UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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DDRSITE Centers Corp.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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LOGOLOGO          

Notice of Annual

Meeting of Shareholders and 2018 Proxy Statement


To the Holders of Common Shares of DDRSITE Centers Corp.:

The 20182020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of DDRSITE Centers Corp. will be held as follows:

 

WHEN:  

  9:00 a.m. local time, Tuesday, May 8, 2018.12, 2020.

WHERE:  

  Loews Regency Hotel

540 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10065

As part of our contingency planning regarding novel coronavirus(COVID-19), we are preparing for the possibility that the date, time or location of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may be changed or that the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may be held by means of remote communication (sometimes referred to as a “virtual” meeting). If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance through a press release and public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and details will be available at www.sitecenters.com/investors.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:  

  Election of eight Directors.

 

 Adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the ability of shareholders to exercise cumulative voting in the election of Directors.

 Adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to implement proxy access in connection with annual meetings of shareholders.

 Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to effect, in its discretion, a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock and adoption of a corresponding amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation.

  Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

  Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

  Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

WHO CAN VOTE:  

  Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 201820, 2020 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the Annual Meeting.

VOTING BY PROXY:  

  Shareholders may complete, date and sign the accompanying Proxy Card and return it in the enclosed envelope; or

 

  Vote their shares by telephone or over the Internet as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF
PROXY MATERIALS:
  

  The Company’s 20182020 Proxy Statement and 20172019 Annual Report to Shareholders are available free of charge atwww.proxydocs.com/ddrsitc.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Aaron M. Kitlowski

Secretary

Dated: April 2, 20181, 2020

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on May 8, 2018

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on May 12, 2020


20182020 Proxy Statement Table of Contents

 

 

1. Proxy Summary

  1 

2. Proposal One: Election of Eight Directors

 

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

  2 

Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting

  2 

Transactions with the Otto Family

6

Independent Directors

6

Director Qualifications and Review of Director Nominees

  7 

Independent Directors

7

Director Qualifications and Review of Director NomineesProxy Access

7

Majority Vote Standard

8

Cumulative Voting

  8 

Majority Vote Standard

8

3. Board Governance

 

Board Leadership

  9 

Meetings of Our Board

  9 

Meetings ofNon-Management and Independent Directors

  9 

Committees of Our Board

  9 

Risk Oversight

  12 

Compensation of Directors

  12 

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

  14 

Security Ownership of Directors and Management

  15 

4. Proposal Two: Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate the Ability of Shareholders to Exercise Cumulative Voting in the Election of DirectorsEnvironmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Highlights

  1716 

4. Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

17

5. Proposal Three: Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access in Connection with Annual Meetings of Shareholders

19

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

19

6. Proposal Four: Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to Effect, in its Discretion, a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock and Adoption of a Corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation

21

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

21

7. Proposal Five:Two: Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

  24

Compensation Committee Report

25

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

2518 

Compensation Committee Report

19

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

19

8.5. Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Executive SummaryOverview

  2620 

Compensation Program DesignExecutive Summary

  2820 

2017Compensation Program Design

23

2019 Compensation Program

27

Stock Ownership Guidelines

  34 

Stock Ownership GuidelinesHedging and Pledging Policy

  3934 

HedgingTax and Pledging PolicyAccounting Implications

  3935 

TaxCompensation-Related Risk Analysis

35

6. Executive Compensation Tables and Accounting ImplicationsRelated Disclosure

2019 Summary Compensation Table

36

2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

38

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2019 FiscalYear-End Table

  40 

Compensation-Related Risk Analysis2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

  4041

2019 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

41

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

42

Employment Agreements

44

Change in Control Provisions

50

CEO Pay Ratio

51 

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    i


9. Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure7. Proposal Three: Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

2017Proposal Summary Compensation Tableand Board Recommendation

  41

2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

43

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 FiscalYear-End Table

44

2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

45

2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

45

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

47

Employment Agreements

49

Change in Control Provisions

54

Separations in 2017

56

CEO Pay Ratio

5753 

10. Proposal Six: Ratification ofFees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered  Public
Accounting Firm

 53

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

58

Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

58

Policy on Audit CommitteePre-Approval of Audit and PermissibleNon-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

  5954 

Auditor Independence

  5954 

Audit Committee Report

54

8. Corporate Governance and Other Matters

Codes of Ethics

55

Reporting andNon-Retaliation Policy

56

Policy Regarding Related-Party Transactions

56

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

57

Shareholder Proposals for 2021 Annual Meeting

58

Householding

58

Other Matters

  59 

11. Corporate Governance and Other Matters9. Frequently Asked Questions

 

Codes of EthicsWhy did you send me this Proxy Statement?

  60 

Reporting andNon-Retaliation PolicyWho is soliciting my proxy?

60

How many votes do I have?

60

How do I vote by proxy?

  61 

Policy Regarding Related-Party TransactionsMay I revoke my proxy?

  61 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

62

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

63

Shareholder Proposals for 2019 Annual Meeting

63

Householding

63

Other Matters

63

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Why did you send me this Proxy Statement?

64

Who is soliciting my proxy?

64

How many votes do I have?

64

How do I vote by proxy?

65

May I revoke my proxy?

65

Can I receive this Proxy Statement by email in the future?

  6562 

What constitutes a quorum?

  6662 

What vote is required to approve each proposal assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting?

  66

13. Annexes

Annex A — Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate Cumulative Voting in Director Elections

A-1

Annex B — Amendment to Amended and Restated Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access

B-1

Annex C — Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation Corresponding to Effect Reverse Stock Split

C-162 

 

ii    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


1. Proxy Summary

 

This Proxy Summary contains highlights and information that can be found elsewhere in this Proxy Statement as indicated by the applicable page references. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and therefore you should read the entire Proxy Statement.

 

 

MEETING DATE, TIME AND LOCATION

 

 

TUESDAY, MAY 8, 201812, 2020 AT 9:00 A.M. LOCAL TIME

Loews Regency Hotel

540 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10065

PROPOSALSAs part of our contingency planning regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we are preparing for the possibility that the date, time or location of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) may be changed or that the Annual Meeting may be held by means of remote communication (sometimes referred to as a “virtual” meeting). If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance through a press release and public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and details will be available at www.sitecenters.com/investors.

 

 

PROPOSALS

 

Proposal   

Board

Recommendation

 

Page Reference for

More Information

 

 

1.

    Election of eight Directors. 

 

 

“For”

all nominees

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2.

    Adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the ability of shareholders to exercise cumulative voting in the election of Directors. 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

3.

    Adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to implement proxy access in connection with annual meetings of shareholders. 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

4.

    Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to effect, in its discretion, a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock and adoption of a corresponding amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation. 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

5.

    Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

6.

    Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

 Proposal  

 

 

Board

Recommendation

 

Page Reference for

More Information

 

 

 1.

    Election of eight Directors 

 

 

“For”

all nominees

 

 

 

 

2              

 

 

 

 2.

    Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

18              

 

 

 

 3.

    Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm 

 

 

 

“For”

 

 

 

 

53              

 

 

 

 

VOTING

 

You may vote if you were a shareholder of record of SITE Centers Corp. (“SITE Centers”, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) at the close of business on March 14, 2018,20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting. We will begin mailing this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, along with the accompanying2019 Annual Report and Proxy Card on or about April 2, 20181, 2020 to all shareholders entitled to vote.

You may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy in any of the following ways:

 

By Internet

By TelephoneBy Mail

LOGO

 

 

Go to:

www.investorvote.com/ddrsitc

or the web address on

your Proxy Card

 

   

By Telephone

LOGO

 

 

Call toll free:

1-800-652-8683

 

   

By Mail

LOGO

 

 

Sign the enclosed Proxy Card

and return by

pre-paid postage envelope

 

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    1


2. Proposal One: Election of Eight Directors

 

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

At the Annual Meeting, unless you specify otherwise, the common shares represented by your proxy will be voted to elect the eight Director nominees of DDR Corp. (“DDR” or the “Company”).identified below. If any of the nominees is not a candidate when the election occurs for any reason (which is not expected) and the size of the Board remains unchanged, then our Board of Directors (the “Board”) remains unchanged, then our Board intends that proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute Director nominee designated by our Board as recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” All Eight Director Nominees

 

Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting

Our Board has nominated and recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of each of the following Director nominees, each to serve aone-year term until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. Upon consummation of our previously announced plan tospin-off a portfolio of 50 properties, comprised of 38 Continental U.S. assets and the entirety of our Puerto Rico portfolio, into a separate, publicly-traded REIT named Retail Value Inc., the Company expects that Messrs. Roulston and Sholem will resign from the Board and join the board of directors of Retail Value Inc. Thisspin-off is expected to be completed during the summer of 2018.

 

LOGO

     Director Since: 2018

     Age: 57

     Independent: Yes

     Committees:

 Audit

 Nominating and

    Corporate

    Governance

LINDA B. ABRAHAM — Managing Director of Crimson Capital (early stage technology company investing and consulting)

Background: Since 2014, Ms. Abraham has served as Managing Director of Crimson Capital, which invests in and advises early stage technology companies spanning data/analytics, cybersecurity, machine learning,e-commerce, educational technology and virtual reality. From 1999 to 2013, Ms. Abrahamco-founded and served as Executive Vice President of comScore, a leader in digital measurement and analytics which went public in 2007. Prior toco-founding comScore, Ms. Abrahamco-founded Paragren Technologies, which provided software for customer relationship management systems (today owned by Oracle), and also served in various roles at Procter & Gamble and Information Resources, Inc., where she developed and commercialized a series of data-driven analytical products. Ms. Abraham also serves as the Vice Chair of Upskill, a virtual reality company for large scale manufacturing enterprises. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the Data Science Institute at the University of Virginia, the International Women’s Forum of Northern California and Tiger 21. Ms. Abraham is an active member of the World Economic Forum and is a member of the Selection Committee for the Technology Pioneer program. Ms. Abraham holds a degree in Quantitative Business Analysis from Penn State University.

Qualifications:Ms. Abraham’s qualifications to serve on the Board include extensive experience as a technology entrepreneur and as an expert in consumer analytics, a field that is increasingly critical to the Company’s corporate strategy and efforts to understand shopping patterns and merchandise mix.

2    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2000

 

Age: 6264

 

Independent: Yes

 

Committees:

     Compensation

          (Chair)

 

    Audit

     Dividend Declaration

          

     PricingDeclaration

  

TERRANCE R. AHERN — Chairman of the Board, DDR Corp.SITE Centers, and Chief Executive Officer, The Townsend Group (institutional real estate consulting)

 

Background: Mr. Ahern isCo-Founder, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of The Townsend Group, an institutional real estate advisory and investment management firm formed in 1986. Mr. Ahern also is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. The Townsend Group serves as adviser to, or invests on behalf of, domestic and offshore public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, and sovereign wealth funds. Mr. Ahern has also served as an Independent Director of KKR Real Estate Finance Trust since 2017. Mr. Ahern is a past member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA)(“PREA”), the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)(“NAREIT”), and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of PREA and the Board of Editors ofInstitutional Real Estate SecuritiesSecurities.. Mr. Ahern has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences, including PREA, NAREIT and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers.

 

Qualifications:Mr. Ahern has over 30 years of real estate industry and institutional real estate consulting experience. This experience includes founding and managing a leading institutional real estate advisory and investment firm whose core skill is analyzing real estate firms and investment opportunities. This role and experience provides Mr. Ahern with unique insight into the structure and operations of both public and private real estate companies, and into the real estate environment and capital markets in which we operate. Through his experience, Mr. Ahern has gained an understanding and knowledge of the opportunities, challenges and risks that face real estate companies, as well as the functions of a board of directors.

 

2    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2017

 

Age: 4749

 

Independent: Yes

 

Committees:

     Nominating and Corporate GovernanceAudit(Chair)

 

    AuditCompensation

     Pricing

  

JANE E. DEFLORIO — Managing Director (Retired), Deutsche Bank AG Retail/Consumer Sector Investment Banking Coverage (global banking and financial services company)

 

Background: Ms. DeFlorio was Managing Director, Deutsche Bank AG Retail/Consumer Sector Investment Banking Coverage, a division of a global banking and financial services company, from 2007 to 2013, and has served as an Independent Director of Perry Ellis International since 2014.2013. While at Deutsche Bank, Ms. DeFlorio covered a range ofmid- tolarge-cap retail clients. Prior to her role at Deutsche Bank, from 2002 to 2007, Ms. DeFlorio held the title of Executive Director in the Investment Banking Consumer and Retail Group at UBS Investment Bank, a business unit of UBS Group AG, and advised on high-profile consumer transactions. Ms. DeFlorio also served as an Independent Director of Perry Ellis International from 2014 to 2018. Ms. DeFlorio is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee at The New School University in New York City. She also serves on the Board of Governors for The Parsons School of Design.Design and the Board of Directors for the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Ms. DeFlorio is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Harvard Business School.

 

Qualifications: With over 15 years of experience in investment banking, primarily focusing on the retail sector, as well as her current boardrecent service toon another public company board, Ms. DeFlorio is uniquely qualified to advise our Board in connection with capital structure, capital allocation, strategic direction, risk management,financial matters, shareholder value creation and strategic opportunities.

 

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    3


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2009

 

Age: 5961

 

Independent: Yes

 

Committee:

    Nominating and

          Corporate           Governance

    Dividend

          Declaration

    Pricing

  

DR. THOMAS FINNE — Managing Director, KG CURA Vermögensverwaltung G.m.b.H. & Co. (commercial real estate company, Hamburg, Germany)

 

Background: Dr. Finne is the Managing Director of KG CURA Vermögensverwaltung G.m.b.H. & Co., a commercial real estate company located in Hamburg, Germany, that manages assets in North America and Europe. Prior to joining KG CURA Vermögensverwaltung G.m.b.H. & Co. in 1992, Dr. Finne was responsible for controlling, budgeting, accounting and finance for Bernhard Schulte KG, a ship owner and ship manager located in Hamburg, Germany. He is currently servingserved as a director of Sonae Sierra Brasil S.A., which owns and operates retail real estate assets in Brazil.Brazil, until August 2019. Dr. Finne graduated with an undergraduate degree in business administration and received his doctorate from the International Tax Institute at the University of Hamburg.

 

Qualifications:Dr.Finne’s experience in international commercial real estate enables him to contribute an international perspective on the issues impacting a real estate company facing today’s challenges and opportunities. His service on the board of directors of several international real estate companies further provides him with business modeling experience and an appreciable awareness of the most effective and essential functions of a board of directors.

 

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    3


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2017

 

Age: 4850

 

Independent: No

 

Committees:

    Dividend           Declaration

 

    Pricing

  

DAVID R. LUKES — President and Chief Executive Officer, DDR Corp.SITE Centers

 

Background: Mr. Lukes was named President and Chief Executive Officer of DDR Corp.SITE Centers in March 2017. Mr. Lukes most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Equity One, I(nc. (Equity One)Inc. (“Equity One”), an owner, developer, and operator of shopping centers, as well as a member of Equity One’s Board of Directors, from June 2014 until March 2017. Mr. Lukes also served as Equity One’s Executive Vice President from May 2014 to June 2014. Prior to joining Equity One, Mr. Lukes served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holding Corporation affiliate Seritage Realty Trust, a real estate company, from 2012 through April 2014. In addition, Mr. Lukes served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Olshan Properties (formerly Mall Properties, Inc.), a privately owned real estate firm that specializes in the development, acquisition and management of commercial real estate, from 2010 to 2012. From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Lukes served in various senior management positions at Kimco Realty Corporation, including serving as its Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Lukes also serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Retail Value Inc. (“RVI”), an owner and operator of shopping centers located in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico managed by SITE Centers, the shares of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and as a Director of Citycon Oyj, an owner and operator of shopping centers located in the Nordic region the shares of which are traded on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Mr. Lukes holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Miami University, a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

 

Qualifications: Mr. Lukes’ qualifications to serve on the Board include his position as a member of the Company’s senior management, his prior experience as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Equity One, his familiarity with the retail REITreal estate investment trust (“REIT”) industry and his extensive expertise and experience in retail real estate development and operations. Furthermore, his position as a member of the Company’s senior management makes him an important contributor to the Board.

 

4    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2002

 

Age: 6668

 

Independent: Yes

 

Committees:

     Compensation

    Nominating and

          Corporate           Governance (Chair)

  

VICTOR B. MACFARLANE — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MacFarlane Partners (real estate investments)

 

Background: Mr. MacFarlane is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MacFarlane Partners, which he founded in 1987 to provide real estate investment management services to institutional investors. Mr. MacFarlane has more than 35 years of real estate investment experience. He sits on the Boards of DirectorsAdvisory Board of the Robert Toigo Foundation and the Real Estate Executive Council. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the UCLA School of Law and the board facilities committee of Stanford Hospital & Clinics. He is a member and former Trustee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI);Institute; a member and former Director of PREA; and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, (ICSC), the Chief Executives Organization and the World Presidents’ Organization.

 

Qualifications:Mr. MacFarlane brings to our Board three decades of experience as a chief executive officer of a real estate investment and advisory firm and over 35 years of experience in the areas of real estate investment, corporate finance, portfolio management and risk management. His extensive managerial experience as well as his knowledge of the real estate and private capital industries provide our Board with an expansive view on issues impacting the Company and our corporate strategy.

 

4    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


 

 

 

LOGO

 

Director Since: 2015

 

Age: 5052

 

Independent: Yes

 

  

ALEXANDER OTTO — Chief Executive Officer, ECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG (commercial real estate company, Hamburg, Germany)

 

Background: Mr. Otto has served as the Chief Executive Officer of ECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, a commercial real estate company based in Hamburg, Germany that manages assets in Europe, since 2000. Mr. Otto is a graduate of St. Clare’s, Oxford and studied at Harvard University and Harvard Business School.

 

Mr. Otto is a member of the boards of directors, or equivalent governing bodies, of publicly traded companiescompany Deutsche EuroShop AG and Sonae Sierra Brasil S.A., as well as the privately held companies Otto Group and Peek & Cloppenburg KG. Mr. Otto served as a director of Sonae Sierra Brasil S.A., which owns and operates retail real estate assets in Brazil, until September 2019. Additionally, Mr. Otto is the Chairman of Lebendige Stadt (“Vibrant City”)(Vibrant City) Foundation, HSV Campus gemeinnützige GmbH and the Alexander Otto Sportstiftung Foundation, is a member of the board of the Harvard Business School Foundation of Germany and, together with his wife, established the Dorit and Alexander Otto Foundation.

 

Qualifications: Mr. Otto has more than 2025 years of experience in the shopping center business. This experience includes serving as a real estate analyst with a focus on financial analysis and appraisals of shopping centers, as well as a development manager and leasing executive for large shopping centers. These qualifications and his experience as the CEO of a leading private European shopping center company enable Mr. Otto to provide particular insights to the Board regarding the Company’s corporate strategy, the continual optimization of the Company´s operations, transactional activity and general management.

LOGO

Director Since: 2004

Age: 60

Independent: Yes

Committees:

    Audit (Chair)

     Pricing

SCOTT D. ROULSTON — Principal and Director of Wealth Management, Segall Bryant & Hamill (investment advisor)

Background: Mr. Roulston is a Principal and Director of Wealth Management at Segall Bryant & Hamill, an independent investment firm, a position which he has held since March 2017. He was Managing Director of MAI Capital Management, LLC (MAI), a registered investment advisor, from 2013 to February 2017. He was Managing Director at Burdette Asset Management, a private equity fund manager, from 2011 to January 2013. From 1990 to 2010, he was Chief Executive Officer of Roulston & Company, a firm that provided investment research and management, and its successor firm, Fairport Asset Management. He is a Director of Bluecoats, Inc. He also is a former Director of Defiance, Inc., where he served as Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Roulston is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Qualifications:In addition to his past experience on the board of directors of both public and private companies, including on the audit committee of a public company, Mr. Roulston contributes his insights as a leader of an asset management and private equity company, and a trustee of a major public pension fund. This experience has provided him with extensive knowledge of the issues involved with the review and analysis of financial statements, as well as capital markets and the development and implementation of corporate strategy.

 

 

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    5


 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Director Since: 19982018

 

Age: 6260

 

Independent: Yes

 

Committee:     Committees:

    Audit

    Compensation

  

BARRY A. SHOLEMDAWN M. SWEENEY — Partner, MSD Capital, L.P. (family investment office)Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant Association (national trade association for the restaurant and foodservice industry)

 

Background: Mr. Sholem becameMs. Sweeney served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant Association, the national trade association for the nation’s restaurant and foodservice industry, from October 2007 until her retirement in December 2019. Prior to joining the National Restaurant Association, Ms. Sweeney was the President of AARP Services, a partnersubsidiary of MSD Capital, L.P.,AARP, where she was responsible for revenue growth and new product development for the family office50+ market. She also served as Group Executive for Membership, which focused on growing and diversifying AARP’s membership. Prior to joining AARP in 1999, Ms. Sweeney served as Vice President of MichaelMarket Development for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Susan Dell,Vice President of Marketing for the International Dairy Foods Association. Ms. Sweeney also serves on the board of directors of MedStar’s National Medical Rehabilitation Hospital and headon the executive and audit committees of its real estate fundthe board of directors of Save the Children. She has also served as Vice Chair of the board of Save the Children Action Network and Chair of the board of the Bryce Harlow Foundation, an organization dedicated to ethics and integrity in July 2004. From 1995 until 2000, Mr. Sholem was Chairmanlobbying. Ms. Sweeney earned a Bachelor of DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, a $2 billion real estate fund that heco-founded and that investedScience in a broad range of real estate-related assets,Government from Colby College, and a Managing Director at Credit Suisse First Boston. Prior to forming DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, Mr. Sholem spent ten years at Goldman SachsMasters of Business Administration in its New York and Los Angeles offices. Mr. Sholem is active in ULI (CRC Silver Council), ICSC, the University of California, Berkeley Real Estate Advisory Board and the Business Roundtable.Marketing from The George Washington University.

 

Qualifications: Years of experience leading the real estate groups of investment firms gives Mr. Sholem a unique perspectiveMs. Sweeney’s qualifications to serve on the businessBoard include her extensive managerial experience and operationsher success in building revenues and sustaining growth as well as her position as a leader in the restaurant and foodservice industry, one of the Company. In addition, he brings a broad understanding of the social and political issues facing the Company through his involvement with ULI and ICSC.fastest growing tenant categories.

 

 

6    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


Transactions with the Otto Family

In 2009, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with Mr. Alexander Otto. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Otto and certain members of his family, (including but not limited to Katharina Otto-Bernstein), whom we collectively refer to as the Otto Family, purchased 40,000,000 common shares of the Company, which we refer to as the Purchased Shares. In connection with the sale of the Purchased Shares, we also entered into an investor rights agreement with Mr. Otto under which he has a right to nominate individuals for election to our Board depending on the Otto Family’s level of ownership in the Company. During such time as the Otto Family beneficially owns 17.5% or more of our outstanding common shares, our Board will nominate two persons recommended by the Otto Family who are suitable to us to become members of our Board at each annual election of Directors, and during such time as the Otto Family beneficially owns less than 17.5% but more than 7.5% of our outstanding common shares, our Board will nominate one person recommended by the Otto Family who is suitable to us to become a member of our Board at each annual election of Directors. In accordance with the investor rights agreement, Dr. Finne has been proposed by Mr. Otto and subsequently nominated and elected to our Board annually since 2009. Beginning in 2015, Mr. Otto has designated himself as the second person to be nominated by our Board pursuant to the investor rights agreement.

Independent Directors

Our Board has affirmatively determined that all Directors who served during 2017 were2019 (except for Messrs. Otto, Lukes, August, and Dr. Finne),Mr. Lukes) were, and all Directors nominated for election by the Board in 20182020 (except for Mr. Lukes) are, independent within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE and, as applicable, the rules of the SEC,Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including with respect to the applicable director’sDirector’s service on the Compensation Committee and/or, excluding Mr. Otto and Dr. Finne, the Audit Committee. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our Board will be comprised of a majority of independent Directors and that only those Directors or nominees who

6    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


meet the listing standards of the NYSE will be considered independent. Our Board reviews annually the relationships that each Director or nominee has with us (either directly or indirectly), and only those Directors or nominees whom our Board affirmatively determines have no material relationship with us will be considered independent.

Director Qualifications and Review of Director Nominees

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews annually with our Board the composition of our Board as a whole and recommends, if necessary, action to be taken so that our Board reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity required for our Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of independent Directors required by applicable laws and regulations and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for ensuring that the composition of our Board appropriately reflects the needs of our business and, in furtherance of this goal, proposing the addition of Directors and requesting the resignation of Directors for purposes of ensuring the requisite skill sets and commitment of the Directors to actively participate in Board and committee meetings. Directors should possess such attributes and experience as are necessary to provide a broad range of personal characteristics including diversity, management skills, and real estate and general business experience. Directors should commit the requisite time for preparation and attendance at regularly scheduled Board and committee meetings, as well as participate in other matters necessary to ensure we are well-positioned to engage in best corporate governance practices.

In evaluating a Director candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers factors that are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, including the knowledge, experience, integrity and judgment of each candidate; the potential contribution of each candidate to the diversity of backgrounds, experience and competencies that our Board desires to have represented; each candidate’s ability to devote sufficient time and effort to his or her duties as a Director; independence and willingness to consider all strategic proposals; any other criteria established by our Board and any core competencies or real estate expertise necessary to staff Board committees. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider potential members’ qualifications to be independent under the NYSE listing standards in accordance

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    7


with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and will assess whether a candidate possesses the integrity, judgment, knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise that are likely to enhance our Board’s ability to oversee our affairs and business, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of committees of our Board to fulfill their duties.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider suggestions forwarded by shareholders to our Secretary concerning qualified candidates for election as Directors. To recommend a prospective nomineecandidate for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s consideration and potential recommendation to the Board for nomination for Director, a shareholder may submit the candidate’s name and qualifications to our Secretary, Aaron M. Kitlowski, at the following address: 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not established specific minimum qualifications that a candidate must have to be recommended to our Board. However, in determining qualifications for new Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers those guidelines described above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider a pool of potential Board candidates established from recommendations from shareholders and third parties, including management and current Directors, as well as pursuant to the investor rights agreement described above under the caption “Transactions with the Otto Family.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may, in its discretion, retain a search consultant to supplement the pool of potential Board candidates considered for nomination.

The Board has submitted a proposal included in thisOur Code of Regulations sets forth the requirements with respect to the nomination of candidates for Director by shareholders.

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Proxy Access

With the support of our shareholders, our Code of Regulations was amended in 2018 to be voted upon by shareholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting to implementprovide proxy access pursuant to which a shareholder or group of up to 20 shareholders satisfying specified eligibility requirements may include Director nominees in connection with futureour proxy materials for annual meetingsmeetings. To be eligible to use proxy access, such shareholders must, among other requirements:

   have owned common shares equal to at least 3% of the aggregate of our issued and outstanding common shares continuously for at least three years;

   represent that such shares were acquired in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control and that such shareholders do not presently have such intent; and

   provide a notice requesting the inclusion of Director nominees in our proxy materials and provide other required information to us not more than 150, or less than 120, days prior to the anniversary of the date that we issued our proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders (unless the date for the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting in which case the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the 150th calendar day prior to such annual meeting and the tenth calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made).

The maximum number of shareholders. If implemented, such procedures will impactDirector nominees that may be submitted pursuant to these provisions may not exceed 20% of the mannernumber of Directors then in which shareholders may nominate Director candidates for election to the Board.office but in no event shall be less than two.

Majority Vote Standard

Consistent with best corporate governance practices, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide for a majority vote standard in uncontested elections and a plurality vote standard in contested elections.elections of Directors. An election of Directors is contested when the number of nominees for election as a Director exceeds the number of Directors to be elected. Under a majority vote standard, each vote is specifically counted “for”“For” or “against”“Against” the Director’s election and an affirmative majority of the total number of votes cast “for”“For” or “against”“Against” a Director nominee will be required for election. Shareholders are entitled to abstain with respect to the election of a Director. With respect to the election of Directors, brokernon-votes and abstentions will not be considered votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will be excluded in determining the number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

Cumulative Voting

Although the Board has submitted a proposal included in this Proxy Statement to be voted upon by shareholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting to eliminate the ability of shareholders to exercise cumulative voting in future Director elections, shareholders have the right to request cumulative voting for the election of Directors at the 2018 Annual Meeting. If written notice is given by any shareholder to our President, any Vice President or the Secretary at least 48 hours before the 2018 Annual Meeting that the shareholder desires that cumulative voting be used for the election of Directors, and if an announcement of the giving of that notice is made when the Annual Meeting is convened by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary, or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving that notice, then each shareholder will have the right to cumulate the voting power that the shareholder possesses in the election of Directors. This means that each shareholder will be able to give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of common shares owned by such shareholder, or to distribute the shareholder’s votes on the same principle among two or more candidates, as the shareholder may elect. If voting for the election of Directors is cumulative, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy Card will vote the common shares represented by proxies given to them in such manner so as to elect as many of the nominees as possible.

 

8    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


3. Board Governance

 

Board Leadership

Mr. Ahern serves as Chairman of the Board. The position of Chairman of the Board is anon-executive officer position and is expected to be held by anon-employee, independent Director. The Chairman of the Board has the following responsibilities, among others as may be determined by our Board:

 

   Ensure that our Board fulfills its oversight and governance responsibilities;

   Consult and advise on any operational matters as requested by our Chief Executive Officer;

   Coordinate the Board’s self-assessment and evaluation process;

   Serve as liaison between the Company’s management and thenon-management Directors;

   Coordinate the Board’s annual review and input to the Company’s strategic plan;

   Assist the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on corporate governance matters, such as the nomination of Board members, committee membership and rotation, and management succession planning;

   Preside over meetings of our shareholders;shareholders if the President is unavailable; and

   Provide leadership to our Board, set the agenda for, and preside over, Board meetings and executive sessions of the independent andnon-management Directors.

We believe that an independent Chairman of the Board, separate from our Chief Executive Officer, recognizes the time, effort and commitment that our Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position and to fulfill his responsibilities and the independent oversight required by our Chairman of the Board. This structure also enables our Board as a whole to fulfill its responsibility to oversee the risks presented by the Company’s long-term strategy, business plan and model.

Meetings of Our Board

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2019, our Board held eightfive meetings and undertook sevenone written actions. In 2017, allaction. Each of our Directors attended 100%at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the number of meetings of ourthe Board withwhich were held during the exceptionperiod that such person served on the Board and (ii) the number of a Director who was absent for two meetings.meetings of committees of the Board held during the period that such person served on such committee. As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, all Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. All of our then current Directors nominated for election attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May 2017 with the exception of one Director.2019. Our Board conducts and reviews its operations through a self-assessment process on an annual basis.

Meetings ofNon-Management and Independent Directors

Thenon-management Directors meet in executive session in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting. These meetings are chaired by the Chairman of the Board. In addition, as required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the independent Directors meet at least once per year to the extent our Board includes one or morenon-management Directors who are not independent.

Committees of Our Board

During 2017 and during 2018, prior to our Annual Meeting,2019, our Board had the committees described below. The information regarding our committees set forth below reflects the participation of Mr. Robert H. Gidel, who currently serves as a Director but is not standing forre-election to our Board at the 2018 Annual Meeting. Our Board has approved the written charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which, along with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, are posted on our website atwww.ddr.comwww.sitecenters.com, under “Governance” in the “Investors”“Investor Relations” section. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts a self-evaluation and review of its charter annually and reports the results of these evaluations and reviews to our Board. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement, and you should not consider such information to be part of this Proxy Statement.

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    9


   

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

  

 

Members:

 

  Mr. Roulston  Ms. DeFlorio (Chair)

 

  Ms. DeFlorio     (commencing     May 9, 2017)  Mr. Ahern

 

  Mr. Gidel  Ms. Abraham

 

  Mr. Ahern

       (through

       May 8, 2017)  Ms. Sweeney

  

Responsibilities: The Audit Committee assists our Board in overseeing: the integrity of our financial statements; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence; the performance of our internal audit function and our independent registered public accounting firm; ourand the assessment and management of enterprise risk management policies and procedures; andrisk. The Audit Committee also prepares the Audit Committee Report included in our annual proxy statement.

 

Independence: All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE listing standards, including with respect to service on the Audit Committee, in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Our Board has determined that each current member of the Audit Committee and each member that served on the Audit Committee in 20172019 is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407 ofRegulation S-K under the federal securities laws.laws other than Ms. Abraham, who otherwise meets audit committee financial literacy requirements.

 

Meetings: The Audit Committee held eight meetings in 2017. All members attended 100% of the meetings with the exception of a Director who was absent for one meeting.2019.

