Parks and was previously elected by our shareholders. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and the Board has nominated, each of our incumbent directors forre-election to the Board.Board (except for Sara Grootwassink Lewis, who is retiring from the Board effective April 23, 2019). The eight incumbent nominees are present directors of PS Business Parks and were previously elected by our shareholders. Five of the eight nominees are independent. Ifre-elected, elected, each of the nine directorseight nominees will serve for theone-year term beginning with our 20182019 Annual Meeting, or until their successors, if any, are elected or appointed. Each nominee for election as a director has agreed to serve if elected.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 1014

Proposal 1

 

 

Nominees Qualifications

 

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has recommended to the Board, and the Board has nominated, the nineeight incumbent directors listed below forre-election.re-election to the Board. The Board believes that these nominees provide the Company with the combined skills, experience, and personal qualities needed for an effective and engaged Board. We recommend that you voteFOR each nominee.

The Board has nominated nineeight directors, sixfive of whom are independent.

 

Nominee  Age     Principal Business Background     

Director

Since

     

Committee

Membership

  

Age

 

  

Principal Business Background

 

  

Director
Since

 

  

Committee

Membership

 

Ronald L. Havner, Jr.  60    

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Public Storage

 

    1998      61  

Chairman of the Board and Former CEO of Public Storage and PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

  1998      

Maria R. Hawthorne  58    

President and Chief Executive Officer of PS Business Parks

 

    2016      59  

President and Chief Executive Officer of PS Business Parks, Inc.

 

  2016      

Jennifer Holden Dunbar(Independent Director)  55    

Co-Founder and Managing Director of Dunbar Partners, LLC

 

    2009    Audit, Capital and Compensation  56  Co-Founder and Managing Director of Dunbar Partners, LLC  2009     

Audit, Capital, and Compensation (Chair)

 

James H. Kropp

(Independent Director)

  69    

Chief Investment Officer at SLKW Investments LLC and Chief Financial Officer of Microproperties LLC

 

    1998    Compensation (Chair) and Nominating/Corporate Governance

Sara Grootwassink Lewis

(Independent Director)

  50    

Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Corporate Advisors, LLC

 

    2010    

Audit (Chair), Nominating/Corporate Governance and Capital

 

James H. Kropp

(Presiding Independent Director effective February 20, 2019)1

  70  Chief Investment Officer at SLKW Investments LLC and Retired Chief Financial Officer of Microproperties LLC  1998     

Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance

 

Gary E. Pruitt

(Independent Director)

  68    

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Univar N.V.

 

    2012    Audit  69  Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Univar N.V.  2012     Audit

Robert S. Rollo

(Independent Presiding Director for 2017)1

  70    

Retired Senior Partner of Heidrick and Struggles

 

    2013    

Nominating/

Corporate Governance (Chair) and

Compensation

 

Robert S. Rollo

(Independent Director)

  71  Retired Senior Partner of Heidrick and Struggles  2013     

Nominating/

Corporate Governance (Chair) and

Compensation

 

Joseph D. Russell, Jr.  58    

President of Public Storage

 

    2003    Capital  59  

Chief Executive Officer and President of Public Storage

 

  2003     Capital

Peter Schultz

(Independent Presiding Director for 2018) 1

  70    

Retired Chief Executive Officer of The Beacon Group, Inc.

 

    2012    

Capital (Chair)

and Audit

Peter Schultz

(Presiding Independent Director

for 2018)1

  71  Retired Chief Executive Officer of The Beacon Group, Inc.  2012     

Capital (Chair)

and Audit (Chair)

 

1 

Please see “Corporate Governance and Board Matters –Matters—Presiding Independent Presiding Director” on page 17.21.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 1115    

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Ronald L. Havner, Jr., 6061

 

Director since 1998

Chairman and Chief Executive Officerof the Board of Public Storage

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

●Extensive leadership experience
●Extensive Company and industry knowledge

●   Extensive leadership experience

●   Extensive Company and industry knowledge

Mr. Havner has been Chairman of the Board of PS Business Parks since March 1998 and previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Havner has been Chairman of the Board of Public Storage (NYSE: PSA), a PS Business Parks affiliate, since August 2011 and was Chief Executive Officer from November 2002 until his retirement effective January 1, 2019. Mr. Havner serves as Chairman of Public Storagethe Board of another PS Business Parks affiliate, Shurgard (EURONEXT: SHUR) since November 2002.completion of its initial public offering in October 2018. Mr. Havner also serves as a director of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE: AVB) and will serveserved as director of California Resources Corp. (NYSE: CRC) through the end of his current term onfrom December 2014 to May 10, 2018. Mr. Havner was the 2014 Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (NAREIT).

Mr. Havner’s qualifications for election to the PS Business Parks Board include his extensive leadership experience and Company and industry knowledge as the Company’s previous Chief Executive Officer.

In considering the nomination of Mr. Havner forre-election to the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered eachMr. Havner’s extensive leadership experience, his knowledge of the qualifications above, including Mr. Havner’s experience in having servedCompany and the industry from his service as our Chairman since 1998 and as our formerthe Company’s previous Chief Executive Officer.Officer, and his public company board experience.

Maria R. Hawthorne, 5859

 

Director since 2016

President and Chief Executive Officer of

    PS Business Parks

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

●Extensive Company knowledge
●Extensive operational and leadership experience

●   Extensive Company knowledge

●   Extensive operational and leadership experience

Ms. Hawthorne has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company since July 2016 and August 2015, respectively. In addition, since August 2017, Ms. Hawthorne has also served in a dual capacity as the Company’s acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will continuefrom September 2017 to so serve until a new CFO is retained.September 2018. Ms. Hawthorne was also elected as a member of our Board in July 2016. Ms. Hawthorne most recentlypreviously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer of the Company from July 2013 to August 2015. Prior to that, Ms. Hawthorne served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, East Coast, from February 2011 to July 2013. Ms. Hawthorne served as the Company’s Senior Vice President from March 2004 to February 2011, with responsibility for property operations on the East Coast, which includedincluding Northern Virginia, Maryland, and South Florida. From June 2001 through March 2004, Ms. Hawthorne was a Vice President of the Company, responsible for property operations in Virginia. From July 1994 to June 2001, Ms. Hawthorne was a Regional Manager of the Company in Virginia. From August 1988 to July 1994, Ms. Hawthorne was a General Manager, Leasing Director, and Property Manager for American Office Park Properties. Ms. Hawthorne also serves as director on the Executive Board of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (NAREIT). Ms. Hawthorne earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations from Pomona College.

In considering the nomination of Ms. Hawthorne’s qualificationsHawthorne for electionre-election to the PS Business Parks Board, include herthe Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Ms. Hawthorne’s leadership experience and Company knowledge. As the only director who is also a member of the PS Business Parks executive management team, Ms. Hawthorne provides management’s perspective in Board discussions about the operations and strategic direction of the Company.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 1216

Proposal 1

 

 

Jennifer Holden Dunbar, 5556

 

Director since 2009

Audit Committee, Capital Committee, Compensation

Compensation Committee (Chair)

Co-Founder and Managing Director of Dunbar Partners,

LLC

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Extensive financial expertise
● Experience in private equity, investments, and M&A

Ms. Dunbar has been a director of PS Business Parks since February 2009. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Dunbar was a partner with Leonard Green and Partners, L.P., a private equity firm she first joined in 1989. Ms. Dunbar has served asCo-Founder and Managing Director of Dunbar Partners, LLC, an investment and advisory services firm, since March 2005. Ms. Dunbar is also a director of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ: BGFV), where she serves on the audit and compensation committees and chairs the nominating and corporate governance committee. Ms. Dunbar has served on the board of trustees of various funds in the PIMCO Funds complex since April 2015 (overseeing 141130 fixed income funds as ofyear-end 2017)2018) and February 2016 (21 equity funds as ofyear-end 2017)2018), respectively, where she is the chair of the investment performance committee and a member of the audit, governance, and valuation oversight committee of each board. Ms. Dunbar is also the chair of the governance committee andco-chair of the valuation oversight committee of the board that oversees the PIMCO equity trusts. Each of the PIMCO entities is a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

In considering the nomination of Ms. Dunbar forre-election to the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Ms. Dunbar’s qualifications for election to the PS Business Parks Board include her financial expertise, her experience in private equity, and her experience with investments and mergers and acquisitions. She also has valuable experience as a member of several public company boards.

James H. Kropp, 6970

 

Director since 1998

Compensation Committee, (Chair) Nominating/Corporate

Governance Committee

Chief Investment Officer at SLKW Investments LLC and

Retired Chief Financial Officer of Microproperties LLC

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Extensive knowledge of investment banking
● Specialization in real estate securities and experience with real estate businesses

Mr. Kropp has been a director of PS Business Parks since March 1998. Mr. Kropp has served as Chief Investment Officer at SLKW Investments LLC since 2009 and aswas Chief Financial Officer of Microproperties LLC, an owner and asset manager of net leased restaurant properties, sincefrom August 2012.2012 until March 2019. Mr. Kropp served as interim Chief Financial Officer of TaxEase LLC from 2009 to February 2013 and is currently a Board Leadership Fellow for the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Kropp also currently serves as a director of Corporate Capital Trust, Inc. and Corporate Capital Trust II, registered investment companies, and American Homes 4 Rent LLC (NYSE: AMH), a leader in the home rental market.market, and on the board of FS KKR Capital Corp (NYSE: FSK) following its acquisition of Corporate Capital Trust, Inc., where he served on the board from 2011 until 2018. Mr. Kropp is a member of board of directors of Corporate Capital Trust II, a registered investment company, as well as FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, and FS Investment Corporation IV and serves on the audit committee and the valuation committees.

In considering the nomination of Mr. Kropp’s qualificationsKropp for electionre-election to the PS Business Parks Board, include histhe Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Mr. Kropp’s knowledge of investment banking and capital markets with a specialization in real estate securities, and his extensive experience with real estate businesses, including other REITs. He also has valuable experience as a member of several public company boards.

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 1317    

Proposal 1

 

 

Sara Grootwassink Lewis, 50

Director since 2010

Audit Committee (Chair)

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

Capital Committee

Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Corporate Advisors, LLC

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

●Executive and financial experience at other REITs
●Extensive experience as Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant

Ms. Lewis has been a director of PS Business Parks since February 2010. She is Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Corporate Advisors, a capital markets advisory firm. From May 2002 through February 2009, Ms. Lewis served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: WRE), which owns and operates a diversified group of properties in the Washington, D.C. area. Ms. Lewis also currently serves on the boards of Sun Life Financial (NYSE: SLF) and Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY), following its acquisition of Plum Creek Timber, where she served on the board from 2013 to 2016. Ms. Lewis previously served on the board of directors of CapitalSource from 2004 until its merger in 2014, and the board of directors of Adamas Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ADMS) from 2014 to 2016. Ms. Lewis is a member of the board of trustees of the Brookings Institution and a former Standing Advisory Group member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Ms. Lewis is also a United States Chamber of Commerce Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness Leadership Board Member.

Ms. Lewis’ qualifications for election to the PS Business Parks Board include her previous executive and financial experience at three other publicly traded REITs and her background as a Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant. She brings her extensive financial and real estate industry knowledge to the Board as well as her public company board experience.

Gary E. Pruitt, 6869

 

Director since 2012

Audit Committee

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Univar N.V.

N.V.

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Extensive leadership and financial experience
● Experience as trustee of Public Storage

Mr. Pruitt has served as a director of PS Business Parks since February 2012. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Univar N.V. (Univar) from 2002 until his retirement as Chief Executive Officer in 2010 and as Chairman in 2011. Univar is a chemical distribution company based in Bellevue, Washington, with distribution centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Mr. Pruitt is also a trustee of Public Storage, a director of Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), and a former director of Esterline Technologies Corp. (NYSE: ESL).

In considering the nomination of Mr. Pruitt’s qualificationsPruitt for electionre-election to the PS Business Parks Board, include histhe Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Mr. Pruitt’s leadership and financial experience as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Univar and his public company board experience, including his membership on the board of trustees of Public Storage.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 14

Proposal 1

Robert S. Rollo, 7071

 

Director since 2013

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (Chair)

Compensation Committee

Retired Senior Partner of Heidrick and Struggles

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Extensive knowledge and expertise in executive recruitment, compensation, and talent management
● Experience in corporate governance

Mr. Rollo has served as a director of PS Business Parks since October 2013. Mr. Rollo most recently served as a Senior Partner at Heidrick and Struggles (Heidrick) in Los Angeles from 2006 until his retirement in 2012. Heidrick is a leading international leadership advisory and executive search firm. Mr. Rollo is a past trustee of the University of Southern California and is Chairman Emeritus of the Southern California Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

In considering the nomination of Mr. Rollo’s qualificationsRollo for electionre-election to the PS Business Parks Board, include histhe Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Mr. Rollo’s extensive knowledge of and expertise in executive recruitment, compensation, and development and talent management, along with his experience in corporate governance.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 18

Proposal 1

Joseph D. Russell, Jr., 5859

 

Director since 2003

Capital Committee

Chief Executive Officer and President of Public Storage

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Leadership experience at the Company
● Extensive Company and industry knowledge

Mr. Russell has been a director of PS Business Parks since August 2003. Mr. Russell has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Public Storage since July 2016 and as recently announced, will joinJanuary 2019, respectively. Mr. Russell also joined the Public Storage board and serve as its Chief Executive Officer effectivein January 1, 2019. Previously, Mr. Russell was Chief Executive Officer of PS Business Parks from August 2003 until July 2016, and President of PS Business Parks from September 2002 to August 2015. Before joining PS Business Parks, Mr. Russell had beenwas employed by Spieker Properties (Spieker), an owner and operator of office and industrial properties in Northern California, (Spieker), and its predecessor, for more than ten years, becoming an officer of Spieker when it became a publicly held REIT in 1993.

In considering the nomination of Mr. Russell forre-election to the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Mr. Russell’s qualifications for election to the PS Business Parks Board include his leadership experience andexperience; Company and industry knowledge, including his more than20-year involvement with publicly held REITsREITs; and extensive experience with office and industrial real estate.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 15

Proposal 1

Peter Schultz, 7071

 

Director since 2012

Independent Presiding Director (2018)

Capital Committee (Chair)

, Audit Committee (Chair)

Retired Chief Executive Officer and Director of

The Beacon Group, Inc.

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS:

● Leadership and senior management experience
● Extensive knowledge of the real estate industry

Mr. Schultz has been a director of PS Business Parks since February 2012 and serves as the Company’s Independent Presiding Director for 2018.2012. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of The Beacon Group, Inc. (Beacon) and its affiliates for more than 25 years until his retirement in 2010. Beacon, based in Southern California, and its affiliates, were engaged in the development and management of more than three million square feet of retail, industrial, hospitality, and residential projects. Prior to working at The Beacon, Group, Mr. Schultz was employed by Arthur Andersen for four years as a certified public accountant in its tax department.

Mr. Schultz is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

In considering the nomination of Mr. Schultz’s qualificationsSchultz for electionre-election to the PS Business Parks Board, include histhe Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered Mr. Schultz’s leadership and extensive real estate experience as President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Beacon and its affiliates and his extensive financial expertise gained from his almost forty years of experience in finance.

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 1619    

Proposal 1

 

 

Corporate Governance and Board Matters

Corporate Governance Framework

 

The Board has adopted the following corporate governance documents, which, along with our charter and bylaws, establish the framework for our corporate governance and outline the general practice of our Board with respect to board structure, function, and conduct, and board and committee organization.organization:

 

 ● PS Business Parks Corporate Governance Guidelines and Director Code of Ethics (the Corporate Governance Guidelines)
●Charter
●Bylaws
 ● Charters of our standing committees of the Board (the Committee Charters)
 ● Business Conduct Standards applicable to our officers and employees
 ● Code of Ethics for our senior financial officers (the Code of Ethics)

You can access ourOur current Corporate Governance Guidelines, Business Conduct Standards, Code of Ethics, and Committee Charters are available online in the “Investor Relations” section of our website, psbusinessparks.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance, or byin writing tofrom the Company’s Investor Services Department, 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349.

The Corporate Governance Guidelines are reviewed at least annually by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee whichreviews the Corporate Governance Guidelines at least annually and makes recommendations for any changes to the Board. We will disclose any amendments or waivers to the Code of Ethics on our website or in accordance with the SEC and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) requirements.

Commitment to Diversity

 

The Board and its Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are committed to ensuring that a diversity of experiences and viewpoints are represented on the Board as well as the Company’s senior management. As a reflection of this commitment, 33%25% of our current Board is female, and our President and CEO is female and Hispanic.

Board Leadership

 

We have separate individuals serving as Chairman of the Board and as CEO. Ronald L. Havner, Jr., has served as Chairman of the Board since March 1998. He is also Chairman and CEO of Public Storage. Mr. Havner has been involved with the Company since its founding and has extensive knowledge of the Company, the markets in which it operates, and the real estate industry. Joseph D. Russell, Jr. is a member of our Board and was our CEO from August 2003 to June 2016. Mr. Russell was also our President until August 2015 and currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee of Public Storage and, as recently announced, will join the Public Storage board and serve as its CEO effective January 1, 2019.Storage. Maria R. Hawthorne serves as our President and was appointed to the position ofas CEO in July 2016. She is the only management director and bringsin-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities, and risks facing the Company our business and our industry. She is also deeply familiar with ourday-to-day operations and management and has the leadership skills to continue to drive profitable growth of PS Business Parks.

We do not have a policy against one individual holding the positions of Chairman and CEO. Rather, the Board evaluates the desirability of having a combined or separate Chairman and CEO fromtime-to-time time to time and adopts a structure based on what it believes to be in the best interests of PS Business Parks and its shareholders. Currently, the Board believes that having separate Chairman and CEO roles serves the interests of the Company and its shareholders well.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 20

Proposal 1

Majority Vote Requirements for Directors

The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that in an uncontested election of directors, each director nominee who does not receive at least a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director, must submit his or her resignation to the Board. For the purpose of the Corporate Governance Guidelines, a majority means the number of votes cast “for” a director must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to the director. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will then make a recommendation to the Board about whether to accept or reject the resignation or take other action. The Board will act on any such recommendation and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date the election results were certified by the inspector of Elections. If a director’s resignation is accepted by the Board, the Board may fill the resulting vacancy or decrease the size of the Board in accordance with the bylaws.

