Filed by a Partyparty other than the Registrant ☐
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
| ☒ | No fee required. | |||
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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| Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act 14a-6(i)(1) and0-11. | ||
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April 5, 202113, 2023
To MyDear Fellow BXP Stockholders,
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one ofcontained elsewhere in this proxy statement and our co-founders. In every instance, although we endured some short-term pain and uncertainty, we adjusted to the conditions and emerged stronger. That said, by any measure, 2020 was a remarkably challenging year, one in which we experienced three mega-events simultaneously: (1) the most serious worldwide health crisis of our generation; (2) a collective reawakening to the sad reality that the road to achieving racial justice in our country remains long and difficult; and (3) a much-heightened awareness of the importance of environmental and sustainability issues.
In view of these remarkable events,annual report, I want to change coursetake this year. Insteadopportunity to share with you some of using this letter to summarize and highlight financial informationthe ways that is contained in the accompanying Annual Report and proxy statement, I want to talk about how Boston Properties responded to these challenges and where we stand as we move into the second quarter of 2021. Spoiler alert: under the strong leadership of our CEO, Owen Thomas, and our President, Doug Linde, the Company acted thoughtfully and responsibly, successfully meeting these complex challenges with compassion and in a manner consistent with our recognition by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Needless to say, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented and outsized challenges for everyone – people died, lives were disrupted, and the economy suffered massive dislocation. In addition, because COVID restrictions kept people out of offices, retail stores, restaurants and hotels for most ofBoard has worked together over the past year it presented special challengesin areas that are important to our business. That reality, in turn, brought front-and-centeryou.
Board Composition and Process
As Lead Independent Director, one of my priorities is to work with our Board’s most important responsibilities – risk oversight. Of course,Nominating and Corporate Governance (“NCG”) Committee to help ensure that the Board as a whole is independent and equipped to oversee the risks and opportunities of BXP’s business. In this regard, the Board is always awarecommitted to maintaining an appropriate balance between director retention and refreshment. We believe that substantial benefits result from a sustained focus on BXP’s business, strategy and industry over a period of time and that continuity on the Board is essential to its effectiveness. Because it takes time to acquire sufficient company-specific knowledge and because commercial real estate development is, by its nature, long-term, our Board values the experience and institutional knowledge of our longer-serving directors.
However, our Board also values refreshment and believes that turnover in Board membership provides an opportunity to add significant value through the input of fresh ideas, skills, experiences and knowledge, and by expanding the diversity of directors’ perspectives. This can be particularly beneficial as onea company’s business strategy evolves, when it enters new markets or when it faces new challenges, each of which may require different knowledge or skills. As a result, our Board strives to balance these competing perspectives through careful succession planning.
Nomination of Tony West
Consistent with the largest publicly traded ownersprinciples outlined above, the Board is thrilled to announce the nomination of Class A office properties inTony West for election to BXP’s Board at our 2023 Annual Meeting. Tony currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Uber, Inc., positions he has held since 2017, and he previously served as the Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at PepsiCo. Before joining PepsiCo, the United States BXP operates inSenate twice confirmed Tony to serve as a challenging environment, and attention to risk is a constant staple of our work. But COVID – and the consequent temporary shiftsenior official in the locus of work (from officeObama Administration. From 2012 to home) – took that recognition to a new level, as2014, Tony was the world and our company navigated uncharted waters with no idea as to how long they would persist.
Right from the outset, therefore, the Board changed its usual way of operating in order to ensure that we remained fully abreast, in real time,Associate Attorney General of the risks posed byUnited States, the pandemic and management’s responses to them. In particular, the Board and severalU.S. Department of its committees held a significant number of additional meetings in 2020 to analyze and act on these matters, while allJustice’s third-highest ranking official, where he supervised many of the directors engaged with management even more frequently in informal settings. We wrestled withdepartment’s divisions, including the unpredictabilityCivil Rights, Antitrust, Tax, Environment and Natural Resources, and Civil Divisions.
Tony will be a tremendous addition to BXP’s Board as we seek to benefit from his deep experience at the intersection of the pandemic, the uncertainty of its duration, its effect on our business as well as on the businesses of our tenants, what it would mean for our stockholders and stock price, how we would conduct public reportinggovernment, his executive experience in the face of uncertainty, whether work-from-home would be a short-term blip or have longer-term consequences, how we would ensure the safety of our tenantstechnology industry and with risk management, and his unique perspective as they began to return to our officesBXP’s first director who principally lives and works in greater numbers, and perhaps, most importantly, what effect all of this would have on our employees, the lifeblood of our company. When appropriate, we also brought in outside experts to help us address these vexing matters.California. Tony’s
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We also took special precautions to protect employees and tenants from exposure to COVID. We worked with our own property management teams and brought in world-renowned health security experts to develop a Health Security Plan for operating our properties. The plan is now widely viewed as a world-class, market-leading safety protocol. Most importantly, as a result of this extraordinary work, we kept our commitment to our tenants by providing them with clean and safe buildings that remained open for business throughout the pandemic. In this regard, the Board wishes to express special thanks to BXP’s property-management teams, who were instrumental in helping us meet our tenants’ needs.
Although there were some inevitably choppy waters, especially at the outset, under the leadership of Owen and Doug, the Company moved forward with confidence and a focus on our long-term objectives, even when doing so may have had short-term negative implications. We refinanced a significant amount of debt, approved several development opportunities, effectively husbanded our assets, and dealt fairly with our tenants, many of whom faced their own serious economic challenges. I am pleased to report that positive results are beginning to show. Our stock has recovered a substantial portion of the early losses experienced throughout our industry, our buildings are now being safely reoccupied, and our employees remain committed and highly motivated.
As I write this letter, a year since the outbreak of COVID, remarkably the U.S. is now providing its citizens with vaccines. Consequently, although the pandemic is not yet over, and we continue to adapt our day-to-day operations to respond to its effects and our tenants’ needs, as we move into the spring of 2021 there is no doubt that renewed hope and optimism are in the air. We expect that in a few months everyone that wants to be vaccinated will have had the opportunity to do so, and that our buildings will return to most of their pre-pandemic operations.
Nevertheless, as a leading company in the office business, we will inevitably face continuing questions and uncertainties over the impact of the “work-from-home” experience of the past year on our business going-forward. For our part, based on extensive internal analysis, external outreach and our directors’ own experience in leading organizations, we continue to believe that there is no better way for a company to support its own success than by fostering the necessary culture, collaboration, mentorship, training and creativity, all of which result from bringing people together to work in teams in a person-to-person collaborative environment. These are the essentials that the modern office provides, and we believe that this core foundational view will soon be reaffirmed by companies throughout the nation.
Social Justice
This past year, Americans also witnessed major social-justice movements that spotlighted the racial injustices and economic inequities that continue to plague our society. In response, and despite the separate challenges of COVID, the Company decided that we needed to expand and accelerate our longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Owen immediately set the tone-at-the-top by signing on to the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion campaign, the largest collective business commitment ever made on this issue. The Company also took internal steps to address these issues by establishing the BXP Diversity and Inclusion Committee in early 2020. The mission of this new committee is two-fold: (1) to promote and ingrain diversity, inclusion, equality and transparency as a cornerstone of BXP’s culture, business activities and decision-making practices; and (2) to provide a priority mechanism for developing specific D&I-based programs that will have a positive impact on the Company as well as in the broader community. In addition, the Board expressly committed to engaging with management to identify other ways by which we can drive further change, and, for the first time, our Compensation Committee has included goals and objectives to ensure that our executives are held accountable for progress on these issues. To be fully transparent, we intend to provide periodic updates on the results of these efforts.
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CommitmentRetirement of David Twardock
While it is exciting to ESG
Lastly, responding furtherwelcome a new director nominee to BXP, David Twardock will not be standing for re-election to the past year’sBoard in 2023. David has served BXP honorably and with distinction since 2003. At different times during his tenure, David served on each of the Audit, Compensation and NCG Committees and chaired the Audit and Compensation Committees. He also played a key Board role in helping guide BXP through many strategic challenges, including the Company has stepped up its Environmental, SocialGreat Financial Crisis, two CEO successions, the Covid-19 pandemic and Governance (ESG) efforts, which you will be able to see in detailthe current uncertainty in the accompanying proxy statement. Ourbanking industry, among others. Although we will miss greatly David’s knowledge and perspectives, particularly as BXP’s longest-tenured independent director, we will miss seeing our good friend at BXP Board meetings even more. Despite David’s retirement, the Board is confident that Tony West and the other independent directors will continue providing the effective oversight that BXP’s investors demand and deserve. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, it is with deep gratitude that we thank David for his many significant contributions to BXP. We wish him well in his future endeavors and we say to him, “Job well done.”
Oversight of Strategy and Risk
The Board’s role in overseeing and working with management to refine BXP’s strategy is among the Board’s most important responsibilities, and we continue to work closely with management on matters regarding BXP’s business, its performance and its long-term outlook. The Board sees an incredible opportunity for BXP to continue to be a leader in the evolving market for premier workplaces, and, in 2022, our Board and committee meetings regularly included consideration and discussion of significant business and organizational initiatives, investment trends and operating philosophies are both shaped byopportunities, capital allocation and financing strategies, trends in the use of office space, succession planning, appropriate goal setting for compensation targets, and sustainability and human capital management. The Board also stayed informed of enterprise risks, risks related to climate change, risks related to cyber intrusions and the security of our core strategytechnology infrastructure, legal and regulatory matters, and public policy developments (including state and local tax laws).
2023 and Beyond
Ultimately, the Board confronts every issue and makes decisions with a view to long-term sustainable growth, even at the expense of long-term ownershipshort-term earnings. U.S. companies, including BXP, have endured volatile markets, economic slowdowns and our commitment to making our communitiesrecessions before, and with prudent management, we believe BXP will do so again. While none of us is content with BXP’s recent short-term stock price performance, the centersBoard understands that this is not a reflection of commercethe superb leadership and civic lifeworkforce that make them thrive.BXP employs. We are increasingly focused on developingconfident that, together, BXP’s Board and management team are charting the proper course for enhancing long-term shareholder value in BXP – whether in deciding in which markets to invest, which properties to own and which to sell, managing the balance sheet or setting the path to achieving its ESG goals, to name a few. And we will continue to do so while maintaining healthy, high-performance buildings, while simultaneously mitigating operational costsrigorous oversight of the risks we face.
On behalf of my fellow independent directors and the potential external impacts of energy, water, waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. To these ends, we have publicly adopted long-term energy, emissions, water and waste goals containing aggressive reduction targets that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, as you will see more about in our proxy statement, Boston Properties is recognized as an international leader in sustainability and ESG, and our management andentire Board, firmly intend to preserve and enhance those achievements. For transparency, we have committed to provide high-quality ESG data and information for evaluation by independent third parties and, as new ESG assessments, ratings and frameworks emerge, we intend to engage fully with our stakeholders to make sure that we remain nimble and responsive.
The accompanying proxy statement contains a great deal of other important information about Boston Properties, and we hope you will take the time to read it and vote at the annual meeting. Whether or not you are able to participate in the “virtual” annual meeting, we welcome your interest in our affairs and thank you for your continued support.support and interest in BXP. We appreciate the opportunity to serve BXP on your behalf, and we look forward to hearing your views at the 2023 Annual Meeting and through our ongoing engagement with you.
Sincerely,
Joel I. Klein
Chairman of the BoardLead Independent Director
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NOTICE OF 20212023 ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC.
| Location: Prudential Tower 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900 Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103 Date: Tuesday, May Time: 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time | |||
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ITEMS OF BUSINESSBusiness:
1. | To elect the eleven (11) nominees for director named in the proxy statement, each to serve for a one-year term and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. |
2. | To hold a non-binding, advisory vote on named executive officer compensation. |
3. | To |
4. | To ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, |
5. | To consider and act upon any other matters that are properly brought by or at the direction of the Board of Directors before the annual meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. | |
Record Date: March 29, 2023. Only holders of record of BXP common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING OUR VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
Due to the continuing public health concerns relating to the coronavirus, or COVID-19, Boston Properties’ 2021 annual meeting will be a “virtual” meeting conducted by live audio webcast. Stockholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person, but will be able to listen, vote and submit questions during the virtual annual meeting from any remote location that has internet connectivity. You or your proxyholder may participate and vote by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021 and using your 16-digit control number on your proxy card, voting instruction form, or the Notice of Internet Availability you previously received. For more information, see “Information about the Annual Meeting — Attending the Virtual Annual Meeting” on page 105 in the proxy statement.
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose relevant to the meeting for at least ten days prior to May 20, 2021. The stockholder list will be available in electronic form during the annual meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021.
Since becoming a public company in 1997 until 2020, we always held our annual meetings in person. However, due to COVID-19, we held a virtual annual meeting last year for the first time. We intend to hold our future annual meetings in person when it is safe to do so.
PROXY VOTINGProxy Voting
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting and vote your shares of common stock virtually in person, we urge you to vote your shares as instructed in the proxy statement. If you received a copy of the proxy card by mail, you may sign, date and mail the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.
If your shares of common stock are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee to have your shares of common stock voted.
Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Frank D. Burt,ERIC G. KEVORKIAN, ESQ.
Secretary
April 5, 202113, 2023
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to be Held on May 20, 2021. 23, 2023.The proxy statement and our 20202022 annual report to stockholders are available atwww.proxyvote.com.
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| › | PROXY SUMMARY |
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in the proxy statement. This summaryIt does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting. References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Boston Properties,” “BXP” and the “Company” in this summaryproxy statement refer to Boston Properties, Inc. and references to “BPLP” and the “Operating Partnership” in this summary refersproxy statement refer to Boston Properties Limited Partnership, our operating partnership.
20212023 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
Date and Time |
Location |
Record Date | ||
9:00 a.m., Eastern Time |
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103 | March |
VOTING MATTERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
| Board voting recommendation | Where to find more information | |||||||
Proposal 1 | Election of Eleven (11) Directors |  | FOReach nominee | Page 7 | ||||
Proposal 2 | Non-binding, Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation | | FOR | Page | ||||
Proposal 3 | EVERY YEAR (“1 Year” on proxy card) | Page | ||||||
Proposal 4 | Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
| FOR | Page | ||||
DIRECTOR SUCCESSION
Led by our Nominating and Corporate Governance (“NCG”) Committee, our Board of Directors (“Board”) remains focused on ensuring (1) a smooth transition when directors retire or otherwise leave our Board and (2) that the composition of our Board is systematically refreshed so that, taken as a whole, it has the desired mix of skills, experience, continuity, reputation and diversity relevant to our strategic direction and operating environment, as well as the knowledge, ability and independence to continue to deliver the high standard of governance and oversight expected by investors. For more information on this process, see “Corporate Governance – Board Refreshment and Evaluations” beginning on page 30 of this proxy statement.
Consistent with this approach, since 2016, our Board nominated, and our stockholders elected, six new directors, and our Board of Directors is delighted to nominate a new candidate – Mr. Derek Anthony (Tony) West – for election to our Board at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. David A. Twardock, a director of BXP since 2003, is not standing for re-election.
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BOARD NOMINEES
Following the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance (“NCG”)NCG Committee, our Board of Directors has nominated the following eleven (11) candidates for election as directors at the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders.
Name | Principal Occupation | Age(1) | Director Since | Independent | Current Committee Memberships | |||||
Joel I. Klein Chairman of the Board | Chief Policy and Strategy Officer of Oscar Health Corporation | 74 | 2013 | Yes | (2) | |||||
Kelly A. Ayotte | Former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire | 52 | 2018 | Yes | Compensation (Chair); NCG | |||||
Bruce W. Duncan(3) | President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of CyrusOne Inc. | 69 | 2016 | Yes | Audit; NCG | |||||
Karen E. Dykstra(3) | Former Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of AOL, Inc. | 62 | 2016 | Yes | Audit | |||||
Carol B. Einiger | President of Post Rock Advisors, LLC | 71 | 2004 | Yes | Compensation; NCG | |||||
Diane J. Hoskins | Chair and Co-Chief Executive Officer of M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. | 63 | 2019 | Yes | NCG; Sustainability (Chair) | |||||
Douglas T. Linde | President of Boston Properties, Inc. | 57 | 2010 | No | Sustainability | |||||
Matthew J. Lustig | Chairman of North America Investment Banking and Head of Real Estate & Lodging at Lazard Frères & Co. | 60 | 2011 | Yes | NCG (Chair); Sustainability | |||||
Owen D. Thomas | Chief Executive Officer of Boston Properties, Inc. | 59 | 2013 | No | Sustainability | |||||
David A. Twardock(3) | Former President of Prudential Mortgage Capital Company, LLC | 64 | 2003 | Yes | Audit (Chair); Compensation | |||||
William H. Walton, III | Co-Founder and Managing Member of Rockpoint Group, LLC | 69 | 2019 | Yes | Compensation | |||||
Name | Principal Occupation | Age(1) | Director Since | Independent | Current Committee Memberships | |||||||
 | Owen D. Thomas Chairman of the Board | Chief Executive Officer of Boston Properties, Inc. | 61 | 2013 |  | • Sustainability | ||||||
 | Kelly A. Ayotte Lead Independent Director | Former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire
| 54 | 2018 |  | • ex officio(2) | ||||||
 | Bruce W. Duncan(3) | Former President and Chief Executive Officer of CyrusOne Inc. | 71 | 2016 | | • Audit • NCG | ||||||
 | Carol B. Einiger | President of Post Rock Advisors, LLC | 73 | 2004 | | • Compensation(4) • NCG | ||||||
 | Diane J. Hoskins |
Co-Chief Executive Officer of M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. | 65 | 2019 | | • NCG • Sustainability - Chair | ||||||
| Mary E. Kipp(3) | President & Chief Executive Officer of Puget Sound Energy | 55 | 2021 | | • Audit(5) • Sustainability | ||||||
 | Joel I. Klein | Chief Executive Officer of Retromer Therapeutics | 76 | 2013 | | • Compensation - Chair • NCG | ||||||
 | Douglas T. Linde | President of Boston Properties, Inc. | 59 | 2010 | | • Sustainability | ||||||
 | Matthew J. Lustig | Chairman of North America Investment Banking and Head of Real Estate & Lodging at Lazard Frères & Co.
| 62 | 2011 | | • NCG - Chair • Sustainability | ||||||
 | William H. Walton, III | Co-Founder and Managing Member of Rockpoint Group, LLC | 71 | 2019 | | • Compensation | ||||||
 | Derek Anthony (Tony) West | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Uber Technologies, Inc.
| 57 | New Nominee | | • N/A(6) | ||||||
| (1) | Ages are as of May |
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| (3) | Our Board of Directors determined that each of Ms. |
| (4) | Assuming her re-election to our Board of Directors at the 2023 annual meeting, the Board expects to appoint Ms. Einiger to the Audit Committee and that she would cease serving on the Compensation Committee. |
| (5) | Assuming her re-election to the Board of Directors at the 2023 annual meeting, the Board expects to appoint Ms. Kipp as the Chair of the Audit Committee. |
| (6) | Assuming his election to our Board of Directors at the 2023 annual meeting, the Board expects to appoint Mr. West to the Compensation Committee. |
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| › | PROXY SUMMARY |
SNAPSHOT OF 20212023 BOARD NOMINEES
Presented below is a snapshot of the expected composition of our Board of Directors immediately following the 20212023 annual meeting, of stockholders, assuming the election of the eleven (11) nominees named in thethis proxy statement. Our Board of Directors believes that, collectively, the nominees exhibit an effective mix of qualifications, experience, diversity and tenure. For comparison purposes, we have also presented comparablebelow are metrics on age, tenure and diversity for BXP and the constituents of the S&P 500 Index, of which Boston PropertiesBXP is a member. Data for the S&P 500 Index is based on the Spencer Stuart Board Index 2020.2022.
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The following summarizes the qualifications and experience of the eleven (11) nominees for election as directors. For additional information, see “Proposal 1: Election of Directors – Nominees for Election” beginning on page 910 of thethis proxy statement.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 3 |
| › | PROXY SUMMARY |
GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
We are committed to strong corporate governance policies and practices that not only reflect regulatory requirements, New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards and broadly recognized governance practices, but also foster effective leadership and independent oversight by our Board of Directors. We intend for our governance policies and practices to help us execute our long-term strategy and believe such polices and practices are aligned with our stockholders’ interests.
Board Composition, Leadership & Independence | Stockholder Rights | |||
• Ms. Ayotte currently serves as our Lead Independent Director and Mr. Thomas serves as Chairman and CEO • Eleven (11) directors • Nine (9) directors (82%) are independent • On our current Board, four directors are women and one director is African American • Of the seven, first-time nominees for director since 2016, four (57%) were women and two (29%) were African American | • Incorporated in Delaware › The Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act does not apply to us • Proxy Access By-law right • Annual election of all directors • Majority voting standard in uncontested director elections • Stockholder right to amend By-laws • No Stockholder Rights Plan (or “poison pill”) • Disclosure of Policy on Company Political Spending | |||
Director Policies | Compensation | |||
• Independent directors hold regular executive sessions • Each Board committee is authorized to retain separate legal counsel and engage other third-party advisors in its sole discretion • All directors, officers and employees are subject to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics • Annual self-evaluations for the Board and each committee conducted using written assessments or interviews of individual directors by our Lead Independent Director; process overseen by our NCG Committee • Each director attended more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she served in 2022; in the aggregate, our directors attended more than 97% of the total number of meetings held in 2022 | • Approximately 90% of votes cast FOR our “Say-on-Pay” proposal at the 2022 annual meeting • Stock ownership requirements for executives (for CEO, 6x base salary) • Stock ownership requirements for directors (5x annual retainer) • Double-trigger vesting for time-based equity awards • Compensation clawback policy • Policy against new tax gross-up provisions • Non-employee directors are compensated under a stockholder-approved plan • Anti-hedging, anti-pledging and anti-short-sale policies |
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| › | PROXY SUMMARY |
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCESUSTAINABILITY
Environmental, socialWe strive to maintain and governance (“ESG”) considerations continue to evolve and influence how we conductimprove our business. Our core strategy is long-term ownership of commercial real estate; therefore, sustainable development and responsible growth are fundamental to our investment philosophy. As stakeholder interest in issues like healthy buildings,sustainability performance across three pillars: climate action, climate resilience diversity and inclusion, health and wellness, social equity and community involvement continues to grow, it reinforces just how intertwined our workgood. BXP is with many important aspects of people’s lives. It also means BXP has a unique opportunity to provide leadershipwidely recognized industry leader in crafting solutions, and we intend to continue making efforts to improve ESG performance and conduct our business in a manner that contributes to positive economic, social and environmental outcomes for our customers, stockholders, employees and the communities we serve.sustainability. Our sustainability highlights include:
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• Corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council®
• Fitwel Champion through a partnership with Fitwel, a leading healthy building certification system, to support healthy building design and operational practices across our portfolio
• In 2017, shortly after the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, we proudly signed the We Are Still In declaration
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• The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Target Validation Team classified BXP’s emissions reduction target as in line with a 1.5°C trajectory,
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2022 Awards and Recognitions
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• Ranked among the top real estate companies in the • MSCI rating improved from A to AA, and Carbon Disclosure Project score improved from C to B • Named to Newsweek’s List of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023 for the | • Named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the second consecutive year; one of eight real estate companies that qualified and the only office REIT in the index, scoring in the 95th percentile of real estate companies assessed for inclusion
• Recipient of Nareit’s prestigious Leader in the Light Award • Recognized by the
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| › | PROXY SUMMARY |
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT |
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In 2022, we advanced the mission of BXP’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) Council, which is to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and transparency as part of our culture, decision-making practices and business activities, while also providing a mechanism for positive impact in the communities in which we operate. Notable actions and achievements in 2022 included the following: | ||||
• Conducted a two-part training for DEI Council members to enhance DEI leadership skills • Launched partnerships with CareerSpring and Project Destined to further enhance BXP’s community involvement, BXP employees’ volunteerism, as well as expand BXP’s diverse candidate pools to include program alumni and young professionals • Proactively contracted with women-owned and/or minority-owned recruiting firms and firms with DEI programs representing 50% of BXP’s contracted recruiting firms (as of December 2022). • Commenced a new depository relationship with a Black-led bank and continued our relationship with a minority- and women-owned bank
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New Hires: › 39% ethnically diverse › 57% women Total Workforce:(2) › 4.5% increase in ethnically diverse employees › 2% increase in women employees Officer Level:(2) › 6.5% increase in ethnically diverse officers › 9% increase in women officers | |||
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• Continued cultural awareness education for the BXP workforce through interactive DEI event offerings and educational content regarding cultural holidays and awareness months • Launched DEI Council page on BXP’s internal portal that provides DEI resources and announces future events and initiatives | • Launched three Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”) designed to connect employees who have similar backgrounds and shared experiences with the goal of working with BXP on diversity, equity and inclusion | |||
| (1) | Excludes union employees for which the unions control primary aspects of the hiring process; for new hires, data also excludes interns. |
| (2) | Compared to the 2020 base year. |
| (3) | We determine race and gender based on our employees’ self-identification.
more races or those who did not self-identify. |
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| PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is being made available to stockholders of Boston Properties, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Boston Properties”“BXP” or the “Company”) on or about April 5, 202113, 2023 via the Internet or by delivering printed copies by mail, and is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc. (our “Board” or our “Board of Directors”) for use at our 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders to be held virtually by live audio webcast on Thursday,Tuesday, May 20, 202123, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021,Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103, and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Since becoming a public company in 1997 until 2020, we always held our annual meeting in person. Due to the health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we held a virtual meeting in 2020 and will do so again this year. We intend to hold future annual meetings in person, provided that it is safe to do so.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Boston PropertiesBXP is currently governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors. The current members of our Board of Directors are:
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At the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders, directors will be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders. Directors hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any director appointed to our Board of Directors to fill a vacancy will hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders following such appointment.
Following the recommendation of the NCG Committee, our Board of Directors nominated all incumbentthe following directors for re-election.election at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders:
› Kelly A. Ayotte › Mary E. Kipp › Owen D. Thomas | › Bruce W. Duncan › Joel I. Klein › William H. Walton, III | › Carol B. Einiger › Douglas T. Linde › Derek Anthony West | › Diane J. Hoskins › Matthew J. Lustig |
Each nominee other than Mr. West currently serves as a director of BXP. In making its recommendations, the NCG Committee considered a number of factors, including its criteria for Board membership, which include the minimum qualifications that must be possessed by a director candidate in order to be nominated for a position on our Board. Our Board of Directors anticipates that, if elected, the nominees will serve as directors. However, if any person nominated by our Board of Directors is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as our Board of Directors may recommend.
VOTE REQUIRED AND MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD
Our By-laws provide for a majority voting standard. This means that, in an uncontested election, nominees for director are elected if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. The majority voting standard would not apply in contested elections, which, generally, will include any situation in which Boston PropertiesBXP receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated a person for election to our Board of Directors at a meeting of stockholders that is not withdrawn on or before the tenth day before Boston Propertieswe first mails itsmail the notice for such meeting to the stockholders.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 7 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
The majority voting standard will apply to the election of directors at the 20212023 annual meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, nominees for director will be elected if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. Broker non-votes, if any, and abstentions will not be treated as votes cast.
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Our Board of Directors also adoptedCorporate Governance Guidelines contain a related resignation policy, included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, under which a director who fails to receive the required number of votes for re-election will tender his or her resignation to our Board of Directors for its consideration. The NCG Committee will then act on an expedited basis to determine whether it is advisable to accept the director’s resignation and will submit its recommendation for prompt consideration by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors will act on the tendered resignation within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote and will promptly and publicly disclose its decision. Any director whose resignation is under consideration will abstain from participating in any decision regarding his or her resignation. If the resignation is not accepted, the director will continue to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal. The NCG Committee and our Board of Directors may consider any factors they deem relevant in deciding whether to accept a director’s resignation.
| Recommendation of the Board | |||||
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| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
The following biographical descriptions set forth certain information with respect to the nominees for election as directors at the 2021 annual meeting, based on information furnished to Boston Properties by each nominee, as well as the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion by our Board of Directors that such person should serve as a director of Boston Properties.
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› SUMMARY OF BOARD NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE AND DIVERSITYEXPERIENCE
In addition to the minimum qualifications that our Board of Directors believes are necessary for all directors, the following chart highlights some of the key qualifications and experience that our Board believes are relevant to the effective oversight of Boston PropertiesBXP and the execution of itsour long-term strategy .strategy. A mark for an attribute indicates that the nominee gained the attribute through a current or prior position other than his or her service on the Boston PropertiesBXP Board of Directors. Our Board did not assign specific weights to any of these attributes or otherwise formally rate the level of a nominee’s attribute relative to the rating for any other potential nominee or any other person. The absence of a mark for an attribute does not necessarily mean that the nominee does not possess that attribute; it means only that when the Board considered that nominee in the overall context of the composition of our Board of Directors, that attribute was not a key factor in the determination to nominate that individual. Further information on each nominee’s qualifications and relevant experience is provided in the individual biographical descriptions above.below.
| (1) | None of the nominees self-identifies as a member of the LBGTQ+ community. |
| (2) | As of May 23, 2023, the date of the 2023 annual meeting. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 9 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
The following biographical descriptions set forth certain information with respect to the nominees for election as directors at the 2023 annual meeting, based on information furnished to us by each nominee, as well as the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion by our Board of Directors that such person should serve as a director of BXP.
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Former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Former Senator Ayotte provides significant leadership experience and expertise in the areas of public policy, government and the law. Professional Background: • Represented New Hampshire in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2016; chaired the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations; and served on the Budget, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Aging Committees • New Hampshire’s first female Attorney General from 2004 to 2009 appointed by Republican Governor Craig Benson and reappointed twice by Democratic Governor John Lynch • Various positions with the State of New Hampshire from 1998 to 2004, including Deputy Attorney General, Chief of the Homicide Prosecution Unit and Legal Counsel to Governor Craig Benson • Former associate at the McLane Middleton law firm and law clerk to the New Hampshire Supreme Court • Director of The Blackstone Group, Inc. since May 2019, Caterpillar Inc. since August 2017 and News Corporation since April 2017 • Director of Blink Health LLC and BAE Systems, Inc., each a private company board • Former director of Bloom Energy Corporation from 2017 to 2019 • Member of advisory boards of Microsoft Corporation, Chubb Insurance and Cirtronics Corporation | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Senior Advisor for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions • Member of the non-profit boards of the One Campaign, the International Republican Institute, the McCain Institute, Swim with a Mission, Winning for Women, Saint Christopher Academy, and Veterans Count of New Hampshire • Member of the Board of Advisors for the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies • Graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania State University and received a JD from the Villanova University School of Law | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Age: 54 Independent Lead Independent Director Current BXP Board Committees: •ex officio member of all committees Other Public Company • Current: The Blackstone Group, Inc., Caterpillar Inc. and News Corporation • Former (past 5 years): Bloom Energy Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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DIVERSITY OF NOMINEES | ||||||||
| 9 of 11 | 8.2 years | 64.2 years | 4 | 1 | ||||
Independent Directors | Average Tenure of all Nominees | Average Age of all Nominees | Women | Ethnic Minority | ||||
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| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
BRUCE W. DUNCAN Former President and Chief Executive Officer of CyrusOne Inc. | Qualifications: Mr. Duncan provides more than 40 years of diverse real estate management and investment experience, including as a chairman, chief executive officer and a director of other publicly traded companies. Professional Background: • Former President, Chief Executive Officer and director of CyrusOne Inc., a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that develops, owns, operates and invests in data centers, from July 2020 to July 2021 • Various positions at First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., an industrial REIT, including Chairman of the Board from January 2016 and director from January 2009 until retiring from both positions in July 2020; President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2009 until he stepped down as President in September 2016 and retired as Chief Executive Officer in November 2016 • Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (“Starwood”), a leading worldwide hotel and leisure company, from May 2005 until its acquisition by Marriott International, Inc. in September 2016; director of Starwood from 1999 to September 2016; interim Chief Executive Officer of Starwood from April 2007 to September 2007 • Trustee of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a REIT and former subsidiary of Starwood, from 1995 to 2006 • Director of the mutual funds sponsored and managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. since September 2013 • Former senior Advisor to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (“KKR”), a global investment firm, from November 2018 to December 31, 2022; previously senior advisor to KKR from July 2008 to January 2009 • Director of Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company, from September 2016 to July 2020 | • Various positions at Equity Residential, one of the largest publicly traded apartment REITs in the United States, from March 2002 to December 2005, including: › Chief Executive Officer and Trustee from May 2005 to December 2005, › President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee from January 2003 to May 2005, and › President and Trustee from March 2002 to December 2002 • Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cadillac Fairview Corporation, one of North America’s largest owners and developers of retail and office properties, from December 1995 to March 2000 Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Life Trustee of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago • Former member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of Nareit • Former member of the Executive Committees of the Board of the Canadian Institute for Public Real Estate Companies (CIPREC) and the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC) • Former trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) • Received a BA in Economics from Kenyon College and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago | ||||
Director since: May 2016 Age: 71 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • Audit • NCG Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): CyrusOne Inc., First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. and Marriott International, Inc. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 11 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
CAROL B. EINIGER President of Post Rock Advisors, LLC | Qualifications: Ms. Einiger has more than 45 years of experience as an investment banker and investment advisor, during which time she has gained significant expertise in the operation of public and private debt and equity capital markets and the evaluation of investment opportunities. Professional Background: • President of Post Rock Advisors, LLC, a family investment office, since June 2018 • Senior Advisor at Roundtable Investment Partners LLC, a registered investment advisory firm, from January 2017 to June 2018 • Founder and President of Post Rock Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisory firm, from 2005 to 2016 • Chief Investment Officer of The Rockefeller University, responsible for management of the University’s endowment, from 1996 to 2005 • Chief Financial Officer and Acting President of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation from 1992 to 1996 • Managing Director at Wasserstein Perella & Co. from 1989 to 1992 • Visiting Professor and Executive-in-Residence at Columbia Business School from 1988 to 1989 • Managing Director, Head of the Capital Markets Department and various positions at The First Boston Corporation from 1973 to 1988 • Various positions at Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 1971 to 1972 | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Trustee and member of the Investment Committee, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • Chair of the Executive Council, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center • Member of the Investment Committee, JPB Foundation • Former Director and Chair of the Investment Committee, UJA-Federation of New York • Former Trustee and member of the Investment Committees of the University of Pennsylvania, the Lasker Foundation and Horace Mann School • Former Vice Chair of the Investment Committee of The Museum of Modern Art • Former member of the Board of Overseers, Columbia Business School • Former member of the Advisory Board of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management • Former Director, Credit Suisse First Boston (USA) and the New York Stem Cell Foundation • Honored by numerous organizations, including the AJC, the Anti-Defamation League, Catalyst, UJA-Federation of New York, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Columbia Business School and the University of Pennsylvania • Received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School | ||||
Director since: May 2004 Age: 73 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • Compensation • NCG Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 12 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
DIANE J. HOSKINS Co-Chief Executive Officer of M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. | Qualifications: Ms. Hoskins has more than 40 years of architecture, design, real estate and business experience, including as a chief executive officer of a global brand. During this time, she has gained extensive leadership, strategic planning, financial stewardship and organizational development experience, as well as a deep understanding of markets and clients, including their current and future space needs and insight into how companies envision their workspaces of the future. Professional Background: • Co-CEO of M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. (“Gensler”) since 2005, the world’s largest architecture, design, and planning firm, where Ms. Hoskins has broad responsibility for overseeing the company’s global platform and managing its day-to-day operations, including more than 6,500 employees networked across 53 offices in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East • Director of Gensler since 2004; former Co-Chair of the Gensler Board of Directors from 2016 to 2021 • Various positions at Gensler since 1995, including Southeast Regional Managing Principal and Managing Director of the Washington, DC office • Founded the Gensler Research Institute in 2005 to generate new knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the connection between design, business and the human experience • Senior Vice President of A. Epstein & Sons Architecture and Engineering from 1990 to 1994 • Development Analyst at Olympia & York from 1987 to 1990 • Architect Designer at Gensler from 1983 to 1985 • Architect at Skidmore Owings & Merrill from 1980 to 1983 | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Trustee of the MIT Corporation serving on the Risk and Audit Committee, Serves on the Visiting Committee of the MIT School of Architecture and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Trustee of the Board of Advisors of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Management, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, London, UK, Executive Committee for ACE Scholarship Program • 2023 Global Chair of the Urban Land Institute, Board Member of the Washington Board of Trade and member of several organizations, including the Economic Club of Washington, DC • Fellow of the American Institute of Architects • Ms. Hoskins has been honored by several organizations for her work, including the 2022 Global Visionary Award from the World Trade Center Institute; Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope and the Outstanding Impact Award from the Council of Real Estate Women • Inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame in 2016, and co-ranked on the Business Insider’s 100 “Creators” list, a who’s who of the world’s 100 top creative visionaries • Ms. Hoskins is sought after by the media to share her expertise in many top-tier media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Business Insider, Financial Times, Bloomberg TV, and global architecture and design trade publications • Frequent speaker at premier conferences, including the Bloomberg Business/CEO Summit, the Economist Human Potential Conference, and the Wall Street Journal Future of Cities Conference; was a featured panelist at the UN Climate Summit in the fall of 2019 • Graduated from MIT and holds an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA | ||||
Director since: May 2019 Age: 65 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • Sustainability (Chair) • NCG Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 13 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
MARY E. KIPP President & Chief Executive Officer of Puget Sound Energy | Qualifications: Ms. Kipp has extensive executive and leadership experience with public companies in the energy services industry, particularly in implementing the transition to supplying 100% clean electricity. As a resident in the Company’s newest market of Seattle, she adds a geographically diverse perspective to the Board. Professional Background: • President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of both Puget Energy, Inc. (“PEI”), an energy services holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (“PSE”), the largest electric and natural gas utility in the State of Washington, since January 2020 • Joined PEI and PSE as President in August 2019 • Member of the Board of Directors of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. since January 2023 • President and Chief Executive Officer of El Paso Electric Company (“EPE”) from May 2017 to August 2019 • Director of EPE from December 2015 to August 2019 • Various positions at EPE from 2007 to 2019, including Chief Executive Officer from December 2015 to May 2017 and President from September 2014 to December 2015, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, Legal and Chief Compliance Officer • Former prosecuting attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) • Former attorney for El Paso Natural Gas Company and Greenberg Traurig, LLP • Director of Landis+Gyr from June 2018 to June 2019 | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Co-chair of Edison Electric Institute’s Institute for Electric Innovation • Former member of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce • Former member of the Boards of Directors of Alliance to Save Energy and Energy Insurance Mutual • Former member of the Board of Trustees of Seattle University • Former Chair of Smart Electric Power Alliance and Borderplex Alliance • Former Deputy Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas • Former member of the executive committee of the Texas Business Leadership Council • Received a BA from Williams College and a JD from The University of Texas School of Law, and is an alumna of Exeter College, Oxford University | ||||
Director since: December 2021 Age: 55 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • Audit • Sustainability Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): El Paso Electric Company and Landis+Gyr |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 14 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
JOEL I. KLEIN Chief Executive Officer of Retromer Therapeutics | Qualifications: Mr. Klein has worked for more than 50 years in private industry and government during which time he has gained significant experience in senior policy making and executive roles, as well as a broad range of legal and financial matters. Professional Background: • Chief Executive Officer of Retromer Therapeutics Corp., a biotech start-up, since December 2020 • Senior Advisor to CEO, Oscar Health Corporation, a health insurance company (“Oscar”), since January 2022; Chief Policy and Strategy Officer at Oscar from January 2016 to January 2022 • Director of Juul Labs since March 2021 • Director of News Corporation from January 2011 to November 2020 • Executive Vice President, Office of the Chairman of News Corporation from June 2003 to December 2015 and Chief Executive Officer of Amplify, the education division of News Corporation, from January 2011 to December 2015 • Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education from 2002 through 2010, where Mr. Klein oversaw a system of over 1,600 schools with 1.1 million students, 136,000 employees and a $22 billion budget • U.S. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bertelsmann, Inc. and Chief U.S. Liaison Officer to Bertelsmann AG, a media company, from 2001 to 2002 | •Various roles with the Clinton administration, including Assistant U.S. Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1997 to 2000 and Deputy White House Counsel to President Clinton from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Klein entered the Clinton administration after 20 years of public and private legal work in Washington, DC Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Chair of the Board of StudentsFirstNY • Member of the Board of The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) • Member of the Advisory Boards of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and Columbia College • Received a BA, magna cum laude, from Columbia University and a JD, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School • Received honorary degrees from ten colleges and universities | ||||
Director since: January 2013 Age: 76 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: •Compensation (Chair) • NCG Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): News Corporation |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 15 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
DOUGLAS T. LINDE President of Boston Properties, Inc. | Qualifications: Mr. Linde has more than 37 years of experience in the real estate industry, including as our President and former Chief Financial Officer, during which time he gained extensive knowledge of the real estate industry, capital markets and real estate finance, as well as substantial experience in transactional, operational and accounting matters. Professional Background: • President of Boston Properties, Inc. since May 2007 • Mr. Linde joined BXP in January 1997 as Vice President of Acquisitions and New Business to help identify and execute acquisitions and to develop new business opportunities; served as Senior Vice President for Financial and Capital Markets from October 1998 to January 2005, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from September 2000 to November 2007, and Executive Vice President from January 2005 to May 2007 • President of Capstone Investments, a Boston real estate investment company, from 1993 to 1997 • Project Manager and Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer at Wright Runstad and Company, a private real estate developer in Seattle, WA, from 1989 to 1993 • Began his career in the real estate industry with Salomon Brothers’ Real Estate Finance Group | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Trustee of the Beth Israel Lahey Health Board of Trustees • Director Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (“BIDMC”) and co-chair of the BIDMC capital campaign • Member of the Real Estate Roundtable • Former Director of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau and Jobs for Massachusetts • Former Member of the Urban Studies and Planning Visiting Committee at MIT • Trustee Emeritus of the Wesleyan University Board of Trustees • Received a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Harvard Business School | ||||
Director since: January 2010 Age: 59 Current BXP Board Committees: • Sustainability Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 16 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
MATTHEW J. LUSTIG Chairman of North America Investment Banking and Head of Real Estate & Lodging at Lazard Frères & Co. | Qualifications: Mr. Lustig has worked in the real estate industry for more than 35 years, during which time he has gained extensive experience providing strategic and financial advice and transaction execution to clients and their boards of directors, including leading real estate companies, and investing in real estate companies and assets as a principal. Professional Background: • Chairman of North America Investment Banking at Lazard Frères & Co. (“Lazard”), the investment bank, since 2019, and Head of North America Investment Banking from 2012 to 2019, with responsibility for the management of a range of Financial Advisory/Investment Banking businesses • Head of Real Estate & Lodging at Lazard, a position he has held for more than 20 years. In recent years, Mr. Lustig has played an active role in more than $400 billion of advisory assignments and transactions involving leading real estate and lodging companies in the public and private markets • Former Chief Executive Officer of the real estate investment business of Lazard and its successors, where he oversaw multiple funds with more than $2.5 billion of equity capital invested in REITs and real estate operating companies • Director of Ventas, Inc., a REIT with a portfolio of senior housing, research and innovation, and healthcare properties, since May 2011 • Former Chairman of Atria Senior Living Group, Inc., until it was acquired by Ventas in May 2011 • Former director of several other public and private fund portfolio REITs and companies | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Member of the Real Estate Roundtable, the Urban Land Institute, the Pension Real Estate Association (former Board and Executive Committee member) and the Council on Foreign Relations • Member of the Real Estate Centers at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania (former Chairman of the Advisory Board) and Columbia Business School • Member of the Board of Advisors at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University • Received a BSFS from Georgetown University | ||||
Director since: January 2011 Age: 62 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • NCG (Chair) • Sustainability Other Public Company Boards: • Current: Ventas, Inc. • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 17 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
OWEN D. THOMAS Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Properties, Inc. | Qualifications: Mr. Thomas is a recognized leader in the real estate industry with more than 30 years of executive leadership, strategic planning, management and international experience, as well as substantial experience in financial and capital markets. Professional Background: • Chairman of the Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc. since May 2022 • Chief Executive Officer and a director of Boston Properties, Inc. since April 2013 • Member of the Board of Directors of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“LBHI”) since March 2012; Chairman of the Board of LBHI from March 2012 to March 2013 • Various positions at Morgan Stanley from 1987 to 2011, including Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Asia Ltd., President of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Head of Morgan Stanley Real Estate and Managing Director • Member of Morgan Stanley’s Management Committee from 2005 to 2011 • Director of Grosvenor Group Limited from 2011 to 2013 | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Director and former Global Chairman of the Urban Land Institute • Director of the Real Estate Roundtable • Member of the Executive Board of Nareit • Member of The Economic Club of New York • Member and former Chairman of the Pension Real Estate Association • Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Woodberry Forest School • Former Director of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company • Received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Harvard Business School Our Board of Directors agreed to nominate Mr. Thomas for re-election to the Board for so long as he remains CEO, and he has agreed to resign from the Board upon termination of employment. | ||||
Director since: April 2013 Age: 61 Current BXP Board Committees: • Sustainability Other Public Company Boards: • Current: None • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 18 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
WILLIAM H. WALTON, III Co-Founder and Managing Member of Rockpoint Group, LLC | Qualifications: Mr. Walton has more than 40 years of real estate investment, development and executive experience, as well as having served as a director of several public and private companies. Professional Background: • Co-Founder and Managing Member of Rockpoint Group, LLC (“Rockpoint”), a global real estate investment management firm, where Mr. Walton is responsible for the overall operations and management of Rockpoint, as well as overseeing the origination, structuring and asset management of all of Rockpoint’s investment activities; since 1994, the Rockpoint founding managing members have invested in approximately $80 billion of real estate • Co-founder of Westbrook Real Estate Partners, LLC (“Westbrook”), a real estate investment management firm • Managing director in the real estate group of Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. prior to co-founding Westbrook • Director of Dream Finders Homes, Inc., a publicly traded residential building company, since January 2021, and FRP Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment and development company, since February 2015 • Director of Crow Holdings, a privately owned real estate and investment firm, since December 2007 •Former trustee of Corporate Office Properties Trust and former director of Florida Rock Industries and The St. Joe Company | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Involved with several real estate industry organizations • Director, trustee or advisory board member of several non-profit organizations, with a particular interest in educational and policy entities, including the American Enterprise Institute, the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute, the University of Florida Investment Corporation, as well as Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Griswold Center for Economic Policy Studies, Mpala Research Center and Art Museum • Former member of the boards of Communities in Schools, the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, KIPP Jacksonville Schools, Princeton University and Princeton University Investment Company • Received an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School | ||||
Director since: May 2019 Age: 71 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • Compensation Other Public Company Boards: • Current: Dream Finders Homes, Inc., FRP Holdings, Inc. • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 19 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
DEREK ANTHONY (TONY) WEST Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Uber Technologies, Inc. | Qualifications: Mr. West has more than 25 years of experience working in the public and private sectors, including the federal government and leading technology and private equity companies, during which time he has gained extensive experience in the areas of public policy, executive management, governance and the law. Professional Background: • Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Uber Technologies, Inc. (“Uber”), a global technology platform providing mobility as a service, since 2017, where Mr. West leads Uber’s global Legal, Compliance and Ethics, and Security functions • Director of Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company, since 2020 • Former Director of Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. from 2021 to 2023 • Former Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at PepsiCo from 2014 to 2017 • Former Associate Attorney General of the United States from 2012 to 2014 • Former Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division in the U.S. Department of Justice from 2009 to 2012 • Former litigation partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2001 to 2009 • Former Special Assistant Attorney General, California Department of Justice from 1999 to 2001 • Former Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of California, U.S. Department of Justice from 1994 to 1999 • Former Special Assistant to the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice from 1993 to 1994 | Other Leadership Experience, Community Involvement and Education: • Member of the board of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund • Part of the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Advisory Council • Graduated with honors from Harvard College, where he served as publisher of the Harvard Political Review, and received a JD from Stanford Law School, where he was President of the Stanford Law Review | ||||
New Director Nominee Age: 57 Independent Current BXP Board Committees: • N/A Other Public Company Boards: • None • Former (past 5 years): None |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 20 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”),NYSE, a majority of the Board of Directors must qualify as “independent directors.” To qualify as an “independent director,” the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with us (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us). Our Board of Directors established categorical standards to assist it in making the required independence determinations.