 

   

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

  

 

Members:

 

  Mr. Ahern (Chair)

 

  Mr. MacFarlane  Ms. DeFlorio

 

  Mr. Sholem  Ms. Sweeney

  

Responsibilities: Among other responsibilities, theThe Compensation CommitteeCommittee: reviews and approves compensation for our executive officers; reviews and recommends to our Board compensation for Directors; oversees the Company’s compensation and executive benefit plans, including those under which such executive officers and Directors receive benefits; reviews and discusses with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and produces the Compensation Committee Report in our annual proxy statement. The Compensation Committee engages a compensation consultant to assist in the design of the executive compensation program and the review of its effectiveness, as further described below under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The Chief Executive Officer providesmakes recommendations to the Compensation Committee recommendations regarding compensation for executive officers other than himself for approval by the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee delegates to senior management the authority to administer certain aspects of the compensation program fornon-executive officers. In addition, the Compensation Committee may form subcommittees of at least two members for any purpose it deems appropriate and may delegate to the subcommittees any of its power and authority that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.

 

Independence: All of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE listing standards, including with respect to service on the Compensation Committee, in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

Meetings: The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2017. All members attended 100% of the meetings. The Compensation Committee alsoand took written action on one occasionthree occasions in 2017.2019.

 

 

 

10    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


   

 

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

  

 

Members:

  Mr. MacFarlane (Chair)

 

  Mr. Gidel (Chair)  Ms. Abraham

 

  Ms. DeFlorio

        (commencing

        May 9, 2017)

  Mr. MacFarlane  Dr. Finne

  

Responsibilities: The Nominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeCommittee: identifies individuals qualified to become members of our Board and recommends to our Board the persons to be nominated as Directors at each annual meeting of shareholders; recommends to our Board qualified individuals to fill vacancies on our Board; reviews and recommends to our Board qualifications for committee membership and committee structure and operations; recommends Directors to serve on each committee; develops and recommends to our Board corporate governance policies and procedures in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other rules and regulations relating to our corporate governance; oversees compliance with, and reviews and makes recommendations regarding any waivers under, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics with respect to officers and Directors; and leads our Board in its annual review of the performance of our Board.

 

Independence: All of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards and in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

Meetings: The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held fivefour meetings in 2017. All members attended 100% of the meetings. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also took written action on one occasion in 2017.2019.

 

   

 

DIVIDEND DECLARATION COMMITTEE

  

 

Members:

  Mr. Lukes (Chair)

 

  Mr. Ahern

 

  Dr. Finne

  Mr. Lukes

        (Chair and

        Member

        commencing

        May 9, 2017)

  Mr. August

        (Chair and

        member

        through March 2,

        2017)

  

Responsibilities: As may be authorized by the Board, the Dividend Declaration Committee determines if and when we should declare dividends on our capital shares and the amount thereof, consistent with the dividend policy adopted by our Board.

 

Meetings: The Dividend Declaration Committee did not meet during 2017.2019. The Dividend Declaration Committee took written action on four occasions in 2017.2019.

 

   

 

PRICING COMMITTEE

  

 

Members:

  Mr. Lukes (Chair)

 

  Mr. Ahern  Ms. DeFlorio

 

  Mr. Roulston

  Mr. Lukes

        (Chair and

         Member

         commencing

         May 9, 2017)

  Mr. August

        (Chair and

        member

        through March 2,

        2017)

  Dr. Finne

 

  

Responsibilities: The Pricing Committee (or duly appointed subcommittee thereof) is authorized to approve the timing, amount, price and terms of offerings of our debt and equity securities.

 

Meetings: The Pricing Committee (or duly appointed subcommittee thereof) held no meetings and took written action on three occasionsone meeting in 2017.2019.

 

 

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    11


Risk Oversight

WithManagement is responsible forthe day-to-day management of risks, while the Board, as a whole and through our Audit Committee, is responsible for overseeing the risk assessment and risk management functions of the Company. The Board comprised ofhas delegated responsibility for reviewing our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management and independent Directors, members ofto our Audit Committee through its charter. The Board bring a variety of perspectives to address risks facedhas determined that this oversight responsibility can be most efficiently performed by our Company.Audit Committee as part of its overall responsibility for providing independent, objective oversight with respect to our accounting and financial reporting functions, internal and external audit functions, systems of internal controls over financial reporting, security of information technology systems and data, and legal, ethical and regulatory compliance. Our Board’s role in enterprise risk management (ERM) includes receivingAudit Committee regularly reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, strategic and compliance risks. The Company has an ERM Committee, comprised of senior management and chaired by the Chief Executive Officer, which meets periodicallyBoard with respect to identify risks and risk mitigation strategies. The Audit Committee assists our Board in its oversight responsibilities by, among other matters, reviewing reports prepared by the ERM Committee and reporting, on at least an annual basis, to our full Board on the Company’s ERM program. This enables our Board and its committees to coordinate their risk oversight role.of these areas.

Compensation of Directors

Director Compensation Program

During 2017, the2019, ournon-employee Directors were compensated in the form of an annual cash retainer and an annual stock retainer, as shown below, which alignswere intended to align the interests of our Directors and our shareholders. For Directors serving less than the full year, the annual cash retainer and any applicable committee fees paid were prorated based on the dates served.shareholders, as shown below.

 

Component 
ComponentAnnual AmountPayable

 

Annual Stock Retainer

 

Grant of 8,000Equal in value to $100,000

Quarterly in common shares

Upon election at the

annual meeting of shareholders

 

Annual Cash Retainer

 

$50,000

Quarterly in cash or common

shares, at the Director’s election

Beginning in May 2018, in lieu of an annual stock retainer of 8,000 common shares per year,non-employee Directors will receive an annual stock retainer equal in value to approximately $100,000 paid quarterly based on the share price of our common stock at the time of grant.

Non-employee Directors are also paid fees for service on certain committees as set forth below and for service as the Chairman of the Board. The Director who serves as the Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $100,000 in addition to the fees paid to allnon-employee Directors. Fees are paid to committee members, the respective committee chairs and the Chairman of the Board in quarterly installments in the form of cash or common shares, at athe Director’s election. Each Director is also reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings because we view meeting attendance as integrally and directly related to the performance of the Directors’ duties.

 

 
Annual Fee
    Annual Fee                
Committee    Chair ($)                Member ($)                        Chair ($)                     Other Member ($)         

Audit Committee

     40,000                25,000            40,000 25,000

Compensation Committee

     40,000         ��      25,000            40,000 25,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

     30,000                20,000            30,000 20,000

Dividend Declaration Committee

     —                —             

Pricing Committee

     —                —             

 

12    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


20172019 Director Compensation

In accordance with the compensation program described above, thenon-employee Directors received the following compensation during 2017:2019:

 

Name  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)(1)
  Stock Awards ($)(1)(2)     Total ($) Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
Stock Awards ($)(3)Total ($)

Terrance R. Ahern

  202,109       74,640       276,749  215,000 100,021   315,021

Jane E. DeFlorio(3)

    62,833       74,640       137,473 
Linda B. Abraham 95,000 100,021   195,021
Jane E. DeFlorio 115,000 100,021   215,021

Thomas Finne

    50,000       74,640       124,640  70,000 100,021   170,021

Robert H. Gidel

  105,000       74,640       179,640 

Victor B. MacFarlane

    95,019       74,640       169,659  80,000 100,021   180,021

Alexander Otto

    50,000       74,640       124,640  50,024(1)  100,021   150,045

Scott D. Roulston

    90,000       74,640       164,640 

Barry A. Sholem

    75,000       74,640       149,640 
Dawn M. Sweeney(2) 100,011 100,021   200,032

 

(1)All of the fees

The amount reported in this column for Mr. Otto was paid in common shares.

(2)

The cash and stock awards listed for Mr. Ahern and all of the fees for Mr. MacFarlaneMs. Sweeney were deferred into the Directors’Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan and converted into units that are the economic equivalent of common shares, as further described below.

 

(2)(3)

The amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, as computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (FASB ASC Topic 718), for stock awards granted (8,000 shares)quarterly to each of thenon-employee Directors in 2017,2019, based upon the closing price of our common shares on the dates of grant. The grant date fair values of grant ($9.33the stock awards made to each Director in 2019 were as offollows: $13.40 on February 15, 2019 (1,866 shares); $13.90 on May 15, 2017)2019 (1,799 shares); $13.54 on August 15, 2019 (1,847 shares); and $14.90 on November 15, 2019 (1,678 shares).

(3)The compensation for Ms. DeFlorio reflects her service on the Board commencing in January 2017.

Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan

Non-employee Directors have the right to defer the receipt of all or a portion of their fees pursuant to our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is an unsecured, general obligation of the Company. Participants’ contributions are converted to units, based on the market value of our common shares, so that each unit is the economic equivalent of one common share but without voting rights. Settlement of units is made in cash, common shares or a combination of both (as permitted by the plan administrators) at a date determined by the participant at the time a deferral election is made. Prior to settlement, each unit earns dividend equivalents in an amount equal to any dividends paid on our common shares during the deferral period. We have established a “rabbi” trust, which holds our common shares, to satisfy our payment obligations under the plan. Common shares equal to the number of units credited to participants’ accounts under the plan are contributed to the rabbi trust. In the event of our insolvency, the assets of the rabbi trust are available to general creditors of the Company. During their terms as Directors, Messrs. Ahern and MacFarlane and RoulstonMs. Sweeney have deferred compensation represented by the following number of units as of December 31, 2017:2019:

 

  
Name 

        Number of Units under the        

        Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan         

 Value of Units ($)(1) 

        Number of Units under the        

        Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan         

 Value of Units ($)(1)

Terrance R. Ahern

 258,086     2,312,455       183,439(2) 2,571,828      

Victor B. MacFarlane

 134,837     1,208,140         51,125        716,776      

Scott D. Roulston

   29,242        262,011      
Dawn M. Sweeney   14,697        206,059      

 

(1)

Based on the closing price of our common shares on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day31, 2019 of 2017).$14.02.

(2)

In January 2020, 59,819 of these units were settled in common shares.

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Equity Deferred Compensation Plan

During his term as a Director prior to 2006, Mr. Ahern also had the right to defer the vesting of restricted shares pursuant to the Company’s Equity Deferred Compensation Plan. Vested deferred stock units under the Equity

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Deferred Compensation Plan will not be distributed to him until the end of the deferral period selected. As of December 31, 2017,2019, Mr. Ahern had 1,029514 units deferred under this plan valued at $9,220approximately $7,206 based on the closing price of our common shares on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day31, 2019 (341 of 2017)these units were settled and distributed to Mr. Ahern in common shares in January 2020).

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

Eachnon-employee Director must own common shares or common share equivalents with an aggregate market value of no less than five times the cash portion of the annual retainer fee paid to a Director.Director (or $250,000 worth of shares). This ownership requirement generally must be met no later than the fifth anniversary of the date restricted shares or common shares comprising a component of the Director’s compensation are first granted to the Director, and on each December 31st thereafter. Our Board established this particular level of stock ownership for ournon-employee Directors because we want to have the interests of ournon-employee Directors aligned with the investment interests of our shareholders. To this end, and unless otherwise approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, eachnon-employee Director is required to retain at least 50% of the common shares and common share equivalents received by the Director as compensation until such time as the minimum share ownership requirement has been satisfied. Common share units acquired by Directors under our deferred compensation plans constitute common share equivalents and count toward satisfying the stock ownership guidelines. All Directors were in compliance with the Director stock ownership guidelines as of December 31, 2017.2019.

 

14    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


Security Ownership of Directors and Management

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of February 21, 2018,2020, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes below, by (1) our Directors, (2) our named executive officers, and (3) our current executive officers and Directors, as a group. Except as otherwise described in the following notes, the following beneficial owners have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all common shares set forth opposite their respective names.

 

Directors and Management 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares  

 

   Percentage  

   Ownership (%)  

Amount and Nature of

  Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares  

   Percentage  

   Ownership (%)(7)  

David R. Lukes 230,000(1) *161,788(1)*
Linda B. Abraham14,457*
Terrance R. Ahern 322,031(2)(3) *236,041(2)(3)*
Jane E. DeFlorio 8,000 *19,126*
Conor M. Fennerty735*
Thomas Finne 66,000 *47,865*
Robert H. Gidel 62,153(4) *
Victor B. MacFarlane 83,532(3) *71,619(3)*
Michael A. Makinen 11,325(1) *15,795(1)*
Alexander Otto40,771,073(4)21.0
Dawn M. Sweeney3,243(3)*
Christa A. Vesy91,501(1)(5)*
Matthew L. Ostrower 53,000(1) *36,633(6)*
Alexander Otto 63,888,570(5) 17.3
Scott D. Roulston 26,841(3) *
Barry A. Sholem 130,675 *
Christa A. Vesy 150,944(1)(6) *
Thomas F. August 105,984(7) *
William T. Ross 56,755(8) *
Vincent A. Corno 21,072(9) *

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

 65,033,071 17.6
 

All Current Executive Officers and Directors as a

Group (11 persons)

41,433,24321.4

 

*

Less than 1%

 

(1)

Does not include 202,948; 55,036; 55,036;133,316, 37,443, 48,938 and 23,61437,424 restricted stock units (RSUs)(“RSUs”) credited to the accounts of Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and OstrowerFennerty and Ms. Vesy, respectively, which will vest in future periods pursuant to their terms. Each unit is the economic equivalent of, and settled with, one common share, but does not confer current dispositive or voting control of any common shares.shares prior to its vesting.

 

(2)

Does not include 1,029173 stock units credited to the account of Mr. Ahern with respect to restricted common shares that would have vested pursuant to their terms but were deferred to the Company’s Equity Deferred Compensation Plan. The stock units represent the right to receive common shares at the end of the deferral period, but do not confer current dispositive or voting control of any common shares.

 

(3)

Does not include 263,602; 83,459;126,318, 51,877 and 29,86718,763 stock units credited to the accounts of Messrs. Ahern and MacFarlane and Roulston,Ms. Sweeney, respectively, pursuant to our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Each unit is the economic equivalent of one common share, but does not confer current dispositive or voting control of any common shares.

 

(4)Includes 62,153 common shares owned by a limited liability company in which Mr. Gidel and his wife each has aone-half interest.

(5)For information regarding Mr. Otto’s beneficial ownership, see “Corporate Governance and Other Matters — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.”

 

(6)(5)

Includes 68,18740,111 common shares subject to compensatory stock options exercisable on or prior to April 22, 2018.2020.

 

(7)(6)

Beneficial ownership information for Mr. AugustOstrower is provided as of March 2, 2017, the effectiveNovember 27, 2019, his last date of his separation fromservice as an executive officer of the Company, based on his Form 4 filing with the SEC on March 1, 2017, as well as withholding tax transactions with respect to 5,068 and 43,2732, 2019.

(7)

Percentages are calculated based on 193,845,629 of our common shares on March 2, 2017 and October 1, 2017, respectively, and his receiptoutstanding as of 8,757 common shares on October 1, 2017, pursuant to our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. Includes 15,100 common shares owned indirectly through a family limited partnership of which Mr. August and his spouse are the sole general partners and of which his immediate family members are the sole limited partners. Mr. August disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein.February 21, 2020.

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    15


Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Highlights

SITE Centers is a self-administered and self-managed REIT in the business of acquiring, owning, developing, redeveloping, expanding, leasing, financing and managing shopping centers. We aspire to be a good corporate citizen, maintain an exciting workplace for our employees, operate our properties sustainably and engage with the many communities we serve, while driving value creation and favorable returns for our shareholders. Our ESG initiatives are detailed in our annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report (the “Report”), which was completed in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) standards and can be found in the “Sustainability” section of our website atwww.sitecenters.com. Below are some of the highlights of this Report along with recognition we have recently received on account of our ESG initiatives.

Recent Recognition

(8)Beneficial ownership information for Mr. Ross is provided as

Included in Newsweek’s inaugural list of March 2, 2017, the effective date of his termination of service as an executive officer of the Company, and also reflects withholding tax transactions with respect to 4,092 and 6,390 common shares on May 31, 2017 and January 2, 2018, respectively.America’s Most Responsible Companies.

 

(9)Beneficial ownership information

Included in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (“GEI”) comprised of public companies committed to transparency in gender-data reporting and which have exhibited performance on certain gender-data metrics.

Rated “Green Star” by GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) for Mr. Corno is provided as of March 2, 2017, the effective date of his termination of service asour sustainability benchmark results with an executive officer of the Company, and also reflects withholding tax transactionsabove average rating relative to our peer group with respect to 1,519our level of public ESG disclosures.

Recognized as a Silver Green Lease Leader by the U.S. Department of Energy and 2,372 common sharesThe Institute for Market Transformation for our development and implementation of green leases.

Environmental

Converted old parking lot lighting technology to LED lighting at substantially all of our wholly-owned properties, where feasible, between 2018 and the end of 2019. These installations included over 4,600 LED parking lot fixtures and hundreds of building fixtures. The upgrades created significant energy savings and provided better aesthetics and lighting levels for our tenants and customers.

Installed white reflective roofs as part of our ongoing replacement strategy at our owned and managed properties totaling 950,395 square feet in 2019 and 31.2 million square feet over the lifetime of our program. These reflective membranes allow for sunlight to be reflected back into the atmosphere, thereby reducing the urban heat island effect, decreasing the cooling costs of our tenants and reducing demand on May 31, 2017local electrical grids.

Operated 214 electric car charging stations across our owned and July 11, 2017, respectively.managed portfolio at the end of 2019. These units provide some of the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles to be utilized in our surrounding communities and allow us to play an additional role in global carbon reduction.

Utilized solar panels at 14 owned and managed sites to generate 3.7 megawatts of renewable power in 2019, which reduced our consumption ofnon-renewable energy sources.

Employed water conservation strategies when practical, including xeriscaping, rain water collection,re-use of grey water for chiller systems, drip irrigation installations, native landscaping and smart metering.

Worked with tenants to identify recycling and composting opportunities in order to divert approximately 41% of the waste generated at our owned and managed centers away from landfills.

Instituted a green lease platform where tenants contribute toward the Company’s environmental management plan and which provides for utility usage and data sharing.

 

16    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


4. Proposal Two: Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate the Ability of Shareholders to Exercise Cumulative Voting in the Election of Directors

Proposal SummarySocial and Board Recommendation

We are asking our shareholders to adopt an amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the ability of shareholders to exercise cumulative voting in Director elections. Under Ohio law, because our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation currently do not address cumulative voting, our shareholders can cumulate votes in Director elections at any meeting held for that purpose, whether or not the election is contested. Cumulative voting enables a shareholder to cumulate his or her voting power by giving one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares held by the shareholder, or distributing those votes among two or more candidates as the shareholder sees fit. Thus, with cumulative voting, a shareholder can cast all of his, her or its votes “for” one candidate or a small group of candidates, instead of voting either “for” or “against” each candidate.

Consequently, a candidate may be elected even if he or she was not supported by the holders of a majority of our shares. For example, because eight Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a group of shareholders collectively holding approximately 10% of our outstanding common shares, by merely cumulating and casting votes for a single Director candidate, could elect one Director in a contested election, even if the candidate is not supported by approximately 90% of shareholders, based on 369,271,805 common shares outstanding on March 14, 2018 and assuming approximately 89% of the outstanding common shares are voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The Board of Directors believes that each Director is accountable to and should represent the interests of all of our shareholders, and not just to a minority shareholder that has cumulatively voted its shares and that may have special interests contrary to those of a majority of our shareholders. Among other things, the election of Directors with little or no support from shareholders, other than a particular minority shareholder, could result in partisanship and discord on the Board of Directors, and may impair the ability of the Directors to act in the best interests of all of our shareholders and the Company. The Board of Directors, therefore, believes that each candidate should be elected only if he or she receives broad support, which may not be the case under a cumulative voting system.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors believes that very few comparable companies have cumulative voting in the election of Directors, and retaining cumulative voting makes our governance practices inconsistent with market standards.

Finally, as described in Proposal Three, we are also asking shareholders to adopt proxy access procedures for Director elections at future annual meetings. The Board of Directors believes that cumulative voting is incompatible with proxy access, which provides substantial shareholders with the means to influence Director elections significantly by directing all or a large percentage of their votes toward just one Director’s seat. Moreover, proxy access is intended to give individuals or small shareholder groups an ability to influence Director elections by including nominees in our proxy materials. Consequently, eliminating cumulative voting will ensure that only those nominees with broad shareholder support will ultimately be elected to the Board of Directors. For these reasons, the Board of Directors believes that eliminating cumulative voting when implementing proxy access procedures strikes an appropriate balance.Human Capital Management

 

Promote employee health and well-being by providing access to a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, astate-of-the-art fitness center located at our Beachwood, Ohio office staffed by a certified fitness and yoga instructor, our Make It Happen wellness program, flex time and summer hours, and scholarship opportunities for employees’ families.

DDR

Promote a diverse and inclusive culture through the organization’s Women of Influence program, which nurtures the development of women across the Company through mentoring programs, cross-function relationship building, networking and speaker events, and charitable giving initiatives. At the end of 2019, women represented 60.5% of our workforce and 42.6% of our managers.

Support communities in which we live through our strategic partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, implementation of our YOUnity program to support our employees’ charitable giving and enable efficient Company matching, and our Community Service Day Program, which allows employees to donate two paid workdays each year to charitable organizations of their choice. In 2019, the Company and its employees donated approximately $235,000 and 1,147 volunteer hours to charitable organizations of their choice.

Require that our property operations vendors agree to a vendor code of conduct and comply with terms and conditions that are designed to promote fair wages, adherence to applicable labor laws and high ethical standards.

Governance

Our Board of Directors values diversity in experience, professional background, tenure and gender. Three of our eight Directors (38%) are women, half of our Directors have served on the Board for fewer than five years, and seven of our eight Directors (88%) qualify as independent within the meaning of NYSE rules.

As discussed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, we have adopted customary proxy access provisions and a majority vote standard in uncontested elections of Directors.

Our Code of Regulations can be amended by the affirmative vote of shareholders owning a majority of our common shares issued and outstanding on the applicable record date at any meeting of shareholders called for such purpose.

We do not have a classified Board of Directors. We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio and, unlike many REITs incorporated in Maryland, we cannot classify our Board of Directors without shareholder consent.

We have opted out of the Ohio Control Share Act, which requires that an investor seeking to acquire shares in excess of certain ownership thresholds first obtain consent from disinterested shareholders.

SITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    17


This proposal to eliminate cumulative voting is not in response to any shareholder effort of which we are aware to remove any Directors or otherwise gain representation on the Board of Directors, to accumulate our common shares, or to obtain control of the Company or the Board of Directors by means of a solicitation in opposition to management or otherwise.

The actual text of the proposed revisions to ARTICLE SEVENTH of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, marked with underlining to indicate additions, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A. The amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will become effective upon its filing with the Secretary of State of Ohio (which is expected to occur promptly following shareholder approval), subject to shareholder approval of this4. Proposal Two.

Approval of this management proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Shares represented by properly delivered proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the shareholders’ instructions. In the absence of specific instructions, the shares will be voted FOR this management proposal. Abstentions and brokernon-votes will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal. If this proposal is approved by our shareholders, it will be implemented only if Proposal Threeis also approved. Accordingly, even if this proposal is approved by our shareholders, it will not be implemented unless Proposal Threeis also approved by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” the Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to

Eliminate the Ability of Shareholders to Exercise Cumulative Voting in the Election of Directors.

18    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


5. Proposal Three: Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access in Connection with Annual Meetings of Shareholders

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

We are asking our shareholders to approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations to implement “proxy access” in connection with future annual meetings of shareholders. Proxy access, as further described below, allows eligible shareholders to include their own nominee or nominees for election to the Board of Directors in our proxy materials, along with candidates nominated by the Board of Directors.

This proposal is a result of an ongoing review of corporate governance matters by the Board of Directors and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee have considered the advantages and disadvantages of providing proxy access rights to shareholders, including the view that proxy access rights would increase the accountability of Directors to shareholders and would allow shareholders to express preferences in Director nominations more easily. This proxy access proposal addresses our findings and we believe it to be in line with market practices.

The proposed amendment would permit a single shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, holding full voting and investment rights and full economic interest, that has maintained continuous ownership of at least three percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares for at least the previous three years to include a specified number of Director nominees for election to the Board of Directors in the proxy statement for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

Number of Shareholder-Nominated Candidates

The maximum number of shareholder-nominated candidates would be equal to 20 percent of the Directors in office as of the last day a shareholder nomination may be delivered or received or, if the 20 percent calculation does not result in a whole number, the closest whole number below 20 percent and in any event, not less than two shareholder nominated candidates. If the Board of Directors decides to reduce the size of the Board of Directors after the nomination deadline due to Director retirement, resignation or otherwise, the 20 percent calculation will be applied to the reduced size of the Board of Directors, with the potential result that a shareholder-nominated candidate may be disqualified. Shareholder-nominated candidates that the Board of Directors determines to include in the proxy materials as Board-nominated candidates will be counted against the maximum.

Procedure for Selecting Candidates in the Event the Number of Nominees Exceeds the Maximum

Nominating shareholders are required to provide a list of their proposed nominees in rank order. If the number of shareholder-nominated candidates exceeds the maximum number of permitted shareholder candidates, the highest ranked nominee from the nominating shareholder or group of nominating shareholders, as the case may be, with the largest qualifying ownership will be selected for inclusion in the proxy materials first followed by the highest ranked nominee from the nominating shareholder or group of shareholders, as the case may be, with the next largest qualifying ownership, and continuing on in that manner, until the maximum number of nominees is reached.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    19


Nominating Procedure

Requests to include shareholder-nominated candidates in our proxy materials must be received, under most circumstances, no earlier than 150 days and no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date that we issued our proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders. Each shareholder or shareholder group seeking to include a shareholder nominee in our proxy materials is required to provide certain information, including, but not limited to, the verification of share ownership, biographical information about the nominee and certain representations, as set forth in the proposed amendment attached hereto as Annex B.

Independence and Other Qualifications of Shareholder Nominees

A shareholder nominee would not be eligible for inclusion if the Board of Directors determines that he or she is not independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which our common shares are listed (which is the NYSE), any applicable rules of the SEC, or any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of Directors.

Furthermore, a shareholder nominee would not be qualified to be a Director if, among other things: (i) his or her election would cause us to be in violation of our governing documents, the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which our common shares are listed, any applicable federal law, rule or regulation or our publicly disclosed policies and procedures; (ii) he or she has been an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, within the past three years; (iii) he or she is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding or has been convicted in a criminal proceeding within the past 10 years (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (iv) he or she is subject to certain enforcement orders related to the regulation of securities; or (v) he or she has provided, or his or her nominating shareholder or group of nominating shareholders has provided, information to us that is not accurate, truthful and complete in all material respects, or that otherwise contravenes certain specified agreements, representations or undertakings.

The proposed amendment to the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations is set forth in Annex B, with deletions indicated by strike-throughsand additions indicated by underlining. The amendment to the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations will become effective upon the filing of the amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation referred to in Proposal Two with the Secretary of State of Ohio (which is expected to occur promptly following shareholder approval of such proposal), subject to shareholder approval of this Proposal Three.

Approval of this management proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Shares represented by properly delivered proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the shareholders’ instructions. In the absence of specific instructions, the shares will be voted FOR this management proposal. Abstentions and brokernon-votes will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal. If this proposal is approved by our shareholders, it will be implemented only if Proposal Twois also approved. Accordingly, even if this proposal is approved by our shareholders, it will not be implemented unless Proposal Twois also approved by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” the Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access in Connection with Annual Meetings of Shareholders.

20    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


6. Proposal Four: Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to Effect, in its Discretion, a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock and Adoption of a Corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

We are asking our shareholders to (i) authorize the Board of Directors to effect, in its discretion prior to December 31, 2018, a reverse stock split of the outstanding common shares of the Company, as well as those held in treasury, at a ratio of1-for-2 and (ii) adopt a corresponding amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock split, reduce proportionately the total number of common shares that the Company is authorized to issue and reduce proportionally the stated capital of the Company, subject to the Board of Directors’ authority to abandon such reverse stock split and amendment.

If the shareholders approve this Proposal Four, the Board of Directors will effect the reverse stock split and cause the corresponding amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio only if the Board of Directors determines that the reverse stock split is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board of Directors may determine in its discretion not to effect the reverse stock split and not to file the amendment.

Purposes of the Reverse Stock Split

The Board of Directors believes that implementing the reverse stock split would increase the market price of our common shares, as fewer shares will be outstanding. The Board of Directors further believes that the increased market price of our common shares may improve the marketability and liquidity of the common shares and may encourage greater interest and trading in Company common shares.

Furthermore, the Company has announced its intent to spin off certain of its assets into a separate publicly-traded company called Retail Value Inc., or RVI. In connection with thespin-off of RVI, the Board expects that the Company’s market capitalization and, therefore, the trading price of the Company’s common shares, will decrease in proportion to RVI’s enterprise value. This decrease may be significant. A significantly decreased trading price could make the Company’s common shares less marketable or liquid, because investors may be less interested in trading securities with small values. Moreover, many institutional investors and investment funds may be reluctant to invest—or, in some cases, prohibited from investing—in lower priced securities.

In the event that the Company does not consummate thespin-off, the Board believes that the Company would still experience benefits from the reverse stock split. There can be no assurance that the Company will effect the reverse stock split, before or after the consummation of thespin-off, if consummated at all, or if the reverse stock split will result in the benefits discussed or any other benefits.

Board Discretion to Implement the Reverse Stock Split

If this Proposal Four is approved by shareholders and the Board of Directors determines to implement the reverse stock split, the Company will communicate to the public, prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split, detailed information regarding the reverse stock split. The Board of Directors reserves the right to elect not to proceed with the reverse stock split if it determines, in its sole discretion, that it would not be in the best

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    21


interests of the Company or its shareholders. The Board of Directors may make such a determination if the Company abandons thespin-off of RVI or for other reasons.

Impact of the Reverse Stock Split

The reverse stock split would affect all of the Company’s common shareholders uniformly and would not affect any common shareholder’s percentage ownership interests or proportionate voting power, except to the extent that the reverse stock split could result in any of the Company’s common shareholders receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares, as described below. Furthermore, certain conversion ratios applicable to other securities issued by the Company, as well as exercise prices of, metrics for and amounts of common shares reserved in connection with equity andnon-equity awards to the Company’s employees, will be adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. Common shareholders who hold small amounts or odd lots of common shares as a result of the reverse stock split may encounter increased costs or other difficulties in selling such shares. The reverse stock split will not affect our obligations to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Following the reverse stock split our common shares will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DDR.”

Practical Considerations

Common shareholders will not receive fractional shares in connection with the reverse stock split. Instead, the Company’s transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares that would otherwise be issued in the reverse stock split into whole common shares and sell them on behalf of shareholders in the open market, when, how and through which broker-dealers as determined in its sole discretion without any influence by the Company, at prevailing market prices, and distribute the net proceeds pro rata to each shareholder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the reverse stock split. Shareholders will not be entitled to any interest on the amount of payment made in lieu of a fractional share. Furthermore, ownership of fractional interests will not give holders any voting, dividend or other right, except the right to receive the cash payment. This cash payment may be subject to applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax. If a holder’s common shares are held in multiple accounts, such shares may not be aggregated for determining such holder’s cash payment in lieu of fractional shares. If you hold our common shares in multiple accounts, you may wish to consolidate your holdings into one account to maximize the common shares that you will hold after the effective date of the reverse stock split. Common shares held in registered form (that is, stock held by you in your own name in our share register records maintained by our transfer agent) and common shares held in “street name” (that is, common shares held by you through a bank, broker or other nominee) for the same investor will be considered held in separate accounts and will not be aggregated when calculating post-reverse stock split holdings and cash payments in lieu of fractional shares. Furthermore, banks, brokers or other nominees may apply their own specific procedures for processing the reverse stock split. If you hold our common shares through an account or other arrangement with a bank, broker or other nominee, and if you have any questions in this regard, we encourage you to contact your nominee.

Shareholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where shareholders reside, where the Company is domiciled and where funds will be deposited, sums due for fractional shares that are not timely claimed may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction. Thereafter, shareholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds may have to obtain them directly from the jurisdictions to which they were paid.

The Company will provide a letter of transmittal and/or other documentation in connection with any consummation of the reverse stock split. The letter of transmittal and/or other documentation will provide instructions and other information with respect to the reverse stock split, including procedures for exchanging stock certificates, shares held in registered book-entry form and shares held on behalf of beneficial owners by a bank, broker or other nominee.

22    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


Accounting Consequences

The par value per share of our common shares will remain unchanged at $0.10 per share after the reverse stock split. As a result, on the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital attributable to our common shares will be reduced proportionately, based on the reverse stock split ratio, from its present amount, and the additionalpaid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Our common shares held in treasury will also be reduced proportionately based on the reverse stock split ratio. After the reverse stock split, net income or loss per share, and other per share amounts will be increased because there will be fewer of our common shares outstanding. In subsequent financial statements and other financial disclosures, net income or loss per share and other per share amounts for periods ending before the reverse stock split will be recast to give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split. We do not anticipate that any other material accounting consequences will arise as a result of the reverse stock split.