Presiding Independent Presiding Director

 

The Board has established a position of independent presiding directorPresiding Independent Director to provide an independent director with a leadership role on the Board. The independent presiding directorPresiding Independent Director presides at meetings of all independent directors or allnon-management directors in executive sessions without the presence of management. These meetings are held on a regular basis in connection with each regularly scheduled board meeting and at the request

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 17

Proposal 1

of any independent ornon-management director. In addition, the independent directors meet separately at least once annually. These sessions are designed to encourage open discussion of any matter of interest without the CEO or any other members of management present. The position of independent presiding directorPresiding Independent Director generally rotates annually among the chairs of the standing committees of the Board. Robert S. Rollo,Peter Schultz, Chair of the Nominating/Corporate GovernanceCapital Committee, was the independent presiding directorPresiding Independent Director for 2017. Peter Schultz2018. James Kropp is the independent presiding directorPresiding Independent Director for 2018.2019, effective February 20, 2019.

Board Responsibilities and Oversight of Risk Management

 

The Board is responsible for overseeing our Company’s approach to major risks and our policies for assessing and managing these risks. In connection with its oversight function, the Board regularly receives presentations from management on areas of risk facing our business. The Board and management actively engage in discussions about these potential and perceived risks to the business.

In addition, the Board is assisted in its oversight responsibilities by the four standing Board committees (as described below), which have assigned areas of oversight responsibility for various matters, as described in the Committee Charters and as provided in the NYSE rules.

The Audit Committee of our Board (the Audit Committee) assists the Board in overseeing the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications, independence, and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our internal audit function. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee also regularly evaluates Company practice and policies with respect to risk assessment, risk management, and financial risk on a regular basis.risk.

The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation of our CEO and other executive officers and evaluates compensation incentives to ensure they will motivate senior management to grow long-term shareholder returnsreturn without taking undue risk.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee focuses on risks associated with director and

management succession planning, corporate governance, and overall Board effectiveness.

The Capital Committee oversees the optimization of the Company’s capital expenditures. The Committee’s goal is to place the Company in the best position to maximize the long-term benefit of its capital expenditures, while at the same time ensuring those assets are well maintained and positioned to meet the needs and demands of the Company’s customer base.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 21    

Proposal 1

The Board committees also hear reports from members of management to enable each committee to identify, discuss, understand and manage risk. The chairmanchair of each of the Board’s standing committees reports on interim individual committee discussiondiscussions to the full Board at each Board meeting. All directors have access to members of management in the event a director wishes to follow up on items discussed outside the Board meeting.

Board Orientation and Education

 

Each new director participates in an orientation program and receives materials and briefings concerning our business, industry, management, and corporate governance policies and practices. Continuing education is provided for all directors through board materials and presentations, discussions with management, and the opportunity to attend external board education programs.

Board Retirement Policy

 

The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that no person will be nominated for election to the Board for any term unless he or she is 73 years of age or younger on the first day of the term. The Board has discretion to make exceptions to the policy to provide for a transition period of service.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 18

Proposal 1

Director Independence

 

The Board evaluates the independence of each director annually based on information supplied by the directors and the Company, and on the recommendations of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of the directors be independent in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE. A director qualifies as independent unless the Board determines, in accordance with NYSE rules, that the director has a material relationship with PS Business Parks, based on all relevant facts and circumstances. Material relationships may include commercial, industrial, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, family, and other business, professional, and personal relationships. The Board also considers the director’s relationships with Public Storage.Storage, our largest shareholder.

Following its annual review of each director’s independence, in February 2018,2019, the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board determined, that (i) each of Jennifer Holden Dunbar, James H. Kropp, Sara Grootwassink Lewis, Gary E. Pruitt, Robert S. Rollo, and Peter Schultz is independent pursuant to the rules of the NYSE, and (ii)  each Audit Committee member and each Compensation Committee member meets the additional independence requirements of the rules of the SEC.

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, and the Capital Committee. Each of the standing committees operates pursuant to a written charter, which can be viewed at our website at
psbusinessparks.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance. AAny shareholder may obtain a print copy will be provided to any shareholder who requests a copy by writing to the Company’s Secretary at PS Business Parks, Inc.,

701 Western Avenue, Glendale, CA 91201-2349.

Our four standing committees are described below.

Audit Committee

The primary functions of the Audit Committee, as set forth in its charter, are to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for oversight of:

 

●the integrity of our financial statements;

●compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

●the qualifications, independence, and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm; and

●the scope and results of internal audits, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function.

 

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 22

compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

Proposal 1

 

the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm; and

the scope and results of internal audits, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function.

Among other things, the Audit Committee appoints, evaluates, and determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, the audit fee, and the financial statements; approves all other services and fees performed by the independent registered public accounting firm; prepares the Audit Committee Report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; and annually reviews its charter and performance. Additionally, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment policies.

Each member of the Audit Committee: (1) meets the financial literacy and independence standards of the NYSE; (2) qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning ofpursuant to the rules of the SEC and NYSE;SEC; and (3) qualifies as independent within the meaning ofpursuant to the rules of the SEC and NYSE.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 19

Proposal 1

Compensation Committee

The primary functions of the Compensation Committee, as set forth in its charter, are to:

 

determine, either as a committee or together with other independent directors, the compensation of the Company’s CEO;
●determine, either as a committee or together with other independent directors, the compensation of the Company’s CEO;

 

determine the compensation of other executive officers;
●determine the compensation of other executive officers;

 

administer the Company’s equity and executive officer incentive compensation plans;
●administer the Company’s equity and executive officer incentive compensation plans;

 

review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) to be included in the proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Form10-K and to recommend to the Board for inclusion of the CD&A in the Form10-K and proxy statement;
●review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) to be included in the proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Form10-K and to recommend to the Board for inclusion of the CD&A in the Form10-K and proxy statement;

 

provide a description of the processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement;
●provide a description of the processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement;

 

review with management its annual assessment of potential risks related to the Company’s compensation policies and practices applicable to all employees;
●review with management its annual assessment of potential risks related to the Company’s compensation policies and practices applicable to all employees;

 

review the advisory shareholder votes on the Company’s executive compensation programs;
●review the advisory shareholder votes on the Company’s executive compensation programs;

 

produce the Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; and
●produce the Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; and

 

evaluate its performance annually.
●evaluate its performance annually.

The Compensation Committee has not delegated any of its responsibilities to individual members of the committeeCommittee or to a subcommittee of the committee,Committee, although it has the discretion to do so. As required by its charter, the Compensation Committee and, in

some instances, the Compensation Committee and all other independent members of the Board, made final compensation decisions for executive officers in 2017,2018, including the NEOs set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 46 below. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain outside compensation consultants for advice, but historically and for 2017,2018 has not done so, relying instead on surveys of publicly available information about senior executive compensation at similar companies. For a discussion of the Compensation Committee’s use of survey information in 2017,2018, as well as the role of Ms. Hawthorne, our President and CEO, in determining or recommending the amount of compensation paid to our NEOs in 2017,2018, see the CD&A beginning on page 28.30.

Each member of the Compensation Committee qualifies as independent pursuant to the rules of the SEC and NYSE.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 23    

Proposal 1

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.No executive officer of PS Business Parks served on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity whichthat has an executive officer who also served on our Compensation Committee or Board at any time during 2017,2018, and no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC RegulationS-K.

Messrs. Havner and Russell and Ms. Hawthorne are present or former officers of the Company and are members of the Board. They do not serve on the Compensation Committee.

Oversight of Compensation Risks.With respect to consideration of risks related to compensation, the Compensation Committee annually considers a report from our senior management team concerning its review of potential risks related to compensation policies and practices applicable to all of the Company’s employees.

In early 2018,2019, the Compensation Committee considered management’s conclusion that the Company’s compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 20

Proposal 1

In connection with preparing the report for the Compensation Committee’s consideration, membersreview of our senior management team, including our CEO, reviewed the target metrics for all of our employee incentive compensation plans. At the completion of the review, management concludedplans and management’s conclusion that the Company’s incentive compensation plans, practices, and policies (1) properly incentivized employees to achieve short- and long-term Company goals, (2) did not create any significant motivation or opportunity for employees to take undue risks to achieve an incentive compensation award. Instead, management concluded that employees whoaward, and (3) are eligible for incentive compensation are properly incentivizednot reasonably likely to achieve short- and long-term Company goals without creating undue risks forhave a material adverse effect on the Company. Following completion of its review, members of our senior management discussed the results of management’s compensation risk assessment with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, following discussion, reached a similar conclusion. The Compensation Committee expects to further review compensation risks from time to time.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

The primary functions of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, as set forth in its charter, are to:

 

identify, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board for director nominees for each annual shareholder meeting and to fill any vacancy on the Board;
●identify, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board for director nominees for each annual shareholder meeting and to fill any vacancy on the Board;

 

develop a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company and to review and assess the adequacy of those guidelines on an ongoing basis and recommend any changes to the Board; and
●develop a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company and to review and assess the adequacy of those guidelines on an ongoing basis and recommend any changes to the Board; and

 

oversee the annual Board assessment of Board performance.
●oversee the annual Board assessment of Board performance.

Our Board has delegated to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee responsibility for recommending nominees for election to the Board. Other duties and responsibilities of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee include periodically reviewing

the structure, size, composition, and operation of the Board and each Board committee; recommending assignments of directors to Board committees; conducting a preliminary review of director independence; overseeing director orientation; and annually reviewing and evaluating its charter and performance. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is further guided by the principles set forth in its charter.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 24

Proposal 1

Director Qualifications.We.We believe that members of the Board should have high professional and personal ethics and values. They should have broad experience at the policy-making level in business or other relevant experience. They should be committed to enhancing shareholder value and should have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide insight and practical wisdom based on experience. Their service on other boards of public companies should be limited to a number that permits them, given their individual circumstances, to perform all director duties responsibly. Each director must represent the interests of all shareholders. In general, the Board seeks to add directors who meet the independence requirements of the NYSE rules. In addition, director candidates must annually submit on an annual basis a completed director questionnaire concerning matters related to independence determination, the determination of whether a candidate qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, and other proxy disclosure matters and must satisfactorily complete a background investigation by a third-party firm.

Director Diversity.Although the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee does not have, and does not believe there is a need for, a formal policy concerning diversity, it seeks to ensure that a diversity of different experiences and viewpoints are represented on the Board. As a reflection of this commitment, 33%25% of our currentproposed Board composition is female.female, satisfying recently enacted California law requiring PS Business Parks to have at least one female on the Board by no later than December 31, 2019.

Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors.The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 21

Proposal 1

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated or otherwise arise, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers various potential candidates for director.

Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee through current Board members, professional search firms, shareholders, or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at meetings of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and may be considered at any point during the year.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers properly submitted shareholder nominations of candidates for the Board in the same manner as other candidates. Following verification of the shareholder status of persons proposing candidates, recommendations will be aggregated and considered by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee prior to the issuance of the proxy statement for the annual meeting. If any materials are provided by a shareholder in connection with the recommendation of a director candidate, such materials are forwarded to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may also review materials provided by professional search firms or other parties in connection with a nominee who is not proposed by a shareholder. In evaluating such nominations, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience, and capability on the Board.

We do not have any other policies or guidelines that limit the selection of director candidates by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, and the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have and continue to exercise broad discretion to select director candidates who will best serve the Board and the Company in the current and anticipated business environment.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 25    

Proposal 1

Capital Committee

The function of the Capital Committee is to focusfocuses on assessing, monitoring, and optimizing the Company’s capital expenditures. The committee’s focus will includeexpenditures, including development and redevelopment opportunities as well as the Company’s annual recurring capital expenditures, which include maintenance capital, tenant improvements, and leasing commissions. The goal is to place the Company in the best position to maximize the long-term benefits of its capital expenditures while ensuring its assets are well maintained and positioned in the marketplace to meet the needs and demands of the Company’s customer base. The Capital Committee operates pursuant to a formal charter adopted by the members of the committee in July 2016.

Communications with the Board of Directors

 

The Company provides a process by which shareholders and interested parties may communicate with the Board. Communication to the Board should be addressed to: Board of Directors, c/o Maria R. Hawthorne,Jeffrey D. Hedges, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer,Secretary, PS Business Parks, Inc., 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349. Communications that are intended for a specified individual director or group of directors should be addressed to the director(s) c/o Secretary at the above address, and all such communications received will be forwarded to the designated director(s).

Board and Committee Meetings and Attendance

 

The Board meets at regularly scheduled intervals and may hold additional special meetings as necessary or desirable in furtherance of its oversight responsibilities. As described above, thenon-management directors generally meet in executive session without the presence of management in connection with each regularly scheduled Board meeting.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 22

Proposal 1

In 2017,2018, the Board held fourin-person meetings and two special telephonic meetings. Each director who served as a director at the time attended at least 83% of the Board meetings held and, if a member of a committee of the Board, at least 94%81% of the meetings held by both the

Board and all committees of the Board on which the director served. We do not have a policy regarding directors’ attendance at the annual meeting of shareholders, but directors are encouraged to attend. All of the Board’s nine directors attended the 20172018 annual meeting of shareholders.

The following table summarizes the membership of the Board’s standing committees and the number of meetings held by each committee in 2017.2018:

Board Committee Membership and 20172018 Meetings

 

Director  Audit  Compensation  

Nominating/

Corporate

    Governance    

      Capital      Audit  Compensation  

Nominating/

Corporate

    Governance    

      Capital    
Ronald L. Havner, Jr.                        
Joseph D. Russell, Jr.           Member           Member
Maria R. Hawthorne                        
Jennifer Holden Dunbar  Member  Member        Member  Chair     Member
James H. Kropp     Chair  Member   
Sara Grootwassink Lewis  Chair     Member  Member

James H. Kropp

(Presiding Independent Director for 2019)

     Member  Member   

Sara Grootwassink Lewis

(retiring as of April 23, 2019)

  Chair in 2018 and until February 20, 2019     Member  Member
Gary E. Pruitt  Member           Member         
Robert S. Rollo (Independent Presiding Director for 2017)     Member  Chair   
Peter Schultz (Independent Presiding Director for 2018)  Member        Chair
Number of Meetings in 2017  6  5  3  4
Robert S. Rollo     Member  Chair   
Peter Schultz (Presiding Independent Director for 2018)  Current Chair        Chair
Number of Meetings in 2018  4  4  4  4

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 26

Proposal 1

 

Compensation of Directors

 

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the Company’snon-employee director compensation and recommends any changes to the Board. The Board makes the final determination as to director compensation. The Board has approved the mix of cash and equity compensation described below.

Retainers and Meeting Fees.Retainers are paid in cash quarterly and arepro-rated prorated when a director joins the Board other than at the beginning of a calendar year. During 2017,2018, eachnon-employee director (except for current executives of a PS Business Parks affiliate, including Public Storage and Shurgard) was entitled to receive the following retainers and meeting fees for Board and Board committee service:

 

  Compensation  Amount   
Board member  $25,000 
Audit Committee Chair’s supplemental retainer   10,000 
Other standing committee chairs’ supplemental retainer   5,000 
Board meeting attendance (per meeting attended in person)   1,000 
Board meeting attendance (per meeting attended by telephone)   500 
Board committee meeting attendance (per meeting attended in person)   1,000 
Board committee meeting attendance (per meeting attended by telephone)   500 
  Compensation  Amount 

Board member

  $25,000 

Audit Committee Chair’s supplemental

retainer

   10,000 

Other standing committee chairs’

supplemental retainer

   5,000 

Board meeting attendance

(per meeting attended in person)

   1,000 

Board meeting attendance (per meeting

attended by telephone)

   500 

Board committee meeting attendance

(per meeting attended in person)

   1,000 

Board committee meeting attendance

(per meeting attended by telephone)

   500 

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 23

ProposalThe following is the retainer and meeting fee schedule for Board and Board committee service, effective April 1, 2019.

 

  Compensation  Amount 

Board member

  $25,000 

Chairman of the Board supplemental

retainer

  $15,000 

Audit Committee Chair’s supplemental

retainer

   10,000 

Other standing committee chairs’

supplemental retainer

   5,000 

Board or committee meeting attendance

(per meeting attended in person)

   1,000 

Board or committee meeting attendance

(per meeting attended by telephone)

   500 

Equity Awards.Each newnon-employee director who is determined by the Board to be independent, upon the date of his or her initial election by the Board or the shareholders to serve as anon-employee director, is automatically granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock, which vests in five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant or the annual shareholders meeting date in that year, whichever is earlier, subject to continued service. Directors who previously served as Company executives are not eligible to receive this award.

Annually, eachnon-employee director receives anon-qualified stock option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock, which vests in five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant based on continued service. The annual grants are made immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders at the closing price for the Common Stock on the NYSE on such date.

Upon the retirement of a director from the Board because the director is not nominated forre-election due to the Board’s Mandatory Retirement Policy, all outstanding options held by the director vest effective as of the date of his or her retirement and the director has one year to exercise all vested options.

Retirement Stock Grants.Under our Retirement Plan forNon-Employee Directors, eachnon-employee director of the Company receives, upon retirement as a director of the Company, 1,000 shares of fully-vested Common Stock for each full year of service as anon-employee director of the

Company, up to a maximum of 8,000 shares. The awards are intended to retain and reward long-term service on the Board and to provide equity compensation to Board members. Directors receive any dividends paid on vestedunvested shares.    Directors who previously served as Company executives are not eligible to receive this grant until their participation in the Company’s equity incentive plans have ended.