Under these categorical standards, any relationship with us shall be deemed not material if:
| 1. | The relationship does not preclude a finding of independence under |
| 2. | The relationship does not involve any of the following, whether currently existing or occurring since the end of the last fiscal year or during the past three fiscal years: |
| (a) | a director being an executive officer of, or owning, or having owned, of record or beneficially in excess of ten percent (10%) equity interest in, any business or professional entity that has made during any of such fiscal years, or proposes to make during the Company’s current fiscal year, payments to the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company for property or services in excess of five percent (5%) of: (i) the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for such fiscal year (or, in the case of proposed payments, its last fiscal year), or (ii) the other entity’s consolidated gross revenues for such fiscal year (or, in the case of proposed payments, its last fiscal year); |
| (b) | a director being an executive officer of, or owning, or having owned, of record or beneficially in excess of ten percent (10%) equity interest in, any business or professional entity to which the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company has made during any of such fiscal years, or proposes to make during the Company’s current fiscal year, payments for property or services in excess of five percent (5%) of: (i) the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for such fiscal year (or, in the case of proposed payments, its last fiscal year), or (ii) the other entity’s consolidated gross revenues for such fiscal year (or, in the case of proposed payments, its last fiscal year); |
| (c) | a director or an immediate family member of the director being an officer, director or trustee of a charitable organization where the annual discretionary charitable contributions of the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company in any single year to the charitable organization exceeded the greater of $1 million or two percent (2%) of that organization’s consolidated gross revenues for the fiscal year; |
| (d) | a director or an immediate family member of a director being indebted to the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company in an amount in excess of $120,000; |
| (e) | a director being an executive officer, partner or greater than 10% equity owner of an entity, or being a trustee or a substantial beneficiary of a trust or estate, indebted to the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company in an amount in excess of the greater of $120,000 or 5% of such entity’s total consolidated assets, or to whom the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company is indebted (other than with respect to (i) any publicly traded debt securities of the Company or such entity or (ii) non-recourse loans secured by real estate where both the lender and the Company or such entity intend for the lender to transfer all right to, and control over, the loan within 12 months and the documentation includes customary provisions for loans targeted at the commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) or collateralized debt obligation (CDO) markets) in an amount in excess of 5% of the Company’s or such entity’s total consolidated assets; |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 21 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
| (f) | a transaction or currently proposed transaction (other than relating to the ownership of securities), which involved or involves the direct or indirect payment in a single year of in excess of $120,000 from the Company, an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company to a director or an immediate family member of a director; |
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| (g) | a director or an immediate family member of a director being an executive officer, general or managing partner or owner of more than 10% of the outstanding equity securities of an entity that has a co-investment or is a joint venture partner with the Company where the amount of the entity’s equity investment in any single year exceeds the greater of $1 million or 2% of the total consolidated assets of the entity; or |
| (h) | a director or an immediate family member of a director being an executive officer, general or managing partner or owner of more than 10% of the outstanding equity securities of an entity (other than the Company) in which an executive officer of the Company or an entity controlled by an executive officer of the Company is an executive officer, general or managing partner or owner of more than 10% of the outstanding equity securities of the entity. |
For purposes of these standards, “immediate family” member has the same meaning as in the NYSE Disqualifying Rules.
Relationships not specifically deemed not material by the above categorical standards may, in the Board’s judgment, be deemed not to be material.
› 2021 2023 INDEPENDENCE DETERMINATIONS
The Board of Directors concluded that the following directors and Mr. West qualify as independent directors under NYSE rules because (1) none of them (1) has any relationships with the Company or any executive officer of the Company that would disqualify him or her from being considered independent under the minimum objective standards contained in the NYSE rules orand (2) none of them has any relationships other than those deemed to be immaterial under the categorical standards adopted by the Board of Directors.
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› Diane J. Hoskins › Matthew J. Lustig | › Bruce W. Duncan › Mary E. Kipp › David A. Twardock | › Carol B. Einiger › Joel I. Klein
› William H. Walton, III |  | |||||
In determining that each of Ms. Ayotte and Mr. Twardock qualifiedKlein qualifies as an independent director and for purposes of his or her service on the Compensation Committee, our Board considered that (1) eachMr. Klein is the Chief Executive Officer of a start-up company that signed a lease agreement with BXP in September 2021 for approximately 2,700 square feet in the ordinary course of business, (2) in the professional opinion of a third-party real estate professional, the fixed rent and other financial obligations under the lease represented the fair rental value for the space, and (3) Mr. Klein has no direct pecuniary interest in the transaction.
In determining that Mr. Twardock qualifies as an independent director for purposes of his service on the Compensation Committee, our Board considered that (1) he serves or previously served as an executive officer or a non-employee director (or advisory board member) for a company with which Boston PropertiesBXP has a commercial relationship and engaged in commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business, (2) each transaction was on arms’-length terms, and the director had no direct or indirect involvement in the transaction, and (3) the directorhe had no pecuniary interest in the success of the transaction.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 22 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES
› SECURITYHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS
The NCG Committee’s current policy is to review and consider any director candidates who have been recommended by securityholders in compliance with the procedures established from time to time by the NCG Committee. All securityholder recommendations for director candidates must be submitted to our Secretary at Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103, who will forward all recommendations to the NCG Committee. We did not receive any securityholder recommendations for director candidates for election at the 20212023 annual meeting in compliance with the procedures set forth below. All securityholder recommendations for director candidates for election at the 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders must be submitted to our Secretary on or before December 6, 202115, 2023 and must include the following information:
| • | the name and address of record of the securityholder;
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the name, age, business and residential address, educational background, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five (5) full fiscal years of the proposed director candidate;
| • | a description of the qualifications and background of the proposed director candidate which addresses the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership as approved by the Board from time to time; |
| • | a description of all arrangements or understandings between the securityholder and the proposed director candidate; |
| • | the consent of the proposed director candidate (1) to be named in the proxy statement relating to our annual meeting of stockholders and (2) to serve as a director if elected at such annual meeting; and |
| • | any other information regarding the proposed director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the SEC. |
In addition, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the qualifications and background ofCompany’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the proposedinformation required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. No proxies are being solicited for director candidate which addressescandidates other than the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership as approved byCompany’s nominees at the Board from time to time;
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the securityholder and the proposed director candidate;
the consent of the proposed director candidate (1) to be named in the proxy statement relating to our2023 annual meeting of stockholders and (2) to serve as a director if elected at such annual meeting; andmeeting.
any other information regarding the proposed director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
› BOARD MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
The NCG Committee has established criteria for NCG Committee-recommended director nominees. These criteria include the following specific, minimum qualifications that the NCG Committee believes must be met by an NCG Committee-recommended nominee for a position on the Board:
the candidate must have experience at a strategic or policymaking level in a business, government, non-profit or academic organization of high standing;
| • | the candidate must have experience at a strategic or policymaking level in a business, government, non-profit or academic organization of high standing; |
the candidate must be highly accomplished in his or her respective field, with superior credentials and recognition;
| • | the candidate must be highly accomplished in his or her respective field, with superior credentials and recognition; |
the candidate must be well regarded in the community and must have a long-term reputation for high ethical and moral standards;
| • | the candidate must be well regarded in the community and must have a long-term reputation for high ethical and moral standards; |
the candidate must have sufficient time and availability to devote to our affairs, particularly in light of the number of boards on which the candidate may serve;
| • | the candidate must have sufficient time and availability to devote to our affairs, particularly in light of the number of boards on which the candidate may serve; |
the candidate’s principal business or occupation must not be such as to place the candidate in competition with us or conflict with the discharge of a director’s responsibilities to us and our stockholders; and
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 23 |
| 1› | PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
to the extent the candidate serves or has previously served on other boards, the candidate must have a history of actively contributing at board meetings.
| • | the candidate’s principal business or occupation must not be such as to place the candidate in competition with us or conflict with the discharge of a director’s responsibilities to us and our stockholders; and |
| • | to the extent the candidate serves or has previously served on other boards, the candidate must have a history of actively contributing at board meetings. |
In addition to the minimum qualifications for each nominee set forth above, the NCG Committee will recommend director candidates to the full Board for nomination, or present director candidates to the full Board for consideration, to help ensure that:
a majority of the Board of Directors will be “independent” as defined by the NYSE rules;
| • | a majority of the Board of Directors will be “independent” as defined by the NYSE rules; |
each of its Audit, Compensation and NCG Committees will be comprised entirely of independent directors; and
| • | each of its Audit, Compensation and NCG Committees will be comprised entirely of independent directors; and |
at least one member of the Audit Committee will have such experience, education and other qualifications necessary to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC.
| • | at least one member of the Audit Committee will have such experience, education and other qualifications necessary to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC. |
Finally, in addition to any other standards the NCG Committee may deem appropriate from time to time for the overall structure and composition of the Board, the NCG Committee may consider the following factors when recommending director candidates to the full Board for nomination, or presenting director candidates to the full Board for consideration:
whether the candidate has direct experience in the real estate industry or in the markets in which we operate; and
| • | whether the candidate has direct experience in the real estate industry or in the markets in which we operate; and |
| • | whether the candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background (including geography, gender and ethnicity) and experience. |
whether the candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience.
› IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATING NOMINEES
The NCG Committee may solicit recommendations for director nominees from any or all of the following sources: non-managementnon-employee directors, theour Chief Executive Officer, our President, other executive officers, third-party search firms or any other source it deems appropriate.
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The NCG Committee will review and evaluate the qualifications of any proposed director candidate that it is considering or has been recommended to it by a securityholder in compliance with the NCG Committee’s procedures for that purpose, and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate into the background of these proposed director candidates. In identifying and evaluating proposed director candidates, the NCG Committee may consider, in addition to the minimum qualifications for NCG Committee-recommended director nominees, all facts and circumstances that it deems appropriate or advisable, including, among other things, the skills of the proposed director candidate, his or her depth and breadth of business experience, his or her independence, the needs of our Board, and whether athe candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience. Other than circumstances in which we may be legally required by contract or otherwise to provide third parties with the ability to nominate directors, the NCG Committee will evaluate all proposed director candidates that it considers or who have been properly recommended to it by a securityholder based on the same criteria and in substantially the same manner, with no regard to the source of the initial recommendation of the proposed director candidate.
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| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Boston PropertiesBXP is committed to strongadopting and adhering to corporate governance policies and practices designed tothat foster effective leadership and independent oversight of management. Our Board of Directors oversees management performance on behalf of our stockholders to ensure that our stockholders’ long-term interests are being served, to monitor adherence to Boston Properties’BXP’s standards and policies (including policies to manage risk), and to promote the exercise of responsible corporate citizenship.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our› BXP’S POLICY ON BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
The Board of Directors doesis responsible for broad corporate policy and overall performance of the Company through the oversight of management and stewardship of the Company. Among other duties, the Board is responsible for overseeing the strategy, ESG priorities and risk management for the Company. The Board appoints the Company’s officers, assigns responsibility for management of the Company’s operations to such officers, and reviews their performance.
We do not have a firm policy with respect to whether or not the roleroles of Chairman of the Board and CEO should be separate or combined. However, ourOur Board of Directors believes it is important to maintain flexibility to determine its board leadership structure based on the best interests of the Company and its stockholders from time to time. As the following timeline shows, BXP has operated under both structures in the past.
History of Board Leadership
Regardless of the specific leadership structure in effect, the Company incorporates a strong defined leadership role for an independent director. Our Board has determined, and our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide, that itsour Board leadership structure shouldwill include either an independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board or a lead independent director who satisfies our standards for independence. Accordingly,Lead Independent Director.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 25 |
| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Specifically, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that it is the Board’s policy that if (1) the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO are held by the same person, (2) the position of Chairman of the Board is held by a non-independent director or (3) none of the directors has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Board, then the independent directors shall select an independent director to serve as lead independent director.if:
When our Board of Directors amended our
› | the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO are held by the same person, or |  | the independent directors Lead Independent Director. | |||
› | the position of Chairman of the Board is held by a non-independent director, or | |||||
› | none of the directors has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Board, | |||||
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines in 2014 to create the position of lead independent director, the Board contemplated that in the future it might determine that it is advisable to appoint an independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board. As a result, our Corporate Governance Guidelinesfurther provide that an independent director selected to serve as lead independent directorLead Independent Director will serve in that role until (1) he or she ceases to be an independent director or resigns from the position, (2) a successor is selected by a majority of the independent directors or (3) an independent director is serving as the Chairman of the Board. In addition, if the Chairman of the Board is an independent director, then the Chairman of the Boardhe or she shall assume the responsibilities of the lead independent directorLead Independent Director referenced abovebelow and there will not be a separate lead independent director.Lead Independent Director.
› DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
The independent directors selected Mr. Klein to serve as lead independent director in May 2016, a position he held until May 2019. Our Board believes the roles, and therefore the duties and responsibilities, of Directors appointed Mr. Klein asthe independentnon-executive Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director should be, and at BXP they are, substantially similar, and they should further the same goals of ensuring effective immediately following the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders,leadership and he continues to serve in that role.risk oversight. In addition to responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time by the fullindependent directors of the Board, Mr. Klein’sthe duties and responsibilities as Chairmanof a Lead Independent Director include:
•Approving information sent to the Board
•Approving Board meeting agendas and schedules to
•Coordinating the work of each committee with the activities of the full Board
•Calling meetings of the independent directors and special meetings of the Board, as necessary
•Presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of independent directors
•Attending meetings of Board committees regularly
• •Providing leadership to the Board if circumstances arise in which the Chairman may have an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the
•Serving as liaison between the CEO and the independent directors, including communicating feedback and direction to the CEO following executive sessions
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•Ensuring that she is available, if requested by major investors, to engage in direct consultation and communication •Working with the CEO on matters of strategic importance to the Board and the Company
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•Working with the CEO and the Compensation Committee to establish and review annual and long-term goals for assessing performance •Working with the Compensation Committee to evaluate the performance of the CEO
•Conducting bi-annual interviews with individual directors regarding individual contributions and development opportunities, as well as overall Board composition and planning
•Independently reviewing with the CEO the Company’s succession plan for executive officers |
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| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
› BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE DETERMINATIONS & DISCLOSURE
Our Board believes that Mr. Klein’s appointmentannually determines who will serve as its Chairman and considers, among other things, the skills, experiences and qualifications of our director nominees, the industries in which they gained their experience, the evolving needs of our Company, how well our leadership structure is functioning, the age and tenure of each director nominee and the views of our stockholders. The Board typically makes this determination during the first quarter of each year, and disclosure of the Board’s determination is made in the proxy statement used for the annual meeting of stockholders at which director nominees are elected, which is filed each year in late March or early-to-mid April. The proxy statement discloses (1) who the Board selected to serve as Chairman enhancesand (2) if the Chairman is also serving as CEO or is otherwise a non-independent director or if no Chairman has been elected, the person selected by the independent directors to serve as the Lead Independent Director. Our Board considers the views of our stockholders regarding our board leadership structure as expressed through their respective voting policies, their actual votes at our annual meetings, and our discussions with them.
› BXP’S 2023 BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Mr. Thomas joined BXP in April 2013 as CEO and a director. At that time, Mortimer B. Zuckerman, co-founder of BXP, retired as CEO and became Executive Chairman. To ensure independent oversight of the Company’s management, strategy and business, the Company established the role of Lead Independent Director in 2014, which was first held by Mr. Ivan Seidenberg. In May 2016, Mr. Zuckerman retired as Executive Chairman and became Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Seidenberg did not stand for re-election and the independent directors selected Mr. Klein as Lead Independent Director. Mr. Klein served as Lead Independent Director until May 2019 when he was appointed as Chairman of the Board. In 2022, following six years of Board leadership, Mr. Klein stepped down as Chairman of the Board and our independent directors’ oversightdirectors determined that it was in the best interests of BXP and our businessstockholders to elect Mr. Thomas as its Chairman thus combining the role of Chairman and affairs.CEO.
Combined Role of Chairman & CEO
Mr. Thomas is a seasoned industry veteran with more than 30 years of real estate and executive leadership experience. He has deep financial and operational experience and extensive knowledge of the Company, the real estate industry and risk management practices gained from various executive and leadership roles. Our Board of Directors encourages strong communication among allhas determined that it continues to be in the best interests of itsBXP and our stockholders to maintain the combined role of Chairman and CEO and re-appoint Mr. Thomas as Chairman and CEO. The independent directors believe Mr. Thomas is in the best position to identify key issues facing the industry and Company and effectively communicate with various internal and external constituencies about critical business matters, as demonstrated by his critical leadership in BXP’s responses to the rapidly evolving environment since March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CEO,economic volatility and market shifts that followed. In addition to acknowledging his superb leadership through the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and industry challenges that followed, the Board believes that it has been ableappointing Mr. Thomas to effectively provide independent oversight of our businessserve as both Chairman and affairs, including risks facingCEO confirms internally and externally the Board’s high confidence in his unified leadership and elevates Mr. Thomas’ stature within the industry to potentially generate additional market opportunities and better commercial outcomes for the Company throughand its stockholders.
Having Mr. Thomas serve as Chairman and CEO promotes clear accountability and strong leadership with one person setting the tone for our Chairmanemployees, investors, clients, vendors and other stakeholders and having primary responsibility for executing our strategy. Prior to his appointment to the combined role, Mr. Thomas worked closely as CEO with then-Chairman of the Board, Mr. Klein, to preserve transparency between management and the Board and serve as an effective bridge for communication between the Board and management on significant business developments and time-sensitive matters. As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Thomas works with the Lead Independent Director, Ms. Ayotte, in the same manner.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 27 |
| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Lead Independent Director
The independent directors again selected Ms. Ayotte to serve as Lead Independent Director. Ms. Ayotte was selected in 2022 to serve as Lead Independent Director following a process led by the then-Chairman of the Board, Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein led discussions among the independent directors to seek input and reach agreement on the best candidate for the role. These discussions took into account independent director tenures and committee membership histories along with independent directors’ willingness and capacity to serve as Lead Independent Director, understanding that the position entails significant responsibility.
In selecting Ms. Ayotte to serve as Lead Independent Director, the independent directors considered, among other things, Ms. Ayotte’s
| • | understanding of the Company and its business gleaned from her five years of service on our Board and her track record during that time of actively contributing as a member of the Board, |
| • | public policy, government and legal experience as a former United States Senator and former Attorney General of New Hampshire, |
| • | significant public company and corporate governance experience as a director on several other boards of large, multinational public companies that operate in different industries, and as a member of board committees for these public companies, |
| • | prior service as chair of BXP’s Compensation Committee and a member of the NCG Committee, |
| • | demonstrated willingness to represent the independent directors and personally engage with the Company’s stockholders, |
| • | reputation for being able to forge consensus, and |
| • | willingness and capacity to devote the time required to serve in this role. |
The independent directors believe that Ms. Ayotte is exceptionally well-qualified to continue serving as the Lead Independent Director.
In addition to the clearly defined role of our Board of Directors, the overall composition ofLead Independent Director and Ms. Ayotte’s experience and qualifications, our Board of Directors and contributions from all of ourBoard’s independent directors and other corporate governance processes in place.oversight is further bolstered by:
| • | the overall composition of our Board of Directors and contributions from all of our independent directors: each current Board member other than our CEO and President is independent (9 out of 11 directors), |
| • | the independent committees of our Board of Directors: each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and NCG Committee is led by independent committee chairs and is comprised solely of independent directors, and |
| • | BXP’s other corporate governance policies in effect. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 28 |
| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Number of Meetings and Attendance. Our Board of Directors met fourteen (14) times during 2020. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (x) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors in 2020 held during the period for which he or she was a director and (y) the total number of meetings in 2020 of all committees of our Board of Directors on which the director served during the periods that he or she served. In the aggregate, during 2020, our directors attended more than 99% of the total number of Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they served.
Number of Meetings and Attendance. Our Board of Directors met ten (10) times during 2022. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (x) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors in 2022 held during the period for which he or she was a director and (y) the total number of meetings in 2022 of all committees of our Board of Directors on which the director served during the periods that he or she served. Annual Meeting Attendance. Directors are expected to attend annual meetings of our stockholders in person unless doing so is impracticable due to unavoidable conflicts. All directors then serving attended the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. Meetings of Non-Management Directors. Directors who qualify as “non-management” within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE meet on a regular basis in executive sessions without management participation. The executive sessions occur after each regularly scheduled meeting of our entire Board and at such other times that the non-management directors deem appropriate, and they are chaired by our independent Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or our Lead Independent Director. Each director has the right to call an executive session. Currently, all of our non-management directors are independent. | 10 Board meetings in 2022 100% attendance at the 2022 Annual Meeting In the aggregate, during 2022, our directors attended more than 97% of the total number of Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they served. | |
Annual Meeting Attendance. Directors are expected to attend annual meetings of our stockholders in person unless doing so is impracticable due to unavoidable conflicts. All directors then serving attended the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 29 |
| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Meetings of Non-Management Directors. Directors who qualify as “non-management” within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE meet on a regular basis in executive sessions without management participation. The executive sessions occur after each regularly scheduled meeting of our entire Board and at such other times that the non-management directors deem appropriate, and they are chaired by our independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board. Each director has the right to call an executive session. Currently, all of our non-management directors are independent.
BOARD REFRESHMENT AND EVALUATIONS
› DIRECTOR SUCCESSION PLANNING
Led by our Chairman of the Board and our NCG Committee, our Board of Directors remains focused on ensuring (1) a smooth transition if and when directors decide to retire or otherwise leave our Board and (2) that the composition of our Board is systematically refreshed so that, taken as a whole, our Boardit has the desired mix of skills, experience, continuity, reputation and diversity relevant to our strategic direction and operating environment, as well as the knowledge, ability and independence to continue to deliver athe high standard of governance and oversight expected by investors. Among other aspects of the process, our Board of Directors:
identifies the collective mix of desired skills, experience, knowledge, diversity and independence for our Board of Directors, taken as a whole, and identifies potential opportunities for enhancement in one or more of those areas;
considers each current director’s experience, skills, principal occupation, reputation, independence, age, tenure, committee membership and diversity (including geography, gender and ethnicity); and
| • | identifies the collective mix of desired skills, experience, knowledge, diversity and independence for our Board of Directors, taken as a whole, and identifies potential opportunities for enhancement in one or more of those areas; |
| • | considers each current director’s experience, skills, principal occupation, reputation, independence, age, tenure, committee membership and diversity (including geography, gender and ethnicity); and |
| • | considers the results of our Board and committee self-evaluations, as well as feedback received from the bi-annual interviews of each director by our independent Chairman of the Board or Lead Independent Director, as applicable (see “ |
SinceOf the seven, first-time nominees for director since 2016, four (57%) were women and two (29%) were African American. Mr. West was initially recommended for consideration by Mr. Lustig, the Chair of our Board nominated, and our stockholders elected, five new directors, three of whom are women.NCG Committee.
› BOARD COMMITTEE ROTATION
The NCG Committee also considers the periodic rotation of committee members and committee chairs to introduce fresh perspectives and to broaden and diversify the views and experience represented on committees.
› DIRECTOR TENURE AND MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE
To ensure that our Board has an appropriate balancefulfillment of experience, continuity and fresh perspective, our Board considers the length of tenure and age when nominating candidates for election. Our Board does not have formal limits on director tenure, but has a policy that provides no person shall be nominated by the Board for election as a non-employee director following his or her 75th birthday.committees’ duties.
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| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
› BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS
The feedback received from each member of our Boarddirector during the Board and committee evaluation processprocesses plays a criticalkey role in ensuring that our Board and its committees function effectively.effectively and in overall director succession planning. To this end, the NCG Committee is responsible for establishing the process used and the criteria for the evaluations.
| Topics considered during the Board and committee evaluations include:
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| Board and Committee Operations | › |
• Board and committee membership, including independence, director skills, background, expertise and diversity
• Board rotation and succession
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• Process for director nominations
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• Number and conduct of meetings, including time allocated for, and encouragement of, candid dialogue and executive sessions
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• Materials and information, including quality, quantity and timeliness of information received from management, and suggestions for educational sessions
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• Culture | ||||||||
Board Performance | ||||||||
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• Strategic oversight
• Risk oversight
› Financial › › ESG
• Identification of topics that should receive more attention and discussion
• Management succession | |||||||
Committee Performance | ||||||||
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• Performance of committee duties under its charter
• Effectiveness of outside advisors | |||||||
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| 2› | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Our Board of Directors has an (1) Audit, (2) Compensation and (3) NCG Committee. Each of these committees operates pursuant to a charter that was approved by our Board of Directors and that is reviewed and reassessed at least annually. As required by the rules of the NYSE, a copy of each of these charters is available onin the Investors section of our website at http:https://www.bxp.cominvestors.bxp.com/ under the heading “Corporate Governance.“Governance.” In addition, on March 18, 2021, our Board of Directors established a Sustainability Committee. Our Board of Directors may from time to time establish other special or standing committees to facilitate the management of Boston PropertiesBXP or to discharge specific duties delegated by the full Board of Directors.
The membership and the function of each of these committees, and the number of meetings each held during 2020,2022, are described below.
| Current Committee Assignments | ||||||||
| Name | Audit | Compensation | NCG | Sustainability | ||||
Kelly A. Ayotte(1) |
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Bruce W. Duncan |  |
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Carol B. Einiger |
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Diane H. Hoskins |
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Mary E. Kipp | |
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Joel I. Klein |
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Douglas T. Linde |
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Matthew J. Lustig |
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Owen D. Thomas |
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David A. Twardock(2) |  | |
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William H. Walton |
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Number of Meetings in 2022 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 | ||||
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| (1) | As Lead Independent Director, Ms. Ayotte serves ex officio as a member of each of the Board’s committees. |
| (2) | Mr. Twardock is not standing for re-election to the Board. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 32 |
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› AUDIT COMMITTEE
Members: David A. Twardock (Chair) Bruce W.
Number of Meetings in
Financial Expertise:Our Board of Directors determined that each of Ms.
| The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:
• sole authority to appoint, retain, terminate and determine the compensation of our independent registered public accounting firm;
• reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of the audit engagement;
• approving professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm;
• reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;
• overseeing the planning and conduct of our annual risk assessment;
• overseeing our cyber security risk management;
• evaluating the Company’s internal audit function and reviewing the internal audit plan; and
• performing such other oversight functions as may be requested by our Board of Directors from time to time.
Each member of the Audit Committee is an “independent” director as that term is defined in the rules of
For additional disclosures regarding the Audit Committee, including the Audit Committee Report, see “Proposal 4: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” beginning on page
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› COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Members:
Carol B. Einiger David A. Twardock William H. Walton, III
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*Mr. | The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include:
• reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO and certain designated senior executive officers;
• evaluating the performance of the CEO and designated senior executive officers in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving compensation of these officers based on such evaluation;
• reviewing and approving the compensation of other executive officers;
• reviewing and approving grants and awards under all incentive-based compensation plans and equity-based plans;
• reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding the compensation of non-employee directors; and
• performing other functions and duties deemed appropriate by our Board of Directors.
The Compensation Committee makes all compensation decisions for all executive officers. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all equity awards for all employees and has delegated limited authority to the CEO to make equity grants to employees who are not executive officers.
In
The Compensation Committee Report is included in this proxy statement on page
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› NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Members: Matthew J. Lustig (Chair)
Bruce W. Duncan Carol B. Diane J. Hoskins Joel I. Klein*
Number of Meetings in
* | The NCG Committee’s responsibilities include:
• identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria established by the NCG Committee, and recommending to the Board director nominees for election at each annual meeting of stockholders;
• recommending to the Board the directors for appointment to is committees;
• establishing a policy with regard to the consideration by the NCG Committee of director candidates recommended by securityholders;
• establishing procedures to be followed by securityholders submitting such recommendations and establishing a process for identifying and evaluating nominees for our Board of Directors, including nominees recommended by securityholders; and
• performing such other functions as may be requested by our Board of Directors from time to time.
The NCG Committee is also responsible for annually reviewing our Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommending any changes to our Board of Directors. These Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the NCG Committee, together with our CEO, is responsible for coordinating succession planning by our Board of Directors. A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/governance-guidelines.
Each member of the NCG Committee is an independent director
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| | 2023 Proxy Statement 35 |
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› SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Members: Diane J. Hoskins (Chair) Mary E. Kipp Douglas T. Linde Matthew J. Lustig Owen D. Thomas Number of Meetings in 2022: 2 | The
• reviewing and sharing real estate industry sustainability best practices;
• working with our Board and management to establish environmental performance goals (energy, emissions, water and waste), and initiatives related to climate action and resilience;
• monitoring and evaluating the Company’s progress in achieving its sustainability goals and commitments, as well as relevant independent environmental, sustainability and governance ratings and rankings;
• reporting to and advising our Board as appropriate on the Company’s sustainability objectives and its strategy;
• periodically reviewing legal, regulatory and compliance matters that may have a material impact on the implementation of the Company’s sustainability objectives, and making recommendations to our Board and management, as appropriate, with respect to the Company’s response to such matters;
• assisting our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility by identifying, evaluating and monitoring the environmental and climate trends, issues, risks and concerns that affect or could affect the Company’s business activities and performance;
• advising our Board on significant stakeholder concerns related to sustainability; and
• performing such other functions as may be requested by our Board of Directors from time to time.
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›BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for our risk oversight. The Board exercises its risk oversight throughout the year, both at the full Board level and through its committees. While the Board and its committees oversee key risk areas, the Company’s risk management is facilitated through a top-down and bottom-up communication structure whereby the Board provides oversight and direction from the top and, among other things, reviews the reports from management and outside advisors and consultants engaged by the Board that identify any key existing and potential risks, future threats or trends, and management is charged with the day-to-day management of risks, frequent assessment of the risk environment and regular reporting to the Board.
BXP’s risk management framework is designed to:
| • | identify and understand critical risks in the Company’s business and strategy, including near-term, intermediate-term and long-term risks; |
| • | allocate responsibilities for risk oversight among the full Board and its committees to enhance the Board’s responsiveness and attention to specific risks based on the nature and immediacy of the risks assessed; |
| • | review with the Audit Committee, at least annually, the Company’s risk management processes to ensure they are functioning adequately (see “Audit Committee Role in Risk Assessment” on page 39); |
| • | facilitate open communication between management and all directors of the Board; and |
| • | solicit feedback and advice from outside advisors and consultants to assess the effectiveness of our risk management framework and help ensure that we employ appropriate strategies to mitigate risks. |
The Board fulfills its risk oversight function by, among other things, reviewing regular reports provided to the Board and to appropriate Board committees from management and outside advisors and consultants engaged by the Board, discussing material risks and opportunities with management, selecting director candidates with diverse experience and qualifications, designating to committees the oversight of certain specific risks as needed, and staying informed about developments in our industry and other current events that may impact the Company.
Roles in Risk Management
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 37 |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Our Board of Directors administers its risk oversight function through: | ||
› Regular periodic reports from management on material risks that we face, including, among others: | › Required approval by our Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) of significant transactions and other matters, including, among others: | |
› market conditions › tenant concentrations, credit worthiness and possible tenant bankruptcies › leasing activity and expected expirations › the status of development projects › compliance with debt covenants and credit ratings › management of debt maturities and interest-rate risk › access to debt and equity capital markets › existing and potential legal claims › environmental, social and governance risks › potential cyber-attacks and intrusions › public health crises, pandemics and epidemics › succession planning | › acquisitions and dispositions of properties › development and redevelopment projects › new borrowings, refinancings and guarantees of debt, and the use of hedging instruments to manage interest-rate risk › the appointment of all officers › the compensation of executive officers › transactions with related persons and conflicts of interest | |
› Reports from the Audit, Compensation, NCG and Sustainability Committees, and other committees that may be established from time to time, on matters delegated to them | ||
› Reports from outside advisors and consultants, including ESG, climate-related risk, legal, accounting and tax professionals, regarding various areas of potential risk | ||
› COMMITTEE ROLES
The Board discharges thisits responsibility either directly with respect to significant matters or indirectly through its committees. While the full Board of Directors is primarily responsible for risk oversight, its committees monitor and address risks that are within the scope of a particular committee’s expertise, the committee’s charter or the resolution(s) appointing the committee. OurIssues escalated to the full Board may be addressed in several ways, as appropriate, depending on the risk assessed and its committees exercise theirimmediacy required to address the risk. For example, oversight responsibilities in a variety of ways, but in all cases our directors are informed by regular reports fromrisk may remain with the applicable committee of the Board, the Board may establish an ad hoc committee or direct an existing committee to oversee such matters, or the Board may ask management that are intended to identify key risks and our strategiespresent more frequently to mitigate them.the full Board on the issue.
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BOARD COMMITTEES
Our Board of Directors uses its committees to assist in risk oversight as follows:
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| Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | NCG Committee | Sustainability Committee | |||||||||
The Audit Committee oversees risks related to:
• the integrity of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting;
• compliance with GAAP and the use of estimates and judgments;
• our use of non-GAAP financial measures;
• cyber security; • REIT compliance; • pending and threatened litigation,
• the performance of our internal audit function;
• the independence and performance of our independent auditors;
• our anti-fraud program.
| The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to:
• our ability to attract, retain and motivate our executive officers;
• the use of compensation practices and plans to align the interests of our executives with our stockholders; and
• the influence of incentive compensation on excessive risk-taking.
For more information, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — | The NCG Committee oversees risks related to:
• the composition, leadership and independence of the Board and its committees;
• the general operations of the Board;
• the process of conducting the annual Board and committee
• our compliance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and applicable laws and regulations, including applicable rules of the NYSE; and
• policies with respect to the consideration of director candidates recommended by stockholders. | The Sustainability Committee oversees risks related to:
• environmental and climate action and resilience trends and issues;
• our progress in achieving our sustainability goals and initiatives; and
• regulatory compliance matters that may impact our sustainability objectives. | |||||||||
Audit Committee Role in Risk Assessment. The Audit Committee oversees an annual risk assessment designed to identify and analyze risks to achieving Boston Properties’
Audit Committee Role in Risk Assessment. The Audit Committee oversees an annual risk assessment designed to identify and analyze risks to achieving BXP’s business objectives. The results of the risk assessment are used to develop BXP’s annual internal audit plan. |
Absent an express delegation of authority from the Board, no one independent director, including the Lead Independent Director, has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the risk assessment are usedCompany or override a decision of management. The role of our Lead Independent Director includes certain authorities (such as the authority to develop Boston Properties’ annual internal audit plan.call meetings of the independent directors and special meetings of the Board, as necessary) that empower our
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 39 |
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independent directors to effectively discharge the Board’s oversight responsibilities. Because of the role of our Board of Directors in the risk oversight, of Boston Properties, our Board believes that any leadership structure that it adopts must allow it to effectively oversee the management of the risks relating to our operations. Our Board of Directors recognizes that there are different leadership structures that could allow it to effectively oversee the management of these risks, and whilerisks. We believe our Board believes itsrisk management framework is well-supported by our current board leadership structure and enables itthe Board to effectively manage such risks, it was not the primary reason our Board of Directors selected its current leadership structure over other potential alternatives.risks. See the discussion under the heading “–“— Board Leadership Structure” beginning on page 25 for a discussion of why our Board of Directors has determined that its current leadership structure is appropriate.
› MANAGEMENT’S ROLE
We have not designated a single person to serve as the Company’s chief compliance officer; instead, we have internal processes, an effective internal control environment and a risk management framework that facilitate the identification and management of risks and regular communication with the Board. These processes include:
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| • | a Disclosure Committee established to assist senior management in designing, establishing, maintaining, reviewing and evaluating BXP’s disclosure controls and procedures, |
| • | a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that governs business decisions and actions taken by our employees and directors and that allows for the confidential and anonymous reporting of questionable business practices by employees and third parties, and |
| • | a comprehensive internal and external audit process. As set forth in BXP’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, all directors have complete access to officers and employees of the Company, as well as the Company’s outside counsel, auditors and advisors. |
OTHER GOVERNANCE MATTERS
› CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS AND OTHER POLICIES
Our Board of Directors adopted the following policies, copies of which are available on our website:
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/code-conduct-and-ethics
| • | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) — available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/code-conduct-and-ethics |
The Code of Ethics governs business decisions made and actions taken by our directors, officers and employees. We intend to disclose on this website any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of this Code of Ethics applicable to our directors and executive officers that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or the NYSE rules.
Corporate Governance Guidelines available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/governance-guidelines
| • | Corporate Governance Guidelines — available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/governance-guidelines |
| • | Policy on Company Political Spending — available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/policy-political-spend |
Policy on Company Political Spending available on our website at http://investors.bxp.com/policy-political-spend
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 40 |
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› COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board, any ofdirector, our non-managementdirectors or the Board of Directors as a group, or our Audit Committee may do so as shown below. We recommend that all correspondence be sent via certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested. All correspondence received by writingthe compliance officer designated for purposes of administering the Code of Ethics will be forwarded to them at Name(s) of Director(s)/Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc., c/o Compliance Officer, Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103.
