CHOICEPOINT, INC.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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þ Definitive Proxy
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CHOICEPOINT INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ChoicePoint Inc.
1000 Alderman Drive
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005
Dear Shareholders,
You are cordially invited to attend the 2005 annual meeting of
shareholders of ChoicePoint Inc., which will be held at The
Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, on
Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 10:00 a.m., local time.
Information concerning the meeting, the nominees for the board
of directors and other business to be conducted at the meeting
is contained in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
related Proxy Statement which follow.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting
in order for the presence of a quorum to be assured and for your
vote to be counted. Please return your signed proxy promptly,
whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. You also may also
vote by telephone or via the Internet by following the
instructions on your proxy card. Your vote is very important to
ChoicePoint.
We appreciate your support in helping ChoicePoint create a
safer, more secure society through the responsible use of
information. On behalf of the officers and directors of
ChoicePoint, we wish to thank you for your continuing confidence
in ChoicePoint.
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Derek V. Smith
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Alpharetta, Georgia
March 23, 2005
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN YOUR PROXY OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR BY THE INTERNET.
CHOICEPOINT INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On April 28, 2005
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ChoicePoint Inc. will hold the
annual meeting of its shareholders on Thursday, April 28,
2005 at 10:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
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(1) To elect one director for a term expiring in 2007 and
three directors for terms expiring in 2008; |
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(2) To approve an amendment to the ChoicePoint Inc. 2003
Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of
common stock that may be issued under the plan from 3,500,000 to
7,500,000; |
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(3) To ratify the appointment of the Companys
independent registered public accountants; and |
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(4) To transact any other business properly brought before
the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The board of directors is not currently aware of any other
matters that will come before the annual meeting. Only
ChoicePoint shareholders of record at the close of business on
March 10, 2005 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the annual meeting in
person, you are urged to vote promptly by dating, signing and
returning the enclosed proxy in the accompanying envelope, or by
voting by telephone or via the Internet as instructed on your
proxy card.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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David W. Davis
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Corporate Secretary |
Alpharetta, Georgia
March 23, 2005
CHOICEPOINT INC.
1000 Alderman Drive
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be Held April 28, 2005
The 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ChoicePoint Inc.
(ChoicePoint or the Company) will be
held on April 28, 2005, at The Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10022, beginning promptly at
10:00 a.m., local time. The enclosed form of proxy is
solicited by our board of directors. It is anticipated that this
proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card will first be
mailed to holders of our common stock on or about March 23,
2005.
ABOUT THE MEETING
Why am I receiving this proxy statement and proxy card?
You are receiving this proxy statement and proxy card because
you own shares of common stock in ChoicePoint Inc. This proxy
statement describes issues on which we would like you, as a
shareholder, to vote. It also gives you information on these
issues so that you can make an informed decision.
When you vote you appoint Derek V. Smith, Douglas C. Curling and
David W. Davis as your representatives at the annual meeting.
Messrs. Smith, Curling and Davis will vote your shares, as
you have instructed them on the proxy card, at the annual
meeting. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you
attend the annual meeting. Even if you plan to attend the annual
meeting, it is a good idea to vote in advance of the annual
meeting in case your plans change.
If an issue comes up for vote at the annual meeting that is not
on the proxy card, Messrs. Smith, Curling and Davis will
vote your shares, under your proxy, in accordance with their
best judgment.
What am I voting on?
You are being asked to vote on (1) one director for a term
expiring in 2007 and three directors for terms expiring in 2008,
(2) approval of an amendment to the ChoicePoint Inc. 2003
Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of
common stock that may be issued under the plan from 3,500,000 to
7,500,000 and (3) the ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public
accountants. No cumulative voting rights are authorized and
dissenters rights are not applicable to these matters.
Who is entitled to vote?
Shareholders as of the close of business on March 10, 2005
are entitled to vote. This is referred to as the record date.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
How do I vote?
You may vote by mail. You do this by signing your proxy
card and mailing it in the enclosed, prepaid and addressed
envelope.
You may vote by telephone. You do this by calling the
toll-free telephone number on your proxy card or vote
instruction form on a touch-tone phone. Be sure to have your
proxy card or vote instruction form available. If you hold your
shares in the name of a bank or broker, your ability to vote by
telephone depends on their voting processes. Please follow the
directions on your proxy card carefully.