Procedure for Effecting Reverse Stock Split

If the common shareholders approve this Proposal Four and the Board of Directors decides to implement the reverse stock split, the reverse stock split will become effective at the time and on the date of the filing of, or at such later time as is specified in, the corresponding amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Beginning on the effective date of the reverse stock split, each certificate representingpre-reverse stock split common shares or book-entry statement reflecting such shares will immediately be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-reverse stock split common shares.

The actual text of the proposed revisions to ARTICLE FOURTH of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, marked with deletions indicated by strike-throughs and underlining to indicate additions, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex C. The amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will become effective upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio, subject to shareholder approval of this Proposal Fourand the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Approval of this management proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Shares represented by properly delivered proxies will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the shareholders’ instructions. In the absence of specific instructions, the shares will be voted FOR this management proposal. Abstentions and brokernon-votes will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” the Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to Effect, in its Discretion, a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock and the Adoption of a Corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    23


7. Proposal Five:Two: Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

As required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are asking you to cast an advisory(non-binding) vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of RegulationS-K, including in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narratives and descriptions of our Proxy Statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting, is hereby APPROVED.

This advisory vote, commonly known as a“Say-on-Pay” vote, gives you the opportunity to express your views about the compensation we pay to our named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement. The Board believes that our executive compensation program is designed appropriately and working effectively to help ensure that we compensate our named executive officers for the achievement of annual and long-term performance goals which will enhance shareholder value. Before you vote, please review the sections captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” below. These sections describe our named executive officer pay programs and the rationale behind the decisions made by our Compensation Committee.

You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the resolution or abstain from voting on the resolution. The result of theSay-on-Pay vote will not be binding on us or our Board; however, the Board values the views of our shareholders. The Board and Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and expect to take them into consideration in addressing future compensation policies and decisions.

Thisnon-binding advisory vote is currently scheduled to be conducted every year. The nextSay-on-Pay vote is expected to take place at our 20192021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” the Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

24    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


We believe that you should vote “FOR” the approval, on anon-binding, advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation, which, as described more fully under the section captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we have designed to have strong links to performance, both in terms of operational and financial results as well as in optimizingcreation and implementation of a corporate strategy which is designed to optimize shareholder value.At-risk elements such as annual bonus incentives and long-term equity incentives typically comprise a significant portion of our overall executive remuneration. For these incentive plans, we establish performance goalsmetrics and objectives so that the level of compensation received appropriately corresponds to the level of performance achieved. In addition, the vesting of time-based restricted stock unitRSU awards is designed to encourage ownership that results in business decisions that build long-term shareholder value and thus stock price appreciation, and retention of our named executive officers. We believe that

As further described below, we experienced a transition in our Chief Financial Officer position in November 2019 from Matthew Ostrower to Conor Fennerty. Upon his departure from the Company, Mr. Ostrower forfeited all time-based and performance-based equity which had not previously vested in accordance with its terms. Mr. Ostrower also did not receive any annual incentive compensation paidpayout in connection with his service to the Company in 2019.

18    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


Half of our Chief Executive Officer’s and, excluding Mr. Fennerty, 60% of our other named executive officers appropriately reflectsofficers’ annual incentive award payout for 2019 was determined by reference to the Company’s performance with respect to two key achievements resultingquantifiable metrics: growth in same property net operating income (“Same Store NOI”) and operating funds from the leadershipoperations (“Operating FFO”). The remaining portion of these namedexecutives’ annual incentive award was tied to the Compensation Committee’s assessment of individual performance and the achievement of objectives for which the executive officers. Our namedwas individually responsible. For Mr. Fennerty, whose annual incentive compensation program was established early in 2019 at a time when he was not serving as an executive officer compensation program has been designed to:

     Pay-for-performance, by providing incentives to our named executive officers to deliver a superior total return to shareholders in the form of share price appreciation and dividend policy as a result of superior financial and operational performance and execution; and

     Attract and retain leading industry talent, who will be able to deliver superior returns by adopting and executing a strategy to manage our portfolio of shopping centers to provide a highly-compelling shopping experience and merchandise mix for our retail partners and consumers that complements our core competencies and enables us to take advantage of new business opportunities.

of the Company, his 2019 incentive award was determined entirely based on a subjective, discretionary assessment of his individual performance by the Compensation Committee. We believe you should vote “FOR” the 2019 compensation of our named executive officers because the compensation actually earned by our named executive officers for 2017 performance, as described in this Proxy Statement,it was aligned with both ourpay-for-performance philosophy and our actual 2017 performance.2019 performance and appropriately reflects key achievements resulting from their leadership.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of RegulationS-K with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019 and the Proxy Statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for filing with the SEC.

Compensation Committee

Terrance R. Ahern, Chair

Victor B. MacFarlaneJane E. DeFlorio

Barry A. SholemDawn M. Sweeney

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of the Compensation Committee during 20172019 were Terrance R. Ahern, Victor B. MacFarlaneJane E. DeFlorio, and Barry A. Sholem.Dawn M. Sweeney. None of our executive officers serves or has served on the board of directors or compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has onefor which any of Mr. Ahern or moreMses. DeFlorio or Sweeney at the same time serves or served as executive officer. Also, none of our executive officers servingserves or served on the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of any entity, one of whose executive officers at the same time serves or served as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.Board.

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    2519


8.5. Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Executive SummaryOverview

In this section of the Proxy Statement, we explain and discuss our 20172019 executive compensation program that appliedprogram. This discussion is also intended to describe our compensation policies with respect to our named executive officers. We also describe the principles underlyingofficers and to provide a review of our named executive officer compensation policies and practices, including ourpay-for-performance compensation philosophy. In addition, we outline our named executive officer compensation decisions for 20172019. Our goal is to provide a better understanding, both in light of theabsolute terms and relative to our performance, of the Companyour compensation practices and the transition indecisions made concerning the compensation payable to our executive management team.

Impact of Management Transition on Compensation Disclosure

In March 2017, David R. Lukes was appointed our President andofficers, including the Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and the other executive officers named in connection with the separation of Thomas F. August, who served“2019 Summary Compensation Table” below. We refer to the executive officers included in that table as a memberour “named executive officers”.

The Compensation Committee of our Board, from May 2016referred to March 2017in this section as the “Committee,” generally designs and asadministers our President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2016executive compensation program. All principal elements of compensation paid to March 2017. Concurrently, Michael A. Makinen was named our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in connection with the separation of William T. Ross, our former Chief Operating Officer, and Matthew L. Ostrower was named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Christa A. Vesy, who had served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer prior to March 2017, ceased to hold the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer as of March 2017 but remained our Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. In connection with this management transition, Vincent A. Corno, our former Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development, also separated from the Company.

As a result of the management transition, we have seven named executive officers (“NEOs”) for 2017. Fourare subject to approval by the Committee.

Executive Summary

2019 Performance Highlights

Following our management transition in 2017 and the RVIspin-off and Dividend Trust Portfolio transactions in 2018, we focused our efforts in 2019 both on the continued execution of the five-year sustainable growth plan announced at our October 2018 Investor Day presentation and on continued improvement of our NEOs, whobalance sheet. Our five-year plan targets average annual growth in Same Store NOI of 2.75%, annual growth in Operating FFO of 5.00% and annual growth in net asset value (“NAV”) of 5.00%. As outlined in that presentation, significant drivers of projected Same Store NOI and NAV growth include plans to lease 60 anchor vacancies identified at the time of the presentation and make opportunistic investments of $75 million per year on average. As of January 31, 2020, we referhad leased 38 of the 60 anchor vacancies identified at the October 2018 presentation, of which 25 spaces were open and paying rent. During the course of 2019, we also invested an aggregate of approximately $99 million through a combination of the repurchase of 1.2 million of our common shares at an average cost of $11.31 per share and the acquisition of three shopping centers for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $85 million. This collective activity contributed significantly to as our “Current Officers”, were still serving as2019 Same Store NOI growth of 3.6% and 2019 Operating FFO of $1.27 per share.1

We also took significant steps in 2019 to continue to improve the strength of our executive officers asbalance sheet and the quality of our portfolio. In October 2019 we sold approximately 13.2 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of approximately $195 million ($14.76 per share). In November 2019, we used the proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our outstanding 6.50% Class J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares having an aggregate liquidation preference of $200 million. In addition, in October 2019, we announced an agreement to sell our 15% stake in the DDRTC joint venture, comprised oftwenty-one properties with population and household income demographics substantially below those of our consolidated portfolio, to our joint venture partner for net proceeds of approximately $143 million before giving effect to working capital adjustments in a transaction which closed in February 2020.

We believe that support for the execution of our strategy to date is evidenced by the performance of our common stock and feedback from the investment community. From December 31, 2017:14, 2017, the date on which the Company’s current management team commenced the implementation of its strategy with the announcement of its plan to spin off RVI, through close of trading on February 28, 2020, the total shareholder return on the Company’s common shares was 0.6% compared to a return of-5.9% for the FTSE NAREIT Shopping Center Index.

 

1

More information with respect to the calculation of Same Store NOI growth and a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to SITE Centers to Same Store NOI can be found on pages 54 to 55 of our Annual Report on Form10-K David R. Lukes – Presidentfor the year ended December 31, 2019. For a discussion of Operating FFO and Chief Executive Officer;

a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to Operating FFO for the year ended December 31, 2019, including on a per share basis, see pages 51 to 54 of our Annual Report on Form10-K Matthew L. Ostrower – Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;

 Michael A. Makinen – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; and

 Christa A. Vesy – Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The three remaining NEOs, who we collectively refer to as the “Former Officers”, were no longer employed by us as of December 31, 2017:

 Thomas F. August – Former President and Chief Executive Officer;

 William T. Ross – Former Chief Operating Officer; and

 Vincent A. Corno – Former Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development.

The following discussion is intended to focus on compensation arrangements with respect to our Current Officers. Information regarding compensation arrangements with our Former Officers is separately discussed in the section below entitled “2017 Compensation Program – Separation Payments and Benefits for Former Officers”.

Overview of Key 2017 Compensation Decisions and Actions

In March 2017, we entered into new employment agreements with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, and Ostrower, and in December 2016 we entered into a new employment agreement with Ms. Vesy. These employment agreements form the foundation of our executive compensation program, which is designed to balance three objectives: to attract and retain highly qualified individuals; to incentivize them to deliver superior returns to our shareholders through the execution of a well-crafted strategy, the achievement of key financial and operational goals and the reduction of the risk profile of the Company; and to ensure that the cost of our compensation program is reasonable to shareholders. The program emphasizes the use of “at risk” performance-based awards for both annual and long-term compensation in order to better align the interests of our management team with those of

2620    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


Chief Financial Officer Transition and Employment Agreement

On November 5, 2019, Mr. Ostrower, our shareholders. In approvingformer Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, informed us of his intention to terminate his employment with us. Upon his departure from the employment agreementsCompany on November 27, 2019, Mr. Ostrower forfeited all time-based and performance-based equity which had not previously vested in accordance with its terms. Mr. Ostrower also did not receive any annual incentive compensation payout in connection with his service to the Company in 2019.

On November 6, 2019, the Board appointed Mr. Fennerty as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective upon Mr. Ostrower’s departure. Mr. Fennerty was not serving as an executive officer of the Company at the beginning of 2019, so he did not participate in all of the same compensation programs as our other named executive officers. We have outlined where there are differences in the compensation programs for our Current Officers, the Compensation Committee, which we refer toMr. Fennerty in this section ofProxy Statement. In particular, compensation arrangements with Mr. Fennerty, and considerations relevant to the Proxy Statement as the “Committee”, sought to provide competitive target annual compensation and considered market data and the recommendations provided by our independent compensation consultant, Gressle & McGinley LLC (“Gressle & McGinley”). More information concerning the terms of the employment agreements for our Current Officers is provided under the section immediatelyCommittee’s design thereof, are more fully described below entitled “Compensation Program Design” as well as under the section entitled “Employment Agreements” in the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” section of this Proxy Statement.

The principal components2019 Annual Incentive Compensation Program Overview

Our 2019 annual performance-based incentive compensation program for our named executive officers, excluding Mr. Fennerty, was adopted by the Committee in March 2019 and was based upon a combination of quantitative and qualitative performance measures. Half of our CEO’s and 60% of our other participating named executive officers’ annual incentive award for 2019 was linked to the Company’s performance during the year with respect to two key metrics: Same Store NOI growth and Operating FFO. The remainder of the annual incentive award determinations involved a qualitative assessment of each participating named executive officer’s performance, with particular consideration given to the achievement ofpre-identified goals for which each participating executive was individually responsible.

Mr. Ostrower resigned his employment with us effective November 27, 2019 and therefore did not receive any annual incentive payment on account of his performance in 2019. In addition, in contrast to the program described above, Mr. Fennerty’s 2019 annual performance-based incentive compensation program consistwas originally designed in early 2019, prior to his appointment as an executive officer, to involve a subjective, discretionary assessment of his individual performance and was not based on formulaic performance metrics or specific goal assessment. In consideration of the significant portion of the year which had elapsed prior to Mr. Fennerty’s promotion as our Chief Financial Officer in November 2019, the Committee determined to retain this original design, and the amount of Mr. Fennerty’s 2019 annual incentive compensation was determined by the Committee based on a subjective assessment of his performance for the year.

According to this design, and based on the achievements highlighted below, the Committee approved annual incentive payments to our named executive officers for 2019 at the following levels:

Named Executive Officer

 

 

Annual Incentive

Target

($)

 

 

Actual

  Annual Incentive  

Award Payout

($)

 

David R. Lukes

 

 1,062,5001,445,000

 

Michael A. Makinen

 

 500,000   650,000

 

Conor M. Fennerty

 

 N/A   350,000

 

Christa A. Vesy

 

 285,000   492,480

 

Matthew L. Ostrower

 

 500,000              0

In accordance with their employment agreements, annual incentive payments were provided to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Fennerty in cash and to Ms. Vesy in a combination of cash and RSUs.

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    21


Overview of 2019 Equity Grants and Performance-Based Equity Results

2019 Performance-Based RSU Awards. Pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, on March 2, 2019, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were granted 225,158, 75,053 and 75,053 performance-based RSUs having “target” values of $3 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively, subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2019 and ending February 28, 2022. These performance-based RSUs (or “PRSUs”) become payable to the executives in shares of our common stock at the end of the performance period, if at all, based on the percentile rank of the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company measured over the performance period as compared to the total shareholder return of a base salary, andefined group of peer companies, subject generally to the executives’ continued employment with us. If our TSR does not exceed the 33rd percentile of the peer group during the performance period, no shares will be earned by the participants at the conclusion of the performance period. Upon his departure from the Company, Mr. Ostrower forfeited this award. For more information about these awards, see “– 2019 Compensation Program – Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants” below.

2019 Retention-Based RSU Awards. On February 22, 2019, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were granted 70,476, 20,403 and 20,403 time-based RSUs having grant date fair values of $950,016, $275,032 and $275,032, respectively, which RSUs generally vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject generally to the executives’ continued employment with us. In general, these awards were granted to the executives to help motivate and retain the core of our successful leadership team, and to help us avoid losing them to other employment opportunities. Despite the Committee granting this award, Mr. Ostrower forfeited these time-based RSUs upon his departure from the Company in November 2019 to pursue another opportunity. In retrospect, Mr. Ostrower’s departure confirms the need for and the advisability of our Committee in designing and granting these retention awards in early 2019. Ms. Vesy also received 22,701 RSUs in early 2019 in settlement of her annual bonusincentive opportunity for 2018, which RSUs generally vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. On November 6, 2019, in connection with the execution of his employment agreement, Mr. Fennerty was granted 19,342 RSUs which vest in equal installments on the second and long-term performance equity. Duringthird anniversaries of the grant date. For more information about these awards, see “– 2019 Compensation Program – Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants” below.

Settlement of Certain 2017 Performance-Based Awards; Realized Pay. On March 1, 2017, in accordance with the terms of their employment agreements, the Company granted to each of Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower also received an award of restricted share units (“RSUs”) with time-based vesting requirements in connection with their retentionperformance shares having a performance period ending on February 28, 2018, performance-based RSUs having a performance period ending on February 28, 2019 and the execution of their employment agreements, and Ms. Vesy received an award ofadditional performance-based RSUs with time-based vesting requirements in satisfaction ofhaving a portion of her 2016 annual performance-based incentive compensation. In addition, each of Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower received awards of performance equity pursuant to their employment agreements. No amounts are guaranteed to be paid to our executives with respect to their annual bonus opportunities or their performance equity awards.

Given that Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower joined us during the course of 2017, the Committee did not set specific performance metrics governing their 2017 bonuses; instead, bonus determinations for these officers were madeperiod ending on the basis of the Committee’s discretionary, qualitative evaluation undertaken at the conclusion of the year. In evaluating their performance, among other things, the Committee focused on the achievement of key personal and organizational goals and objectives, including extending the weighted average maturity profile of the Company’s indebtedness, disposing ofnon-core assets in order to further reduce leverage levels, reducing general and administrative expenses and developing a long-term strategy. Based on the substantial progress made by the new management team during the remainder of the year with respect to these objectives, the Committee awarded cash bonuses to these executives in the following amounts, expressed both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the bonus targets set forth in their employment agreements(pro-rated for the actual number of days employed by us in 2017):

Named Executive Officer  Annual
Bonus
Target
($)
   Pro-Rated
Bonus  Target
($)
   

Actual

Bonus Award

($)

   

% of Pro-Rated
Bonus Target

(%)

 
  David R. Lukes   1,062,500    887,842    1,154,195    130 
  Michael A. Makinen   500,000    417,808    522,260    125 
  Matthew L. Ostrower   500,000    417,808    522,260    125 

The Committee adopted a 2017 annual incentive compensation program for Ms. Vesy, the only Current Officer who was our employee for all of 2017, based on a combination of Same Store Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) growth and the achievement of individual objectives (in each case, as further described below). Based on our Same Store EBITDA results and the Committee’s assessment of Ms. Vesy’s individual performance, the Committee awarded her a 2017 annual incentive in the amount of $255,000 which is 100% of the bonus target set forth in her employment agreement, of which amount $136,000 was paid in cash and $119,000 was paid in the form of RSUs. In acknowledgment of Ms. Vesy’s service as Interim Chief Financial Officer during a portion of 2017 and her significant contributions to the Company’s management transition and proposedspin-off transaction, the Committee also awarded Ms. Vesy special bonus compensation of $68,000 in cash and $85,000 in RSUs.

In early 2018, consistent with its compensation philosophy, the Committee adopted a 2018 annual incentive compensation program for each of our Current Officers which is comprised of financial and operating metrics, including growth in same-property net operating income and operating funds from operations, and individualized goals.

February 28, 2020. Based on the relative performanceTSR of the Company’s share priceCompany during the twelve-month12-month period ended February 28, 2018, it was determined thatthe24-month period ending February 28, 2019 and the36-month period ended February 28, 2020, no shares were issuableearned by Messrs. Lukes, Makinen or Ostrower with respect to theone-year performance shares or thetwo-year and three-year performance-based RSUs having performance periods ending on those dates (the three-year performance based RSUs were forfeited by Mr. Ostrower upon his departure, but would not have paid out even if he had remained with the Company through the full performance period).

The results of these performance-based awards are evidence of the alignment of our compensation program with actual performance: due to the relative performance of our share price, the participating named executive officers have earned significantly less compensation to date than intended under our performance-based equity programs and less compensation than the target compensation levels provided in their March 2017 employment agreements. In addition, in certain cases our named executive officers have realized significantly less compensation than the compensation levels reported for applicable prior years (namely 2017) in the “2019 Summary Compensation Table” below. For example, although theone-year performance shares,two-year performance-based RSUs and three-year performance-based RSUs awarded to Mr. Lukes in March 2017 had grant date fair values of approximately $455,000, $918,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, and in the aggregate comprised approximately $2,773,000 of the $7,541,235 total compensation reported for Mr. Lukes for 2017 in the Summary Compensation Table, no compensation was ultimately paid to Mr. Lukes in respect of these awards.

22    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


For a summary of performance-based equity awards granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and their status through February 29, 2020, see “– 2019 Compensation Program – Status of Performance-Based Equity Grants” below.

Investor Outreach

We proactively meet with respectour largest shareholders from time to time in order to discuss a variety of topics regarding the performance shares awarded under their employment agreements having a performance period ending on that date. Similarly, no shares were issuedCompany and to Ms. Vesy on accountgive these investors an opportunity to raise questions and provide our management team with feedback. Since January 1, 2019, we have held meetings with sixteen of our largest institutional investors who we believe collectively own, together with members of the three measurement dates occurring during 2017 underOtto family, over 60% of our common shares as of December 31, 2019. Topics of discussion in these meetings often include executive compensation, the 2016 Value Sharing Equity Program (“2016 VSEP”).composition of our Board of Directors and other corporate governance matters. Based on the discussion of our executive compensation program at these meetings, we believe that these investors understand our executive compensation program and have a favorable view of the alignment of pay and performance created by the program’s significant use of performance-based equity. Based on these meetings, we are not aware of any significant shareholder concerns regarding our pay practices or executive compensation program.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    27


Compensation Program Design

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our primary executive compensation objectives are to:

 

   attract, retain and motivate executives who are capable of advancing our mission and strategy and ultimately maintain and grow our long-term equity value;

   reward executives in a manner aligned with our financial performance, organizational objectives and their individual goals;

   align the management team’s interests with our shareholders’ long-term interests through equity participation and ownership; and

   ensure that the cost of the compensation program is reasonable to shareholders.

To achieve our objectives, we generally deliver executiveOur compensation through a combinationprogram rewards executives for not only delivering superior returns but also for reducing the risk profile of the following components: (1) base salary; (2) annual incentive compensation; (3)Company, as well as for achieving financial andnon-financial measures of performance that enhance long-term equity compensation;shareholder value. Our executives and (4) other employee benefitsthe Board have intentionally avoided short-term decisions that might produce inflated short-term shareholder returns in favor of longer term strategies that provide sustainable growth opportunities and perquisites.enhance net asset value.

SITE Centers Corp.Negotiation of Employment Contracts for Current Officersï   2020 Proxy Statement    23

In March 2017, we


We entered into new employment agreements with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in March 2017 and with Mr. Fennerty in November 2019, which agreements form the foundation of our executive compensation program for these NEOs.executives. In structuring arrangements withnegotiating these executives,agreements, the Committee worked closely with its compensation consultant, Gressle & McGinley. The Committee first focused on determiningemphasized the appropriate leveluse of target compensationperformance-based awards for our CEO, Mr. Lukes. To this end,both the Committee reviewed a report prepared by Gressle & McGinley that summarized the total target CEO compensation of our direct shopping center REIT peers, as well as theannual and long-term incentive components of suchthese executives’ compensation (salary, bonus and annualized equity). The report focused on 16 other public shopping center REITs with total enterprise values ranging from $330 million to approximately $17 billion which ownnon-mall retail assets similar to those of DDR (specifically, Kimco Realty Corporation; Brixmor Property Group Inc.; Federal Realty Investment Trust; Regency Centers Corporation; Weingarten Realty Investors; Retail Properties of America, Inc.; Equity One, Inc.; Acadia Realty Trust; Kite Realty Group Trust; Urban Edge Properties; Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.; Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust; Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.; Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc.; Whitestone REIT; and Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.). This list was used solely for purposes of evaluating potential target annual compensation for Mr. Lukes, and not for performance equity award evaluation,non-competition or other purposes. In addition, the Committee focused on the report’s evaluation of the relationship between company size and actual CEO compensation for the disclosed entities based on information reported in proxy statements using a regression analysis. Based on this data and following negotiations with Mr. Lukes, the Committee determined that the target annual compensation for Mr. Lukes should be approximately $5.65 million (approximately the 75th percentile of this group), which amount the Committee also felt was in line with actual compensation recently paid to CEOs of similarly sized shopping center REITs.

The Committee then considered how this target level of total compensation should be allocated between salary, annual cash bonus, performance equity and service-based equity. In allocating amounts between short-term and long-term compensation, and between cash and equity, the Committee had several objectives:

 A significant portion of the target total compensation should be “at risk” based on performance related to annual financial and strategic objectives (for the annual bonus) and shareholder returns (for long-term equity);

 A significant annual bonus should be available for exceeding financial and strategic objectives; and

 Theat-risk equity compensation should be weighted heavily toward performance-based equity that reflects the long-term nature of our strategic plan to transform the portfolio and the organization.

28    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


In determining the components of CEO compensation, the Committee focused on market data within this same group of shopping center REITs. Based on this data, and in particular considering Mr. Lukes’ location in New York City and the compensation breakdown for CEOs of those shopping center REITs considered by the Committee to be the Company’s direct peers and representative of the market for the Company’s executive talent, Mr. Lukes’ annual salary was set at $850,000, which was the 75th percentile of the peer group, and the target level of his annual cash incentive pay was set at 125% of base salary with a maximum opportunity of 200% of base salary. These amounts and our agreement with Mr. Lukes were also influenced by our arms’ length negotiation with Mr. Lukes.

The Committee structured the equity component of the CEO’s compensation with three main objectives in mind: a significant portion of the equity should be “at risk”; performance should be evaluated solely based on relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) compared against other shopping center REITs; and payouts under performance-based equity awards should be reduced in the event relative TSR exceeds the threshold level but returns to shareholders are negative. Accordingly, the Committee granted Mr. Lukes both an upfront equity award that vests over time based on continued employment and initial performance-based equity awards subject toone-,two- and three-year performance periods. Time-based RSUs valued at approximately $2.95 million were granted to Mr. Lukes in connection with the execution of his employment agreement in March 2017 and generally vest in four equal annual installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date.

The Committee allocated $3.0 million of the targeted $5.65 million annual CEO compensation program to “at risk” performance-based equity. In March 2017, Mr. Lukes was granted “target” awards of 34,398 performance shares, 68,795 performance-based RSUs and 103,193 performance-based RSUs with performance periods beginning in March 2017 and ending in February 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. With respect to these awards, the Committee has established rigorous performance thresholds as a condition to the amount of compensation ultimately received by the executive. As a result, no shares are payable under a particular performance-based award unless our relative TSR over the measurement period exceeds that of at least 33% of the peer group (at which point 50% of the award is payable), and the “target” number of shares is not payable unless our TSR exceeds that of at least 55% of the peer group. To achieve the maximum value of the award (in other words, 200% of target) our relative TSR must be at or above the 70th percentile of peer group TSR. Straight-line mathematical interpolation applies between levels above the threshold level. In order to better align the interests of our CEO’s compensationnamed executive officers with shareholder returns, the Committee also felt that payouts under these performance-based equity awards should be reduced in situations where relative TSR performance thresholds are met but absolute TSR is negative. Therefore, under the terms of these awards, if our absolute TSR is negative over the performance period, any payout is reduced byone-third. Additional information concerning the terms of these performance-based equity awards is provided below under the section of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitled “2017 Compensation Program”. Beginning in 2018, Mr. Lukes is expected to receive (subject to the approvalthose of the Committee) similarly structured annual awards of performance-based RSUs having a “target” value of $3.0 million and a three-year performance period.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    29


Company’s shareholders. At annualized 20172019 “target” compensation levels, the compensation of our CEO is summarized in the chart below, illustrating that our program is heavily weighted toward “at risk”, incentive compensation:

 

LOGOLOGO

 

*Annualized

Aggregate annualized grant date fair value over the four-year term of the employment contract.March 2017 and February 2019 time-based RSU awards over their respective four year and three year vesting periods.

**

Annual cash bonusincentive is shown at the Target level. BonusThe annual incentive payout ranges from $0 (below Threshold) to $1,700,000 (Maximum).

The Committee used comparative data provided by Gressle & McGinleyultimate payout with respect to model compensation programs for our Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Makinen,long-term performance equity is dependent entirely on our TSR relative to that of a defined group of peer companies. Largely as a result of stock performance in 2017, our total shareholder return lagged that of the peer companies during theone-,two- and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ostrower, after the CEO’s design. The target total annual compensation for both of these officers was set at $1.8 million, comprised of base salary of $500,000, target cash bonus of $500,000, annualthree-year performance periods ending on February 28, 2018, February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2020, respectively, applicable to performance-based equity of $600,000 (at target), and annualized time-based equity of $200,000. In additionawarded to the data analysis, these agreements and amounts were again subject to arms’ length negotiations with Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower. Each of Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower was awarded “target” numbers of 6,880 performance shares, 13,759 performance-based RSUs and 20,639 performance-based RSUs with performance periods beginningMr. Lukes in March 20172017. As a result, the amount of compensation realized by Mr. Lukes in recent years has been significantly below his target compensation, which further evidences our compensation philosophy and ending in February 2018, 2019commitment to strongly align the interests of management and 2020, respectively, whichshareholders through the use of performance-based equity. For a summary of performance-based equity awards are subject to substantially the same performance objectives as are applicablegranted to Mr. Lukes’ initial performance-based equity awards.Lukes and their status through February 29, 2020, see “– 2019 Compensation Program – Status of Performance-Based Equity Grants” below.

 

3024    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


Pay Governance

Over the past several years we have adopted a number of compensation-related policies and have entered into new employment agreements with our executives in order to implement several best practices in executive compensation. The following are key features of our executive compensation program.

What We Do

What We Don’t Do

We tie pay to performance by making a significant portion of compensation “at risk”.XWe do not guarantee minimum incentive bonus awards.

Excluding executives who join usmid-year, annual incentive pay is based on multiple performance metrics established at the beginning of each year.XWe do not encourage excessive risk taking as incentive compensation is not based on any single performance metric.

A significant portion of the value of long-term performance incentives depends on relative shareholder return.XWe do not pay dividends on unearned equity awards subject to performance-based vesting.

We have stock ownership guidelines for our Directors and our named executive officers.XWe do not allow Directors or officers to hedge or pledge company securities.

We engage an independent compensation consultant to advise the Committee, which is comprised solely of independent Directors.XWe do not allow for repricing of stock options without shareholder approval.
XNo excise taxgross-up provisions.
XWe do not offer excessive perquisites or special health and welfare plans to executives.

Role of the Committee and Management in Executive Compensation

The Committee has overall responsibility for the compensation programs provided to our named executive officers. Pursuant to the Committee’s charter, the Committee has the authority to review and approve the compensation for executive officers, including the review and approval of the design and implementation of any incentive arrangements, equity compensation, and supplemental retirement programs. Consistent with this authority, the Committee typically establishes financial performance metrics and targets used for annual performance-based incentives, conducts anin-depth review of performance against these objectives, reviews from time to time market pay practices as they relate to both cash-based and equity-based award programs primarily to remain informed about general compensation trends in the market, designs and adopts our long-term equity incentive compensation programs and specifically approves compensation arrangements for our Chief Executive Officer.

Our Chief Executive Officer provides significant input in setting the compensation for our other executive officers by providing the Committee with an evaluation of their performance and making recommendations for any adjustments to their base and target bonus compensation. The Committee can accept, reject or modify the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations as it sees fit, subject to the terms of any applicable employment agreement.

Role of the Compensation Consultant in Executive Compensation

For 2017, the Committee continued its retention of Gressle & McGinley as its independent compensation consultant. Gressle & McGinley was selected as the advisor to the Committee based on its extensive knowledge of the REIT sector, especially retail REITs, its experience with the Company, and its deep knowledge and experience in designing executive compensation programs over the past 30 years across multiple sectors of the economy. The Committee has assessed the independence of Gressle & McGinley, as required under NYSE

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    31


listing rules. The Committee has also considered and assessed all relevant factors, including but not limited to those set forth in Rule10C-1(b)(4)(i) through (vi) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest with respect to Gressle & McGinley. Based on this review, the Committee is not aware of any conflict of interest that has been raised by the work performed by Gressle & McGinley.

Among other matters, in 2017 Gressle & McGinley assisted the Committee by:

     Providing market data and analysis of appropriate peer samples in order to assist the Committee in the design and negotiation of employment agreements executed with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower, including the long-term equity-based components thereof;

      Providing best practice information to, and consulting with, the Company regarding potential risks, if any, that may have a material adverse impact on the Company as a result of the Company’s compensation policies and practices;

      Reviewing annual performance against stated organizational goals and objectives; and

     Providing market data and analysis with respect to the Company’s Director compensation program.

Consideration of 2017Say-on-Pay Voting Results

At our 2017 Annual Meeting, we received nearly 97% approval, based on the total votes cast, for our annual advisorySay-on-Pay vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. Our Board and Committee considered these voting results in connection with their review of the Company’s compensation program during 2017. The Committee and Gressle & McGinley specifically discussed the voting results when reviewing and considering any potential changes to our named executive officer compensation program for 2017. The Committee believes these voting results demonstrate significant, continuing support for our named executive officer compensation program, and chose to not make any substantial changes to the existing program for 2017 specifically in response to the 2017Say-on-Pay voting results. The Committee will, however, continue to explore from time to time various executive pay and corporate governance changes with Gressle & McGinley to the extent appropriate to keep our executive compensation program aligned with best practices in our competitive market. Based on the results of thenon-binding advisory vote held at our 2017 Annual Meeting regarding the frequency of futureSay-on-Pay votes, our Board expects to continue to holdSay-on-Pay votes at our future annual meetings of shareholders.