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to contact the Audit Committee to report complaints or concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, may do so by:addressee(s).
Communicate with any of our directors or the Board of Directors as a group: | Communicate with our non-management directors as a group: | |||
Name(s) of Director(s)/Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc. c/o Compliance Officer Boston Properties, Inc. 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900 Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103 |
c/o Compliance Officer Boston Properties, Inc. 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900 Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103 | |||
Communicate with our Audit Committee to report complaints or concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters: | ||||
Follow any of the “Procedures for Submission of Complaints under the Audit Committee Complaint Procedures” that are attached as Exhibit 1 to our Code of Ethics (see | Chair of the Audit Committee of Boston Properties, Inc. c/o Compliance Officer Boston Properties, Inc. 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900 Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103 | |||
writing to the Chair of the Audit Committee of Boston Properties, Inc., c/o Compliance Officer, Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103.
You are welcome to make any such reports anonymously, but we prefer that you identify yourself so that we may contact you for additional information if necessary or appropriate.
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with our non-management directors as a group, may do so by writing to Non-Management Directors of Boston Properties, Inc., c/o Compliance Officer, Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103.
We recommend that all correspondence be sent via certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested. All correspondence received by the Compliance Officer will be forwarded by the Compliance Officer promptly to the addressee(s).
› COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Each of Mses. Ayotte and Einiger and Messrs. Duncan,Klein, Twardock and Walton each served on the Compensation Committee during 2020.2022. None of these persons has served as an officer or employee of Boston Properties. NoneBXP. Except as described below, none of these persons had any relationships with Boston PropertiesBXP requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of Boston Properties’BXP’s executive officers served as a director or a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving a similar function) of any other entity, an executive officer of which served as a director of Boston PropertiesBXP or a member of the Compensation Committee during 2020.2022.
We lease approximately 2,700 square feet of office space to a start-up company of which Mr. Klein is the Chief Executive Officer. The start-up company made aggregate payments to the Company of approximately $584,755 and $44,000 during the years ended 2022 and 2021, respectively. Of the amount paid by the start-up company in 2022, approximately $264,000 represented aggregate monthly rental payments while the remainder represented payments for assistance with tenant fit-out work that the start-up company requested. The Company does not expect such services or payments to recur. The total amount due under the lease in 2023 is approximately $220,000.
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› PROXY ACCESS BY-LAW PROVISIONS
Our By-laws include a proxy access right for stockholders, pursuant to which a stockholder, or group of no more than five stockholders, meeting specified eligibility requirements, may include director nominees in our proxy materials for annual meetings of our stockholders. In order to be eligible to utilize these proxy access provisions, a stockholder, or group of stockholders, must:
have owned shares of common stock equal to at least 3% of the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock continuously for at least the prior three years;
| • | have owned shares of common stock equal to at least 3% of the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock continuously for at least the prior 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 stockholder or group does not presently have such intent; and
| • | 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 stockholder or group does 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 less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders (with adjustments if the date for the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting).
| • | provide a notice requesting the inclusion of director nominees in our proxy materials and provide other required information to us not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders (with adjustments if the date for the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting). |
For purposes of the foregoing requirements, issued and outstanding common units, other than those owned by us, Boston Properties Limitedour Operating Partnership (our “Operating Partnership”) or any of their directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries and excluding issued and outstanding long term incentive units, will be treated as issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
Additionally, all director nominees submitted through these provisions must be independent and meet specified additional criteria, and stockholders will not be entitled to utilize this proxy access right at an annual meeting if we receive notice through our traditional advanced notice by-law provisions that a stockholder intends to nominate a director at such meeting. The maximum number of director nominees that may be submitted pursuant to these provisions may not exceed 25% of the number of directors then in office.
The foregoing proxy access right is subject to additional eligibility, procedural and disclosure requirements set forth in our By-laws.
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HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Boston Properties’Our success depends on human capital. We are focused on social performance and positive externalities, including diversity and inclusion in our workforce, the well-being of our employees, their training and professional development, and making positive contributions to the communities we serve.
› DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
OurWe strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. It has been, and will continue to be, our policy is to recruit, hire, assign, promote and train in all job titles without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. By implementing this policy, we aim to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to make their maximum contribution to us and to their own career goals.
In 2020, we formalizedBXP’s DEI Council is an executive-sponsored, voluntary and elevated our focus onemployee-led committee unified by BXP’s mission to promote diversity, and equity, within our company.
We launched the BXP Diversity & Inclusion (“D&I”) Committee with the mission of promoting diversity, inclusion equality and transparency as part of our organization’s culture, decision-making practices and business activities, while also providing a mechanism for positive impact in the communities in which we operate. Since its formation in 2020, the DEI Council has grown to over 33 Council members across our six regions, and decision-making practices. Priorities foreach member contributes to the D&Ioverall mission through leadership in one or more of the DEI Council’s three committees – the Recruiting & Development Committee, includethe Company Policies Committee and the Community Outreach Committee – and/or three Employee Resource Groups (“ ERGs”). Including ERG members, as of December 31, 2022, BXP’s DEI community consisted of 244 members, or 36% of BXP’s workforce (exclusive of union employees).
The DEI Council, in collaboration with BXP’s CEO, President and Human Resources Department, annually identify actionable diversity goals and proposes initiatives to advance its mission. In 2022, the DEI Council’s focus areas were: (1) training and workforce education, (2) recruiting retention and professional development, reviewonboarding, (3) employee engagement, (4) social responsibility, (5) transparency and assessment of our policies with a focus on business partner diversitycommunication and other relationships, and community outreach.(6) governance.
Diversity & Inclusion Goals and Initiatives | Notable 2022 Actions & Achievements(1) | |||
Training & Workforce Education | › | • Conducted a two-part training for DEI Council members to enhance DEI leadership skills • Continued cultural awareness education for the BXP workforce through interactive DEI event offerings, consistent communications with educational content regarding cultural holidays and awareness months and collaboration with property management teams to enhance visibility of important DEI dates and celebrations across BXP’s properties | ||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 43 |
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Diversity & Inclusion Goals and Initiatives | Notable 2022 Actions & Achievements(1) | |||
Recruiting & Onboarding | › | • 57% women and 39% ethnically diverse new hires in 2022 • 4.5% increase in ethnically diverse employees and 6.5% increase in ethnically diverse officers compared to the 2020 base year • 2.0% increase in women employees and 9.0% increase in women officers compared to the 2020 base year • Launched partnerships with CareerSpring and Project Destined to further enhance BXP’s community involvement, BXP employees’ volunteerism, as well as expand BXP’s diverse candidate pools to include program alumni and young professionals • Proactively contracted with women-owned and/or minority-owned recruiting firms and firms with DEI programs representing 50% of BXP’s contracted recruiting firms (as of December 2022). | ||
Employee Engagement | › | • Launched three ERGs designed to connect employees who have similar backgrounds and shared experiences with the goal of working with BXP on diversity, equity and inclusion, bringing people together to share experiences and best practices, and ensuring that we are supporting each other across our communities • Participation rate across BXP for the ERGs’ inaugural year totaled approximately 25% of our workforce | ||
Social Responsibility | › | • Continued to facilitate relationships with minority-owned businesses to provide commercial real estate space • Conducted a comprehensive review of vendors identified as underrepresented business enterprises (“UBEs”) with the aim of increasing UBE usage by BXP resulting in a 34% year-over-year increase in UBE usage compared to 2021 • Commenced a new depository relationship with a Black-owned bank and continued our partnership with a minority- and women-owned bank in our 2022 unsecured notes offering • Increased community involvement through, among other efforts, regional charitable contributions to DEI-associated initiatives in our regions | ||
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Diversity & Inclusion Goals and Initiatives | Notable 2022 Actions & Achievements(1) | |||
Transparency & Communication | › | • Dedicated a company-wide Town Hall discussion to BXP’s DEI initiatives, achievements and future programming led by the DEI Council’s co-chairs • Launched a DEI Council page on BXP’s internal portal that provides DEI resources and announces future events, initiatives and other information | ||
Governance | › | • Formalized charters and mission statements for the DEI Council and each ERG • Undertook a voluntary refreshment process of DEI Council members to ensure appropriate representation across backgrounds, experience and regions that resulted in a 55% increase in DEI Council membership since its formation | ||
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The following is a snapshot of the diversity of our workforce as of December 31, 2020:2022:
| TOTAL WORKFORCE(1) | MANAGER & ABOVE(1) | |
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› CULTURE & EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
TheWe believe that the success of our business is tied to the quality of our workforce, and we strive to maintain a corporate environment without losing the entrepreneurial spirit with which we were founded more than 50 years ago. By providing a quality workplace and comprehensive benefit programs, we recognize the commitment of our employees to bring their talent, energy, and experience to us. Our continued success is attributable to our employees’ expertise and dedication.
We periodically conduct employee engagement surveys to monitor our employees’ satisfaction in alldifferent aspects of their employment;employment, including company performance, leadership, communication, career development and benefits offerings. Past employee responsiveness to the engagement surveys has been consistently high (93% responsiveness in 2020 reflected an overall rating of “very favorable”)and the results help
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inform us on matters that our employees view as key contributors to a positive work experience. Based on the most recent employee engagement survey conducted in 2022, with 96% responsiveness, the overall company-wide result was a “favorable” rating. The highest scoring statement on the survey with a 94% favorability score was “BXP conducts its business in accordance with the highest standards and ethical conduct.” We intend to continue to periodically evaluate employee engagement as needed on a meaningful basis.
Another indicator of the success of our efforts in the workplace is demonstrated by the satisfaction and long tenure of our employees:
32% worked at BXP for ten or more years
average tenure is 9.8 years for employees and 18.2 years for our executive leadership.
› HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLNESS
We are keenly awareemployees. As of the influence of buildings on human health and its importance to our tenants and employees. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus on healthy buildings has become even more important.December 31, 2022:
In early 2020, we established a Health Security Task Force of internal and external subject matter experts
| • | 35% worked at BXP for ten or more years |
Task force developed the BXP Health Security Plan, a comprehensive set of building operational measures, including cleaning and disinfection, air and water quality, physical distancing, screening and personal protective equipment, and health security communication
We also believe the success of our employees depends upon their physical health, mental health, work-life balance and financial well-being. To support this, our employee benefits program includes:
| • | average tenure was approximately 9.42 years for all employees and 17.65 years for our officers |
| • | our voluntary workforce turnover rate was 15% in 2022. |
an Employee Wellness Program to encourage employees to improve their health and well-being, and
an Employee Assistance Program that includes services for childcare, eldercare, personal relationship information, financial planning assistance, stress management, mental illness and general wellness and self-help.
› CAREER DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
We invest significant resources in our employees’ personal and professional growth and development and provide a wide range of tools and development opportunities that build and strengthen employees’ leadership and professional skills.
In 2020, we offered Unconscious/Implicit Bias These development opportunities include in-person and virtual training as partsessions, in-house learning opportunities, various management trainings, departmental conferences, executive townhalls and external programs. We foster an environment of growth and internal promotion and strive for a best-in-class candidate experience for our internal applicants. Open positions are posted, and employees are highly encouraged to apply for promotion within the organization. For 2022, 16% of our commitmentemployees were promoted to recognize that we all have a role to play to mitigate unconscious bias inelevated roles within our organization. Of the work environmentemployees promoted, 50% were women and support an inclusive workforce.29% were non-White.
We actively work to promote our growth and operations in a sustainable and responsible manner across our fivesix regions. The BXP sustainabilityESG strategy is to conduct our business, the development, ownership and operation of new and existing buildings, in a manner that contributes to positive economic, social and environmental outcomes for our investors, customers,clients, shareholders, employees and the communities we serve. Our investment philosophy is shaped by our core strategy of long-term ownership and our commitment to our communities and the centers of commerce and civic life that make them thrive. We are focused on developing and maintaining healthy, high-performance buildings, while simultaneously mitigating operational costs and the potential external impacts of energy, water, waste, greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and climate change. ToPositive social impact is also of great importance to BXP and our employees, which is exhibited by our commitments to charitable giving, volunteerism, public realm investments and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and our communities. Through these efforts, we demonstrate that end, weoperating and developing commercial real estate can be conducted with a conscious regard for the environment and broader society while mutually benefiting our stakeholders.
› Industry Leadership
We continue to address the needs of our stakeholders by making efforts to maintain and improve our performance across three pillars: climate action, climate resilience and social good. BXP is a widely recognized industry leader in sustainability. 2022 sustainability highlights include:
| • | BXP ranked among the top real estate companies in the GRESB assessment, earning a seventh consecutive 5-Star rating. 2022 was the eleventh consecutive year that BXP earned the GRESB “Green Star” designation |
| • | BXP’s MSCI rating improved from an A to AA, and CDP score improved from C to B |
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| 3› | HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY |
| • | BXP was named to Newsweek’s List of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023 for the third consecutive year. BXP ranked first in the Real Estate & Housing industry with an increased ranking of 29th overall out of the 500 companies and received the third highest environmental score |
| • | BXP was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the second consecutive year. BXP was one of eight real estate companies that qualified and the only office REIT in the index, scoring in the 95th percentile of the real estate companies assessed for inclusion |
| • | BXP was recognized by Commercial Property Executive for having the “Best ESG Program” |
| • | BXP was the recipient of Nareit’s prestigious Leader in the Light Award |
| • | BXP was named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award Winner |
| • | BXP was recognized as an inaugural Platinum Level Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation and the U.S. Department of Energy |
Our leadership position is due, in part, to our establishment of environmental goals, the periodic reporting of progress towards our goals and the achievement of these goals. We have publicly adopted long-term energy, emissions, water and waste goals that establish aggressive reduction targets and have been aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As of the end of 2021, the combined impacts of efficiency measures, renewable energy and reduced physical occupancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 41% decrease in energy use intensity and over 70% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions intensity below a 2008 base year. We have also aligned our emissions reduction targets with climate science and in 2020 became the first North American office REIT to establish an emissions reduction target ambition in line with a 1.5°C trajectory, the most ambitious designation available at the time of submission under the Science Based Targets initiative. In April 2021, we affirmed our commitment to achieving carbon-neutral operations (for direct and indirect Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions) by 2025 from our occupied and actively managed buildings where we have operational control.
We are focused on developing, owning and operating healthy and high-performance buildings. BXP is a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council® (“USGBC”) and has a long history of owning, developing and operating properties that are certifiedgreen buildings under USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED®) rating system. As of December 31, 2022, we have LEED-certified 33.5 million square feet of our total in-service portfolio, of which 94% is certified at the highest Gold and Platinum levels. In 2018, we announced a partnership with a leading healthy building certification system, Fitwel, to support healthy building design and operational practices across our portfolio, becoming a Fitwel Champion.
In addition, since 2018 we We completed our Fitwel Champion commitments and have been an active participant in the green bond market, which provides access to sustainability-focused investors interested in the positive environmental externalities of our business activities. BXP and its employees also make a social impact through charitable giving, volunteerism, public realm investments and diversity and inclusion. Through these efforts, we demonstrate that operating and developing commercial real estate can be conducted with a conscious regard for the environment and wider society while mutually benefiting our stakeholders.
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› INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
We continue to be recognized as an industry leader in sustainability. In 2020, BXP ranked among the top real estate companies in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (“GRESB”) assessment, earning a fifth consecutive 5 Star rating, the highest rating and recognition for being an industry leader. It was the ninth consecutive year that BXP earned the GRESB “Green Star” designation, achieving the highest scores in several categories, including: Data Monitoring & Review, Targets, Policies, Reporting and Leadership. BXP was also named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek magazine in 2020. BXP ranked 56th overall out of 400 companies included. It was the second highest ranking of all property companies and the highest ranking of any office REIT. In 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019, BXP was selected by Nareit as a Leader in the Light Award winner. Nareit’s annual Leader in the Light Awards honor Nareit member companies that have demonstrated superior and sustained sustainability practices.
BXP has adopted sustainable development and operational practices across its portfolio. In 2017, shortly after the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, BXP became a proud signatory of the We Are Still In declaration, and aligned emissions reduction targets with climate science. The SBTi Target Validation Team has classified BXP’s emissions reduction target ambition and has determined that it is in line with a 1.5°C trajectory, currently the most ambitious designation available. As of the end of 2020, BXP is one of six North American Real Estate companies with this distinction and the only North American office company in that group. We have LEED certified 27.7added 23.8 million square feet of Fitwel certified buildings across our total in-serviceportfolio of which 96% is certified atsince 2018. In response to the highest Gold and Platinum levels. BXP’s master lease form includes green lease clauses that support a more sustainable tenant-landlord relationship. In 2020, BXP was named a Green Lease Leader at the highest Gold level by the Institute for Market Transformation and the U.S. Department of Energy for exhibiting a strong commitment to high performance and sustainability in buildings and best practices in leasing. Through active asset management and tenant engagement, BXP has been a leader in energy efficiency and healthy building practices. In 2020 BXP was recognized by the Environmental Performance Agency a 2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. BXP was named a 2020 Best in Building Health award winner. WeCOVID-19 pandemic, we completed the first Fitwel Design Certified project in the world in 2019Viral Response Module Enterprise and executed more Fitwel certifications by count and building area than any other company in 2019. BXP has 11 Fitwel Ambassadors among our Sustainability, Development and Property Management teams.Asset-level Certification at all actively managed buildings.
› GREEN FINANCE
From 2018 to 2021, BPLP issued an aggregate of $2.7 billion of green bonds in three separate offerings. The terms of the green bonds have restrictions that limit our allocation of the net proceeds to “eligible green projects.” We published our first Green Bond Allocation Report in June 2019, disclosing the full allocation of approximately $988 million in net proceeds from BPLP’s inaugural green bond offering to the eligible green project at our Salesforce Tower property in San Francisco, California. We recently published our September 30, 2020 Green Bond Allocation Report disclosing the full allocation of approximately $841 million in net proceeds from BPLP’s green bond offering in June 2019. The Green Bond Allocation Reports are available on our website at http://www.bxp.com under the heading “Sustainability,” but they are not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, or any other document we file with the SEC.
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› CLIMATE RESILIENCE
As a long-term owner and active manager of real estate assets in operation and under development, we take a long-term view of potentialon climate change risks including climate change.and opportunities. We are infocused on understanding how climate change may impact the processperformance of evaluating physicalour portfolio and transitionthe steps we can take to increase climate resilience. We continue to evaluate the potential risks associated with climate change that could impact our portfolio and are taking steps to plan for and/or mitigate such risks.
As a vertically integrated, full-service real estate company, we view this as an opportunity to protect asset value by proactively assessing climate risk, implementing measures, planning and decision-making processes to protect our investments by improving resilience. We are preparing for long-term climate risk by considering climate change scenarios and will continue to assess climate change vulnerabilities resulting from potential future climate scenarios and sea level rise. In 2020, we began using Four Twenty Seven climate risk scoring to evaluate the forward-looking physical climate risk exposureengaged in addressing climate-related issues at all levels of our entire portfolio. Event-driven (acute) and longer-term (chronic) physical risks that may result from climate change could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations and business.organization. Management’s role in overseeing, assessing and managing these climate-related risks, opportunities and initiatives is spread across multiple teams acrossthroughout our organization, including our Board of Directors, executive leadership and our Sustainability, Risk Management, Development, Construction and Property Management departments. Climate resilience measures include trainingDepartments. BXP has a dedicated team of sustainability professionals focused on ESG issues that coordinate and implementation of emergency response planscollaborate across corporate and the engagement of our executivesregional teams to advance environmental sustainability issues and BXP’s initiatives. Our
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 47 |
| 3› | HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY |
Board of Directors has established a board-level Sustainability Committee to, among other things, increase Board oversight over environmental and sustainability issues, including climate-related risks and opportunities. The Board delegated to the Sustainability Committee its responsibility to oversee BXP’s sustainability program, which includes monitoring and addressing, as needed, environmental-, sustainability- and climate-related risks.
Our approach to climate-related issues is also informed by robust stakeholder engagement. We are in frequent dialogue with investors, customers, community members, governmental policymakers, consultants and other non-governmental organizations. We are heavily involved in industry associations and participate in conferences and workshops covering ESG, sustainability and climate resilience topics. Through these engagements, we enhance our knowledge of climate-related issues and those issues that are most important to our stakeholders and industry best practices.
We have aligned our climate-related disclosures with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”). The TCFD framework has informed the development of our strategy for identifying and managing both physical and transition risks associated with climate change. As defined by the TCFD framework, physical risks associated with climate change include acute risks (extreme weather-related events) and chronic risks (such as extreme heat and sea-level rise), and transition risks associated with climate change include policy and legal risks, and other ESG aspects.technology, market and reputation-related risks.
› PUBLIC SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND PROGRESS
Our sustainability goals establish reductioninclude targets for energy, greenhouse gasGHG emissions, water consumption, building certifications and waste. In 2016, we achieved our first round of energy, emissions and water targets three years early. In 2021, we announced our Carbon-Neutral Operations Goal and added a sustainability linked pricing component to our credit facility, aligned with our new Building Certification Goal. By resetting company-wide goals, we raise stakeholder awareness and make best efforts to drive continuous year-over-year, like-for-like key performance indicator improvement. We have adopted goals with the following specific time frames, metrics and targets below a 2008 baseline:(1)the noted baselines:
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| 3› | HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY |
| (1) | 2021 is the most recent year for which complete and third-party assured energy and water data is available. 2021 data reflects the combined impacts of efficiency measures, renewable energy and reduced physical occupancy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| (2) | The status of these goals will remain “in progress” as we continue to monitor repopulation trends in 2022 and 2023. |
| (3) | The status of these goals are “in progress” pending final SBTi valuation. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 49 |
| 3› | HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY |
› ESG REPORTING
A notable part of our commitment to sustainable development and operations is our commitment to transparent reporting of ESG performance indicators, as we recognize the importance of this information to investors, lenders and others in understanding how BXP assesses sustainability information and evaluates risks and opportunities. We publish an annual sustainabilityESG report that is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework,(GRI) Framework, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the SASB framework thatFramework. BXP’s ESG report includes our strategy, key performance indicators, annual like-for-like comparisons, achievements and historical sustainability reports. Thisachievements. The report is available on our website at http://www.bxp.com under the heading “Commitment,” but it is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement or any other document we file with the SEC. Our annual ESG reports, including all of our energy, water waste, building certifications and emissions metrics included therein, are assured by an independent, third-party assurance expert. The assurance expert performs an independent verification for certain of our ESG performance indicators and issues an opinion, which is attached to each ESG report, that opines on each ESG report’s inclusiveness, materiality, sustainability context, completeness, and reliability.
We have been an active participant in the green bond market since 2018, which provides access to sustainability-focused investors interested in the positive environmental externalities of our business activities. Since 2018, BPLP has issued an aggregate of $4.3 billion of green bonds in five separate offerings. The terms of the green bonds have restrictions that limit our allocation of the net proceeds to “eligible green projects.” We publish Green Bond Allocation Reports disclosing the full or partial allocation, as applicable, of net proceeds from the green bond offerings to eligible green projects. We have published four Green Bond Allocation Reports that fully allocate more than $3.5 billion in net proceeds to eligible green projects. The Green Bond Allocation Reports are available on our website at http://www.bxp.com under the heading “Sustainability,“Commitment,” but it is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. In addition,statement or any other document we continue to work to further align our reportingfile with the recommendationsSEC. We expect to publish a Green Bond Allocation Report to allocate net proceeds from our most recent November 2022 green bond offering in the fourth quarter of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities.2023.
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| 4› | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Biographies of our executive officers, other than Messrs. Thomas and Linde, are presented below, based on information furnished to Boston Propertiesus by each executive officer. Each executive officer holds office until the regular meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Information for Messrs. Thomas and Linde is included above under “Proposal I: Election of Directors –— Nominees for Election” beginning on page 9.10.
Name | Age | Position | Joined BXP | Age(1) | Position | Joined BXP | ||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | 70 | Senior Executive Vice President | 1980 | 72 | Senior Executive Vice President | 1980 | ||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | 57 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 2000 | 59 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | 2000 | ||||||
Peter D. Johnston | 62 | Executive Vice President, Washington, DC Region | 1987 | |||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 64 | Executive Vice President, Boston Region | 1999 | |||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 62 | Executive Vice President, Boston Region | 1999 | |||||||||
Peter V. Otteni | 49 | Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region | 2000 | |||||||||
Robert E. Pester | 64 | Executive Vice President, San Francisco, Region | 1998 | 66 | Executive Vice President, San Francisco Region | 1998 | ||||||
John F. Powers | 74 | Executive Vice President, New York Region | 2014 | |||||||||
Hilary J. Spann | 47 | Executive Vice President, New York Region | 2021 | |||||||||
Frank D. Burt | 62 | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | 1986 | |||||||||
John J. Stroman | 44 | Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region | 2005 | |||||||||
Donna D. Garesché | 57 | Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | 2010 | |||||||||
Eric G. Kevorkian | 52 | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary | 2003 | |||||||||
Michael R. Walsh | 54 | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer | 1986 | 56 | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer | 1986 | ||||||
| (1) | Ages are as of May 23, 2023, the date of the 2023 annual meeting. |
Raymond A. Ritchey
Senior Executive Vice President | • Senior Executive Vice President of BXP since January 2016, supporting BXP’s Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Seattle regional businesses, as well as coordinating companywide leasing and cross regional client relationships • Various positions at BXP since 1980, including Executive Vice President, Head of our Washington, DC Office and National Director of Acquisitions and Development and Senior Vice President and Co-Manager of our Washington, DC office • Joined BXP in 1980, leading our expansion to become one of the dominant real estate firms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area • A leading commercial real estate broker in the Washington, DC area with Coldwell Banker from 1977 to 1980 • President of the Board of Spanish Education Development (SED) Center • Member of the Federal City Council and The Economic Club of Washington • Founding member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), Northern Virginia • Professional honors include: ULI Lifetime Achievement Award; Man of the Year, CREW; Brendan McCarthy Award; Good Scout of the Year, Boy Scouts; Trendsetter of the Year, Transwestern; Developer of the Year (numerous organizations); Junior Achievement Man of the Year; and Washington Business Hall of Fame • Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California | |
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| 4› | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Michael E. LaBelle
Michael E. LaBelle Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | • Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer of BXP since January 2016, with responsibility for overseeing the finance, accounting, tax, internal audit and investor relations departments, as well as capital markets, treasury management, credit underwriting, financial strategy and planning • Various positions at BXP since March 2000, including Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer from November 2007 to January 2016 and Senior Vice President, Finance from February 2005 to November 2007 • Former Vice President & Relationship Manager with Fleet National Bank from 1991 to 2000, with responsibility for financing large-scale commercial real estate developments • Former Associate National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in New York City specializing in commercial real estate debt portfolio analysis and valuation in commercial banks located throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States • Member of the National Advisory Board for the University of Colorado Real Estate Center • Member of the Board of the Legacy Fund of the Medfield Foundation • Received a BS in Economics from the University of Colorado
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Bryan J. Koop
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Executive Vice President, Boston Region
• Executive Vice President, Boston Region of BXP since January 2016, with responsibility for overseeing the operation of our existing regional portfolio in the Boston area, which includes the Boston CBD, Cambridge and Waltham/Lexington submarkets and developing new business opportunities in the area • Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of our Boston office from 1999 to 2016 • Various positions at Trammell Crow Company from 1982 to 1999, where his career covered high-rise office building leasing and the development of commercial office buildings and shopping centers, including Managing Director and Regional Leader for Trammell Crow Company’s New England region, with responsibility for all commercial office and shopping center • Director of the Massachusetts Chapter of NAIOP, the Boston Green Ribbon Commission and the Kendall Square Association • Former chairman of the Back Bay Association • Received a BBA and an MBA from Texas Christian University | ||
Peter V. Otteni Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region | • Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region of BXP since January 2022, with joint responsibility for business activities and direct responsibility for overseeing project development, construction and marketing activities for our Washington, DC region • Various positions at BXP since 2000, including Vice President, Development from 2006 to 2016, Senior Vice President and Head of Development from 2017 to 2021 and Senior Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region from April 2021 to December 2021 • Member of the Board of Directors of National Capital Area Region for the March of Dimes • Received a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School | |
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| 4› | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Robert E. Pester
Executive Vice President, San Francisco Region | ||
Hilary J. Spann Executive Vice President, New York Region | • Executive Vice President, New York Region of BXP since September 2021 and Head of the New York Region since January 2022 with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of our New York and Princeton, New Jersey activities, including development, acquisitions, leasing and building operations • Various positions at CPP Investments from March 2016 to July 2021, including (1) Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Investments Americas from July 2017 to July 2021, with responsibility for leading all aspects of the real estate business, including investment strategy, talent acquisition and management, and portfolio management, and (2) Managing Director, Head of United States Real Estate Investments from March 2016 to July 2017 • Various positions at the Global Real Assets Group at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, including Managing Director, Head of Northeast Acquisitions, from May 2001 to February 2016 • Independent Director and member of the Sustainability Committee of Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) since April 2022 • Trustee of the Urban Land Institute (“ULI”) • Director of the ULI Foundation • Received a BS in Architecture and an MA of City Planning both from the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology • Studied architecture at the Ecole d’Architecture de Paris – La Villette
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| | 2023 Proxy Statement 53 |
| 4› | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
John J. Stroman Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region | • Executive Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region of BXP since January 2022, with joint responsibility for business activities and direct responsibility for overseeing the leasing, legal and property management activities for our Washington, DC region • Various positions at BXP since 2005, including Vice President, Development from 2011 to 2019, Vice President, Leasing from 2019 to 2020, Senior Vice President, Leasing from 2020 to April 2021 and Senior Vice President, Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region of BXP from April 2021 to December 2021 • Received a BS in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA, Real Estate Development from the University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School | |
Donna D. Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | • Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer since February 2023, with responsibility for leading and executing BXP’s human capital strategy, providing strategic direction on human resource initiatives related to talent management, leadership development, succession planning, structuring competitive benefit and compensation systems, performance management, training and development, and employee relations • Various positions at BXP since 2010, including Vice President, Human Resources from 2010 to 2016, Senior Vice President, Human Resources from 2016 to 2020 and Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer 2020 to February 2023 • Former Vice President, Human Resources for AEW Capital Management • Former Director, Human Resources for Beacon Properties • Received a BA from Saint Anselm College, an MA from Boston College, and holds an Executive & Organizational Coaching Professional certification from Columbia University | |
Eric G. Kevorkian Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary | • Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary of BXP since June 2022, with responsibility for overseeing the legal and risk management departments • Vice President, Corporate Counsel of BXP from 2003 to 2008 and Senior Vice President, Senior Corporate Counsel of BXP from 2008 to June 2022. In those roles, Mr. Kevorkian has been responsible for advising the Board of Directors and senior management on all securities law, corporate governance, general corporate law, executive compensation, REIT compliance, and tax matters. He also participates in the corporate and tax structuring of BXP’s significant real estate joint venture transactions. Mr. Kevorkian also plays a key role in BXP’s corporate financings, including more than $30 billion of public and private debt and equity offerings • Former attorney at Goodwin Procter LLP from 1995 to 2003, where he was a member of the firm’s M&A/Corporate Governance and REITs & Real Estate Capital Markets practice groups and was elected Partner in May 2002 • Vice Chair of Nareit’s Corporate Governance Council and a frequent speaker at Nareit conferences • Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hockomock Area YMCA since June 2021, Vice Chair from June 2018 to June 2021 and a member of the Board since June 2015 • Received a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD, magna cum laude, and an MPA from Syracuse University, and an LLM in Taxation from Boston University
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| 4› | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Michael R. Walsh
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer | • Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer of BXP since May 2016, with responsibility for overseeing BXP’s financial reporting, property accounting and tax compliance and providing transactional support on capital markets activity • Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Paramount Group, Inc., a REIT focused on Class A office properties in New York City, Washington, DC and San Francisco, from March 2015 to March 2016 • Various positions at BXP from 1986 to 2015, including Senior Vice President, Finance and Capital Markets with responsibility for overseeing its accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis and tax functions and participated extensively in investor relations matters • Co-chair of Nareit’s Accounting Committee • Member of Nareit’s Best Financial Practices Council • Board member of the Boston Athletic Academy, a non-profit youth development organization that combines athletics with education • Received a BS, magna cum laude, from Eastern Nazarene College | |
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| 5› | PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS |
PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS
The table below shows the amount of BXP common stock of Boston Properties, Inc. and units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership beneficially owned as of February 5, 202110, 2023 by:
each director;
| • | each director and nominee for director; |
each of our named executive officers (“NEOs”);
| • | each of our named executive officers (“NEOs”); |
all directors and executive officers of Boston Properties Inc. as a group; and
| • | all directors and executive officers of BXP as a group; and |
each person known by Boston Properties to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.
| • | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. |
On February 5, 2021,10, 2023, there were:
155,805,445 shares of our common stock outstanding;
| • | 156,822,702 shares of our common stock outstanding; |
16,097,110 common units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership (“common units”) outstanding (other than the common units held by Boston Properties, Inc.), each of which is redeemable for one share of Boston Properties, Inc.’s common stock (if Boston Properties elects to issue common stock rather than pay cash upon such redemption);
| • | 16,531,172 common units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership (“common units”) outstanding (other than the common units held by Boston Properties, Inc.), each of which is redeemable for one share of BXP common stock (if BXP elects to issue common stock rather than pay cash upon such redemption); |
1,587,923 long term incentive units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership (“LTIP units”) outstanding that were issued as part of our long-term incentive (“LTI”) program, excluding LTIP units issued pursuant to 2019 Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program (“MYLTIP”) awards, 2020 MYLTIP awards and 2021 MYLTIP awards, each of which, upon the satisfaction of certain performance and service conditions, is convertible into one common unit; and
| • | 2,131,536 long term incentive units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership (“LTIP units”) outstanding that were issued as part of our long-term incentive (“LTI”) program, excluding LTIP units issued pursuant to 2021 Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program (“MYLTIP”) awards, 2022 MYLTIP awards and 2023 MYLTIP awards, each of which, upon the satisfaction of certain performance and service conditions, is convertible into one common unit; and |
73,744 deferred stock units outstanding.
| • | 99,182 deferred stock units outstanding. |
All references in this proxy statement to LTIP units exclude LTIP units issued pursuant to 20192021 MYLTIP awards, 20202022 MYLTIP awards and 20212023 MYLTIP awards because the three-year performance periods of these awards had not ended by February 5, 2021.10, 2023. LTIP units issued pursuant to 20192021 MYLTIP awards, 20202022 MYLTIP awards and 20212023 MYLTIP awards are collectively referred to herein as “Unearned Performance Awards.” None of our directors or NEOs beneficially owned any preferred units or shares of our preferred stock.
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| 5› | PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS |
| Common Stock | Common Stock and Units | |||||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner* | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | Percent of Common Stock (2) | Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned (1) | Percent of Common Stock and Units (3) | ||||||||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers |
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Kelly A. Ayotte(4) | 213 | * | * | 4,109 | * | * | ||||||||||
Bruce W. Duncan(5) | 21,000 | * | * | 26,959 | * | * | ||||||||||
Karen E. Dykstra(6) | 7,420 | * | * | 7,945 | * | * | ||||||||||
Carol B. Einiger(7) | 29,185 | * | * | 38,154 | * | * | ||||||||||
Diane J. Hoskins(8) | 4,149 | * | * | 4,149 | * | * | ||||||||||
Joel I. Klein(9) | 9,081 | * | * | 17,140 | * | * | ||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde(10) | 259,131 | * | * | 554,901 | * | * | ||||||||||
Matthew J. Lustig(11) | 8,799 | * | * | 19,716 | * | * | ||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas(12) | 63,624 | * | * | 402,264 | * | * | ||||||||||
David A. Twardock(13) | 8,060 | * | * | 8,060 | * | * | ||||||||||
William H. Walton, III(14) | 1,610 | * | * | 4,459 | * | * | ||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey(15) | — | * | * | 371,015 | * | * | ||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle(16) | 11,333 | * | * | 135,195 | * | * | ||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop(17) | 17,919 | * | * | 87,145 | * | * | ||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (19 persons)(18) | 499,708 | * | * | 1,912,747 | 1.10 | % | ||||||||||
5% Holders | ||||||||||||||||
The Vanguard Group(19) | 22,350,551 | 14.35 | % | 22,350,551 | 12.88 | % | ||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(20) | 16,207,690 | 10.40 | % | 16,207,690 | 9.34 | % | ||||||||||
Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway)(21) | 13,037,554 | 8.37 | % | 13,037,554 | 7.51 | % | ||||||||||
State Street Corporation(22) | 8,745,065 | 5.61 | % | 8,745,065 | 5.04 | % | ||||||||||
TCI Fund Management Limited | 8,362,038 | 5.37 | % | 8,362,038 | 4.82 | % | ||||||||||
| Common Stock | Common Stock and Units | |||||||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner* | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | Percent of Common Stock(2) | Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned(1) | Percent of Common Stock and Units(3) | ||||||||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers(4) |
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Kelly A. Ayotte | 506 | ** | 7,191 | ** | ||||||||||||
Bruce W. Duncan(5) | 21,000 | ** | 29,748 | ** | ||||||||||||
Carol B. Einiger(6) | 33,225 | ** | 44,983 | ** | ||||||||||||
Diane J. Hoskins | 6,938 | ** | 6,938 | ** | ||||||||||||
Mary E. Kipp | 542 | ** | 2,046 | ** | ||||||||||||
Joel I. Klein | 13,421 | ** | 24,269 | ** | ||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde(7) | 183,563 | ** | 572,097 | ** | ||||||||||||
Matthew J. Lustig | 12,056 | ** | 25,762 | ** | ||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | 64,292 | ** | 540,200 | ** | ||||||||||||
David A. Twardock | 11,367 | ** | 11,367 | ** | ||||||||||||
William H. Walton, III | 3,817 | ** | 9,455 | ** | ||||||||||||
Tony West | — | ** | — | ** | ||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey(8) | — | ** | 295,807 | ** | ||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | 14,408 | ** | 167,328 | ** | ||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 9,752 | ** | 102,352 | * | * | |||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (22 persons)(4) | 438,704 | ** | 2,120,137 | 1.22% | ||||||||||||
5% Holders | ||||||||||||||||
The Vanguard Group(9) | 23,591,706 | 15.04% | 23,591,706 | 13.44% | ||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(10) | 18,146,691 | 11.57% | 18,146,691 | 10.34% | ||||||||||||
Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway)(11) | 12,695,570 | 8.10% | 12,695,570 | 7.23% | ||||||||||||
State Street Corporation(12) | 11,123,759 | 7.09% | 11,123,759 | 6.34% | ||||||||||||
| * | Unless otherwise indicated, the address is c/o Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103. |
| ** | Less than 1%. |
| (1) | The number of shares of BXP common stock “beneficially owned” by each beneficial owner is determined under rules issued by the |
| (2) | The total number of shares outstanding used in calculating this percentage assumes (a) the exercise of all options to acquire shares of BXP common stock that are exercisable on or within 60 days after February |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 57 |
| 5› | PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS |
| (3) | The total number of shares outstanding used in calculating this percentage assumes (a) that all common units and LTIP units are presented (assuming conversion in full into common units, if applicable) to the Operating Partnership for redemption and are acquired by |
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denominator by the inclusion of all outstanding shares of common stock, (c) the exercise of all options to acquire shares of BXP common stock that are exercisable on or within 60 days after February |
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| Name | Common Stock(a) | Stock Options | Deferred Stock Units(b) | Common Units | LTIP Units(a) | |||||||||||||||
Kelly A. Ayotte | — | — | 506 | — | 6,685 | |||||||||||||||
Bruce W. Duncan | 21,000 | — | — | — | 8,748 | |||||||||||||||
Carol B. Einiger | 8,000 | — | 25,225 | — | 11,758 | |||||||||||||||
Diane J. Hoskins | 6,938 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Mary E. Kipp | 542 | — | — | — | 1,504 | |||||||||||||||
Joel I. Klein | — | — | 13,421 | — | 10,848 | |||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | 183,563 | — | — | — | 388,534 | |||||||||||||||
Matthew J. Lustig | — | — | 12,056 | — | 13,706 | |||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | 10,010 | 54,282 | — | — | 475,908 | |||||||||||||||
David A. Twardock | 10,399 | — | 968 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
William H. Walton, III | — | — | 3,817 | — | 5,638 | |||||||||||||||
Tony West | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | — | — | — | 130,570 | 165,237 | |||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | 14,408 | — | — | — | 152,920 | |||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 9,752 | — | — | — | 92,600 | |||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (22 persons) | 328,429 | 54,282 | 55,993 | 147,857 | 1,533,576 | |||||||||||||||
| (a) | Includes the following unvested shares of common stock and unvested LTIP units: Ms. Ayotte — 1,504 LTIP units; Mr. Duncan — 1,504 LTIP units; Ms. Einiger — 1,504 LTIP units; Ms. Hoskins — 1,504 shares of common stock; Ms. Kipp — 1,504 LTIP units; Mr. Klein — 1,504 LTIP units; Mr. Linde — 86,064 LTIP units; Mr. Lustig — 1,504 LTIP units; Mr. Thomas — 123,404 LTIP units; Mr. Twardock — 1,504 shares of common stock; Mr. Walton — 1,504 LTIP units; Mr. Ritchey — 3,920 LTIP units; Mr. LaBelle — 27,254 LTIP units |
| (b) | Excludes |
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Includes 8,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through a trust of which Ms. Einiger is the beneficiary and |
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Includes |
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Includes, only under the “Number of Shares and Units Beneficially Owned” column, |
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Information regarding The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Vanguard with the SEC on February |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 58 |
| 5› | PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS |
| (10) | Information regarding BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock with the SEC on January |
Information regarding Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway) (“Norges Bank”) is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Norges Bank with the SEC on February |
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Information regarding State Street Corporation (“State Street”) is based solely on a Schedule |
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DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the executive officers and directors of Boston Properties, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Boston Properties’ equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish Boston Properties with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations from our officers and directors that no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were timely satisfied, except Ms. Hoskins, who failed to timely file two Form 4 reports, each reflecting a purchase of common stock, which purchases were subsequently reflected on a Form 5.
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| 6› | COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
At our 20192022 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved the Boston Properties, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (the “Director Compensation Plan”), effective January 1, 2019.2022. The Director Compensation Plan sets forth the cash and equity compensation that is to be paid to our non-employee directors in a specific, formulaic manner. The compensation levels established under the Director Compensation Plan have not changed since 2019.