You may vote by the Internet. You do this by visiting the
Internet site at HTTP://WWW.VOTEFAST.COM. If you hold your
shares in the name of a bank or broker, your ability to vote by
the Internet depends on their voting processes. Please follow
the directions on your proxy card carefully.
You may also vote in person at the annual meeting.
Written ballots will be available to anyone who wants to vote at
the annual meeting. If you hold your shares in street
name (through a broker or other nominee, such as a bank),
you must request a legal proxy from your stockbroker in order to
vote at the annual meeting.
How many shares represented do you need to hold the annual
meeting?
As of March 10, 2005, 90,045,729 shares of common
stock were issued and outstanding. Holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares as of the record date, equal to
45,022,865 shares, must be present at the annual meeting
either in person or by proxy in order to hold the meeting and
conduct business. This is called a quorum.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent
and/or with brokers. Please vote all proxy cards to ensure that
all your shares are voted. You may wish to consolidate as many
of your transfer agent or brokerage accounts as possible under
the same name and address for better customer service.
What if I change my mind after I return my proxy?
You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time
before the polls close at the meeting. You may do this by:
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sending written notice to our corporate secretary at 1000
Alderman Drive, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005; |
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signing another proxy with a later date; or |
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voting again at the annual meeting. |
How may I vote for the nominees for election of director?
With respect to the election of nominees for director, you may:
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vote FOR the election of the four nominees for director; |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for the four nominees; or |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and
vote FOR the remaining nominee or nominees. |
How many votes must the nominees for election as director
receive to be elected?
If a quorum is present at the meeting, the nominee that receives
the greatest number of affirmative votes of the nominees for a
term expiring in 2007 and the three nominees receiving the
greatest number of affirmative votes of all nominees for a term
expiring in 2008, known as a plurality, will be elected to serve
as directors. Shares that are not voted and shares for which
votes are withheld will not affect the outcome of the election
for directors. Withholding authority to vote for a particular
nominee will not prevent that nominee from being elected.
What happens if a nominee is unable to stand for election?
The board of directors may, by resolution, provide for a lesser
number of directors or designate a substitute nominee. In the
latter event, shares represented by proxies may be voted for a
substitute nominee.
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How may I vote for approval of the amendment to the
ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan?
With respect to the proposal to approve the amendment to the
ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the
plan from 3,500,000 to 7,500,000, you may:
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vote FOR the proposal; |
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vote AGAINST the proposal; or |
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ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal. |
How many votes must the approval of the amendment to the
ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan receive to pass?
If a quorum is present at the annual meeting, the approval of
the amendment to the ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive
Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that may
be issued under the plan from 3,500,000 to 7,500,000 must
receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on
this proposal provided that the total number of votes cast on
this matter represents greater than 50% of ChoicePoints
outstanding shares. Abstentions are neither counted as votes
cast for or against this proposal and, as a result, have no
effect on the outcome of the vote.
How may I vote for the ratification of the appointment of the
independent registered public accountants?
With respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as ChoicePoints independent
registered public accountants for fiscal year 2005, you may:
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vote FOR ratification; |
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vote AGAINST ratification; or |
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ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal. |
How many votes must the ratification of the appointment of
the independent registered public accountants receive to
pass?
If a quorum is present at the annual meeting, the ratification
of the appointment of the independent registered public
accountants must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of
the votes cast on this proposal. Abstentions are neither counted
as votes cast for or against this proposal and, as a result,
have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
What happens if I sign and return my proxy card but do not
provide voting instructions?
If you return a signed proxy card but do not provide voting
instructions, your shares will be voted FOR the four named
director nominees, FOR the ratification of the appointment of
the independent registered public accountants and FOR the
amendment to the ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan to
increase the number of shares of common stock that may be issued
under the plan from 3,500,000 to 7,500,000. If you mark your
voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted
as you instruct.
Will my shares be voted if I do not sign and return my proxy
card?
If your shares are held in street name, your
brokerage firm may vote your shares under certain circumstances.
These circumstances include certain routine matters, such as the
election of directors and the ratification of independent
registered public accountants. Therefore, if you do not vote
your proxy, your brokerage firm may either vote your shares on
routine matters or leave your shares unvoted. When a brokerage
firm votes its customers unvoted shares on routine
matters, these shares are also counted for purposes of
establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting.