32    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


Principal Elements of Our Compensation Program

The following table summarizes the key elements of our named executive officer compensation program for our Current Officers for 2017:2019:

 

Type    Element    Form    Objectives    Characteristics
        
Fixed  Base Salary  Cash  

Competitive annual cash compensation
to help retain executive talent

 

  

Competitive compensation based on comparative market analysis and contractual commitments

 

      
      
       
               
        

At Risk /

Performance-

Based

Incentive

  

 

Annual

Performance-

Based Incentive

Compensation

  Cash and, for Ms. Vesy, time-based RSUs  

Incentivizes executives to achieve individual and Company objectives and aligns executives’
compensation interests with shareholders’

investment interests

  

Payouts typically earned based on financial and operating metrics and individual performance and, in the case of RSUs awarded to Ms. Vesy, subject to additional time-based vesting

 

    
    
     
      
      
      
       
        
  

Long-Term

Incentive

Compensation

  

Performance- Based RSUs or Performance Shares (for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrower and Ostrower)Fennerty)

  

Motivates and rewards executives for achieving relative total shareholder return objectives, helps attract and retain executives, and aligns executives’ compensation interests with shareholders’ investment interests

 

  Earned based on total shareholder return achievement relative to a peer group
  
  
    
     
      
  
      
  
        
    Time-Based
RSUs
  

Helps attract and retain executives, and aligns executives’ compensation interests with shareholders’ investment interests by linking the value ultimately realized to the Company’s share price

 

  Generally subject to time-based vesting on a ratable basis
    
 
      
       
    

2016 VSEP

Awards (for Ms. Vesy)

Motivates and rewards executives for achieving long-term share-price appreciation and total shareholder return, helps retain executives, and aligns executives’ compensation interests with shareholders’ investment interestsFully vested shares and RSUs earned based on absolute increases in adjusted market capitalization over an established initial base point; RSUs are subject to additional time-based vesting over four years, and subject to accelerated or continued vesting in certain instances
   
       
       
 
               
        

 

 

Other

 

 

  

Retirement

Benefits

 

  

Plan

Contributions

 

  

Provides benefits that are

competitive with industry

practices

 

  

Standardtax-qualified defined contribution (401(k)) plan that provides a tax efficient vehicle to accumulate retirement savings, subject to limits on compensation under the Internal Revenue Code

    
      
       
 
       
 
       
        
        

Nonqualified cash and equity deferred compensation plans that permit contributions in excess of Internal Revenue Code limits for qualified plans

 

        
  Health and Other Welfare Benefits  

Benefit

Coverage

  

Provides benefits that are competitive with industry practices

  

Broad-based employee benefits program, including health, life, disability and other insurance, and customary fringe benefits providing for basic health and welfare needs

 

      
       
 
       
 
       
        
  Perquisites  

Expense

Reimbursement

  Helps attract and retain executives  

Automobile service for Mr. Lukes. Reimbursement of life insurance premiums for Messrs. Lukes, Ostrower and OstrowerFennerty

 

     
       
 
       
               

 

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    25


Pay Governance

Over the past several years we have adopted a number of compensation-related policies and have entered into new employment agreements with our executives in order to implement several best practices in executive compensation. The following are key features of our executive compensation program.

What We Do

What We Don’t Do

We tie pay to performance by making a significant portion of compensation “at risk”.XWe do not guarantee minimum incentive bonus awards.

Annual incentive pay is generally based on multiple performance metrics established at the beginning of each year and individual performance.XWe do not encourage excessive risk taking as we use different performance metrics for our annual and long-term incentive compensation programs.

A significant portion of the value of long-term performance incentives depends on relative shareholder return.XWe do not pay dividends on unearned equity awards subject to performance-based vesting.

We have stock ownership guidelines for our Directors and our named executive officers.XWe do not allow Directors or officers to hedge or pledge company securities.

We engage an independent compensation consultant to advise the Committee, which is comprised solely of independent Directors.XWe do not allow for repricing of stock options without shareholder approval.
XWe do not include excise taxgross-up provisions in our executive compensation arrangements.
XWe do not offer excessive perquisites or special health and welfare plans to executives.

Role of the Committee and Management in Executive Compensation

The Committee has overall responsibility for the compensation programs provided to our named executive officers. Pursuant to the Committee’s charter, the Committee has the authority to review and approve the compensation for executive officers, including the review and approval of the design and implementation of any incentive arrangements, equity compensation, and supplemental retirement programs. Consistent with this authority, the Committee establishes financial performance metrics and targets used for annual performance-based incentives, conducts anin-depth review of performance against these objectives and subjectively evaluates individual performance, reviews from time to time market pay practices as they relate to both cash-based and equity-based award programs primarily to remain informed about general compensation trends in the market, designs and adopts our long-term equity incentive compensation programs and specifically approves compensation arrangements for our named executive officers.

Our CEO provides significant input in setting the compensation for our other named executive officers by providing the Committee with an evaluation of their performance and making recommendations for any adjustments to their base and target annual incentive compensation. The Committee can accept, reject or modify the CEO’s recommendations as it sees fit, subject to the terms of any applicable employment agreement.

Role of the Compensation Consultant in Executive Compensation

For 2019, the Committee continued its retention of Gressle & McGinley as its independent compensation consultant. Gressle & McGinley was selected as the advisor to the Committee based on its extensive knowledge of the REIT sector, especially retail REITs, its experience with the Company, and its deep knowledge and experience in designing executive compensation programs over the past 30 years across multiple sectors of the economy. The Committee has assessed the independence of Gressle & McGinley, as required under NYSE

 

DDR26    SITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement    33


listing rules. The Committee has also considered and assessed all relevant factors, including but not limited to those set forth in Rule10C-1(b)(4)(i) through (vi) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest with respect to Gressle & McGinley. Based on this review, the Committee is not aware of any conflict of interest that has been raised by the work performed by Gressle & McGinley.

Among other matters, in 2019 Gressle & McGinley assisted the Committee with its:

   Implementation of our 2019 annual executive incentive compensation program andyear-end performance review of our named executive officers;

   Evaluation of an increase in the target amount of performance-based RSUs awarded to Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower in February 2019;

   Evaluation of the amount and design of time-based RSU awards granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in February 2019;

   Analysis of peer data used to determine the appropriate level and forms of compensation provided in the employment agreement executed with Mr. Fennerty;

   Annual evaluation of the Company’s Director compensation program; and

   Analysis of whether any aspects of the Company’s compensation policies and practices create or encourage the taking of risks that could reasonably be expected to cause a material adverse impact on the Company.

Consideration of 2019Say-on-Pay Voting Results

At our 2019 Annual Meeting, we received nearly 99% approval, based on the total votes cast, for our annual advisorySay-on-Pay vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. The Committee considered this result in connection with its review of compensation policies and decisions in 2019. The Committee believes these voting results demonstrate significant, continuing support for our named executive officer compensation program, and the Committee chose not to make any substantial changes to the existing program for 2019 specifically in response to the 2019Say-on-Pay voting results. The Committee will, however, continue to work with Gressle & McGinley to monitor changes in executive compensation to keep our executive compensation program aligned with best practices in our competitive market.

20172019 Compensation Program

Base Salary Levels

We pay salaries to our named executive officers to provide them with a base level of income for services rendered. These base salaries are originally established at the time of the named executive officer’s first employment with us based on an analysis of the salaries paid to executives in comparable positions within our industry provided by Gressle & McGinley. Base salaries may be increased by the Committee from time to time, including at the time we extend or enter into new employment agreements are entered into with theour named executive officers, based on market conditions and prior performance.

Base salaries for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were established by the Committee in March 2017 as discussed above in connection with the execution of their employment agreements. Baseagreements and were not adjusted for 2018 or 2019. Mr. Fennerty’s base salary levels for these executives were set by the Committee,level was increased in November 2019 from $280,000 to $400,000 in connection with the assistanceexecution of comparative analysis provided by Gressle & McGinley, in order to align with general market compensation trends for executives inhis employment agreement and his appointment as our industry.Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Ms. Vesy’s base salary level was increased on January 1, 2019 from $340,000 to $340,000 in 2016$380,000 in accordance with the terms of her amended employment agreement and remained at that level for 2017.she had negotiated with us.

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    27


Annual Incentive Compensation Design

Messrs. Lukes, MakinenThe employment agreements with our named executive officers specify threshold, target and Ostrower. Based on the analysis of compensation paid by other shopping center REITs, the “target”maximum annual incentive cash bonusamounts (as a percentage of salary, or, for the CEO was set at 125%portion of base salary with a range between 50% of base salary for “threshold” performance and 200% of base salary for “maximum” performance. For Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower, the “target” annual incentive cash bonus is set at 100% of salary with a range between 50% of base salary for “threshold” performance and 150% of salary for “maximum” performance. In all cases, no cash bonusMs. Vesy’s award that is payable in RSUs, salary plus earned annual incentive award). Our named executive officers are not guaranteed an annual incentive payment and each named executive officer’s annual incentive payment can be as low as zero or as high as the eventmaximum amount set forth in his or her agreement based on the degree of achievement of corporate and individual performance measures established by the Committee at the beginning of each year. Though our employment agreement with Mr. Fennerty specifies threshold, target and maximum annual incentive amounts for calendar year 2020 and beyond, the agreement provided the Committee with discretion in determining the amount of his 2019 annual incentive award, if any. Expressed in dollar values, the minimum, threshold, target and maximum annual incentive award payable to each of our named executive officers for 2019 pursuant to the terms of his or her employment agreement, and the maximum amount expressed as a percentage of the executive’s performance is below the threshold level.base salary, was as follows:

   

 

Dollar Value of

 

   
Named Executive Officer

 

 

Minimum Payout

 

 

Threshold
Payout

 

 

Target

Payout

 

 

Maximum Payout

 

 

Maximum Payout

as a Percentage

of Base Salary

 

 
David R. Lukes $0 $425,000 $1,062,500 $1,700,000 200%
Michael A. Makinen $0 $250,000 $500,000 $750,000 150%
Matthew L. Ostrower $0 $250,000 $500,000 $750,000 150%
Christa A. Vesy $0 $133,000 $285,000 $646,000 170%
Conor M. Fennerty $0 N/A N/A N/A N/A

In light of the reorganization of the management team in March 2017, and the time needed for the new management team to formulate its long-term strategic plan for our business,2019, the Committee did not implement specific performance metrics governing 2017 bonusesestablished our 2019 annual incentive compensation program for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower. Instead,Ostrower and Ms. Vesy. The program used a combination of company-wide operating and portfolio objectives as well as tailored goals for which the applicable named executive officer was individually responsible. In each case, the Committee conducted a qualitative, subjective evaluationbelieved that the performance measures were appropriate because their achievement should contribute to our long-term success and the creation of their performancevalue for the purpose of determining their 2017our shareholders. Mr. Fennerty’s 2019 annual incentive compensation. In particular, the Committee focused on the achievement of key organizational goals and objectives identified by the new management team shortly after its arrival, including extending the weighted average maturity profile of the Company’s indebtedness, disposing ofnon-core assets in order to further reduce leverage levels, reducing general and administrative expenses and developing a long-term strategy.

Ms. Vesy. Following the arrival of the new management team, the Committee adopted a 2017 annualperformance-based incentive compensation program forwas originally designed by our Chief Executive Officer in early 2019 when Mr. Fennerty was not serving as an executive officer of the Company. The original design of Mr. Fennerty’s 2019 incentive compensation program involved a subjective, discretionary assessment of his individual performance and was not based on formulaic performance metrics or specific goal assessment. No performance objectives or goals were implemented by the Committee to govern Mr. Fennerty’s 2019 incentive award following his promotion in November 2019 given the significant portion of the year which had elapsed prior to his appointment as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

The following charts identify the performance measures applicable to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower and Ms. Vesy, who was the only Current Officer employed byrange of performance in 2019 for which points were awarded and the Company for allweighting of 2017. The two componentseach of the performance measures to the overall score. Within the performance ranges applicable to each quantitative metric, the program consistedawarded from one to five points based on the Company’s level of (1) growth in Same Store EBITDA and (2) qualitative individualactual performance objectives specifically tailoredrelative to Ms. Vesy’s roles and responsibilitiesbreak-points within the organization.stated performance range on a formulaic, nondiscretionary basis. No points were earned on account of any quantitative measure to the extent actual performance was below the bottom end of the identified performance range. In the case of each individualized performance measure, the participating named executive officers received from zero to five points based on the Committee’s subjective assessment of performance. After points were awarded for each performance measure, each participating named executive officer was given an overall score based on the weighting of each measure as indicated below. An overall score of one point corresponded to a “threshold” incentive payout, a score of three points corresponded to a “target” incentive payout and a score of five points corresponded to a “maximum” incentive payout, in each case as indicated in the applicable executive’s employment agreement (with straight line interpolation applicable to scores between those break-points). Due to Mr. Ostrower’s departure in November 2019, the Committee did not complete a review or evaluation of his performance against his performance measures.

28    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


Mr. Lukes’ Performance Measures

 

Performance Range

 

  Results  

 

Measurement
Weighting

 

Same Store NOI growth(1)0.5% to 2.5% 3.6% 30%
Operating FFO per share(2)$1.11 to $1.19 $1.27 20%
Leasing progress0 to 5 3 10%
Advancement of sustainable, long-term business plan0 to 5 5 10%
Committee’s evaluation0 to 5 3  30%

            

Mr. Makinen’s Performance Measures

 

Performance Range

 

  Results  

 

Measurement
Weighting

 

Company goals(3)0 to 5 5 60%
Tenant selection and merchandise mix0 to 5 3 10%
Committee’s evaluation0 to 5 3 30%

            

Mr. Ostrower’s Performance Measures

 

Performance Range

 

  Results  

 

Measurement
Weighting

 

Company goals(3)0 to 5 N/A 60%
Balance sheet management0 to 5 N/A 10%
Committee’s evaluation0 to 5 N/A 30%

            

Ms. Vesy’s Performance Measures

 

Performance Range

 

  Results  

 

Measurement
Weighting

 

Company goals(3)0 to 5 5 60%
Financial statement reporting and accuracy0 to 5 3 10%
Committee’s evaluation0 to 5 3 30%

(1)

The Company defines Same Store NOI, a supplementalnon-GAAP financial metric, as property revenues less property-related expenses, which exclude straight-line rental income and expenses, lease termination income in excess of lost rent, management fee expense, fair market value of leases and expense recovery adjustments. Same Store NOI also excludes activity associated with development and major redevelopment and includes assets owned in comparable periods. Same Store NOI excludes allnon-property and corporate level revenue and expenses. Other real estate companies may calculate Same Store NOI in a different manner. For the limited purpose of determining 2019 executive incentive payouts, reported Same Store NOI growth was designed to be adjusted to eliminate the negative impact of unbudgeted tenant bankruptcies, though no such adjustment was ultimately made. The Company believes NOI provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level and, when compared across periods, reflects the impact on operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs and acquisition and disposition activity on an unleveraged basis. The Company believes Same Store NOI provides investors with additional information regarding the operating performances of comparable assets because it excludes certainnon-cash andnon-comparable items as noted above.

(2)

Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a supplementalnon-GAAP financial measure used as a standard in the real estate industry and is a widely accepted measure of REIT performance. FFO is generally defined and calculated by the Company as net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP), adjusted to exclude: (a) preferred share dividends, (b) gains and losses from disposition of real estate property and related investments, which are presented net of taxes, (c) impairment charges on real estate property and related investments, including reserve adjustments of preferred equity interests, and (d) certainnon-cash items. Thesenon-cash items principally include real property depreciation and amortization of intangibles, equity income (loss) from joint ventures and equity income (loss) fromnon-controlling interests and adding the Company’s proportionate share of FFO from its unconsolidated joint ventures andnon-controlling interests, determined on a consistent basis. The Company’s calculation of FFO is consistent with the definition of FFO provided by NAREIT. The Company calculates Operating FFO by excluding certainnon-operating charges, income and gains in order to allow investors to analyze the results of its operations and assess performance of the core operating real estate portfolio. For the limited purpose of determining 2019 executive incentive compensation, reported Operating FFO per share was designed to be adjusted to eliminate the negative impact of unbudgeted tenant bankruptcies, though no such adjustment was ultimately made. The Company believes that Operating FFO provides additional indicators of the financial performance of a REIT. The Company also believes that Operating FFO more appropriately measures the core operations of the Company and provides benchmarks to its peer group. Operating FFO is useful to investors as the Company removesnon-comparable charges, income and gains to analyze the results of its operations and assess performance of the core operating real estate portfolio. Other real estate companies may calculate Operating FFO in a different manner.

(3)

For each of Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower and Ms. Vesy, “company goals” were defined to consist of the same two organizational-level goals established for Mr. Lukes, namely Same Store NOI growth and Operating FFO per share.

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    29


Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions

Based on actual performance in 2019 and the weightings assigned to each performance measure, the Committee determined that Mr. Lukes earned a weighted average score of 4.2 points under the 2019 incentive compensation program. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Lukes’ score entitled him to a 2019 incentive bonus of $1,445,000 (approximately 136% of his incentive award target) which was paid in cash.

The Committee determined that Mr. Makinen earned a weighted average score of 4.2 points under the 2019 incentive compensation program. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Makinen’s score entitled him to a 2019 incentive bonus of $650,000 (approximately 130% of his incentive award target) which was paid in cash.

Based on a discretionary evaluation of his performance, with significant input from our CEO, the Committee awarded Mr. Fennerty 2019 incentive compensation of $350,000, which amount was paid in cash.

The Committee determined that Ms. Vesy earned a weighted average score of 4.2 points under the 2019 incentive compensation program. Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, the “target” annual cashMr. Vesy’s score entitled her to a 2019 incentive opportunity for Ms. Vesy is 40%bonus of base salary with a range between 20% of base salary for “threshold” performance and 80% of base salary for “maximum” performance. Additionally, Ms. Vesy’s employment contract provides for an annual “target” equity incentive opportunity of 25% of the sum$492,480 (approximately 173% of her base salary and annual incentive cash bonus with a range between 12.5%award target), $243,200 of suchwhich amount for “threshold” performance and 50% of such amount for “maximum” performance.

We have used Same Store EBITDA as a compensation performance metric since 2010. EBITDA includes overhead and administrative costs, but excludes interest expense, interest income and othernon-operating items, such as the gain or loss on the sale of properties, asset impairments, valuation allowances, workforce restructuring charges, lease termination fees over a certain dollar threshold, certainnon-cash income items as well as the net impact of the hurricane on the Puerto Rico portfolio. Same Store EBITDA is further defined as EBITDA from wholly-owned and joint venture operating properties and other investments that we have owned for at least two consecutive years. Same Store EBITDA growth is important because it captures key property value drivers, such as occupancy rates, rental rates, and property expenses, and it also includes fee income, and general and administrative expenses. At the same time, Same Store EBITDA is not impacted by financing decisions or current year acquisitions, dispositions or redevelopments, and is a performance measure less prone to influence by financial and other strategies that rely on short-term debt and increased risk.

34    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


Achievement of our Same Store EBITDA growth goal was measured on a scale from a “none” level (in other words, producing no payout for this component of the award) for performance that is “below expectations” to a “maximum” level for “superior” performance. The achievement opportunities with respect to the Same Store EBITDA growth metric are set forth in the following table:

Performance LevelSame Store EBITDA Growth YoY (%)(1)         Award Level            

Superior

3.500Maximum

Target+

2.875Target+

Target

2.250Target

Threshold+

1.625Threshold+

Threshold

1.000Threshold

Below Expectations

<1.000  None

(1)Growth in Same Store EBITDA between these levels is rounded to the nearest award level when calculating incentive compensation based on the Same Store EBITDA Growth metric. For this table, “YoY” means year-over-year.

The 2017 annual incentive compensation program for Ms. Vesy also consisted of qualitative individual performance objectives which were evaluated by the Committee at the end of the year on the same scale ranging from “below expectations” to “superior” achievement levels. This evaluation took place as part of ouryear-end performance appraisal process. The qualitative individual performance objectives for Ms. Vesy consisted of the following: ensuring the accuracy, transparency and timeliness of the Company’s financial reporting; contributions related to the reduction of general and administrative expenses; and an expanded leadership role for various organizational, accounting, and financial objectives. In determining Ms. Vesy’s overall performance for 2017 and the resulting level of her annual incentive compensation, the individual components of growth in Same Store EBITDA and achievement of qualitative performance objectives were weighted equally.

Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions

Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower. The Committee determined 2017 bonuses for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower using a subjective assessment of performance with respect to key organizational goals and objectives and the particular executive’s contribution towards achievement of these goals and objectives. In particular, the Committee considered the following:

     For Mr. Lukes: the creation and execution of a 2017 disposition plan designed to reduce indebtedness and improve portfolio quality and growth prospects; the formulation of a long-term growth strategy for the Company through the identification of higher growth and redevelopment assets and the separation of lower growth assets into aspin-off entity designed to maximize shareholder returns through operations and asset sales; and actions taken to reduce general and administrative expense in connection with increased organizational efficiency and a decrease in the size of the Company’s portfolio.

      For Mr. Ostrower: the execution of a restructuring of the Company’s balance sheet resulting in an extended weighted average maturity of its indebtedness; improved communications and reporting transparency with analysts and investors through enhanced quarterly supplemental reporting; and significant contributions to the formulation, communication and execution of the Company’sspin-off strategy.

     For Mr. Makinen: the reconfiguration of the Company’s leasing personnel and incentive structure; increased focus on small shop leasing opportunities; improvements to the Company’s property budgeting process; and leadership with respect to property restoration and tenant reopening efforts in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    35


Based on the Committee’s assessment of performance, it awarded 2017 annual cash bonuses to these executives in the following amounts:

   Annual Bonus
Target
 Pro-Rated Bonus
Target
 Actual Bonus
Award
 

% ofPro-Rated

Bonus Target

David R. Lukes

 $1,062,500 $887,842 $1,154,195 130%

Michael A. Makinen

 $500,000 $417,808 $522,260 125%

Matthew L. Ostrower

 $500,000 $417,808 $522,260 125%

Ms. Vesy. Ms. Vesy’s annual incentive compensation was determined by the Committee by reference to two components, growth in Same Store EBITDA and achievement of individual performance objectives. The Company’s growth in Same Store EBITDA for 2017 corresponded to a performance level of “Below Expectations”. With input from Mr. Lukes, the Committee determined Ms. Vesy’s performance with respect to individual performance objectives to be “Superior” based on her performance on the qualitative performance objectives identified above. Weighted equally, these components produced an overall score for Ms. Vesy of “Target” which, pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, resulted in annual cash incentive compensation of $136,000 and annual equity incentive compensation of $119,000 paid in RSUs. The number of RSUs granted to Ms. Vesy was calculated based on the value of our common shares as of the grant date and generally vests in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date.

Special Bonus Compensation

In February 2018, Ms. Vesy was also paid a special bonus of $153,000 in recognition of her service as Interim Chief Financial Officer for a portion of 2017 as well as for her significant contributions to the Company’s successful management transition and the planning of the Company’sspin-off strategy. Of this amount, $68,000 was paid in cash and $85,000$249,280 of which amount was paid in RSUs. The number of RSUs granted to Ms. Vesy was calculated based on the value of our common shares as of the grant date and generally vests in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date. On

No annual incentive amount was paid to Mr. Ostrower on account of her 2017his resignation from the Company in November 2019.

With respect to the individualized, qualitative components of the named executive officers’ annual incentive compensation described aboveprogram (or, for Mr. Fennerty, his entire annual incentive compensation program), the Committee recognized the named executive officers’ collective contributions to strong 2019 operating results, the significant improvement in the Company’s balance sheet (including levels of secured indebtedness and this special bonus compensation, on February 22, 2018, Ms. Vesy was granted 26,880 RSUs.preferred stock), the continued reduction of general and administrative expenses in order to better align with the Company’s reduced portfolio size, and higher fee revenues than expected due to successful execution of assets sales within the joint venture and RVI platforms. The Committee also considered the following individual achievements:

   For Mr. Lukes: contributions to strategy definition and execution, including efforts to diversify the Company’s portfolio and tenant roster through acquisitions of urban and alternative-anchored shopping centers; realization of value within the redevelopment pipeline through entitlements and subsequent land sales and ground leases; successful transition of the Chief Financial Officer role; and substantial increase in ancillary income initiatives and revenues.

   For Mr. Makinen: implementation of consumer data analytics platform in order to better identify and improve economic returns on acquisition and leasing opportunities; led initiative to expedite anchor tenant build-outs in order to achieve earlier rent commencement dates; restructured leasing department leadership and organization; and assumption of leadership role with respect to a major industry trade conference in order to improve the Company’s visibility and relationships with tenants.

   For Mr. Fennerty: assumption of leadership role from prior Chief Financial Officer with respect to the Company’s banking and investor relationships; restructured funds management team in order to successfully support new Dividend Trust Portfolio relationships; led analysis of value and opportunities with respect to the Company’s legacy joint venture arrangements; and originated Shopko advisory engagement and fee opportunity.

   For Ms. Vesy: adoption of new lease accounting standards; leadership in tax planning with respect to joint venture initiatives with foreign investors; leadership of efforts to modernize and consolidate workspace within the Company’s headquarters located in Beachwood, Ohio; contributions to general and administrative expense analysis and reductions; and playing a key role in facilitating successful transition of the Chief Financial Officer role.

30    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants Made in 2017

Performance2019 Performance-Based RSU Awards. Pursuant to the terms of their March 2017 employment agreements, on March 2, 2019, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were granted 225,158, 75,053 and 75,053 performance-based RSUs subject generally to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2019 and ending on February 28, 2022 and having “target” values of $3,000,000, $1,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. In the case of Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower, the target value of these awards was increased from $600,000 as set forth in their employment agreements to $1,000,000 following awards upon commencementthe Committee’s consideration of their employment:a report from Gressle & McGinley evidencing that the existing level of target annual compensation for these executives had fallen below the median compensation of comparable executives at eight of the Company’s direct shopping center REIT peers and a desire to provide these executives with a greater incentive to help the Company achieve its five-year strategic plan.

     34,398, 6,880, and 6,880 performance shares, respectively, subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending February 28, 2018;

      68,795, 13,759, and 13,759 performance RSUs, respectively, subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2019; and

     103,193, 20,639, and 20,639 performance RSUs, respectively, subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2020.

In eachthe case of Messrs. Lukes and Makinen, these performance awards willperformance-based RSUs become payable to the executive at the end of the applicable performance period, if at all, based on the percentile rank of the Company’s TSR of the Company (adjusted as described below) measured over the applicable performance period as compared to the total shareholder return of a particular set of peer companies during such period as shown below (with straight-line interpolation between levels):

 

Performance Level

Relative TSR

        Percentage Earned        

Below Threshold

Below 33rd percentile0%

Threshold

33rd percentile50%

Target

55th percentile100%

Maximum

70th percentile or above200%

36    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


For these purposes, the peer companies consist of: Acadia Realty Trust, Brixmor Property Group Inc., Federal Realty Investment Trust, Kimco Realty Corporation, Kite Realty Group Trust, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, Regency Centers Corporation, Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., Retail Properties of America, Inc., Urban Edge Properties, and Weingarten Realty Investors. These eleven entities were chosen (and specifically differ from the comparison group used to establish target annual compensation for Mr. Lukes as described above) because they were considered to be most similar to the Company in terms of the economic forces that impact their financial performance and the trading characteristics of their common stock. For purposes of determining TSR, dividends paid on the Company’s common stock during the performance period are deemed reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock. In the event that ourthe TSR of the Company during the applicable performance period is negative, the number of performance shares orperformance-based RSUs awarded toearned by the executive will be reduced byone-third. The performance-based design of this award no longer applies for Mr. Ostrower, as he forfeited this award upon his departure from the Company.

Similarly, on2018 Performance-Based RSU Awards. Pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, in March 2, 2018, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were granted 391,389, 78,278 and 78,278 performanceperformance-based RSUs respectively,substantially similar to the 2019 performance-based RSU awards described above, subject generally to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2018 and ending on February 28, 2021. It is expected that on each2021 and having “target” values of March 2,$3,000,000, $600,000 and $600,000, respectively. Although Mr. Ostrower forfeited this award upon his departure from the Company, these awards remain outstanding and unvested for Messrs. Lukes and Makinen as the applicable performance period has yet to be completed.

Settlement of Certain Performance-Based Awards. In early 2018, 2019 and March 2, 2020, attainment of the performance objectives was determined with respect to the performance share and performance-based RSU awards granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower will be granted (subject to the approval of the Committee) a number of performance RSUs determined by dividing the applicable award value ($3,000,000 for Mr. Lukes and $600,000 for each of Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) by the average closing price of a share of our common stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the grant date, generallyin 2017 that were subject to a three-year performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on each of February 28, 2018, March 1,February 28, 2019 or March 1,and February 28, 2020, respectively.

Retention-Based RSUs. Inrespectively (the “Completed Awards”). From 0% to 200% of each Completed Award could have been earned based on the percentile rank of the TSR of the Company (incorporating, as a result of equitable adjustments approved by the Committee in connection with the executionspin-off of their employment agreements, eachRVI, dividend and share price performance of RVI, accounting for the distribution ratio for thespin-off) measured over the applicable performance period as compared to the total

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    31


shareholder return of the same set of peer companies described above with respect to 2019 performance-based RSU awards, and using the same performance matrix as set forth above for such 2019 performance-based RSU awards. Based on relative TSR performance during the applicable performance periods, no portion of the Completed Awards was earned and no shares were received by Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower received a retention-based awardwith respect to these awards (the three-year performance based RSUs were forfeited by Mr. Ostrower upon his departure, but would not have paid out even if he had remained with the Company through the full performance period).

On February 28, 2021 and February 28, 2022, attainment of 202,948, 55,036 and 55,036 RSUs, respectively. In general, and subjectthe performance objectives with respect to the Executive’s continued employmentperformance-based RSUs granted to Messrs. Lukes and Makinen in March 2018 and March 2019, respectively, will be determined. If the performance period applicable to the performance-based RSUs granted in March 2018 and March 2019 had ended on February 28, 2020, 60% and 59%, respectively, of the target number of shares applicable to these awards would have been earned by Messrs. Lukes and Makinen thereunder based on our TSR relative to the Company, thesepeer companies through that date.

2019 Retention-Based RSUs. In February 2019, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were granted 70,476, 20,403 and 20,403 time-based RSUs willhaving grant date fair values of $950,016, $275,032 and $275,032, respectively. Theseone-time awards vest in four substantially equal installments on each of the first fourthree anniversaries of the March 2, 2017grant date, subject generally to the executives’ continued employment with us. Following its consideration of a report received from Gressle & McGinley, the Committee concluded that these awards were necessary and appropriate to incentivize the core of our successful leadership team and to help us avoid losing them to other employment opportunities, especially in the light of the outsized reliance of the Company’s existing executive compensation program on performance-based equity (relative to the degree of utilization of performance-based equity in peer compensation programs). Despite the Committee granting this award, Mr. Ostrower forfeited all unvested performance-based and time-based equity, including these RSUs, upon his departure from the Company in November 2019 to pursue another opportunity. In retrospect, Mr. Ostrower’s departure confirms the need for and the advisability of our Committee in designing and granting these retention awards in early 2019.

Mr. Fennerty received a payout of 2,910 time-based RSUs in February 2019 having a grant date fair value of $39,227 as part of his 2018 annual incentive award earned based on 2018 performance. This award vests in substantially equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date. In November 2019, Mr. Fennerty also received 19,342 RSUs having a grant date fair value of $268,854, which RSUs generally vest in equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. These RSUs were provided due to negotiations between the Company and Mr. Fennerty regarding his promotion compensation package.

Ms. Vesy received a payout of 20,701 time-based RSUs in February 2019 having a grant date fair value of $306,009 as part of her 2018 annual incentive award earned on account of 2018 performance. This award generally vests in substantially equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date.

More information concerning the terms of the employment agreements, including the equity compensation granted to the executives thereunder, is provided under the section entitled “Employment Agreements” in the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” section of this Proxy Statement.

2016 Value Sharing32    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


Status of Performance-Based Equity ProgramGrants

In February 2016, we adoptedThe table below summarizes the 2016 VSEP, a performance-based, long-term equity incentive program,performance periods and awarded opportunities thereunder to certain officers, including Ms. Vesy. The 2016 VSEP was designed to reward participants for contributing to our financial performance and allow such participants to share in “Value Created” (as defined in accordance with the termspayout, or projected payout, of the program), based upon increasesTSR-based performance equity awarded to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in our adjusted market capitalization over our initial market capitalization, using a starting share price of $17.41 per share,over pre-established periods of time. Under the 2016 VSEP, participants were granted performance-based award opportunities which, if earned, are settled 20% in our common shares and 80% in RSUs that are generally subject to time-based vesting requirements for a period of four years.