Directors who are also employees of Boston PropertiesBXP or any of its subsidiaries receive no additional compensation for their services as directors.
COMPONENTS OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Non-employee directors do not receive meeting attendance fees for any meeting of our Board of Directors or a committee thereof that he or she attends.
› CASH COMPENSATIONRETAINERS
During 2020,2022, we paid our non-employee directors the following cash compensation pursuant toretainers for Board and committee service under the Director Compensation Plan:
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Role/Committee | Annual Cash Retainer(1) | Committee Chair Retainer(1)(2) | Committee Member Retainer(1) | |||||||||
All Non-Employee Directors for Board Services | $85,000 | |||||||||||
Chairman of the Board(2) | $125,000 | |||||||||||
Lead Independent Director(2) | $50,000 | |||||||||||
Audit Committee | $20,000 | $15,000 | ||||||||||
Compensation Committee | $15,000 | $10,000 | ||||||||||
NCG Committee | $15,000 | $10,000 | ||||||||||
Sustainability Committee | $15,000 | $10,000 | ||||||||||
| (1) | The sum of all cash retainers are payable in quarterly installments in arrears, subject to proration for periods of service less than a full quarter in length. |
| (2) | Mr. Klein served as our independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board until May 19, 2022, at which time Mr. Thomas became Chairman and Ms. Ayotte became our Lead Independent Director. The |
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Non-employee directors are also are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred to attend Board of Directors and committee meetings.
› EQUITY COMPENSATION
The Director Compensation Plan providesprovided for grants of equity to non-employee directors in 2022 as follows:
Annual Grant. Each continuing non-employee director is entitled to receive, on the fifth business day after the annual meeting of stockholders, an annual equity award with an aggregate value of $150,000.
| • | Annual Grant. Each continuing non-employee director received, on the fifth business day after the annual meeting of stockholders, an annual equity award with an aggregate value of $165,000. |
Initial Grant. Any new non-employee director that is appointed to our Board of Directors other than at an annual meeting of stockholders would be entitled to receive, on the fifth business day after the appointment, an initial equity award with an aggregate value of $150,000 (prorated based on the number of months from the date the director is first appointed to our Board of Directors to the first anniversary of the Company’s most recently held annual meeting of stockholders).
Annual and initial equity awards are made in the form of shares of restricted common stock, or, if offered by the Board of Directors and elected by such director, LTIP units (or a combination of both).
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| 6› | COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
The actual number of shares of restricted common stock or LTIP units that we grant is determined by dividing the fixed value of the grant by the closing market price of our common stock on the NYSE on the grant date.
| • | Initial Grant. Any new non-employee director that is appointed to our Board of Directors other than at an annual meeting of stockholders would be entitled to receive, on the fifth business day after the appointment, an initial equity award with an aggregate value of $165,000 (prorated based on the number of months from the date of appointment to the first anniversary of the Company’s most recently held annual meeting of stockholders). |
| • | Annual and initial equity awards are made in the form of shares of restricted common stock or, if elected by the director, LTIP units (or a combination of both). |
Annual and initial grants of LTIP units and restricted common stock will vest 100% on the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the grant date and (2) the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders.
| • | The actual number of shares of restricted common stock or LTIP units that we granted was determined by dividing the fixed value of the grant by the closing market price of our common stock on the NYSE on the grant date. |
| • | Annual and initial grants of LTIP units and restricted common stock vest 100% on the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the grant date and (2) the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders. |
Accordingly, on May 28, 2020,26, 2022, the last reported sale price of a share of our common stock on the NYSE was $87.76,$109.66, and we granted each of Mses. Ayotte, Einiger, DykstraHoskins and HoskinsKipp and Messrs. Duncan, Klein, Lustig, Twardock and Walton 1,7091,504 LTIP units or shares of restricted common stock.
In accordance with our Amended and Restated Rules and Conditions for Directors’ Deferred Compensation Program (the “Directors’ Deferred Compensation Program”), non-employee directors may elect to defer all cash retainers otherwise payable to them and to receive the deferred cash compensation in the form of our common stock or in cash following their retirement from our Board of Directors. Each electing director is credited with the number of deferred stock units determined by dividing the amount of the cash compensation deferred during each calendar quarter by the closing market price of our common stock on the NYSE on the last trading day of the quarter. Hypothetical dividends on the deferred stock units are “reinvested” in additional deferred stock units based on the closing market price of the common stock on the cash dividend payment date.
Directors may elect to receive payment of amounts in their accounts either in (x) a lump sum of shares of our common stock equal to the number of deferred stock units in a director’s account or (y) ten annual installments following the director’s retirement from our Board of Directors. In addition, non-employee directors who elect a deferred payout following their retirement from the Board may elect to change their notional investment from ourBXP common stock to a deemed investment in one or more measurement funds. This election to convert may only be made after the director’s service on the Board ends, the conversion date must be at least 180 days after the latest issuance date of deferred stock units credited to the director’s account, the election is irrevocable and the director must convert 100% of his or her deferred stock account if any is converted. Payment of a director’s account that has been converted to measurement funds will be made in cash instead of shares of our common stock. The measurement funds available to directors are the same as those available to our executives under our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2020”2022” on page 81.104.
DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
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Our Board believes it is important to align the interests of the directors with those of the stockholders and for directors to hold equity ownership positions in Boston Properties.BXP. Accordingly, each non-employee director is expected to retain an aggregate number of shares of our common stock, deferred stock units (and related dividend equivalent rights) in the Company, and LTIP units and common units in the Operating Partnership, whether vested or not, equal to at least five (5) times the value of the then currentthen-current annual cash retainer paid to non-employee directors for their service on the Board, without respect to service on committees of the Board or as lead independent directorLead Independent Director or Chairman. Each non-employee director, untilChairman, as applicable. Until such director complies with the ownership guidelines set forth above, each non-employee director is
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 61 |
| 6› | COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
expected to retain all equity awards granted by the Company or the Operating Partnership (less amounts sufficient to fund any taxes owed relating to such equity awards). The deferred stock units (and related dividend equivalent rights) in the Company and LTIP units and common units in the Operating Partnership shall be valued by reference to the market price of the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the settlement or exchange of such units assuming that all conditions necessary for such settlement or exchange have been met. For purposes of valuing shares of our common stock or other equity securities valued by reference to our common stock for purposes ofunder these ownership guidelines, the market price of our common stock used to value such equity shall be the greater of (1) the market price on the date of purchase or grant of such equity or (2) the market price as of the date compliance with these ownership guidelines is measured.
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The following table summarizes the compensation earned by our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2020.2022.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) | Stock Awards(2) | Total | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) | Stock Awards(2) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Kelly A. Ayotte | $ | 112,174 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 247,174 | $ | 129,368 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 277,868 | ||||||||||||
Bruce W. Duncan | $ | 121,535 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 256,535 | $ | 110,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 258,500 | ||||||||||||
Karen E. Dykstra | $ | 102,500 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 252,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
Carol B. Einiger | $ | 95,000 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 230,000 | $ | 105,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 253,500 | ||||||||||||
Diane J. Hoskins | $ | 95,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 245,000 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 165,000 | $ | 285,000 | ||||||||||||
Mary E. Kipp | $ | 110,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 258,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
Joel I. Klein | $ | 185,000 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 320,000 | $ | 154,712 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 303,212 | ||||||||||||
Matthew J. Lustig | $ | 112,500 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 247,500 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 268,500 | ||||||||||||
David A. Twardock | $ | 130,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 280,000 | $ | 130,000 | $ | 165,000 | $ | 295,000 | ||||||||||||
William H. Walton, III | $ | 97,649 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 232,649 | $ | 95,000 | $ | 148,500 | $ | 243,500 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | Mses. Ayotte, Einiger and |
Name | Deferred Stock Units Earned During | |||
Kelly A. Ayotte | ||||
Bruce W. Duncan | ||||
Carol B. Einiger | ||||
Mary E. Kipp | 1,272.67 | |||
Joel I. Klein | ||||
Matthew J. Lustig | ||||
David A. Twardock | ||||
William H. Walton, III | ||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 62 |
| 6› | COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
| (2) | Represents the total fair value of common stock and LTIP unit awards granted to non-employee directors in |
Name | LTIP | Common Stock(#) | ||||||
Kelly A. Ayotte | 1,504 | — | ||||||
Bruce W. Duncan | 1,504 | — | ||||||
Carol B. Einiger | 1,504 | — | ||||||
Diane J. Hoskins | — | 1,504 | ||||||
Mary E. Kipp | 1,504 | — | ||||||
Joel I. Klein | 1,504 | — | ||||||
Matthew J. Lustig | 1,504 | — | ||||||
David A. Twardock | — | 1,504 | ||||||
William H. Walton, III | 1,054 | — | ||||||
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” or “CD&A,” sets forth our philosophy and objectives regarding the compensation of our named executive officers, (“NEOs”), including how we determine the elements and amounts of executive compensation. When we use the term “Committee” in this CD&A, we mean the Compensation Committee of theBXP’s Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc. Our NEOs for 2020 were:Directors.
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| Owen D. Thomas | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Douglas T. Linde | ||
President | ||
| Raymond A. Ritchey | ||
Senior Executive Vice President | ||
| Michael E. LaBelle | ||
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial | ||
Officer & Treasurer | ||
| Bryan J. Koop | ||
Executive Vice President, Boston Region |
Our executive compensation program covering our NEOs is designed to attract and retain critical executive talent, motivate behaviors that align with stockholders’ interests and pay for performance. To ensure that pay is competitive with market ranges, we review a benchmarking analysis each year when establishing base salary, annual incentive target opportunities and long-term incentive (“LTI”) target opportunities. More than 90% of our NEOs’ pay is variable and contingent on performance with approximately two-thirds paid in the form of LTI equity compensation. Although target incentive opportunities are set by reference to market, the terms of our incentive plans provide for actual payouts to be above or below target levels depending upon actual performance against pre-determined goals.
When we established the target compensation levels for each component of our NEOs’ compensation in early 2020, our Committee did not foresee the widespread, negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic would have on our business and our stockholders. The unprecedented issues Boston Properties faced due to the global health crisis created a remarkably challenging year for our NEOs. In addition to the global pandemic, in 2020, major social-justice movements and demonstrations highlighted the racial injustices and economic inequities plaguing our society and called for companies to act. There was also a heightened focus on the importance of environmental and sustainability issues.
Despite the sudden and significant impacts of the pandemic on our business, the Committee did not modify the components or the target compensation levels of our executive compensation program. The Committee also did not modify the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan, including any of its three categories (FFO, leasing, and business and individual goals) or the specific targets within each category established in early 2020. In deciding not to change the program, the Committee prioritized strong alignment with Boston Properties’ investors and their experiences during the pandemic. As the year progressed and the severity of the pandemic became clearer, the Committee supplemented the business and individual goals with additional goals that guided the NEOs in responding thoughtfully and responsibly to the global health crisis and important social and environmental issues.
Our NEOs showed exceptional leadership in addressing all of the significant challenges and issues presented to them in 2020, but with business conditions dominated by the pandemic, they were unable to achieve their FFO and leasing targets under the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan. Our NEOs did not earn any payout under the FFO per share category and only one NEO earned a portion of the target payout for the leasing category; for the third category of the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan, the business and individual goals, each NEO exceeded his goals. As a result, the Committee awarded final bonus payments to our NEOs that ranged from 50% to 75% of target. While these same challenging business conditions had a severe, negative impact on office REITs generally, leading to negative absolute total stockholder returns (“TSR”) across the sector in 2020, the Committee noted that Boston Properties’ TSR for the one-year and three-year periods ending December 31, 2020 placed it at the 80th percentile, or third, among its most directly comparable office peers for both periods. (For a list of these peers, see “– II. Executive Compensation Program – LTI Equity Compensation – 2021 MYLTIP” below.) Although the Committee did not base its decisions on BXP’s relative TSR rankings, the Committee believes they validated the appropriateness of the final bonus payments to our NEOs.
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CD&A Roadmap | ||
The Committee remains proud of the extraordinary leadership demonstrated by our NEOs and their efforts in protecting our tenants’ and employees’ health and safety and preserving our properties, financial condition, culture of excellence and ultimately the Boston Properties’ brand in 2020.
›2020 COMPENSATION DECISIONS
As described in detail later in this CD&A, below are the key actions that our Compensation Committee took with respect to our NEOs’ 2020 compensation and the impact of those decisions on 2020 compensation.
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| Executive Summary | 64 | |
| 65 | |
2022 Compensation Decisions & Highlights | 67 | |
| Our Executive Compensation Program | 68 | |
Executive Compensation Philosophy | 68 | |
Components of Executive Compensation | 69 | |
Compensation Governance Practices | 70 | |
2022 Say-on-Pay Vote & Investor Outreach | 71 | |
| 2022 Executive Compensation | 72 | |
2022 Annual Target Compensation | 72 | |
Cash Compensation | 73 | |
LTI Equity Compensation | 85 | |
| Determining Executive Compensation | 91 | |
Process for Determining Executive Compensation | 91 | |
Compensation Advisor’s Role & Benchmarking Peer Group | 91 | |
Role of Management in |
92 | |
| Other Compensation Policies | 93 | |
| Compensation Committee Report | 98 | |
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A fundamental principle of BXP’s executive compensation program is to align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders. Its application is evidenced by the design of our executive compensation program and the resulting shared experiences of our NEOs and our investors as BXP’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) fluctuates. For 2022, the Committee retained the overall design, structure and categories of BXP’s executive compensation program.
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% Variable Pay(1)
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2018 MYLTIP Payout
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93% | 74%
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2018 MYLTIP Payout
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91% | 66%
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›2020 SAY-ON-PAY VOTE & STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH
Say-on-Pay Vote
At our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 89% of the votes cast supported our “Say-on-Pay” advisory vote. These results reflect continued investor support for our executive compensation program, including the changes our Committee made in 2019 to our executive compensation program based on investor feedback. The 2020 compensation year is the first year in which the changes made in 2019 were effective, and although COVID-19 unpredictably and unprecedentedly impacted our business and financial results, the Committee determined not to modify any of the key changes from 2019 to our executive compensation. In doing so, our Committee opted to remain within the original framework of the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan when determining 2020 compensation. We believe this demonstrates the Committee’s commitment to the changes it made in response to investor feedback.
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Investor Outreach & Feedback
We are firmly committed to learning investors’ perspectives and believe that proactive engagement is an effective means to solicit and receive valuable feedback. This feedback has helped shape our policies and practices. We conduct outreach throughout the year to ensure that management and the Board understand the issues of importance to our investors and address them appropriately. The Board regularly reviews shareholder feedback, which informs Board discussions on a wide range of topics, including our approaches to corporate governance, ESG, human capital management, diversity, equity and inclusion and executive compensation.
In 2020, we engaged directly with our investors in various forums and through different media (including in-person meetings prior to the pandemic and virtual meetings during the pandemic) as part of our outreach program. In addition to discussions in the ordinary course of business, we:
hosted three investor outreach series to meet with existing investors, potential investors in Europe and one dedicated to ESG matters;
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held one-on-one meetings at four non-REIT conferences: the Morgan Stanley Sustainable Futures conference, the Stifel Cross-Sector conference, BofA Financial Futures conference and the Goldman Sachs Financials conference; and
held meetings at other ESG-focused engagements, including numerous one-on-one meetings with ESG-dedicated funds and an investor webinar focused on our efforts relatedtime-based equity awards (including stock options) previously granted to ESG matters.
In total, we engaged directly with representatives of more than 200 firms, including approximately 50 U.S. and international institutional investors who own, in the aggregate, approximately 45% of the total number of outstanding shares of BXP common stock and approximately 80% of the total number of outstanding shares of BXP common stock held by actively managed funds.
The topics discussed at these meetings varied, but generally focused on the impacts of the pandemic and our responses thereto. Among other things, we heard questions about the long-term impact of the hybrid or partial “work-from-home” trend on demand for office space, the impact of new sublease space on overall supply and rental rates and the financial strength of various industries and sectors (including co-working, retail stores, restaurants, theaters and fitness clubs). We also discussed with them the details of our Health Security Plan for repopulating our buildings. The questions expressed in dialogue with our investors were echoed by REIT analysts and even the media, and they helped guide us in establishing the pandemic-related goals.
In 2020, our Investor Relations team was ranked by Institutional Investor Magazine as #1 among Office REITs and #3 among all REITs in three categories: Best IR program, Best IR Team and Best IR Professional. We believe our Investor Relations team excelled in leading and coordinating these atypical outreach efforts, and the recognition it received is well deserved.
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›COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE
The objectives of our executive compensation program are to attract, retain and motivate executives who have the experience and skills to lead the Company and continue our long-term track record of profitability, growth and TSR. The following table highlights key features of our executive compensation program that demonstrate the Company’s ongoing commitment to promoting stockholder interests through sound compensation governance practices.
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
II. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM› 2022 BXP PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
›COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONIn 2022, our NEOs and other executive officers provided strong leadership in the face of significant adverse geopolitical and economic conditions, including, among other things, escalating inflation, rapid interest rate increases, volatile financial markets and worsening industry-specific conditions that resulted therefrom, as well as the lingering effects of the pandemic. Despite these challenges, BXP produced strong leasing results and growth in diluted Funds from Operations (“FFO”) per share; allocated capital and made selective investments intended to enhance long-term growth and value; executed our development pipeline; deepened our existing relationships with institutional partners; and advanced our diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) and carbon-neutral operations initiatives. The Committee believes our NEOs executed our overall strategy exceptionally well in 2022, and that execution produced strong operating results in 2022 and longer-term growth opportunities. The following are highlights of BXP’s 2022 operational performance:
FINANCIAL GROWTH
| ✓Grew year-over-year diluted FFO per share by 14.8%(1) ✓ Grew our share of same property net operating income (NOI) by 3.7% year-over-year and our share of same property NOI – cash by 6.2% year-over-year(1) | |
STRONG LEASING
| ✓ Signed leases for a total of approximately 5.7 million square feet (SF) in 2022, which represents approximately 95% of BXP’s historical annual leasing average, despite industry headwinds ✓ Signed leases in 2022 with an aggregate weighted-average lease term of 9.2 years(2) | |
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
| ✓ Enhanced liquidity and access to capital despite challenging capital market conditions ✓ Executed a $730 million unsecured term loan in May 2022, which was subsequently increased to $1.2 billion in January 2023 ✓ Completed secured refinancings totaling approximately $945 million (of which our share was $305 million) and a $750 million unsecured “green bond” offering | |
BXP LIFE SCIENCES EXPANSION
| ✓ Expanded BXP’s life sciences presence nationally in the two largest life sciences markets in the United States – Cambridge, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California • In Cambridge, we: › acquired 125 Broadway, a fully leased lab/life sciences property, › signed a 15-year lease at 290 Binney Street, which is part of the initial phase of a life sciences development project, and › signed agreements to facilitate the conversion and expansion of 300 Binney Street, including a 15-year lease for 100% of the redeveloped property • In San Francisco, we commenced a life sciences conversion project at 651 Gateway | |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 65 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
RECYCLING & DEPLOYING CAPITAL
| ✓ Completed the disposition of 15 properties for aggregate gross sale proceeds of $864.2 million and acquired three premier workplaces, including joint venture interests in an entity that owns a premier workplace, for a gross aggregate cash purchase price of $1.6 billion ✓ Fully delivered three projects totaling more than 1.7 million SF, each of which is at least 90% leased(3) ✓ Commenced the development/redevelopment of seven projects | |
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY
| ✓Maintained industry leadership position in sustainability with continued recognition by industry groups and other key distinctions, including: • ranking among the top real estate companies in the GRESB assessment, earning a seventh consecutive 5-Star rating and BXP’s eleventh consecutive GRESB “Green Star” designation • being named (1) an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award, (2) a Green Lease Leader at the highest Platinum level by the Institute for Market Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy, (3) to Newsweek’s List of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023 for the 3rd consecutive year, ranking 1st in the Real Estate & Housing industry, and (4) to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the 2nd consecutive year • recognition by Commercial Property Executive for having the “Best ESG Program” • recipient of Nareit’s prestigious Leader in the Light Award | |
| (1) | Our share of same property NOI and NOI – cash excludes termination Income. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
| (2) | Represents 100% of consolidated and unconsolidated workplace properties (excludes residential and hotel properties) based on lease term and square footage. |
| (3) | Data as of February 21, 2023; includes leases with future commencement dates. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 66 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
› 2022 COMPENSATION DECISIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
| 2022 Executive Compensation Framework | In January 2022, the Committee determined to maintain the following framework: - the percentage of target pay that is variable: ~ 93% of our CEO’s target - the design, structure and categories of the annual cash incentive plan (“AIP”), - the LTI equity allocations: 55% performance-based and 45% time-based - the design and structure of the performance-based MYLTIP program. | |
| 2022 AIP Payouts | In January 2023, the Committee determined, in accordance with the 2022 AIP: - BXP’s diluted FFO per share for 2022 resulted in a payout of 141.7% of each Total cash bonuses awarded to our NEOs ranged between 86.7% to 140.3% of their | |
2022 Long-Term Incentive | For 2022, the Committee awarded the NEOs their target LTI equity amounts, except that Mr. LaBelle received an above-target LTI equity award. Earned values for these awards will depend on BXP’s stock price performance over the multi-year performance and vesting periods. | |
2022 Actual Compensation Paid | Overall, the total actual compensation paid to our CEO for 2022 was approximately | |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 67 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
II. OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
› EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
We designed the executive compensation program that covers our NEOs to:
| Ø | attract and retain talented and experienced executives in the commercial real estate markets in which we operate, |
| Ø | set total compensation opportunities to be competitive with companies in our benchmarking peer group, considering the skill sets required to implement our strategy and the market for such talent (see “IV. Determining Executive Compensation – Compensation Advisor’s Role & Benchmarking Peer Group – Benchmarking Peer Group”), |
| Ø | align our NEOs’ compensation with the Company’s strategy, business objectives and the creation of long-term value for our stockholders without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk-taking, |
| Ø | provide NEOs incentives to achieve key corporate and regional goals by linking formulaically annual cash incentive awards to the achievement of those goals, as well as goals set for each individual, and |
| Ø | provide a majority of target total direct compensation opportunity for the NEOs in the form of long-term incentive (“LTI”) equity awards, a majority of which are performance-based (55% for our CEO) and the value of which is dependent on BXP’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) over three years, both on a relative basis compared to the Company’s most directly comparable peers and on an absolute basis. |
Given the competitive nature of the market for labor talent and the fact that many of our competitors are private enterprises, the Committee reviews and evaluates the competitiveness of our executive compensation program annually to ensure it is designed to achieve the Committee’s objectives.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 68 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
› COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
| COMPONENT | WHY WE PAY IT | |
Base Salary | Provide a fixed, competitive level of cash compensation that reflects the NEO’s leadership role and the
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Annual Cash Incentive | Reward NEOs for the achievement of annual financial, operational and strategic goals that drive stockholder value, thereby aligning our NEOs’ interests with those of our stockholders
• Annual cash bonuses for each NEO are linked to performance against goals in three weighted categories, and each NEO has target and maximum bonus opportunities
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Performance-Based Equity (MYLTIP) | Align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders
Motivate, retain and reward NEOs to achieve multi-year, strategic business objectives that drive both relative and absolute TSR
• Create a direct link between executive pay and relative and absolute TSR performance
• Enhance executive officer retention with 100% vesting after completion of a three-year performance period (i.e., “cliff vesting”), with one additional year of post-vesting transfer restrictions
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Time-Based Equity | Align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders
Motivate, retain and reward NEOs to achieve multi-year, strategic business objectives that drive absolute TSR
• Create a direct link between executive pay and absolute TSR performance
• Enhance executive officer retention with time-based, multi-year vesting schedules for equity incentive awards
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| | 2023 Proxy Statement 69 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
› COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The following table highlights key features of our executive compensation program that demonstrate the Company’s ongoing commitment to promoting stockholder interests through sound compensation governance practices.
| WHAT WE DO | WHAT WE DON’T DO | |||||
| 93% of CEO’s total target compensation is at risk. The vast majority of total compensation is variable (i.e., not guaranteed); salaries comprise a small portion of each NEO’s total compensation opportunity. |
| No tax gross-ups.We do not provide any new executive with tax gross-ups for payments made in connection with a change of control. | |||
| Bonus pay linked to pre-established goals. Annual cash bonuses for our NEOs are linked to performance against goals in three categories, and each NEO has target and maximum bonus opportunities. |
| No hedging, pledging or short sales. We do not allow hedging, pledging or short sales of Company securities. | |||
| Two-thirds of total target compensation is paid in equity. We align our NEOs with our long-term investors by awarding 2/3 of our NEOs’ total target compensation in the form of equity; for our CEO, 55% of the equity is in the form of performance-based MYLTIP awards (for all other NEOs, 50% is performance-based). |
| Risk mitigation factors in compensation policies and procedures. Our compensation policies do notencourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking by our NEOs because, among other reasons, incentive compensation is not based on a single performance metric, it covers both short-term and long-term business objectives, and we do not have guaranteed minimum payouts. | |||
| Capped bonuses and LTI awards. We have caps on annual and long-term incentives. |
| No stock option repricing. We do not allow for the repricing of stock options. | |||
| Clawback policy. We have a clawback policy that allows for the recovery of previously paid incentive compensation in the event of a financial restatement. |
| We do not pay full dividends on unearned performance-based LTI awards. Recipients of performance-based LTI equity awards receive only 10% of the dividends paid on a share of BXP common stock unless and until they are earned. | |||
| Stock ownership guidelines for all executives. We have robust stock ownership guidelines for our executives (for our CEO, 6.0x base salary). | |||||
| Independent compensation consultant. We engage an independent compensation consultant to advise the Committee. | |||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 70 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
› 2022 SAY-ON-PAY VOTE & INVESTOR OUTREACH
Say-on-Pay Vote
At our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 90% of the votes cast supported our “Say-on-Pay” advisory vote. This outcome reflects continued investor support for our executive compensation program, including the changes our Committee made in 2019, based on investor feedback, to implement a more objective, formulaic annual bonus plan starting in 2020. The 2022 compensation year was our third year utilizing the formulaic bonus plan. Stockholder support for our executive compensation program has been relatively consistent over that period, as evidenced by our Say-on-Pay advisory votes receiving approximately 90% support each year since 2020. The continued support of our stockholders is a direct result of our commitment to actively engage with our investors on all matters, including executive compensation, and our responsiveness to the feedback received.
Investor Outreach & Feedback
We are firmly committed to learning investors’ perspectives and believe that proactive engagement is an effective means to solicit and receive valuable feedback. This feedback is essential as we shape our policies and practices. We conduct outreach throughout the year to ensure that management and the Board understand the issues of importance to our investors and address them appropriately. The Board regularly reviews stockholder feedback, which informs Board discussions on various topics, including our approaches to corporate governance, risk oversight, ESG initiatives, human capital management, DEI, and executive compensation.
We believe our engagement efforts have been meaningful for our investors and us, and we are pleased that in 2022 Institutional Investor Magazine ranked us #1 among Office REITs and #2 among all REITs (improved from #3 in 2021) in seven categories: Best CEO, Best CFO, Best Company Board, Best ESG, Best IR program, Best IR Professional and Best Investor Event.
In 2022, we engaged directly and frequently with our investors in various forums and through different media (including in-person and virtual meetings) as part of our outreach program. We allocate time each quarter following our earnings release and public conference call to speak with our investors regarding any additional questions and their topics of interests. In addition to discussions in the ordinary course of business, BXP successfully hosted the following:
| ✔ | its 2022 Investor Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, showcasing BXP’s investments in the Boston region, including BXP’s life sciences assets in Cambridge, Massachusetts, The Hub on Causeway assets and a preview of the View Boston observatory, and BXP’s highly regarded executive team and the depth of our regional teams. Our Lead Independent Director, Ms. Ayotte attended the conference in person along with nearly 100 investors and analysts, and approximately 225 individuals participated via webcast. |
›2020 ANNUAL TARGET COMPENSATION
| ✔ | its event at Nareit’s REITworld conference in San Francisco, California, for BXP’s investors and analysts, attended by more than 110 individuals. |
| ✔ | its first annual ESG Virtual Investor Call, which more than 160 individuals viewed. |
In addition, we participated in numerous conferences throughout the year, including the 2022 Citi Global Property CEO Conference, Nareit REITweek Investor Conference, Bank of America 2022 Global Real Estate Conference, 2022 Evercore ISI Conference and the 2022 Nareit REITworld Conference. We held one-on-one meetings with various current and potential investors at these conferences, from which we gained helpful insight into the matters at the forefront of our investors’ agendas.
In the first quarteraggregate, in 2022, we engaged directly with representatives of more than 300 firms, including approximately 132 US and international institutional investors who own, in the aggregate, approximately 60% of the total number of outstanding shares of BXP common stock as of December 31, 2022. Through these engagement efforts and discussions with our investors, we received overall positive feedback regarding our executive compensation program and governance practices. This feedback is consistent with the support we received in the last three years on our advisory Say-on-Pay proposal.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 71 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
III. 2022 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
› 2022 ANNUAL TARGET COMPENSATION
In January of each year, the Committee establishes annuala target amount for total direct compensation for each NEO by considering competitive benchmarking data, executive position, and level of responsibility and experience, and, for executives other than our CEO, our CEO’s recommendation.recommendations. Targets are reviewed annually and adjusted if determinedthe Committee determines that it is appropriate to be appropriate by the Committee.do so. The Committee may also adjust target compensation to reflect changes in or new responsibilities.responsibilities for a particular executive. In considering the appropriate annual target amounts for each component for 2022, the Committee considered the significant global, national and industry-specific challenges the NEOs overcame in the last three years and their consistently strong performances in the face of those challenges.
For 2022, the Committee approved aggregate increases in total target compensation of 0.6% for our CEO and 0.9% for our NEOs as a group, in each case, as compared to 2021. As noted above and as described in more detail below, besides minor updates in the weightings for Mr. Ritchey, Mr. Koop and the other regional EVPs intended to better link pay with performance, the Committee remained committed to the established executive compensation framework and did not change the design, structure or categories under the 2022 executive compensation program. As a result, the Committee (1) maintained identical target cash bonus amounts for each NEO for 2022 and (2) approved modest increases to each NEO’s base salary (2.8% for our CEO and 2.7% for all NEOs as a group) and target LTI equity award (0.5% for our CEO and 1.0% for all NEOs as a group).
The total target direct compensation for 2022 for each NEO was as follows:
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| Name | Salary | Target Bonus | Target LTI Equity | Total Target Compensation | ||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 925,000 | $ 2,350,000 | $ 9,500,000 | $ 12,775,000 | ||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 775,000 | $ 1,900,000 | $ 6,100,000 | $ 8,775,000 | ||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 750,000 | $ 1,650,000 | $ 4,410,000 | $ 6,810,000 | ||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 525,000 | $ 1,250,000 | $ 2,000,000 | $ 3,775,000 | ||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 425,000 | $ 1,250,000 | $ 1,600,000 | $ 3,275,000 | ||||||||||||
Variable or “at-risk” pay, consisting of annual cash bonuses and LTI equity awards, constitutes the vast majority of our executive compensation. We believe that havingHaving a significant portion of our executives’ compensation at risk more closely aligns their interests with our long-term interests and those of our stockholders. For our CEO and all NEOs as a group, variable pay for 20202022 was 92.8%approximately 93% and 90.5%90%, respectively, of total target total compensation.compensation. This emphasis on variable pay allows the Committee to reward good performance and penalize poor performance. For 2020,The following graphics illustrate the targeted mix between fixed pay (base salary) and variable pay incentives (short-term incentives in the form of total directcash bonuses and long-term incentives in the form of both time-based and performance-based LTI equity awards) for our CEO and the NEOs as a group, in each case, based on 2022 target compensation was as follows:levels.
 | |  | | 2023 Proxy Statement 72 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
The total target direct compensation for each NEO was as follows:
| Name | Salary | Target Bonus | Target LTI Equity | Total Target Compensation | ||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 900,000 | $ 2,350,000 | $ 9,250,000 | $ 12,500,000 | ||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 750,000 | $ 1,900,000 | $ 5,850,000 | $ 8,500,000 | ||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 740,000 | $ 1,650,000 | $ 4,410,000 | $ 6,800,000 | ||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 510,000 | $ 1,250,000 | $ 1,990,000 | $ 3,750,000 | ||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 410,000 | $ 1,250,000 | $ 1,490,000 | $ 3,150,000 | ||||||||||||
›CASH COMPENSATION
Base Salary
The Committee determines the base salary for each NEO is determined by the Committee andNEO. It is intended to provide a fixed level of compensation that reflects the NEO’s leadership role and the relative market rate for similarly situated executives in the NEO’s position. The Committee determines whether to adjust base salaries based on a range ofvarious factors, including benchmark versus peers and changes in individual duties and responsibilities. Any increases to base salaries are generally determined in January of the compensation year and become effective in FebruaryFebruary.
In January 2022, the Committee modestly increased the NEOs’ base salaries for the first time in three years by approximately 2.7% in the aggregate. In January 2023, the Committee again modestly increased the base salaries of the compensation year.NEOs other than Mr. Ritchey with whom the Company entered a new employment relationship. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Employment Agreements – Summary of Mr. Ritchey’s Employment Agreement.” Base salaries for 2022 and 2023, and the year-over-year percentage increases, for each NEO are set forth below.
Name
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2022 Salary
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Year-over-Year % Change
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2023 Salary
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Year-over-Year % Change
| ||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $925,000 | 2.8% | $950,000 | 2.7% | ||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $775,000 | 3.3% | $800,000 | 3.2% | ||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $750,000 | 1.4% | $750,000 | — | ||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $525,000 | 2.9% | $550,000 | 4.8% | ||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $425,000 | 3.7% | $440,000 | 3.5% | ||||||||
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The Committee did not increase the base salary of any NEO for 2021 and has not changed the base salary for any NEO since 2019.
Name
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2020 Salary
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2019 Salary
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% Change
| |||||
Owen D. Thomas | $900,000 | $900,000 | — | |||||
Douglas T. Linde | $750,000 | $750,000 | — | |||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $740,000 | $740,000 | — | |||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $510,000 | $510,000 | — | |||||
Bryan J. Koop | $410,000 | $410,000 | — | |||||
Total | $3,310,000 | $3,310,000 | — | |||||
20202022 Annual Incentive Plan
Program Design and Structure
In January 2020, based largelymainly on feedback received from our investors in 2019, the Committee established the 2020 Annual Incentive Plana new, more formulaic annual incentive plan (“AIP”) under which annual cash bonuses payable to our executive officers are directly linked to the achievement of specific, pre-established goals. We continue to use the same AIP structure except for small shifts in weighting between categories to more closely link each executive’s performance to his or her goals, as described in more detail below.
Bonus Opportunity
Under the plan,2022 AIP, each NEO hashad a target bonus opportunity expressed in a fixed dollar amount. Actual earned amounts under the plan may range from zero (0) to 150% of target, depending on performance versus the annual goals in each category, with payout interpolated for performance between levels.
| Performance Level for Each Category | Payout (% of Target) | |
| >= Maximum | 150% | |
| Target | 100% | |
| Threshold | 50% | |
| <Threshold | ||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 73 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
2022 AIP Categories
We use a “scorecard” approach for our bonus determinations. This approach is intended to reflect a comprehensive analysis by the Committee of corporate, regional and individual performance based on performance in three categories: (1) diluted FFO per Share, (2) Leasing and (3) Business and& Individual goals.
FFO per Share. FFO per share was selected as a key financial metric for the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan because it is the earnings metric most commonly used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance on an absolute basis and relative to other REITs. As such, the Committee considers this to be the corporate component of the scorecard as it is an objective, company-wide performance metric that drives near-term business strategies. The FFO per share goal is subject to adjustment for acquisitions, dispositions, financings, lease terminations and similar transactions and circumstances.
| • | Diluted FFO per Share. The Committee selecteddiluted FFO per share as a key financial metric for the 2022 AIP because it is the earnings metric most commonly used by investors and analysts to evaluate the performance of REITs, both on an absolute and relative basis. As such, the Committee considers this to be an important, company-wide performance metric that is objective and drives near-term business strategies. The target for diluted FFO per share is determined using the midpoint of BXP’s FFO per share guidance, which is typically provided to the public in late January of each year. The diluted FFO per share goal is subject to adjustment for acquisitions, dispositions, early debt redemption charges, and similar transactions and circumstances. |
Leasing. The Committee established specific leasing goals, starting at the property level, rolling up by region and then aggregating to corporate leasing goals, as the second component. The leasing goals were then categorized as short-term leasing and total leasing goals to encourage the executives to focus on current addressable vacancies and near-term roll-over, and to avoid scenarios in which leasing goals are met solely due to unexpected early renewals. The Committee selected this category because it links objective measures of corporate, regional and individual performance by formula to the amounts paid.
| • | Leasing. The Committee established specific leasing goals, starting at the property level, rolling up by region and then aggregating to corporate leasing goals, as the second component. The leasing goals were then categorized as short-term and total to encourage the executives to focus on current addressable vacancies and near-term roll-over and avoid scenarios in which leasing goals are met solely due to unexpected early renewals. The Committee selected this category because it is an objective measure fundamental to the Company’s short-term and long-term success. It links corporate, regional and individual performance by formula to the amounts paid. The leasing goals are measured at the regional level for Mr. Ritchey, Mr. Koop and the other regional EVPs and the Company level for corporate executives. |
Business & Individual Goals. Business goals include milestone-oriented objectives related to management of capital expenditures and G&A expense, acquisitions, dispositions, delivering development and construction projects on time and budget and achieving the desired returns on cost, joint ventures, securing entitlements, and/or launching new developments. Business goals are based on regional priorities for the regional EVPs. For the CEO and President, business goals include a relevant subset of those regional goals, as well as goals related to executive management of the Company. For the CFO, business goals relate to balance sheet management, capital raising, and other finance department priorities.
| • | Business & Individual Goals. Business goals include milestone-oriented objectives related to acquisitions, dispositions, delivering development and construction projects on time and budget, achieving the desired returns on investments, securing entitlements for future development projects, launching new developments, the opportunistic use of joint ventures, and the management of capital expenditures and G&A expense. Business goals are based on regional priorities for Mr. Ritchey, Mr. Koop and the other regional EVPs. For the CEO and President, business goals include a relevant subset of those regional goals and goals related to overall corporate strategy and executive management. The CFO’s business goals relate to balance sheet management, capital raising, and other Finance Department priorities. |
Individual goals include leadership and professional development goals, diversityDEI initiatives, succession planning and other ESG priorities for each executive. The Compensation Committee considers absolute and/or relative performance outcomes against Company and Business and& Individual goals and objectives, as well as the context in which they were achieved (including, e.g., degree of difficulty, importance to BXP, headwinds and tailwinds during the year and other similar factors).
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ForOne of the 2020 compensationCommittee’s primary objectives when establishing Business & Individual goals each year, including in 2022, is to set annual goals that meaningfully advance the Company’s strategy for sustainable, long-term growth and value creation despite the short-term window for assessing performance against these goals. In some cases, performance against these Business & Individual goals may not be assessed quantitatively. In addition, the relative importance of some goals may be greater in one year than in another, depending on the circumstances when the Committee setestablishes the weightinggoals.
2022 AIP Weightings
As part of each category equally for all NEOs exceptthe Committee’s annual executive compensation process, in January 2022, the Committee reviewed and reassessed the AIP, including its categories and weightings. Based on its review of the AIP, the Committee concluded that the categories were appropriate but that an adjustment to the weightings of the leasing component for Mr. LaBelle. The following table summarizesRitchey, Mr. Koop and the performance measurement categories and weightingsother regional EVPs would be reasonable so that (1) their respective leasing goals would increase in weighting to 40% (from 30% under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2020.
| Weightings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Incentive Performance Measures | Thomas | Linde | LaBelle(1) | Ritchey | Koop | |||||||||||||||
| FFO per Share | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Leasing (Short-Term and Total) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Overall BXP | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | 16.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
DC Region(2) | 24.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
LA Region(2) | 8.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Boston Region | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Business & Individual Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Overall BXP | 33.3 | % | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Finance | 50.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
DC Region + LA Region | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Boston Region | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
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| (2) |
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NEOs’ Response to the World Health Crisis and Important Social and Environmental Issues
At the time we filed our 2020 proxy statement, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy and, in light of the rapidly changing business environment and fluid nature of the potential implications on the Company’s business, the Committee reserved its right to re-evaluate the categories and targets, as appropriate, in light of the pandemic’s actual impact on Boston Properties. Soon thereafter, Americans witnessed the social movements that spotlighted racial and social injustices that plague society that called for action, and we experienced a much-heightened awareness of the importance of environmental and sustainability issues.
Despite the sudden and significant impact of the global pandemic on our business, the Committee prioritized maintaining a strong alignment with our shareholders’ interests and decided not to modify any aspects of the executive compensation program despite the unexpected and unprecedented economic and social conditions. In deciding not to change the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan, the Committee considered (1) the importance of demonstrating its commitment to the more formulaic bonus plan in its first year, (2) whether doing so would disrupt the alignment of interests between our NEOs and investors and (3) whether choosing not to do so would negatively impact retention and incentives. As a result, our NEOs earned no payout under thediluted FFO per share categorycomponent would be weighted 20%. The Committee believed this change would better link pay with performance for Mr. Ritchey, Mr. Koop and only one NEO earned a portion of the potential payoutother regional EVPs because they are directly responsible for the leasing category and it was below target.
For the third performance category under the 2020 Annual Incentive Plan, the Committee established Business and Individual goalsoutcomes in those regions. In contrast, numerous factors impact diluted FFO per share, for each NEOmany of which they are not directly accountable. We disclosed these changes prospectively in January 2020. This category represented 33.3% of the potential payout opportunity for each NEO other than Mr. LaBelle (for whom it represented 50%). As it became clear that the pandemic was causing severe strain on the economy, our tenants and our business, the Board shifted its priorities for management and the Committee appended to each NEO’s Business and Individual goals a set of pandemic-related goals intended to assess and reward the NEOs for their success in meeting those priorities.2022 proxy statement.