At December 31, 2017,2018, Messrs. Havner and Kropp and Ms. Dunbar and Ms. Lewis were each entitled to receive 8,000 fully-vested shares of Common Stock upon retirement; Ms. Lewis was entitled to receive 7,000 shares; Messrs. Pruitt and Schultz were each entitled to 5,0006,000 shares; and Mr. Rollo was entitled to receive 4,0005,000 shares.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 27    

Proposal 1

As of December 31, 2017,2018, the value of each award of 8,000 shares was $1,000,720;$1,048,000; the value of 7,0006,000 shares was $875,630;$786,000; and the value of 5,000 shares was $625,450; and the value of 4,000 shares was $500,360,$655,000, each based on the closing price of $125.09$131.00 of our common stock as of December 29, 2017.31, 2018.

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines. Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, eachnon-management director is encouraged to have a

significant stock ownership in the Company. All directors are expected, within three years of election, to own at least $100,000 of common stock of the Company, as determined using theper- share value on the date of acquisition. All of our directors meet this stock ownership requirement.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 24

Proposal 1

Director Compensation in Fiscal 20172018. The following table presents the compensation provided by the Company to our directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:2018:

 

                                                                                                
Director(1)  

Fees earned

or paid in cash

   

Option

Awards

(2)

   

All Other

Compensation    

(3)

   Total    

Fees earned    

or paid in cash    

 

 

     

Option        

Awards(2)        

 

 

  
All Other
     Compensation(3)    
 		   Total         

Ronald L. Havner, Jr. (1)

   $            -      $  28,840    $  27,200    $  56,040    $               -      $     36,220  $     30,400    $     66,620 

Jennifer Holden Dunbar

   36,500      28,840    27,200    92,540    38,500      36,220  30,400    105,120 

James H. Kropp

   39,500      28,840    27,200    95,540    38,000      36,220  30,400    104,620 

Sara Grootwassink Lewis

   50,500      28,840    23,800    103,140    49,500      36,220  30,400    116,120 

Gary E. Pruitt

   34,500      28,840    17,000    80,340    34,000      36,220  22,800    93,020 

Robert S. Rollo

   39,500      28,840    11,050    79,390    40,500      36,220  16,250    92,970 

Joseph D. Russell

   -      28,840    -    28,840    -      36,220   -    36,220 

Peter Schultz

   42,500      28,840    17,000    88,340    43,000      36,220  22,800    102,020 

 

(1)

Ronald L. Havner, Jr., Chairman,Chairman; Joseph D. Russell, Jr.; and Maria R. Hawthorne are also directors but did not receive any cash compensation for service as directors during 2017.2018. Ms. Hawthorne is also not eligible to receive equity awards for her service as director or participate in the retirement stock award program described above. Ms. Hawthorne’s compensation as CEO is set forth below beginning on page 44.42.

 

(2)

Reflects the fair value on the date of grant of option awards during 2017.2018. As of December 31, 2017,2018, each director as of such date had the following number of options outstanding: Ronald L. Havner, Jr., 16,20518,205, of which 10,20512,205 are vested; Jennifer Holden Dunbar, 19,99418,205, of which 13,99412,205 are vested; James H. Kropp, 18,27316,136, of which 12,27310,136 are vested; Sara Grootwassink Lewis, 11,0686,000, of which 5,0680 are vested; Gary E. Pruitt, 22,41024,410, of which 16,41018,410 are vested; Robert S. Rollo, 7,6709,670, of which 03,670 are vested; JoeJoseph Russell, 2,0004,000, of which 0400 are vested; and Peter Schultz, 22,41024,410, of which 16,41018,410 are vested. For a more detailed discussion of assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts, refer to Note 11 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2018, included in the Form10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018.2019.

 

(3)

All other compensation consists of dividend equivalents paid on vested retirement shares.

The Board recommends voting FOR all director nominees.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 2528

 

Proposal 2:

Advisory vote to approve

executive compensation

 

 

 

 

Approve the Company’s compensation practices and principles and their implementation for 20172018 for the Company’s named executive officers (our NEOs) as discussed and disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A), the compensation tables, and any related material contained in this proxy statement.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Vote FOR approval

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 2629    

Proposal 2

 

 

 

Proposal 2 – Advisory vote to approve executive compensation

Advisory Vote

 

 

We provide shareholders an annual advisory vote to approve the compensation of our NEOs, also known as a“Say-on-Pay” proposal.

More than 91%94% of the votes cast at our 20172018 Annual Meeting were in favor of our executive compensation package. This approval, along with direct input received from shareholders regarding their votes, signaled strong shareholder support of the elements and amounts of compensation paid for both 20162017 performance and the compensation opportunities established to reward long-term growth and performance. As a result, the Compensation Committee did not make any significant changes to the Company’s executive compensation program for 20172018.

We believe our strong performance in 20172018 was driven, in part, by motivated NEOs incentivized by our strategic compensation program. Annual cash incentive bonus payments, which represent a significant portion of our regular annual compensation, were tied to achieving at least a (i) 5.0% increase in Adjusted FAD¹ and (ii) 2.0% increase in Same Park Net Operating Income (Same Park NOI).². The equity-based component of the program provided NEOs two opportunities to receive restricted stock units (RSUs) under the LTEIP, for both (i) the achievement of targeted increases in internally calculated total return levels and (ii) the attainment of specified dividend yields over annual and cumulative four-year performance periods.

¹Adjusted FAD is anon-GAAP measure. Please refer to “2017“2018 Annual Cash Incentive Thresholds and Targets” in the CDACD&A section of the proxy statement.

² Refer to page 26 of our Form 2017 Annual Report on Form10-K filed on February 26, 2019, for information regarding our calculation of Same Park NOI.

We believe these compensation targets fueled impressive 20172018 performance that rewarded shareholders with a 10.3% TSR - a TSR that was 1.6% higher than7.9% TSR—compared to the 20172018 NAREIT Equity Index, which had a negative return of 8.7%4.1%. Our TSR also beat the NAREIT Equity Index and the S&P 500 index for the five-year,10-year5-year and15-year periods ending December 31, 2017,2018, averaging 13.0%11.4% in total annual return since 2002.2003.

The Board recommends that shareholders approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs disclosed in the following CD&A and compensation tables.

Although the shareholder vote on our executive compensation program is advisory and nonbinding on the Company, the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering the compensation program, values the opinions expressed by shareholders. The Compensation Committee will consider and weigh heavily the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

The Board recommends a vote FOR

approval of our executive compensation

as described in this proxy statement.

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 2730

Proposal 2

 

 

Compensation Discussion

and Analysis (CD&A)

 

The following section summarizes our philosophy and objectives regarding the compensation of our NEOs, including how we determine the elements and amounts of executive compensation. This section should be read in conjunction with both its tabular compensation disclosures for NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, and the Compensation Committee Report, which can be found on page 4345 of this proxy statement.

Executive Summary

The Compensation Committee’s goal for our executive compensation program is to hire, retain, and motivate our senior management to achieve solid financial results and create long-term shareholder value. Our NEOs are paid based on what the Compensation Committee considers appropriate in view of individual and corporate performance, competitive levels,performance; market and peer compensation practices from surveys and other sources; and our objective of aligning individual and shareholderour NEOs’ interests with those of our shareholders to maximize theshareholder value of our shareholders’ investments in our securities over the long term. We believe that our compensation programs have been effective in helping the Company move towards its financial and operational goals.

In general:

 

● Ourour compensation program has helped establish a strong culture of performance, operational excellence, and consistency, and enabled us to build a high-performing organization;

 

● Wewe are a proven leader in our industry in delivering profitable growth and enhanced distributions to shareholders;

 

● Ourour compensation practices are consistent with the financial discipline that has allowed us to achieve and maintain exceptional financial strength; and

 

● Ourour business model and supporting compensation program are effective in achieving our objective of building long-term shareholder value.

In fiscal year 2017,2018, senior management successfully grew occupancy and average rental rates and continued to commit to a conservative balance sheet

in by minimizing the use of debt. Their efforts were directly responsible for the following results:

 

Same Park rental rates for executed deals increased by 5.1% over 2016 levels;
●Our positive TSR of 7.9% far exceeded the NAREIT Equity Index, which had a negative return of 4.1%.

 

Total rental income increased by $15.3 million, or 4.0%, over 2016 levels;
●Same Park rental rates for executed deals increased by 5.1% over 2017 levels;

 

NOI (excluding NOI from assets sold and held for development) and Same Park NOI both increased by 5.7% over 2016 levels;
●Total rental income increased by $11.3 million, or 2.8%, over 2017 levels;

 

FAD increased by 2.2% over 2016 levels;
●Net Operating Income (NOI) (excluding NOI from assets sold) and Same Park NOI increased by 5.8% and 2.6%, respectively, over 2017 levels;

 

Regular dividends increased by more than 13.3% over 2016 levels, from $3.00 to $3.40 per share;
●Adjusted FAD increased by 10.0% over 2017 levels;

 

We maintained our S&P corporate credit rating of“A-,” and we continue to be one of the highest rated REITs, ranking higher than all of our public company competitors; and
●Regular dividends increased by more than 11.8% over 2017 levels, from $3.40 to $3.80 per share;

 

Our TSR of 10.3% was higher than the NAREIT Equity Index return of 8.7%.
●We maintained our S&P corporate credit rating of“A-,” and we continue to be one of the highest-rated REITs; and

Based on these achievements and considerations, the Compensation Committee made the following compensation decisions for 2017:2018:

 

In connection with the departure of Mr. Russell in July 2016, the Compensation Committee determined in 2016 that he will still be entitled to receive 75% of any awards earned under the LTEIP with respect to the 2014 to 2017 cumulative performance period;

Bonuses paid to the NEOs amounted to 90% of the total targeted opportunity, ranging from $319,500 to $405,000; and

Each of the NEOs were issued RSU grants at the maximum level under the LTEIP.
●Bonuses paid to the NEOs amounted to 100% of the total targeted opportunity (except for Mr. Hedges, whose bonus was set as part of his onboarding package, and Mr. Groves, whose bonus was prorated according to the terms of his promotion), ranging from $145,334 to $450,000.
 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 2831    

Proposal 2

 

 

On the other hand, inIn keeping with our conservative compensation philosophy and practices:

 

Base salaries were maintained at 2016 levels;
●base salaries were maintained at 2017 levels, except for Messrs. Hedges and Groves, whose respective base salaries were set when they assumed their current positions in 2018;

 

No stock options were awarded;
●no stock options were awarded;

 

No perquisites were provided to our NEOs that were not also available to other employees generally; and
●no perquisites were provided to our NEOs that were not also available to other employees generally; and

 

No“gross-ups” or other tax reimbursement benefits were provided to our NEOs.
●no“gross-ups” or other tax reimbursement benefits were provided to our NEOs, other than amounts paid to our CFO forgross-up of taxes related to relocation costs.

We believe our compensation program for NEOs drove 20172018 performance and will continue to drive improved Company performance. Accordingly, the Board recommends that shareholders approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation rules, including the CD&A, the compensation tables, and the narrative disclosures that accompany the compensation tables in this proxy statement.

Our Executive Officers

The following is aare biographical summarysummaries of the current executive officerofficers of the Company who isare not also serving as directors:

Jeffrey D. Hedges, age 36, joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and principal financial officer on September 17, 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hedges served as Senior Vice President, Accounting and Reporting from 2015 at Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH) (formerly known as Starwood Waypoint Homes and prior to that Colony Starwood Homes), a director:publicly traded single-family residential real estate investment trust that owns and operates single-family rental homes in the United States. Mr. Hedges was a Senior Manager in the Transaction Advisory Services and Assurance (Audit) groups at Ernst & Young from 2006 to 2015. Mr. Hedges is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science from the W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, and a

Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

John W. Petersen, age 54,55, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since he joined the Company in December 2004. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Petersen was Senior Vice President, San Jose Region, for Equity Office Properties (EOP) from July 2001 to December 2004, responsible for 11.3 million square feet of multi-tenant office, industrial and R&D space in Silicon Valley. Prior to working for EOP, Mr. Petersen was Senior Vice President with Spieker Properties from 1995 to 2001, overseeing the growth of that company’s portfolio in San Jose, through acquisition and development of nearly three million square feet. Mr. Petersen is a graduate of The Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was recently the President of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, Silicon Valley Chapter.

Trenton Groves, age 46, has served as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Assistant Secretary, and principal accounting officer since September 2018. Mr. Groves joined the Company as Corporate Controller in 2004 and has served as Vice President, Finance, and Corporate Controller since 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Groves was in public accounting, serving as a Manager in the Assurance (Audit) group at Ernst & Young from 2002 to 2004 and as Manager at Arthur Anderson from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Groves is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from California State University, Northridge.

Executive Officer Diversity

Although we do not have and do not believe there is a need for a formal policy concerning diversity of executive officers, the Board seeks to ensure that a diversity of different experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints are represented in our management. Currently, our CEO is female and Hispanic, and the Board and management continue to be focused and committed to increasing diversity in ongoing succession planning discussions.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 32

Proposal 2

Compensation Philosophy, Objectives and Process

Our compensation goals are to hire, retain, and motivate our senior management to create long-term shareholder value. We generally pay our NEOs a mix of cash and long-term equity compensation that we consider appropriate in view of individual and corporate performance, competitive levels, and our objective of aligning individual and shareholderour NEOs’ interests with those of our shareholders to maximize theshareholder value of our shareholders’ investments in our securities over the long term.

In general, our compensation program for NEOs consists of:has comprised: (1) a base salary; (2) short-term incentives generally in the form of annual cash bonuses:bonuses; and (3) long-termperformance-and time-based incentives in the form ofperiodic equity awards subject to long-term vesting, which may be RSUsrestricted stock units (RSUs) or stock options that vest upon continued service or the achievement of defined performance goals.options.

Annual and long-termOur incentive compensation for NEOs is designed to reward achievement of Company-wide performance goals by tying awards primarily to financial objectives such as growth in: (1) Adjusted FAD per common share; (2) Same Park NOI; (3)that the Company’s internally calculated net asset value (NAV), which takes into account property-level performance, including capital expenditures; and, (4) dividend yields. Other corporate and individual objectivesCompensation Committee believes are also considered from time to time.key drivers of long-term, sustainable performance.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 29

Proposal 2

Because each component of our compensation program is designed to accomplish or reward different objectives, historically and in 2017,2018, the Compensation Committee determined the award of each component separately. Historically and in 2017,2018, the Compensation Committee did not retain or rely on information provided by any third-party compensation consultant in setting compensation levels and awards for our NEOs.

The Compensation Committee generally considers corporate, business unit, and individual performance generally, and particularly withother relevant factors, and will solicit the views of the CEO (with respect to our CEO’s compensation, input from other Board members, including the Chairman of the Board. With respect to the compensation of the executive officers who reportother NEOs) and the Chairman and the Board (with respect to our CEO,compensation of the Compensation Committee also considers the recommendations of our CEO.CEO).

Focus on Pay for Performance

The guiding principle of our executive compensation philosophy is to pay for performance and incentivize our executive officers to create long-term shareholder value. Performance bonuses and long-term, equity-basedThe Compensation Committee believes that NEO compensation should significantly vary based on the Company’s achievement of financial and operational goals and on each executive’s contributions to such achievement. This link between incentive payouts and achievement of goals has helped drive our strong and consistent performance year after year.

Emphasis on Long-Term Compensation andAt-Risk Pay

The Compensation Committee strives to provide an appropriate mix of different compensation elements, with an emphasis on long-term compensation. Cash payments primarily reward more recent performance, while equity awards serve as a retention tool and incentivize our NEOs to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time. In particular, the Compensation Committee specifically designed the LTEIP to focus management on the longer term by including a performance retesting component. This allows management to earn, upon achievementPS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 33    

of performance targets over the four-year period covered by the plan, awards that were not granted in years in which the threshold annual award level was not achieved. This feature was not triggered from inception to conclusion of the four-year LTEIP performance period.Proposal 2

In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that a substantial portion of our NEO’s compensation should beat-risk, contingent on the Company’s operating performance and growth in shareholder returns over the long-term.

Assessment of Individual Contributions

to Overall Performance

The Compensation Committee’s evaluation of each NEO places strong emphasis on his or her contributions to the Company’s overall performance rather than focusing only on his or her individual business or function.functional area. The Compensation Committee believes that the NEOs share responsibility to support the goals and performance of the Company as a whole.

Long-Term Financial Performance

The Company has delivered strong financial performance over a sustained period of time, increasing adjusted FAD over the last six years, and total and Same Park NOI overin each of the last sevenfive years. The Compensation Committee believes that our compensation program, structured on the philosophy and objectives outlined above, is a key driver of the Company’s strong performance over the long term.

The Compensation Committee made all final compensation decisions for NEOs in 2017,2018, which were ratified by the Board thereafter. For more information on the Compensation Committee and its responsibilities, see “Corporate Governance and Board Matters – Matters—Committees of the Board of Directors – Directors—Compensation Committee” on page 20.23.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 30

Proposal 2

Sound Governance Practices

In designing our executive compensation around the philosophy and objectives outlined above, the Compensation Committee believes that our program encourages the highest performance standards and aligns the interests of our NEOs with the long-term interests of our shareholders by:

 

● Keepingkeeping our NEOs focused on delivering sustainable industry-leading results over long periods of time,that are aligned with the Company’s business model;

 

● Aligningaligning the financial gains and losses of each NEO with objectives the Compensation Committee believes will drive long-term experience of shareholders;shareholders returns; and

 

● Supportingsupporting retention and continuity of leadership.

At the same time, the following features inof our program discourage inappropriate risk taking:

 

● Extensiveextensive stock holding requirements;

 

● Total compensation that is heavily weighted towards equity with long vesting periods;periods on equity compensation;

 

● Nono employment contracts orchange-in-control golden parachute arrangements;

 

● Nono guaranteed bonuses other than for new hires; and

 

● Nono additional grants to balance changes in value of prior grants.