Pursuant to the award terms, on five specified measurement dates (the first date occurring on February 23,March 2017, with subsequent measurement dates occurring on June 30, 2017, December 31, 2017, June 30,March 2018 and December 31, 2018), the Company will measure the “Value Created” during the period between the start of the 2016 VSEP and the applicable measurement date. Value Created is measured for each period for the performance awards as the increase in the Company’s market capitalizationMarch 2019 based on the applicable measurement date (in other words, the product of the Company’sfive-day trailing average share price as of each measurement date — price-only appreciation, notour total shareholder return — and the number of shares outstanding as of February 28, 2020. For Mr. Lukes, the measurement date), as adjusted for equity issuances and/or equity repurchases, over the Company’s initial market capitalization at the starttable also includes a comparison of the 2016 VSEP utilizingvalue included in the starting share price. The ending share price used2019 Summary Compensation Table for purposeseach of determining Value Created for the performancethese awards during any measurement period is capped at $25.35 per share. Each participant has been assigned a “percentage share” of the Value Created for the performance awards, which in Ms. Vesy’s case is 0.0600%.

There was no Value Created for the three measurement dates falling in 2017, and therefore no shares or RSUs were issued to Ms. Vesy pursuant to the 2016 VSEP with respectvalue actually realized, or projected to these three measurement periods.be realized, by Mr. Lukes.

Performance 
Period
 2017 2018 2019 2020  2021  Status %
Payout 
 

Summary
Compensation

Table Value –
CEO (Year)

 

Actual

Realized Value –

CEO (Year)

 

2017 1-Year Performance Shares

 

 

 

100%

Completed

 

             

 

Below

Threshold and

100% Forfeited

 

 

 

0%

 

 

 

$454,686

(2017)

 

 

 

$0

(2018)

 

 

2017 2-Year PRSUs

 

 

 

100%

Completed

 

           

 

Below

Threshold and

100% Forfeited

 

 

 

0%

 

 

 

$918,225

(2017)

 

 

 

$0

(2019)

 

 

2017 3-Year PRSUs

 

 

 

100%

Completed

 

         

 

Below

Threshold and

100% Forfeited

 

 

 

0%

 

 

 

$1,428,225

(2017)

 

 

 

$0

(2020)

 

 

2018 3-Year PRSUs

 

   

 

67%

Completed

 

 

 

     

 

Above

Threshold but

Below Target

 

 

 

60%*

 

 

 

$3,379,167

(2018)

 

 

 

$1,945,915*

(2021)

 

 

2019 3-Year PRSUs

 

     

 

    33%

    Completed

 

 

 

 

Above

Threshold but

Below Target

 

 

 

59%*

 

 

 

$3,337,532

(2019)

 

 

 

$1,637,820*

(2022)

 

*

Projected based on total shareholder return as of February 28, 2020. Projection of actual realized value for the CEO (i) includes dividends declared through February 28, 2020 on shares projected to be awarded and (ii) reflects a 1/3 reduction in projected payout with respect to the 2019 3-Year PRSUs on account of a negative TSR through February 28, 2020.

Other Benefits and Information

Perquisites and Fringe Benefits. The Current Officersnamed executive officers received certain additional benefits during 2017.2019. The Committee believes that these benefits are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program and better enable us to attract and retain superior executive talent.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    37


For 2017, while employed by the Company,2019, each of Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrower and OstrowerFennerty and Ms. Vesy were eligible for participation in health, life, disability and other insurance plans, sick leave, reasonable vacation time, and other customary fringe benefits generally on terms available to our other employees.

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Lukes is entitled to automobile service for business and personal use. The benefit includes all reasonable related maintenance, repairs, parking, gasoline, insurance and other reasonable costs and expenses.

Pursuant to their employment agreements, Messrs. Lukes, Ostrower and OstrowerFennerty are entitled to reimbursement (up to an aggregate maximum of $25,000 in any calendar year)year of $25,000 for Messrs. Lukes and Ostrower and $10,000 for Mr. Fennerty) for premiums for life, disability and/or similar insurance policies.

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Lukes was entitled to reimbursements from the Company’s for his reasonable attorneys’ fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation of his employment agreement, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Retirement Benefits. We have established a tax qualified 401(k) plan for our employees pursuant to which we made semi-monthly matching contributions during 20172019 equal to 50% of each participant’s contribution, up to 6% of the sum of his or her base salary plus annual cash performance-based incentive, not to exceed 3% of the sum of 3% of the participant’s base salary plus annual cash performance-based incentive, subject to Internal Revenue Code limits.

Elective Deferred Compensation Plan. Our named executive officers are entitled to participate in our Elective Deferred Compensation Plan. Pursuant to the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan, executivecertain of our officers can defer up to 100% of their base salaries and annual cash performance-based incentives, less applicable taxes and authorized benefits deductions. The Elective Deferred Compensation Plan is a nonqualified plan and is an

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    33


unsecured, general obligation of the Company, and we have established and funded a “rabbi” trust to satisfy our payment obligations under this plan. The Company provides a matching contribution to any executiveparticipant who defers compensation into the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan equal to the difference between (1) up to 3% of the sum of the executive’sparticipant’s base salary and annual cash performance-based incentive eligible for deferral under the 401(k) plan and the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan, combined, and (2) the actual employer matching contribution provided under the 401(k) plan. Earnings on a participant’s deferred account are based on the results of the investment options available in the plan that are selected by the participant. Settlement is generally made in cash at a date determined by the participant at the time a deferral election is made. None of the Current OfficersMessrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower elected to defer anya portion of their 20172019 total annual cash compensation pursuant to the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan.Plan.For more information on the value of annual cash compensation deferred by the named executive officers in 2019, please refer to the 2019 Summary Compensation Table and the 2019 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table below.

Equity Deferred Compensation Plan. Pursuant to the Equity Deferred Compensation Plan, certain of our executive officers, including the named executive officers, have the right to defer the receipt of restricted shares or RSUs earned under any equity compensation plan. The value of a participant’s deferrals is converted into units, based on the market value of our common shares at the time of the deferral, so that each unit is equivalent in value to one common share. We have established and funded a “rabbi” trust, which holds our common shares, to satisfy our payment obligations under this plan. Common shares equal to the number of units credited to the participants’ accounts under this plan are placed in the rabbi trust. In the event of our insolvency, the assets of the rabbi trust are available to general creditors. Settlement of units is generally made in our common shares at a date determined by the participant at the time a deferral election is made. None of our Current Officersnamed executive officers elected to defer 20172019 service-based RSUs pursuant to the Equity Deferred Compensation Plan.

Separation Payments and Benefits for Former Officers

Thomas F. August. Mr. August served as our President and CEO until his separation on March 2, 2017. Mr. August’s base salary rate for the period of 2017 in which he was our employee was $750,000 per year, which rate was unchanged from 2016. No equity grants were made to Mr. August during 2017, and no performance metrics were adopted in early 2017 to govern Mr. August’s 2017 annual incentive compensation given the management transition underway. In addition to benefits generally available to officers of the Company, Mr. August was also entitled to a commuting allowance at a rate of not less than $96,000 per year to assist with

38    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


the costs associated with Mr. August commuting between his residence and our headquarters. For more information about the payments and benefits Mr. August received in connection with his separation from the Company, see “Separations in 2017” in the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” section of this Proxy Statement below.

William T. Ross. Mr. Ross served as our Chief Operating Officer from January 3, 2017 until the arrival of the new management team on March 2, 2017; Mr. Ross’ employment with us formally terminated on May 31, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Ross’ annual base salary rate was $450,000 per year, and Mr. Ross received aone-time, retention-based award of 67,257 RSUs in January 2017 in connection with his commencement of employment with the Company. No additional equity grants were made to Mr. Ross during 2017, and no performance metrics were adopted in early 2017 to govern Mr. Ross’s 2017 annual incentive compensation given the management transition which occurred shortly after his arrival. For more information about the payments and benefits Mr. Ross received in connection with his separation from the Company, see “Separations in 2017” in the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” section of this Proxy Statement below.

Vincent A. Corno. Mr. Corno served as our Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development Effective until the arrival of the new management team on March 2, 2017; Mr. Corno’s employment with us formally terminated on April 15, 2017. Mr. Corno’s base salary rate for the period of 2017 in which he was our employee was $400,000 per year, which rate was unchanged from 2016. No equity grants were made to Mr. Corno during 2017, and no performance metrics were adopted in early 2017 to govern Mr. Corno’s 2017 annual incentive compensation given the management transition underway. For more information about the payments and benefits Mr. Corno received in connection with his separation from the Company, see “Separations in 2017” in the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure” section of this Proxy Statement below.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Under our stock ownership guidelines, each named executive officer must own common shares or common share equivalents with an aggregate market value of no less than the applicable multiple of such officer’s annual base salary for the immediately preceding year. For the current Chief Executive Officer, the multiple is five times his annual base salary; for the current Chief Operating Officer and current Chief Financial Officer, the multiple is three times his annual base salary; and for all other Section 16 executive officers, the multiple is one times his/her annual base salary. Our Board established these particular levels of stock ownership for our named executive officers because we want to have the interests of our named executive officers aligned with the investment interests of our shareholders.

Such minimum share ownership requirement must be satisfied (1) initially, by no later than the fifth anniversary of the first March 31st following the date such officer receives his or her first grant as a named executive officer, and then (2) on each anniversary of March 31st thereafter. To that end, and unless otherwise approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each named executive officer is required to retain 50% of the common shares or common share equivalents of the Company acquired through grants from the Company as part of compensation until such time as the minimum share ownership requirement is satisfied. Unvested restricted shares, RSUs and shares deferred into our Equity Deferred Compensation Plan constitute common share equivalents and count toward satisfying the stock ownership guidelines. As of February 28, 2018,29, 2020, all Current Officersof our continuing named executive officers were in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines, and all Former Officers were in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines during the periods they were employed by the Company during 2017.guidelines.

Hedging and Pledging Policy

Our Board has adopted a policy prohibiting our Directors and executiveemployees who are officers at or above the level of Vice President (or an equivalent position) from (1) engaging in certain hedging transactions involving the Company’s stock, and (2) pledging Company stock as collateral for a loan or (2) using Company stock in hedging transactions, such as “cashless” collars, forward sales, equity swaps and similar arrangements because the Board determined that such a policy is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. Currently, all Current OfficersDirectors, executive officers and, Directorsto our knowledge, other covered employees are in compliance with the Company’s policy.

 

DDR34    SITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement    39


Tax and Accounting Implications

The Company made an election to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and as such generally will not be subject to federal income tax. Thus, the deduction limit for compensation paid to certain covered employees, provided under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, was generally not material to the design and structure of our named executive officer compensation program for 2017.2019.

Compensation-Related Risk Analysis

The Committee has overall responsibility for overseeing the risks relating to compensation policies and practices affecting senior management. The Committee uses its consultant, Gressle & McGinley, to independently consider and analyze the extent, if any, to which our compensation policies and practices might create risks for the Company, and this review also focuses on variable and incentive compensation elements, as well as policies and practices that could mitigate or balance any such incentives.

After conducting this review, including most recently in early 2018,2020, the Committee has determined that none of our compensation policies and practices create any risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In making this determination, the Committee considered that a significant portion of total executive compensation isin recent years has been comprised of time-based RSUs that vest over several years and long-term performance based compensationperformance-based RSUs whose vesting is based on both relative and absolute shareholder return and RSUs that vest over several years.a multi-year period. The Committee believes that these equity award structures and the corresponding vesting conditions encourage actions and behaviors that increase long-term shareholder value rather than short-term risk taking. In addition, annual incentive compensation awarded to our executive officers is typically based on a numbercombination of executive-specificquantitative and qualitative performance metrics, thereby reducing the likelihood that our executives are overly focused on any single metric that might encourage risky behavior.

 

40    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    35


9.6. Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure

 

20172019 Summary Compensation Table

 

(a) (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i) 
Name and Principal Position Year  Salary
($)(1)
  Bonus
($)(2)
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)
  Option
Awards
($)
  

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($)(1)(4)

  

All Other

Compensation

($)(5)

  

Total

($)

 

David R. Lukes(6)

  2017   705,064   1,154,195   5,624,143         57,833   7,541,235 

Chief Executive Officer

and President

  2016                      
  2015                      

Michael A. Makinen(6)

  2017   414,744   522,260   1,325,789         10,294   2,273,087 

Chief Operating Officer

  2016                      
  2015                      

Matthew L. Ostrower(6)

  2017   414,744   522,260   1,325,789         18,850   2,281,643 

Executive Vice President, Chief

Financial Officer and Treasurer

  2016                      
  2015                      

Christa A. Vesy(6)

  2017   340,000   68,000   204,026      136,000   10,944   758,970 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

  2016   310,175   100,000   449,815   23,610   204,000   15,823   1,103,423 
  2015   298,541      115,945   38,644   131,382   10,676   595,188 

Thomas F. August(6)

  2017   130,289               3,711,080   3,841,369 

Former Chief Executive Officer

and President

  2016   375,582   484,932   3,214,220         57,562   4,132,296 
  2015                      

William T. Ross(6)

  2017   187,500      1,027,014         1,588,188   2,802,702 

Former Chief Operating Officer

  2016                      
  2015                      

Vincent A. Corno(6)

  2017   166,667               1,097,702   1,264,369 

Former Executive Vice President

of Leasing and Development

  2016                      
  2015                      
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)
Name and Principal PositionYearSalary
($)(1)
Bonus
($)(2)
Stock
Awards
($)(3)
Option
Awards
($)

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($)(1)(4)

All Other

Compensation

($)(5)

Total

($)

David R. Lukes 2019 850,000  4,287,548  1,445,000 58,177 6,640,725
Chief Executive Officer and President 2018 850,000  3,379,167  1,700,000 45,691 5,974,858
 2017 705,064 1,154,195 5,624,143   57,833 7,541,235
Michael A. Makinen 2019 500,000  1,387,543  650,000 23,489 2,561,032
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 2018  500,000  675,833  750,000 12,639 1,938,472
 2017 414,744 522,260 1,325,789   10,294 2,273,087
Conor M. Fennerty 2019 298,623 350,000 308,081   8,400 965,104
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer        
        
Christa A. Vesy 2019 380,000  133,000  243,200 11,244 767,444
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer 2018  340,000 136,000 323,019  272,000 11,094 1,082,113
 2017 340,000 68,000 204,026  136,000 10,944 758,970
Matthew L. Ostrower 2019 473,718  1,387,543   34,317 1,895,578
Former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 2018 500,000  675,833  750,000 34,300 1,960,133
 2017 414,744 522,260 1,325,789   18,850 2,281,643

 

(1)

The amounts reported in columns (c) and (g) for 20172019 include amounts deferred into our 401(k) plan (a qualified plan) and our Elective Deferred Compensation Planelective deferred compensation plan (a nonqualified plan) by Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrower, August, RossFennerty and CornoOstrower and Ms. Vesy for the year ended December 31, 20172019 as follows: Mr. Lukes, $18,000;$44,750; Mr. Makinen, $23,333;$38,200; Mr. Fennerty, $19,000; Ms. Vesy, $19,000; and Mr. Ostrower, $18,000; Mr. August, $472,520; Mr. Ross, $18,750; Mr. Corno, $24,000; and Ms. Vesy, $18,000.$55,667. Under our Elective Deferred Compensation Plan,elective deferred compensation plan, deferred amounts are payable to the named executive officer at a date and in a form specified by the named executive officer at the time of his or her deferral election in accordance with the provisions of the plan.

 

(2)

The amount reported in column (d) for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower,Mr. Fennerty for 2019 reflects the amountsamount paid to them under their respectivehim in February 2020 as his annual cash bonusperformance-based incentive compensation for 2017 pursuant to their respective employment agreement (determined2019 determined on the basis of a qualitative,the Committee’s subjective evaluation of his performance for 2017). The amount in column (d) for Ms. Vesy reflects a special cash bonus paid to her in February 2018 in recognition of her service as Interim Chief Financial Officer, contributions to executive transition matters and the planning of the Company’sspin-off strategy in 2017. For information about these bonuses earned for 2017, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2017 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions.”2019.

 

(3)

The amounts reported in column (e) reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of all stock awards granted during the reported years. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for 20172019 are included in footnote 1315 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. The amounts reported in this column for 20172019 are as follows:

 

   

for Mr.each of Messrs. Lukes, includesMakinen and Ostrower, reflects the grant date fair value of (i) time-based RSUs performance sharesgranted in February 2019 and (ii) performance-based RSUs granted in March 2019 in accordance with histheir employment agreementagreements. The grant date fair value associated with the performance-based RSU awards was computed in 2017. The amounts reported in this column for performance sharesaccordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    41


performance-based RSUs reflect is based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions.conditions, although the ultimate value of the awards could be as low as zero. Assuming achievement of maximum performance, the value as of the grant date of suchthese performance-based RSU awards made to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower would be $5,602,272.$6,675,064, $2,225,022 and $2,225,022, respectively. Mr. Ostrower forfeited all unvested equity grants, including all time-based RSUs and performance-based RSUs granted in 2019, upon his resignation in November 2019. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2019 Compensation Program — Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants”;

 

   

for each of Messrs. Makinen and OstrowerMr. Fennerty, includes the grant date fair valuevalues of time-based RSUs awarded in February 2019 for performance sharesin 2018 and performance-basedtime-based RSUs granted in November 2019 in accordance with his employment agreement in 2017. The amounts reported in this column for performance shares and performance-based RSUs reflectappointment as the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions. Assuming achievement of maximum performance, the value as of the grant date of such awards would be $1,120,476 for each NEO.Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; and

 

   

for Ms. Vesy, includes the grant date fair value of an annual performance-basedperformance based equity incentive award opportunity granted in 2017 forMarch 2019 pursuant to which Ms. Vesy was entitled to receive time-based RSUs in early 2020 upon the 2016 service periodachievement of specified objectives in the form of RSUs.

for Mr. Ross includes the grant date2019. The fair value of time-based RSUs in accordance with his employment agreement in 2017.

Annual performance-based stockthis equity incentive compensation awards foraward was determined based on the probable outcome of the award which was determined on the service inception date to be the target value (i.e., $133,000); such amount does not represent the amount actually paid to Ms. Vesy relatedwith respect to the performance in service year 2017 arebased equity incentive award opportunity granted in 2018 and not includedMarch 2019 which amount was determined in this column but are further described inearly 2020 to be $249,280. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions.Program.

 

36    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


(4)

The amounts reported in column (g) for 20172019 reflect cash amounts earned by Messrs. Lukes and Makinen and Ms. Vesy as annual cash performance-based incentive compensation for 2017.2019. For more information about the award reported in this column for 2017,2019, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions”Program” above.

 

(5)

The amounts shown in column (h) for the named executive officers for 20172019 include:

 

   

for Mr. Lukes, automobile service, reimbursement of costs for negotiating his employment agreement, reimbursement of personal disability/life policies of $20,478$25,000 and matching contributions to the 401(k) plan;plan and deferred compensation plan of $22,375;

 

   

for Mr. Makinen, matching contributions to the 401(k) plan and deferred compensation plan of $19,100 and disability insurance premiums;

 

   

for Mr. Ostrower, reimbursement of personal disability/life policies of $10,000 andFennerty, matching contributions to the 401(k) plan;

 

   

for Ms. Vesy, matching contributions to the 401(k) plan and disability insurance premiums; and

 

   

for Mr. August,Ostrower, reimbursement of personal disability/life policies of $25,000 and matching contributions to the deferred compensation plan and 401(k) plan and commuting allowance of $16,000, and contractual termination payments triggered as the result of Mr. August’s employment separation on March 2, 2017 of $3,690,488 consisting of (1) $3,499,500, representing an amount equal to two times the sum of his base salary plus his target 2017 annual incentive, (2) $167,082, representing apro-rata payment of Mr. August’s target annual incentive for 2017, (3) $14,423, representing COBRA and other insurance subsidies and (4) $9,483, representing accrued vacation (but excluding unvested equity awards). In addition, 83,300 unvested, service-based RSUs held by Mr. August at the time of his separation immediately vested upon his separation. For more information about the separation payments and benefits provided to Mr. August under his employment agreement, see “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Employment Agreements — Employment Agreement Agreements in Effect During 2017 with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrower and August” and “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Separations in 2017”;plan;

 

  

for Mr. Ross, matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, disability insurance premiums, country club expenses, and contractual termination payments triggered as the result of Mr. Ross’s employment separation on May 31, 2017 of $1,576,739 consisting of (1)$1,350,000, representing an amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary plus his target 2017 annual incentive, (2) $186,164, representing apro-rata payment of Mr. Ross’ target annual incentive for 2017, (3) $31,921, representing COBRA and other insurance subsidies and (4) $8,654, representing accrued vacation (but excluding unvested equity awards). In addition, 67,257 unvested service-based RSUs held by Mr. Ross at the time of his separation will continue to vest over time in accordance with the three-year vesting schedule set forth in the original awards. For more information about the separation payments and benefits provided to Mr. Ross under his employment agreement, see “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Employment Agreements — Employment Agreements in Effect During 2017 with Ms. Vesy and Messrs. Corno and Ross” and “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Separations in 2017”;

for Mr. Corno, matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, disability insurance premiums and contractual termination payments triggered as the result of Mr. Corno’s employment separation on April 15, 2017 of $1,089,602 consisting of (1) $640,000, representing an amount equal to one times the sum of his base salary plus his target 2017 annual incentive, (2) $99,288, representing apro-rata payment of Mr. Corno’s target annual incentive for 2017, (3) $22,622, representing COBRA and other insurance subsidies, (4) $7,692, representing accrued vacation, (5) $240,000 on account of the retention bonus originally awarded to him in November 2016 which was otherwise scheduled to be paid in January 2018, and (6) $80,000 on account of satisfactions of obligation under provisions of his employment agreement (but excluding unvested equity awards). In addition, 24,963 unvested service-based RSUs held by Mr. Corno at the time of his separation will continue to vest over time in accordance with the three-year vesting schedule set forth in the original awards. For more information about the separation payments and benefits provided to Mr. Ross under his employment agreement, see “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Employment Agreements — Employment Agreements in Effect During 2017 with Ms. Vesy and Messrs. Corno and Ross” and “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Separations in 2017”.

None of the amounts reported for the named executive officers for 20172019 in column (h), if not a perquisite or personal benefit, exceeds $10,000 or, if a perquisite or personal benefit, exceeds the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites and personal benefits, except as disclosed in this footnote.

(6)Mr. Lukes was named President and CEO as of March 2, 2017, Mr. Makinen was named COO as of March 2, 2017, Mr. Ostrower was named CFO and Treasurer as of March 2, 2017, Ms. Vesy served as Interim CFO of the Company from July 8, 2016 through March 2, 2017. Mr. August served as President and CEO as of July 8, 2016 and remained in such positions until his separation from the Company on March 2, 2017. Mr. Ross served as COO as of January 3, 2017 and remained in such position until March 2, 2017. Mr. Corno served as Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development as of January 3, 2017 and remained in such position until March 2, 2017.

 

42    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    37


20172019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

 

Name 

Grant

Date

  

Committee

Action Date

  

Estimated Possible Payouts

UnderNon-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(2)

  

All Other

Stock Awards:

Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units

(#)(3)

  

All Other

Option Awards:

Number of
Securities

Underlying

Options

(#)

  

Exercise or
Base Price of

Option
Awards

($/Sh)

  

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock and

Option
Awards

($)(4)

 
   

Threshold

($)

  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#/$)
  Target
(#/$)
  Maximum
(#/$)
     

David R. Lukes

  3/02/17   3/02/17                     202,948         2,823,007 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            17,199   34,398   68,796            454,686 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            34,398   68,795   137,590            918,225 
   3/02/17   3/02/17            51,597   103,193   206,386            1,428,225 

Michael

A. Makinen

  3/02/17   3/02/17                     55,036         765,551 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            3,440   6,880   13,760            90,943 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            6,880   13,759   27,518            183,645 
   3/02/17   3/02/17            10,320   20,639   41,278            285,650 

Matthew

L. Ostrower

  3/02/17   3/02/17                     55,036         765,551 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            3,440   6,880   13,760            90,943 
  3/02/17   3/02/17            6,880   13,759   27,518            183,645 
   3/02/17   3/02/17            10,320   20,639   41,278            285,650 

Christa

A. Vesy

           136,000   272,000                      
  2/22/17   2/07/17                     14,139         204,026 

Thomas

F. August

                                    

William

T. Ross

  1/03/17   12/12/16                     67,257         1,027,014 

Vincent

A. Corno

           240,000   360,000                      
Name 

Grant

Date

 

Committee

Action Date 

 

Estimated Possible Payouts

UnderNon-Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards(2)

  

All Other

Stock Awards:

Number of
Shares of
 Stock or Units 

(#)(3)

  

All Other

 Option Awards: 

Number of
Securities

Underlying

Options

(#)

 

Exercise or
 Base Price of 

Option
Awards

($/Sh)

 

Grant Date

 Fair Value of 

Stock and

Option
Awards

($)(4)

 
 

Threshold

($)

  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#/$)
  Target
(#/$)
  Maximum
(#/$)
 
David R. Lukes 3/14/19 3/14/19  42,500   1,062,500   1,700,000                  
 3/02/19 2/18/19           112,579   225,158   450,316        3,337,532 
  2/22/19 2/18/19                    70,476     950,016 
Michael A. Makinen 3/14/19 3/14/19  25,000   500,000   750,000                  
 3/02/19 2/18/19           37,527   75,053   150,106        1,112,511 
 2/22/19 2/18/19                    20,403     275,032 
Conor M. Fennerty 2/22/19 2/07/19                    2,910     39,227 
 11/06/19 11/06/19                    19,342     268,854 
Christa A. Vesy 3/14/19 3/14/19  7,600   152,000   304,000                  
 3/14/19 3/14/19           5,814   133,000   342,000        133,000 
Matthew L. Ostrower(5) 3/14/19 3/14/19  25,000   500,000   750,000                  
 3/02/19 2/18/19           37,527   75,053   150,106        1,112,511 
 2/22/19 2/18/19                    20,403     275,032 

 

(1)

Amounts for the named executive officer reflect the annual cash performance-based incentive compensation opportunity established for 2017 consistent with the opportunities made available to the named executive officerofficers (other than Mr. Fennerty) in 2016 at the “Target” and “Maximum” levels. The “Threshold” column shows dashes becauseMarch 2019, although the ultimate value of the of the executive’s annual cash performance-based incentive payout could be zero. For purposes of this table, “Threshold” represents the lowest possible amount that could be earned by the executive if he or she received anything – in other words, a payout corresponding to a score of one point on the lowest weighted 2019 annual incentive performance metric and a score of zero points on all other performance metrics. The amount actually earned by the named executive officerofficers, as determined by the Committee in January 2020, is included in the“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column (column (g)) of the 20172019 Summary Compensation Table above. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions” above for additional information about the annual cash performance-based incentive compensation awards.

 

(2)

Amounts in this column for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower represent performance-based RSU awards and performance shares granted in connection with entering intoMarch 2019 pursuant to their respective employment agreements with the Company in 2017.pursuant to which a certain number of common shares may be issued at the end of the three-year performance period based on the relative and absolute return of our common stock during the performance period. The number of shares represents the threshold, target and maximum number of shares eligible to be issued at the conclusion of the performance period, although the ultimate value of the performance-based RSU awards could be zero. For more information about these awards, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants MadeGrants” above.

Amounts in 2017” above.this column for Ms. Vesy represent, in dollars, the value of the potential award of RSUs issuable as partial payment of Ms. Vesy’s 2019 annual incentive compensation opportunity pursuant to the 2019 annual incentive compensation program. This award is denominated in dollars but payable in RSUs. For more information about this award, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2019 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions.”

 

(3)

The amountamounts disclosed in this column for Ms. Vesy reflects an annual equity award ofMessrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower reflect time-based RSUs granted in February 20172019. For Mr. Fennerty, the amount disclosed in the first row of this column reflects an award of time-based RSUs granted in February 2019 related to the 20162018 performance period. In addition, amounts for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrowerperiod and Ross reflect RSU awardsthe amount disclosed in the second row of this column reflects an award of time-based RSUs granted in connection with their employment agreements in 2017.November 2019 related to his appointment as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. For more information about such additional equitythese awards, granted in 2017, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions” and“—Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants Made in 2017”Grants” above.

 

(4)

Amounts disclosed in this column forrelating to equity awards are computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts shown in the second row of this column with respect to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower represent the fair values of the performance-based RSU awards granted to them in March 2019 pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, which values are presented based on the probable outcome of the awards.

The amount shown in this column with respect to Ms. Vesy represents the fair value of the incentive award opportunity granted in March 2019 pursuant to which Ms. Vesy was entitled to receive RSUs at the conclusion of 2019 as partial payment of Ms. Vesy’s 2019 annual incentive compensation based upon the achievement of specified performance measures. The fair value of this award was based on the probable outcome of the award, which was determined on the service inception date to be the target value. Such amount does not represent the value of the RSUs granted to Ms. Vesy with respect to the equity portion of her 2019 incentive award, which value was determined in early 2020 to be $249,280.

For time-based RSU awards granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Fennerty and Ostrower, the value is calculated using the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

38    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


(5)

As a result of his November 2019 resignation, Mr. Ostrower forfeited all time-based and performance-based equity which had not vested in accordance with its terms prior to his departure, including all grants referenced in this table.

Grants made in 20172019 are described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Employment Agreements” sections of this Proxy Statement. More information concerning the terms of the employment agreements, if applicable, and the amounts payable pursuant to the employment agreements is provided under the section entitled “Employment Agreements” of this Proxy Statement. More information concerning the amount of salary and incentive compensation in proportion to total compensation for Mr. Lukes is provided under the section entitled “Compensation Program Design” in this Proxy Statement.

 

DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    4339


Outstanding Equity Awards at 20172019 FiscalYear-End Table(1)

 

 Option Awards  Stock Awards  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name Grant Date  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Unexercised 
Options (#) 
Unexercisable(2)
  Option 
Exercise 
Price ($)
  Option 
Expiration 
Date
  Number of 
Shares or 
Units of 
Stock That 
Have Not 
Vested (#)(3)
  

Market Value

of Shares or 
Units of 
Stock That 
Have Not 
Vested ($)(4)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of 
Unearned 
Shares, Units 
or Other Rights 
That Have 
Not Vested (#)(5)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or 
Payout Value 
of Unearned 
Shares, Units

or Other Rights

That Have Not 
Vested ($)(4)(5)

  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 (#)(2)
  

Market Value

of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)(3)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested (#)(4)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units

or Other Rights

That Have Not
Vested ($)(3)(4)

 

David R. Lukes

  3/02/2017               202,948   1,818,414        various              133,316  1,869,090       
  3/02/2017                     17,199   154,103  3/02/2017                    31,952  528,806 
  3/02/2017                     34,398   308,202  3/02/2018                    242,380  3,827,180 
  3/02/2017                     51,597   462,305  3/02/2019                    225,158  3,291,810 

Michael A. Makinen

  3/02/2017               55,036   493,123        various              37,443  524,951       
  3/02/2017                     3,440   30,822  3/02/2017                    6,390  105,755 
  3/02/2017                     6,880   61,640  3/02/2018                    48,474  765,404 
  3/02/2017                     10,320   92,463  3/02/2019                    75,053  1,097,275 

Matthew L. Ostrower

  3/02/2017               55,036   493,123       
  3/02/2017                     3,440   30,822 
  3/02/2017                     6,880   61,640 
  3/02/2017                     10,320   92,463 

Conor M. Fennerty

 various              50,153  703,145       

Christa A. Vesy

  2/21/2008   3,336      37.69   2/21/2018              2/22/2010  3,057     16.33  2/22/2020             
  2/22/2010   4,941      10.11   2/22/2020              2/22/2011  1,881     22.34  2/22/2021             
  2/22/2011   3,045      13.83   2/22/2021              2/22/2012  2,775     22.39  2/22/2022             
  2/22/2012   4,482      13.86   2/22/2022              2/22/2013  3,777     27.33  2/22/2023             
  2/22/2013   6,102      16.92   2/22/2023              2/22/2014  12,773     26.83  2/22/2024             
  2/22/2014   20,631      16.61   2/22/2024              2/22/2015  9,830     31.11  2/22/2025             
  2/22/2015   10,584   5,292   19.26   2/22/2025              2/23/2016  9,075     26.60  2/23/2026             
  2/9/2016                     (6  (6 various              37,424  524,684       
  2/23/2016   4,887   9,774   16.47   2/23/2026             
  various               30,956   277,366       

Thomas F. August

                           

William T. Ross

                 63,165   565,958       

Vincent A. Corno

                 15,123   135,502       

Matthew L. Ostrower

                           

 

(1)

Except as otherwise indicated, the information in the Outstanding Equity Awards at 20172019 FiscalYear-End Table is provided as of December 31, 2017.2019.