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
In determining that our NEOs exceeded their pandemic-related goals,For the Committee noted2022 AIP, the following achievements:performance measurement categories and weighting of each category were as follows:
although physical occupancy was low, all office properties throughout the Boston Properties portfolio remained open for tenants,
in early April 2020, we formed a Health Security Task Force comprised of Boston Properties’ employees, as well as outside experts in health care, industrial hygiene, cleaning and security,
in May 2020, the Heath Security Task Force issued a Heath Security Plan for repopulating the workplace, which provided a framework for health security at BXP’s office properties, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection, air and water quality protocols, physical distancing, screening and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements,
following the release of the Health Security Plan in early May, our NEOs and management teams conducted town halls and one-on-one sessions with tenants across BXP’s regions to support their office repopulation processes, which slowly began in June in Boston,
our NEOs demonstrated remarkable discipline and flexibility in maximizing rent collections while concurrently addressing tenants’ needs:
| Weightings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Incentive Performance Measures | Thomas | Linde | LaBelle | Ritchey | Koop | |||||||||||||||
| FFO per Share | 30 | % | 30 | % | 30 | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||
| Leasing (Short-Term and Total) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Overall BXP | 30 | % | 30 | % | 30 | % | ||||||||||||||
DC Region(1) | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
LA Region(1) | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Boston Region | 40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Business & Individual Goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Overall BXP | 40 | % | 40 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Finance | 40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
DC Region + LA Region | 40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Boston Region | 40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| (1) |
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2022 NEO Scorecards
In January 2022, when appropriate, our NEOs worked with our tenants (primarily in retail businesses) that were in financial distressthe Committee set the target for diluted FFO per share goal for 2022, the US economy continued its strong recovery following the pandemic. The Committee determined to modify lease agreements and otherwise provide relief in lightset a diluted FFO target of $7.38 per share, the midpoint of the economic downturn. During 2020, these lease modification agreements coveredCompany’s diluted FFO per share guidance for 2022. If achieved, diluted FFO of $7.38 per share would have represented growth of approximately 4.7 million square feet
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in elevating our focus on diversity and equity, we constituted our Diversity and Inclusion Committee in early 2020. Our NEOs demonstrated strong commitment13% compared to fostering its success and supported the D&I Committee in promoting diversity both within BXP and in the communities in which we operate
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Although it2021. While this projected growth was not a factor in assessing our NEOs’ performance against their pandemic-related goals,greater than any of BXP’s office REIT peers, the Committee noted that Boston Properties2021 was a year in which the pandemic’s lingering effects were still generally impacting the US economy and the Company. Compared to 2019, the last fiscal year before the Covid-19 pandemic, if the target FFO per share for 2022 were achieved, it would have represented growth of approximately 5%. The Committee believed the 2022 target FFO per share was appropriate because, although the economy was reaching its NEOs were ranked #1 among all office REITs by Institutional Investors Magazine in 2020post-pandemic peak in the category “Crisis Management amid COVID-19.” They also ranked #1 infirst two months of 2022, there were concerns regarding continued inflation, possible interest rate increases to combat inflation it and the following categories:economic implications that could directly and negatively impact our financial results, including FFO.
Overall All-American Executive Team,
Best CEO and
Best CFO.
Despite the severe, negative impacts of the pandemic on office REITs generally, which led to negative absolute total stockholder returns across the sector in 2020,Following discussions with management, the Committee also noted that Boston Properties’ TSRset the total leasing goal and the range for determining threshold, target and maximum achievement under the one-yeargoal by focusing first on vacant and three-year periods ending December 31, 2020 placed it atnear-term (2022 and 2023) roll-over space for which there was not yet a replacement tenant or a renewal, then adding on longer-term leasing objectives (2024 and beyond) and goals for pre-leasing of development projects. Based on the 80th percentile, or third, among its most directly comparable office peers for both periods. (For a list of these peers, see “– LTI Equity Compensation – 2021 MYLTIP” below.) Althoughforegoing, the Committee did not base its decisions onset the target total leasing goal at 5.25 million square feet for 2022. While the 2022 leasing goal target represented a slight decrease from BXP’s relative TSR rankings,pre-pandemic average annual leasing volume, the Committee believes they validatedconsidered the appropriatenessuncertainties that could impact overall demand for office space and factored various outcomes when setting the leasing target for 2022 and the threshold and maximum payout opportunities. After consideration, the Committee believed the leasing target of 5.25 million square feet would sufficiently challenge executives to achieve the final bonus payments to our NEOs.
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leasing goals despite the unclear outlook.
Set forth in the following tables is a summary of each NEO’s performance measures and weightings, with specific threshold, targetstarget and maximum goalspayout opportunities for each of the diluted FFO per share and leasing performance measures,categories, and the principal business, individual and pandemic-relatedBusiness & Individual goals, along with each NEO’s performance results for 2020.2022. The Committee considers absolute and/or relative performance outcomes against Business & Individual goals, as well as the context in which they were achieved (including, e.g., degree of difficulty, importance to BXP, headwinds and tailwinds during the year and other similar factors), but no specific weightings are ascribed to each of the Business & Individual goals. The following scorecards include only the most material Business & Individual goals for each NEO that the Committee considered in assessing 2022 performance.
Owen D. Thomas | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Payout (% of target) | Threshold 50% | Target 100% | Maximum 150% | 2020 Results | Category Payout % | |||||||||
FFO per Share |  | $7.35 | $7.55 | $7.75 | $6.29(1) | 0% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in million square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.7 | 0% | |||||||||
|
| Total
|
| 5.0
| 5.6
| 6.9
| 3.7
| ||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| | The Committee assessed Mr. Thomas’ performance against his | 150.0% | ||||||||||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 75 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Owen D. Thomas | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 2022 Results | Category Payout % | ||||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.20 | $7.38 | $7.56 | $7.53(1) | 141.7% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in millions of square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.21 | 4.02 | 4.82 | 4.21 | 111.9% | |||||||||
| Total | 4.20 | 5.25 | 6.30 | 5.70 | 121.2% | |||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| 120.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Key 2022 Business & Individual Goals |
| - | Provide leadership to the management team to complete 2022 operational, capital and ESG goals |
| - | Maintain key client and thought leader engagement for direct insight into evolving real estate industry trends and lead BXP’s strategic shift(s), as appropriate |
| - | Collaborate with BXP’s President and CFO to develop and execute 2022 capital funding plan |
| - | Leverage role and industry stature to solicit new clients, complete critical leases and foster relationships, and gain insights on industry trends, for the benefit of BXP |
| - | Grow BXP life sciences business through new developments and acquisitions |
| - | Advance and achieve, as applicable, BXP’s environmental and sustainability goals and determine strategies for continued industry leadership |
| - | Continue to lead and support HR and BXP’s DEI Council to advance DEI efforts and maintain progress against goals |
| - | Provide guidance and leadership to BXP Board of Directors and support, as needed, for individual directors, including onboarding |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 76 |
| ||
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
| Assessment |
After assessing Mr. Thomas’ performance against his Business & Individual goals, the Committee concluded that he achieved substantially all of the goals established for him, many of which he exceeded. In particular, the Committee noted that Mr. Thomas:
successfully advanced BXP’s ESG and sustainability efforts and maintained BXP’s leadership position in the real estate industry. worked closely with BXP’s Chief Human Resources Officer to enhance BXP’s HR function, which included support of employee engagement and other surveys to ensure high levels of employee satisfaction and retention exceeded individual DEI goals The Committee also noted that Mr. Thomas was individually recognized by Institutional Investor Magazine, improving his ranking as Best CEO among all REITs to #2 and maintaining his #1 ranking among office REITs. Based on Mr. Thomas’ achievement of substantially all of his Business & Individual goals, many of which he exceeded, the Committee determined that Mr. Thomas earned 120% of the target for this category. TOTAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT AS A % OF TARGET = • Execute capital raising strategy to fund future investments• Manage G&A, capital expenditures and credit ratings• Complete identified transactions• Deliver identified development projects in-service Individual goals included:initiated and led strategic shifts to position BXP for continued growth and opportunities for long-term value creation through key client and thought leader engagement. These efforts led to focused investments in life sciences, including BXP expansion in Kendall Square, and they helped refine BXP’s business and branding to highlight its premier workplace portfolio that differentiates BXP’s business from its peers in the office sector.• • Make contributions to increase workforce diversity• Increase employee engagement• Overseefurther grew BXP’s life sciences business through (1) transactions completed in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, including the acquisition of 125 Broadway, which is fully leased, and manage employees, including the execution of succession planstwo 15-year leases for the development and redevelopment life sciences projects at 290 Binney Street and 300 Binney Street, (2) the commencement of a lab conversion project in San Francisco, and (3) advancing the planning for other life sciences projects in the New York and Washington, DC regions. These focused investments were part of Mr. Thomas’ execution of BXP’s strategic shifts in 2022.• Pandemic-relatedcollaborated with BXP’s President and CFO to develop a capital funding plan for 2022 and successfully executed the funding strategy despite volatility in the capital markets and hesitancy of lenders to transact in 2022, which resulted in (1) an unsecured $730 million term loan facility in May 2022 that was subsequently refinanced to $1.2 billion in January 2023, (2) $750 million aggregate principal amount “green bond” offering in November 2022 and (2) numerous property-level refinancings totaling $945 million in aggregate principal amount (of which our share was $305 million).• • • included:and initiatives and continued to set the appropriate tone-at-the-top driving BXP’s successful DEI efforts in 2022 (see “Human Capital Management and Sustainability – Human Capital Management” beginning on page 43).• Demonstrate strong leadership during pandemic and demands of remote work• Ensure health security of BXP employees and customers• Maximize rent collections• Optimize leasing outcomes• Ensure active development projects remain on schedule and on budget 50.0%125.5% (1) For all NEOs, represents DilutedRepresents diluted FFO per share. Under the terms of the 2022 AIP, diluted FFO per share is subject to adjustment for certain transactions, which in the case of 2022, netted to zero. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to pages 101Appendix A to this proxy statement. | 2023 Proxy Statement 77
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Douglas T. Linde | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 2022 Results | Category Payout % | ||||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.20 | $7.38 | $7.56 | $7.53(1) | 141.7% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in millions of square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.21 | 4.02 | 4.82 | 4.21 | 111.9% | |||||||||
| Total | 4.20 | 5.25 | 6.30 | 5.70 | 121.2% | |||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| 120.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Key 2022 Business & Individual Goals |
| - | Provide leadership to the management team to complete 2022 operational, capital and ESG goals, including close oversight and monitoring of progress towards company-wide leasing, development and capital spending goals |
| - | Work closely with leasing teams on pricing and other strategies to lease vacant and uniquely distinctive space |
| - | Directly supervise Sustainability Department and manage the successful transition of the new reporting structure |
| - | Collaborate with BXP’s CEO and CFO to develop and execute 2022 capital funding plan |
| - | Facilitate company-wide forums by department to boost collaboration and idea-sharing and execute professional development and leadership training opportunities |
| - | Oversee Finance, IT and HR Departments’ processing strategies and opportunities, and new technology initiatives |
| - | Work closely with the HR Department to review employee compensation programs and levels through |
| - | Assist in the selection of assets and execute the asset sale strategy |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 78 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
| Assessment |
After assessing Mr. Linde’s performance against his Business & Individual goals, the Committee concluded that he achieved all of the goals established for him, some of which he exceeded. In particular, the Committee noted that Mr. Linde:
| • | provided direct oversight of progress toward achieving company-wide leasing, development and capital spending goals, which positively impacted BXP’s (1) successful execution of a total of approximately 5.7 million square feet of leases in 2022 despite industry headwinds and volatile financial markets, (2) delivery of three projects totaling more than 1.7 million square feet, including two life sciences projects and a premier workplace project, each of which was 90% leased or more (as of February 21, 2023), (3) commencement of seven development and redevelopment projects, and (4) management of general and administrative expenses. |
| • | meaningfully contributed to BXP’s 2022 asset sale strategy through his direct involvement in the selection of and execution of dispositions in the Boston and Washington, DC regions, and provided leadership to management team in executing dispositions, including the use of tax-deferral strategies that resulted in reallocated proceeds from an asset sale in our |
| • | oversaw BXP’s Finance, Information Systems and HR Departments’ processing strategies and opportunities and new technology initiatives to enhance operations and improve security. |
| • | directly supervised BXP’s Sustainability Department following a 2022 transition in reporting structure and oversaw BXP’s advancement or achievement of environmental and sustainability goals, as applicable. Among other ESG achievements in 2022, BXP (1) earned a seventh consecutive 5-Star rating and its eleventh consecutive GRESB “Green Star” designation, (2) was named to (a) Newsweek’s List of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023 for the 3rd consecutive year, ranking 1st in the Real Estate & Housing industry, and (b) the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the 2nd consecutive year, (3) was recognized by Commercial Property Executive for having the “Best ESG Program” and (4) received Nareit’s prestigious Leader in the Light Award. |
| • | provided steady leadership to BXP’s employees, stockholders and Board of Directors throughout the shifting and volatile market and industry conditions in 2022 through credible and articulate internal and external communications. |
Based on Mr. Linde’s achievement of all of his Business & Individual goals, some of which he exceeded, the Committee determined that Mr. Linde earned 120% of the target for this category.
TOTAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT AS A % OF TARGET = 125.5% | ||||
| (1) | Represents diluted FFO per share. Under the terms of the 2022 AIP, diluted FFO per share is subject to adjustment for certain transactions, which in the case of 2022, netted to zero. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 79 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Raymond A. Ritchey | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 2022 Results | Category Payout % | ||||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.20 | $7.38 | $7.56 | $7.53(1) | 141.7% | ||||||||||
Leasing(2) (in millions of square feet) |
| Short-term | ||||||||||||||
| DC: | 0.50 | 0.63 | 0.75 | 0.63 | 50.1% | |||||||||||
| LA: | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||
| DC: | 0.64 | 0.80 | 0.96 | 0.75 | 41.7% | |||||||||||
| LA: | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| 100.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Key 2022 Business & Individual Goals |
| - | Complete a new investment in DC region using capital partners, including partners in the Strategic Capital Program |
| - | Complete a new investment in the Seattle region |
| - | Sell specified and other assets in the DC region |
| - | Assist DC regional team in creating a plan and/or monetizing the Virginia 95 assets |
| - | Facilitate initial occupancy of a key client at Reston Town Center property and close sale of Roger Bacon Drive asset |
| - | Continue to organize BXP’s monthly leasing calls and educate leasing teams across all regions |
| - | Continue to advise and provide strong mentorship to DC regional leadership |
| - | Continue mentorship of LA and Seattle regional leaders |
| Assessment |
After assessing Mr. Ritchey’s performance against his Business & Individual goals, the Committee concluded that he achieved substantially all of the goals established for him; volatile capital market and real estate conditions made it extremely difficult to achieve the three goals not met on satisfactory terms. In particular, the Committee noted that Mr. Ritchey exhibited evident business acumen by finding alternate solutions for goals that were impacted by adverse conditions that resulted in more than $827 million in gross sale proceeds from other asset sales and capital from two different equity partners for two residential development projects. Mr. Ritchey also continues to positively impact key BXP personnel and the Company as a whole through his mentorship and leadership. Mr. Ritchey continues to serve as an important mentor for the regional leaders in Los Angeles and
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 80 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Seattle and the Co-Heads of the Washington, DC region following their transition into leadership roles during 2021. In addition, Mr. Ritchey continued to play a key role in specific transactions, including BXP’s acquisition of Madison Centre, its second acquisition in the Seattle, WA market, and key leases signed at Safeco Plaza in Seattle, WA, as well as several other transactions in the Washington, DC Region.
Based on Mr. Ritchey’s achievement of substantially all of his Business & Individual goals, the Committee determined that Mr. Ritchey earned 100% of the target for this category.
TOTAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT AS A % OF TARGET = 86.7% | ||||
| (1) | Represents diluted FFO per share. Under the terms of the 2022 AIP, diluted FFO per share is subject to adjustment for certain transactions, which in the case of 2022, netted to zero. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
| (2) | Mr. Ritchey’s leasing goal (weighted 40% in total) is evenly split between the Washington, DC and Los Angeles regions (20% each) and further bifurcated within each region between short-term and total leasing, consistent with all other NEOs. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 81 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Michael E. LaBelle | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 2022 Results | Category Payout % | ||||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.20 | $7.38 | $7.56 | $7.53(1) | 141.7% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in millions of square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.21 | 4.02 | 4.82 | 4.21 | 111.9% | |||||||||
| Total | 4.20 | 5.25 | 6.30 | 5.70 | 121.2% | |||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| 150.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Key 2022 Business & Individual Goals |
| - | Collaborate with BXP’s CEO & President to develop and execute 2022 capital funding plan |
| - | Execute specified financing and refinancings & efficiently manage 2023 debt maturities |
| - | Continue to advance strategic capital initiatives by securing new and expanding existing relationships with private partners |
| - | Secure construction funding for a development project in the Washington, DC region using private equity funding |
| - | Oversee implementation of outsourcing efforts and schedules of projects in place for specified functions |
| - | Lead market research efforts of premier workplaces in BXP target markets |
| - | Target complete TCFD alignment of climate-related disclosures in public filings and reports |
| - | Plan and execute a successful Investor Day for BXP stockholders |
| Assessment |
After assessing Mr. LaBelle’s performance against his Business & Individual goals, the Committee concluded that he achieved all of the goals established for him, which included numerous financing goals that he successfully achieved despite the volatile debt market environment in 2022. In particular, the Committee noted Mr. LaBelle’s achievements in executing BXP’s 2022 capital funding strategy despite volatility in the capital markets and hesitancy of lenders to transact in 2022 by, among other things, leveraging BXP’s strong banking relationships. Mr. LaBelle oversaw the completion of (1) an unsecured $730 million term loan facility in May 2022 that was subsequently refinanced to $1.2 billion in January 2023, (2) a $750 million aggregate principal amount “green bond” offering in November 2022 and (3) numerous property-level refinancings totaling $945 million in
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 82 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
aggregate principal amount (of which our share was $305 million). In addition, he furthered BXP’s strategic capital initiatives by, among other things, assisting in the development of private equity funding from a new partner for a development project in Washington, DC and broadening existing partnerships to facilitate new investments.
In addition to Mr. LaBelle’s management of BXP’s balance sheet, he provided meaningful support to advance BXP’s ESG and DEI initiatives, and he worked with the Sustainability and HR Departments and DEI Council to enhance BXP’s public disclosures regarding human capital, DEI and ESG. He also provided strong leadership skills and advanced critical initiatives in his direct management of the Finance, Accounting, Tax and Investor Relations Departments.
The Committee also noted that Mr. LaBelle was individually recognized by Institutional Investor Magazine, ranking as the #2 Best CFO among all REITs (improved from #3 in 2021) and #1 among office REITs, and he was instrumental to BXP’s rankings as #2 Best ESG and #2 Best IR Program among all REITs, #1 Best ESG and #1 Best IR Program among office REITs, and Best Investor Event.
Based on Mr. LaBelle’s achievement of all of his Business & Individual goals despite market conditions that created unpredictable challenges and obstacles, the Committee determined that Mr. LaBelle earned 150% of the target for this category.
TOTAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT AS A % OF TARGET = 137.5% | ||||
| (1) | Represents diluted FFO per share. Under the terms of the 2022 AIP, diluted FFO per share is subject to adjustment for certain transactions, which in the case of 2022, netted to zero. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 83 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Bryan J. Koop | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 2022 Results | Category Payout % | ||||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.20 | $7.38 | $7.56 | $7.53(1) | 141.7% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in millions of square feet) |
| Short-term | 1.06 | 1.32 | 1.59 | 1.75 | 150% | |||||||||
|
| Total
|
| 1.54
| 1.92
| 2.31
| 2.75
| 150% | |||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| 130.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Key 2022 Business & Individual Goals | ||
| - | Complete plans, commence construction and execute a lease for 250/290 Binney Street master development project |
| - | Deliver 325 Main Street on |
| - | Complete plans and/or commence development for specified lab developments/conversions in Waltham |
| - | Complete permitting process and/or plans for specified development and redevelopment projects in the Boston region |
| - | Develop strategic plans for a specified asset in the Boston region, including a sale of the asset or repositioning all or a portion of the asset |
| - | Complete enabling work for a specified future development project |
| - | Manage BXP’s operating expenses at a specified Boston region asset |
| - | Engage and develop relationships with new local governmental leaders in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Assessment |
After assessing Mr. Koop’s performance against his Business & Individual goals, the Committee concluded that he achieved the majority of the goals established for him. In particular, the Committee noted Mr. Koop’s instrumental role in growing BXP’s life sciences business in Kendall Square, the top life sciences cluster in the US, through the following transactions that the Company expects to enhance long-term value for BXP stockholders:
| • | Acquired 125 Broadway, a fully leased 271,000 SF lab/life sciences property; |
| • | Signed a 15-year lease with AstraZeneca for approximately 566,000 SF at 290 Binney Street. 290 Binney Street is part of the initial phase of a life sciences development project located in the heart of Kendall Square; and |
|
| | | |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
Douglas T. Linde | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Payout (% of target) | Threshold 50% | Target 100% | Maximum 150% | 2020 Results | Category Payout % | |||||||||
FFO per Share | | $7.35 | $7.55 | $7.75 | $6.29 | 0% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in million square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.7 | 0% | |||||||||
|
| Total
|
| 5.0
| 5.6
| 6.9
| 3.7
| ||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| | The Committee assessed Mr. Linde’s performance against his | 150.0% | ||||||||||||
| • | Signed agreements to facilitate the conversion and expansion of 300 Binney Street, including a 15-year lease for 100% of the redeveloped property. |
In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Koop further contributed to the growth of BXP’s life sciences business by completing the lab conversion at 880 Winter Street in Waltham, MA. Mr. Koop also contributed to BXP’s asset sale strategy with the sale of 195 West Street and BXP’s development goals with the delivery of 325 Main Street, which was 92% leased (as of December 31, 2022).
Based on Mr. Koop’s achievement of most of his Business & Individual goals, including his instrumental role in expanding BXP’s life sciences business in the top life sciences cluster in the country, the Committee determined that Mr. Koop earned 130% of the target for this category.
|
|
| ||
TOTAL ANNUAL INCENTIVE PAYOUT AS A % OF TARGET =
| ||||
|
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|
Raymond A. Ritchey | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Payout (% of target) | Threshold 50% | Target 100% | Maximum 150% | 2020 Results | Category Payout % | |||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.35 | $7.55 | $7.75 | $6.29 | 0% | ||||||||||
Leasing (in million square feet) |
| Short-term | * | |||||||||||||
| DC: | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.2 | DC: 65.6% | |||||||||||
| LA: | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | LA: 0% | |||||||||||
| Total | * | |||||||||||||||
| DC: | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.9 | DC: 70.1% | |||||||||||
| LA: | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | LA: 0% | |||||||||||
* For more detail on the weightings for Mr. Ritchey’s leasing goal, see page 58.
| ||||||||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| | The Committee assessed Mr. Ritchey’s performance against | 150.0% | ||||||||||||
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| ||||
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|
Michael E. LaBelle | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Category | Weighting | Payout (% of target) | Threshold 50% | Target 100% | Maximum 150% | 2020 Results | Category Payout % | |||||||||
FFO per Share |
| $7.35 | $7.55 | $7.75 | $6.29 | 0% | ||||||||||
Leasing* (in million square feet) |
| Short-term | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.7 | 0% | |||||||||
|
| Total
|
| 5.0
| 5.6
| 6.9
| 3.7
| ||||||||||
* Mr. LaBelle’s leasing goal (weighted 16.7% in total) is evenly split between short-term and total leasing (8.35% each). | ||||||||||||||||
Business & Individual Goals |
| | The Committee assessed Mr. LaBelle’s performance against | 150.0% | ||||||||||||
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this proxy statement. | ||||
Based on the foregoing, the Committee awarded annual cash bonuses to the NEOs for 20202022 as follows:
| Name | 2020 Actual Annual Incentive | 2020 Target Annual Incentive | 2020 Actual as % of Target | 2022 Target Annual Incentive | 2022 Actual Annual Incentive | 2022 Actual as % of Target | ||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $1,175,000 | $2,350,000 | 50.0% | $ 2,350,000 | $2,949,250 | 125.5% | ||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $950,000 | $1,900,000 | 50.0% | $ 1,900,000 | $2,384,500 | 125.5% | ||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $1,103,850 | $1,650,000 | 66.9% | $ 1,650,000 | $1,430,550 | 86.7% | ||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $937,500 | $1,250,000 | 75.0% | $ 1,250,000 | $1,718,750 | 137.5% | ||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $625,000 | $1,250,000 | 50.0% | $ 1,250,000 | $1,753,750 | 140.3% |
| |
|
Changes for 2021 Annual Incentive Plan
As part of the Committee’s annual executive compensation process, the Committee reviewed and reassessed the annual cash incentive program, including its structure. Based on that review, the Committee concluded that the categories were appropriate, but that market practice among peers was that more weight should be given to the Business and Individual Goals. For 2021, the Committee changed the weighting of the categories under the Annual Incentive Plan for Mr. LaBelle so that it is the same for all five NEOs, and changed the weightings of the categories so they will be FFO per Share – 30%, Leasing – 30% and Business and Individual goals – 40%.
›LTI EQUITY COMPENSATION
The equity component of our NEOs’ compensation is driven to a significant extentsignificantly by our TSR through LTI equity awards consisting of a mix of time-based and performance-based LTIP unit awards.
Time-Based Equity Awards
The time-based LTI equity awards granted to the NEOs for 20202022 performance consisted of LTIP units or restricted shares of our common stock that generally vest ratablyin equal, annual installments over a four-year periodfour years (25% per year), subject to acceleration in certain circumstances (e.g., retirement, death or disability, and certain qualifying terminations following a change in control). See “–“Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control – Retirement Eligibility Provisions for LTI Equity Awards.”
Performance-Based Equity Awards – Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program (MYLTIP)
The performance-based portion of LTI equity awards areis granted under our Multi-Year Long-Term Incentive Program, or “MYLTIP.” MYLTIPs are awardedWe grant MYLTIP awards to provide incentives for long-term performanceoutperformance and focus over a multi-year period. The design of the MYLTIP awards links the ultimate payouts directly by formula to our TSR over a three-year measurement period.
2020 MYLTIP
Under the 2020 MYLTIP:
the Company’s relative TSR performance is measured against a single index – the FTSE Russell Nareit Office Index (the “Nareit Office Index”) (which is adjusted to include Vornado Realty Trust because it is a publicly-traded office REIT that we consider one of our most directly comparable peers despite being categorized as a diversified REIT by FTSE Nareit);
the awards are denominated in LTIP units; and
relative TSR is the sole determinant of how many LTIP units are earned and eligible to vest; there are no absolute TSR modifiers that can increase or decrease the final payout.
For 2020 MYLTIP awards, the number of LTIP units that can be earned, whether in whole, in part or not at all, is based on levels of payout opportunity ranging from zero to 200% of the target number of LTIP units issued, on a straight-line basis depending on relative TSR performance compared to the Nareit Office Index (as adjusted) as follows:
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
CEO Reported vs. Realized Pay
The following graph shows for our CEO (1) the reported valuesAllocation of the MYLTIP awards granted between 2015—2020 as of their respective grant dates, (2) the actual realized pay for each of the MYLTIP awards granted between 2015—2018 for which the measurement periods have ended and (3) the interim valuations as of December 31, 2020 for the 2019 and 2020 MYLTIP awards:LTI Equity Awards
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20212022 MYLTIP Structure & Design
In 2020,early 2022, the Committee withapproved LTI equity awards to NEOs for 2021 performance as a mix of time-based, full-value equity awards and performance-based MYLTIP awards. It was the assistance of FW Cook, undertook a comprehensive review of all facets of the MYLTIP plan design to help ensure that it successfully links executive pay and long-term performance and is therefore effectivethird consecutive year in motivating, retaining and rewarding our NEOs. In its review,which the Committee considered whethermaintained the peer group(s) against which the Company’s performance is assessed is comprisedsame allocation of the appropriate peers, particularly in lightperformance-based equity as a percentage of the impacttotal LTI equity for all of COVID-19 on the office REIT sector, as well as the appropriate metric(s) on which to assess performance.our NEOs.
After consideration, the Committee modified the design of the 2021The 2022 performance-based MYLTIP so that it now consists of two equally weighted components, each of which providesproviding a payout opportunity ranging from zero to 200% of a target number of LTIP units based on
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BXP’s relative and absolute TSR performance over a three-year performance period. The objectives of the 2021 MYLTIP program are (1) retention (similar to time-based equity awards), (2) alignment with stockholders and (3) pay-for-performance. The Committee believes that, particularly in light of COVID-19, the performance targets are rigorous, but achievable, and challenge our executive team to achieve strong performance over time, on both an absolute and relative basis. The Committee added the second component, in part, to limit the scenarios in which our investors may suffer losses due to a decline in absolute TSR while our NEOs realize outsized payouts for relative TSR. As a result, BXP performance above the maximum goal under the Relative TSR component does not automatically result in a payout equal to the maximum 200% of target because the total payout would be offset, e.g., if performance is below target under the Absolute TSR component. The Committee concluded that this “offsetting” feature helps align our NEOs’ interests with our stockholders, while also providing incentives to outperform our peers.
| Ø | Relative TSR Component |
The first component of the 2021 MYLTIP, which represents one-halfOne-half (50%) of the 2022 MYLTIP target grant-dategrant value retainswas awarded in the basic structure of the 2020 MYLTIP awards. The numberform of LTIP units that can be earned under this component ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of LTIP units, based on BXP’s three-year, annualized relative TSR (“rTSR”) performance compared to an index. Under this component, 100%index of peer companies as follows:
BXP Annualized TSR Relative to Index | Percentage of Target MYLTIP Units that are Earned | |
| >= +1,000 basis points | 200% | |
| 0 basis points | 100% | |
| <= -1,000 basis points | Zero | |
The payout for performance between levels outlined in the target LTIP unitstable above will be earned if the Company’s TSR equals the index TSR; the maximum 200% of the target number of LTIP units will be earned if the Company’s rTSR is at least 1,000 basis points greater than the index; and no LTIP units will be earned if the Company’s rTSR is more than 1,000 basis points less than the index. For rTSR performance between -1,000 basis points and +1,000 basis points, the number of LTIP units earned will be determined using linear interpolation.interpolated on a straight-line basis.
For purposes of measuring relative performance, the 20212022 MYLTIP awards provide that BXP’s TSR shall be compared to the TSR of a custom peer group index (the “Custom Index”) consisting of the following nine (9)eight (8) office REITs:
| ||||
| Custom Index | ||||
| Douglas Emmett, Inc. | ||||
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JBG Smith Properties | ||||
| SL Green Realty Corp. | |||
| Empire State Realty Trust | Kilroy Realty Corporation | Vornado Realty Trust | ||
| Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. | Paramount Group, Inc. | |||
| (1) | For the 2023 MYLTIP, the Committee has decided to remove JBG Smith Properties from the Custom Index following its publicly announced strategic shift to change its portfolio composition to a majority multifamily. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 86 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
The purpose of using a peer group is to provide a mechanism for comparing our relative performance against competitors,competitors; however, the Company does not have a directly comparable peer in the public market and often competes with larger, privately-capitalized companies for which performance data is not readily available, if at all. The FTSE Nareit Office Index, which has beenWe selected the comparative index used in recent years, includes more than 20 REITs, more than half of which are not direct competitors due to geographic regions, type of product (Central Business District vs. Suburban), asset quality or size. The Custom Index was selected to include only office REITs that are most similar to the Company in terms of asset type, asset quality, and having full-scale operations in one or more of the U.S.US gateway markets in which the Company operates.
For purposes of determining the TSR of the Custom Index, the weighting ascribed to each company in the Custom Index is fixed as of the grant date based on its relative market capitalization at that time; in contrast, the 2020 MYLTIP and prior programs determined the relative weight of each constituent annually and used the average of each constituent’s annual weightings over the performance period. In deciding to change the weighting methodology, the Committee considered that market practice is to fix the weightings at the plan inception.time.
The Committee back-tested our performance versus the Custom Index. From February 6, 2018 through February 5, 2021, which was the performance period for the 2018 MYLTIP, our annualized TSR was 235 bps above the Custom Index, which would have resulted in payout of 123.5% of the target LTIP units. However, our absolute TSR was negative over that period. To align management with our stockholders and hold them more accountable for our absolute TSR, the 2021 MYLTIP includes an absolute TSR component, as described below. If the absolute TSR component had also been in effect, the resulting payout would have been reduced to approximately 87.7% of target.
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| Ø | Absolute TSR Component |
The second component represents the remaining one-half (50%) of the 2022 MYLTIP target grant-dategrant value ofwas awarded in the 2021 MYLTIP. The numberform of LTIP units that can be earned under this component ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of LTIP units, based on BXP’s non-annualized,cumulative absolute TSR (“aTSR”) during the three-year performance period. Under thisperiod as follows:
| BXP Cumulative aTSR | Percentage of Target MYLTIP Units that are Earned | |
| >= +60% | 200% | |
| +10% | 100% | |
| <= -40% | Zero | |
The payout for performance between levels outlined in the table above will be interpolated on a straight-line basis.
The Committee added the aTSR component 100%during its re-design of the target LTIP units will be earned ifMYLTIP in 2020, in part, to limit the Company achieves an aTSRscenarios in which our investors may suffer losses due to a decline in absolute TSR while our NEOs realize above-target payouts for relative TSR outperformance. As a result, BXP performance above the maximum goal under the rTSR component does not automatically result in a payout equal to +1,000 basis points; the maximum 200% of target LTIP units willbecause the total payout would be earnedoffset if performance is below target under the Company achieves an aTSR of +6,000 basis points or greater; and the threshold percentagecomponent. The Committee concluded that this “offsetting” feature helps align our NEOs’ interests with our stockholders while providing incentives to earn any LTIP units is an aTSR of greater than -4,000 basis points. If the Company’s aTSR is greater than -4,000 basis points but less than +6,000 basis points, then the number of LTIP units earned will be determined using linear interpolation.outperform our peers.
| Ø | Other |
DividendsDistributions. Consistent with previous MYLTIP programs, duringDuring the three-year performance period, holders of 20212022 MYLTIP Units are not entitled to receive full dividendsdistributions on the 20212022 MYLTIP Units. Instead, to support the units’ characterization as profits interests for tax purposes, the holders of the units are entitled to receive only a partial dividenddistribution on each unit equal to 10% of the dividend payable on a share of BXP common stock. Unlike prior MYLTIP programs, however, following the completion of the three-year performance period,In addition, BXP will also make a “catch-up” cash payment on the 20212022 MYLTIP Units that are ultimately earned in an amount equal to the regular and special distributions,dividends, if any, declared during the performance period on BXP common stock, less the distributions actually paid to holders of 20212022 MYLTIP Units during the performance period on all of the awarded 20212022 MYLTIP Units.
Post-vesting Transfer Restrictions. Subject to the provisions on “Qualified Retirement” and the other terms of the award agreement, after the completion of the three-year performance period, all earned 2022 MYLTIP Units shall be deemed “vested“, but“vested.” Still, they may not be converted, redeemed, sold or otherwise transferred for one additional year after the end of the performance measurement period. Therefore, 100% of earned awards, if any, shall vest as of February 1, 2024,January 31, 2025, but may not be monetized until February 1, 2025.January 31, 2026.
Allocation of
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 87 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
2022 LTI Awards for 2021 Performance
2020 Performance Grants
The Committee approved LTI equity awards to NEOs for 2020Based on the NEOs’ strong performance, as a mix of performance-based MYLTIP awards and time-based, full-value equity awards. The MYLTIP awards were denominatedespecially in a fixed number of LTIP units as of February 2, 2021, the date of initial grant. The Committee maintained the same allocation of performance-based equity as a percentage of total LTI equity for our CEO as in 2019 for 2020, so his allocation remained 55% performance-based and 45% time-based. For the other NEOs, the Committee maintained the allocation at 50% performance-based and 50% time-based.
In light of the continued economic circumstances and challenges the NEOs faced in 2020, including the sudden shift in priorities,during 2021, the Committee awarded the dollar values set forth below for performance-based and time-based equity awards to the NEOs in 2021on February 1, 2022, and January 28, 2022, respectively, for performance in 2020. The Committee awarded Messrs. Thomas and Linde the same dollar value in LTI equity awards for 2020 as was awarded last year for 2019 performance, the result2021, which reflect 100% of which was an award of less than target for each and awarded Mr. Ritchey hisNEO’s target LTI equity awards in acknowledgment of his continued leadership in the Washington, DC and Los Angeles regions. The Committee assessed Messrs. LaBelle and Koop’s performance in 2020 as strong and awarded each LTI equity that was above target.award value for 2021.
| Executive | Total LTI Equity Awards | Total LTI Equity Awards as % of Target | Performance- Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | ||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 9,050,000 | 98% | $ 4,977,500 | 55% | $ 4,072,500 | 45% | ||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 5,655,000 | 97% | $ 2,827,500 | 50% | $ 2,827,500 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 4,410,000 | 100% | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 2,189,000 | 110% | $ 1,094,500 | 50% | $ 1,094,500 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 1,788,000 | 120% | $ 894,000 | 50% | $ 894,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $23,092,000 | 100% | $11,998,500 | 52% | $11,093,500 | 48% | ||||||||||||||||
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Executive | Total LTI Equity Awards | Performance- Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | |||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 9,450,000 | $ 5,197,500 | 55% | $ 4,252,500 | 45% | |||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 6,045,000 | $ 3,022,500 | 50% | $ 3,022,500 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 4,410,000 | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 1,990,000 | $ 995,000 | 50% | $ 995,000 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 1,490,000 | $ 745,000 | 50% | $ 745,000 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Total | $23,385,000 | $12,165,000 | 52% | $11,220,000 | 48% | |||||||||||||||
The performance-based portion of LTI equity awards for 2020 performance was granted in the form of 20212022 MYLTIP awards whichwere denominated in a fixed number of LTIP units and granted as of February 1, 2022. The 2022 MYLTIP awards have a three-year performance period (February 2, 20211, 2022, to February 1, 2024),January 31, 2025) and an additional yearone-year, post-vesting holding period (see “– 2022 MYLTIP Structure & Design – Other Features of post-vesting restrictions on transfer. The dollar values of2022 MYLTIP”). Following the awards were converted into a fixed number of MYLTIP units on the initial grant date, and the number of units initially granted equals 200% of the target number of units, and it is the maximum number of units that may be earned. Following completion of the three-year performance period, the Committee will determine the final payout based on computations from our independent valuation consultant for this plan, and ifplan. If the number of units initially awarded exceeds the number of units ultimately earned, then the excess will be forfeited. The units determined to be earned shall vest 100% as ofaward recipient must forfeit the final day of the performance period, but shall be subject to an additional one-year, no-sale holding period.excess. Therefore, while the award of 20212022 MYLTIP units iswas partially in recognition forof performance in 2020,2021, award recipients must continue to perform over the three-year term of the 20212022 MYLTIP program in order to earn and vest in any of the MYLTIP units and hold the units for an additional year. As a result, recipients must generally remain employed for four years before they may monetize the three yearsawards.
2023 MYLTIP Structure & Design
The structure and design of the 2023 MYLTIP are the same as that of the 2022 MYLTIP, except JBG Smith Properties is not included in the custom peer group index because it publicly announced a strategic shift to earnchange the full amount. composition of its portfolio to majority multifamily. Therefore, the Committee concluded that including JBG Smith Properties in the Custom Index is no longer appropriate.
2023 LTI Awards for 2022 Performance
For the fourth consecutive year, the Committee maintained the same allocation of performance-based equity as a percentage of total LTI equity for our CEO (55% performance-based and 45% time-based) and for the other NEOs (50% performance-based and 50% time-based). In January 2023, the Committee approved LTI equity awards to NEOs for 2022 performance as a mix of time-based, full-value equity awards and performance-based MYLTIP awards. The 2023 MYLTIP awards were denominated in a fixed number of LTIP units and granted as of February 7, 2023.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 88 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Based on the NEOs’ strong performance, especially in light of the volatile economic conditions and industry headwinds during 2022, the Committee awarded the dollar values set forth below for performance-based and time-based equity awards granted to the NEOs on February 7, 2023, and February 3, 2023, respectively, for performance in 2022. These total LTI equity award amounts reflect 100% of each NEO’s target LTI award value for 2022, except for Mr. LaBelle. The Committee awarded Mr. LaBelle 113% of his target LTI award value, or an additional $250,000 above target, in acknowledgment of his role in the successful execution of BXP’s 2022 financing and balance sheet management goals, his consistent ranking as one of the top CFOs among REITs (#2) and the #1 office REIT CFO, and based on the Committee’s compensation benchmarking review.
Executive | Total LTI Equity Awards | Total LTI Equity Awards as % of Target | Performance- Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | ||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 9,500,000 | 100% | $ 5,225,000 | 55% | $ 4,275,000 | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 6,100,000 | 100% | $ 3,050,000 | 50% | $ 3,050,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 4,410,000 | 100% | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | $ 2,205,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 2,250,000 | 113% | $ 1,125,000 | 50% | $ 1,125,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 1,600,000 | 100% | $ 800,000 | 50% | $ 800,000 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | $23,860,000 | 101% | $12,405,000 | 52% | $11,455,000 | 48% | ||||||||||||||||||
The aggregate target number of 2023 MYLTIP units for NEOs is approximately 137,688152,425 LTIP units, and an aggregate payout opportunity ranging from zero to a maximum of 275,376304,850 LTIP units. The baseline share price for 20202023 MYLTIP awards was $90.73$75.02 (the average closing price per share of our common stock on the NYSE for the five trading days prior to and including February 2, 2021)7, 2023).
The 20212023 MYLTIP awards are generally amortized into earnings over the three-year plan period under the graded vesting method unless accelerated in certain circumstances such as a “Qualified Retirement” as defined under “– Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control – Retirement Eligibility Provisions for LTI Equity Awards.” Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”), we expect that 2021718, the aggregate grant-date fair value of 2023 MYLTIP awards to NEOs will have an aggregatewas approximately $12.4 million.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 89 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Realized Pay vs. Reported Pay for MYLTIP Awards
The total compensation of our NEOs, as reported in the 2022 Summary Compensation Table, is calculated under SEC rules, which require us to show the grant date fair value of approximately $12.0 million.