Elements of Compensation

To achieve our compensation objectives, we believe that total executive compensation should be balanced among the following components: (1) a competitive annual base salary; (2) short-term performance-based incentive opportunities in the form of bonuses that are generally paid in cash; and, (3) long-term performance-based incentive opportunities that correlate with shareholders’ long-term financial objectives.

Annual Base Salary

Base salaries provide a competitive level of fixed compensation to attract and retain the best possible executive talent. We establish base salaries for NEOs at levels sufficient to achieve our hiring and retention goals. However, a significant portion of the total annual cash compensation such executives can earn consists of performance-based awards through our annual performance-based cash bonus program.

Base salaries are set based on factors that include competitive conditions in the local market, an individual’s performance and responsibilities and the business judgment of the members of the Compensation Committee. The factors considered also include input from other Board members, including the Chairman of the Board, particularly with respect to our CEO, and the recommendations of our CEO for the other NEOs.

In general, the Compensation Committee reviews base salaries every two years for the NEOs.

 

 

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Proposal 2

 

 

Short-Term Performance-Based Bonus AwardsOur executive compensation program is designed to align executive performance with the long-term interests of shareholders and is regularly reviewed to ensure that our compensation policies and practices continue to support the needs of our business, create value for shareholders and reflect sound governance practices.

Our annual performance-based cash bonus program provides an opportunity to reward NEOs for performance during the fiscal year. ItBelow is generally based on the achievementa summary of corporate and individual performance goals, or a combination of the two. The corporate performance goalsour key governance practices as they relate to one or moreexecutive compensation:

    What We Do

    What WeDon’t Do

LOGO  Align pay with performance by putting a substantial portion of our NEOs’ compensation “at risk.”A significant portion of NEO regular annual total compensation is tied to achievement of performance goals that are key drivers of our success.

LOGO  Promote retention and increase long-term shareholder value.Equity award grants to NEOs vest over at least four years.

LOGO  Mitigate undue risk in our executive compensation program.Financial targets for bonuses are based on multiple metrics to avoid inordinate focus on any particular metric. We do not give earnings guidance to analysts.

LOGO  Stock ownership guidelines for executive officers.NEOs with the company at least five years are required to meet robust stock ownership requirements. Unvested time-based RSUs, unvested stock options, andout-of-the-money stock options are NOT counted for determining compliance with these guidelines.

LOGO  Clawback of equity awards. Awards granted pursuant to our 2012 Plan are subject to mandatory repayment if the grantee is subject to any clawback requirement under applicable laws.

LOGO    No employment, “golden parachute” or severance agreements with our NEOs.

LOGO    No guaranteed bonus arrangements with our NEOsexcept in connection with new hires as inducement to attract the best candidates.

LOGO    No excessive perquisites. Except for perquisites that are available to employees generally such as contributions to the 401(k) Plan, the company does not offer perquisites to our NEOs.

LOGO    No repricing of stock options.

LOGO    No tax gross ups.The company generally does not provide“gross-ups” or other reimbursements of golden parachute or other taxes,* nor does it provide change in control benefits to its NEOs that are not available to other employees generally.

LOGO    No supplemental retirement plans.The company does not provide any nonqualified deferred compensation or supplemental retirement benefits to our NEOs, other than providing the opportunity to defer receipt of shares that otherwise would be paid on vesting of certain RSUs.

LOGO    No hedging against price fluctuations in the company’s securities is permitted.

* Upon his hiring, Mr. Hedges received agross-up payment of the following financial factors: growth in Adjusted FAD; growth in Same Park rental income; growth in Same Park NOI; and/or, the maintenance of targeted levels of property-level returns after capitalized transactional expenditures. Achievement of other operational and financial goals may also be included from timetaxes related to time. Individual performance goals vary from year to year, depending on management’s and the Compensation Committee’s determination of the most effective areas of focus in driving shareholder return.relocation costs.

We have had a long history of setting annual incentive award targets at around one times base salary, but this does not preclude the Compensation Committee from approving higher or lower annual incentive awards. The actual awards are determined by the Compensation Committee after determining whether the targeted corporate performance metrics have been achieved and, with respect to individual and other goals, considering the recommendations of our CEO with respect to the performance of the other NEOs. In addition, the Compensation Committee solicits the views of the Chairman and the Board, particularly with respect to the performance of our CEO. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to increase or reduce the amount of any actual award based on those factors that the Compensation Committee considers appropriate.

Long-Term Performance and

Time-Based Equity Compensation

Equity awards are long-term incentives designed to reward long-term growth in shareholder returns. We believe these awards help retain executives because they achieve their maximum value only if the price of our Common Stock increases after the date of grant

and the executive continues to be employed by us for a period of years. In general, equity awards are

granted only after the Compensation Committee has determined that the applicable performance goals have been achieved. Granted awards vest ratably in installments over the period of time, and pursuant to other terms and conditions, specified in the grant or applicable compensation plan. The Compensation Committee has generally granted only RSUs and stock options, and has the discretion to award a mix of both to executive officers.

Stock Options

Stock options have value solely to the extent that the price of our Common Stock is greater than the exercise price of the option at the time of exercise. Options help us retain executive officers in that options vest over a multi-year period and achieve their maximum value to the executive only if he or she remains in the Company’s employ for a period of years.

Stock options are granted with an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant, which ensures that the executive officer does not profit from the option unless the price of our Common Stock increases after the grant date.

The Compensation Committee determines stock option award levels to the NEOs in its discretion, considering input from other Board members with respect to stock option awards to our CEO, recommendations of our CEO with respect to awards to the other NEOs, the executive’s responsibilities and performance and equity awards at other companies, including REITs, of a comparable size and market capitalization.

 

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Elements of Executive Compensation

To achieve our compensation objectives of aligning pay with performance and long-term shareholder value, we believe that total executive compensation over the long-tern should be balanced among the following components:

    Elements of PayFormLinks to Compensation Objectives

Fixed

Pay

Base Salary

Cash

●

Customary, fixed element of compensation intended to attract and retain exceptional executives

●

Compensation Committee generally reviews NEO base salaries every two years and considers, among other factors, competitive market conditions and individual performance and responsibilities

At-

Risk

Pay

Annual IncentivesCash●

Aligns pay with the achievement of short-term objectives

●

Payouts based on achievement of annual financial, operational, and individual goals, with potential for upward or downward adjustment to align pay with performance

●

Actual bonus amounts subject to the discretion and judgment of the Compensation Committee, regardless of whether performance targets are met

Long-Term IncentivesRSUs●

Periodic equity awards giving NEOs an ongoing stake in the success of the business

●

Help retain and motivate our NEOs by vesting in installments over multiple years, with the recipient only able to realize the full potential value of the award by remaining employed over the vesting period

●

Help retain executive talent when we may need it most because, unlike stock options, RSUs retain some value even in declining or difficult markets conditions

Stock

Options

●

Have value only if price of our Common Stock is greater than the exercise price of the option at the time of exercise

●

Help with retention because they vest over several years and achieve their maximum value only if the NEO remains employed with the Company

●Stock options are granted at the Compensation Committee’s discretion and with an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant, thus ensuring that the executive only profits from the option if the price of our Common Stock increases after the grant date

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 36

Proposal 2

 

RSUs

RSUs increase in value as the value of our Common Stock increases, and vest over time, provided that the executive officer remains employed at the Company.

Awards of RSUs serve the Compensation Committee’s objectives of retaining executive officers and other employees and motivating them to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders. Unlike stock options, RSUs retain some value even in persistently declining markets, and may be particularly important to the Company during difficult market conditions because of their value in retaining executive talent at times when we may need it most. In addition, to better align the interests of our NEOs with those of our shareholders, vested RSUs, but not vested options, count toward the determination of whether the respective stock ownership guidelines have been satisfied.

The Compensation Committee does not set awards based on a fixed weighting between stock options and RSUs. However, it may determine not to award stock options or RSUs during certain periods.

Equity Grant Practices

Equity grants to all of our executive officers, including the NEOs, must be approved by the Compensation Committee, which consists entirely of independent directors.directors, and:

 

● Grantsgrants occur only at meetings or upon written actions of the Board or the Compensation Committee (including telephonic meetings), and are made effective as of the date of the meeting or written action, or a future date if appropriate (such as in the case of a new hire);

 

● Equityequity awards to executive officers are not timed in coordination with the release of materialnon-public information. Awardsinformation;

●awards are also subject to the terms of our 2012 Equity and Performance-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2012 Plan);

● Historically,historically, equity awards to executive officers have vested over an extended period, which the Compensation Committee believes furthers the goals of retention and motivation over the long-term; and

 

● Withwith respect to awards of performance-based RSUs to the NEOs other than our CEO, the Compensation Committee determines award levels based on recommendations from our CEO, taking into consideration each individual’s responsibilities and performance, as discussed in more detail below;below.

In 2016, the Compensation Committee approved a pool of 5,000 RSUs to be granted under authority of Ms. Hawthorne, the Company’s President and CEO, to new employees or employees promoted by the Company who are not executive officers of the Company. These awards are typically granted on the first trading day of the month following the hire or promotion date, and vest in equal annual installments over five years.

●In 2017, the Compensation Committee approved a pool of 5,000 RSUs to be granted under authority of Ms. Hawthorne, the Company’s President and CEO, to new employees or employees promoted by the Company who are not executive officers of the Company. These awards are typically granted on the first trading day of the month following the hire or promotion date, and vest in equal annual installments over five years; and

Equity grants to othernon-executive officers may be made at other times during the year, but are not timed in coordination with the release of materialnon-public information. These awards typically vest in equal annual installments over five years.

●Equity grants to othernon-executive officers may be made at other times during the year, but are not timed in coordination with the release of materialnon-public information. These awards typically vest in equal annual installments over five years.
 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 33

Proposal 2

Our Key Governance Practices

Our executive compensation program is designed to align executive performance with the long-term interests of shareholders and is regularly reviewed to ensure that our compensation policies and practices continue to support the needs of our business, create value for shareholders and reflect sound governance practices.

Below is a summary of our key governance practices as they relate to executive compensation:

✓    What We Do

✓Align pay with performance by putting a substantial portion of our NEOs’ compensation “at risk.” Over 70% of 2017 NEO realized compensation was tied to the achievement of performance goals that are key drivers to the success of our business.

✓Promote retention and increase long-term shareholder value. Equity award grants to NEOs vest ratably over a time period of at least 4 years.

✓Mitigate undue risk in our executive compensation program. Financial targets for bonuses typically are based on multiple metrics to avoid inordinate focus on any particular metric. In addition, the Board and management do not establish any earnings targets for cash bonus awards, and management does not give earnings guidance to analysts. Also, bonus payments are capped at a maximum payout level.

✓Stock ownership guidelines for executive officers.In 2015, the Company implemented minimum stock ownership guidelines of 5X annual base salary for our CEO and 3X annual base salary for all of our other NEOs. All of our NEOs who have been with the Company at least five years exceed his/her stock ownership requirement.

✓Pay a high percentage of executive compensation in equity. Our NEOs receive a higher percentage of their total compensation in equity, thus aligning their interests more closely with those of our shareholders, than their peers in the industry.

✓Clawback of equity awards. Awards granted pursuant to our 2012 Plan are subject to mandatory repayment by the grantee to the Company if the grantee is or becomes subject to any clawback requirement under applicable laws.

LOGO     What WeDon’t Do

LOGONo employment or “golden parachute” agreements with our NEOs.

LOGONo guaranteed bonus arrangements with our NEOsexcept in connection with new hires as inducement to attract the best candidates.

LOGONo repricing of stock options.

LOGONo excessive perquisites.Except for perquisites that are available to employees generally such as holiday emoluments, anniversary awards and contributions to the 401(k) Plan, the Company does not offer perquisites to our NEOs.

LOGONo tax gross ups.The Company does not provide“gross-ups” or other reimbursements of golden parachute or other taxes to its NEOs.

LOGONo supplemental retirement plans.The Company does not provide any nonqualified deferred compensation or supplemental retirement benefits to our NEOs, other than providing executives the opportunity to defer receipt of shares that otherwise would be paid on vesting of certain RSUs.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 3437    

Proposal 2

 

 

 

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

The Board implemented stock ownership guidelines for NEOs effective April 28, 2015. Each NEO is expected to beneficially own Common Stock equal in market value to a specified multiple of his or her annual base salary. The guideline for the CEO is five times his or her base salary and for the other NEOs is three times his or her base salary. All of our NEOs who have been with the Company at least five years exceed his/her stock ownership requirement.

Only shares of Common Stock (1) owned by the executive, (2) owned jointly by him/her and his/her spouse, (3) owned by his/her spouse, (4) held by him/her in the 401(k) Plan, and (5) held in custodial accounts or trust for him/her or for his/her spouse and/or children are counted for determining compliance with these guidelines. Unvested time-based RSUs andin-the-money value of vested options are NOT counted for determining compliance with these guidelines.

20172018 Executive Compensation

 

20172018 Company Performance

Execution on Strategy.During 2017,2018, management successfully executed on the Company’s strategy of improving occupancy and rental rates. Optimized occupancy gives us the ability to adjust rents and transaction costs aggressively in response to changing conditions, thereby accelerating company financial performance and operating metrics. In addition, we continued to commit to a conservative balance sheet inby minimizing the use of debt. Management’s successful execution on these strategies enabled the Company to deliver solid results on several fronts during the year, including the following:

Key Financial Metrics

 

● Adjusted FAD increased by 10.0% over 2017 levels;

●NOI (excluding NOI from assets sold) and Same Park NOI both increased by 5.8% and 2.6%, respectively, over 2017 levels, through increases in weighted average occupancy, average rents and income from a park acquired in 2018, and from our multifamily asset; and

●Management’s initiatives to grow occupancyrental rates over 20162017 levels continued to result in growing rental rates on executed deals, increasing Same Park rates by 5.1% over 2016 levels;

●NOI (excluding NOI from assets sold and held for development) and Same Park NOI both increased

by 5.7% over 2016 levels, through increases in weighted average occupancy, average rents, reductions in cost and income from parks acquired in 2016; and

●FAD increased by 2.2% over 20162017 levels.

Strong Dividend Growth and Financial Discipline

 

● Regular dividends increased by more than 13.3%11.8% over 20162017 levels, from $3.00$3.40 to $3.40$3.80 per share;

 

● The Company continues to enjoy one of the lowest leverage levels in the REIT industry;

 

● By virtue of our historically low leverage, a consistently conservative financial posture and robust earnings capability, we maintained our S&P corporate credit rating of“A-”; and

 

● We continue to be one of the highest rated REITs by S&P, higher than all of our public company competitors.&P.
 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 3538

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Total Shareholder Return.We believe our compensation program for executive officers helped drive our strong performance in 2017,2018, rewarding the Company’s shareholders with a 10.3%7.9% TSR during 2017. This was higher than2018, compared to the NAREIT Equity Index, which had a negative return of 8.7%4.1%. In addition, our TSR beat the NAREIT Equity Index and the S&P 500 indices for the5-year and15-year periodperiods ending December 31, 2017,2018, averaging 13.0%11.4% in TSR per year since 2002.2003. The exhibit below shows our TSR expressed as cumulative return to shareholders since December 31, 2012,2013, and illustrates that $100 invested in PS Business Parks on December 31, 20122013 would have been valued at $227.29$203.66 as of December 31, 2017.2018.

Sustained Shareholder Value (TSR)

 

LOGOLOGO

 

LOGO

Superior TSR Performance Over the Long Term

LOGO

*TSR assumes common share price appreciation plus reinvestment of dividends

 

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Proposal 2

 

 

FADCore FFO and Shareholder Distributions.In 2017,2018, we grew our FADCore FFO per common share by 2.2%5.5% over 20162017 levels, which increased our capacity for investments in theour business. Annual dividends per common share paid in 20172018 also grew by more than 13.3%11.8%. The following chart shows the growth achieved by PS Business Parks in these two metrics over a five-year period.

 

 Consistent Growth in FFO and Dividends per Common Share

 

LOGO

LOGO

*Refer to Appendix A to this Proxy Statementpages35-36 of our Form10-K filed on February 26, 2019, for reconciliation and other information.information regarding Core FFO.

Pay Ratio Disclosure

Presented below is

This section presents the ratio of annual total compensation of our President and CEO, Maria R. Hawthorne (as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table below in this proxy statement)at page 46 below), to the annual total compensation (FormW-2 wages) of our median employee (excluding Ms. Hawthorne). The ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).

We selected the median employee based on the Company’s 158155 employees (excluding Ms. Hawthorne) as of December 31, 2017.2018. In identifying our median employee, we calculated the annual total compensation of each employee as of December 31, 20172018, based on FormW-2 information. We did not apply anycost-of-living adjustments as part of the calculation.

The 20172018 annual total compensation for our CEO, as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table below, in this proxy statement, and as determined under Item 402 of RegulationS-K, was $866,601.$3,773,551. The 20172018 annual total compensation for our median employee, as determined under Item 402 of RegulationS-K, was $73,559.$83,264. The ratio of our CEO’s annual total compensation to our median employee’s total compensation for fiscal year 20172018 is 11.7845 to 1.

    PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 40

Proposal 2

Factors Considered by the Compensation Committee in its Compensation Decisions for 20172018

20172018 Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation.We believe our executive compensation program is appropriately structured to achieve our objective of driving growth in long-term shareholder value.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 37

Proposal 2

Role of Management and Compensation Committee Meetings.In general, our CEO attends all meetings of the Compensation Committee at which (i) compensation of the other NEOs or other employees is discussed and/or (ii) Company-wide compensation matters, such as the consideration of new equity plans, are discussed.

Our CEO does not vote on items before the Compensation Committee. As discussed in more detail below, the Compensation Committee solicits our CEO’s views on the performance of the executive officers reporting to her, including each of the other NEOs. In general, the Compensation Committee sets the compensation for the other NEOs after consideration of theour CEO’s recommendations prepared by our CEO with respect to appropriate amounts to reward and incentivize each NEO.    The Compensation Committee solicits the views of the Chairman of the Board and other Board members, particularly with respect to compensation for our CEO.