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A brokerage firm cannot vote customers shares on
non-routine matters such as the approval of the amendment to the
ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Therefore, if your
shares are held in street name and you do not vote your proxy,
your shares will not be voted on this non-routine matter. These
broker non-votes are counted for purposes of
establishing a quorum; however, they are neither counted as
votes cast for or against a matter presented for shareholder
consideration and, as a result, have no effect on the outcome of
the vote.
Where do I find the voting results of the meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the meeting and
will publish the final results in our quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. The report
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), and you will be able to get a copy by
contacting our corporate secretary at (770) 752-6000, the
SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for the location of the nearest
public reference room, through our web site at
www.choicepoint.com or the SECs EDGAR system at
www.sec.gov.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The ChoicePoint board of directors represents the
shareholders interests in achieving a successful business
and increasing shareholder value in long-term financial returns
and has always been committed to the highest level of corporate
governance. The board has a responsibility to its shareholders,
employees, customers, and to the communities where it operates,
to ensure that the Company operates with the highest
professional, ethical, legal and socially responsible standards
and to use information responsibly to create a safer, more
secure society.
Since becoming a public company, the ChoicePoint board of
directors has always been comprised of a majority of independent
directors, as now required by the New York Stock Exchange
listing standards. In July 2002, the board of directors created
the position of lead director, whose primary responsibility is
to preside over the regular executive sessions of the board of
directors in which management directors and other members of
management do not participate. The non-management directors
elected Thomas M. Coughlin as lead director to preside over the
executive sessions.
The board of directors has determined that all of the directors
are independent under the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards, and the ChoicePoint categorical listing standards,
with the exception of Derek V. Smith and Douglas C. Curling,
both of whom are considered inside directors because of their
employment with the Company. The ChoicePoint board of directors
has adopted the following categorical listing standards.
In no event will a director be considered
independent if, within the preceding three years:
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the director was employed by the Company or any of its direct or
indirect subsidiaries; |
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an immediate family member of the director was employed by the
Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries as an
executive officer; |
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the director or any immediate family member received more than
$100,000 per year in direct compensation from the Company
or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, other than
director and committee fees and pension or other forms of
deferred compensation for prior service (as long as such
compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); |
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the director was employed by or affiliated with the
Companys present or former independent public accountant
or internal auditor; |
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an immediate family member of the director was employed in a
professional capacity by the Companys present or former
independent public accountant or internal auditor; |
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an executive officer of the Company was on the compensation
committee of the board of directors of a company that employed
either the director or an immediate family member of the
director as an executive officer; or |
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the director was an executive officer or an employee, or an
immediate family member of the director was an executive
officer, of a company that made payments to, or received
payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount
which, in any single fiscal year, exceeded the greater of
$1 million, or 2% of the other companys consolidated
gross revenues. |
The following relationships will not be considered to be
material relationships that would impair a directors
independence:
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if a director is an executive officer of another company which
is indebted to the Company, or to which the Company is indebted,
and the total amount of the indebtedness is less than one
percent of the total consolidated assets of the indebted
company; and |
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if a director serves as an executive officer, director or
trustee, or an immediate family member of the director serves as
an executive officer, of a charitable organization and the
Companys charitable contributions to the organization in
any of the last three fiscal years, in the aggregate, are less
than (1) one percent of that organizations latest
publicly available consolidated gross revenues (or annual
charitable receipts, if revenue information is not available) or
(2) $50,000, whichever is greater. |
The ChoicePoint Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines incorporate
the practices and policies under which the board has operated,
including the requirement that a substantial majority of
directors be outside, independent directors and that the audit
committee, management compensation and benefits committee (the
compensation committee) and the corporate governance
and nominating committee be comprised entirely of independent
directors. Principal topics addressed by the Corporate
Governance Guidelines include:
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Board composition, including board size, independence of
directors, number of independent directors, lead director
position and succession planning; |
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Board functions, including executive sessions of non-employee
directors, length of board service, access to management, board
retirement and management development and succession
planning; and |
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Board committees, including responsibilities for each committee,
nomination and selection of directors, director compensation,
board assessment, chief executive officer evaluation and
retention of independent advisors. |
The corporate governance and nominating committee periodically
reviews and amends the Corporate Governance Guidelines as
needed. A copy of the ChoicePoint Inc. Code of Conduct, Code of
Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Business Unit Leaders,
the Corporate Governance Guidelines and charters for the audit
committee, compensation committee and corporate governance and
nominating committee may be found on the Companys web site
at www.choicepoint.com. Copies will be provided to shareholders
without charge who request a copy in writing to the Corporate
Secretary, ChoicePoint Inc., 1000 Alderman Drive,
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005.