2019 Performance Grants
equity and equity-based awards. The following table sets forth the dollar values of the performance-based and time-based equity awards granted to NEOs in February 2020Committee believes realized pay better measures compensation for performance in 2019:
| Executive | Total LTI Equity Awards | Performance-Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | % of Total Equity Awards | |||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ 9,050,000 | $ 4,977,500 | 55% | $ 4,072,500 | 45% | |||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | $ 5,655,000 | $ 2,827,500 | 50% | $ 2,827,500 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | $ 4,240,000 | $ 2,120,000 | 50% | $ 2,120,000 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | $ 1,945,000 | $ 972,500 | 50% | $ 972,500 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ 1,370,000 | $ 685,000 | 50% | $ 685,000 | 50% | |||||||||||||||
Total | $22,260,000 | $11,582,500 | 52% | $10,677,500 | 48% | |||||||||||||||
The performance-basedan annual period than reported pay because a significant portion of LTI equityour NEOs’ compensation consists of long-term, performance- and equity-based MYLTIPs. The ability of our executive officers to realize value from MYLTIP awards for 2019is contingent on achieving certain Company performance wasmilestones. As a result, reported pay includes the accounting value of MYLTIP awards granted in the formgiven period, which may or may not be realized in the future. As illustrated in the following charts, our CEO realized approximately 57% of 2020the reported pay for all MYLTIP awards granted since 2015 for which the measurement periods have a three-year performance period (February 4, 2020 to February 3, 2023), and an additional year of time-based vesting. The dollar values of the awards were converted into a fixed number of MYLTIP units on the initial grant date, and the number of units initially granted equals 200% of the target number of units, and it is the maximum number of units that may be earned. Following completion of the three-year performance period, the Committee will determine the final payout based on computations from our independent valuation consultant for this plan, and if the number of units initially awarded exceeds the number of units ultimately earned, then the excess will be forfeited. Therefore, while the award of 2020 MYLTIP units was partially in recognition for performance in 2019, award recipients must continue to perform over the three-year term of the 2020 MYLTIP program in order to earn and vest in any of the MYLTIP units and must generally remain employed for the four years to earn the full amount.ended.
| (1) | Amounts do not include 54,282 options to purchase shares of BXP’s common stock held by Mr. Thomas. His options expired on April 2, 2023, out-of-the-money. The grant date value of Mr. Thomas’ options was $900,000. |
| (2) | Payout as % of Target percentages shown for the 2021 and 2022 MYLTIP are estimates as of December 31, 2022, based on interim valuations performed by our independent valuation consultant. Actual results could differ materially from the interim valuations. |
| 2015 MYLTIP | 2016 MYLTIP | 2017 MYLTIP | 2018 MYLTIP | 2019 MYLTIP | 2020 MYLTIP | Total (2015-2020 MYLTIP) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported Pay | $ | 4,145,625 | $ | 5,000,000 | $ | 5,150,000 | $ | 4,339,000 | $ | 4,375,000 | $ | 4,977,500 | $ | 27,987,125 | ||||||||||||||
Realized Pay | $ | 950,039 | $ | 3,950,943 | $ | 5,198,236 | $ | 1,543,905 | $ | 2,782,676 | $ | 1,389,360 | $ | 15,815,159 | ||||||||||||||
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
III.IV. DETERMINING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
› PROCESS FOR DETERMINING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
StartingConsistent with the prior year’s process, in 2020, and in response to shareholder feedback,January 2022, our Committee established target total direct compensation opportunities for each of our NEOs consisting of base salary, target annual cash incentive, and target long-term incentive grant value. When establishing target total direct compensation levels, the Committee considered a variety of factors, including:
industry and market conditions;
| • | industry and market conditions; |
the Company’s financial and strategic performance, on both an absolute basis and versus competitors;
| • | the Company’s financial and strategic performance, on both an absolute basis and versus competitors; |
market compensation data among comparable companies;
| • | market compensation data among comparable companies; |
individual executive past performance, future potential, roles and responsibilities, experience, retention risk, and succession planning;
| • | individual executive past performance, future potential, roles and responsibilities, experience, retention risk, and succession planning; |
total NEO compensation over time, both on an awarded basis and on a realized basis after forfeitures; and
| • | total NEO compensation over time, both on an awarded basis and on a realized basis after forfeitures; and |
current and evolving practices and trends among our peers and the market generally, especially in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global and national economies, and other input received from FW Cook.
| • | current and evolving practices and trends among our peers, the market generally, and other input from FW Cook. |
The Committee evaluated the pre-established performance goals under the Annual Incentive Plan to determine earned annual incentives for 20202022 (refer to page 64)85). The Committee determined 2023 LTI equity grant values earned(earned for 2020 (granted in 2021) with2022) by reference to the targets established at the beginning of the year (refer to page 68)pages 88-89). The ultimate earned value of these LTI equity awards will be baseddepends on theour stock’s performance of our stock, as well as performance versus theon both a relative and an absolute TSR components under the 2021 MYLTIP.basis.
› COMPENSATION ADVISOR’S ROLE & BENCHMARKING PEER GROUP
Compensation Advisor’s Role
In 2022, the Committee again retained FW Cook as its independent, third-party compensation consultant. FW Cook advises the Committee on the reasonableness of executive compensation levels compared to those of other similarly situated companies, consults on the structure of our executive compensation program to optimally support our business objectives and advises the Committee on executive compensation trends among REITs and the broader market. FW Cook reports directly to the Committee and only provides services to management under the Committee’s purview. A representative of FW Cook attends meetings of the Committee, as requested, and communicates with the Committee Chair and management between meetings. Consistent with its charter and as required by SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, the Committee considered all factors relevant to FW Cook’s independence from management before retaining FW Cook as its consultant.
Benchmarking Peer Group
The Committee monitors the effectiveness of our executive compensation program on an ongoing basis. For it to be effective, among other things, we believe it is necessary for compensation tomust be competitive with other large public real estate companies with which we compete for executive talent. The Committee uses industry peer group data as one tool in assessingto assess and determiningdetermine pay for our executive officers. OtherHowever, other REITs however, both in the office sector and in other sectors are not always comparable to us because of differences in underlying business fundamentals. Peer group data is intended to provide the Committee with insight across the peer group into market pay levels for each element of compensation and total target compensation of executive officers having similar titles and responsibilities to our NEOs, market trends, “best” governance practices, and overall industry performance. The median (50th percentile) serves as a reference point and indicator of competitive market trends and the Committee uses it as the starting point when setting our executive compensation. However, market data is one of many factors the Committee considers when setting target pay opportunities.
In 2020, the Committee again retained FW Cook to serve as its independent, third-party compensation consultant. FW Cook reports directly to the Committee and does not provide services to management that are not under the Committee’s purview. A representative of FW Cook attends meetings of the Committee, as requested, and communicates with the Committee Chair and management between meetings. Consistent with its charter and as required by SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, prior to retaining FW Cook as its consultant, the Committee considered all factors relevant to FW Cook’s independence from management. FW Cook advises the Committee on the reasonableness of executive compensation levels in comparison with those of other similarly situated companies, consults on the structure of our executive compensation program to optimally support our business objectives and advises the Committee on executive compensation trends among REITs and the broader market.
Benchmarking Peer Group
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 91 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
FW Cook (1) advised the Committee that size, as measured by total capitalization, best depicts the scale, complexity and breadth of the Company’s operations as well asand the amount of capital and assets managed, and therefore is the most appropriate scope measure for peer company selection and (2) reviewedselection. Following a review of the peer group for 20192021, FW Cook recommended, and recommended that the
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Committee agreed, to maintain the same peer group for 2020. Based on that advice, the Committee selected the same peer group for benchmarking 2020 executive compensation that it used for 2019. That peer group consists of sixteen publicly traded real estate companies that are of comparable size to the Company in terms of total capitalization and assets, irrespective of property focus.2022. Notably, fourteenthirteen out of the sixteen members of this Benchmarking Peer Group also listed Boston PropertiesBXP as a peer company in their 20202022 proxy statements.
The following table provides the names and key information for each peer company:
| Company | Sector | Location | Total Capitalization (in millions)(1) | Sector | Location | Total Capitalization | ||||||||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | Office | Pasadena, CA | $ | 33,988 | Office | Pasadena, CA | $ | 39,150 | ||||||||||||
American Tower Corporation (REIT) | Specialty | Boston, MA | $ | 137,133 | ||||||||||||||||
American Tower Corporation | Specialty | Boston, MA | $ | 152,533 | ||||||||||||||||
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | Multifamily | Arlington, VA | $ | 30,132 | Multifamily | Arlington, VA | $ | 31,079 | ||||||||||||
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | Specialty | Austin, TX | $ | 56,308 | Specialty | Austin, TX | $ | 48,752 | ||||||||||||
Equity Residential | Multifamily | Chicago, IL | $ | 31,307 | ||||||||||||||||
Douglas Emmett, Inc. | Office | Santa Monica, CA | $ | 8,469 | ||||||||||||||||
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | Multifamily | San Mateo, CA | $ | 22,547 | Multifamily | San Mateo, CA | $ | 20,348 | ||||||||||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | Hotel | Bethesda, MD | $ | 16,583 | Hotel | Bethesda, MD | $ | 16,566 | ||||||||||||
Kilroy Realty Corporation | Office | Los Angeles, CA | $ | 9,137 | ||||||||||||||||
Prologis, Inc. | Industrial | San Francisco, CA | $ | 96,667 | Industrial | San Francisco, CA | $ | 134,615 | ||||||||||||
Public Storage | Self-Storage | Glendale, CA | $ | 47,025 | ||||||||||||||||
Regency Centers Corporation | Shopping Center | Jacksonville, FL | $ | 11,952 | Shopping Center | Jacksonville, FL | $ | 14,729 | ||||||||||||
Simon Property Group, Inc. | Regional Mall | Indianapolis, IN | $ | 59,516 | Regional Mall | Indianapolis, IN | $ | 69,703 | ||||||||||||
SL Green Realty Corp. | Office | New York, NY | $ | 10,451 | Office | New York, NY | $ | 9,276 | ||||||||||||
UDR, Inc. | Multifamily | Highlands Ranch, CO | $ | 17,564 | Multifamily | Highlands Ranch, CO | $ | 19,351 | ||||||||||||
Ventas, Inc. | Health Care | Chicago, IL | $ | 30,811 | Health Care | Chicago, IL | $ | 30,821 | ||||||||||||
Vornado Realty Trust | Office | New York, NY | $ | 17,144 | Office | New York, NY | $ | 14,995 | ||||||||||||
Welltower Inc. | Health Care | Toledo, OH | $ | 42,188 | Health Care | Toledo, OH | $ | 47,961 | ||||||||||||
Median | $ | 31,059 | $ | 25,585 | ||||||||||||||||
Average | $ | 41,332 | $ | 41,718 | ||||||||||||||||
Boston Properties, Inc. | $ | 31,782 | Office | Boston, MA | $ | 28,073 | ||||||||||||||
Relative Percentile Rank | 55%-ile | 52nd%-ile | ||||||||||||||||||
Source: Market Intelligence, a Division of S&P Global.Capital IQ. Data as of December 31, 2020.
2022
| (1) | Total capitalization includes debt and the book value of any preferred stock. |
The benchmarking review was based, in part, on information disclosed in the peer companies’ proxy statements filed in 20202022 (the latest year for which comprehensive data were publicly available).
› ROLE OF MANAGEMENT IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS
Our CEO and President make recommendations to the Committee on the compensation of the other executive officers, and our CEO makes recommendations to the Committee on the compensation of our President, in each case, based on their assessment of performance versus corporate and individual goals and a variety of other factors (e.g., compensation history, tenure, responsibilities, market data for competitive positions and retention concerns). AllThe Committee makes all executive compensation decisions are made by the Committee.decisions.
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | |
IV.V. OTHER COMPENSATION POLICIES
› DOUBLE-TRIGGER ACCELERATION OF VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
All time-based equity awards made after 2014 include “double-trigger” vesting, meaning that if there is a “change of control” and the awards are not otherwise cancelledcanceled in connection with the change of control transaction, then they only become fully vested if, within 24 months after the change of control, the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company or its successor without “cause” or the executive resigns for “good reason.” We believe that thisThis policy regarding acceleration of vesting upon a change of control is in linealigns with current best practicepractices while also continuing to remove potential disincentives for executives to pursue a change of control transaction that would benefit stockholders. Although certain senior officers, including our CEO, were entitled to single-trigger vesting under their employment agreements, the Committee requested, and those executives voluntarily agreed to, the change. The Committee believes that this demonstrates its and management’s responsiveness to stockholders and that the policy addresses two key objectives:
| • | Aligning executives’ interests with stockholders’ interests:When a change of control may be imminent, it is important to ensure that executives’ interests are aligned with stockholders to maximize stockholder value. |
| • | Minimizing conflicts of interest:Double-trigger vesting in the context of a potential change of control (1) reduces distraction and the risk that executives leave the Company before a transaction is completed and (2) prevents executives from receiving a windfall because executives’ time-based equity vests only if their employment is terminated. |
›CLAWBACK POLICY
We have a formal “clawback” policy, which allows us to recoup from all executive officers and certain other specified officers’ incentive compensation paid on the basis of financial results that are subsequently restated. Under the current policy, if we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement, the Committee may require those officers to repay or forfeit “excess compensation,” which includes annual cash bonus and long-term incentive compensation in any form (including stock options, restricted stock and LTIP units, whether time-based or performance-based) received by them during the three-year periodthree years preceding the publication of the restated financial statements, that the Committee determines was in excess of the amount that they would have received had such compensation been determined based on the financial results reported in the restated financial statements.
The Committee may take into accountconsider any factors it deems reasonable in determining (1) whether to seek recoupment of previously paid excess compensation, (2) the amount of excess compensation to recoup from each individual officer, which may reflect whether the Committee concluded that he or she engaged in wrongdoing or committed grossly negligent acts or omissions, and (3) the form of the compensation to be recouped.
On October 26, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission adopted final rules implementing the Dodd-Frank Act’s incentive-based compensation recovery (clawback) provisions. The final rules direct the stock exchanges to establish listing standards requiring listed companies to develop and implement a policy to recover erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation received by current or former executive officers and to satisfy related disclosure obligations, which must be effective no later than November 28, 2023. As of April 8, 2023, the stock exchanges had proposed final listing standards. The Committee intends to periodically review thisconform its clawback policy and, as appropriate, conform it to any applicable final rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards once the SEC formally approves them.
›GROSS-UP FOR EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS
In January 2014, we adopted a formal “no tax gross-up” policy with respect to our senior executives. Pursuant toUnder this policy, we will not make or promise to make any tax gross-up payment to any senior executive in the future other than payments in accordance with obligations existing at the time of the policy’s adoption or pursuant tounder arrangements
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
applicable to our management employees generally, such as a relocation policy. All of theThe employment agreements that we have entered into with senior executives since 2013, including our original and current employment agreements with our CEO, Mr. Thomas, do not provide for tax gross-up payments. In addition, the recently amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Ritchey provides that he will no longer be eligible to receive a tax gross-up payment under any plan or agreement. (See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Employment Agreements – Summary of Mr. Ritchey’s Employment Agreement.”) Accordingly, this policy formalized the Committee’s then-existing practice with respect to tax gross-ups. In addition, our Senior Executive Severance Plan and Executive Severance Plan provide that executives who become eligible to participate in these plans after 2013 will not be entitled to any tax gross-up payments under the plans.
›POLICY CONCERNING HEDGING AND PLEDGING TRANSACTIONS
We prohibit all employees, including our executive officers, and directors from engaging in short sales and derivative transactions, purchasing our securities on margin and pledging our securities as collateral for a loan. Transactions such as
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purchases and sales of publicly traded put and call options, short sales, hedging transactions such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps and collars create a heightened compliance risk or could create the appearance of misalignment between management and stockholders. In addition, securities held in a margin account or pledged as collateral may be sold without consent if the owner fails to meet a margin call or defaults on the loan, thus creating the risk that a sale may occur at a time when an employee or director is aware of material, non-public information or otherwise is not permitted to trade in Company securities. Therefore, we prohibit all employees, including our executive officers, and directors from engaging in short sales and derivative transactions, purchasing our securities on margin and pledging our securities as collateral for a loan.
›MANDATORY MINIMUM EQUITY OWNERSHIP POLICY FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVES
To align senior management with our stockholders and demonstrate to the investment community that our senior management is personally committed to our continued financial success, we have a policy that requires the following officer positions to maintain equity ownership equal to a multiple of their base salaries as follows:
Title | Multiple of Base Salary | |
Chief Executive Officer | 6.0x | |
President | 5.0x | |
Senior Executive Vice President | 5.0x | |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | 3.0x | |
Executive Vice President, Regional Manager | 2.0x | |
Senior Vice President | 1.5x | |
| CEO Mandatory Minimum |
| CEO Actual Stock Ownership | ||||||||
| 6x Base Salary |
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Mr. Thomas actual stock ownership represents 38 times his base salary (based on the closing stock price on February 10, 2023), substantially greater than the mandatory minimum equity requirement. In fact, since Mr. Thomas joined BXP in 2013, he has never sold any shares of BXP common stock or redeemed any units in BPLP.
If an executive’s ownership falls below the applicable guideline due solely to a decline in the value of our common stock, the executive will not be required to acquire additional shares to meet the guideline, but he or she will be required to retain all shares then held (except for shares withheld to pay withholding taxes or the exercise price of options) until such time as the executive again attains the target multiple.
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| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Employees who are hired or promoted to senior management positions will have a five-year periodfive years beginning on January 1 of the year following their appointment to achieve this ownership requirement. Exceptions may be made for significant extenuating personal circumstances. The types of securities that will beare counted toward the equity ownership requirement include shares of our common stock, common units and LTIP units (excluding performance-based LTIP units until and unless they have been earned), in each case both vested and unvested, as well as shares acquired and held through our stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plans. Stock options willare not be counted.
› LTIP UNITS
Since 2003, we have used a class of partnership interests in our Operating Partnership, called long-term incentive units, or LTIP units, as a form of equity-based award for annual long-term incentive equity compensation. LTIP units are designed to qualify as “profits interests” in the Operating Partnership for federal income tax purposes, meaning that initially, they are not economically equivalent in value to a share of our common stock, but over time can increase in value to one-for-one parity with common stock by operation of special tax rules applicable to profits interests. LTIP units are designed to offer executives a long-term incentive comparable to restricted stock while allowing them to enjoy a more favorable income tax treatment. Each LTIP unit awarded is deemed equivalent to an award of one share of common stock reserved under our incentive equity plan. The key difference between LTIP units and restricted stock is that at the time of award, LTIP units do not have full economic parity with common units but can achieve such parity over time upon the occurrence of specified events in accordance with partnership tax rules. Until and unless such parity is reached, the value that an executive will realize for a given number of vested LTIP units is less than the value of an equal number of shares of our common stock.
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Under the MYLTIP awards, during the performance period, holders of LTIP units will receive distributions equal to one-tenth (1/10th) of the amount of regular quarterly distributions paid on a common unit, but will not receive any special distributions. After the end of the performance period, holders of earned LTIP units, both vested and unvested, will be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP unit equal to the distributions, both regular and special, payable on a common unit (which equal per share dividends (both regular and special) on our common stock). Beginning withFor the 2021 MYLTIP – 2023 MYLTIP awards, following the completion of thetheir respective three-year performance period,periods, BXP will also make a “catch-up” cash payment on the 2021 MYLTIP UnitsLTIP units that are ultimately earned in an amount equal to the regular and special distributions,dividends, if any, declared during the performance period on BXP common stock, less the distributions actually paid to holders of 2021the applicable MYLTIP Unitsawards, during the applicable performance period on all of the awarded 2021 MYLTIP Units.corresponding LTIP units. LTIP units awarded with time-based vesting conditions only, both vested and unvested, are entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP unit equal to the distributions, both regular and special distributions payable on a common unit.
› EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
We have employment agreements with each of our NEOs. (See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Employment Agreements.”) For NEOs other than Mr. Thomas, these agreements provide for a certain level of severance, generally the sum of base salary plus the prior year’s cash bonus, 12 additional months of vesting in equity-based awards and participation in our health plan for up to 12 months, in the event of a termination of employment by us without cause or by the executives for good reason. The employment agreement with Mr. Thomas provides for stipulated severance benefits in lieu of participation in severance plans for which other NEOs are eligible. In return, each NEO agrees, during the term of employment and for one year thereafter, not to compete with us, solicit our tenants or employees or interfere with our relationship with our tenants, suppliers, contractors, lenders, employees or with any governmental agency. We believe that these agreements are fair to the NEOs and to our stockholders and, because the severance benefits are negotiated at the time of the agreement, avoid the need for protracted negotiations in the event of termination.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 95 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
› CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
We have an employment agreement with Mr. Thomas that provides him with cash severance and certain benefits in the event of his termination under certain circumstances within 24 months following a change in control. Although Mr. Thomas was entitled to “single-trigger” vesting upon a change in control under his original employment agreement, he has agreed to be subject to the “double-trigger” vesting policy adopted for all time-based LTI equity awards made after 2014. We also have two change in control severance plans, one for our President, Senior Executive Vice President and Executive Vice Presidents, and the other for our Senior Vice Presidents and those Vice Presidents with ten (10) or more years of tenure with us. These plans also provide cash severance and certain benefits in the event of termination of employment under certain circumstances within 24 months following a change in control. The two change in control severance plans are “double trigger” arrangements, providing severance benefits only upon an involuntary termination or constructive termination of the executive officer following a change in control. (See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”) Officers who became eligible under the two severance plans described above prior to their amendment in January 2014 upon adoption by the Committee of a formal “no tax gross-up” policy are entitled to a gross-up payment in the event they become subject to the 20% golden parachute excise tax. This was the market practice when these plans were adopted in 1998. Mr. Thomas is not entitled to a tax gross-up payment under his employment agreement.
In our experience, change in control cash severance protection for executive officers is common in the REIT industry. Our Committee believes it is fair to provide severance protection in the event of an involuntary termination or constructive termination of employment following a change in control because very often senior manager positions are often eliminated following a change in control. The Committee believes that agreeing in advance to provide severance benefits in the event of an involuntary termination or constructive termination of employment following a change in control helps reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of senior management to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of an actual or threatened change in control and helps ensure that management is motivated to negotiate the best consideration for our stockholders. For treatment of equity awards in the event of a change in control, please see “– Double-Trigger Acceleration of Vesting of Equity Awards upon a Change of Control” above.
› PERQUISITES
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› PERQUISITES
We provide Messrs. Linde, Ritchey and Koop a monthly car allowance of $750 and we provide all of our executive officers a designated parking space. Mr. Thomas’ employment agreement provides that he is entitled to the use of a Company-owned or leased vehicle, but Mr. Thomas has declined this benefit atsince 2013. We provide Messrs. Linde, Ritchey and Koop a monthly car allowance of $750 and all times since 2013.of our executive officers a designated parking space. Apart from these arrangements, we do not provide any other perquisites to our executive officers.
›DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
We offer a deferred compensation plan that permits our executives to defer up to 20% of their base salaries and bonuses. The amounts deferred are not included in the executive’s current taxable income and, therefore, are not currently deductible by us. The executives select from a limited number of mutual funds, which serve as measurement funds, and thefunds. The deferred amounts are increased or decreased to correspond to the market value of the mutual fund investments. Because the measurement funds are publicly traded securities, we do not consider any of the earnings credited under the deferred compensation plan to be “above market.” We do not provide any matching contribution to any executive officer who participates in this plan, other than a limited amount to make upcompensate for any loss of matching contributions under our Section 401(k) plan. We have made this plan available to our executives in order to ensure that our benefits are competitive. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2020.2022.”
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 96 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
›RETIREMENT AND HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
We have never had a traditional or defined benefit pension plan. Our executives participate in Company-sponsored benefit programs available broadly to generally all of our salaried employees, including our employee stock purchase plan and our Section 401(k) plan. We maintain a Section 401(k) retirement plan in which all salaried employees can participate, which provides a Company matching contribution of 200% of the first 3% of compensation contributed to the plan (utilizing earnings not in excess of an amount established by the Internal Revenue Service ($285,000305,000 in 2020)2022)). Other benefits, such as health and dental plans, group term life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance and travel accident insurance, are also generally available generally to all of our salaried employees. Our executives participate in Company-sponsored benefit programs available broadly to generally all of our salaried employees, including our employee stock purchase plan and our Section 401(k) plan.
›DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Committee’s policy is to consider the tax treatment of compensation paid to our executive officers while simultaneously seeking to provide our executives with appropriate rewards for their performance. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a publicly-held corporation may not deduct compensation of more than $1 million paid to any “covered employee.” To the extent that compensation paid to our executive officers is subject to and does not qualify for deduction under Section 162(m), our Committee is prepared to exceed the limit on deductibility under Section 162(m) to the extent necessary to establish compensation programs that we believe provide appropriate incentives and reward our executives relative to their performance. Because we qualify as a REIT under the Code, we generally distribute at least 100% of our net taxable income each year and therefore do not pay federal income tax. As a result, the possible loss of a federal tax deduction would not be expected to have a material impact on us.
›ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We account for stock-based awards in accordance withunder the requirements of ASC Topic 718.
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›ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION-RELATED RISKS
The Committee is responsible for overseeing the risks relating to compensation policies and practices affecting senior management on an ongoing basis. The Committee believes that, because of the following factors, there is a low likelihood that our compensation policies and practices would encourage excessive risk-taking:
| Risk Mitigation Factors |
• our policies and programs are generally intended to encourage executives to focus on
• overall compensation is maintained at levels that are competitive with the market;
• the mix of compensation
• annual cash bonuses for executives are linked to performance against goals in three categories with specific weightings and each executive has target and maximum bonus opportunities;
• long-term equity incentives align management’s interests with those of stockholders with the performance-based component rewarding both absolute and relative TSR performance and being capped at 200% of target shares; • except for those employees who satisfy the conditions for Qualified Retirement, all equity awards are subject to multi-year vesting (see “– Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control – Retirement Eligibility Provisions for LTI Equity Awards”);
• executive officers are subject to minimum stock ownership guidelines and limitations on trading in our securities, including prohibitions on hedging and pledging; and
• a clawback policy permits the Company to recoup compensation paid on the basis of financial results that are subsequently restated. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 97 |
| 7› | COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
›EQUITY AWARD GRANT POLICY
We have a policy that annual grants to employees are approved by the Committee in late January or early February of each year, with an effective grant date immediately following the closing of the NYSE on the second trading day after we publicly release financial results for the prior year. We believe thisThis policy provides the necessary certainty and transparency for both employees and stockholders while allowing the Committee desired flexibility.
Our Committee approves equity awards in dollar values. To the extent these awards are paid in the form of full-value awards (either shares of restricted stock and/or LTIP units), the number of shares/units granted is calculated by dividing the dollar value of the approved awards by the closing market price on the NYSE of a share of our common stock on the effective date of grant. To the extent these awards are made in the form of stock options, the number of shares underlying option grants is determined by dividing the dollar value of the approved awards by the grant-date fair value of the option, as calculated by an independent valuation expert in accordance with ASC Topic 718 .718. The Equity Award Grant Policy does not apply to performance-based equity awards such as the MYLTIP because of the different considerations that apply to the granting of such awards. For example, consistent with our past practice when granting multi-year, performance-based equity awards, the Committee determined that the 20212023 MYLTIP baseline share price, from which TSR performance is measured, should be based on the average closing stock price for the five trading days prior to and including the effective date of grant.
VI. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of Boston Properties has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
Joel I. Klein, Chair
Carol B. Einiger
David A. Twardock
William H. Walton, III
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table shows the compensation for each of our NEOs in accordance with Item 402(c) of Regulation S-K.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(6) | All Other Compensation ($)(7) | Total ($)(8) | Year | Salary ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | All Other Compensation ($)(6) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas Chief Executive Officer | 2020 | 900,000 | — | 8,644,379 | (3) | 1,175,000 | 17,910 | 10,737,289 | 2022 | $ | 925,000 | $ | 9,157,428 | (2) | $ | 2,949,250 | td9,110 | $ | 13,050,788 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 898,077 | 2,550,000 | 8,452,063 | (4) | — | 17,460 | 11,917,600 | 2021 | $ | 900,000 | $ | 8,745,377 | (3) | $ | 3,231,250 | td7,910 | $ | 12,894,537 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 875,000 | 2,875,000 | 7,927,786 | (5) | — | 17,160 | 11,694,946 | 2020 | $ | 900,000 | $ | 8,644,379 | (4) | $ | 1,175,000 | td7,910 | $ | 10,737,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde President | 2020 | 750,000 | — | 5,373,381 | (3) | 950,000 | 35,310 | 7,108,691 | 2022 | $ | 775,000 | $ | 5,837,052 | (2) | $ | 2,384,500 | $37,110 | $ | 9,033,662 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 748,077 | 2,095,000 | 5,211,300 | (4) | — | 34,680 | 8,089,057 | 2021 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 5,443,503 | (3) | $ | 2,612,500 | $35,310 | $ | 8,841,313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 725,000 | 2,180,000 | 5,163,416 | (5) | — | 34,380 | 8,102,796 | 2020 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 5,373,381 | (4) | $ | 950,000 | $35,310 | $ | 7,108,691 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey Senior Executive Vice President | 2020 | 740,000 | — | 4,028,000 | (3) | 1,103,850 | 34,326 | 5,906,176 | 2022 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 4,079,250 | (2) | $ | 1,430,550 | $35,526 | $ | 6,295,326 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 738,462 | 1,820,000 | 3,990,000 | (4) | — | 33,876 | 6,582,338 | 2021 | $ | 740,000 | $ | 4,079,250 | (3) | $ | 2,268,750 | $34,326 | $ | 7,122,326 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 720,000 | 2,080,000 | 4,278,466 | (5) | — | 33,576 | 7,112,042 | 2020 | $ | 740,000 | $ | 4,028,000 | (4) | $ | 1,103,850 | $34,326 | $ | 5,906,176 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 2020 | 510,000 | — | 1,848,139 | (3) | 937,500 | 26,310 | 3,321,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 509,231 | 1,295,000 | 1,916,801 | (4) | — | 25,680 | 3,746,712 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 500,000 | 1,450,000 | 1,973,150 | (5) | — | 25,380 | 3,948,530 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer | 2022 | $ | 525,000 | $ | 1,921,544 | (2) | $ | 1,718,750 | td8,110 | $ | 4,193,404 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 510,000 | $ | 2,139,966 | (3) | $ | 1,618,750 | td6,310 | $ | 4,295,026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 510,000 | $ | 1,848,139 | (4) | $ | 937,500 | td6,310 | $ | 3,321,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop Executive Vice President, Boston Region | 2020 | 410,000 | — | 1,301,500 | (3) | 625,000 | 35,310 | 2,371,810 | 2022 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 1,438,744 | (2) | $ | 1,753,750 | $37,110 | $ | 3,654,604 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 409,231 | 1,370,000 | 1,235,000 | (4) | — | 34,680 | 3,048,911 | 2021 | $ | 410,000 | $ | 1,653,900 | (3) | $ | 1,711,250 | $35,310 | $ | 3,810,460 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 400,000 | 1,550,000 | 1,257,523 | (5) | — | 34,380 | 3,241,903 | 2020 | $ | 410,000 | $ | 1,301,500 | (4) | $ | 625,000 | $35,310 | $ | 2,371,810 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A discussion of the assumptions used in calculating these values can be found in Note |
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of time-based restricted common stock and LTIP unit awards and |
| NEO | Time-Based Awards Grant Date Value | 2020 MYLTIP Awards Grant Date Value | 2020 MYLTIP Awards Maximum Value | Time-Based Awards Grant Date Value | 2022 MYLTIP Awards Grant Date Value | 2022 MYLTIP Awards Maximum Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Thomas | $ | 3,666,879 | $ | 4,977,500 | $ | 10,643,375 | $ | 3,959,928 | $ | 5,197,500 | $ | 10,416,873 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Linde | $ | 2,545,881 | $ | 2,827,500 | $ | 6,046,077 | $ | 2,814,552 | $ | 3,022,500 | $ | 6,057,619 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Ritchey | $ | 1,908,000 | $ | 2,120,000 | $ | 4,533,257 | $ | 1,874,250 | $ | 2,205,000 | $ | 4,419,189 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. LaBelle | $ | 875,639 | $ | 972,500 | $ | 2,079,496 | $ | 926,544 | $ | 995,000 | $ | 1,994,227 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Koop | $ | 616,500 | $ | 685,000 | $ | 1,464,682 | $ | 693,744 | $ | 745,000 | $ | 1,493,156 | ||||||||||||
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| (3) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of time-based restricted common stock and LTIP unit awards and |
| (4) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of time-based restricted common stock and LTIP unit awards and 2020 MYLTIP awards granted, all of which were granted in |
| (5) |
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| (6) |
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The table below shows the components of “All Other Compensation” for |
| NEO | Life Insurance | 401(k) Company Match | Car Allowance | Parking | Total | Life Insurance | 401(k) Company Match | Car Allowance | Parking | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Thomas | $ | 810 | $ | 17,100 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 17,910 | $ | 810 | $ | 18,300 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Linde | $ | 810 | $ | 17,100 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 8,400 | $ | 35,310 | $ | 810 | $ | 18,300 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 37,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Ritchey | $ | 810 | $ | 17,100 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 7,416 | $ | 34,326 | $ | 810 | $ | 18,300 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 7,416 | $ | 35,526 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. LaBelle | $ | 810 | $ | 17,100 | $ | — | $ | 8,400 | $ | 26,310 | $ | 810 | $ | 18,300 | $ | — | $ | 9,000 | $ | 28,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Koop | $ | 810 | $ | 17,100 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 8,400 | $ | 35,310 | $ | 810 | $ | 18,300 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 9,000 | $ | 37,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN 20202022
The following table provides information about the awards granted to our NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2020.2022.
Date of Compensation Committee Approval (1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(4) | Grant Date of Stock | Date of Compensation Committee Approval (1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(4) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($)(2) | Target ($)(2) | Maximum ($)(2) | Threshold (#)(3) | Target (#)(3) | Maximum (#)(3) | Grant Date | Threshold ($)(2) | Target ($)(2) | Maximum ($)(2) | Threshold (#)(3) | Target (#)(3) | Maximum (#)(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | — | 1/22/2020 | 1,175,000 | 2,350,000 | 3,525,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2/15/2022 | $ | 1,175,000 | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 3,525,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/31/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28,409 | 3,666,879 | 1/28/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | — | 37,533 | $ | 3,959,928 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/4/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | 36,813 | 73,626 | — | 4,977,500 | 2/1/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | 45,102 | 90,205 | — | $ | 5,197,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | — | 1/22/2020 | 950,000 | 1,900,000 | 2,850,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2/15/2022 | $ | 950,000 | $ | 1,900,000 | $ | 2,850,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/31/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19,724 | 2,545,881 | 1/28/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | — | 26,676 | $ | 2,814,552 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/4/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | 20,912 | 41,824 | — | 2,827,500 | 2/1/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | 26,228 | 52,456 | — | $ | 3,022,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | — | 1/22/2020 | 825,000 | 1,650,000 | 2,475,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2/15/2022 | $ | 750,000 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 2,250,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/31/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14,788 | 1,908,000 | 1/28/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | — | 19,461 | $ | 1,874,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/4/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | 15,679 | 31,359 | — | 2,120,000 | 2/1/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | 19,134 | 38,268 | — | $ | 2,205,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | — | 1/22/2020 | 625,000 | 1,250,000 | 1,875,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2/15/2022 | $ | 625,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,875,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/31/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6,784 | 875,639 | 1/28/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | — | 8,781 | $ | 926,544 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/4/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | 7,192 | 14,385 | — | 972,500 | 2/1/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | 8,634 | 17,269 | — | $ | 995,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | — | 1/22/2020 | 625,000 | 1,250,000 | 1,875,000 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/31/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4,778 | 616,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/4/2020 | 1/22/2020 | — | — | — | — | 5,066 | 10,132 | — | 685,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 100 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Date of Compensation Committee Approval (1) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(4) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($)(2) | Target ($)(2) | Maximum ($)(2) | Threshold (#)(3) | Target (#)(3) | Maximum (#)(3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | — | 2/15/2022 | $ | 625,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,875,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/28/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | — | 6,575 | $ | 693,744 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/1/2022 | 1/18/2022 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | 6,465 | 12,930 | — | $ | 745,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | For a discussion of the Company’s policy with respect to the effective grant dates for |
| (2) | Represents the potential |
| (3) | Represents |
| |
|
| (4) | Stock awards were made in the form of shares of restricted common stock and/or LTIP units at the election of each NEO. Each NEO elected to receive all LTIP units. Dividends are payable on restricted common stock and distributions are payable on the LTIP units to the same extent and on the same date that dividends and distributions are paid on |
| (5) | The amounts included in this column represent the grant date fair |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 101 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 20202022 FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 20202022 pursuant to Item 402(f) of Regulation S-K.
| Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards(1) | Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(3) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(2) | Market ($)(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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | 54,282 | 95.69 | 4/2/2023 | 91,118 | 8,613,385 | 99,987 | 9,451,771 | 54,282 | $ | 95.69 | 4/2/2023 | 105,887 | $ | 7,155,843 | 193,082 | $ | 13,048,482 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | 34,476 | 100.77 | 2/3/2022 | 60,500 | 5,719,065 | 61,036 | 5,769,733 | 41,092 | $ | 98.46 | 2/1/2023 | 72,526 | $ | 4,901,307 | 110,620 | $ | 7,475,700 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41,092 | 98.46 | 2/1/2023 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | — | — | — | 9,749 | 921,573 | 46,111 | 4,358,873 | — | — | — | 5,926 | $ | 400,479 | 83,599 | $ | 5,649,620 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | — | — | — | 23,236 | 2,196,499 | 20,928 | 1,978,324 | — | — | — | 25,777 | $ | 1,742,010 | 39,574 | $ | 2,674,411 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 7,067 | 100.77 | 2/3/2022 | 10,918 | 1,032,079 | 13,918 | 1,315,669 | 8,267 | $ | 98.46 | 2/1/2023 | 19,384 | $ | 1,309,971 | 30,606 | $ | 2,068,353 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8,267 | 98.46 | 2/1/2023 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | This table does not include LTIP unit and restricted common stock awards |
|
|
|
| (2) | The following table sets forth the number of unvested time-based LTIP units and/or shares of restricted common stock, and unvested LTIP units earned under the |
| Award/Grant Date(a) | Mr. Thomas | Mr. Linde | Mr. Ritchey(d) | Mr. LaBelle | Mr. Koop(d) | Mr. Thomas | Mr. Linde | Mr. Ritchey(d) | Mr. LaBelle | Mr. Koop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time-Based Awards(b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/3/2017 | 3,283 | 2,284 | — | 1,607 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/2/2018 | 16,130 | 10,349 | — | 3,823 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/6/2018 | — | — | — | 975 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2/1/2019 | 25,014 | 15,423 | — | 5,574 | 3,717 | 8,338 | 5,141 | — | 1,858 | 1,239 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1/31/2020 | 28,409 | 19,724 | — | 6,784 | 4,778 | 14,205 | 9,862 | — | 3,392 | 2,389 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 MYLTIP Award(c) | 18,282 | 12,720 | 9,749 | 4,473 | 2,423 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1/29/2021 | 33,465 | 23,235 | — | 8,994 | 7,347 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1/28/2022 | 37,533 | 26,676 | — | 8,781 | 6,575 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 MYLTIP Award(c) | 12,346 | 7,612 | 5,926 | 2,752 | 1,834 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | The vesting of time-based LTI equity awards and performance-based LTI equity awards is subject to acceleration under certain circumstances and other exceptions discussed below under “– Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in |
| (b) | Time-based LTI equity awards are scheduled to vest ratably over four years, with 25% of the total award vesting on January 15 of each year beginning January 15 in the year following the grant, based on continued employment through such date. |
| (c) | On February |
| (d) |
|
| (3) | The market value of these holdings is based on the closing price of |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 102 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| (4) | The following table sets forth the number of unearned performance-based LTI equity awards held by each NEO as of December 31, |
| Award(a) | Mr. Thomas | Mr. Linde | Mr. Ritchey | Mr. LaBelle | Mr. Koop | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 MYLTIP Award(b) | 27,390 | 18,060 | 13,256 | 5,760 | 3,535 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Award(c) | 35,784 | 22,064 | 17,176 | 7,975 | 5,317 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Award(d) | 36,813 | 20,912 | 15,679 | 7,193 | 5,066 | |||||||||||||||
Award(a) | Mr. Thomas | Mr. Linde | Mr. Ritchey | Mr. LaBelle | Mr. Koop | |||||||||||||||
2020 MYLTIP Award(b) | 36,813 | 20,912 | 15,679 | 7,193 | 5,066 | |||||||||||||||
2021 MYLTIP Award(c) | 86,606 | 49,197 | 38,366 | 19,044 | 15,555 | |||||||||||||||
2022 MYLTIP Award(d) | 69,663 | 40,511 | 29,554 | 13,337 | 9,985 | |||||||||||||||
| (a) | The vesting of performance-based LTI equity awards is subject to acceleration under certain circumstances discussed below under “– Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in |
| (b) | On February |
|
|
| (c) | On February 2, 2021, the NEOs received 2021 MYLTIP awards. The measurement period for assessing performance ends on February 1, 2024. In accordance with SEC rules, the number of 2021 MYLTIP awards reported in this table represents the sum of the LTIP units that would be earned based on achieving (i) “target” performance with respect to the portion of the LTIP units eligible to be earned based on absolute TSR and (ii) “maximum” performance with respect to the portion of the LTIP units eligible to be earned based on relative TSR. If our absolute and relative TSR performance during the entire performance period are the same as our performance from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, our NEOs would earn (i) a number of LTIP units that is between threshold and target based on absolute TSR and (ii) a number of LTIP units equal to maximum based on TSR relative to a custom peer group index. Subject to the provisions on “Qualified Retirement” and the other terms of the award agreement, after the completion of the three-year performance period all earned awards shall be deemed “vested,“ but may not be converted, redeemed, sold or otherwise transferred for one additional year after the end of the performance measurement period. Therefore, 100% of earned awards, if any, shall vest as of February 1, 2024, based on continued employment through such date, but may not be monetized until February 1, 2025. |
| (d) | On February 1, 2022, the NEOs received 2022 MYLTIP awards. The measurement period for assessing performance ends on January 31, 2025. In accordance with SEC rules, the number of 2022 MYLTIP awards reported in this table represents the sum of the LTIP units that would be earned based on achieving (i) “target” performance with respect to the portion of the LTIP units eligible to be earned based on absolute TSR and (ii) “maximum” performance with respect to the portion of the LTIP units eligible to be earned based on relative TSR. If our absolute and relative TSR performance during the entire performance period are the same as our performance from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, our NEOs would earn (i) a number of LTIP units that is between threshold and target based on absolute TSR and (ii) a number of LTIP units that is between target and maximum based on TSR relative to a custom peer group index. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – III. 2022 Executive Compensation – LTI Equity Compensation – Allocation of LTI Equity Awards – 2022 MYLTIP Structure & Design” beginning on page 86. Subject to the provisions of a “Qualified Retirement” and the other terms of the award agreement, after the completion of the three-year performance period all earned awards shall be deemed “vested,“ but may not be converted, redeemed, sold or otherwise transferred for one additional year after the end of the performance measurement period. Therefore, 100% of earned awards, if any, shall vest as of January 31, 2025, based on continued employment through such date, but may not be monetized until January 31, 2026. |
| | | |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
20202022 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth the aggregate number of options to purchase shares of our common stock exercised by our NEOs in 2020 and the aggregate number of shares of common stock and LTIP units that vested in 2020. The Value Realized on Exercise is the product2022. None of (1) the fair market value of a shareour NEO’s excercised options to purchase shares of our common stock on the date of exercise minus the exercise price, multiplied by (2) the number of shares of common stock underlying the exercised options. The Value Realized on Vesting is the product of (1) the closing price on the NYSE of a share of our common stock on the vesting date (or, if the vesting date was not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading date), multiplied by (2) the number of shares and LTIP units vesting. In each case, the value realized is before payment of any applicable taxes and brokerage commissions.in 2022.
| Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting | Number of Shares/ Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting(1) | ||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | — | — | 57,198 | $ | 8,067,183 | 55,405 | $ | 6,673,234 | ||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | 27,455 | $ | 1,587,136 | 38,819 | $ | 5,479,164 | 36,142 | $ | 4,357,832 | |||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | — | — | 34,119 | $ | 4,887,658 | 29,453 | $ | 3,331,030 | ||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | 16,337 | $ | 617,061 | 15,798 | $ | 2,220,867 | 13,469 | $ | 1,628,770 | |||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop(1) | — | — | 14,592 | $ | 1,801,210 | |||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | 7,800 | $ | 939,499 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
|
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN 20202022
We provide our executives with the opportunity to defer up to 20% of their base salaries and cash bonuses. Deferrals are credited with earnings or losses based upon the executive’s selection of one or more of 2829 measurement funds, which are all publicly traded mutual funds. Executives may change their selection of measurement funds on a daily basis.