The Compensation Committee met fivefour times during 2017.2018. Ms. Hawthorne attended a portion of mostall of the meetings but did not participate in the deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to setting her own compensation.

20172018 Compensation Targets

The Compensation Committee designed its incentive compensation programs for 20172018 to focus management on growing our business.

20172018 Annual Cash Incentive Thresholds and Targets.In February 2017,March 2018, the Compensation Committee met to determine the appropriate performance thresholds and target amounts for 20172018 annual incentive bonuses in order to properly incentivize senior management with respect to 20172018 performance. The thresholds represent the minimum performance levels that must be achieved in order for senior management to be qualified for awards of 20172018 annual incentive bonuses at the target amounts.

After consideration of the Company’s strategic goals and input from Ms. Hawthorne and other Board members, including the Chairman of the Board, the Compensation Committee established the following as the performance thresholds for payment of senior executive bonuses: (i) at least 5.0% growth in 20172018 Adjusted FAD from 20162017 Adjusted FAD and (ii) at least 2.0% growth in 20172018 Same Park NOI from 20162017 Same Park NOI. These financial metrics were selected by the Compensation Committee because of their importance to both the PS Business Parks senior executive team and to investors. And consistent with our long history of setting annual incentive award targets at around one time base salary (although this does not preclude the Compensation Committee from approving higher or lower annual incentives awards), 20172018 bonus target amounts were established at 100% of base salary for each executive officer.

For purposes of determining performance metrics, Adjusted FAD is calculated after FAD is computed. FAD is computed by adjusting consolidated Funds From Operations (FFO) for recurringto (a) deduct capital improvements which the Company defines as those costs incurred tothat maintain the assets’real estate value, tenant improvements and lease commissions, (b) eliminate certainnon-cash income or expenses such as straight-line rent andnon-cash stock compensation expense impairment charges, amortization of lease incentives and tenant improvement reimbursements,in-place lease adjustment and(c) eliminate the impact of EITF TopicD-42. Consolidated FFO is computed asrepresents GAAP net income before real estate depreciation and amortization minority interest income,expense, gains or losses from sales of operating properties and impairment charges on asset dispositionsoperating properties and nonrecurring items. real estate equity investments.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 41    

Proposal 2

For purposes of calculating the FAD bonus target amounts, 20172018 FAD was adjusted by a number of factors, including adjustments made to neutralize the impact of: (i) maintenance capital expenditures; (ii) income, capital, and expenses incurred in connection with asset dispositions in 2017;2018; and (iii) cash paid for taxes in lieu of shares.

    PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 38

Proposal 2

In determining whether the bonus paid is to be at, above or below the target bonus amount, the Compensation Committee will solicit the views of the CEO (with respect to the other NEOs) and the Chairman and the Board (with respect to the CEO), taking into account the performance of each NEO, including achievement of individual performance goals and other factors deemed relevant by the Compensation Committee.

In addition, the Compensation Committee set the maximum 2017 bonus payout for NEOs at five times base salary in consideration of Section 162(m). However, this does not represent a potential award that the Compensation Committee has historically granted, or intends to grant, in its discretion.

2017 Equity-Based Compensation Targets. The equity-based compensation opportunity afforded our executive officers in 2017 was limited to RSU awards that might be earned under the LTEIP that was adopted in March 2014 and expired at December 31, 2017.

Under the LTEIP, NEOs were eligible to receive two opportunities to earn awards of RSUs if the Company achieved targeted increases in total return (defined as growth in NAV, which takes into account property-level performance, including capital expenditures, together with dividend yields) over annual and cumulative four-year performance periods. These return levels were determined by the Compensation Committee to be challenging but achievable.

The maximum number of RSUs available to award to NEOs over the four-year performance period under the LTEIP were 263,750. Annual RSU awards were made following performance periods, and a cumulative RSU award at the conclusion of the four-year performance period was recently made in March 2018 based on total return achieved over the 2014 to 2017 period. Executive officers had the opportunity to earn up to 20% of the potential RSU awards made under the LTEIP for each year in the four-year performance period if the maximum performance level was achieved for that year, with the actual

number of RSUs awarded each year determined based on achievement of threshold, target and maximum levels of total return. The final 20% of the potential RSU awards were established to be allocated to the cumulative award at the end of the performance period. Awards vest ratably over four years beginning on the date of the award. Participants received dividends on RSUs during the vesting period.

Only if the Company’s total return did not meet the threshold performance level for any year in the performance period, a number of RSUs equal to the maximum number of RSUs available for that year were added to the cumulative pool of RSUs available for award at the end of the performance period (i.e., if the threshold level was achieved for any performance period, any shortfall between the number of RSUs at the maximum award level and what was actually earned for that performance period were forfeited and not added to the available pool for the cumulative performance period). This performance retesting component was designed by the Compensation Committee to focus management on the longer four-year time frame, in keeping with the Company’s compensation philosophy. However, no RSUs were added to the cumulative award over the course of the four-year performance period of the LTEIP, as the Company achieved at least the threshold award level every year of the LTEIP term.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 39

Proposal 2

2017 Compensation Decisions

In February 2018,2019, the Compensation Committee considered, among other factors, that (i) Adjusted 20172018 FAD was $175.6$193.2 million, a 6.6%10.0% increase over 2016,2017 and (ii) 20172018 Same Park NOI was $14.5$7.1 million, a 5.7%2.6% increase over 2016 and (iii) the highest total return level under the LTEIP was achieved for 2017. As a result, the Compensation Committee made the following decisions with respect to 20172018 compensation:

 

● Base Salaries.In 2018, the Compensation Committee considered but did not make any adjustments to base salaries, remain unchanged from 2015 levels except for Ms. Hawthorne, whosethat Mr. Groves’s base salary was previously increased to $450,000 in 2016 in connection with$200,000 upon his promotion to Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Hawthorne’s base salary, which was set upon her promotion to CEO;CEO in July 2016, remained at $450,000; Mr. Hedges’s base salary, which was set upon his joining the Company in September 2018, remained at $375,000; and Mr. Petersen’s base salary remained at its 2013 level of $355,000.

 

● As a result of management’sAnnual Cash Incentives. Based on the achievement of 6.6% growththe annual incentive performance goals set for 2018, the Compensation Committee awarded bonuses to our NEOs in 2017 Adjusted FADthe following amounts: $450,000 for Ms. Hawthorne (100% of target); $325,000 for Mr. Hedges (per the terms of

his onboarding package); $355,000 for Mr. Peterson (100% of target); and 5.7% growth in Same Park NOI, bonuses paid$145,334 for Mr. Groves (100% of target, prorated according to the NEOs for 2017 amounted to 90%terms of their total targeted opportunity ($319,500 to $405,000);his promotion).

 

● Annual total returnExcept as computed under the LTEIP (growth in NAV, which takes into account property-level performance, including capital expenditures, together with dividend yields) was 14.1%, qualifying management for grants of RSUs at the maximum level under the plan. As a result, 48,000 performance-based RSU awards were granted to the NEOs in March 2018 for performance in 2017 and the 2014-2017 period; and

●Nonoted below, no stock options were awarded to the NEOs during 2017.2018.

In evaluating management’s performance, the Compensation Committee placed significant weight on theirmanagement’s strategic decisions that correctly anticipated changing economic conditions, their successful execution on that strategy, and their unwavering financial discipline. Our management team, withled by Ms. Hawthorne, as its leader in particular, successfully oversaw and navigated the Company through these challenges. And Ms. Hawthorne did so while serving in a dual capacity as interim Chief Financial Officer

since from September 1, 2017. 2017, through September 16, 2018.

In evaluating the overall compensation of our NEOs, and in keeping with its compensation philosophy of emphasizing and rewarding long-term performance, the Compensation Committee avoided placing inordinate emphasis on strict year-over-year comparisons in any specific financial metric, such as rental income or net income, as they are in part skewed byone-time andnon-recurring events and do not reflect management’s long-term strategic focus. As such, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s 20172018 executive compensation is fully aligned with performance.

Base Salaries. The Compensation Committee typically reviews base salariesIn addition to the compensation awarded for increases every two years. In 2017,2018 service, the Compensation Committee considered but did not make any adjustmentsapproved the following special equity awards in 2018: aone-time award of 25,000 RSUs was awarded to base salaries originally establishedMs. Hawthorne in July 2013, except that Ms. Hawthorne’s base salary was increasedlight of retention considerations and for serving a dual capacity role as Chief Financial Officer; 10,000 RSUs were awarded to $450,000Mr. Hedges in connection with her promotionhis appointment as part of an onboarding package; and 2,000 RSUs were awarded to CEOMr. Groves in July 2016. As such,light of retention considerations and additional responsibilities he assumed prior to the base salaryhiring of Mr. Petersen remains at its 2013 level of $355,000.

Annual Cash Incentives. Based on the achievement of the annual incentive performance targets set for 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded bonuses to all NEOs at 90% of their bonus potential in the following amounts: $405,000 for Ms. Hawthorne; and, $319,500 for Mr. Peterson. Because these awards were based onpre-established performance goals, they are presented in the Summary Compensation Table on page 44 as“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Equity-based Compensation. In February 2018, the Compensation Committee considered that the management achieved 14.1% in annual total return and 13.4% in average annual total return over the four years prior, as computed under the LTEIP. This result qualified executive officers for equity-based compensation at the maximum level. Accordingly, each of the NEOs received grants in March 2018 at the maximum level, based on performance in 2017 and the four years prior.Hedges.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4042

Proposal 2

Performance-Based Compensation

We believe that a significant percentage of NEO compensation should be tied to the Company’s performance and thus be “at risk.” The following charts identify the percentage of regular 2018 compensation that is “at risk” as it is compensation tied to the achievement of performance goals.

LOGO

* Based on compensation as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table section of this proxy statement. Excludesone-time awards related to new employment or expanded responsibilities related to executive changes.

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 43    

Proposal 2

 

 

 

The following table shows the number of RSUs that may be awarded to our NEOs in respect of a given year and over the four-year averaging period assuming the Company’s achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance levels of total return for each performance period. The table also shows the maximum number of RSUs each NEO had the opportunity to earn under the LTEIP. The RSUs available for award under the LTEIP were allocated among the CEO and the other NEO based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective assessment of each individual’s relative responsibilities and contributions to the Company’s total returns. With respect to the allocations to the NEO other than Ms. Hawthorne, the committee also considered the recommendations of Ms. Hawthorne.

     Potential Annual RSU  
  Awards under the LTEIP,  
    by Total Return Performance Level (1)    		   

  Total Number of RSUs  

  Available for Award to  

  Each NEO  

  under the LTEIP,  

  Assuming Maximum  

  Name    Threshold             Target         Maximum     Performance Level  

Maria R. Hawthorne

     8,000              10,286          12,000      60,000

John W. Petersen

     8,000              10,286          12,000      60,000

(1)For purposes of the cumulative RSU awards, assumes that the Company’s total return met at least the threshold performance level in each of the individual years in the performance period such that none of the potential RSU awards for an individual year was added to the cumulative award at the end of the performance period.

Performance-Based andAt-Risk Compensation

The following charts depict 2017 realized compensation for our CEO, and for our other NEO, the split between (i) compensation that is tied to the achievement of performance goals, consisting of long-term equity incentive compensation in the form of RSUs and short-termnon-equity incentive compensation in the form of cash bonuses and (ii) compensation that is not tied to performance goals, consisting of base salary and all other compensation. We believe that paying a significantly larger percentage of total compensation to our CEO and other NEOs in performance-based cash and equity awards, as depicted below, properly aligns with our compensation objectives.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 41

Proposal 2

LOGO

* Based on realized compensation as disclosed in the Realized Compensation Table in footnote 7 to the Summary Compensation Table section of this proxy statement. Refer to Appendix B to this proxy statement for a calculation of 2016 CEO compensation for purposes of year-over-year comparisons and analyses.

20182019 Compensation Outlook

 

The Compensation Committee believes the Company is well-positioned as a result of management’s focus and successful execution over the last several years. Given these expectations, the Compensation Committee met in February and March 20182019 and made the following decisions for 20182019 NEO compensation:

 

● NEOthe base salaries of Ms. Hawthorne, Mr. Hedges, and Mr. Groves are to be maintained at 2017year-end 2018 levels;

 

● ConsistentMr. Petersen’s base salary, which had not been adjusted since 2013, was increased to $400,000, effective March 1, 2019;

●consistent with our historical practice, 20182019 bonus target amounts are set at 100% of base salary for each executive officer if performance targets are achieved;

 

● Thethe threshold for the payment of bonuses is again tied to achieving targeted levels of growth in Same Park NOI and Adjusted FAD; and

 

● Inin determining whether the bonus is to be at, above, or below the target bonus amount, the Compensation Committee will solicit the views of the CEO (with respect to the other NEOs) and the Chairman of the Board (with respect to the CEO), taking into account the performance of each NEO, including achievement of individual performance goals and other factors deemed relevant by the Compensation Committee; andCommittee.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation

●In recognition of her achievements since assuming the President and CEO position and her ongoing responsibilities as interim Chief Financial Officer, and in light of retention considerations given current competitive dynamics, in March 2018 the Compensation Committee issued aone-time award to Ms. Hawthorne of 25,000 RSUs, which will vest in equal annual installments over five years.

The Compensation Committee considers the tax deductibility of compensation as one factor when considering executive compensation program alternatives. Due to its tax status as a REIT, the Company must generally distribute its taxable income to shareholders. To the extent that compensation is not deductible, taxable income will be higher and so, distributions to shareholders may be higher than they would be otherwise.

The Compensation Committee has in the past approved and has reserved the right in the future to approve compensation that does not qualify for deductibility in circumstances it deems in the Company’s best interests.

Prior to January 1, 2018, Section 162(m) imposed a $1,000,000 per person limit on the annual tax deduction for compensation paid to the Company’s current chief executive officer and certain other executive officers. Certain “performance-based” compensation exceeding $1,000,000 annually paid to the executives was excluded from Section 162(m)’s limitation and was deductible if certain requirements were met. The Company generally designed awards of stock options, certain restricted share units, and cash incentives to qualify as deductible “performance-based” compensation.

Under tax reform legislation signed into law on December 22, 2017 (the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”), the deductibility of executive compensation was limited further, effective January 1, 2018. Section 162(m) still imposes a $1,000,000 per person limit on the annual tax deduction for compensation paid to the Company’s current chief executive officer and certain other executive officers. But, the exclusion for “performance-based” compensation was repealed, and the group of employees subject to the limitation was expanded to include the chief financial officer and certain former executive officers.    

Compensation awarded before November 3, 2017, which otherwise qualified as “performance based,” may continue to be deductible in the future as the cash compensation is paid, the restricted share units vest, and the stock options are exercised, under certain interim relief provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, due to ambiguities and uncertainties about how the revised Section 162(m) should apply, it is uncertain whether previous awards that the Compensation Committee believed to be “performance based” compensation will be deductible going forward.

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4244

Proposal 2

 

 

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of PS Business Parks, Inc. has reviewed and discussed the foregoing CD&A with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement and in the Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

This report is provided by the following independent directors who comprise the Compensation Committee:

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Jennifer Holden Dunbar, Chair

James H. Kropp Chair

Jennifer Holden Dunbar

Robert S. Rollo

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4345    

Proposal 2

 

 

Executive Compensation Tables

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 20152016 to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and the onetwo other most highly compensated personpersons who waswere serving as executive officers of the Company on December 31, 2017.2018. These threefour positions constitute all the Company’s NEOs.

I.           Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position  Year   Salary (1)     Bonus   

Stock

Awards (2)

   

Option

Awards

(2)(3)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

(4)

   

All Other

Compensation

(5)(6)

   Total (8)   

Year

 

   

Salary(1)

 

   

Bonus(2)

 

   

Stock
Awards(3)

 

   

Option
Awards(4)

 

   

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(5)

 

   

All Other
Compensation
(6)(7)

 

   

Total(8)

 

 
Maria R. Hawthorne   2017    $450,801    -    -    -    $405,000    $10,800    $866,601    2018   $450,801    -    $2,861,750    -    $450,000    $11,000    $3,773,551 
President and CEO(7)   2016    425,801    -    1,057,600    235,250    450,000    10,600    2,179,251    2017    450,801    -    -    -    405,000    10,800    866,601 
   2015    353,204    -    -    -    368,000    10,600    731,804    2016    425,801    -    1,057,600    $235,250    450,000    10,600    2,179,251 

Jeffrey D. Hedges

   2018    101,343   $325,000    1,257,400    -    -    216,321    1,900,064 

Executive Vice President,

   2017    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Chief Financial Officer

   2016    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

and Secretary

                

(since September 2018)

                        
John W. Petersen   2017    355,801    -    -    -    319,500    10,800    686,101    2018    355,801    -    -    -    355,000    11,000    721,801 
Executive Vice President and   2016    355,801    -    -    -    355,000    10,600    721,401    2017    355,801    -    -    -    319,500    10,800    686,101 
Chief Operating Officer   2015    355,801    -    -    -    310,000    10,600    676,401    2016    355,801    -    -    -    355,000    10,600    721,401 
Edward A. Stokx   2017    202,859      -    -    -    1,510,800    1,713,659 
Former Executive Vice President,   2016    275,801    -    -    -    275,000    10,600    561,401 
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary   2015    275,801    -    -    -    230,000    10,600    516,401 
(through August 2017)                        

Trenton A. Groves

   2018    184,760    -    228,940    -    145,334    11,000    570,034 

Senior Vice President and

   2017    178,801    -    -    -    120,000    10,800    309,601 

Chief Accounting Officer

   2016    178,801    -    -    -    115,000    10,600    304,401 

 

 (1)

Includes an amount of $801 per annum in holiday emoluments paid to each NEO (except Mr. Stokx, who resigned as of August 31, 2017; see footnote (6) below),NEO; a benefit provided to all employees. Ms. Hawthorne’s annual salary for 2016 was $400,000 through June 30, 2016, and $450,000 thereafter. Mr. Hedges joined the Company on September 17, 2018, and his annual salary for 2018 was $375,000. Mr. Groves’ annual salary for 2018 was $200,000 in connection with his appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in September 2018.