The corporate governance and nominating committee will consider
nominees recommended by the board of directors, management and
shareholders. The corporate governance and nominating committee
is authorized to retain third-party executive search firms to
identify candidates.
The corporate governance and nominating committee will consider
certain factors when selecting board candidates, including, but
not limited to, the current composition and diversity of skills
of the board, expertise and experience of a director leaving the
board, expertise required for a particular board
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committee or if there is a corporate need for specific skills.
The corporate governance and nominating committee applies the
following guidelines when considering a prospective candidate
for the board:
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A desire to serve on the board primarily to contribute to the
growth and prosperity of ChoicePoint and help create long-term
value for its shareholders; |
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Individuals who possess the highest personal and professional
ethics, integrity and values; |
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Business or professional knowledge and experience that will
contribute to the effectiveness of the board and the committees
of the board, and will replace, when possible, important
attributes possessed by directors who have retired or will
retire in the near future; |
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The ability to understand and exercise sound judgment on issues
related to the goals of ChoicePoint; |
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A willingness and ability to devote the time and effort required
to serve effectively on the board, including preparation for and
attendance at board and committee meetings; |
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An understanding of the interests of shareholders, customers,
employees and the general public, the intention and ability to
act in the interests of all shareholders and an understanding of
the use of information to help create a safer, more secure
society; |
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A position of leadership in his or her field of endeavor which
may include business, government, community or
education; and |
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Free of interests or affiliations that could give rise to a
biased approach to directorship responsibilities and/or a
conflict of interest, and free of any material business
relationship with ChoicePoint except for the employment
relationship of an inside director. |
A specific area of business expertise that will best benefit the
Company will be identified by the corporate governance and
nominating committee and based on this determination, and the
criteria required for potential nominees, candidates possessing
the targeted skills and requirements will be selected. Once a
prospective nominee has been identified, the chairman of the
board will initiate discussions with a prospective candidate and
make appropriate recommendations to the corporate governance and
nominating committee. The corporate governance and nominating
committee will consider the qualifications of the potential
candidate and make a recommendation to the full board.
Candidates are subject to ChoicePoints background
screening process.
Any shareholder who wishes to recommend a prospective candidate
for the board of directors for consideration by the corporate
governance and nominating committee may do so by submitting the
nominees name and qualifications in writing to the
following address: ChoicePoint Inc., 1000 Alderman Drive,
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005, Attn: Corporate Secretary. The
corporate governance and nominating committee does not intend to
alter the manner in which it evaluates a nominee based on
whether the nominee was recommended by a shareholder.
Shareholders wishing to communicate with the board of directors,
any of its committees, or one or more individual directors
regarding relevant business issues or who wish to make concerns
regarding ChoicePoint known to the non-employee directors as a
group, should send all written communications to: ChoicePoint
Inc., 1000 Alderman Drive, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005, Attn:
Corporate Secretary. Written correspondence will be forwarded to
the appropriate directors.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF CHOICEPOINT
DIRECTORS
The ChoicePoint board of directors has currently fixed the
number of ChoicePoint directors at ten. The ChoicePoint board of
directors is divided into three classes, with each class elected
for a three-year term. Terms are staggered so that one class is
elected each year. The terms of John J. Hamre, John B. McCoy and
Terrence Murray will expire at the 2005 annual meeting and all
will stand for reelection. A non-employee director of the
Company recommended Ray M. Robinson as a potential board
candidate to
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the corporate governance and nominating committee, which
recommended Mr. Robinson to the board of directors for
election as a director. Mr. Robinson was appointed as a
director by the board of directors in December 2004 and is now
standing for election by the shareholders for a term expiring at
the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.
The board of directors has nominated Messrs. McCoy, Murray
and Robinson and Dr. Hamre to stand for election or
reelection at the ChoicePoint annual meeting.
Each nominee is currently a director of ChoicePoint and has
consented to continue to serve as a director if elected. If
elected, the nominees listed below will serve for the terms
indicated or until their successors are elected and qualified.
If any nominee for director shall be unable to serve, the
persons named in the proxy may vote for a substitute nominee.
There are no family relationships between any director, person
nominated to be a director or any executive officer of
ChoicePoint or its subsidiaries.
Set forth below is information about the director nominees and
about the incumbent directors whose terms will expire in 2007
and 2008.