 

(2)Unexercisable stock options generally vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year after the grant date.

(3)The figures in this column with respect to the following named executive officers reflect restricted share units or restricted sharesRSUs that generally vest or vested as follows:

 

Mr. Lukes (#)  Mr. Makinen (#)  Mr. Ostrower (#)  Ms. Vesy (#)  Award Type  Vesting Dates
 —        —        —        1,870       RSA       February 22, 2018
 —        —        —        1,533       RSA       June 30, 2018
 —        —        —        1,531       RSA       December 31, 2018
 —        —        —        2,408       RSA       February 22, 2018 and 2019
 —        —        —        3,441       RSU       February 23, 2018, 2019 and 2020
 —        —        —        6,034       RSU       December 1, 2018 and 2019
 —        —        —        14,139       RSU       February 22, 2018, 2019 and 2020
 202,948       55,036       55,036       —        RSU       March 2, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021
 202,948       55,036       55,036       30,956          Total
Mr. Lukes (#)  Mr. Makinen (#)  Mr. Fennerty (#)  Ms. Vesy (#)  Vesting Dates
 —        —        1,215       —       January 1, 2020
 —        —        —        709      February 23, 2020
 —        —        —        2,918      February 22, 2020
 62,840       17,040       —        —       March 2, 2020 and 2021
 —        —        4,078       11,096      February 22, 2020 and 2021
 70,476       20,403       2,910       22,701      February 22, 2020, 2021 and 2022
 —        —        22,608       —       October 1, 2021
 —        —        —        18,900      February 22, 2021, 2022 and 2023
 —        —        19,342       —       November 6, 2021 and 2022
 133,316       37,443       50,153       56,324      Total

Restricted share unitsThe 18,900 RSUs granted on February 22, 2020 to Ms. Vesy constitute the equity portion of her 2019 annual incentive compensation determined in January 2020 to have been earned with respect to performance in 2019; the service inception date for Mr. Ross vest on January 3, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Restricted share units for Mr. Corno vest on July 11, 2018 andthis award occurred in 2019.

 

(4)(3)

These amounts were calculated based upon the closing price of our common shares on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day31, 2019 of 2017) of $8.96.$14.02.

 

(5)(4)

For Messrs. Lukes and Makinen, and Ostrower, represents for each award(i) the “threshold” number of shares that could be earned under outstanding performance shares (shown in the first row for each such officer) and performance-based RSUs for the performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2018 (for the first row), 2019 (for the2020 (the second row) and 2020 (for(ii) the “target” number of shares that could be earned under outstanding performance-based RSUs for the performance period beginning on March 1, 2018 and ending on February 28, 2021 (the third row) and for the performance period beginning on March 1, 2019 and ending on February 28, 2022 (the fourth row). Consistent with the terms of these performance-based RSUs, the payout values include dividends declared on the number of performance-based RSUs cited in the penultimate column of the table between the date of the issuance of the applicable performance-based RSUs and December 31, 2019. These awards are described more fully in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Performance-Based and Retention-Based Equity Grants Made in 2017”Grants” above.

(6)At December 31, 2017, Ms. Vesy had an outstanding 2016 VSEP award. Because the value of this award is based on future market conditions, we are unable to specify either a number of shares or a market value for this award as of December 31, 2017. For more information about the vesting timetable for this award, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2017 Compensation Program — 2016 Value Sharing Equity Program” above.

 

4440    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


20172019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

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

David R. Lukes

  —        —       —            —             31,420 409,403 

Michael A. Makinen

  —        —       —            —             8,520  111,016 

Conor M. Fennerty

       3,254  40,569 

Christa A. Vesy

       11,644 157,215 

Matthew L. Ostrower

  —        —       —            —             8,520  111,016 

Christa A. Vesy

  —        —       11,432            128,706     

Thomas F. August

  —        —       92,225            1,292,310      

William T. Ross

  —        —       67,257            577,065     

Vincent A. Corno

  —        —       24,963            315,782     

 

(1)Amounts reflect the number of shares

Shares acquired on vesting and are valued at the closing price of our common shares on the date ofprior to vesting.

20172019 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table(1)

 

Name Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(2)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(3)
  Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY
($)(4)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
  

Aggregate
Balance

at Last  FYE
($)(5)

  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(2)
  Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(3)
  Aggregate
Earnings
in Last  FY
($)(4)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
  

Aggregate
Balance

at Last FYE
($)(5)

 

Elective Deferred Compensation Plan:

  

David R. Lukes

                25,750  13,975  216     39,941 

Michael A. Makinen

                13,200  10,700  1,264     25,164 

Conor M. Fennerty

               

Christa A. Vesy

       7,781     31,534 

Matthew L. Ostrower

                36,667     4,648     41,314 

Christa A. Vesy

        4,429      24,851 

Thomas F. August

  463,837      30,206   (494,043   

William T. Ross

               

Vincent A. Corno

               

Equity Deferred Compensation Plan:

 

David R. Lukes

               

Michael A. Makinen

               

Matthew L. Ostrower

               

Christa A. Vesy

               

Thomas F. August

  1,210,873      (504,531  (919,664   

William T. Ross

               

Vincent A. Corno

               

Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan:

 

David R. Lukes

               

Michael A. Makinen

               

Matthew L. Ostrower

               

Christa A. Vesy

               

Thomas F. August

        (46,967  (77,854   

William T. Ross

               

Vincent A. Corno

               

 

(1)

Our nonqualified deferred compensation plans which consist of the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan and the Equity Deferred Compensation Plan, are described more fully in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 20172019 Compensation Program — Other Benefits and Information” above. Our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is described more fully in “Board Governance — Compensation of Directors” above.

 

(2)The amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column for the Elective Deferred Compensation Plan are reported under the “Salary” column of the 2017 Summary Compensation Table above. Amounts reported for the Equity Deferred Compensation Plan are derived from equity awards for which grant date fair values were previously disclosed in our Summary Compensation Tables included in prior years’ proxy statements.

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    45


(3)The amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column are fully reported for each named executive officerincluded in the “All Other Compensation”“Salary” column (column (h)) of the 20172019 Summary Compensation Table above.

 

(4)(3)None of the

The amounts reported for our named executive officers in this column are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the 2019 Summary Compensation Table above.

(4)

This amount is not reported in the 20172019 Summary Compensation Table.

 

(5)A portion

$19,998 of amountsthe amount reported for our named executive officersMs. Vesy in this column have beenwas previously reported as compensation in Summary Compensation Tables included in prior years’ proxy statements.

 

46    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    41


Potential Payments uponUpon Termination or Change in Control

We have entered into certain agreements and we maintain certain plans and policies that will require us to provide certain compensation and other benefits to our continuing named executive officers in the event of a termination of employment or a change in control of the Company. Based on a hypothetical termination and/or change in control occurring on December 29, 2017 (the last business day of 2017),31, 2019, the following tables describe the potential payments upon such termination or change in control forowing to each named executive officer then-servingthen serving at the end of the year under his/her employment agreement if applicable, in effect on December 29, 2017.31, 2019. The terms and conditions of the named executive officers’ employment agreements, and any applicable Company policies and compensation arrangements, will govern any potential payments for actual terminations or a change in control occurring after December 29, 2017.31, 2019.

 

Event 

 David R. Lukes 

($)

  

 Michael A. Makinen 

($)

  

 Matthew L. Ostrower 

($)

  

 Christa A. Vesy 

($)

  

 David R. Lukes 

($)

  

 Michael A. Makinen 

($)

  

 Conor M. Fennerty 

($)

  

 Christa A. Vesy 

($)

 

Retirement or other Voluntary Termination (without Good Reason)

        

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077  32,692  19,231  15,385  14,615 

Total

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077  32,692  19,231  15,385  14,615 

Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination

        

Cash Severance(2)

  3,825,000   1,500,000   1,500,000   850,000  2,390,625  1,250,000  900,000  798,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units and VSEP Awards(3)

  1,818,414   493,123   493,123   239,035 

Unvested Restricted Shares(4)

            

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(5)

  0   0   0    

Unvested Stock Options(6)

           0 

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(7)

  45,000   45,000   45,000   30,000 

Outplacement Services(8)

           15,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

 1,869,090  524,951  703,145  524,684 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(3)

 6,399,546  1,621,704       

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

 44,011  51,978  39,668  43,665 

Outplacement Services(5)

          8,250 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077  32,692  19,231  15,385  14,615 

Total

  5,721,106   2,057,354   2,057,354   1,147,112  10,735,964  3,467,864  1,658,198  1,389,214 

For Cause Termination

        

No Payments

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

Total

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

Involuntary or Good Reason Termination (Change in Control)

        

Cash Severance(2)

  5,737,500   2,500,000   2,500,000   1,326,000  5,737,500  2,500,000  1,500,000  1,330,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units and VSEP Awards(3)

  1,818,414   493,123   493,123   239,035 

Unvested Restricted Shares(4)

           38,331 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(5)

  0   0   0    

Unvested Stock Options(6)

           0 

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(7)

  45,000   45,000   45,000   30,000 

Outplacement Services(8)

           15,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

 1,869,090  524,951  703,145  524,684 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(3)

 6,399,546  1,621,704       

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

 44,011  51,978  39,668  43,665 

Outplacement Services(5)

          8,250 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077  32,692  19,231  15,385  14,615 

Total

  7,633,606   3,057,354   3,057,354   1,661,443  14,082,839  4,717,864  2,258,198  1,921,214 

 

DDR42    SITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement    47


Event 

 David R. Lukes 

($)

  

 Michael A. Makinen 

($)

  

 Matthew L. Ostrower 

($)

  

 Christa A. Vesy 

($)

 

Disability

    

Cash Severance(2)

  1,062,500   500,000   500,000   612,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units and VSEP Awards(3)

     493,123      239,035 

Unvested Restricted Shares(4)

           38,331 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(5)

     0       

Unvested Stock Options(6)

           0 

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(7)

  45,000   45,000   45,000   20,000 

Disability Insurance Proceeds(9)

  1,731,581   2,120,806   1,731,581   2,943,688 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077 

Total

  2,871,773   3,178,160   2,295,812   3,866,131 

Death

    

Cash Severance(2)

  1,062,500   500,000   500,000   612,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units and VSEP Awards(3)

     493,123      239,035 

Unvested Restricted Shares(4)

           38,331 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(5)

     0       

Unvested Stock Options(6)

           0 

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(7)

  45,000   45,000   45,000   20,000 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   19,231   13,077 

Total(10)

  1,140,192   1,057,354   564,231   922,443 
Event 

 David R. Lukes 

($)

  

 Michael A. Makinen 

($)

  

 Conor M. Fennerty 

($)

  

 Christa A. Vesy 

($)

 

Disability

    

Cash Severance(2)

  1,062,500   500,000   200,000   532,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

     524,951      524,684 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(3)

     1,621,704       

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

  44,011   51,978   39,668   29,110 

Disability Insurance Proceeds(6)

  1,627,304   1,854,769   2,625,760   2,766,417 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   15,385   14,615 

Total

  2,766,507   4,572,633   2,880,812   3,866,826 

Death

    

Cash Severance(2)

  1,062,500   500,000   200,000   532,000 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

     524,951      524,684 

Unvested Performance-Based Equity Awards(3)

     1,621,704       

Post-Termination Health and Welfare Benefits(4)

  44,011   51,978   39,668   29,110 

Accrued Vacation(1)

  32,692   19,231   15,385   14,615 

Total(7)

  1,139,203   2,717,864   255,053   1,100,410 

 

(1)

Assumes two weeks of personal time off (“PTO”) is paid pursuant to our current PTO policy.

 

(2)

Reported amounts calculated pursuant to the terms of the respective employment agreement, if applicable, assuming an annual bonusincentive payout for 20172019 at the “target” level (except in the case of termination in connection with a change in control), payable in a lump sum. Assumes any accrued base salary and bonus have been paid. For Ms. Vesy, amount includes aone-time special cash award in an amount equal in value to the “target” annual cash incentive award which was paid in 2018.

 

(3)Reported amounts consist of unvested RSUs and unvested restricted shares under the 2013 VSEP valued at our closing share price on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day of 2017) of $8.96 per share, which shares either accelerate and vest or continue to vest as a result of the triggering event.

(4)Reported amounts consist of unvested annual equity award shares issued prior to 2016 valued at our closing share price on December 29, 2017 (the last trading day of 2017) of $8.96 per share, which shares either accelerate and vest or continue to vest as a result of the triggering event.

(5)Reported amounts reflect the value of the performance shares and performance-based RSUs that would have been earned based on the relative performance measured as of December 29, 2017, the last trading day of 201731, 2019 (assuming no replacement award were granted in the event of a Change of Control). As of December 29, 2017,31, 2019, relative TSR during the performance period applicable to the three-year performance-based RSUs issued on March 2, 2017 had not met the minimum threshold requirements set forth in the applicable awards, but relative TSR during the performance period applicable to the three-year performance-based RSUs issued on March 2, 2018 and March 2, 2019 had exceeded the minimum threshold requirements set forth in the applicable awards.

 

(6)(4)Reported amounts consist of stock options with option exercise prices from $16.47 to $19.26 and the spread calculated based on our closing share price on December 29, 2017(the last trading day of 2017) of $8.96 per share, which stock options accelerate or continue to vest as a result of the triggering event.

(7)Reported amounts consist of our estimate of continued health and welfare benefits costs (or a lump sum payment related thereto) of 18 months for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower,Fennerty, and one year for Ms. Vesy, except in the case of involuntary termination, in which case the amount is an eighteen-month18-month estimate for Ms. Vesy.

 

(8)(5)

Reported amounts consist of our estimate of one year of outplacement service.

 

(9)(6)

Reported amounts consist of our estimate of payments for long-term disability using a present value calculation that takes into account (a) age and total payments over the benefit term assuming that the disability occurs on December 29, 2017,31, 2019, and (b) a discount rate based on the rate for the Treasury security with a similar term. In general, benefits are available until age 65.

 

(10)(7)

Reported amounts do not include payments under personal life insurance policies arranged and obtained by the executives for which the Company reimburseswe reimburse the premium (subject to caps on reimbursement set forth in the applicable executive’s employment agreement).

 

48    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï   20182020 Proxy Statement    43


Employment Agreements

Employment Agreements in Effect During 20172019 with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen Ostrower and AugustOstrower

On December 1, 2016 (but effective July 8, 2016), we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. August. Then, in connection with Mr. August’s separation from the Company, onIn March 2, 2017, we entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower. Mr. Ostrower terminated his employment with us effective November 27, 2019. The key terms in effect for 2017 forof these employment agreements are described below.

Term. Pursuant to their employment agreements, Messrs. Lukes and Makinen and Ostrower serve, and Ostrower served, as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. The fixed term of each of those employment agreements ends on March 1, 2021.

During his employment with the Company, Mr. August’s employment agreement provided that he would serve as President and Chief Executive Officer.Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. The fixed term of each of those employment agreements ends on March 1, 2021.

Base Salary and Benefits. The employment agreements provide for minimum annual base salary rates of (for Mr. August’sLukes) $850,000 and (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $500,000. In addition, the employment agreement was initially setagreements provide for participation in certain employee benefit plans, reasonable paid time off, and other customary fringe benefits.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to endthe employment agreements, each executive is entitled to an annual performance-based cash incentive compensation opportunity targeted at (for Mr. Lukes) 125% or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) 100% ofyear-end base salary, the payout of which would bepro-rated for any partial year during the contract period based on July 7, 2019. As of March 2, 2017, however, Mr. August was no longer an employeethe executive’s service during such year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2019 Compensation Program” for a discussion of the Company,methods used to calculate the annual performance-based cash incentive compensation and the executives’ annual performance-based cash incentive compensation terms below no longer apply, other than with respect to his severance compensation.award opportunities.

Base Salary and Benefits. The employment agreements provide for minimum annual base salary rates of (for Mr. Lukes) $850,000, (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $500,000 or (for Mr. August) $750,000. In addition, the employment agreements provide for participation in certain employee benefit plans, reasonable paid time off, and other customary fringe benefits.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to the employment agreements, each executive is entitled to an annual performance-based cash incentive compensation opportunity targeted at (for Mr. Lukes) 125%, (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) 100% or (for Mr. August) 133.3% ofyear-end base salary, the payout of which would bepro-rated for any partial year during the contract period based on the executive’s service during such year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Program Design” and “— 2017 Compensation Program” for a discussion of the methods used to calculate the annual performance-based cash incentive compensation and the executives’ annual performance-based cash incentive compensation award opportunities.

Initial Equity Grants. Pursuant to the employment agreements, Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower were entitled to initial equity grants during 2017 of (1) service-based RSUs with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $2,950,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $800,000, which RSUs generally vest in four substantially equal annual installments, (2) performance shares (or substantially similar awards) covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $500,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $100,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2018, (3) performance-based RSUs (or substantially similar awards) covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $1,000,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $200,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2019, and (4) performance-based RSUs (or substantially similar awards) covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $1,500,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $300,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2020. The initial performance-based awards can pay out (if at all) from a threshold level of 50% of target, to a maximum level of 200% of target, based on relative total shareholder return performance, subject to a reduction by 1/3 in the event that the Company’s absolute total shareholder return during the applicable performance period is negative.

Annual Equity Grants. The employment agreements with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower also provide that, on March 2, 2018, 2019 and 2020, subject to continued employment and the approval of the Committee, such executives will be eligible to receive grants of performance-based RSUs (or substantially

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    49


similar awards) covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $3,000,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $600,000. The annual performance-based awards will have terms similar to those for the initial performance-based awards described above, but will cover three-year performance periods.

The employment agreement with Mr. August provided that on July 8, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2018, (3) performance-based RSUs covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $1,000,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $200,000, generally subject to continued employmenta performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and the approval of the Committee, Mr. August would have been eligible to receive a grant ofending on February 28, 2019, and (4) performance-based RSUs (orcovering a substantially similar award)“target” award with a grant date “target” value of at least $3,000,000. These(determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to (for Mr. Lukes) $1,500,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $300,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2017 and ending on February 28, 2020. The initial performance-based awards would have paidcould pay out (if at all) from a threshold level of 50% of target, to a maximum level of 200% of target, based on relative total shareholder return performance of the Company (and RVI following its separation from the Company), subject to a reduction by 1/3 in the event that the Company’s absolute total shareholder return during the applicable performance period is negative. For purposes of determining total shareholder return, dividends paid during the performance period on the Company’s (and RVI’s) common stock are deemed reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock. The performance criteria set forth in theone-year performance shares,two-year performance-based RSUs and three-year performance-based RSUs awarded to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in March 2017 were not satisfied and no compensation was negative. Dueultimately paid in respect of these awards.

Annual Equity Grants. The employment agreements with Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower also provide that, on March 2, 2018, 2019 and 2020, subject to his separation fromcontinued employment and the Company,approval of the Committee, such executives are eligible to receive grants of performance-based RSUs (or substantially similar awards) covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) at least equal to (for Mr. August did not receive this grant in 2017.Lukes) $3,000,000 or (for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower) $600,000. The annual performance-based awards will have terms similar to those for the

 

44    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


initial performance-based awards described above except that (1) these awards will cover three-year performance periods and (2) only the performance-based RSUs granted in March 2017 and March 2018 will be impacted by the performance of RVI’s common stock.

Termination. The employment agreements may be terminated under a variety of circumstances. Our Board has the right to terminate an employment agreement for “cause” if the executive engages in certain specified conduct, for “disability” if the executive is disabled for a specified period of time, or at any other time without cause by giving the executive at least 90 days’ prior written notice. The executive also has the right to terminate his employment agreement for “good reason” in certain specified circumstances or at any other time without good reason by giving us at least 90 days’ prior written notice.

Benefits Upon a Termination. The executives are entitled under the employment agreements to certain additional payments and benefits in the event of certain termination circumstances. Our Board has the right to terminate an employment agreement for “cause” if the executive engages in certain specified conduct, for “disability” if the executive is disabled for a specified period of time, or at any other time without cause by giving the executive at least 90 days’ prior written notice. The executive also has the right to terminate his employment agreement for “good reason” in certain specified circumstances or at any other time without good reason by giving us at least 90 days’ prior written notice.

Benefits Upon a Termination. The executives are entitled under the employment agreements to certain additional payments and benefits in the event of certain termination circumstances.

 

  

If the executive is terminated without cause, terminates his employment for good reason, or his employment terminates as a result of death or disability, during the agreement term, the executive (or his personal representative or dependents, as appropriate) is entitled to receive, subject in certain circumstances to the execution of a customary release of claims in favor of the Company:

 

 

 (1)

for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower, if the termination is the result of a termination by the Company other than for cause, death or disability, or a termination by the executive for good reason, a lump sum equal to up to two times for Mr. Lukes, and up to 1.5 times for Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower (in each case, the “Multiplier”), the sum of (a) the executive’s then-current base salary plus (b) an amount equal to (i) if the termination occurswere to have occurred prior to the 2017 annual bonus payout, the executive’s “target” annual bonus, or (ii) if the termination occurs after the 2017 annual bonus payout, the average of the annual bonuses earned by the executive in the three fiscal years ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the termination occurs (or, if the executive has been eligible for fewer than three such annual bonuses, the number of fiscal years preceding the year in which the termination occurs for which the executive was eligible for an annual bonus) (the “Average Bonus”). For Mr. Lukes, the Multiplier will decrease monthly from two to zero on a linear basis beginning on March 1, 2019 and ending on March 1, 2021. For Messrs. Makinen and Ostrower, the Multiplier will decrease monthly from 1.5 to zero on a linear basis beginning on September 1, 2019 and ending on March 1, 2021.2021;

 

 

 (2)for Mr. August, if the termination is the result of a termination by the Company other than for cause, death or disability, or a termination by Mr. August for good reason, a lump sum equal to a Multiplier of up to two times the sum of (a) Mr. August’s then-current base salary plus (b) an amount equal to Mr. August’s “target” annual bonus (the “August Severance”). The Multiplier was to decrease monthly from two to zero on a linear basis beginning on July 7, 2017 and ending on July 7, 2019;

(3)a lump sum amount equal in value to the annual bonus that would have been earned for his year of termination based on actual performance,pro-rated based on the executive’s period of service during such year, and calculated on the basis of actual performance of the applicable performance objectives for the entire performance period (except that, if the termination is due to death or disability, thepro-rated annual bonus will be based on the “target” level); and

 

 

50    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


 (4)(3)

a lump sum in cash equal to 18 months (for Mr. August, six months) of monthly COBRA premiums for health, dental and vision benefits (if COBRA coverage is elected) and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by the Company (or, in the event of death, a substantially similar benefit to his beneficiaries). Mr. August was not entitled to this benefit in the event of termination due to death or disability.

 

 

  

If a “Triggering Event” occurs during the term following a “Change in Control” as described below under the section entitled “Change in Control Provisions,” the executive is entitled to receive (1) a lump sum equal to three times for Mr. Lukes and 2.5 times for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower a lump sum amount equal to 2.5 times (or, for Mr. Lukes, three times) the sum of the executive’s base salary as of the termination date plus an amount equal in value to his average bonusAverage Bonus (except that if the termination occurs before the payout of the 2017 annual bonus, the average bonusAverage Bonus will be deemed to be the executive’s then-current “target” annual bonus), (2) for Mr. August, the August Severance, (3) a lump sum amount equal to 18 months (for Mr. August, 6 months) of monthly COBRA premiums for health, dental and vision benefits (if COBRA coverage is elected) and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by DDR,SITE Centers, and (4)(3) a lump sum amount equal in value to the executive’s “target” annual bonus for the year of termination,pro-rated based on the Executive’sexecutive’s period of service during such year.

 

The actual amounts of the August separation payments and benefits are described under “Separations in 2017” below.

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Other Terms.

 

  

The employment agreements include customarynon-competition andnon-solicitation restrictive covenants that extend for one year (or, for Mr. August, 18 months) following termination and perpetual confidentiality and mutualnon-disparagement restrictive covenants.

 

 

  

Pursuant to Mr. Lukes’ and Mr. August’s employment agreements,agreement, the Company agreed to reimburse Mr. Lukes and Mr. August for theirhis reasonable attorneys’ fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation of theirhis employment agreements,agreement, up to a maximum of (for Mr. Lukes) $20,000 or (for Mr. August) $25,000.$20,000.

 

 

  

For Mr. Lukes only, the Company agreed to provide suitable automobile service for Mr. Lukes’ business use, including all reasonable related maintenance, repairs, parking, gasoline, insurance and other reasonable costs and expenses, which automobile may also be used by Mr. Lukes (and anyone authorized by Mr. Lukes) for personal use at no cost to Mr. Lukes (except for applicable taxes).

 

 

  

For Messrs. Lukes and Ostrower only, the Company agreed to reimburse (up to an aggregate maximum of $25,000 in any calendar year) for premiums paid by the executive for life, disability and/or similar insurance policies.

 

Employment Agreement in Effect During 2019 with Mr. Fennerty

On November 6, 2019, the Board appointed Mr. Fennerty as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective upon Mr. Ostrower’s departure. In structuring Mr. Fennerty’s three-year employment agreement, the Committee worked closely with Gressle & McGinley, the Committee’s compensation consultant, and Mr. Lukes to provide Mr. Fennerty with a compensation package consistent with the structure and performance-based philosophy utilized in designing employment agreements for Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in 2017. Specifically, the Committee reviewed compensation data with respect to recent chief financial officer hires at eight similarly sized REITs and determined that the target annual compensation for Mr. Fennerty should be $1,250,000 (approximately the 30th percentile of the benchmarking group). The Committee then considered how the target level of compensation should be allocated between salary, annual cash bonus, time-based equity and performance equity. Based on Mr. Fennerty’s location in New York City and the compensation breakdown for the benchmarking group, Mr. Fennerty’s base salary was set at $400,000 (the 43rd percentile of the benchmarking group) and his target level of annual incentive pay was set at $300,000 (the 37th percentile of the benchmarking group). The Committee also awarded Mr. Fennerty with time-based RSUs valued at approximately $300,000 vesting over three years and provided an expectation of annual performance-based equity grants having a target value of $450,000 per year.

The key terms of this employment agreement are more fully described below.

Term. Pursuant to Mr. Fennerty’s employment agreement, Mr. Fennerty serves as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The fixed term of Mr. Fennerty’s employment agreement ends on November 6, 2022.

Base Salary and Benefits. The employment agreement with Mr. Fennerty provides for minimum annual base salary at a rate of $400,000. In addition, the employment agreement provides for Mr. Fennerty’s participation in certain employee benefit plans, reasonable paid time off, and other customary fringe benefits.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fennerty is entitled to an annual performance-based cash incentive compensation opportunity targeted at 75% ofyear-end base salary, provided that the amount of Mr. Fennerty’s annual cash incentive for 2019 did not have apre-established target amount and was left to the discretion of the Committee based on an evaluation of his performance.

Initial Equity Grants. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Fennerty received a grant of service-based RSUs with a value (determined in accordance with the employment agreement) equal to $300,000,

46    SITE Centers Corp.ï  2020 Proxy Statement


which RSUs generally vest in substantially equal annual installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. On March 2, 2020, Mr. Fennerty also received (1) an award of performance-based RSUs covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the employment agreement) equal to $75,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on February 28, 2021, (2) an award of performance-based RSUs covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the employment agreement) equal to $150,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on February 28, 2022, and (3) an award of performance-based RSUs covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the employment agreement) equal to $225,000, generally subject to a performance period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on February 28, 2023. The initial performance-based awards could pay out (if at all) from a threshold level of 50% of target, to a maximum level of 200% of target, based on relative total shareholder return performance of the Company, subject to a reduction by 1/3 in the event that the absolute total shareholder return during the applicable performance period is negative. For purposes of determining total shareholder return, dividends paid during the performance period on the Company’s common stock are deemed reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock.

Annual Equity Grants. The employment agreement with Mr. Fennerty also provides that, on March 2, 2021 and 2022, subject to continued employment and the approval of the Committee, Mr. Fennerty is eligible to receive grants of performance-based RSUs (or substantially similar awards) covering a “target” number of shares with a value (determined in accordance with the employment agreement) at least equal to $450,000. The annual performance-based awards will have terms similar to those for the initial performance-based awards described above except that these awards will cover three-year performance periods.

       Termination. Mr. Fennerty’s employment agreement may be terminated under a variety of circumstances. Our Board has the right to terminate the employment agreement for “cause” if the Mr. Fennerty engages in certain specified conduct, for “disability” if the executive is disabled for a specified period of time, or at any other time without cause by giving the executive at least 90 days’ prior written notice. Mr. Fennerty also has the right to terminate his employment agreement for “good reason” in certain specified circumstances or at any other time without good reason by giving us at least 90 days’ prior written notice.

Benefits Upon a Termination. Mr. Fennerty is entitled under the employment agreement to certain additional payments and benefits in the event of certain termination circumstances.

 

  

UnderIf Mr. August’sFennerty is terminated without cause, terminates his employment for good reason, or his employment terminates as a result of death or disability, during the agreement term, he (or his personal representative or dependents, as appropriate) is entitled to receive, subject in certain circumstances to the execution of a customary release of claims in favor of the Company:

(1)

If the termination is the result of a termination by the Company agreedother than for cause, death or disability, or a termination by the executive for good reason, a lump sum equal to nominate him annuallyup to serve as a member1.5 times (the “Multiplier”), the sum of (a) the executive’s then-current base salary plus (b) an amount equal to (i) if the termination were to have occurred prior to the determination of the Board.amount of the 2019 annual bonus, $200,000, or (ii) if the termination occurs after determination of the 2019 annual bonus amount, the average of the annual bonuses earned by the executive in the three post-2018 fiscal years ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the termination occurs (or, if the executive has been eligible for fewer than three such annual bonuses, the number of post-2018 fiscal years preceding the year in which the termination occurs for which the executive was eligible for a post-2018 annual bonus) (the “Average Bonus”). The Multiplier will decrease monthly from 1.5 to zero on a linear basis beginning on May 5, 2021 and ending on November 5, 2022;

(2)

a lump sum amount equal in value to the annual bonus that would have been earned for his year of termination based on actual performance,pro-rated based on the executive’s period of service during such year, and calculated on the basis of actual performance of the applicable

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    47


performance objectives for the entire performance period (except that, if the termination is due to death or disability, thepro-rated annual bonus will be based on the “target” level); and

(3)

a lump sum in cash equal to 18 months of monthly COBRA premiums for health, dental and vision benefits (if COBRA coverage is elected) and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by the Company (or, in the event of death, a substantially similar benefit to his beneficiaries).

 

 

  

If a “Triggering Event” occurs during the term following a “Change in Control” as described below under the section entitled “Change in Control Provisions,” Mr. August’s agreement providedFennerty is entitled to receive (1) a lump sum equal to 2.5 times the sum of the executive’s base salary as of the termination date plus an amount equal in value to his Average Bonus (except that if the Companytermination were to have occurred prior to the determination of the 2019 annual bonus, the Average Bonus would pay himhave been deemed to be $200,000), (2) a commuting allowance at a ratelump sum amount equal to 18 months of no less than $96,000 per year(pro-ratedmonthly COBRA premiums for partial years), to assist with costs associated with his commuting between his residencehealth, dental and vision benefits (if COBRA coverage is elected) and the Company’s officesemployer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by SITE Centers, and (3) a lump sum amount equal in Ohio.value to the executive’s “target” annual bonus for the year of termination (except that if the termination were to have occurred prior to the determination of the 2019 annual bonus, the target annual bonus with respect to the 2019 calendar year would have been deemed to be $200,000),pro-rated based on Mr. Fennerty’s period of service during such year.

Other Terms.

The employment agreement includes customarynon-competition andnon-solicitation restrictive covenants that extend for one year following termination and perpetual confidentiality and mutualnon-disparagement restrictive covenants.

 

 

  

Mr. August received certain initial equity grantsThe Company has agreed to reimburse (up to an aggregate maximum of $10,000 in 2016 in connection withany calendar year) premiums paid by the execution of his employment agreement, but no additional grants in 2017. The treatment of these initial equity grants is described under “Separations in 2017” below.executive for life, disability and/or similar insurance policies.

 

Employment Agreement in Effect During 2019 with Ms. Vesy

In December 2016, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Vesy which was amended in February 2018. The terms of this employment agreement (as amended) are described below.

Term. Pursuant to Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement, Ms. Vesy serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. The fixed term of Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement ends on December 31, 2021.

Base Salary and Benefits. The employment agreement with Ms. Vesy provides for minimum annual base salary at a rate of $340,000 for 2017 and 2018 and $380,000 for 2019 and thereafter during the term of the employment agreement. In addition, the employment agreement provides for Ms. Vesy’s participation in health, life, disability and other insurance plans, reasonable paid time off, and other customary fringe benefits.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to her employment agreement, Ms. Vesy is entitled to an annual performance-based cash incentive compensation award targeted at 40% ofyear-end base salary. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2019 Compensation Program” for a discussion of the methods used to calculate the annual performance-based cash incentive compensation and Ms. Vesy’s annual performance-based cash incentive compensation award opportunity.