 

 (2)

The amount shown for Mr. Hedges in 2018 represents a guaranteed bonus agreed to in connection with his onboarding package.

(3)

The amounts for equity awards reflect the grant date fair value. For a more detailed discussion and assumptions used in valuing the awards, refer to Note 11 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2018, included in the Form10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018.2019. All holders of unvested RSUs receive payments equal to any dividends paid on the Common Stock.

 

 (3)(4)

The amount shown for Ms. Hawthorne in 2016 represents the grant date fair value of options to acquire 25,000 shares of Common Stock awarded in connection with her appointment to CEO in July 2016.

 

 (4)(5)

Includes amounts earned pursuant to the Company’s annual incentive award program.

 

 (5)(6)

All Other Compensation for 20172018 consists of Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan (4% of the annual cash compensation up to a maximum of $10,800$11,000 in 2017)2018).

 

 (6)(7)

In addition to the Other Compensation referenced in (5)(6) above, Mr. StokxHedges received aone-timeone-timegross-up severance payment of $1,500,000 in connection with his resignation effective August 31, 2017.

(7)Upon Mr. Stokx’s retirement as CFO effective August 31, 2017, Ms. Hawthorne was appointed and still serves as acting CFO pending the appointmenttaxes of a successor CFO.$111,153 related to $105,168 of relocation costs.

 

 (8)In evaluating our NEOs’ compensation, we believe it is important to understand not only the potential value of performance-based equity incentive awards at the time they are granted, but also the value of performance awards actually earned in a particular year. The Realized Compensation Table below supplements

Ms. Hawthorne was appointed and is identical to the Summary Compensation Table above, except with respect to the method used to value stock awards subject to performance vesting. SEC rules require that the grant date fair value of all stock awards be reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the year in which they were granted. As a result, even though certain awards, like the LTEIP, are subject to multi-year performance vesting conditions and are meant to incentivize performance over multiple years, for purposes of the Summary Compensation Table they are only included in the year of grant, and the amounts are based on estimated future results rather than actual amounts earned. In contrast, the Realized Compensation Table below shows the value of performance-based stock awards actually earned based on performanceserved as of the end of a particular year. See Note 2 above for additional information.interim CFO from September 1, 2017 through September 16, 2018.

Realized Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position  Year   Salary (1)     Bonus   

Stock

Awards

   

Option

Awards

(3)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

(4)

   

All Other

Compensation

(5)

   Total     

Maria R. Hawthorne

   2017    $450,801    -    $2,712,480    -    $405,000    $10,800    $3,579,081 
   2016    425,801    -    2,402,560    235,250    450,000    10,600    3,524,211 
    2015    353,204    -    1,168,320    -    368,000    10,600    1,900,124 

John W. Petersen

   2017    355,801    -    2,712,480    -    319,500    10,800    3,398,581 
   2016    355,801    -    1,344,960    -    355,000    10,600    2,066,361 
    2015    355,801    -    1,168,320    -    310,000    10,600    1,844,721 

Edward A. Stokx

   2017    202,859      -    -    -    1,510,800    1,713,659 
   2016    275,801    -    1,120,800    -    275,000    10,600    1,682,201 
    2015    275,801    -    973,600    -    230,000    10,600    1,490,001 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4446

Proposal 2

 

 

II.     Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information relating to grants of plan-based awards to the NEOs in 2017.2018.

 

   Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive
Plan
Awards (1)		   

Estimated Future

Payouts Under Non-

Equity Incentive

Plan

Awards (1)

   

Estimated Future Payouts Under  

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options		   

All Other

Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option

Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options


Awards		   

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option
Awards

Grant Date


Fair Value of
Stock Awards

Name

  
    Name

Grant

Date

Target
($)		   

Target

Maximum
($)

   

Maximum

($)

Threshold
(#)		   

Threshold

Target
(#)

   

Target

Maximum
(#)

   

Maximum

(#)

   

(#)

($ Sh)		   

($ Sh)

($)

Maria R. Hawthorne

  $

450,000

 

   

03/03/17-

   

-

 $450,000

   

-

-

-

-

  -------

John W. Petersen

  $

355,000

 

   

03/03/17-

   

-

-

-

-

-

-

Trenton A. Groves

  $355,000

200,000

   

-

-

-

-

-

-

  -------

Edward A. Stokx(2)

03/03/17$275,000-------

 

(1)

Amounts shown in these columns represent the range of possible annual cash incentive payouts pursuant to the PS Business Parks performance-based compensation plan based upon achievement of 20172018 performance targets. Actual payouts are shown in the“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 44.

46.

(2)Mr. Stokx retired effective August 31, 2017 so Mr. Stokx did not realize his potential payout.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4547    

Proposal 2

 

 

 

III. Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 20172018

The following table provides information about options exercised by the NEOs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

   Option Awards       Stock Awards 
    Name  Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)		        Value Realized  
on Exercise (1)  		        Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)		        Value    
Realized on    
Vesting (2)    		 

Maria R. Hawthorne

   -         -         10,400         $  1,208,256 

John W. Petersen

   7,500         $  588,689         8,600         965,754 

Edward A. Stokx

   7,000         500,484         7,066         793,201 

 

Option AwardsStock Awards
    Name   

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

Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)		 
 
 		        

Value    
Realized on    
Vesting (2)    		 
 
 
                                   

Maria R. Hawthorne

   10,000         $ 352,006        16,400         $1,883,660 
                                   

Jeffrey D. Hedges

   -         -        -         - 
                                   

John W. Petersen

   17,000         1,228,051        14,600         1,648,700 
                                   

Trenton A. Groves

   2,000         148,740        3,266         369,123 

(1)

Value realized on exercise represents the difference between the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE at the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options. Does not reflect any tax or other required withholdings.

 

(2)

Value realized was calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the vesting date as follows:

 

    Name  

RSU Vesting

Date

  

Fair Market    

Value of    

RSUs ($)    

 

Maria R. Hawthorne

  02/2/22/1718   $       46,076 44,280 
  03/3/15/1718   896,640 1,582,280 
   07/7/01/1718   265,540 257,100 

John W. Petersen

  02/2/22/1718   69,114 66,420 
   03/3/15/1718   1,582,280

Trenton A. Groves

3/15/18   896,640 

Edward A. Stokx

02/22/1746,076 
03/15/17747,125 369,123 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4648

Proposal 2

 

 

IV.  Outstanding Equity Awards atYear-End

The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs at December 31, 2017.2018.

 

 Option Awards   Stock Awards   

 

Option Awards

 

   

 

Stock Awards

 

 
Name 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Exercisable

    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable		    Option
Exercise
Price		 Option
Expiration
Date		    Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
that Have Not
Vested (#) (1)		    Market     
Value of     
Shares of     
Stock that     
Have Not     
Vested (2)     		   Grant
Date		   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable		   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable		 Option
Exercise
Price ($)		   Option
Expiration
Date		   

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested

(#) (3)

     

Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested

($) (3)

 
                

Maria R. Hawthorne

 5,000  20,000      $  105.76  07/01/26  25,400      $ 3,177,286    03/15/16    -    -   -    -     3,000    (2)       393,000 
   07/01/16    -    15,000    (1)   105.76    07/01/26     6,000    (1)       786,000 
   03/15/17    -    -   -    -     6,000    (2)       786,000 
   03/08/18    -    -   -    -     25,000    (1)       3,275,000 
   03/15/18    -    -   -    -      18,000    (2)       2,358,000 
   TOTAL    -    15,000   -    -      58,000      7,598,000 
                

Jeffrey D. Hedges

   10/01/18    -    -   -    -      10,000    (1)       1,310,000 
   TOTAL    -    -   -    -      10,000      1,310,000 
                

John W. Petersen

 20,000   -       50.63  03/15/20  17,600      2,201,584    03/15/10    3,000    (1)     -  50.63    03/15/20     -      - 
   03/15/16    -    -   -    -     3,000    (2)       393,000 
   03/15/17    -    -   -    -     6,000    (2)       786,000 
   03/15/18    -    -   -    -      18,000    (2)       2,358,000 
   TOTAL    3,000    -   -    -      27,000      3,537,000 
                

Trenton A. Groves

   03/15/16    -    -   -    -     700    (2)       91,700 
   03/15/17    -    -   -    -     1,400    (2)       183,400 
   03/08/18    -    -   -    -     2,000    (1)       262,000 
   03/15/18    -    -   -    -      4,200    (2)       550,200 
   TOTAL   -    -   -    -      8,300      1,087,300 

 

(1)All unvested RSUs were granted on (i) February 22, 2012, which

These options or RSUs vest on February 22, 2018, (ii) March 15, 2015, which RSUs vest on March 15, 2018, (iii) March 15, 2016, which RSUs vest on March 15, 2018 and 2019, (iv) July 1, 2016, which RSUs vest on July 1, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 and (v) March 15, 2017, which RSUs vest on March 15, 2018, 2019 and 2020.in five equal annual installments, beginning one year from the award date.

 

(2)Assumes

These RSUs vest in four equal annual installments beginning from the date of award.

(3)

Stock awards consist of RSUs granted to the named executive officers, and the values shown assume a price of $125.09$131.00 per share, the closing price for our common stockCommon Stock on the NYSE as ofon December 29, 2017.31, 2018.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4749    

Proposal 2

 

 

V. Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Payments Upon Termination.We do not have a formal severance or retirement program for payments on termination of employment through voluntary or involuntary termination, other than as specifically set forth in the 2012 Plan, the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the 2003 Plan), the 401(k) Plan or as required by law. These include:

 

vested stock options following a voluntary termination of employment must be exercised within 30 days following the individual’s last date of employment;
●vested stock options following a voluntary termination of employment must be exercised within 30 days following the individual’s last date of employment;

 

amounts contributed under our 401(k) Plan; and
●amounts contributed under our 401(k) Plan; and

 

accrued and unused vacation pay paid in a lump sum.
●accrued and unused vacation pay paid in a lump sum.

Payments Upon Death or Disability.In the event of the death or permanent and total disability of an NEO while employed by the Company, the executive officer will receive 401(k) Plan contributions noted above and accrued unused vacation pay, in addition to the following:

 

All unvested outstanding stock options held by the officer accelerate and vest as of the date of death and may be exercised during theone-year period
 ●

All outstanding unvested stock options held by the officer accelerate and vest as of the date of death and may be exercised during theone-year period following the date of death, but prior to termination of the option;

 

All outstanding unvested stock options and RSUs held by the officer continue to vest and are exercisable during theone-year period following the date of such permanent and total disability, but prior to termination of the option; and
●In the case of permanent and total disability, all outstanding unvested stock options and RSUs held by the officer continue to vest and are exercisable during theone-year period following the date of such permanent and total disability, but prior to termination of the option; and

 

●The officer will receive payments under the Company’s life insurance program or disability plan, as applicable, similar to all other employees of the Company.
The officer will receive payments under the Company’s life insurance program or disability plan, as applicable, similar to all other employees of the Company.

Payments Upon a Change of Control.The Company’s 2003 Plan providesand 2012 Plan provide that upon the occurrence of a “changechange of control”control of the Company:

 

●all outstanding unvested RSUs and restricted stock grants (and all dividend equivalent rights under the 2012 Plan) will vest immediately; and

●all outstanding unvested stock options (and all stock appreciation rights under the 2012 Plan) vest 15 days before consummation of such a change of control and are exercisable during such15-day period, with such exercise conditioned upon and effective immediately before consummation of the change of control.

Under the 2012 Plan, the Compensation Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding awards of options, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights and/or stock appreciation rights and pay or deliver to the holder an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Compensation Committee acting in good faith), in the case of restricted stock, RSUs and restricteddividend equivalent rights, equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of stock grantspursuant to such “change in control” and, in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, equal to the product of the number of shares of stock subject to such options or stock appreciation rights (the “Award Stock”) multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the option price or stock appreciation right price applicable to such Award Stock. No performance-based awards under the 2012 Plan will vest, immediately; and

all outstanding unvested stock options vest 15 days before consummationpartially or fully, in connection with a “change in control” unless the performance conditions for such award has been satisfied. All other equity-based awards will be governed by the terms of such a change of control and are exercisable during such15-day period, with such exercise conditioned upon and effective immediately before consummation of the change of control.
their agreement.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 4850

Proposal 2

 

 

A “change of control” is defined in(in the 2003 PlanPlan) and a “change in control” (in the 2012 Plan) are defined to include:

 

the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger in which the Company does not survive;
●the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger in which the Company does not survive;

 

the sale of substantially all the Company’s assets; or
●the sale of substantially all the Company’s assets;

 

any transaction which results in any person or entity, other than B. Wayne Hughes and members of his family and their affiliates, owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock.
●any transaction which results in any person or entity owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock (other than by or to the Company or its affiliates, including B. Wayne Hughes and members of his family and their affiliates); or

●any other transaction that the Board specifies constitutes a “change in control,” in its sole discretion (only with respect to the 2012 Plan).

The foregoing provisions do not apply to the extent (1) provision is made in writing in connection with the

“change “change of control” for continuation of the 2003 Plan or the 2012 Plan or substitution of new options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights, and RSUsother equity-based awards or (2) a majority of the Board determines that the “change of control” will not trigger application of the foregoing provisions.

Under the Company’s 2012 Plan, pursuant to which the LTEIP was adopted, the occurrence of a change of control would result in the cessation of the measurement period under the plan as of the date of the change of control. Had a change of control occurred as of December 31, 2017, no payouts would have been made under the LTEIP.

 

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 51    

Proposal 2

 

The following table shows the estimated value of the acceleration of unvested equity awards pursuant to the termination events described above assuming the change of control event occurred as of December 31, 20172018 and using a closing market price of our common stock on the NYSE as of December 29, 201731, 2018 of $125.09$131.00 per share.

 

  Name  

Value of vesting

of all outstanding

unvested options

(1)

       

Value of vesting

of all

outstanding

restricted share

units (2)

       Total 

Maria R. Hawthorne

   $ 386,600          $  3,177,286         $ 3,563,886  

John W. Petersen

   -          2,201,584          2,201,584  

  Name  Value of vesting
of all outstanding
unvested options(1)		   Value of vesting
of all
outstanding
restricted share
units(2)		   Total 

Maria R. Hawthorne

  $        378,600   $        7,598,000   $        7,976,600 

Jeffrey D. Hedges

   -    1,310,000    1,310,000 

John W. Petersen

   -    3,537,000    3,537,000 

Trenton A. Groves

   -    1,087,300    1,087,300 
(1)

Represents the difference between the exercise price of unvested options held by the executive and the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE as of December 29, 2017.31, 2018.

(2)

Represents the number of RSUs multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE as of December 29, 2017.31, 2018.

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 49

Proposal 2

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 20172018

 

The following table sets forth certain equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2017:2018:

 

Plan Category (1) 

(a)

Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants  and
rights

   

(b)

Weighted
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights

   

(c)

Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation  plans
(excluding securities
reflected in Column
(a))(2)

    

(a)

Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants  and
rights

  

(b)

Weighted
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights

  

(c)

Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation  plans
(excluding securities
reflected in  Column
(a))(2)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 337,492          $80.86         1,046,768             386,705  $92.53  846,458

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  -          -         -             -  -  -

Total (3)

 337,492          $80.86         1,046,768             386,705  $92.53  846,458

 

(1)

Each of our equity compensation plans has been approved by our shareholders.

(2)

Represents shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plan.

(3)

Amounts include RSUs.

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5052

Proposal 2

 

 

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth information as of the dates indicated with respect to persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock:

 

  Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
 

 

 

  Name and Address

 

 

        Number of      
         Shares      

 

   

    Percent of    

    Class (1)    

 

Public Storage

701 Western Avenue

Glendale, California 91201-2349 (2)

  7,158,354    26.3%

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022 (3)

  3,468,381    12.7%

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 (4)

  3,402,375    12.5%

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

100 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (5)

  2,390,349    8.7%

Vanguard Specialized Funds

Vanguard REIT Index Fund

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 (6)

  1,373,151    5.0%
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
  Name and Address  

Number of

Shares

   Percent of
Class(1)

Public Storage

701 Western Avenue

Glendale, California 91201-2349(2)

   7,158,354   26.2%

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055(3)

   3,533,326   12.9%

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355(4)

   3,087,416   11.3%

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

100 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202(5)

   2,261,313     8.3%

Wellington Management Group LLP

280 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210(6)

   1,924,203     7.0%

 

(1)

The percent of class is calculated using the common stock ownership numbers as of the dates indicated below divided by shares outstanding on March 1, 20182019 of 27,255,52527,362,101 shares of Common Stock.

 

(2)

Holdings reported are as of March 1, 2018.2019. The reporting persons listed above have filed a joint Schedule 13D, amended as of November 8, 2013. Public Storage has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all such shares. The 7,158,354 shares of Common Stock in the above table do not include 7,305,355 Units held by Public Storage and affiliated partnerships which (pursuant to the terms of the agreement of limited partnership of our operating partnership) are redeemable by the holder for cash or, at the Company’s election, for shares of the Company’s common stock on aone-for-one basis. Upon conversion of the Units to Common Stock, Public Storage and its affiliated partnerships would own approximately 41.8%41.7% of the Common Stock (based upon the Common Stock outstanding at March 1, 20182019 and assuming such conversion).

 

(3)

Holdings reported as of December 31, 20172018 as set forth in Schedule 13G/A filed on January 19, 201831, 2019 by BlackRock, Inc. and certain affiliates to report beneficial ownership and sole dispositive power with respect to 3,468,3813,533,326 shares and sole voting power with respect to 3,373,4813,430,668 shares.