Nominee for a Term Expiring in 2007
Ray M. Robinson, 57, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since December 2004. Since 2003, Mr. Robinson
has served as President of Atlantas East Lake Golf Club
and Chairman of the East Lake Community Foundation. He was
President of the Southern Region of AT&T Corporation from
1996 until his retirement in May 2003. Mr. Robinson
currently serves as a director of Aaron Rents, Inc., a provider
of rental, lease ownership and specialty retailing of consumer
electronics, residential and office furniture and appliances,
Acuity Brands, Inc., a producer of lighting equipment and
specialty products, Avnet, Inc., a distributor of electronic
components, enterprise network and computer equipment and
embedded subsystems, Citizens Trust Bank and Mirant
Corporation, an international energy company.
Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2008
Dr. John J. Hamre, 54, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since May 2002. Dr. Hamre has served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for
Strategic and International Studies, a non-partisan, non-profit
research institute, since January 2000. Dr. Hamre served as
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1997 until 2000 and
as Comptroller under the Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1997.
Dr. Hamre received his Ph.D., with distinction, in 1978
from the School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins
University. He serves as a director of ITT Industries, Inc., a
manufacturer of engineering products, and as an advisory board
member for several organizations.
John B. McCoy, 61, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since December 31, 2003. He is the retired
Chairman of Bank One Corporation, a bank holding company. From
June 2000 to December 2003, he served as Chairman of Corillian
Corporation, a provider of online banking and software services.
He served as Chief Executive Officer of Bank One Corporation
from 1984 to 1999. Mr. McCoy currently serves as a director
of SBC Communications, Inc., a telecommunications service
provider, Cardinal Health, Inc., a provider of health care
services, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a
corporation supporting home ownership and rental housing.
Terrence Murray, 65, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since May 2002. He served as Chairman of the Board
of FleetBoston Financial Corporation, a diversified financial
services company, from 2001 to 2002 and served as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 2001,
except in 1988, when he served only as President and from 2000
to 2001, when he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
He serves as a director of A. T. Cross Company, a producer of
writing instruments, CVS Corporation, a retail drugstore
chain, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a gas and chemicals
company.
THE CHOICEPOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF MR. ROBINSON AS A DIRECTOR
TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE 2007 MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND
FOR THE REELECTION OF MESSRS. McCOY AND
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MURRAY AND DR. HAMRE AS DIRECTORS TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL
THE 2008 MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, OR UNTIL THEIR RESPECTIVE
SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.
Incumbent Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 2007
Thomas M. Coughlin, 55, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since January 2001. Mr. Coughlin served as Vice
Chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., a retail store chain, from
August 2003 until his retirement in January 2005. He served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores and
Supercenters from 1998 to August 2003 and served as Chief
Operating Officer from 1995 to 1998. Since joining Wal-Mart in
1978, he has served in a variety of positions including Vice
President of Loss Prevention, Vice President of Human Resources,
Executive Vice President of Sams Operations, Executive
Vice President of Specialty Groups and Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart Store Operations. He is
a director of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Derek V. Smith, 50, is the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Mr. Smith has served as Chairman of
the Board since May 1999 and as Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since May 1997. He also served as
President of the Company from May 1997 until April 2002.
Incumbent Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 2006
Douglas C. Curling, 50, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since May 2000. He has served as President since
April 2002 and as Chief Operating Officer since May 1999. He
served as Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer from May 1999 to
May 2000 and served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of the Company from 1997 until May 1999.
James M. Denny, 72, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since June 1997. From September 1995 to December
2000, Mr. Denny was Senior Advisor to William Blair Capital
Partners, L.L.C., a private equity investment company. He served
as Vice Chairman of Sears, Roebuck & Co., a retail
department store chain, from 1992 until his retirement in 1995.
He also serves as a director of GATX Corporation, a diversified
financial services company, and as Chairman of the Board of
Gilead Sciences, Inc., a bio-pharmaceutical company.
Kenneth G. Langone, 69, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since May 2000. Mr. Langone has served as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Invemed
Associates LLC, an investment banking and brokerage firm, since
1974. He also serves as a director of The Home Depot, Inc., a
home improvement retailer, Unifi, Inc., a producer of textile
yarns, YUM! Brands, Inc., a food services company, and several
private corporations.