Annual Equity Incentive Awards. For each calendar year during the term of her employment agreement (beginning with 2016), Ms. Vesy is eligible to receive performance-based equity incentive compensation having a grant date target value of 25% of the sum of heryear-end base salary and her annual performance-based cash incentive compensation award payout.

Termination. Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement can be terminated under a variety of circumstances, including upon death. Our Board has the right to terminate the employment agreement for “cause” if Ms. Vesy has engaged in certain specified conduct, for “disability” if Ms. Vesy was disabled for a specified

 

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Employment Agreements in Effect During 2017 with Ms. Vesy and Messrs. Corno and Ross

During 2017, we were also a party to employment agreements with Ms. Vesy and Messrs. Corno and Ross. The terms in effect for 2017 for these employment agreements are described below.

Term. Ms. Vesy, Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross’ employment agreements were entered into on December 1, 2016, July 11, 2016 and December 13, 2016, respectively, and each employment agreement was originally set to expire on December 31, 2018. Pursuant to Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement, she would continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (and, until the Company hired a permanent Chief Financial Officer, as Interim Chief Financial Officer) of the Company. On March 2, 2017, Ms. Vesy no longer served as Interim Chief Financial Officer as a result of the hiring of Mr. Ostrower. Pursuant to Mr. Corno’s employment agreement, he was to serve as Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development. Pursuant to Mr. Ross’ ‘employment agreement, he was to serve as Chief Operating Officer. Messrs. Ross and Corno separated the Company on May 31, 2017 and April 15, 2017, respectively, and the compensation terms below no longer apply, other than with respect to their severance compensation

Base Salary and Benefits. The employment agreements with Ms. Vesy, Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross provide for minimum annual base salary rates of $340,000, $400,000 and $450,000, respectively. In addition, the employment agreements provide for participation in health, life, disability and other insurance plans, reasonable paid time off, and other customary fringe benefits.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to the employment agreements, Ms. Vesy, Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross are entitled to an annual performance-based cash incentive compensation target award equal to 40%, 60% and 100%, respectively, ofyear-end base salary. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2017 Compensation Program — Annual Incentive Compensation Design” and “— Annual Incentive Compensation Decisions” for a discussion of the methods used to calculate the annual performance-based cash incentive compensation and Ms. Vesy’s annual performance-based cash incentive compensation award opportunity.

Annual Equity Awards. For each calendar year during the term of her employment agreement (beginning with 2016), Ms. Vesy is eligible to receive grants of equity or equity-based awards with an aggregate grant date target value of 25% of her base salary. For each calendar year during the term of his employment agreement (beginning with 2016), Mr. Corno was eligible to receive (1) a grant of service-based RSUs with a grant date value of at least $80,000 (generally subject to annual ratable vesting over three years), (2) a grant of service-based stock options with a grant value of at least $20,000 (generally subject to ratable vesting on December 31 following the grant date and on each of the first two anniversaries thereof), and (3) a performance-based grant with a target value of at least $80,000 (generally earned based on relative total shareholder return performance over a three-year performance period). For each calendar year during the term of his employment agreement (beginning with 2017), Mr. Ross was eligible to receive grants of equity or equity-based awards with an aggregate grant date target value of at least 100% of Mr. Ross’ then current annual base salary, subject to terms approved by the Committee. Due to their separations from the Company, Messrs. Corno and Ross did not receive these grants in 2017.

Club Membership. Under Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross’ employment agreements, the Company agreed to pay certain costs associated with the executives’ country club memberships, during the terms of their employment agreements while they were employed by the Company. Mr. Corno was not reimbursed for any country club membership pursuant to his contract.

Termination. Ms. Vesy, Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross’ employment agreements can be terminated under a variety of circumstances, including upon death. Our Board has the right to terminate an employment agreement for “cause” if the executive has engaged in certain specified conduct, for “disability” if the executive was disabled for a specified period of time, or at any other time without cause by giving her at least 90 days’ prior written notice. The executives also have the right to terminate employment agreement for “good reason” in certain specified circumstances or at any other time without good reason by giving us at least 90 days’ prior written notice.

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Benefits Upon a Termination. Ms. Vesy, Mr. Corno and Mr. Ross are entitled under their employment agreements

period of time, or at any other time without cause by giving her at least 90 days’ prior written notice. The executive also has the right to terminate the employment agreement for “good reason” in certain specified circumstances or at any other time without good reason by giving us at least 90 days’ prior written notice.

Benefits Upon a Termination. Ms. Vesy is entitled under her employment agreement to certain additional payments and benefits in the event of certain termination circumstances.

 

  

If the executiveMs. Vesy is terminated without cause or terminates employment for good reason during the term (and the termination was not in connection with a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement)), the executiveMs. Vesy is entitled to receive (1) a lump sum equal to (for Ms. Vesy and Mr. Ross) 1.5 or (for Mr. Corno) 1 times the sum of the executive’sMs. Vesy’s then-current base salary plus an amount equal to the value of the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination, subject to the execution by the executiveMs. Vesy of a customary release of claims in favor of the Company, (2) a lump sum amount equal in value to the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination,pro-rated based on the executive’sMs. Vesy’s period of service during such year, (3) a lump sum representing the premiums for (for Ms. Vesy and Mr. Ross) 18 months or (for Mr. Corno) 12 months of continued health, dental and vision coverage under COBRA (if elected) and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by the Company, and (4) payment by us for one year of outplacement services, provided that the executiveMs. Vesy first uses such outplacement services and support within 90 days following termination.

 

 

  

If the executiveMs. Vesy is terminated by reason of disability, or, upon a termination by reason of death, the executive,Ms. Vesy , or theirher representative, is entitled to receive (1) a lump sum amount equal to one times the sum of the executive’sMs. Vesy’s then-current base salary plus an amount equal to the value of the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination, in certain cases subject to the execution by the executiveMs. Vesy or the executive’sher representative of a customary release of claims in favor of the Company, (2) a lump sum amount equal in value to the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination,pro-rated based on the executive’sMs. Vesy’s period of service during such year, and (3) a lump sum representing the premiums for 12 months of continued health, dental and vision coverage and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by the Company.

 

 

  

If a “Triggering Event” occurs during the term following a “Change in Control” as described below under the section entitled “Change in Control Provisions,” the executiveMs. Vesy is entitled to receive (1) a lump sum amount equal to 2.5 times the sum of the executive’sMs. Vesy’s base salary as of the termination date plus an amount equal in value to the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination, (2) a lump sum representing the premiums for 18 months of continued health, dental and vision coverage under COBRA (if elected) and the employer portion of the premium for other insurance provided by DDR,the Company, (3) a lump sum amount equal in value to the executive’sMs. Vesy’s “target” annual cash bonus for the year of termination,pro-rated based on the executive’sMs. Vesy’s period of service during such year, and (4) payment by us for one year of outplacement services, provided that the executiveMs. Vesy first uses such outplacement services within 90 days following termination.

 

The actual amounts of the separation payments and benefits for Messrs. Corno and Ross are described under “Separations in 2017” below.      Other Terms.

Other Terms.

 

  

Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement providesprovided for aone-time special cash award opportunity equal in value to Ms. Vesy’s “target” annual cash opportunity as in effect on March 1, 2017, which award became vested on January 1, 2018 due to Ms. Vesy’s continued employment with DDRthe Company through such date.

 

 

  

Ms. Vesy also received aMr. Ross’one-time signing grant of 5,601 service-based RSUs (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split andspin-off of RVI) in connection with the execution of her employment agreement provided for aone-time grant of service-based RSUs with a grant date value of at least $1,027,000in December 2016 (generally subject to annual ratable vesting over three years). The treatment of this initial equity grant is described under “Change in Control Provisions – Separations in 2017” below.

 

 

  

Ms. Vesy also received aone-time signing grant of 9,051 service-based RSUs in connection with the execution of herThe employment agreement (generally subject to annual ratable vesting over three years).

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Mr. Corno’s employment agreement provided for: (1) aone-time grant of service-based RSUs with a grant date value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to $400,000, which RSUs generally vest in three substantially equal annual installments; (2) an award equivalent to a deemed opportunity to participate in the 2016 VSEP had Mr. Corno been designated as a participant in such program at the level of Executive Vice President of Leasing and Development; (3) performance shares covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to $20,000, generally subject to a 2016 performance period; and (4) performance shares, performance units or performance-based RSUs covering a “target” award with a value (determined in accordance with the applicable employment agreement) equal to $40,000, generally subject to a 2016-2017 performance period. The initial performance-based awards can pay out (if at all) from a threshold level of 50% of target, to a maximum level of 200% of target, based on relative total shareholder return performance. The treatment of these initial equity grants is described under “Separations in 2017” below.

The employment agreements includeincludes customarynon-competition andnon-solicitation restrictive covenants that extend for one year following termination and perpetual confidentiality restrictive covenants.

 

In February 2018, we entered into an amendment to Ms. Vesy’s employment agreement which extends the term of her employment agreement to December 31, 2021 and, effective January 1, 2019, increases her minimum annual base salary to $380,000.

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Change in Control Provisions

The employment agreements in effect during 20172019 for the named executive officers included provisions regarding the payments and benefits to which he/she would be entitled in certain circumstances in the event of a change in control. In general, the Committee believes that the inclusion of change in control provisions in these agreements is appropriate because such agreements help ensure a continuity of management during a potential change in control and help ensure that management remains focused on completing a transaction that is likely to maximize shareholder value. The Committee also believes that the payment of change in control compensation would be appropriate because the executive officer may forego other opportunities at the time of the change in control. For information concerning the amounts payable upon a change in control measured as of December 31, 2017,2019 see the following discussion and the “Executive Compensation Tables and Related Disclosure — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” section above.

Under the employment agreements in effect during 20172019 for the named executive officers, benefits would be payable by us if a “Triggering Event” occurs within two years after a “Change in Control” (each as defined in the employment agreements). Payments for all named executive officers are only triggered if both (1) a change in control occurs, and (2) the officer is terminated or effectively terminated, or certain actions are taken that materially and adversely impacted the officer’s position with us or his/her compensation. This is referred to as a “double-trigger” change in control provision.

For Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, OstrowerFennerty and August,Ostrower, a “Triggering Event” has occurred if within two years after a change in control:

      we terminate the employment of the executive, other than in the case of a termination for “Cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), a termination following disability, or a termination based on death; or

      

we terminate the employment of the executive, other than in the case of a termination for “Cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), a termination following disability, or a termination based on death; or

the executive terminates his employment for “Good Reason” (as defined in the employment agreement).

For Ms. Vesy, and Messrs. Corno and Ross, a “Triggering Event” has occurred if within two years after a change in control:

      we terminate Ms. Vesy’s employment, other than in the case of a termination for “Cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), a termination following disability, or a termination based on death;

we terminate the employment of the executive, other than in the case of a termination for “Cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), a termination following disability, or a termination based on death;

      we reduce Ms. Vesy’s title, responsibilities, power, or authority in comparison with Ms. Vesy’s title, responsibilities, power, or authority at the time of the change in control, and Ms. Vesy then terminates her employment with us;

      we assign Ms. Vesy duties that were inconsistent with the duties assigned to her on the date on which the change in control occurred and which duties we persisted in assigning to Ms. Vesy despite the prior written objection, and Ms. Vesy then terminated her employment with us;

      we (1) reduce Ms. Vesy’s base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus percentages of salary, certain health and welfare benefits (including any such benefits provided to Ms. Vesy’s family), pension, retirement or profit-sharing benefits or any benefits provided by our equity-based award plans or any substitute therefore, (2) exclude Ms. Vesy from any plan, program or arrangement in which our other executive officers are included, (3) establish criteria and factors to be achieved for the payment of annual performance bonus compensation that are substantially different than the criteria and factors established for our other similar executive officers, or (4) fail to pay Ms. Vesy any annual performance bonus compensation to which she is entitled through the achievement of the criteria and factors established for the payment of such bonus, and Ms. Vesy then terminates her employment with us; or

      we require Ms. Vesy to be based at or generally work from any location more than 50 miles from the geographical center of Cleveland, Ohio, and Ms. Vesy then terminates her employment with us.

A “Change in Control” generally occurs if:

      there is a consummation of a consolidation or merger in which we are not the surviving corporation, the sale of substantially all of our assets, or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

5450    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


we reduce the executive’s title, responsibilities, power, or authority in comparison with the executive’s title, responsibilities, power, or authority at the time of the change in control, and the executive then terminates the executive’s employment with us;

      any person or other entity (subject to certain exceptions) purchases our shares (or securities convertible into our shares) pursuant to a tender or exchange offer without the prior consent of the Board, or becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the voting power of our outstanding securities without the prior consent of the Board; or

we assign the executive duties that were inconsistent with the duties assigned to the executive on the date on which the change in control occurred and which duties we persisted in assigning to the executive despite the prior written objection, and the executive then terminated the executive’s employment with us;

we (1) reduce the executive’s base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus percentages of salary, certain health and welfare benefits (including any such benefits provided to the executive’s family), pension, retirement or profit-sharing benefits or any benefits provided by our equity-based award plans or any substitute therefore, (2) exclude the executive from any plan, program or arrangement in which our other executive officers are included, (3) establish criteria and factors to be achieved for the payment of annual performance bonus compensation that are substantially different than the criteria and factors established for our other similar executive officers, or (4) fail to pay the executive any annual performance bonus compensation to which the executive is entitled through the achievement of the criteria and factors established for the payment of such bonus, and the executive then terminates the executive’s employment with us; or

we require the executive to be based at or generally work from any location more than 50 miles from the geographical center of Cleveland, Ohio, and the executive then terminates the executive’s employment with us.

A “Change      during anytwo-year period, we experience a turnover of a majority of the Directors on our Board (subject to certain exceptions for replacement Directors approved by at leasttwo-thirds of the Directors serving at the beginning of such period, but specifically excluding certain replacement Directors elected in Control” generally occurs if:connection with an election or proxy contest).

there is a consummation of a consolidation or merger in which we are not the surviving corporation, the sale of substantially all of our assets, or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

any person or other entity (subject to certain exceptions) purchases our shares (or securities convertible into our shares) pursuant to a tender or exchange offer without the prior consent of the Board, or becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the voting power of our outstanding securities without the prior consent of the Board; or

during anytwo-year period, we experience a turnover of a majority of the Directors on our Board (subject to certain exceptions for replacement Directors approved by at leasttwo-thirds of the Directors serving at the beginning of such period, but specifically excluding certain replacement Directors elected in connection with an election or proxy contest).

Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event under the 2017 employment agreements, we would have been required to pay a named executive officer the applicable amounts described above under “Employment Agreements.”

Restricted shares and stock options granted by the Company prior to 2016 generally vest in full in the event of termination due to death or disability, or a termination by the Company without cause within two years after a change in control. With respect to time-based RSUs granted in 2017 and 2019 to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower, in the event of a termination without cause or for good reason, unvested RSUs would generally continue to vest; for Mr. Makinen, his unvested RSUs would vest in full in the event of his death or disability. With respect to time-based RSUs granted to Mr. Fennerty, in the event of a termination without cause or for good reason, unvested RSUs would generally continue to vest except with respect to time-based RSUs granted in November 2019 which would not vest. In the event of a termination without cause or termination by the participantexecutive for good reason within two years after a change in control, all RSUs and stock options previously granted to the executives would generally vest in full. With respect to time-based RSUs and stock options granted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 20172019 to Ms. Vesy, in the event of death or disability, unvested time-based RSUs and stock options would vest in full, and in the event of a termination of employment by the Company without cause, unvested time-based RSUs and stock options would generally continue to vest.

With respect to the performance shares and performance-based RSUs granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Ostrower in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and the performance-based RSUs granted to Messrs. Lukes, Makinen and Fennerty in 2020, in the event of a termination of employment by the Company without cause, or a termination by the NEOexecutive for good reason, the awards would be earned (if at all) on the basis of the relative achievement of the

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    55


applicable performance objectives measured as of the date of termination; Mr. Makinen would receive the same treatment in the event of a termination due to death or disability. In the event of a change in control, the performance-based awards of Messrs. Lukes, Makinen, Ostrower and OstrowerFennerty would vest based on the relative achievement of the applicable performance objectives measured as of the date of the change in control, unless a “replacement award” (as described in the applicable award agreements) is provided.

Separations in 2017

In connection with his separation from the Company on March 2, 2017, Mr. August received only those payments and benefits to which he was contractually entitled under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company for termination “without cause”. In addition to certain accrued compensation and benefits, these payments consisted of: (1) a lump sum amount equal in value to his “target” annual incentive for the 2017 calendar year (which target amount was $997,750),pro-rated based on the number of days in 2017 for which he was employed by us; (2) a lump sum amount equal to two times the sum of (a) his base salary plus (b) an amount equal to his target 2017 annual incentive; and (3) a lump sum amount equal to the product of six multiplied by the sum of (a) the monthly COBRA premium for health, dental and vision benefits, plus (b) the employer portion of the monthly premium for other Company provided insurance in effect for Mr. August as of the date of his separation. In addition, 83,300 unvested, service-based RSUs initially awarded to Mr. August pursuant to the terms of his July 2016 employment agreement immediately vested upon his termination. Threshold performance conditions applicable to performance-based RSUs granted to Mr. August were not satisfied as of the date of his termination and therefore Mr. August did not receive any payout with respect thereto.

In connection with his separation from the Company on May 31, 2017, Mr. Ross received only those payments and benefits to which he was contractually entitled under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company for termination “without cause”. In addition to certain accrued compensation and benefits, these contractual payments and benefits consisted of: (1) a lump sum amount equal in value to his “target” annual incentive for the 2017 calendar year (which target amount was $450,000),pro-rated based on the number of days in 2017 for which he was employed by us; (2) a lump sum amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of (a) his base salary plus (b) an amount equal to his target 2017 annual incentive; and (3) a lump sum amount equal to the product of 18 multiplied by the sum of (a) the monthly COBRA premium for health, dental and vision benefits, plus (b) the employer portion of the monthly premium for other Company provided insurance in effect for Mr. Ross as of the date of his separation. In addition, 67,257 unvested, service-based RSUs awarded to Mr. Ross pursuant to the terms of his December 2016 employment agreement will continue to vest over time on accordance with the three-year vesting schedule set forth in the original award.

In connection with his departure from the Company on April 15, 2017, Mr. Corno received payments and benefits to which he was contractually entitled under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company for termination “without cause”. In addition to certain accrued and unpaid compensation and benefits, these payments consisted of: (1) a lump sum amount equal in value to his “target” annual incentive for the 2017 calendar year (which target amount was $240,000),pro-rated based on service credited through May 31, 2017; (2) a lump sum amount equal to 1.0 times the sum of (a) his base salary plus (b) an amount equal to his target 2017 annual incentive; and (3) a lump sum amount equal to the product of 12 multiplied by the sum of (a) the monthly COBRA premium for health, dental and vision benefits, plus (b) the employer portion of the monthly premium for other Company provided insurance in effect for Mr. Corno as of the date of his separation. In addition, an aggregate of 24,963 unvested, service-based RSUs largely awarded to Mr. Corno pursuant to the terms of his July 2016 employment agreement will continue to vest over time in accordance with the three-year vesting schedules set forth in the original awards. Conditions applicable to performance-based RSUs and performance shares granted to Mr. Corno in 2016 and an award equivalent to a deemed opportunity to participate in the 2016 VSEP were not satisfied as of the date of his termination and therefore Mr. Corno did not receive any payout with respect thereto. In connection with his termination, Mr. Corno also received payments of $240,000 on account of aone-time special cash opportunity originally awarded to him in November 2016 which was otherwise scheduled to be paid in January 2018 and $80,000 in satisfaction of obligations under certain provisions of his employment agreement.

56    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


CEO Pay Ratio

For 2017,2019, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Lukes, our Chief Executive Officer who was serving in such capacity on October 1, 2017CEO (“CEO Compensation”), to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees and those of our consolidated subsidiaries (other than Mr. Lukes) (“Median Annual Compensation”) was approximately 9879 to 1. The annual total compensation of Mr. Lukes in 2017 includes a retention-based award of RSUs having a grant date fair value of approximately $2.82 million that was granted to him in connection with the execution of his employment agreement in March 2017. Excluding the value of this award, the ratio of Mr. Lukes’ 2017 annual total compensation to the Median Annual Compensation would have been approximately 63 to 1.

We note that, due to our permitted use of reasonable estimates and assumptions in preparing this pay ratio disclosure, the disclosure may involve a degree of imprecision, and thus this ratio disclosure is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K using the data and assumptions described below. In this summary, we refer to the employee who received the Median Annual Compensation as the “Median Employee.” For purposes of this disclosure, the date used to identify the Median Employee was October 1, 2017 (the “Determination Date”).

For purposes of this pay ratio disclosure, CEO Compensation was $7,880,811. As further discussed above, Mr. Lukes served as our Chief Executive Officer from March 2, 2017 through the end of 2017.$6,657,317. CEO Compensation for purposes of this disclosure represents the total compensation reported for Mr. Lukes under the “2017“2019 Summary Compensation Table” for 2017, annualized based on Mr. Lukes’ period of service during 20172019 and reasonable estimates regarding the composition of Mr. Lukes’ compensation that would have been applicable if Mr. Lukes had been employed by us for all of 2017. CEO Compensation for these purposes also includes the Company’s contributions to group health and welfare benefits provided to Mr. Lukes.

For purposes of this pay ratio disclosure, Median Annual Compensation was $80,606,$84,580, and was calculated by totaling for our Median Employee all applicable elements of compensation for 20172019 in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of RegulationS-K. This Median Annual Compensation amount consists of salary, bonus, and the Company’s contributions to group health and welfare benefits provided to the Median Employee.

We refer to the employee who received the Median Annual Compensation as the “Median Employee.” Significant asset sales occurring over the past two years have materially impacted the size and composition of our employee population since we last determined our Median Employee on October 1, 2017. Therefore, we identified a new

SITE Centers Corp.ï   2020 Proxy Statement    51


Median Employee for purposes of calculating our CEO pay ratio for 2019 rather than using the Median Employee utilized to calculate our CEO pay ratio for 2017 and 2018. To identify the new Median Employee, we first measured compensation for the period beginning on January 1, 20172019 and ending on SeptemberNovember 30, 20172019 for 462367 employees, representing all full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the Determination Date.December 1, 2019 (the “Determination Date”). This number does not include any independent contractors or “leased” workers, as permitted by the applicable SEC rules. This number also does not exclude anynon-U.S. employees and does not exclude any employees of businesses acquired by us or combined with us. ThisWe moved our Determination Date from October 1 to December 1 in order to capture the full extent of our employee population changes for 2019. The compensation measurement was calculated by totaling, for each employee, cash compensation (except as described in the next sentence), including regular pay (wages and salary), all variants of overtime, taxgross-up earnings related to awards, dividend equivalent payments, car allowances, short-term disability payments, and all variants of bonus payments. Specifically excluded from the calculation were the value of equity and equity-based awards, equity deferred compensation, deferred equity distributions, option exercises, deferred equity dividend earnings, taxable fringe benefits for executive long-term disability, andsign-on bonuses. Further, we did not utilize any statistical sampling orcost-of-living adjustments for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure. A portion of our employee workforce (full-time and part-time) identified above worked for less than the full fiscal year due to commencing employment after January 1, 2017.2019. In determining the Median Employee, we annualized the total compensation for such individuals (but avoided creating full-time equivalencies) based on reasonable assumptions and estimates relating to our employee compensation program.

 

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10.7. Proposal Six:Three: Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Proposal Summary and Board Recommendation

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm in 20172019 and is expected to be retainedhas been selected by our Audit Committee to do so in 2018.2020. Our Board has directed that management submit the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, be available to respond to appropriate questions and have an opportunity to make a statement, if desired.

Shareholder ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations or otherwise. However, our Board is seeking ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders do not approve the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, then the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain the firm. In such event, the Audit Committee may retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, notwithstanding the fact that the shareholders did not approve the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or select another nationally recognized accounting firm withoutre-submitting the matter to the shareholders. Even if the shareholders ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee reserves the right in its discretion to select a different nationally recognized accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION:

“For” Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

The following table presents fees for services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018.

 

Type of Fees  2017 ($)   2016 ($)   2019 ($)   2018 ($) 

Audit fees(1)

   2,199,609    2,483,260    1,842,427    2,466,120 

Audit-related fees(2)

   430,960    467,636    594,930    727,917 

Tax fees(3)

   545,832    327,899    652,274    1,145,852 

All other fees(4)

   328,444    1,944    2,916    1,812,615 

Total

   3,504,845    3,280,739    3,092,547    6,152,504 

 

(1)

Audit fees consisted principally of fees for the audit of our financial statements, as well as audit-related tax services and registration statement-related services performed pursuant to SEC filing requirements. Of these amounts, the fees for the registration statement-related services were $142,279$226,932 and $32,816$42,120 for 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Also includes $345,039 of fees in 2018 related to the RVI properties.

 

(2)

Audit-related fees consisted of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” Such audit-related fees consisted solely of fees for separate entity and joint venture audits. Several of our joint venture agreements and loan agreements require the engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit-related services.

 

(3)

Tax fees consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax consulting services. The fees for tax compliance services for 20172019 and 20162018 were $252,294$294,331 and $250,449,$240,686, respectively. Such tax compliance fees consisted solely of fees for separate entity and joint venture tax reviews.

 

(4)

All other fees consisted of fees billed for other products and services. The fees billed in 20172018 primarily related to an initial partial payment for services in connection with the audit of the carve out financial statements of the 5048 properties expected to be included in the previously announced spin offspin-off of a separate publicly traded REIT, and services performed for a cyber security assessment. The fees billed in 2016 primarily related to software licensing for accounting and professional standards.RVI.

 

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Policy on Audit CommitteePre-Approval of Audit and PermissibleNon-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee has a policy for thepre-approval of audit and permissiblenon-audit services pursuant to which the Audit Committeepre-approves all audit and permissiblenon-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committeepre-approves specifically described audit and permissiblenon-audit services, and periodically grants generalpre-approval of categories of audit and permissiblenon-audit services up to specified cost thresholds. Any services exceedingpre-approved cost levels must be specificallypre-approved by the Audit Committee. All of the services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP under the categories “Audit-related fees,” “Tax fees,” and “All other fees” described above werepre-approved by the Audit Committee.

Auditor Independence

The Audit Committee believes that thenon-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s independence.

Audit Committee Report

In accordance with its written charter adopted by ourthe Board, the Audit Committee assists ourthe Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of ourthe accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices.practices of the Company. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly to review quarterly or annual financial information prior to its release and inclusion in SEC filings. As part of each meeting, the Audit Committee has the opportunity to meet independently with management and our independent registered public accounting firm.

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm any relationships that may impact its objectivity and independence, and has satisfied itself as to the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as adopted byapplicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.Board and the SEC.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of ourthe Company’s financial statements, and the independent registered public accounting firm has the responsibility for the examination of those statements.

Based on the above-described review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to ourthe Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in itsthe Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for filing2019 filed with the SEC.

Audit Committee

Scott D. Roulston, Chair

Jane E. DeFlorio, Chair

Robert H. GidelLinda B. Abraham

Terrance R. Ahern

Dawn M. Sweeney

 

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11.8. Corporate Governance and Other Matters

 

Codes of Ethics

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

We have a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to the senior financial officers of the Company, including, among others, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller, Treasurer, and Chief Internal Auditor, who we collectively refer to as our senior financial officers. Among other matters, this code requires our senior financial officers to:

 

     Act with honesty and integrity and ethically handle all actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

     Endeavor to provide information that is full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable in all reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and other public filings or communications we make;

     Endeavor to comply faithfully with all laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments and all applicable private or public regulatory agencies as well as all applicable professional codes of conduct;

     Not knowingly or recklessly misrepresent material facts or allow their independent judgment to be compromised;

     Not use for personal advantage confidential information acquired in the course of their employment;

     Proactively promote ethical behavior among peers and subordinates in the workplace; and

     Promptly report any violation or suspected violation of this code in accordance with our Reporting andNon-Retaliation Policy and, if appropriate, directly to the Audit Committee.

Only the Audit Committee or our Board, including a majority of the independent Directors, may waive any provision of this code with respect to a senior financial officer. Any such waiver or any amendment to this code will be promptly disclosed on our website or in a Current Report on Form8-K, as required by applicable rules or regulations. This code is posted on our website,www.ddr.comwww.sitecenters.com, under “Governance” in the “Investors” section.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We also have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that addresses our commitment to honesty, integrity and the ethical behavior of our employees, officers and Directors. This code governs the actions and working relationships of our employees, officers and Directors with current and potential tenants, vendors, contractors, fellow employees, competitors, vendors, government and self-regulatoryregulatory agencies and officials, potential or actual joint venture partners, third-party consultants, investors, the public, the media and anyone else with whom we have or may have contact.conduct business. Only our Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive any provision of this code with respect to an officer or Director. Any such waiver or any amendment to this code will be promptly disclosed on our website or in a Current Report on Form8-K, as required by applicable rules or regulations. The Company’s Corporate Compliance Officer may waive any provision of this code with respect to all other employees. This code is posted on our website,www.ddr.comwww.sitecenters.com, under “Governance” in the “Investors” section.

 

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Reporting andNon-Retaliation Policy

We are committed to honesty, integrity and ethical behavior and have adopted a Reporting andNon-Retaliation Policy. The purpose of the policy is to encourage all employees to disclose any alleged wrongdoing that may adversely impact us, our tenants, shareholders, fellow employees, investors, or the public at large without fear of retaliation. The policy sets forth procedures for the reporting by employees and interested third parties of alleged financial (including auditing, accounting, and internal control matters) andnon-financial wrongdoing on a confidential and anonymous basis, and a process for investigating such reported acts of alleged wrongdoing and retaliation. Reports concerning alleged wrongdoing may be made directly to our Corporate Compliance Officer, Eric C. Cotton, our Audit Committee Chair, Scott D. Roulston, or to NAVEX Global, an independent third-party service retained on our behalf. An inquiry or investigation is then initiated by the Corporate Compliance Officer or the Audit Committee Chair. The results of all investigations concerning wrongdoing are reviewed quarterly by the Corporate Compliance Officer and the Chair of the Audit Committee. Reports of all matters are reported to our Board by the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Corporate Compliance Officer in a timely manner and, in no event, less than once per year. This policy is posted on our website,www.ddr.comwww.sitecenters.com, under “Governance” in the “Investors” section.

Policy Regarding Related-Party Transactions

We have a written policy regarding the review and approval of related-party transactions. A proposed transaction between us and certain parties enumerated in the policy must be submitted to theour General Counsel or Corporate Compliance Officer. The policy applies to our Directors, nominees for Directors, officers, and employees; subsidiaries and joint venture partners; significant shareholders (generally a beneficial owner holding 5% or more of our voting securities) of us or of our subsidiaries or joint venture partners; family members (such as spouse, parent, stepparent, children, stepchildren, sibling, mother orfather-in-law, son ordaughter-in-law or sister orbrother-in-law of such person or anyone residing in such person’s home) and close friends of Directors, nominees for Directors, officers, employees or significant shareholders; entities in which a Director, nominee for Director, officer or employee (or a family member or close friend of such person) has a significant interest or holds an employment, management or board position; provided, however, ownership of less than 1% of a publicly-traded entity will not be deemed a significant interest; trusts for the benefit of employees, such as profit-sharing, deferred compensation or retirement fund trusts, that are managed by or under the trusteeship of management; or any other party who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or under common control with us (or our subsidiaries) (“control” means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity through ownership, contract or otherwise). The relationship of the parties and the terms of the proposed transaction, among other things, are reviewed by theour General Counsel or Corporate Compliance Officer to determine if the proposed transaction would constitute a material related-party transaction, in which case it is reported to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.Committee prior to its approval. The committeeNominating and Corporate Governance Committee will then determine whether the transaction requires Board approval. All material related-party transactions, whether or not those transactions must be disclosed under federal securities laws, are subject to prior approval by our Board pursuant to the policy and reviewed quarterly with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

DDR56    SITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement    61


Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of February 21, 2018,2020, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes below, by each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding common shares based on a review of filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise described in the following notes, the following beneficial owners have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all common shares set forth opposite their respective names.

 

More Than 5% Owners  

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares

 

Percentage

Ownership (%)(6)

Alexander Otto and Katharina Otto-Bernstein

  63,888,57040,771,073(1) 17.321.0

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

31,198,370(2)16.1

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

  49,635,71622,739,320(2)(3) 13.511.7

BlackRock,Blackrock, Inc.

  23,293,64010,833,720(3)(4) 6.35.6

Vanguard Specialized FundsDaiwa Asset Management Co Ltd.