 

(4)

Holdings reported as of December 31, 20172018 as set forth on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 2, 201812, 2019 by The Vanguard Group, as investment adviser of its clients, to report sole voting power with respect to 62,30652,852 shares, shared voting power with respect to 26,63023,255 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 3,338,9653,031,801 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 63,41055,615 shares.

 

(5)

Holdings reported as of December 31, 20172018 as set forth on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 20182019 by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), as investment adviser of its clients, to report sole voting power with respect to 421,306439,580 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,390,3492,261,313 shares. For SEC reporting purposes, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these securities. However, Price Associates has expressly disclaimed that it is an owner of such securities.

 

(6)

Holdings reported as of December 31, 20172018 as set forth on a Schedule 13G/A13G filed on February 2, 201812, 2019 by Vanguard Specialized Funds – Vanguard REIT Index FundWellington Management Group LLP as investment adviser of its clients, to report soleshared voting power with respect to 1,373,1511,304,278 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 1,924,203 shares.

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5153    

Proposal 2

 

 

Security Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Management

The following table sets forth information as of March 1, 20182019 concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of each director of the Company, the Company’s CEO, the CFO and the other two most highly compensated persons who were executive officers of the Company on December 31, 20172018 and all directors and executive officers as a group:

 

 

Shares of Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

   

Shares of Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

 
Name 

Number of          

Shares (1)           

 

Percent of  

Class (1)  

   Number of Shares(1) Percent of Class(1) 

Ronald L. Havner, Jr.

 202,389(2)  *     174,789(2)   *

Joseph D. Russell, Jr.

 44,688  *     50,969  *

Jennifer Holden Dunbar

 18,519(3)  *     18,130(3)   *

Sara Grootwassink Lewis

 9,668  *     5,000  *

James H. Kropp

 27,498(4)  *     26,261(4)   *

Gary E. Pruitt

 20,010  *     22,410  *

Robert S. Rollo

 2,902  *     6,972  *

Peter Schultz

 19,220  *     21,620  *

John W. Petersen

 37,027  *     25,472  *

Maria R. Hawthorne

 27,249  *     40,004  *

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (10 persons)

 409,170(1)(2)(3)(4)  1.5% 

Jeffrey D. Hedges

   -  *

Trenton A. Groves

   8,164  *

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (12 persons)

   399,791(1)(2)(3)(4)   1.5% 

 

*

Less than 1%

 

(1)

Represents shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of March 1, 20182019 and includes options to purchase shares of Common Stock exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2018,2019, as follows: R. Havner, 11,80514,205 shares; J. Russell, 4001,200 shares; J. Holden Dunbar, 15,59414,205 shares; S. Grootwassink Lewis, 6,6682,000 shares; J. Kropp, 13,87312,136 shares; G. Pruitt, 18,01020,410 shares; R. Rollo, 1,6005,670 shares; P. Schultz, 18,01020,410 shares; J. Petersen, 20,0003,000 shares; M. Hawthorne, 5,0000 shares; J. Hedges, 0 shares; T. Groves 0 shares. Except as otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property and similar statutes, the persons listed as beneficial owners of the shares have sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares. Includes shares credited to the accounts of the executive officers of the Company that are held in the 401(k) Plan. Does not include RSUs described in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table unless such units would vest and be issued within 60 days of the date of this table. The percentage held is calculated using the outstanding common shares on March 1, 20182019 of 27,255,52527,362,101 shares.

 

(2)

Includes 185,584154,584 shares held by Mr. Havner in a joint account with Mr. Havner’s spouse that are pledged in a margin brokerage account. Includes 5,000 shares owned by the Havner Family Foundation of which Mr. Havner and his wife areco-trustees but with respect to which Mr. and Mrs. Havner disclaim any beneficial interest. Does not include shares owned by Public Storage as to which Mr. Havner disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Havner is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Public Storage. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” on page 5053 for Public Storage ownership.

 

(3)

All the shares are held by Ms. Dunbar and her spouse as trustees of the Lilac II Trust.

 

(4)

Includes 4,491 shares held by custodian of an IRA for the benefit of Mr. Kropp.

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5254

Proposal 2

 

 

Additional Information about our Directors and Executive Officers;

Certain Relationships

 

Policy Regarding Pledging of Shares

Our insider trading policy discourages (but does not prohibit) the pledging of shares of Common Stock by insiders.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of any registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of those securities with the SEC and the NYSE. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to provide the Company with a copy of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

Based solely on a review of reports we filed on behalf of our directors and executive officers and written representations from these individuals that no other reports were required, we believe that all reports on behalf of our directors and executive officers were filed on a timely basis under Section 16(a), except for one transaction on one report for each of Ms. Dunbar and Mr. Petersen due to the Company’s administrative error..

Related Party Transaction Approval Policies and Procedures

With respect to transactions involving our directors, our Code of Ethics provides for review by the Board of related party transactions that might present a possible conflict of interest. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews related party transactions involving Board members pursuant to the Code of Ethics. Directors are requested to submit information in advance to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers the matters submitted to it in light of the facts and circumstances presented and considering the best interests of the Company and makes a recommendation to the Board with respect to any action to be taken. The director with an actual, potential or apparent conflict of interest does not

participate in the decision-making process related to the transaction.

Our executive officers are subject to our Business Conduct Standards. Under the Business Conduct

Standards, executive officers are required to discuss and seekpre-approval of the CEO for any potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews, on an ongoing basis, related party transactions involving our executive officers and directors or Public Storage that may require Boardpre-approval under applicable law or may be required to be disclosed in our financial statements.

Relationship with Public Storage

The properties in which the Company has an equity interest are generally owned by the operating partnership. As of March 1, 2018,2019, the Company owned approximately 78.9% of the operating partnership’s common partnership units. The remaining common partnership units were owned by Public Storage.Storage and affiliated partnerships. The 7,305,355 Units held by Public Storage and affiliated partnerships are redeemable (pursuant to the terms of the agreement of limited partnership of the operating partnership) by the holder for cash or, at the Company’s election, for shares of our Common Stock on aone-for-one basis. Upon conversion of the Units to Common Stock, Public Storage and its affiliated partnerships would own approximately 41.8%41.7% of the Common Stock (based upon the Common Stock outstanding at March 1, 20182019, and assuming such conversion).

PS Business Parks • 2019 Proxy Statement • 55    

Proposal 2

Management Agreement with Affiliates

The operating partnership operates industrial, retail, and office facilities for Public Storage and partnerships and joint ventures of which Public Storage is a general partner or joint venturer (the Affiliated Entities) pursuant to a management agreement under which Public Storage and the Affiliated Entities pay to the operating partnership a fee of 5% of the gross revenues of the facilities operated for Public Storage and the Affiliated Entities. During 2017,2018, Public Storage and the Affiliated Entities paid fees of approximately $506,000$407,000 to the operating partnership pursuant to that management agreement. In 2017,2018, we allocated approximately $537,000$472,000 in operating expenses to Public Storage relating to the management agreement, including payroll and other

PS Business Parks • 2018 Proxy Statement • 53

Proposal 2

overhead expenses. We had net amounts due tofrom Public Storage of $245,000$43,000 at December 31, 2017.2018.

Public Storage also provides property management services for the self-storage component of two assets owned by the Company. These self-storage facilities, located in Palm Beach County, Florida, operate under the “Public Storage” name. Under the property management contracts, Public Storage is compensated based on a percentage of the gross revenues of the facilities managed. Under the supervision of the Company, Public Storage coordinates rental policies, rent collections, marketing activities, the purchase of equipment and supplies, maintenance activities, and the selection and engagement of vendors, suppliers, and independent contractors. In addition, Public Storage assists and advises the Company in establishing policies for the hire, discharge, and supervision of employees for the operation of these facilities, includingon-site managers, assistant managers, and associate managers. Both the Company and Public Storage can cancel the property management contract upon 60 days’ notice. Management fees paid for these facilities were approximately $92,000$96,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. And,2018, and, in 2017,2018, Public Storage allocated approximately $61,000$65,000 in operating expenses to us related to the management of the facilities, including payroll and overhead expenses.

Public Storage also owns and licenses the PS Business Parks name and logo to the Company under a royalty-free license that may be terminated upon six months’ notice to the Company.

Cost Sharing and Other Arrangements with Public Storage

Pursuant to a cost sharing and administrative services arrangement, we share certain administrative services, corporate office space, and certain other third party 401arrangements with Public Storage which are allocated based upon time, effort, and other methodologies. Public Storage reimbursed us $31,000 forFor the year ended December 31, 20172018, Public Storage reimbursed us $38,000 for costs paid on their behalf, and we reimbursed Public Storage $1.3$1.2 million in costs that Public Storage incurred on our behalf for the year ended December 31, 2017.behalf.

Common Management/Board Members with Public Storage

Ronald L. Havner, Jr., Chairman of the Board, is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Public Storage. Joseph D. Russell, Jr., a director, is also the President of Public Storage and effective January 1, 2019, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer and a trustee of Public Storage and join its board.Storage. Gary E. Pruitt, a director, is also a membertrustee of the Public Storage board of trustees.Storage.

 

 

The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of

our executive compensation as described in this proxy statement.

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5456

 

Proposal 3:

Ratification of independent

registered public accounting firm

 

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Consolidated Financial Statements of PS Business Parks and its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 20182019

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Vote FOR ratification of EY

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5557     

Proposal 3

 

 

Proposal 3 – Ratification of independent registered public accountants

Executive Summary

 

The Board recommends that shareholders ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of EY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (Independent Accountants) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2019. EY has acted as the Independent Accountants since the Company’s organization in 1997.

Ratification is not required by the Company’s bylaws, but the Board believes that shareholder ratification of the appointment is good corporate governance. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment of EY, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection, but may nevertheless determine to do so. Even if the appointment of EY is ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

AuditandAudit andNon-Audit Fees

 

The following table shows the fees billed or expected to be billed to the Company by EY for audit and other services provided for fiscal 20162017 and 2017:2018:

 

        2016       2017  

Audit fees

  $  578,000   $  623,000  

Audit-related fees

   21,000    22,000  

Tax Fees

   51,000    44,000  

All Other Fees

   0    0  

Total

   650,000    689,000  
    2017   2018 

Audit fees

  $ 623,000   $ 615,000 

Audit-related fees

   22,000    23,000 

Tax Fees

   44,000    51,000 

All Other Fees

   0    0 

Total

   689,000    689,000 

 

Audit Fees.Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, review of the quarterly financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form10-Q and services in connection with the Company’s registration statements.

Audit related fees. Audit-related fees represent professional fees provided in connection with the audit of the Company’s 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan (the 401(k) Plan).

Tax fees. During 20172018 and 2016,2017, all of the tax services consisted of tax compliance and consulting services.

AuditorIndependenceAuditor Independence

 

The Audit Committee has determined that the Independent Accountants’ provision of thenon-audit services described above is compatible with maintaining the Independent Accountants’ independence.

Policy to ApproveErnstApprove Ernst & Young LLP Services

 

The Audit Committee has adopted apre-approval policy relating to services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires that all services provided by EY to us, including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services, must bepre-approved by the Audit Committee.

Under this policy, the Audit Committee of the Companypre-approved all services performed by EY during 20172018 and 2016,2017, including those listed in the previous table. The Chairman of the Audit Committee has the authority to grant required approvals between meetings of the Audit Committee, provided that any exercise of this authority is presented at the next committee meeting.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5658

Proposal 3

 

 

Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm,pre-approving audit andnon-audit services provided by the firm, and assisting the Board in providing oversight to the Company’s financial reporting process. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, internal auditors and management to review accounting, auditing, internal controls and financial reporting matters.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, internal auditor, and management to review the Company’s accounting, auditing internal controls, and financial reporting matters. Management is responsible for the Company’s financial statements, including the estimates and judgments on which they are based, for maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting, and for assessing the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and for issuing a report thereon. It is not the Audit Committee’s responsibility to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete, accurate, and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes and necessarily relies on the work and assurances of the Company’s management and of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

In connection with its oversight responsibilities related to the Company’s financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K, the Audit Committee met with management and Ernst & Young LLP,EY, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewed and discussed with them the audited consolidated financial statements.

Management represented to the Audit Committee that

the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16 (Communication with Audit Committees), as modified or supplemented. The discussion included, but was not limited to, the overall scope and plans for the annual audit, the results of their audit, their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

In addition to providing the required written disclosures and communications, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm also provided to the Audit Committee the letter confirming their independence of the Company as required by the applicable rules of the PCAOB, and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that firm’s independence. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision ofnon-audit services to the Company and its affiliates is compatible with the firm’s independence.

During 2017,2018, management documented, tested, and evaluated the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting in response to the requirements set forth in Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and SEC regulations adopted thereunder. The Audit Committee met with representatives of management, the internal auditors, legal counsel, and the independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss the progress of the process. At the conclusion of this process, the Audit Committee received from management its assessment and report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee received from Ernst & Young LLPEY its assessment of and opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. These assessments and reports are as of December 31, 2017.2018. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the results of management’s assessment and Ernst & Young LLP’sEY’s audit.

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5759    

Proposal 3

 

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee also approved the appointment of Ernst & Young LLPEY as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20182019, and recommended that the Board submit this appointment to the Company’s shareholders for ratification at the 20182019 Annual Meeting.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Sara Grootwassink Lewis,Peter Schultz, Chair

Jennifer Holden Dunbar

Sara Grootwassink Lewis

Gary E. Pruitt

Peter Schultz

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5860

 

 

General Information About the Meeting

Purpose of the proxy solicitation

 

We are providing these proxy materials on behalf of the Board of PS Business Parks, Inc. to ask for your vote and to solicit your proxies for use at our 20182019 Annual Meeting to be held on April 24, 2018,23, 2019, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

We have made theseThese materials are available to you on the Internet or, upon your request, will be delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, because you were a shareholder as of March 1, 2018,2019, the record date (the record date)Record Date) fixed by the Board, and are therefore entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting (the Notice) and to vote on matters presented at the Annual Meeting.

This proxy statement contains important information regarding the Annual Meeting. Specifically, it identifies the proposals on which you are being asked to vote, provides information that you may find useful in determiningdeciding how to vote, and describes voting procedures. This Notice and proxy statement are first being distributed and made available on or about March 23, 201822, 2019, to holders of our common stock on the record date. A copy of our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2018, which includes a copy of our Form10-K, accompanies this proxy statement.

Date, time and place of the annual meeting

 

The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 201823, 2019 at 10:459:00 a.m., PacificEastern Daylight Time, at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale, 100 West Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, California 91202.Biltmore Hotel Miami-Coral Gables, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134.

Who can vote

 

If you are a holder

Holders of PS Business Parks’Parks Common Stock at the close of business on the record date, youRecord Date may vote the shares of Common Stock that youthey hold on that date at the Annual Meeting. For all matters submitted for vote at the Annual Meeting, each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

Quorum for the annual meeting

 

If a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date are present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, we will have a quorum, permitting business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, we had 27,255,525shares27,362,101shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

How votesarevotes are counted

 

For the election of directors, director nominees receiving an affirmativethe eight candidates who receive the most votes cast at the meeting will be elected. Shares of common stock not voted (whether by abstention or otherwise) will not affect the vote. As discussed above, the Company has adopted a policy whereby directors who do not receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e.,for his or her election must submit their resignation to be considered by the Board.

The number of shares cast “for” a director nomineeeach other proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that nominee) will be elected. Similarly,proposal for approval of each other proposal to be voted on at the annual meeting requires an affirmative majority of the votes cast (i.e., the number of shares cast for” the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast against” that proposal).proposal. We will not count shares that abstain from voting.

Although the advisory vote to approve executive compensation in Proposal 2 isnon-binding, the Compensation Committee will consider and take into account the vote results in making future determinations on executive compensation.

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 5961    

 

 

How proxies will be voted

 

If you hold shares through a broker or nominee and do not provide the broker or nominee with specific voting instructions, under the rules that govern brokers or nominees in such circumstances, your broker or nominee will have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not onnon-routine matters. As a result:

 

Your broker or nominee will not have the authority to exercise discretion to vote such shares with respect to Proposals 1 and 2 because the NYSE rules treat these matters asnon-routine; and

 

Your broker or nominee will have the authority to exercise discretion to vote such shares with respect to Proposal 3 because that matter is treated as routine under the NYSE rules.

Brokernon-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but will otherwise have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposals 1 and 2.

If you are a registered shareholder and no instructions are indicated onsubmit a properly executed proxy card submitted by you,containing no instructions, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted FOR (i) each of Proposals 1, 2 and 3, and (ii) in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders as to any other matter that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

How to cast a vote

 

You may vote by any of the following means:

 

By Internet: Shareholders who received a Notice about the Internet availability of our proxy materials may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the Notice. Shareholders who have received a paper copy of a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card.

    

 

By Telephone: If provided on your proxy card or voting instruction card and if you live in the United States or Canada, you may submit proxies by telephone by calling the telephone number indicated on the card and following the instructions. You will need to have available the control number that appears on the card when voting.

 

By Mail: Shareholders who have received a paper copy of a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail may submit proxies by completing, signing, and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying self-addressed envelope. No postage is necessary if mailed in the United States.

 

In person, at the Annual Meeting: Shareholders who hold shares in their name as the shareholder of record may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who are beneficial owners but not shareholders of record may vote in person at the Annual Meeting only with a legal proxy obtained from their broker, trustee, or nominee, as applicable.

Properly completed and submitted proxy cards and voting instruction cards, and proxies properly completed and submitted over the Internet, if received in time for voting and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein.

How to voteasvote as a participant in the 401(k) Plan

 

If you hold your shares as a participant in the 401(k) Plan, your proxy will serve as a voting instruction for the trustee of the 401(k) Plan with respect to the amount of shares of Common Stock credited to your account as of the record date. If you provide voting instructions via your proxy card or voting instruction card with respect to your shares of Common Stock held in the 401(k) Plan, the trustee will vote those shares of Common Stock in the manner specified. The trustee will vote any shares of Common Stock for which it does not receive instructions in the same

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6062

      

 

 

proportion as the shares of Common Stock for which voting instructions have been received, unless the trustee is required by law to exercise its discretion in voting such shares.