Charles I. Story, 50, has served as a director of
ChoicePoint since June 1997. Mr. Story has been President,
Chief Executive Officer and a director of INROADS, Inc., an
international non-profit training and development organization,
since January 1993. He also serves as a director of
Briggs & Stratton Corporation, a producer of gasoline
engines, and as an advisory director to AmSouth Bank.
Board Meetings and Committees
The board of directors of ChoicePoint met four times during
2004. The board of directors has established several standing
committees, which met at various intervals as indicated below.
All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the board
of directors and the various committees of which they were
members. The Company has not adopted a formal policy regarding
board members attendance at the Companys annual
meetings; however, the Company encourages all board members to
attend the annual meeting. All of the Companys directors
were in attendance at the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.
The members of the executive committee are Messrs. Smith
(Chairman), Coughlin, Langone and Murray. The executive
committee did not meet, but took action by written consent, once
during 2004.
8
This committee, in general, is authorized to exercise the powers
of the board of directors in the management of all of the
affairs of ChoicePoint during the intervals between board of
directors meetings, subject to the board of directors
direction.
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|
|
Management Compensation and Benefits Committee |
The members of the compensation committee are
Messrs. Murray (Chairman) and McCoy and Dr. Hamre. The
compensation committee met three times during 2004. This
committee is responsible for all decisions regarding
compensation of the chief executive officer and named executive
officers and incentive compensation awards for
ChoicePoints executive officers. The compensation
committee is also responsible for establishing and approving
compensation policies, management incentive compensation plans
and other material benefit plans. The board has affirmatively
determined that all members of the compensation committee are
independent under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
The members of the audit committee are Messrs. Coughlin
(Chairman), Denny and McCoy. The audit committee met seven times
during 2004. This committee is responsible for reviewing and
recommending to the board of directors the engagement or
discharge of independent registered public accountants,
reviewing with independent registered public accountants the
scope, plan for and results of the audit engagement, reviewing
the scope and results of ChoicePoints internal audit
department, reviewing the adequacy of ChoicePoints system
of internal accounting controls, reviewing the status of
material litigation and corporate compliance, and any other
matters the audit committee deems appropriate. The board of
directors has determined that Mr. McCoy is qualified as an
audit committee financial expert, within the meaning of SEC
regulations, and possesses related financial management
expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the New
York Stock Exchange. The board has affirmatively determined that
all members of the audit committee are independent under the New
York Stock Exchange listing standards and Rule 10A-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Company has established
the audit committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The members of the privacy committee are Dr. Hamre
(Chairman) and Messrs. Curling and Story. The privacy
committee met twice in 2004. This committee is responsible for
reviewing and monitoring legislation and recommending policies
to the board of directors as to privacy matters affecting
ChoicePoint.
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Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
The members of the corporate governance and nominating committee
are Messrs. Langone (Chairman), Coughlin and Murray and
Dr. Hamre. The corporate governance and nominating
committee met twice during 2004. This committee is responsible
for identifying corporate governance issues, creating corporate
governance policies, identifying and recommending potential
candidates for election to the board of directors and reviewing
director compensation. The board has affirmatively determined
that all members of the corporate governance and nominating
committee are independent under the New York Stock Exchange
listing standards.
Director Compensation
Directors who are salaried officers or employees of ChoicePoint
receive no additional compensation for services as a director or
as a member of a committee of the board of directors. Each
director who is not a salaried officer or employee of
ChoicePoint is compensated as follows. The non-employee chairman
of the board of directors is paid an annual fee of $40,000 for
his or her services and an additional fee of $2,500 for
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a
committee thereof. ChoicePoint non-employee directors are paid
an annual fee of $40,000 for services as a director, an
additional fee of $1,500
9
for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors, and
$1,000 for attendance at each committee meeting. The chairman of
the audit committee receives an annual fee of $10,000 and each
other committee chairman receives an annual fee of $5,000. Derek
V. Smith and Douglas C. Curling do not receive this compensation
since they are salaried employees of ChoicePoint.
Upon initial election to the board of directors, each
ChoicePoint non-employee director receives a one-time grant of
share equivalent units with a market value of $40,000 and an
annual award of share equivalent units with a market value of
$125,000. The share equivalent units vest twelve months after
cessation from service on the board.
However, Messrs. Smith and Curling do not receive these
awards because they are salaried employees of ChoicePoint.