The table below summarizes the annual rates of return for the year ended December 31, 20202022 for the 2829 measurement funds:
Name of Fund | Return (%) | ||||||
American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund R6 Class | |||||||
Artisan Mid Cap Fund Institutional Class | |||||||
| |||||||
Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund Class X(1) | |||||||
Dodge & Cox Income Fund Class X(1) | -2.34 | ||||||
Oakmark Equity | |||||||
PIMCO Low Duration Fund Institutional Class | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Value Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund | |||||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund | |||||||
| |||||||
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| | | |
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Name of Fund | Return (%) | |||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund | -16.98 | |||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund | -18.04 | |||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund | -18.86 | |||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund | ||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund | ||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund | ||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund | ||||
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund | -19.27 | |||
T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund | ||||
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral | ||||
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | ||||
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | ||||
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares | ||||
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares | ||||
Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund Class | ||||
Benefits
| (1) | Effective October 31, 2022, the Dodge & Cox Income Fund and the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund were removed from the plan and the balances in those funds were redirected to the Dodge & Cox Income Fund Class X and the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund Class X, respectively. The rates of return for the Dodge & Cox Income Fund and the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund for the year ended December 31, 2022 were -10.87% and -6.78%, respectively. |
Account balances under the deferred compensation plan are generally paid (1) in a lump sum upon the executive’s termination of employment prior to attainment of retirement age (as defined in the plan to be age 55 with five years of service) or the executive’s death, or (2) in a lump sum upon the executive’s actual retirement or annual installments for a period of up to 15 years following such retirement (as previously selected by the executive at the time of deferral) upon the executive’s retirement. Payment. Payments will generally start or be made by the later of (x) January 15 following the year of termination or retirement, or (y) six months after the executive’s termination or retirement, whichever is later.retirement. Executives may also at the time of deferral elect a fixed distribution date, which must be at least five years after the end of the calendar year in which amounts are deferred. The deferred compensation plan also permits an in-service withdrawal of the executive’s account balance attributable to pre-2005 deferrals, subject to a withdrawal penalty equal to 10% of the amount withdrawn.
The following table shows deferrals made by our NEOs tounder the deferred compensation plan during the year ended December 31, 2020,2022, the earnings and withdrawals/distributions during the year, and the aggregate account balance of each NEO under the deferred compensation plan as of December 31, 2020.2022.
| Name | Executive Contributions in 2020(1)(2) | Registrant Contributions in 2020 | Aggregate Earnings in 2020 | Aggregate | Aggregate Balance at 12/31/2020(3) | Executive Contributions in 2022(1)(2) | Registrant Contributions in 2022 | Aggregate Earnings in 2022 | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions | Aggregate Balance at 12/31/2022(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owen D. Thomas | $ | 186,923 | — | $ | 247,622 | — | $ | 1,746,748 | $ | 184,808 | $— | $ | (389,592 | ) | $— | $ | 1,979,143 | |||||||||||||||||||
Douglas T. Linde | — | — | — | — | — | $ | — | $— | $ | — | $— | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond A. Ritchey | — | — | $ | 629,566 | — | $ | 4,674,386 | $ | — | $— | $ | (785,414 | ) | $— | $ | 4,697,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael E. LaBelle | — | — | $ | 253,923 | $ | 199,519 | $ | 1,220,377 | $ | — | $— | $ | (337,448 | ) | $— | $ | 1,123,024 | |||||||||||||||||||
Bryan J. Koop | $ | 228,266 | — | $ | 294,960 | — | $ | 2,314,995 | $ | 256,688 | $— | $ | (476,201 | ) | $— | $ | 2,471,782 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 105 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| (1) | These amounts do not include any contributions out of bonus payments that were made in February |
| (2) | Of the amounts reported in the |
| (3) |
|
Name | Salary for 2022 | Salary for 2021 | Salary for 2020 | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for 2021 (paid in 2022) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for 2020 (paid in 2021) | |||||||||||||||
Mr. Thomas | $ | 184,808 | $ | 180,000 | $ | 186,923 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
Mr. Ritchey | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
Mr. LaBelle | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
Mr. Koop | $ | — | $ | 61,500 | $ | 63,866 | $ | 256,688 | $ | 93,750 | ||||||||||
| |
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We have employment agreements with each of our NEOs. The material terms of these agreements are summarized below.
› SUMMARY OF OWEN D. THOMAS’ EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
We originally hired Mr. Thomas to be our CEO effective April 2, 2013. The initial term of Mr. Thomas’ employment agreement was three years, with automatic one-year renewals commencing on the third and fourth anniversaries of the effective date unless prior written notice of termination was given. The term of Mr. Thomas’ original employment agreement expired on April 2, 2018 on which date we entered into a new employment agreement with him. The following is a summary of Mr. Thomas’ current employment agreement:
Term and Duties
April 2, 2018 through June 30, 2023
As CEO, Mr. Thomas reports directly to the Board of Directors, and must devote substantially all of his working time and efforts to the performance of his duties.
Our Board agreed to continue to nominate Mr. Thomas for re-election to the Board of Directors for so long as he remains CEO, and he has agreed to resign from the Board upon termination of employment.
| • | April 2, 2018 through June 30, 2023. There is no automatic renewal provision. |
| • | As CEO, Mr. Thomas reports directly to the Board of Directors, and he must devote substantially all of his working time and efforts to the performance of his duties. |
| • | Our Board agreed to nominate Mr. Thomas for re-election to the Board of Directors for so long as he remains CEO, and Mr. Thomas has agreed to resign from the Board upon termination of employment. |
| • | Mr. Thomas may participate as an officer or director of, or advisor to, any organization that is not engaged in commercial real estate activities (e.g., Nareit) and also engage in religious, charitable or other community activities, provided that they do not materially restrict his ability to fulfill his obligations to us as |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 106 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Compensation and Benefits
| • | Annual base salary of $875,000, subject to annual review and may be increased but not |
Target annual bonus equal to 250% of his annual base salary, with the actual amount to be determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
| • | Target annual bonus equal to 250% of his annual base salary in effect from time to time, with the actual amount to be determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. |
Incentive equity in an amount determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based on Company and individual performance and competitive peer group information. LTI equity awards may be provided in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and/or LTIP units and may be subject to time-based or performance-based vesting, or both, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
| • | LTI equity awards in amounts determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based on Company and individual performance and competitive peer group information. LTI equity awards may be provided in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and/or LTIP units and may be subject to time-based or performance-based vesting, or both, as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. |
| • | Eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans and programs as in effect from time to time for our senior executive employees, including medical/dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and deferred compensation plans. |
Participation in all of our employee benefit plans or programs as in effect from time to time for our senior executive employees, including medical/dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and deferred compensation plans, plus the use of a Company-owned or leased automobile.
| • | Mr. Thomas is entitled to the use of a Company-owned or leased automobile, a benefit he has declined every year since becoming CEO. |
Severance Benefits and Retirement Eligibility
| • | Mr. Thomas’ employment with us is at-will, but his employment agreement provides for certain payments and benefits to him upon his separation from the Company in certain circumstances (see “– Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below). |
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| • | Mr. Thomas’ employment agreement provides for the acceleration of vesting of all equity awards granted after April 2, 2018 upon attainment of age 62 with 10 years of service (see “– Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below). |
Mr. Thomas is not entitled to participate in any of the Company’s change in control severance plans or programs. As such, Mr. Thomas is not entitled to receive any tax gross-up payments. In the event that any payment or benefit to be paid or provided to Mr. Thomas would be subject to the golden parachute excise tax, the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the excise tax if doing so would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Thomas.
The expiration of Mr. Thomas’ agreement on June 30, 2023 will not constitute or result in a termination of employment by the Company without cause, and the severance provisions (other than retirement eligibility and related benefits) shall not apply.
Restrictive Covenants
While he is an officer and until the later of (1) one year after the termination of his employment for any reason or (2) the latest date of full vesting of any performance-based LTI equity award, Mr. Thomas is prohibited from:
| • | Mr. Thomas is not entitled to participate in any of the Company’s change in control severance plans or programs and he is not entitled to receive any tax gross-up payments. In the event that any payment or benefit to be paid or provided to Mr. Thomas would be subject to the golden parachute excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the excise tax if doing so would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Thomas. |
| • | The expiration of Mr. Thomas’ agreement on June 30, 2023 will not constitute or result in a termination of employment by the Company without cause, and the severance provisions (other than retirement eligibility and related benefits) shall not apply. |
Restrictive Covenants
| • | While he is an officer and until the later of (1) one year after the termination of his employment for any reason or (2) the latest date of full vesting of any performance-based LTI equity award, Mr. Thomas is prohibited from: |
| › | engaging, participating or assisting, directly or indirectly, in the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, or leasing of any commercial real estate property of a type which is the subject of a significant portion of the Company’s business (measured as at least 10% of the Company’s revenues on a trailing 12-month basis) at the time of termination of his employment; |
| › | intentionally interfering with the Company’s relationships with its tenants, suppliers, contractors, lenders or employees or with any governmental agency; or |
| › | competing for, soliciting or diverting the Company’s tenants or employees, either for himself or any other business, person or entity. |
Mr. Thomas is also subject to confidentiality requirements and post-termination litigation and regulatory cooperation obligations.
In addition, the non-competition covenant shall not apply if Mr. Thomas’ employment is terminated following a change in control (as defined in the Boston Properties, Inc. 2012 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the ”2012 Plan”)).
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 107 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| • | The non-competition covenant shall not apply if Mr. Thomas’ employment is terminated following a change in control (as defined in the Boston Properties, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “2021 Plan”)). |
| • | Mr. Thomas is also subject to confidentiality requirements and post-termination litigation and regulatory cooperation obligations. |
› SUMMARY OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS WITH MESSRS. LINDE, RITCHEY, LABELLE AND KOOP
We also have employment agreements with the other NEOs – i.e.,Messrs. Linde, Ritchey, LaBelle and Koop – under which each has agreed to devote substantially all of his business time to our business and affairs. The initial term of each of these employment agreements was two years beginning November 29, 2002 (January 24, 2008 in the case of Mr. LaBelle), with automatic one-year renewals commencing on the second anniversary of the start of the initial term and each anniversary date thereafter unless written notice of termination is given at least 90 days prior to such date by either party. The base salary for each of these NEOs is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and may be increased but not decreased in its discretion. Each NEO is also eligible to receive a cash bonus and equity-based compensation to be determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Similar to Mr. Thomas’ employment agreement, the other NEOs’ employment agreements contain non-competition, non-interference and non-solicitation restrictions (which shall not apply if the NEO’s employment is terminated following a change in control (as defined in the senior executive severance plan)Company’s Senior Executive Severance Plan discussed below)) and permit them to participate as an officer or director of, or advisor to, any charitable or other tax exempt organization only and theonly. The geographic scope of the noncompetition provision in each employment agreement is limited to our markets at the time of termination of theirthe NEO’s employment. In consideration for the benefits and protections afforded by the employment agreements, each of these NEOs agreed to confidentiality, non-competition, non-interference and non-solicitation covenants and to provide to the Company post-termination litigation and regulatory cooperation. These NEOs’ employment with us is at-will, but their employment agreements also provide for certain payments and benefits to them upon separation from the Company in certain circumstances as described below under “– Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” below.
› SUMMARY OF MR. RITCHEY’S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Mr. Ritchey has served as our Senior Executive Vice President since January 2016 and has been employed by BXP since 1980. On November 29, 2002, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ritchey, the form of which was similar to the employment agreements with our other NEOs described above (the “Ritchey 2002 Agreement”). On February 28, 2023, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Ritchey (the “ Ritchey 2023 Agreement”). The following is a summary of the Ritchey 2023 Agreement:
Term, Duties and Outside Activities
| • | February 28, 2023 through December 31, 2023. There is no automatic renewal provision. |
| • | Mr. Ritchey must, on average, devote at least 50% of his business time to BXP’s business and affairs. |
| • | During and following the term of the Ritchey 2023 Agreement, he may engage or invest in other business activities, including those that might be the same or similar to our business, subject to certain limitations with respect to Corporate Opportunities (as discussed below). |
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| • | Annual base salary of $750,000. |
| • | Target annual bonus for the year ending December 31, 2023 of $1,650,000, with the actual amount to be determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based on Company and individual performance measured against a pre-established set of goals, and taking into account any business generated by the Company pursuant to a Corporate Opportunity, subject to continued employment through December 31, 2023, except in the event of certain qualified terminations. |
| • | Not eligible to receive new grants of LTI equity awards. |
| • | Eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans and programs as in effect from time to time for our senior executive employees, including medical/dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and deferred compensation plans. |
| • | Entitled to an automobile allowance. |
Severance Benefits and Retirement Eligibility
| • | Mr. Ritchey is not entitled to participate in any of the Company’s change in control severance plans or programs and he is not entitled to receive any tax gross-up payments. In the event that any payment or benefit to be paid or provided to Mr. Ritchey would be subject to the golden parachute excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the excise tax if doing so would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Ritchey. |
| • | If Mr. Ritchey’s employment is terminated by the Company without “Cause” or by Mr. Ritchey for “Good Reason” and he enters into a general release of claims and such release becomes effective, he will be entitled to the following payments or benefits: |
| › | salary continuation for the period from the date of termination through December 31, 2023, |
| › | payment of the 2023 target annual bonus amount, and |
| › | continued participation in the Company’s health insurance plan for 12 months. |
| • | The expiration of the Ritchey 2023 Agreement will not constitute or result in a termination of employment by the Company without Cause. |
| • | If Mr. Ritchey’s employment is terminated due to death or disability he will be entitled to the following payments or benefits: (i) payment of the 2023 target bonus amount prorated for the number of days he was employed by the Company in 2023 and (ii) continued participation in the Company’s health insurance plan for 18 months. |
| • | In connection with any termination, the Ritchey 2023 Agreement provides that outstanding and unvested equity awards held by Mr. Ritchey will be governed by the terms of the award agreements evidencing such awards, provided that, for purposes of performance-based LTI equity awards, any termination other than a termination by the Company for Cause shall be considered a “Qualified Retirement” as defined below. |
Restrictive Covenants
| • | Subject to certain qualified terminations under the Ritchey 2023 Agreement that may shorten the duration to the longer of the period until December 31, 2023 or three months from the date of termination, during the term of his employment and for a period of one year following the term, Mr. Ritchey may not: |
| › | pursue an actual or potential investment or business opportunity in which the Company could have an interest or expectancy that are within the Company’s geographic market areas and that involve property types that are within the scope of the Company’s business activities (a “Corporate Opportunity”), other than minority interest passive investments, unless he first presents the Corporate Opportunity to the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Ritchey 2023 Agreement and the Company elects not to pursue such Corporate Opportunity; |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 109 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| › | intentionally interfere with the Company’s relationships with its tenants, suppliers, contractors, lenders or employees or with any governmental agency; or |
| › | compete for, solicit or divert the Company’s tenants or employees, either for himself or any other business, person or entity. |
| • | Mr. Ritchey is also subject to confidentiality requirements and post-termination litigation and regulatory cooperation obligations. |
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Each NEO has the right to receive severance and other benefits in the event of a termination of his employment under different circumstances pursuant to their employment agreements (discussed under “–— Employment Agreements” above) and, except for Mr. Thomas, the Company’s Senior Executive Severance Plan. In addition, our LTI equity award agreements (including performance-based MYLTIP awards) provide for the vesting and forfeiture of LTI equity awards under different circumstances.termination scenarios. The availability, nature and amount of severance and other benefits differ depending on whether the triggering event is:
a termination by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the applicable agreement or plan) or by the NEO with “good reason” (as defined in the applicable agreement or plan) prior to a change in control,
| • | a termination by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the applicable agreement or plan) or by the NEO with “good reason” (as defined in the applicable agreement or plan) prior to a change in control, |
a termination by the Company without “cause” or by the NEO with “good reason” within 24 months following a change in control,
| • | a termination by the Company without “cause” or by the NEO with “good reason” within 24 months following a change in control, |
a change in control without termination,
| • | a change in control without termination, |
termination due to death or disability, or
| • | termination due to death or disability, or |
a qualified retirement.
| • | a qualified retirement. |
Upon a voluntary termination by the NEO, other than for “good reason” or a qualified retirement, or a termination by the Company with “cause,” the NEOs areNEO is not entitled to any additional or special payments under any plan, agreement or arrangement, and any unvested LTI equity awards will be immediately forfeited.
› EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL PAYMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLANBENEFITS
The following chart summarizes payments and benefits that (1) our CEO is eligible to receive under his employment agreement, (2) Mr. Ritchey was eligible to receive as of December 31, 2022 under the Ritchey 2002 Agreement and (2) the NEOs other than our CEOSenior Executive Severance Plan, (3) Messrs. Linde, LaBelle and Koop are eligible to receive under their respective employment agreements and our Senior Executive Severance Plan. NEOs other than our CEO participate inPlan and (4) each NEO is entitled to receive under his performance-based LTI equity award agreements. Prior to entering into the Ritchey 2023 Agreement on February 28, 2023, Mr. Ritchey was a covered employee under our Senior Executive Severance Plan. Mr. Thomas has never been a covered employee under the Senior Executive Severance Plan whereasand the severance and benefits to which our CEOhe is entitled following a termination within twenty-four (24) months after a change in control are provided in his employment agreement.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 110 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| Scenario | Component | |||
Termination by the Company without “Cause” or by the NEO for “Good Reason” without a Change in Control | Bonus | • All NEOs: Target bonus prorated for the number of days employed in the year of termination | ||
| Cash Severance | • Mr. Thomas: 2x the sum of his base salary plus the amount of cash bonus, if any, received or payable with respect to the preceding year (but not less than his target bonus)
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• Other NEOs: 1x the sum of base salary plus amount of cash bonus, if any, received or payable with respect to the preceding year | ||||
| Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | • Mr. Thomas: Additional 24 months of vesting
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• Other NEOs: Additional 12 months of vesting | ||||
• All NEOs: The number of LTIP units the NEO will earn, if any, will be determined at the end of the applicable three-year performance period based on our performance and will then be prorated based on the portion of the three-year performance period during which the NEO was employed by us. | ||||
• Any earned LTIP Units will not be subject to forfeiture but the NEO will not be permitted to transfer the LTIP units until they otherwise would have vested under the terms of the awards. | ||||
| Health Benefits | • Participation by the NEO, his spouse and dependents, subject to payment of premiums at active employees’ rate
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• Mr. Thomas: Up to 24 months
• Other NEOs: Up to 12 months | ||||
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| Scenario | Component | |||
Termination by the Company without “Cause” or by the NEO for “Good Reason” within 24 Months after a Change in Control | Bonus | • Mr. Thomas: Target bonus prorated for the number of days employed in the year of termination
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• Other NEOs: Not applicable | ||||
| Cash Severance | • | |||
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| Time-Based LTI Equity Awards | • Full vesting for all NEOs | |||
| Health Benefits | • All NEOs: Participation by the NEO, his spouse and dependents for up to 36 months, subject to payment of premiums at active employees’ rate | |||
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• Other NEOs are entitled to receive a tax gross-up payment in the event they become subject to the golden parachute excise tax (as discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis | ||||
| Other Benefits | • All NEOs: Financial counseling, tax preparation assistance and outplacement counseling for up to 36 months | |||
Change in Control Without Termination | Performance-Based LTI Equity Awards(2) | • All NEOs The number of LTIP units the NEO will earn, if any, will be determined as of the date of the change in control based on our performance through such date. | ||
• Any earned LTIP units will not be prorated based on service time and will be fully vested. | ||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 112 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| Scenario | Component | |||
Termination due to Death or Disability | Bonus | • | ||
| Time-Based LTI Equity Awards |
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• All NEOs: The number of LTIP units the NEO will earn, if any, will be determined at the end of the applicable three-year performance period based on our performance. | ||||
• Any earned LTIP units will not be prorated based on service time and will be fully vested. | ||||
| Health Benefits | • All NEOs: Participation by the NEO, his spouse and dependents for up to 18 months, subject to payment of premiums at active employees’ rate | |||
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Receipt of these payments and benefits (other than the prorated target bonus) is subject to the NEO’s execution of a general release of claims |
| (2) | The above tables summarize the treatment of performance-based LTI equity awards (e.g., MYLTIP awards) assuming each of the foregoing scenarios occurs prior to the end of the applicable three-year performance period. In the case of each of the foregoing scenarios following the end of the applicable three-year performance period, any LTIP units that had been earned prior to the date of such termination or change in control will become fully vested, but, in the case of a termination by the Company without “cause” or by the NEO for “good reason” without a change in control, the NEO will not be permitted to transfer the LTIP units until they otherwise would have the right to transfer the LTIP units under the terms of the awards. |
› DOUBLE-TRIGGER ACCELERATION OF VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS UPON A CHANGE INOF CONTROL
Time-based LTI equity award agreements include “double-trigger” vesting provisions, meaning that, if there is a “change in control” (as defined in the 20122021 Plan) and the awards are not otherwise cancelled in connection with the change in control transaction, then they only become fully vested if, within 24 months after the change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company or its successor without “cause” or the NEO resigns for “good reason.”
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› PERFORMANCE-BASED LTI EQUITY AWARDS
The treatment of performance-based LTI equity awards (e.g., MYLTIP awards) upon certain terminations of employment or a change in control is governed by the NEOs’ relevant award agreements. The following chart summarizes the treatment of these awards under each scenario assuming it occurs prior to the end of the applicable three-year performance period.
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In the case of each of the foregoing scenarios following the end of the applicable three-year performance period, any LTIP units that had been earned prior to the date of such termination or change in control will become fully vested, but, in the case of a termination by the Company without “cause” or by the NEO for “good reason” without a change in control, the NEO will not be permitted to transfer the LTIP units until they otherwise would have vested under the terms of the awards.
› RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY PROVISIONS FOR LTI EQUITY AWARDS
Retirement Provisions
Mr. Thomas. Pursuant to Mr. Thomas’ employment agreement, all award agreements for LTI equity grantedaward agreements after April 2, 2018 shall provide that if Mr. Thomas is employed by us when he attains age 62 and has completed at least ten (10) years of employment with us, then his time-based LTI equity awards and performance-based LTI equity awards that are earned will vest in full (without any proration of the award based on service time).
The full number of LTIP units Mr. Thomas earns (if any) under any performance-based LTI equity awards for which the performance period has not ended will be determined in the same manner and at the same time as otherwise would have been the case if he had remained employed through the full performance period for the applicable award, including, without limitation, with respect to performance hurdles and lapse of restrictions on transfer, without any proration of the award due to service time, and with all service-based vesting requirements deemed satisfied, so long as he agrees to be bound by the post-employment non-competition, non-interference and non-solicitation covenants (which are otherwise applicable until the later of (1) one (1) year following termination and (2) the latest date of full vesting of any performance-based LTI equity award).
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 113 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
NEOs other than Mr. Thomas. The agreements governing time-based LTI equity awards and performance-based LTI equity awards granted to NEOs other than Mr. Thomas provide that the time-based LTI equity awards and performance-based LTI equity awards that are earned will fully vest when the employee retires after the date on which the sum of the employee’s years of service plus age (which must be at least 58) equals or exceeds 70 (the so-called “Rule of 70”) (“Qualified Retirement”); provided that the NEO satisfies the other conditions of a “Qualified Retirement,” which require the employee to: (1) give prior written notice to the Company of his retirement (for NEOs, six (6) months’ notice is required), (2) enter into a separation agreement with the Company and (3) remain employed by the Company until the retirement date specified in such notice, unless employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by the employee for “good reason.”
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| • | remain employed by the Company until the retirement date specified in such notice, unless employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by the employee for “good reason.” |
If an NEO retires after satisfying the conditions for a Qualified Retirement, the number of LTIP units the NEO earns (if any) under performance-based LTI equity awards will be determined in the same manner and at the same time as otherwise would have been the case if he had remained employed through the entire performance period for the applicable award, including with respect to performance hurdles and lapse of restrictions on transfer, without any proration of the award due to service time. Any earned, unvested LTIP units will no longer be subject to forfeiture but the NEO will not be permitted to transfer the LTIP units until they otherwise would have vestedthe right to transfer the LTIP units under the terms of the awards.
Pre-2019 Policy
Time-based LTI equity awards granted prior to 2019 provide that when an employee attains age 65, or attains age 62 and completes 20 years of service with us, the employee becomes fully vested in all time-based LTI equity awards (the “Pre-2019 Policy”). In addition, time-based LTI awards made to employees who, on or prior to January 31, 2019, attained age 65 or attained age 62 with 20 years of service are “grandfathered”retain their status under the Pre-2019 Policy such that subsequent time-based LTI awards will continue to be fully vested on the date of grant.
NEOs Eligible for Retirement as of December 31, 20202022
Based on their respective ages and tenure as of December 31, 2020:2022:
Each of Messrs. Ritchey and Koop is eligible for a Qualified Retirement with respect to awards granted in 2020 and subsequent thereto.
| • | Each of Messrs. Linde, LaBelle and Koop is eligible for a Qualified Retirement (i.e., they satisfied the Rule of 70) with respect to all time-based and performance based LTI equity awards granted in 2019 and thereafter. |
Mr. Ritchey satisfied the Pre-2019 Policy and is grandfathered under such policy with respect to his time-based LTI equity awards. Therefore, all of Mr. Ritchey’s time-based equity awards were fully vested as of December 31, 2020 and subsequent awards will continue to vest on the grant date.
Mr. Koop attained age 62 with 20 years of service on August 18, 2020, and as a result, all of Mr. Koop’s unvested time-based equity awards that were granted prior to January 1, 2019 fully vested on that date.
› ESTIMATED PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following tables show the potential payments and benefits that would have been provided to our NEOs assuming each scenario occurred on December 31, 2020.
| Scenario | Payments and Benefits Upon Termination | Owen D. Thomas | Douglas T. Linde | Raymond A. Ritchey | Michael E. LaBelle | Bryan J. Koop | ||||||||||||||||
Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 1,900,000 | $ | 1,650,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | |||||||||||
| Severance | $ | 6,900,000 | $ | 2,845,000 | $ | 2,560,000 | $ | 1,805,000 | $ | 1,780,000 | ||||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2) | $ | 6,482,395 | $ | 2,859,533 | $ | 921,573 | $ | 1,137,385 | $ | 459,038 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,652,730 | $ | 1,089,752 | $ | 799,853 | $ | 347,587 | $ | 213,288 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 708,522 | $ | 436,849 | $ | 340,071 | $ | 157,916 | $ | 105,237 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 84,153 | $ | 47,806 | $ | 35,833 | $ | 16,431 | $ | 11,573 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 48,523 | $ | 24,261 | $ | 22,056 | $ | 24,261 | $ | 22,056 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,226,323 | $ | 9,203,201 | $ | 6,329,386 | $ | 4,738,580 | $ | 3,841,192 | ||||||||||||
| • | Mr. Ritchey satisfied the Pre-2019 Policy and thus retains his status under such policy with respect to his time-based LTI equity awards. Therefore, all of Mr. Ritchey’s time-based equity awards were fully vested as of December 31, 2022. Mr. Ritchey is also eligible for a Qualified Retirement with respect to all performance-based LTI equity awards granted in 2019 and thereafter. |
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| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| Scenario | Payments and Benefits Upon Termination | Owen D. Thomas | Douglas T. Linde | Raymond A. Ritchey | Michael E. LaBelle | Bryan J. Koop | ||||||||||||||||
Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change in Control(4) | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Severance | $ | 10,550,000 | $ | 8,460,000 | $ | 8,200,000 | $ | 5,600,000 | $ | 5,430,000 | ||||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2) | $ | 8,613,385 | $ | 5,719,065 | $ | 921,573 | $ | 2,196,499 | $ | 1,032,079 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,708,913 | $ | 1,126,798 | $ | 827,043 | $ | 359,403 | $ | 220,538 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,116,305 | $ | 688,273 | $ | 535,796 | $ | 248,803 | $ | 165,806 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 278,391 | $ | 158,149 | $ | 118,541 | $ | 54,355 | $ | 38,285 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 72,784 | $ | 75,214 | $ | 68,598 | $ | 75,214 | $ | 68,598 | ||||||||||||
| Other Benefits(5) | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | ||||||||||||
| Excise Tax Gross-Up(6) | — | $ | 4,364,986 | $ | 3,865,898 | $ | 2,747,823 | $ | 2,647,611 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 24,839,778 | $ | 20,742,485 | $ | 14,687,449 | $ | 11,432,097 | $ | 9,752,917 | ||||||||||||
Change in Control Without Termination | 2018 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,708,913 | $ | 1,126,798 | $ | 827,043 | $ | 359,403 | $ | 220,538 | |||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,116,305 | $ | 688,273 | $ | 535,796 | $ | 248,803 | $ | 165,806 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 278,391 | $ | 158,149 | $ | 118,541 | $ | 54,355 | $ | 38,285 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,103,609 | $ | 1,973,220 | $ | 1,481,380 | $ | 662,561 | $ | 424,629 | ||||||||||||
Death or Disability | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 1,900,000 | $ | 1,650,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | |||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2) | $ | 8,613,385 | $ | 5,719,065 | $ | 921,573 | $ | 2,196,499 | $ | 1,032,079 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,708,913 | $ | 1,126,798 | $ | 827,043 | $ | 359,403 | $ | 220,538 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 1,116,305 | $ | 688,273 | $ | 535,796 | $ | 248,803 | $ | 165,806 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | $ | 278,391 | $ | 158,149 | $ | 118,541 | $ | 54,355 | $ | 38,285 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 36,392 | $ | 36,392 | $ | 33,084 | $ | 36,392 | $ | 33,084 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 14,103,386 | $ | 9,628,677 | $ | 4,086,037 | $ | 4,145,452 | $ | 2,739,792 | ||||||||||||
Qualified Retirement | Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2) | — | — | $ | 921,573 | — | $ | 1,032,079 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | — | — | $ | 827,043 | — | $ | 220,538 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | — | — | $ | 535,796 | — | $ | 165,806 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(1)(3) | — | — | $ | 118,541 | — | $ | 38,285 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | — | — | $ | 2,402,953 | — | $ | 1,456,708 | |||||||||||||||
› ESTIMATED PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following tables show the potential payments and benefits to which our NEOs would have been entitled assuming each scenario occurred on December 31, 2022.
| Scenario | Payments and Benefits Upon Termination | Owen D. Thomas | Douglas T. Linde | Raymond A. Ritchey(1) | Michael E. LaBelle | Bryan J. Koop | ||||||||||||||||
Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 1,900,000 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | |||||||||||
| Severance | $ | 8,312,500 | $ | 3,387,500 | $ | 3,018,750 | $ | 2,143,750 | $ | 2,136,250 | ||||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(2)(3) | $ | 5,133,715 | $ | 2,169,183 | $ | 400,479 | $ | 777,102 | $ | 564,901 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 1,181,158 | $ | 670,990 | $ | 503,095 | $ | 230,757 | $ | 162,525 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 3,275,349 | $ | 1,860,543 | $ | 1,450,961 | $ | 720,194 | $ | 588,251 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 671,423 | $ | 390,461 | $ | 284,846 | $ | 284,056 | $ | 96,236 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 48,132 | $ | 24,066 | $ | 21,878 | $ | 24,066 | $ | 21,878 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 20,972,277 | $ | 10,402,743 | $ | 7,180,009 | $ | 5,429,925 | $ | 4,820,041 | ||||||||||||
Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change in Control(5) | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
| Severance | $ | 9,825,000 | $ | 7,982,500 | $ | 7,442,600 | $ | 5,426,250 | $ | 4,981,250 | ||||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(2)(3) | $ | 7,155,843 | $ | 4,901,307 | $ | 400,479 | $ | 1,742,010 | $ | 1,309,971 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 1,219,008 | $ | 692,492 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 238,152 | $ | 167,734 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 5,191,949 | $ | 2,949,256 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 1,141,623 | $ | 932,471 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 2,288,747 | $ | 1,331,002 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 949,549 | $ | 328,050 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 72,198 | $ | 74,628 | $ | 68,065 | $ | 74,628 | $ | 68,065 | ||||||||||||
| Other Benefits(6) | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | ||||||||||||
| Excise Tax Gross-Up(7) | $ | 0 | $ | 5,857,667 | $ | 4,675,120 | $ | 3,458,311 | $ | 3,045,130 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 28,252,745 | $ | 23,938,852 | $ | 16,526,468 | $ | 13,180,523 | $ | 10,982,671 | ||||||||||||
Change in Control Without Termination | 2020 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 1,219,008 | $ | 692,492 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 238,152 | $ | 167,734 | |||||||||||
| 2021 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 5,191,949 | $ | 2,949,256 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 1,141,623 | $ | 932,471 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 2,288,747 | $ | 1,331,002 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 949,549 | $ | 328,050 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,699,704 | $ | 4,972,750 | $ | 3,790,204 | $ | 2,329,324 | $ | 1,428,255 | ||||||||||||
Death or Disability | Bonus | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 1,900,000 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,250,000 | |||||||||||
| Unvested Equity Awards(2)(3) | $ | 7,155,843 | $ | 4,901,307 | $ | 400,479 | $ | 1,742,010 | $ | 1,309,971 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 1,219,008 | $ | 692,492 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 238,152 | $ | 167,734 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 5,191,949 | $ | 2,949,256 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 1,141,623 | $ | 932,471 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | 2,288,747 | $ | 1,331,002 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 949,549 | $ | 328,050 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits Continuation | $ | 36,099 | $ | 36,099 | $ | 32,818 | $ | 36,099 | $ | 32,818 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,241,646 | $ | 11,810,156 | $ | 5,723,501 | $ | 5,357,433 | $ | 4,021,044 | ||||||||||||
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 115 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| Scenario | Payments and Benefits Upon Termination | Owen D. Thomas | Douglas T. Linde | Raymond A. Ritchey(1) | Michael E. LaBelle | Bryan J. Koop | ||||||||||||||||
Qualified Retirement | Unvested Equity Awards(2)(3) | $ | — | $ | 4,901,307 | $ | 400,479 | $ | 1,742,010 | $ | 1,309,971 | |||||||||||
| 2020 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | — | $ | 692,492 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 238,152 | $ | 167,734 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | — | $ | 2,949,256 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 1,141,623 | $ | 932,471 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 MYLTIP Awards(2)(4) | $ | — | $ | 1,331,002 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 949,549 | $ | 328,050 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | — | $ | 9,874,057 | $ | 4,190,683 | $ | 4,071,334 | $ | 2,738,226 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | The above table discloses potential payments and benefits Mr. Ritchey would have been entitled to receive under the Ritchey 2002 Agreement that was in effect on December 31, 2022. If the Ritchey 2023 Agreement was in effect on December 31, 2022, he would have been entitled to the following potential payments and benefits: |
| Payments and Benefits upon Termination(a) | Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination | Involuntary Not for Cause or Good Reason Termination Following Change in Control(5) | Change in Control Without Termination | Death or Disability | Qualified Retirement | ||||||||||||||||||||
Severance | $ | 1,650,000 | $ | 1,650,000 | $ | — | $ | 1,650,000 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Unvested Equity Awards | $ | 400,479 | $ | 400,479 | $ | — | $ | 400,479 | $ | 400,479 | |||||||||||||||
2020 MYLTIP Awards | $ | 519,217 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 519,217 | $ | 519,217 | |||||||||||||||
2021 MYLTIP Awards | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 2,300,003 | $ | 2,300,003 | |||||||||||||||
2022 MYLTIP Awards | $ | 970,984 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 970,984 | $ | 970,984 | |||||||||||||||
Benefits Continuation | $ | 21,878 | $ | 21,878 | $ | — | $ | 32,818 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,862,561 | $ | 5,862,561 | $ | 3,790,204 | $ | 5,862,561 | $ | 4,190,683 | |||||||||||||||
| (a) | Under the Ritchey 2023 Agreement, Mr. Ritchey is not entitled to receive tax gross-up payments in the event he becomes subject to the golden parachute excise tax. Instead, if any payment or benefit to be paid or provided to Mr. Ritchey would be subject to the golden parachute excise tax, the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of such tax if doing so would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Ritchey. The amounts set forth in the table above have not been adjusted to reflect any such reduction that might apply |
| (2) | Restricted common stock, LTIP units and LTIP units that would have been earned pursuant to |
Includes the following unvested shares of restricted common stock and LTIP units (including outstanding performance-based LTI equity awards for which the three-year performance period has ended and that have been earned (i.e., |
| • | Involuntary not for cause termination or a good reason termination prior to a change in control: Mr. Thomas — |
| • | Involuntary not for cause termination or a good reason termination within 24 months following a change in control and death or disability: Mr. Thomas — |
| • | Qualified Retirement: Mr. Linde — 72,526 LTIP units; Mr. Ritchey — |
As of December 31, |
| | | |
|
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
MYLTIP awards also includes a “catch-up” cash payment on the number of LTIP units that are ultimately earned in an amount equal to the regular and special distributions declared from the first day of the applicable performance period through December 31, 2022 on an equal number of shares BXP common stock, less the distributions actually paid to holders of 2021 MYLTIP awards and 2022 MYLTIP awards on all of the awarded 2021 MYLTIP awards and 2022 MYLTIP Awards. |
| (5) | Assumes termination occurs simultaneously with a change in control. |
Includes outplacement services valued at 15% of the sum of current base salary plus bonus with respect to the immediately preceding year up to a maximum of $75,000 paid in a lump sum, and financial counseling and tax preparation services valued at $25,000 per year for 36 months. |
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Thomas is not entitled to receive tax gross-up payments in the event he becomes subject to the golden parachute excise tax. Instead, if any payment or benefit to be paid or provided to Mr. Thomas would be subject to the golden parachute excise tax, the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of such tax if |
The above discussion and the amounts shown in the above tables do not include payments and benefits to the extent they have been earned prior to the termination of employment or are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees upon termination of employment. These include:
| • | accrued salary and |
| • | distribution of plan balances under our 401(k) plan and the non-qualified deferred compensation plan (see “ |
| • | life insurance proceeds in the event of death. |
life insurance proceeds in the event of death.
As required by SEC regulations, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of Mr. Thomas, our CEO:
For 2020,2022, our last completed fiscal year:
the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than our CEO) was $108,126; and
| • | the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than our CEO) was $127,081; and |
| • | the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 99, was $13,050,788. |
the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 77, was $10,737,289.
Based on this information, for 2020,2022, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Thomas to the median of the annual total compensation of all other employees was99 102.7 to 1.
We identified the median employee by totaling (1) cash compensation (i.e., wages, overtime and bonus) as reflected on our payroll records for 20202022 and (2) the value of LTI equity awards that were granted in 20202022 and subject to time-based vesting, for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who we employed on December 31, 20202022 (whether on a full-time, part-time, temporary or seasonal basis). In addition, we annualized the wages of full-time employees who were hired during 20202022 but did not work for us the entire fiscal year. We did not make any other assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation or LTI compensation.
After identifying the median employee, we
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 117 |
| 8› | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
We calculated annual total compensation for 20202022 for the median employee using the same methodology we use for our NEOs as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
| |
|
As of December 31, 2020,2022, we employed 740769 full-time and 1011 part-time employees, all of whom are located in the United States. The average tenure of our employee population was 9.89.5 years. The average tenure of our officers and non-officers was 18.217.6 years and 8.78.3 years, respectively. Our employees are organized into the following functions:
Function | Number of Employees | |||
Accounting | ||||
Accounting Operations | ||||
Administrative | ||||
Construction | ||||
Development | ||||
Executive Management | ||||
Finance & Capital Markets | ||||
Human Resources | ||||
Function | Number of Employees | |||
Information Systems | ||||
Internal Audit | ||||
Leasing | ||||
Legal & Risk Management | ||||
Marketing | ||||
Property Management | ||||
| 3 | |||
SEC regulations permit registrants to use reasonable estimates and certain prescribed alternative methodologies. As a result, our calculation of the CEO pay ratio may differ from the calculations used by other companies and may not be comparable.