To allow sufficient time for the trustee to vote your shares of Common Stock, the trustee must receive your voting instructions by 7:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on April 20, 2018.19, 2019.

Changing your vote

 

You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. To revoke your proxy, you must either:

 

file an instrument of revocation with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices, 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349;

 

mail a new proxy card dated after the date of the proxy you wish to revoke to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices;

 

submit a later dated proxy over the Internet in accordance with the instructions set forth on the Internet voting website; or

 

if you are a shareholder of record, or you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, trustee, or nominee, as applicable, attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

If not revoked, weWe will vote theyour unrevoked proxy at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions indicated on the proxy card, voting instruction card or, if submitted over the Internet, as indicated on the submission.

Cost of this proxy solicitation

 

We bear all proxy solicitation costs. In addition to solicitations by mail, our Board, our officers, and our regular employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, electronic transmission, and personal interviews.

We will request brokers, banks, custodians, and other fiduciaries to forward proxy soliciting materials to the

beneficial owners of Common Stock. We will reimburse them for their reasonableout-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with distributing proxy materials. Alliance Advisors LLC may be retained as our proxy distribution agent, for which they would receive an estimated fee of $1,100 together with normal and customary expenses.

Contacting our transfer agent

 

Please contact PS Business Parks’ transfer agent at the phone number or address listed below, with questions concerning share certificates, dividend checks, transfer of ownership, or other matters pertaining to your share account: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219,800-937-5449.

Consideration of candidates for director

 

The policy of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is to consider properly submitted shareholder recommendations for candidates for membership on the Board. Under this policy, shareholder recommendations may only be submitted by a shareholder entitled to submit shareholder proposals under the SEC rules. Any shareholder recommendations proposed for consideration by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee should include the nominee’s name and qualifications for board membership, including the information required under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and should be addressed to: Maria R. Hawthorne, President and Chief Executive Officer, PS Business Parks, Inc., 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349.

Deadlines for receipt of shareholder proposals

 

Any proposal that a holder of our shares wishes to submit for inclusion in our 2019 Proxy Statement pursuant to SEC Rule14a-8, including any notice by a shareholder of his, her, or its intention to cumulate votes in the election of trusteesdirectors at the 20192020 Annual Meeting, must be received by the Company no later than November 23, 2018.22, 2019. Such proposals also must comply with SEC regulations underRule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in Company-sponsored proxy materials. Under Rule14a-8, we are not required to include shareholder

 

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6163    

      

 

 

proposals in our proxy materials unless certain conditions specified in the rule are met.

In addition, notice of any proposal that a holder of our shares wishes to propose for consideration at the 20192020 Annual Meeting, but does not seek to include in the 20192020 Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule14a-8, must be delivered to the Company no earlier than February 6, 20195, 2020 if the shareholder wishes for the Company to describe the nature of the proposal in its 2019 Proxy Statement as a condition to exercising its discretionary authority to vote proxies on the proposal. As with shareholder nominations of director candidates discussed above, if the date of the 20192020 Proxy Statement is moved by more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the date of this proxy statement, the shareholder proposal must be received no earlier than the 120th day and no later than the 90th day prior to the mailing of the notice for the meeting or the tenth day following the date we announce publicly the date for the 20192020 Proxy Statement. Any shareholder proposals or notices submitted to the Company in connection with the 20192020 Annual Meeting should be addressed to: Maria R. Hawthorne, President and Chief Executive Officer, PS Business Parks, Inc., 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349.

Annual reportonreport on Form10-K

 

A copy of our 20172018 Annual Report and Form10-K accompanies this proxy statement. Additional copies are available at:

https://www.psbusinessparks.com/investor-relations/investor-

relations/financial-reports/

The Company will furnish without charge upon written request of any shareholder a paper copy of the Form10-K, excluding exhibits, without charge, upon athe written request of any shareholder to Maria R. Hawthorne,Jeffrey D. Hedges, Executive Vice President, and Chief ExecutiveFinancial Officer, & Secretary, PS Business Parks, Inc., 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349. Copies of exhibits will be provided at a copying charge of $0.20 per page to reimburse us for a portion of the cost.

Other matters

 

The Board knows of no other matters to be presented for shareholder action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for action, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

You are urged to vote the accompanying proxy and sign, date, and return it in the enclosedpre-addressed postage-paid envelope at your earliest convenience, whether or not you currently plan to attend the meeting in person.

 

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6264

 

 

Appendices

 

 

 

  

Appendix A:

Reconciliation ofnon-GAAP measures to


GAAP and other information

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6365    

 

SUPPLEMENTALNON-GAAP DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED)

 

Funds Available for Distribution (FAD) per Common and Dilutive Share(1)

The table below reconciles from Core FFO (as disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form10-K) to FAD per share.

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA(In thousands)

 

The following table reconciles from net income to EBITDA.

 

 

   For The Years Ended December 31, 
  

 

 

 
         2014              2015              2016              2017              2018       
  

 

 

 

Net Income

  $204,700 $148,970 $144,984 $179,316 $271,901

Adjustments:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   110,357  105,394  99,486  94,270  99,242

Depreciation from unconsolidated joint venture

   —   —   —   1,180  — 

Interest expense

   13,509  13,270  5,568  1,179  555

Interest income

   (69)   (631)   (463)   (356)   (489) 

Gain on sale of land and real estate facilities

   (92,373)   (28,235)   —   (1,209)   (93,484) 

Gain on sale of development rights

   —   —   —   (6,365)   — 
  

 

 

 

EBITDA(1)

  $236,124 $238,768 $249,575 $268,015 $277,725
  

 

 

 

 

   For The Years Ended December 31, 
  

 

 

 
         2013              2014              2015              2016              2017       
  

 

 

 

Core FFO per share(2)

   $5.07  $4.73  $4.83  $5.44  $6.13 

Deduct capital expenditures and eliminatenon-cash stock based compensation/other

   (1.63)   (1.30)   (1.12)   (0.83)   (1.42) 
  

 

 

 

FAD per share(3)

   $3.44  $3.43  $3.71  $4.61  $4.71 
  

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA(In thousands)

The following table reconciles from net income to EBITDA.

   For The Years Ended December 31, 
  

 

 

 
         2013               2014               2015               2016               2017       
  

 

 

 

Net Income

   $116,144    $204,700    $148,970    $144,984    $179,316 

Adjustments:

          

Depreciation and amortization

   108,917    110,357    105,394    99,486    94,270 

Depreciation from unconsolidated joint venture

   —    —    —    —    1,180 

Interest expense

   16,074    13,509    13,270    5,568    1,179 

Interest income

   (102)    (69)    (631)    (463)    (356) 

Gain on sale of land and real estate facilities

   —    (92,373)    (28,235)    —    (1,209) 

Gain on sale of development rights

   —    —    —    —    (6,365) 
  

 

 

 

EBITDA(4)

   $241,033    $236,124    $238,768    $249,575    $268,015 
  

 

 

 

Return on Assets(In thousands)

The following table reconciles from rental income on our income statement to net operating income, and sets forth the calculation of return on assets.

Return on Assets(In thousands)

Return on Assets(In thousands)

 

The following table reconciles from rental income on our income statement to net operating income, and sets forth the calculation of return on assets.

The following table reconciles from rental income on our income statement to net operating income, and sets forth the calculation of return on assets.

 

 For The Years Ended December 31,   For The Years Ended December 31, 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
       2013               2014               2015               2016               2017               2014               2015               2016               2017               2018       
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Rental Income

  $359,246    $376,255    $373,135    $386,871    $402,179   $376,255  $373,135  $386,871  $402,179  $413,516

Cost of operations

 114,831    127,371    121,224    123,108    125,340    127,371   121,224   123,108   125,340   126,547
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating income

  $244,415    $248,884    $251,911    $263,763    $276,839   $248,884  $251,911  $263,763  $276,839  $286,969
  

 

 

 
 As of December 31, 
 

 

 

    As of December 31, 
 2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   

 

 

 
 

 

 

          2014                2015                2016                2017                2018       
  

 

 

 

Land

  $827,092    $802,949    $793,569    $789,531    $789,227   $802,949  $793,569  $789,531  $789,227  $816,656

Buildings and improvements

 2,346,958    2,219,397    2,215,515    2,226,881    2,262,512    2,219,397   2,215,515   2,226,881   2,262,512   2,374,943
  

 

 

 

Pre-depreciation cost of real estate facilities

  $    3,174,050    $    3,022,346    $    3,009,084    $    3,016,412    $    3,051,739   $3,022,346  $3,009,084  $3,016,412  $3,051,739  $3,191,599
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return on assets(2)

   8.2%    8.4%    8.7%    9.1%    9.0% 
  

 

 

 

Return on assets (5)

  7.7%    8.2%    8.4%    8.7%    9.1% 
 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Per share amounts are computed using additional dilutive shares related tonon-controlling interests and RSUs.

(2)Core FFO per share is anon-GAAP financial measure that assists investors and analysts in evaluating our comparative operating performance and trends. Refer to Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Funds from Operations and Core Funds from Operations included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the definition and reconciliation of Core FFO. Other REITs may use different methods for calculating Core FFO and, accordingly, the Company’s Core FFO may not be comparable to other real estate companies’ Core FFO.
(3)Funds Available for Distribution (FAD) per share is anon-GAAP financial measure representing Core FFO per share i) less per share recurring capital improvements which maintain the assets’ value, as well as tenant improvements and lease commissions, and ii) eliminating per sharenon-cash stock-based compensation and other income and expense items included in Core FFO per share. Like Core FFO per share, management considers FAD per share to be a useful measure for investors to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. FAD per share should not be viewed as a substitute for net income per share as defined by GAAP.
(4)Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or “EBITDA” is anon-GAAP financial measure that represents net income prior to the impact of depreciation and interest expense. Management believes that EBITDA is frequently used by analysts and investors as a measure of valuation and to assess the Company’s performance over time.

(5)(2) 

Return on assets is anon-GAAP financial measure representing the ratio of net operating income (rental income less cost of operations, which excludes depreciation) topre-depreciation cost of real estate facilities. Management believes that this measure is useful in evaluating the Company’s earnings relative to the associated accumulated investment over time.

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6466

Appendices

 

 

 

  

Appendix B:

CEO realized compensation and
Calculation of 2016 CEO compensation
for

purposes of year-over-year comparisons


and analyses

 

PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6567    

      

 

 

CEO Realized Compensation Table

Name

 

  

Year

 

   

Salary

 

   

Stock
Awards

 

   

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

 

   

All Other
Compensation

 

   

Total

 

 

Maria R. Hawthorne

   2018   $450,801   $2,861,750   $450,000   $11,000   $3,773,551 

Maria R. Hawthorne

   2017   $450,801   $2,712,480   $405,000   $10,800   $3,579,081 

See table below for 2016 information

 

        

Joseph D. Russell, Jr.

   2015   $568,301   $2,434,000   $567,500   $10,600   $3,580,401 

Joseph D. Russell, Jr.

   2014   $568,301   $1,332,113   $710,376   $10,400   $2,621,190 

As Joseph Russell and Maria Hawthorne each held the position of CEO for exactly six months in 2016, and a portion of Ms. Hawthorne’s total 2016 total compensation was attributable to her service prior to being appointed CEO, total CEO compensation in 2016 was calculated as follows to allow for meaningful year-over-year comparisons and analyses:

 

Component of Compensation  Mr. Russell   Ms. Hawthorne   Total   Mr. Russell   Ms. Hawthorne   Total 

Base salary (January to June 2016 for Mr. Russell and July to December 2016 for Ms. Hawthorne, including the full holiday emolument she received)

   $333,328    $225,801    $559,129   $333,328   $225,801   $559,129

Cash bonus (100% of Mr. Russell’s prorated bonus and 50% of Ms. Hawthorne’s full bonus) 1

   283,750    225,000    508,750    283,750    225,000    508,750

RSU awards under the LTEIP (50% from each)1

   1,401,000    672,480    2,073,480    1,401,000    672,480    2,073,480

Other compensation (50% from each)

   5,300    5,300    10,600    5,300    5,300    10,600

Total 2016 CEO Compensation for Comparison Purposes

         $3,151,959         $3,151,959
1 

In connection with Mr. Russell’s resignation as the CEO, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Russell was entitled to, and actually received, (i) the full award earned under the LTEIP with respect to 2016 performance and (ii) 50% of his 2016 target cash bonus.

The above calculation of 2016 CEO compensation does not include the options and RSU awards to Ms. Hawthorne in connection with her promotion to CEO. The following table shows all compensation paid to Mr. Russell and Ms. Hawthorne in 2016. Please also see the Summary Compensation Table and its footnotes on page 44.46.

 

Component of Compensation  Mr. Russell   

Ms.

    Hawthorne    

   Total    Mr. Russell   Ms. Hawthorne   Total 

Base salary (including Ms. Hawthorne’s holiday emolument)

   $333,328    $425,801    $759,129   $333,328  $425,801  $759,129

Cash bonus

   283,750    450,000    733,750    283,750   450,000   733,750

Options granted in connection with Ms. Hawthorne’s promotion

   -     235,250    235,250    -   235,250   235,250

RSUs granted in connection with Ms. Hawthorne’s promotion

   -     1,057,600    1,057,600    -   1,057,600   1,057,600

RSU awards under the LTEIP

   2,802,000    1,344,960    4,146,960    2,802,000   1,344,960   4,146,960

Other compensation

   10,600    10,600    21,200    10,600   10,600   21,200

Total 2016 Compensation to Mr. Russell and Ms. Hawthorne

         $6,953,889         $6,953,889

 

    PS Business Parks • 20182019 Proxy Statement • 6668

LOGOLOGO

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC.
April 24, 2018
23, 2019 GO GREEN
e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. Withe-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy
material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and
paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access.
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card are available at https://www.psbusinessparks.com/investor-relations/financial-reports/
Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. -
20933000000000000000 0 042418
20833000000000000000 1 042319 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL THE LISTED NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. x PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE.
1. Election of Directors FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) NOMINEES: Ronald L. Havner, Jr. Maria R. Hawthorne Jennifer Holden Dunbar James H. Kropp Gary E. Pruitt Robert S. Rollo Joseph D. Russell, Jr. Peter Schultz INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: To change the address on your account, please check the box at the right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Advisory vote to approve executive compensation. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
NOMINEES: 3. Ratification of appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, independent FOR ALL NOMINEES O O Maria Ronald R L . .Hawthorne Havner, Jr. registered public accountants, to audit the accounts of PS WITHHOLD AUTHORITY O Jennifer Holden Dunbar Business Parks, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, FOR ALL NOMINEES O James H. Kropp 2018.
O Sara Grootwassink Lewis2019. 4. Other matters: In their discretion, the Proxies and/or the Trustee are authorized to FOR (See ALL instructions EXCEPT below) O Gary E. Pruitt vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any O Robert S. Rollo adjournment or postponement thereof.
O Joseph D. Russell, Jr. O Peter Schultz
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement dated March 23, 2018.
22, 2019. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD IN THE
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TO AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: COMPANY, 6201 15TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11219.
To and that change changes indicate the your to address the new registered address on your name(s) in account, the on address the please account space check may above the not box . be Please at submitted the right note
via this method.
Signature of Shareholder Date Signature of Shareholder Date
Note: This title as proxy such must . If the be signer signed is exactly a corporation, as the name appears hereon. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please appearsgive full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full hereon corporate . When name shares by duly are authorized held jointly, officer, each holder giving should full title sign as such . When .such. If signer signing is as a partnership, executor, administrator, please sign in attorney, partnership trustee name or guardian, by authorized please person give full .
0person.

LOGOLOGO

PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC.
701 Western Avenue Glendale, California 91201-2349
This Proxy/Instruction Card is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned, a record holder of Common Stock of PS Business Parks, Inc. and/or a participant in the PS 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), hereby (i) appoints Ronald L. Havner, Jr. and Maria R. Hawthorne, or either of them, with power of substitution, as Proxies, to appear and vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of Common Stock held of record by the undersigned on March
1, 2018,2019, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 24, 201823, 2019 (the “Annual Meeting”) and any adjournments thereof, and/or (ii) authorizes and directs the trustee of the 401(k) Plan (the “Trustee”) to vote or execute proxies to vote, as instructed on the reverse side, all the shares of Common Stock credited to the undersigned’s account under the 401(k) Plan on March 1, 2018,2019, at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. In their discretion, the Proxies and/or the Trustee are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

THE PROXIES AND/OR THE TRUSTEE WILL VOTE ALL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO WHICH THIS PROXY/INSTRUCTION CARD RELATES IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO COMMON STOCK HELD OF RECORD BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THE PROXIES WILL VOTE SUCH COMMON STOCK FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND IN FAVOR OF PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO COMMON STOCK CREDITED TO THE UNDERSIGNED’S ACCOUNT UNDER THE 401(k) PLAN, THE TRUSTEE WILL VOTE SUCH COMMON STOCK IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS SHARES FOR WHICH VOTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, UNLESS REQUIRED BY LAW TO EXERCISE DISCRETION IN VOTING SUCH SHARES.
401(k) PlanParticipants--The undersigned, if a participant in the 401(k) Plan, hereby directs Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Trustee for the 401(k) Plan to vote all Common Shares allocated to my account as of March 1, 2018.2019. I understand that I am to mail this confidential voting instruction card to American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. (“AST”), acting as tabulation agent and that my instructions must be received by AST no later than 7:10:00 a.m., PacificEastern Daylight Time, on April 20, 2018.19, 2019. If my instructions are not received by that date, or if the voting instructions are invalid because this form is not properly signed and dated, the shares in my account will be voted in accordance with the terms of the 401(k) Plan document.
(continued (continued and to be signed on reverse side)
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