  21,052,04110,005,348(4)(5) 5.7

Goldman Sachs Asset Management

18,664,527(5)5.15.2

 

(1)

According to a Form 4 filed with the SEC on February 18, 2020 and Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on February 27, 2018, reflecting transactions through February 21, 2018, by Alexander Otto and Katharina Otto-Bernstein,January 9, 2019, each of Alexander Otto and Katharina Otto-Bernstein was the beneficial owner of, and had sole voting and sole dispositive power over, 47,633,06532,643,321 and 16,255,5058,127,752 common shares, respectively. The address for these reporting persons is c/o Dennis O. Garris,David A. Brown, Alston & Bird LLP, 950 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20004.

 

(2)

According to a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 201814, 2020 by Cohen & Steers, Inc., Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Cohen & Steers UK Limited. According to the report, Cohen & Steers, Inc. is the beneficial owner of, and has sole dispositive power over, 31,198,370 common shares and sole voting power over 18,996,339 common shares. According to the report, Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. is the beneficial owner of, and has sole dispositive power over, 30,765,744 common shares and sole voting power over 18,938,153 common shares, and Cohen & Steers UK Limited is the beneficial owner of, and has sole dispositive power over, 432,626 common shares and sole voting power over 58,186 common shares. The address for Cohen & Steers, Inc. and Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. is 280 Park Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10017. The address for Cohen & Steers UK Limited is 50 Pall Mall, 7th Floor, London, United Kingdom SW1Y 5JH.

(3)

According to a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by The Vanguard Group, Inc., The Vanguard Group, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 49,635,71622,739,320 common shares and has sole voting power over 518,773235,195 common shares, shared voting power over 408,408161,638 common shares, sole dispositive power over 49,087,22322,520,471 common shares and shared dispositive power over 548,493218,849 common shares. According to the report, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company is the beneficial owner of, and directs the voting over, 140,08557,211 common shares as a result of it serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts, and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. is the beneficial owner of, and directs the voting over, 787,096339,622 common shares as a result of it serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. The address for this reporting person is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

 

(3)(4)

According to a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 29, 2018February 6, 2020 by BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 23,293,64010,833,720 common shares and has sole voting power over 21,782,01710,145,835 common shares and sole dispositive power over 23,293,64010,833,720 common shares. The address for this reporting person is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York, 10055.

 

(4)(5)

According to a report on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 2, 2018January 16, 2020 by Vanguard Specialized Funds, Vanguard Specialized Funds — Vanguard REIT Index FundDaiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd., Daiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd. is the beneficial owner of, and has the sole voting power over, 21,052,04110,005,348 common shares, sole dispositive power over 27,729 common shares and shared dispositive power over 9,977,619 common shares. The address for this reporting person is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.GranTokyo North Tower,9-1 Marunouchi1-chome,Chiyoda-ku, Japan100-6753.

 

(5)(6)According to a report

Percentages are calculated based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018 by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., together with GS Investment Strategies, LLC, “Goldman Sachs Asset Management”). According to the report, Goldman Sachs Asset Management is the beneficial owner193,845,629 of and has shared dispositive power over, 18,664,527our common shares and shared voting power over 18,186,589 common shares. The address for Goldman Sachs Asset Management is 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.outstanding as of February 21, 2020.

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceShareholder Proposals for 2021 Annual Meeting

Section 16(a)In order to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requiresmust be received in writing by our Directors, executive officers, and owners ofSecretary at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 no later than December 2, 2020, assuming the 2021 Annual Meeting is not advanced or delayed by more than 10%30 calendar days from the date of a registered classthe anniversary of our equity securities, to filethe 2020 Annual Meeting, and otherwise comply with all requirements of the SEC for shareholder proposals.

If an eligible shareholder, or a group of up to 20 eligible shareholders, desires to have a Director nomination included in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting, such nomination shall conform to the applicable requirements in the Company’s Code of Regulations and the NYSE initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common shares and other equity securities. Executive officers, Directors and owners of more than 10% of our common shares are required by SECany applicable regulations to furnish us with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a).

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copiesSEC concerning the submission and content of such reports furnished to usDirector nominations for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement, and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, all officers, Directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners filed the required reports on a timely basis, except for one report for Ms. Vesy reporting one transaction, which was filed late due to administrative error.

Shareholder Proposals for 2019 Annual Meeting

Any shareholder proposals intended to be presented at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by our Secretary at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 onno earlier than November 2, 2020 and no later than December 2, 2020, assuming the 2021 Annual Meeting is not advanced more than 30 calendar days and not delayed by more than 60 calendar days of the date of the anniversary of the 2020 Annual Meeting.

In addition, the Company’s Code of Regulations provides that any shareholder who desires to make a Director nomination or before December 3, 2018, for inclusiona proposal of other business at an annual meeting without including the nomination or proposal in our Proxy Statement and formthe Company’s proxy statement must give timely written notice of proxy relatingthe proposal to the 2019Company’s Secretary. To be timely, the notice must be delivered to the above address not less than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Company’s proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders. In the event the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days of the date of the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting and the tenth calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made. Therefore, to be timely, any such proposal or nomination for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders must be received no later than December 2, 2020. The notice must also provide certain information required by the Company’s Code of Regulations.

As to any proposal that a shareholder intends to present to shareholders other than by inclusion in our Proxy Statementproxy statement for our 2019the 2021 Annual Meeting, of Shareholders, the proxies named in management’s proxy for that meeting will be entitled to exercise their discretionary voting authority on that proposal unless we receive notice of the matter to be proposed not later than February 17, 2019.15, 2021. Even if proper notice is received on or prior to February 17, 201915, 2021, the proxies named in our proxy for that meeting may nevertheless exercise their discretionary authority with respect to such matter by advising shareholders of that proposal and how they intend to exercise their discretion to vote on such matter, unless the shareholder making the proposal solicits proxies with respect to the proposal to the extent required by RuleRule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Householding

The SEC permits a single set of annual reports and Proxy Statements to be sent to any household at which two or more shareholders reside if they appear to be members of the same family. Each shareholder continues to receive a separate Proxy Card. This procedure, referred to as householding, reduces the volume of duplicate information shareholders receive and reduces mailing and printing costs. A number of brokerage firms have instituted householding. Only one copy of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying annual report will be sent to certain beneficial shareholders who share a single address, unless any shareholder residing at that address gave contrary instructions.

If any beneficial shareholder residing at such an address desires at this time or in the future to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying annual report or if any such shareholder who currently receives a separate Proxy Statement and annual report and would like to receive only a single set in the future, the shareholder should provide such instructions to us by calling Matthew Ostrower,Conor Fennerty, Chief Financial Officer, at(216) 755-5500, or by writing to DDRSITE Centers Corp., Attn. Investor Relations, at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

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Other Matters

Shareholders and other interested parties may send written communications to our Board or thenon-management Directors as a group by mailing them to our Board, c/o Aaron M. Kitlowski, Secretary, DDRSITE Centers Corp., 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122. All communications will be forwarded to our Board or thenon-management Directors as a group, as applicable.

 

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12.9. Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why did you send me this Proxy Statement?

The Company sent you this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 2019 Annual Report, which includes our financial statements, and Proxy Card because our Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at our 20182020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement summarizes information you need to know in order to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at Loews Regency Hotel at 540 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, on May 8, 2018,12, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. local time. The hotel’s front desk will direct shareholders to the conference room where the Annual Meeting will be held. If your sharesyou are not registereda shareholder of record (i.e. if you do not hold shares in your own name,an account with our transfer agent), you must provide evidence of your share ownership as of March 14, 201820, 2020 in order to attend the Annual Meeting. You can obtain this evidence from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee through which you hold your shares. For further information regarding directions to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please contact Matthew Ostrower,Conor Fennerty, Chief Financial Officer, at(216) 755-5500 or at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

As part of our contingency planning regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19), due to considerations of safety and accessibility, we are preparing for the possibility that the date, time or location of the Annual Meeting may be changed or that the Annual Meeting may be held by means of remote communication (sometimes referred to as a “virtual meeting”). If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance through a press release and public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and details will be available at www.sitecenters.com/investors.

However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote by telephone, over the Internet, or by completing and mailing the accompanying Proxy Card. Shareholders who owned our common shares at the close of business on March 14, 2018,20, 2020, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to vote. On the record date, there were 369,271,805193,148,522 common shares outstanding. Our 2017 Annual Report, which includes our financial statements, also accompanies this Proxy Statement.

Who is soliciting my proxy?

This solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of our Board. We will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain of our employees may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, or email. Those employees will not receive any additional compensation for their participation in the solicitation. We retained Georgeson, Inc., at an estimated cost of $11,500, plus reimbursement of expenses, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from brokers, nominees, institutions and individuals.

How many votes do I have?

You areEach share of our common stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote on each item submitted to shareholders for each of our common shares that you owned on the record date.their consideration. The accompanying Proxy Card indicates the number of shares that you owned on the record date.

Although the Board has submitted a proposal included in this Proxy Statement to be voted upon by Our shareholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting to eliminate cumulative voting by shareholders in future Director elections, shareholders have the right to request cumulative voting for the election of Directors at the 2018 Annual Meeting. If written notice is given by any shareholder to our President, any Vice President, or the Secretary at least 48 hours before the Annual Meeting that the shareholder desires that cumulative voting be used for the election of Directors, and if an announcement of the giving of that notice is made when the Annual Meeting is convened by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the Secretary, or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice, then each shareholder willdo not have the right to cumulate the voting power that the shareholder possessestheir votes in the election of Directors. This means that each shareholder will be able to give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of common shares owned by such shareholder, or to distribute the shareholder’s votes on the same principle among two or more candidates, as the shareholder may elect.

If voting for the election of Directors is cumulative, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy Card will vote the common shares represented by proxies given to them in such manner so as to elect as many of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement as possible.

 

6460    DDRSITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement


How do I vote by proxy?

Shareholders may vote either by completing, properly signing, and returning the accompanying Proxy Card via mail, by telephone, or over the Internet, or by attending and voting at the Annual Meeting. If you properly complete and timely return your Proxy Card or properly and timely follow the telephone or Internet voting instructions described below, your proxy (meaning one of the individuals named in the Proxy Card) will vote your shares as you have directed, provided however, if you do not indicate specific choices as to your vote, your proxy will vote your shares as recommended by our Board:

 

FOR      “FOR” the election of Linda B. Abraham, Terrance R. Ahern, Jane E. DeFlorio, Thomas Finne, David R. Lukes, Victor B. MacFarlane, Alexander Otto Scott D. Roulston, and Barry A. Sholem,Dawn M. Sweeney, as Directors;

FOR the adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the ability of shareholders to exercise cumulative voting in the election of Directors;

FOR the adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to implement proxy access in connection with annual meetings of shareholders;

FOR the authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to effect, in its discretion, a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock and the adoption of a corresponding amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation;

FOR      “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and

FOR      “FOR” the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Shareholders of record (i.e., shareholders with shares held in an account with our transfer agent) may vote by calling1-800-652-8683 or over the Internet by accessing the following website:www.investorvote.com/ddrsitc. Voting instructions, including your shareholder account number and personal proxy control number, are contained on the accompanying Proxy Card. Those shareholders of record who choose to vote by telephone or over the Internet must do so by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2018.11, 2020.

A number of banks and brokerage firms participate in a program that also permits shareholders whose shares are held in “street name” to direct their vote by telephone or over the Internet. If your shares are held in an account at a bank or brokerage firm that participates in such a program, you may direct the vote of these shares by telephone or over the Internet by following the voting instructions enclosed with the Proxy Card from the bank or brokerage firm. The Internet and telephone proxy procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, to allow shareholders to give their proxy voting instructions, and to confirm that those instructions have been properly recorded. Votes directed by telephone or over the Internet through such a program must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 7, 2018.11, 2020. If you hold your shares in “street name”, in order to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank or brokerage firm giving you the right to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting.

If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy will vote your shares in accordance with his or her discretion and best judgment. AsThe Company did not receive any notice of a shareholder proposal to be presented at the Annual Meeting by December 3, 2019, the deadline pursuant to the advance notice provision of the Company’s Code of Regulations, and as of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any matter to be acted on at the Annual Meeting other than those matters described in this Proxy Statement.

May I revoke my proxy?

YouIf you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke or change your proxyvote at any time before itthe proxy is exercised by giving writtenfiling a notice to us atof revocation with our principal executive offices located at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, by submitting to usSecretary, mailing a duly executedsigned Proxy Card bearing a later date, submitting your proxy again by telephone or over the Internet or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. For shares you hold beneficially in “street name”, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your brokerage firm or bank or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your brokerage firm or bank giving noticeyou the right to us in open meeting. It is important to note thatvote your presenceshares, by presenting such proxy at the Annual Meeting without any further action on your part,and voting in person. In either case, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the Annual Meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke youra previously granted proxy.

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Can I receive this Proxy Statement by email in the future?

Yes. By doing so, you are reducing the impact on the environment and helping to save the Company the costs and expenses of preparing and mailing theseproxy materials. If you are a registered shareholder with your shares held

DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement    65


in an account at our transfer agent, visitwww.computershare.com/investor to create a login and to enroll. You may revoke your election to receive materials by email and instead receive a paper copy via mail at any time by visiting this website. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, please refer to the information provided by that institution for instructions on how to elect to receive future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet and how to change your delivery instructions.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the aggregate number of our common shares issued and outstanding on the record date will represent a quorum permitting the conduct of business at the meeting. Proxy Cards that we receive marked as abstentions or brokernon-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

What vote is required to approve each proposal assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting?

 

Proposal One:

Election of Eight Directors

 

To be elected, Directors must receive a majority of the votes cast (i.e., the number of shares voted “FOR”“For” a Director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST”“Against” that nominee). Brokernon-votes and abstentions will not be considered votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will be excluded in determining the number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

 

Proposal Two:

Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate the Ability of Shareholders to Exercise Cumulative Voting in the Election of Directors

 

Approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common shares. Brokernon-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal.

As noted previously, if Proposal Two is approved by our shareholders, it will be implemented only if Proposal Three is also approved.

Proposal Three:Two:

Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access in Connection with Annual Meetings of Shareholders

Approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common shares. Brokernon-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal.

As noted previously, if Proposal Three is approved by our shareholders, it will be implemented only if Proposal Two is also approved.

Proposal Four:

Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to Effect, in its Discretion, a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock and the Adoption of a Corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation

Approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common shares. Brokernon-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal.

66    DDR Corp.ï  2018 Proxy Statement


Proposal Five:

Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

This vote is advisory only and therefore is not binding on us or our Board. However, the Board and Compensation Committee of the Board will review the results of the vote and will consider the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this Proposal to be approval by the shareholders of the compensation of our named executive officers. Brokernon-votes and abstentions will not be considered votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will be excluded in determining the number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

 

Proposal Six:Three:

Ratification of

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Although our independent registered public accounting firm may be selected by the Audit Committee of our Board without shareholder approval, the Audit Committee will consider the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this Proposal to be a ratification by the shareholders of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will not be considered votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will be excluded in determining the number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

 

For shareholders who hold their common shares in “street name” through banks or brokeragesbrokerage firms and do not instruct their bank or broker how to vote, the bank or brokerage firm will not vote such shares for Proposals One Two, Three, Four or FiveTwo resulting in brokernon-votes with respect to such shares.As a result, it is important that shareholders vote their shares.

By order of the Board of Directors,

AARON M. KITLOWSKI

Secretary

Dated: April 2, 20181, 2020

 

DDR62    SITE Centers Corp.  ï  20182020 Proxy Statement    67


Annex A

AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE CUMULATIVE VOTING IN DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

SEVENTH: Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 1701.01 to 1701.98, inclusive, of the Ohio Revised Code, or any successor statutes now or hereafter in force, requiring for the authorization or taking of any action the vote or consent of the holders of shares entitling them to exercisetwo-thirds or any other proportion of the voting power of the corporation or of any class or classes of shares thereof, such action, unless otherwise expressly required by law or these Articles of Incorporation, may be authorized or taken by the vote or consent of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the corporation or of such class or classes of shares thereof.

Except as provided in the Company’s code of regulations with respect to the election of a director to fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors, each director shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at any shareholder meeting held for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that if as of the date that is ten days in advance of the date the Company files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether or not thereafter revised or supplemented) with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a shareholder meeting the number of nominees for election as a director is greater than the number of directors to be elected, then the directors shall be elected at the meeting by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at that meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. For purposes of this Section, a majority of the votes cast means the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” the director. Brokernon-votes and abstentions will not be considered votes cast at the shareholder meeting and will be excluded in determining the number of votes cast at the shareholder meeting.

No holder of shares of the Company of any class shall have the right to cumulate the voting power of such shares in the election of directors. The right to cumulate the voting power as provided in Section 1701.55 of the Ohio Revised Code, or any successor statute now or hereinafter in force, is hereby specifically denied to all holders of shares of any class of the Company.

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Annex B

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CODE OF REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT PROXY ACCESS

ARTICLE II

[…]

Section 2.Nomination and Election of Directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders, but when the annual meeting is not held or directors are not elected thereat, they may be elected at a special meeting called and held for that purpose. Such election shall be by ballot whenever requested by any shareholder entitled to vote at such election; but, unless such request is made, the election may be conducted in any manner approved at such meeting.

At each meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes shall be directors.

Nominations of persons for election as Directors at the annual meeting of shareholders may be made by, and only by, (i) the Board Directors or a committee thereof, (ii) one or more Eligible Shareholders (as defined below) pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 2 and (iii) any holder of shares entitled to vote for the election of directors at such meeting who otherwise complies with the requirements of these Regulations and applicable law.

The Corporation shall include in its proxy statement and proxy for any annual meeting of shareholders (collectively, the “Proxy Materials”), together with any information required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, if the Eligible Shareholder so elects, a Statement (as defined below), the name of any person nominated for election to the Board of Directors (the “Shareholder Nominee”) by a shareholder, or a group of no more than 20 shareholders, who satisfies the requirements of this Section 2 (an “Eligible Shareholder”) and who expressly elects at the time of providing the written notice required by this Section 2 to have its nominee included in the Proxy Materials pursuant to this Section 2. For purposes of any representation, agreement or other undertaking required by this Section 2, the term “Eligible Shareholder” shall include each member of any group forming an Eligible Shareholder. Such written notice shall consist of a copy of Schedule 14N filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Rule14a-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor schedule or form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Rule14a-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision, the Required Information and the other information required by this Section 2 (all such information collectively referred to as the “Proxy Notice”), and such Proxy Notice shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the procedures and at the times set forth in this Section 2.

Each Proxy Notice must set forth or include (the following, collectively referred to as the “Required Information”): (i) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice; (ii) a representation that the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such annual meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person or persons specified insuch notice; (iii) the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially and of record by the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice; (iv) a description of all arrangements or

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understandings between or among any of (A) the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice, (B) each nominee, and (C) any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice; (v) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by the shareholder or group of shareholders giving such notice as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; (vi) the signed consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected, and (vii) if the Eligible Shareholder so elects, a Statement.

To be timely, the Proxy Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no earlier than 150 calendar days and no later than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date that the Corporation issued its Proxy Materials for the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 60 calendar days after the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders, the Proxy Notice, to be timely, must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than (i) 150 calendar days prior to the date of such annual meeting or (i) if the first public announcement ofthe date of such annual meeting is less than 150 calendar days prior to the date of such annual meeting, 10 calendar days following the day on which public announcement is first made by the Corporation of the date of such meeting.

The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 2, any Shareholder Nominee in the Proxy Materials (i) whose election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the Corporation to be in violation of these Regulations, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, the rules and listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common shares of the Corporation are listed, any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation, or the Corporation’s publicly disclosed policies and procedures, (ii) who is or has been within the past three years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended, (iii) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past 10 years (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or (iv) who is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor provision.

The maximum number of Shareholder Nominees appearing in the Proxy Materials with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders shall not exceed 20% of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which the Proxy Notice may be delivered or received or, if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 20%, and in any event, not less than two Shareholder Nominees. In the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board of Directors after the last day on which the Proxy Notice may be delivered or received but before or as of the annual meeting of shareholders and the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the size of the Board of Directors in connection therewith, the maximum number of Shareholder Nominees included in the Proxy Materials shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office as so reduced. Shareholder Nominees that were submitted by an Eligible Shareholder for inclusion in Proxy Materials pursuant to this Section 2 but either are subsequently withdrawn after the last day on which the Proxy Notice may be delivered or received or whom the Board of Directors itself determines to nominate for election shall, for the purposes of this Section 2, count as Shareholder Nominees appearing in the Proxy Materials. Each Eligible Shareholder shall rank each Shareholder Nominee it submitted for inclusion in the Proxy Materials and in the event that the number of Shareholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Shareholders pursuant to this Section 2 exceeds this maximum number, the highest ranked Shareholder Nominee from the Eligible Shareholder owning the greatest number of shares of stock of the Corporation will be selected for inclusion in the Proxy Materials first, followed by the highest ranked Shareholder Nominee of the Eligible Shareholder holding the next greatest number of shares of stock of the Corporation, and continuing on in that manner until the maximum number of Shareholder Nominees is reached.

For purposes of this Section 2, an Eligible Shareholder shall be deemed to own only those outstanding common shares as to which the shareholder possesses both (i) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the

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shares and (ii) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) shall not include any shares (A) sold by such shareholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (B) borrowed by such shareholder or any of its affiliates for any purposes or purchased by such shareholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell, or (C) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such shareholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of shares of outstanding common shares, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, or if exercised would have, the purpose or effect of (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such shareholder’s or its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, or (y) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such shareholder or affiliate. Further, for purposes of this Section 2, an Eligible Shareholder shall be deemed to own shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the shareholder retains the right to recall the shares for voting purposes on no less than five business days’ notice, represents that they will vote such shares at the applicable shareholder meeting and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. An Eligible Shareholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the shareholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the shareholder. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Whether outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation are owned for purposes of this Section 2 shall be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, in its reasonable discretion. For the purposes of this Section 2, the term “affiliate” or “affiliates” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. No shares of the Corporation may be attributed to more than one group constituting an Eligible Shareholder and no shareholder or beneficial owner, alone or together with any of its affiliates, may be a member of more than one group constituting an Eligible Shareholder. Furthermore, two or more funds that are (i) under common management and investment control, (ii) under common management and funded primarily by the same employer or (iii) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in the InvestmentCompany Act of 1940, as amended, shall be treated as one shareholder for purposes of determining Eligible Shareholder status.

An Eligible Shareholder must have owned 3% or more of the issued and outstanding common shares continuously for at least three years (the “Required Shares”) as of each of the date the Proxy Notice is delivered to or received by the Corporation, the date the Proxy Notice is required to be delivered to or received by the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2 and the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and must continue to hold the Required Shares through the date of the annual meeting. Within the time period specified in this Section 2 for delivery of the Proxy Notice, an Eligible Shareholder must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation: (i) one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the requisite three-year holding period) verifying that, as of a date within three calendar days prior to the date the Proxy Notice is delivered to or received by the Corporation, the Eligible Shareholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three years, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Shareholder’s agreement to provide, within five business days after each of the date the Proxy Notice is required to be delivered to or received by the Corporation and the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Shareholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through each of the date the Proxy Notice is required to be delivered to or received by the Corporation and the record date, along with a written statement that the Eligible Shareholder will continue to hold the Required Shares through the date of the annual meeting; (ii) the Required Information, together with the written consent of each Shareholder Nominee to being named in the Proxy Statement as a nominee; (iii) a representation that (A) the Eligible Shareholder acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and did not acquire any of the Required Shares with the intent to change or influence control of the Corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (B) the Eligible Shareholder has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than the Shareholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 2, (C) the Eligible Shareholder has not engaged and will not engage in,

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and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule14a-1(l) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision, in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Shareholder Nominee or a nominee of the Board of Directors, (D) that the Shareholder Nominee(s) is or are eligible for inclusion in the Proxy Materials under this Section 2 and (E) the Eligible Shareholder will not distribute to any shareholder any proxy for the annual meeting other than the form distributed by the Corporation, (iv) an undertaking that the Eligible Shareholder agrees to (A) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Shareholder’s communications with the shareholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Shareholder provided to the Corporation, (B) comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to any solicitation in connection with the annual meeting, and (C) provide to the Corporation prior to the election of directors such additional information as requested with respect thereto, including any other certifications, representations or undertakings as the Corporation may reasonably request, (v) in the case of a nomination by a group of shareholders that together is an Eligible Shareholder, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all such members with respect to the nomination, (vi) an undertaking that the Eligible Shareholder agrees to immediately notify the Corporation if the Eligible Shareholder ceases to own any of the Required Shares prior to the date of the applicable annual meeting and (vii) in the case of a nomination by an Eligible Shareholder that includes a group of funds whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Shareholder, an undertaking that the Eligible Shareholder agrees to provide all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Corporation to demonstrate that the funds satisfy the requirements of this Section 2. If the Eligible Shareholder does not comply with each of the applicable representation, agreements and undertakings set forth in this Section 2, or the Eligible Shareholder provides information to the Corporation regarding a nomination that is untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make a statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading, the Shareholder Nominee(s) nominated by such Eligible Shareholder shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and will not be included in the Proxy Materials.

The Eligible Shareholder may provide to the Secretary of the Corporation, at the time the information required by this Section 2 is first provided, a written statement (the “Statement”) for inclusion in the Proxy Materials, not to exceed 500 words, in support of the Shareholder Nominee’s candidacy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2, the Corporation may omit from the Proxy Materials any information or Statement that it, in good faith, believes is materially false or misleading, omits to state any material fact or would violate any applicable law or regulation. If multiple members of a shareholder group submit a statement for inclusion, the statement received by the Eligible Shareholder owning the greatest number of shares will be selected.

On or prior to the date the Proxy Notice is required to be delivered or received by the Corporation as specified in this Section 2, a Shareholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation the written questionnaire required of directors and officers. The Shareholder Nominee must also deliver to the Corporation such additionalinformation as the Corporation may request to permit the Board of Directors to determine if the Shareholder Nominee is independent under the rules and listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the Corporation’s common shares are listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of its directors. If the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the Shareholder Nominee is not independent under any of these standards, the Shareholder Nominee will be deemed to have been withdrawn and will not be included in the Proxy Materials. If a Shareholder Nominee or an Eligible Shareholder fails to continue to meet the requirements of this Section 2, if the Eligible Shareholder fails to meet the all of the requirements of the notice provisions set forth in this Section 2 or if a Shareholder Nominee dies, becomes disabled or is otherwise disqualified from being nominated for election or serving as a director prior to theannual meeting of shareholders: (i) the Corporation may, to the extent feasible, remove the name of the Shareholder Nominee and the Statement from its proxy statement, remove the name of the Shareholder Nominee from its form of proxy and/or otherwise communicate to its shareholders that the Shareholder Nominee will not be eligible for nomination at the annual meeting of Shareholders; and (ii) the Eligible Shareholder may not name another Shareholder Nominee or, subsequent to the date on which the Proxy Noticeis required to be delivered to or received by the Corporation, otherwise cure in any way any defect preventing the nomination of the Shareholder

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Nominee at the annual meeting of Shareholders. On or prior to the date the Proxy Notice is required to be delivered to or received by the Corporation as specified in this Section 2, a Shareholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation a written representation and agreement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, and (iii) will comply with all the Corporation corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, and any other the Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors. If the Shareholder Nominee fails to comply with any of the requirements included in this Section 2, the Shareholder Nominee will be deemed to have withdrawn and will not be included in the Proxy Materials.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2, unless otherwise required by law or otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if (i) the Eligible Shareholder or (ii) a qualified representative of the Eligible Shareholder does not appear at the applicable annual meeting to present its Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees, such nomination or nominations shall be disregarded, and no vote on such Shareholder Nominee or Shareholder Nominees will occur, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2, to be considered a qualified representative of an Eligible Shareholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such Eligible Shareholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Eligible Shareholder to act for such Eligible Shareholder as proxy at the applicable annual meeting and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the applicable annual meeting.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 130 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Proxy Notice shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to Shareholder Nominees for any new positions created by such increase and only to the extent the increase in the size of the Board of Directors increases the number of Shareholder Nominees permitted under this Section 2, if it shall be delivered to or received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

Compliance with this Section 2 shall be the exclusive method for shareholders to include nominees for director in the Corporation’s proxy materials.

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Annex C

AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION CORRESPONDING TO EFFECT REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

FOURTH: The authorized number of shares of the Corporation is611,000,000311,000,000, consisting of600,000,000300,000,000common shares, $0.10 par value per share (hereinafter called “Common Shares”), 750,000 Class A Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class A Shares”), 750,000 Class B Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class B Shares”), 750,000 Class C Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class C Shares”), 750,000 Class D Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class D Shares”), 750,000 Class E Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class E Shares”), 750,000 Class F Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class F Shares”), 750,000 Class G Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class G Shares”), 750,000 Class H Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class H Shares”), 750,000 Class I Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class I Shares”), 750,000 Class J Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class J Shares”), 750,000 Class K Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Class K Shares”), 750,000 Noncumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Noncumulative Shares”), and 2,000,000 Cumulative Voting Preferred Shares, without par value (hereinafter called “Voting Preferred Shares”). The Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Class D Shares, Class E Shares, Class F Shares, Class G Shares, Class H Shares, Class I Shares, Class J Shares, Class K Shares and Voting Preferred Shares are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Cumulative Shares.”

Effective as of[            ][a.m./p.m.], Eastern Time, on [Effective Time to be determined] the (“Effective Time”), each two of the Common Shares issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the Corporation or the respective holders thereof, be combined and converted into one Common Share. Each outstanding share certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented one or more Common Share shall, thereafter, automatically and without the necessity of surrendering the same for exchange, represent the number of whole Common Shares equal to the product of (x) the number of Common Shares represented by such certificate immediately prior to the Effective Time and (y) one half, rounded down to the nearest whole integer; and Common Shares held in uncertificated form shall be treated in the same manner. No fractional shares shall be issued in connection with such combination and conversion and, in lieu thereof, any holder of less than one Common Share shall, upon due surrender to the Corporation, be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to its pro rata portion of the net proceeds of the open market sale of all fractional Common Shares that would otherwise be issued, aggregated into whole Common Shares, at prevailing market prices.

At the Effective Time, the stated capital of the Common Shares shall be reduced proportionately to the reduction in the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares.

DIVISION A

[…]

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Your vote matters – here’s how to vote!

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Votes submitted electronically must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 11, 2020.

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  Annual Meeting Proxy Card

 

 

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q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q

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Electronic Voting Instructions

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 7, 2018.

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 A 

 

Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a voteFOR all the director nominees listed andFOR Proposals 2 through 6.and 3.

1.

Election of Eight Directors:

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+

1. Election of Directors: For Against Abstain  For Against Abstain  For Against  Abstain 
    01 - Linda B. Abraham02 - Terrance R. Ahern03 - Jane E. DeFlorio
 

 

01    04 - Terrance R. AhernThomas Finne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02 - Jane E. DeFlorio

03 - Thomas Finne

0405 -  David R. Lukes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0506 - Victor B. MacFarlane

06 - Alexander Otto

 

 

 

 

  

 

 
 

 

07 - Scott D. RoulstonAlexander Otto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08 - Barry A. SholemDawn M. Sweeney

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

  For Against Abstain   For Against Abstain

 

2.

 

 

Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate the Ability of Shareholders to Exercise Cumulative Voting in the Election of Directors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Code of Regulations to Implement Proxy Access in Connection with Annual Meetings of Shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

Authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors to Effect, in its Discretion, a Reverse Stock Split of the Company’s Common Stock and the Adoption of a Corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 5. Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.   

 

6.

 

 

Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
  For Against Abstain   For Against Abstain

 

2.

 

 

Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

    

3.

 

 Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.   
         

 

  Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Belowsign below.

NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box.
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 /       /

  C  1234567890                   J N T

  1  U  P  X          4  5  4  9  7  0

MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND

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                03740B     

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Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 2018.12, 2020.

The DDRSITE Centers Corp. 20182020 Proxy Statement and the 20172019 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at:www.proxydocs.com/ddrsitc

 

 

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Proxy — DDR CORP.– SITE Centers Corp.  +

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Annual Meeting of Shareholders – May 8, 201812, 2020

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY

The undersigned hereby appoints Matthew L. Ostrower,Conor M. Fennerty, Aaron M. Kitlowski and Christa A. Vesy, and each of them, with power to act without the others and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other side, all the DDRSITE Centers Corp. Common Shares that the undersigned is entitled to vote, and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held May 8, 201812, 2020 or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Annual Meeting.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND “FOR” ITEMS 2 THROUGH 6.AND 3.

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card. To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on the other side)

If voting by mail, complete sections A and C and, if applicable, section B on the reverse side of this card.card and, if applicable, section C below.

 

 C 

 Non-Voting Items  

Change of Address Please print new address below.

  

Comments Please print your comments below.

    
    
    

 

  IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CARD.  +

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