The Compensation Committee of Boston Properties has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
Kelly A. Ayotte, Chair
Carol B. Einiger
David A. Twardock
William H. Walton, III
| | | |
|
8 › | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for CEO (1) (2) | Compensation Actually Paid to CEO (3) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Other NEOs (1)(2) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Other NEOs (3) | BXP Total Stockholder Return | Peer Group Total Stockholder Return (4) | Net Income (in millions) (5) | FFO Per Share (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 13,050,788 | $ | 2,646,769 | $ | 5,794,249 | $ | 2,530,706 | $ | 55.54 | $ | 62.07 | $ | 848.9 | $ | 7.53 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 12,894,537 | $ | 19,747,684 | $ | 6,017,281 | $ | 8,297,877 | $ | 90.43 | $ | 99.51 | $ | 496.2 | $ | 6.56 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 10,737,289 | $ | (220,724 | ) | $ | 4,677,157 | $ | 1,126,865 | $ | 71.65 | $ | 81.56 | $ | 862.2 | $ | 6.29 | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | For all periods presented, our CEO is Owen D. Thomas and our Other NEOs are Douglas T. Linde, Raymond A. Ritchey, Michael E. LaBelle and Bryan J. Koop. |
| (2) | The amounts in this column reflect the “Total” compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) on page 99 of this proxy statement for our CEO and Other NEOs. See the footnotes to the SCT for further detail regarding the amounts in this column. |
| (3) | In accordance with SEC rules, CAP is computed by replacing the amounts in the “Stock Awards” column of the SCT from the “Summary Compensation Table Total” column in this table with the amounts in the “Equity Award Adjustments” column in the table below, which includes the following amounts: (i) the fair value of as of the last day of the applicable year of unvested LTI equity awards that were granted during such year, (ii) as of the applicable vesting date, the fair value of LTI equity awards granted in the applicable year that vested during such year, (iii) as of the last day of the applicable year, the change in fair value of unvested LTI equity awards granted in prior years that remain unvested as of the last day of the applicable year compared to the last day of the previous year, (iv) as of the applicable vesting date, the change in fair value of LTI equity awards that vested during the applicable year compared to the last day of the previous year and (v) the value of dividends paid in cash on unvested LTI equity awards during the applicable year. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to our CEO or Other NEOs during the applicable year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, CAP for our CEO and Average Cap for our Other NEOs was computed as follows: |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 119 |
8 › | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Year | Summary Compensation Table Total | Grant Date Value of Equity Awards Reported in the Summary Compensation Table Total | Equity Award Adjustments (a) | Compensation Actually Paid | ||||||||||||
CEO | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 13,050,788 | $ | (9,157,428 | ) | $ | (1,246,591 | ) | $ | 2,646,769 | ||||||
| 2021 | $ | 12,894,537 | $ | (8,745,377 | ) | $ | 15,598,524 | $ | 19,747,684 | |||||||
| 2020 | $ | 10,737,289 | $ | (8,644,379 | ) | $ | (2,313,634 | ) | $ | (220,724 | ) | |||||
Average for Other NEOs | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 5,794,249 | $ | (3,319,148 | ) | $ | 55,605 | $ | 2,530,706 | |||||||
| 2021 | $ | 6,017,281 | $ | (3,329,155 | ) | $ | 5,609,751 | $ | 8,297,877 | |||||||
| 2020 | $ | 4,677,157 | $ | (3,137,755 | ) | $ | (412,537 | ) | $ | 1,126,865 | ||||||
| (a) | The amounts in this column are further detailed below. |
Year | Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Applicable Year (i)(ii) | Change in Value of Prior Years’ Awards Unvested at Applicable Year End (i) | Change in Value of Prior Years’ Awards that Vested in the Applicable Year (ii) | Dividends Paid on Unvested Equity Awards During the Applicable Year | Total Equity Award Adjustments | |||||||||||||||
CEO | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 5,183,625 | $ | (7,437,052 | ) | $ | 642,971 | $ | 363,865 | $ | (1,246,591 | ) | ||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 13,972,914 | $ | 1,493,773 | $ | (206,106 | ) | $ | 337,943 | $ | 15,598,524 | |||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 4,950,613 | $ | (7,796,208 | ) | $ | 251,319 | $ | 280,642 | $ | (2,313,634 | ) | ||||||||
Average for Other NEOs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | 2,148,528 | $ | (2,412,962 | ) | $ | 203,632 | $ | 116,407 | $ | 55,605 | |||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 5,185,663 | $ | 427,396 | $ | (95,399 | ) | $ | 92,091 | $ | 5,609,751 | |||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 2,020,765 | $ | (2,568,567 | ) | $ | 58,798 | $ | 76,467 | $ | (412,537 | ) | ||||||||
| (i) | The fair values of time-based LTI equity awards are based on the closing price of BXP common stock as reported on the NYSE on the relevant valuation date. Performance-based LTI equity awards were valued on the relevant valuation date using a Monte Carlo simulation model in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718. |
| (ii) | Includes the fair value of (x) LTI equity awards granted during the applicable year that remain unvested as of the end of the applicable year and (y) LTI equity awards granted during the applicable year that vested during the applicable year. |
| (3) | The calculations of TSR assume an investment of $100 in each of BXP and the FTSE Nareit Office REIT Index (the “Office REIT Index”) on December 31, 2019, and the reinvestment of dividends. The historical TSR information is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The data shown is based on the stock prices or index values, as applicable, at the end of each year shown. |
| (4) | The Office REIT Index includes all office REITs included in the FTSE Nareit Equity REIT Total Return Index (the “Equity REIT Index”). The Equity REIT Index includes all tax-qualified equity REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Equity REITs are defined as those with 75% or more of their gross invested book value of assets invested directly or indirectly in the equity ownership of real estate. |
| (5) | Represents net income attributable to Boston Properties, Inc. common shareholders. |
| (6) | Represents diluted Funds From Operations (“FFO”) per share. For 2021, FFO is adjusted for certain transactions in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Annual Incentive Plan. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 120 |
8 › | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 121 |
8 › | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 122 |
8 › | COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
| (1) | For 2021, FFO is adjusted for certain transactions in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Annual Incentive Plan. For disclosures required by Regulation G, refer to Appendix A to this proxy statement. |
Performance Measures |
| Diluted FFO Per Share |
| Leasing |
| TSR |
| Relative TSR |
| Same Property NOI |
| Development Activities |
| ESG |
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 123 |
| 9› | PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION |
ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Section 14A(a)(1) of the Exchange Act generally requires each public company to include in its proxy statement a separate resolution subject to a non-binding stockholder vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, as disclosed in its proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, not less frequently than once every three years. This is commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal or resolution.
At our 2011 and 2017 annual meetingmeetings of stockholders, our stockholders voted on among other matters, a proposal regarding the frequency of holding a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs. More than 85% of the votes cast on the frequency proposal in both years were cast in favor of holding a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs every year, which was consistent with the recommendation of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors considered the voting results with respect to the frequency proposal and other factors and the Board of Directors currently intends forcaused the Company to hold a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs every year until thesince 2011. The next required advisory vote on the frequency of holding the non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs which will occur not later thanat the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. See “Proposal 3: Frequency of Named Executive Officer Compensation.”
Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the 20212023 annual meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
The vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on Boston Properties,BXP, our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. However, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and intend to take into accountwill consider the results of the vote when considering future compensation decisions for our NEOs.
The affirmative vote of a majority of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal is required for the approval of this proposal. Abstentions shall be included in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote on the proposal, thus having the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, are not counted in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote and will therefore have no effect on the outcome.
 |
| |
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation
| ||
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| | | |
| 10› | PROPOSAL 3: |
APPROVALFREQUENCY OF THE BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC. 2021 STOCK INCENTIVE PLANADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
On March 18, 2021, following the recommendationPROPOSAL
Section 14A(a)(2) of the Compensation Committee,Exchange Act requires us to submit a non-binding, advisory proposal to stockholders not less frequently than every six years asking them to vote on whether advisory “Say-on-Pay” votes on named executive officer compensation, such as Proposal 2 of this proxy statement, should be held every one, two or three years.
Our Board has determined that, of the three alternatives, an advisory vote on NEO compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for BXP, and therefore our Board recommends that you vote for a one-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation. Annual advisory votes will provide us with direct input on the compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year, and holding annual votes is consistent with our general policy of Directorsseeking input from, and engaging in discussions with, our investors on executive compensation and corporate governance matters. Holding annual advisory votes is also consistent with the frequency that was approved the Boston Properties, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), subject to the approvalat each of our stockholders. The 2021 Plan will become effective if2011 and when it is approved by our2017 annual meetings of stockholders, and it will replaceis the Company’s existing equity plan, originally adopted in 2012 (the “Prior Plan”). From and afterpolicy that we have followed since 2011. Accordingly, the effective dateadministrative process of submitting a non-binding, advisory say-on-pay proposal to stockholders on an annual basis is not expected to impose substantial additional costs.
On this proposal, stockholders may vote for one of the 2021 Plan, no further awards will be made under the Prior Plan.
We believe that having an equity incentive plan in place is critical to our ability to attract, retain and motivate employees in a highly competitive marketplace and to ensure that the Company’s compensation program is structured in a manner that aligns employee interests with the success of the Company. By adopting the 2021 Plan, we will be able to continue using equity awards to attract, retain and motivate employees.
The following highlights key reasons why we believe stockholders should approve the 2021 Plan:alternatives:
› Reasonable Plan Cost
We requested a reasonable number of shares of common stock – 5,400,000 shares less one (1) share for every one (1) share that was granted after March 4, 2021 under the Prior Plan. Following the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no awards may be granted under the Prior Plan.
Awards would not have a substantially dilutive effect (issuance of all shares is 3.1% the sum of the number of shares of common stock and common units of partnership interest in our Operating Partnership of outstanding as of the record date).
› Stockholder-Friendly Plan Features
Liberal share recycling shall be limited to full-value awards; shares of stock tendered or withheld upon the exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right for tax withholding, net settlement or exercise payment shall not be added back.
No evergreen feature providing for automatic increases.
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No liberal change in control definition.
› Responsible Grant Practices by the Company
Our Compensation Committee designs our executive compensation program to be competitive with our peers.
Low three-year average burn rate
Performance-based equity awards (in the form of LTIP units) for executive officers are tied to performance metrics, such as TSR, over three-year, overlapping measurement periods.
55% of our Chief Executive Officer’s LTI equity awards (and 50% of our other NEO’s LTI equity awards) for 2020 consisted of performance-based MYLTIP awards earned based on TSR performance over a three-year performance period.
Time-based restricted stock and LTIP unit awards generally vest ratably over four years for all executive officers.
Robust stock ownership requirements for our executive officers.
“Double-trigger” acceleration of vesting upon change in control, which requires a qualified termination of employment following a change in control before vesting of time-based equity awards is accelerated for executive officers.
Our clawback policy applies to equity awards granted to executive officers and certain other specified officers.
| • | every two years (box “2 Years” on the proxy card), |
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By selecting one of these alternatives, stockholders are voting to approve the alternative voted for (or abstain from this vote), and they are not voting to approve or disapprove of our recommendation. The vote on this proposal is advisory, and therefore not binding on BXP or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors currently intends for BXP to hold a “Say-on-Pay” vote every year. However, our Board values the opinions of our stockholders and intends to consider the results of this vote when determining how frequently to submit advisory votes on NEO compensation to our stockholders in the future. We understand that our stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for BXP, and we look forward to reviewing the voting results on this proposal.
| Recommendation of the Board | |
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote for a frequency of EVERY YEAR(BOX “1 YEAR”
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In order for Issuance and Outstanding Awards
Underany of the 2021 Plan,three alternatives regarding the numberfrequency of shares of common stockfuture advisory votes on NEO compensation to be available for issuance for new awards will be 5,400,000 shares less one (1) share for every one (1) share that was granted after March 4, 2021 under the Prior Plan. Following the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no awards may be granted under the Prior Plan.
› Overhang as of March 4, 2021
The following table sets forth, as of March 4, 2021:
all outstanding stock options granted pursuant to our equity compensation plans (including the weighted average exercise price and weighted average remaining term),
the number of shares of common stock subject to all outstanding unvested full value awards granted pursuant to our equity compensation plans,
the number of shares of common stock to be available for issuance of new awards under the 2021 Plan, and
the total number of outstanding shares of common stock and common units in our Operating Partnership (other than common units held by Boston Properties).
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Other than the foregoing and vested LTIP units (or common units into which they were converted) and vested deferred stock units that were outstanding but not yet settled or exchanged for shares of common stock, no other awards pursuant to which shares of common stock were issuable under any of our existing or prior equity compensation plans, including the Prior Plan, were outstanding as of March 4, 2021.
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The following table sets forth information regarding historical awards granted during 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the corresponding “burn rate,” which is defined as the number of stock options and time-based, full value shares/units granted plus the number of performance-based, full-value shares/units earned in a year divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and common units outstanding for that year, for each of the last three fiscal years:
› Burn Rate Detail: 2018-2020
| Award Type | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||
Stock options granted (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Time-based, full-value shares/units granted(1) (B) | 232,481 | 216,998 | 249,101 | |||||||||
Performance-based, full-value shares/units earned(2) (C) | 28,771 | 106,599 | 123,979 | |||||||||
Total (A+B+C) | 261,252 | 323,597 | 373,080 | |||||||||
Weighted-average common shares + units(3) (D) | 171,912,377 | 172,199,852 | 172,642,577 | |||||||||
Burn Rate ((A+B+C)/D) | 0.15% | 0.19% | 0.22% | |||||||||
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| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Unearned at beginning of period(a)(b) | 1,239,978 | 1,211,816 | 951,850 | |||||||||
| Units granted(b) | 342,659 | 220,734 | 203,278 | |||||||||
| Units earned | 28,771 | 106,599 | 123,979 | |||||||||
| Units forfeited(c) | 342,050 | 374,101 | 271,760 | |||||||||
| Unearned at end of period(a)(b) | 1,211,816 | 951,850 | 759,389 | |||||||||
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The following description of certain material features of the 2021 Plan is intended to be a summary only. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2021 Plan that is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Shares of Common Stock Available. The maximum number of shares of common stock to be available for issuance for new awards will be 5,400,000 shares less one (1) share for every one (1) share that was granted after March 4,2021 under the Prior Plan. Following the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. Based solely on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NYSE on March 24, 2021, the maximum aggregate market value of the 5,400,000 shares that could potentially be issued under the 2021 Plan is $554,850,000.
Shares of common stock underlying awards granted under the 2021 Plan or the Prior Plan that are forfeited, canceled or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) will be added back to the shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. Additionally, with respect to full-value awards under the 2021 Plan or the Prior Plan (i.e., an award other than a stock option, stock appreciation right or partnership unit with an economic structure similar to that of a stock option or stock appreciation right), shares tendered, held back or otherwise reacquired to cover tax withholding and shares previously reserved for issuance pursuant to such an award to the extent that such shares are not issued and are no longer issuable pursuant to such an award (e.g., in the event that a full-value award that may be settled in cash or by issuance of shares of Stock is settled in cash) will be added back to the shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. Shares of common stock tendered or held back for taxes or to cover the exercise price of an option or stock appreciation right will not be added back to the reserved pool under the 2021 Plan. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right that is settled in shares of common stock, the full number of shares of common stock underlying the award will be charged to the reserved pool. In the event we repurchase shares of common stock on the open market, the shares shall not be added to the shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.
In addition, in connection with the acquisition of another company, the Company may assume outstanding awards granted by another company as if they had been granted under the 2021 Plan or grant awards under the 2021 Plan in substitution of such outstanding awards, in each case, to the extent the applicable award recipient is eligible to be granted such an award under the 2021 Plan. Any shares of common stock issued pursuant to such assumed or substituted awards will not reduce the number of shares authorized for grant under the 2021 Plan.
Plan Administration. The 2021 Plan will be administered by either the Compensation Committee, the Board or by such other committee of the Board performing the functions of the Compensation Committee (in either case, the “Administrator”). The Administrator has full power to select, from among the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants, to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan, to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any award, to interpret the 2021 Plan and awards granted thereunder, and to otherwise administer the 2021 Plan and the awards granted thereunder. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may delegate to our Chief Executive Officer, all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of awards to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, subject to certain limitations.
Types of Awards. The types of awards permitted under the 2021 Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock unit awards, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, dividend equivalent rights, cash-based awards and other equity-based awards. Subject to the overall limit on the number of shares that may be issued under the 2021 Plan, shares of common stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type of award; provided that no more than 5,400,000 shares of common stock (plus, to the extent permitted by the Code, any shares added back to the 2021 Plan as described above) may be issued in the form of incentive stock options.
Eligibility. All officers, employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries will be eligible toapproved, it must receive awards under the 2021 Plan. Persons eligible to participate in the 2021 Plan will be those officers, employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries as selected from time to time by the Administrator, as well as such other persons selected from time to time by the Administrator to whom issuances of shares
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under the 2021 Plan may be registered and permitted under applicable securities laws. As of March 24, 2021, approximately 700 individuals would have been eligible to participate in the 2021 Plan had it been effective on such date. All persons who are eligible to receive awards form a single class under the 2021 Plan, as awards are made on a discretionary basis and the terms of the 2021 Plan do not distinguish among various eligible persons.
Adjustments for Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, Etc. The 2021 Plan requires the Administrator to make appropriate equitable adjustments to the number and kind of shares of common stock that are subject to issuance under the 2021 Plan, to certain limits in the 2021 Plan, and to any outstanding awards under the 2021 Plan, as well as equitable adjustments to the purchase price or exercise price, as applicable, of outstanding awards under the 2021 Plan, to reflect any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or similar change in the Company’s capital stock, including as a result of any merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
Treatment of Awards in Certain Transactions. In the event of a “Transaction,” as defined in the 2021 Plan, the Board or the board of directors of any corporation assuming the obligations of the Company, may, in its discretion, take any one or more of the following actions as to outstanding awards under the 2021 Plan: provide that the awards may be assumed or substituted, or upon written notice to participants provide that all awards will terminate upon consummation of the Transaction. In the event that awards are not assumed or substituted, except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement or other agreement between the holder of an award and the Company, upon the effective time of the Transaction, all awards will become vested and exercisable and vested awards, other than stock options, shall be fully settled in cash or in kind at such appropriate consideration as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion after taking into account the consideration payable per share pursuant to the Transaction, or the “merger price”, and all stock options shall be fully settled in cash or in kind in an amount equal to the difference between the merger price and the exercise price of the options; provided that each participant may be permitted to exercise all outstanding options within a specified period determined by the Compensation Committee prior to the Transaction.
Term. No awards may be granted under the 2021 Plan ten years or more after the date of stockholder approval, and no incentive stock options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date the 2021 Plan is approved by the Board.
Repricing. The Administrator may not, without stockholder approval, reduce the exercise price of outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation of stock options or stock appreciation rights in exchange for cash or other awards, other than as a result of a proportionate adjustment made in connection with a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other similar event.
Stock Options. The 2021 Plan permits the granting of (1) options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (2) options that do not so qualify. Options granted under the 2021 Plan will be non-qualified stock options if they fail to qualify as incentive stock options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Non-qualified stock options may be granted to any persons eligible to receive incentive stock options and to non-employee directors, consultants and advisors. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any subsidiary. To qualify as incentive stock options, options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of shares of common stock subject to incentive stock options that first become exercisable by a participant in any one calendar year.
The exercise price of each option will be determined by the Administrator but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our shares of common stock on the date of grant, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the 2021 Plan. The term of each option will be fixed by the Administrator and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The Administrator will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in installments and the exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Administrator. Options may be exercised in whole or in part by giving written or electronic notice to the Company. Upon exercise of options, the option exercise price must be paid in full either in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership following such procedures as we may prescribe) of shares of common stock that are not subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Subject to applicable law, the exercise price may also be delivered to the Company by a broker pursuant to irrevocable instructions to the broker from the optionee. In addition, the Administrator may permit non-qualified stock options to be exercised using a net exercise feature which reduces the number of shares of common stock issued to the optionee by the number of shares of common stock with a fair market value equal to the exercise price.
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Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may award stock appreciation rights to participants subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine, provided that the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our shares of common stock on the date of grant, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the 2021 Plan. Stock appreciation rights are settled in cash or shares of common stock. In addition, no stock appreciation right shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the stock appreciation right is granted.
Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock unit awards are payable in the form of shares of common stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided in the award agreement) and may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine. These conditions and restrictions may be based on, among other things, the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment or service with the Company through a specified vesting period. To the extent permitted by the Administrator, restricted stock units may be deferred to one or more dates specified in the applicable award certificate or elected by the grantee. Restricted stock unit awards with a deferred settlement date may be referred to as “deferred stock unit awards.” In addition, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, and subject to the participant’s compliance with the procedures established by the Administrator, it may permit a participant to make an advance election to receive cash compensation otherwise due in the form of a restricted stock unit award.
Restricted Stock. The Administrator may award shares of common stock to participants subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals and/or continued employment or service through a specified restriction period. If the lapse of restrictions with respect to the shares of common stock is tied to attainment of vesting conditions, any cash dividends paid by the Company during the vesting period will be retained by, or repaid by the grantee to, the Company until and to the extent the vesting conditions are met with respect to the award; provided, that to the extent provided for in the applicable award agreement or by the Administrator, an amount equal to such cash dividends retained or repaid by the grantee may be paid by the grantee upon the lapsing of such restrictions.
Unrestricted Stock. The 2021 Plan gives the Administrator discretion to grant stock awards free of any restrictions. Unrestricted stock may be granted to any participant in recognition of past services or other valid consideration and may be issued in lieu of cash compensation due to such participant.
Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividend equivalent rights are awards entitling the grantee to current or deferred payments equal to cash dividends on a specified number of shares of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash or stock and are subject to other conditions as the Administrator shall determine. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted to any grantee as a component of an award or as a freestanding award. Unless provided by the Administrator, dividend equivalent rights may be paid currently, be deemed reinvested in additional shares of stock, which may thereafter accrue additional dividend equivalents, or may otherwise accrue.
Other Equity-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant units in the Company’s Operating Partnership or other units or any other membership or ownership interests (which may be expressed as units or otherwise) in a subsidiary, with any stock being issued in connection with the conversion of (or other distribution on account of) an interest granted under the provisions of the 2021 Plan.
Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant cash-based awards, such as annual cash bonuses, under the 2021 Plan. The cash-based awards may be subject to the achievement of one or more performance criteria selected by the Administrator, including those specifically referenced in the definition of Performance Criteria in the 2021 Plan. Cash-based awards may be paid in cash or shares of common stock. Cash-based awards that are only payable or actually paid in cash are not subject to and will have no impact on the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.
Tax Withholding. Participants in the 2021 Plan are responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes that we are required by law to withhold upon any exercise, vesting or settlement of awards, as applicable. Subject to approval by the Administrator, participants may elect to have the tax withholding obligations satisfied by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock to be issued (or, in the case of a restricted stock award, to reacquire shares previously issued pursuant to such award). Additionally, the Administrator may provide for mandatory share withholding up to the required withholding amount. The Administrator may also require tax withholding obligations to be satisfied by an arrangement where shares issued pursuant to an award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount to satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
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Amendments and Termination. Generally, under current NYSE rules, all material amendments to the 2021 Plan, including those that materially increase the number of shares of common stock available (other than an increase solely to reflect a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or similar change), expand the types of awards available or the persons eligible to receive awards, extend the term of the 2021 Plan, change the method of determining the exercise price of options or delete or limit any provision prohibiting the repricing of options, must be approved by our common stockholders. The Board may determine to make amendments subject to the approval of the common stockholders for purposes of complying with the rules of the NYSE or to preserve the qualified status of incentive stock options. Otherwise, our Board may amend or discontinue the 2021 Plan at any time, provided that no such action will materially and adversely affect the rights under any outstanding awards without the holder’s consent.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences – Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
The following is a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2021 Plan relating to options and stock appreciation rights. It does not describe all federal tax consequences under the 2021 Plan, nor does it describe state or local tax consequences.
Incentive Stock Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. If shares of common stock issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option are sold or transferred after two years from the date of grant and after one year from the date of exercise, then (1) upon sale of such shares of common stock, any amount realized in excess of the option price (the amount paid for the shares of common stock) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain, and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (2) we will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. The exercise of an incentive stock option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result in alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee.
If shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above, generally: (1) the optionee will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares of common stock) over the option price thereof; and (2) we will be entitled to deduct such amount. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the incentive stock option is paid by tendering shares of common stock.
If an incentive option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies for the tax treatment described above, the option is treated as a non-qualified option. Generally, an incentive option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of employment by reason of disability). In the case of termination of employment by reason of death, the three-month rule does not apply.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant of a non-qualified stock option. Generally: (1) at exercise, ordinary income is realized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of exercise, and we receive a tax deduction for the same amount; and (2) at disposition, appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares of common stock have been held. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the non-qualified stock option is paid by tendering shares of common stock. Upon exercise, the optionee will also be subject to Social Security taxes on the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price of the option.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No income will be recognized by a recipient upon the grant of either tandem or freestanding stock appreciation rights. For the year in which the stock appreciation right is exercised, the recipient will generally be taxed at ordinary income rates on the amount equal to the cash received plus the fair market value of any unrestricted shares received on the exercise.
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Parachute Payments. The vesting of any portion of an option or stock appreciation right that is accelerated due to the occurrence of a change in control may cause a portion of the payments with respect to such accelerated awards to be treated as “parachute payments,” as defined in the Code. Any such parachute payments may be non-deductible to us, in whole or in part, and may subject the recipient to a non-deductible 20% federal excise tax on all or a portion of such payment (in addition to other taxes ordinarily payable).
Limitation on Deductions. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company’s deduction for awards under the 2021 Plan may be limited to the extent that any “covered employee” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) receives compensation in excess of $1 million a year.
Because the grant of awards under the 2021 Plan is within the discretion of the Administrator, we cannot determine the dollar value or number of shares of common stock that will in the future be received by or allocated to any participant in the 2021 Plan.
Under our Charter and By-laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on this proposalproposal. Because there are three alternatives, it is required for the approvalpossible that none of the 2021 Plan.three alternatives will be approved. However, stockholders will still be able to communicate their preference with respect to this advisory vote by choosing from among these three alternatives even if none of the alternatives is approved. Abstentions shall be included in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote on the proposal, thus having the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, are not counted in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote and will therefore have no effect on the outcome.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020.
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 3,886,774 | (2) | $ | 96.97 | (2) | 8,069,531 | (3) | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(4) | N/A | N/A | 78,152 | ||||||||||||
Total | 3,886,774 | $ | 96.97 | 8,147,683 | |||||||||||
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| PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit our consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee has selected and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2021.2023. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited our consolidated financial statements continuously since our initial public offering in June 1997. In order to ensure continuing auditor independence, the Audit Committee periodically considers whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee and its Chair were directly involved in the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s lead engagement partner. The members of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the continued retention of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of Boston PropertiesBXP and its stockholders.
Although ratification by stockholders is not required by law or by our By-laws, the Audit Committee believes that submission of its selection to stockholders is a matter of good corporate governance. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if the Audit Committee believes that such a changedoing so would be in the best interests of Boston PropertiesBXP and its stockholders. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Audit Committee will consider that fact, together with such other factors it deems relevant, in determining its next selection of independent auditors.
We expect that a representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
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The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment
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| 11› | PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
FEES TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee is responsible for the audit fee negotiations associated with the retention of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”). Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by PwC for the years ended December 31, 20202021 and 20192022 were as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Audit Fees | ||||||||||||||||
Recurring audit, quarterly reviews and accounting assistance for new accounting standards and potential transactions | $ | 2,733,710 | $ | 2,681,649 | $ | 2,688,026 | $ | 2,519,781 | ||||||||
Comfort letters, consents and assistance with documents filed with the SEC and securities offerings | 189,000 | 168,644 | 180,000 | 200,000 | ||||||||||||
Subtotal | 2,922,710 | 2,850,293 | 2,868,026 | 2,719,781 | ||||||||||||
Audit-Related Fees | ||||||||||||||||
Audits required by lenders, joint ventures, tenants and other attestation reports | 416,648 | 447,575 | 511,772 | 386,648 | ||||||||||||
Tax Fees | ||||||||||||||||
Recurring tax compliance and REIT and other compliance matters | 524,332 | (1) | 444,241 | 360,524 | 474,511 | |||||||||||
Tax planning and research | 62,025 | 55,999 | 28,570 | 53,445 | ||||||||||||
State and local tax examinations | 8,937 | 28,307 | 425 | 4,360 | ||||||||||||
Subtotal | 595,294 | 528,547 | 389,519 | 532,316 | ||||||||||||
All Other Fees | ||||||||||||||||
Software licensing fee | 2,756 | 2,756 | 4,206 | 4,206 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,937,408 | $ | 3,829,171 | $ | 3,773,523 | $ | 3,642,951 | ||||||||
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AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
TheSEC rules require the Audit Committee has approvedto pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. In this regard, our Audit Committee adopted a policy concerning the pre-approval of audit and non-auditthese services to be provided by PwC, our independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires that all services provided by PwC to us, including audit, services, audit-related, services, tax services and other services, must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. In some cases, pre-approval is provided by the full Audit Committee for up to a year, relates to a particular category or group of services and is subject to a particular budgeted maximum. In other cases, specific pre-approval is required. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to the Chair of the Audit Committee to pre-approve additional services, and any such pre-approvals must then be communicated to the full Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee approved all audit and non-audit services provided to us by PwC during the 20202021 and 20192022 fiscal years, and none of the services described above were approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(c) of Regulation S-X, which relates to circumstances where the Audit Committee pre-approval requirement is waived.
The affirmative vote of a majority of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal is required for the ratification of the appointment of PwC. Abstentions shall be included in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote on the proposal, thus having the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, are not counted in determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote and will therefore have no effect on the outcome.
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| 11› | PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
The members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Boston Properties, Inc. submit this report in connection with the committee’s review of the financial reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202022 as follows:
| 1. | The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements for Boston Properties, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, |
| 2. | The Audit Committee has discussed with representatives of PwC the matters required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC. |
| 3. | The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence. |
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202022 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter that was approved by our Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available onin the Investors section of our website at http:https://www.bxp.cominvestors.bxp.com/ under the heading “Corporate Governance.“Governance.”
Submitted by the Audit Committee:
David A. Twardock, Chair
Bruce W. Duncan
KarenMary E. DykstraKipp
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETINGOTHER MATTERS
ATTENDING THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETINGCERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Our preferenceThe Board of Directors has adopted a Related Person Transaction Approval and Disclosure Policy for the review and approval of any related person transaction. This written policy provides that all related person transactions must be reviewed and approved by a majority of the independent directors of our Board of Directors in advance of us or any of our subsidiaries entering into the transaction; provided that, if we or any of our subsidiaries enters into a transaction without recognizing that such transaction constitutes a related person transaction, the approval requirement will be satisfied if such transaction is to hold an in-person annual meeting. However, duepromptly reviewed, approved and ratified by a majority of the independent directors of our Board of Directors. If any related person transaction is not approved or ratified by a majority of the independent directors of our Board, then to the ongoing public health concerns resulting fromextent permitted under applicable law, management shall use all reasonable efforts to amend, cancel or rescind the COVID-19 pandemic and to supporttransaction. In addition, any related person transaction previously approved by a majority of the health and well-beingindependent directors of our stockholders, employees and community, this year’s annual meeting willBoard or otherwise already existing that is ongoing in nature shall be reviewed by a virtual meetingmajority of the independent directors of our Board annually to ensure that such related person transaction has been conducted via live audio webcast. We have structured our virtual annual meeting to provide stockholders the same rights as if the meeting were held in person, including the ability to vote shares electronically during the meeting and ask questions in accordance with the rulesprevious approval granted by such independent directors, if any, and remains appropriate.
The term “related person transaction” refers to a transaction required to be disclosed by us pursuant to Item 404 of conductRegulation S-K (or any successor provision) promulgated by the SEC other than a transaction for which an obligation to disclose under Item 404 of Regulation S-K (or any successor provision) arises solely from the fact that a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of the Company’s voting securities (or an immediate family member of any such beneficial owner) has an interest in the transaction. For purposes of determining whether disclosure is required, a related person will not be deemed to have a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction that is deemed to be immaterial (or would be deemed immaterial if such related person was a director) for purposes of determining director independence pursuant to the Company’s categorical standards of director independence. Please refer to the categorical standards under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors – Director Independence” beginning on page 21.
We lease approximately 2,700 square feet of office space to a start-up company of which Mr. Klein, a member of our Board, is the Chief Executive Officer. The start-up company made aggregate payments to the Company of approximately $584,755 and $44,000 during the years ended 2022 and 2021, respectively. Of the amount paid by the start-up company in 2022, approximately $264,000 represented aggregate monthly rental payments while the remainder represented payments for assistance with tenant fit-out work that the start-up company requested. The Company does not expect the fit-out services or payments to recur. The total amount due under the lease in 2023 is approximately $220,000.
In January 2018, Mr. Ritchey’s brother became an employee of a real estate firm with which the Company has entered into a contract for services. Since January 1, 2022, the Company has paid this real estate firm approximately $1,930,681. The Company terminated its contract with this real estate firm and expects to pay decreased leasing commissions in 2023. Mr. Ritchey is the Senior Executive Vice President of BXP. The Company believes the terms of the related agreements are comparable to similar arrangements with other brokers in relevant markets.
We are partners with affiliates of Norges Bank Investment Management in joint ventures that own Times Square Tower, 601 Lexington Avenue, 100 Federal Street and Atlantic Wharf Office. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023, Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway), an affiliate of Norges Bank Investment Management, is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock.
We lease office space at our Santa Monica Business Park property to an entity that was acquired by an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. in August 2018. Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2023, BlackRock is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock. Since January 1, 2022, BlackRock paid the Company approximately $1,652,497 in lease payments.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 129 |
| 12› | OTHER MATTERS |
STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR AND PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
› STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR INCLUSION IN OUR PROXY STATEMENT
Any stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in BXP’s proxy statement and form of proxy for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by BXP on or before December 15, 2023 in order to be considered for inclusion. The proposals must also comply with the requirements as to form and substantive requirements established by the SEC if they are to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy. Additionally, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. Any such proposals should be mailed to: Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103, Attn.: Secretary.
› PROXY ACCESS DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR INCLUSION IN OUR PROXY STATEMENT
In order for an eligible stockholder or group of stockholders to nominate a director candidate for election at Boston Properties’ 2024 annual meeting pursuant to the proxy access provision of our By-laws, notice of the nomination and other required information must be received by BXP on or before December 15, 2023, unless our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders is scheduled to take place before April 23, 2024 or after July 22, 2024. Our By-laws state that such notice and other required information must be received by BXP not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the meeting.
All stockholdersprior year’s annual meeting of recordstockholders; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than 30 days before the anniversary of sharesthe date of common stockthe immediately preceding annual meeting, or the annual meeting anniversary date, or more than 60 days after the annual meeting anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, the deadline for the receipt of Boston Properties atsuch notice and other required information shall be the close of business on March 24, 2021,the later of (1) the 180th day prior to the scheduled date of such annual meeting or (2) the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.
In addition, our By-laws require the eligible stockholder or group of stockholders to update and supplement such information (or provide notice stating that there are no updates or supplements) as of specified dates. Notices and other required information must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive office, which is referredcurrently Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103.
› OTHER PROPOSALS OR NOMINATIONS
Stockholder proposals and nominations of directors to be presented at BXP’s 2024 annual meeting, other than stockholder nominations submitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-19, stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in thisBXP’s proxy statement asand form of proxy for our 2024 annual meeting or stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to the “record date,”proxy access provision of our By-laws, must be received in writing at our principal executive office not earlier than January 24, 2024, nor later than March 9, 2024, unless our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders is scheduled to take place before April 23, 2024 or their designated proxies, are authorizedafter July 22, 2024. Our By-laws state that the stockholder must provide (1) timely written notice of such proposal or nomination and supporting documentation and (2) be present at such meeting, either in person or by a representative. A stockholder’s notice shall be timely received by BXP at its principal executive office not less than 75 days nor more than 120 days prior to attend the annual meeting. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted and attendees may be subject to other security precautions.
› MEETING ACCESS
In order to attend the virtual annual meeting you must be a holder of Boston Properties stock as of March 24, 2021. To participateanniversary date; provided, however, that in the virtual annual meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021 and enter your unique 16-digit voting control number found on your proxy card, email, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or voting instruction form. Theevent the annual meeting is scheduled to beginbe held on a date more than 30 days before the annual meeting anniversary date or more than 60 days after the annual meeting anniversary date, a stockholder’s notice shall be timely if received by BXP at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time,its principal executive office not later than the close of business on May 20, 2021. Online access will open at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time to allow time for you to log in and test your device’s audio system. We encourage you to access the meetinglater of (1) the 75th day prior to the start time. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtualscheduled date of such annual meeting duringor (2) thecheck-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual annual meeting website. Technical support will be available starting at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time and until the end of the meeting.
› SUBMITTING QUESTIONS
If you wish to submit a question during the annual meeting, type your question into the “Submit a question” field, and click “Submit.” Questions may be submitted beginning at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. We will endeavor to answer as many questions submitted by stockholders as time permits. We reserve the right to exclude questions regarding topics that are not pertinent to meeting matters or company business. If we receive substantially similar questions, we may group such questions together and provide a single response to avoid repetition. Responses to questions relevant to meeting matters that we do not have time to respond to during the meeting will be posted to our Investor Relations website following the meeting. Questions regarding personal matters or matters not relevant to meeting matters will not be answered.
› VOTING DURING THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
You will be able to vote your shares electronically during the annual meeting, except that if you hold shares through a Shareworks account, voting instructions for those shares must be submitted by May 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time. Voting online during the annual meeting will replace any previous votes. See “– How to Vote” below for additional information on voting.
› ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION
In the event of technical difficulties with the virtual annual meeting, we expect that an announcement will be made on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021. If necessary, the announcement will provide updated information regarding the date, time, and location of the annual meeting. Any updated information regarding the annual meeting will also be posted on our Investor Relations website at http://www.bxp.com/proxy.
A replay of the annual meeting webcast, including the Q&A portion of the annual meeting, will be available on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BXP2021 for at least 30 days following the annual meeting.
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| 12› | OTHER MATTERS |
15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by BXP. Proxies solicited by our Board of Directors will confer discretionary voting authority with respect to these proposals, subject to SEC rules and regulations governing the exercise of this authority. Any such proposals must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive office, which is currently Boston Properties, Inc., 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1900, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-8103.
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 131 |
| 13› | INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING |
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
In orderAs permitted by SEC rules, to both save money and help conserve natural resources, we are making this proxy statement and our 20202022 Annual Report, including a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020,2022, available to our stockholders electronically via the Internet instead of mailing the full set of printed proxy materials, in accordance with the rules of the SEC.them. On or about April 5, 2021,13, 2023, we began mailing to many of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and our annual report online, as well as instructions on how to vote. Also on or about April 5, 2021,13, 2023, we began mailing printed copies of these proxy materials to stockholders that have requested printed copies. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail unless you request a copy. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy statement and annual report. The Notice also instructs you on how you may vote via the Internet. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting suchthe materials included in the Notice. Our 20202022 annual report is not part of the proxy solicitation material.
At the 2023 annual meeting, stockholders will be asked to vote upon the matters set forth in the accompanying notice of annual meeting, including the election of directors, an advisory resolution on named executive officerNEO compensation, an advisory vote on the approvalfrequency of the Boston Properties, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Planholding an advisory vote on NEO compensation and the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm.
PRESENTATION OF OTHER MATTERS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
We are not currently aware of any other matters to be presented at the 20212023 annual meeting other than those described in this proxy statement. If any other matters not described in this proxy statement are properly presented at the meeting, any proxies received by us will be voted in the discretion of the proxy holders.
If you were a stockholder of record as of the close of business on March 24, 2021,29, 2023, you are entitled to receive notice of the 2023 annual meeting and to vote the shares of BXP common stock held as of the close of business on the record date. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you held as of the close of business on the record date. Holders of common units, LTIP units preferred stock and deferred stock units are not entitled to vote suchthose securities on any of the matters presented at the 20212023 annual meeting.
All stockholders of record of shares of BXP common stock at the close of business on the record date, or their designated proxies, are authorized to attend the 2023 annual meeting. Each stockholder and proxy will be asked to present a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before being admitted. If you are not a stockholder of record but you hold your shares in “street name” (i.e., your shares are held in an account maintained by a broker, bank or other nominee), then you should provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the record date, such as an account statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or other nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. We reserve the right to determine the validity of any purported proof of beneficial ownership. If you do not have proof of ownership, you may not be admitted
| | 2023 Proxy Statement 132 |
| 13› | INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING |
to the annual meeting. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted, and attendees may be subject to security inspections and other security precautions. You may obtain directions to the 2023 annual meeting on our website at https://investors.bxp.com/proxy-materials.
QUORUM FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING
The presence, virtuallyin person or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 156,074,135156,829,793 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the 2023 annual meeting. Each share of common stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote on each matter properly submitted at the annual meeting and, with respect to the election of directors, one vote for each director to be elected. Abstentions or “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares represented at the meeting held by brokers, banks or other nominees, as to which the proxy has been properly executed but instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote such shares and with respect to which, on one or more but not all matters, the broker does not have discretionary voting power to vote such shares) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present for the transaction of business at the annual meeting.
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› VOTING DURING THE VIRTUALIN PERSON AT ANNUAL MEETING
If you are a stockholder of record and attend the virtual annual meeting you may vote your shares of BXP common stock electronically duringin person at the annual meeting using your 16-digit control number on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability, except that if you hold shares through a Shareworks account, voting instructions for those shares must be submitted by May 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time. See “ – Voting Shares Registered Directly in the Name of the Stockholder or Held in Shareworks” below.meeting. If you hold your shares of common stock in “street name” (i.e., your shares are held in an account maintained by a bank, broker or other nominee) and your voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability indicates that you may vote those shares through the http://www.proxyvote.com website, then you may vote at the annual meeting with the 16-digit control number indicated on your voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability. Voting online during the meeting will replace any previous votes. If you hold your shares ofBXP common stock in street name and you do not have a 16-digit control number,wish to vote in person at the meeting, you will need to obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank broker or other nominee that holds your shares of common stock of record to attend, participate in and vote at the annual meeting.
› VOTING SHARES REGISTERED DIRECTLY IN THE NAME OF THE STOCKHOLDER OR HELD IN SHAREWORKS
If you hold your shares of common stock in your own name as a holder of record with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you may instruct the proxy holders named in the proxy card how to vote your shares of common stock in one of the following ways:
Vote by Internet. You may vote via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you received printed materials, on your proxy card. The website for Internet voting is printed on the Notice and also on your proxy card. Please have your Notice or proxy card in hand. Internet voting is available 24 hours per day until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 19, 2021. You will receive a series of instructions that will allow you to vote your shares of common stock. You will also be given the opportunity to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.
If you vote via the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card.