ChoicePoint non-employee directors are eligible for
participation in ChoicePoints deferred compensation plan,
pursuant to which each ChoicePoint non-employee director may
elect to defer up to 100% of earned director cash compensation
into accounts that are credited with earnings or losses based
upon imputed investments in one or more of the following, as
selected by the individual director: (a) the market value
of, and any dividends on ChoicePoint common stock (common
share equivalents), (b) a short-term income fund,
(c) an equity index fund, or (d) a fixed income fund.
Funds invested in common share equivalents may be redeemed only
for cash on a fixed date or upon termination of service as a
director, as elected in advance by the director. No director has
voting or investment power with respect to the common share
equivalents. In addition, ChoicePoint provides coverage for the
directors under its Directors and Officers Liability
Insurance Policy.
10
CHOICEPOINT SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table reflects information, as of
February 28, 2005, with respect to the beneficial ownership
of the outstanding ChoicePoint common stock by (1) persons
known to ChoicePoint to be the beneficial owners of more than
five percent of the ChoicePoint common stock in accordance with
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, (2) each of the
executive officers of ChoicePoint named in the summary
compensation table which follows, (3) each director and
director nominee of ChoicePoint, and (4) all of the
directors, director nominees and executive officers of
ChoicePoint as a group. Share ownership information represents
those shares as to which the individual holds sole voting and
investment power, except as otherwise indicated. The number of
outstanding shares of ChoicePoint common stock as of
February 28, 2005 was 89,967,399. Share amounts have been
adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split that was
effective November 24, 1999, the three-for-two stock split
that was effective March 7, 2001 and the four-for-three
stock split that was effective June 6, 2002.
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Number of | |
|
Percent of | |
Name and Address |
|
Shares(1) | |
|
Class (%) | |
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|
| |
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| |
Baron Capital Group, Inc.
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|
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8,851,844 |
(2) |
|
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9.8 |
|
|
BAMCO, Inc.
Baron Capital Management, Inc.
Baron Asset Fund
Ronald Baron
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
|
|
|
6,978,526 |
(3) |
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oppenheimer Capital LLC
|
|
|
4,670,030 |
(4) |
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
1345 Avenue of the Americas
49th Floor
New York, New York 10105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas M. Coughlin
|
|
|
19,229 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Douglas C. Curling
|
|
|
788,540 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
J. Michael de Janes
|
|
|
255,487 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
James M. Denny
|
|
|
34,519 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
John J. Hamre
|
|
|
12,250 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Kenneth G. Langone
|
|
|
1,970,011 |
(8) |
|
|
2.2 |
|
David T. Lee
|
|
|
580,655 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John B. McCoy
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Terrence Murray
|
|
|
12,250 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ray M. Robinson
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Derek V. Smith
|
|
|
3,027,382 |
(9) |
|
|
3.4 |
|
Charles I. Story
|
|
|
51,244 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven W. Surbaugh
|
|
|
131,718 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
All Executive Officers, Directors, and Nominees as a Group
(15 persons)
|
|
|
7,039,382 |
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|
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7.8 |
|
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|
* |
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the
outstanding ChoicePoint common stock. |
|
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(1) |
Includes shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
on February 28, 2005, or within 60 days thereafter, as
follows: Mr. Coughlin 18,332 shares;
Mr. Curling 592,470 shares; Mr. de
Janes 217,471 shares;
Mr. Denny 24,332 shares;
Dr. Hamre 11,666 shares;
Mr. Langone 234,332 shares;
Mr. Lee 461,998 shares;
Mr. Murray 11,666 shares; |
11
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Mr. Smith 2,549,620 shares;
Mr. Story 48,332 shares;
Mr. Surbaugh 33,333 shares and
Mr. Surbaughs spouse 33,333 shares;
and other executive officers 127,939 shares. |
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(2) |
This information is based on a Schedule 13G/ A filed with
the SEC on February 15, 2005 by Baron Capital Group, Inc.,
BAMCO, Inc., Baron Capital Management, Inc., Baron Asset Fund
and Ronald Baron. According to the Schedule 13G/ A, Baron
Capital Group, Inc. has sole voting power and sole dispositive
power covering 175,000 shares and shared voting power for
8,449,944 shares and shared dispositive power covering
8,676,844 shares. BAMCO, Inc. has shared voting power
covering 7,900,000 shares and shared dispositive power
covering 8,110,500 shares. Baron Capital Management, Inc.
has sole voting and sole dispositive power covering
175,000 shares and shared voting power covering
549,944 shares and shared dispositive power covering
566,344 shares. Baron Asset Fund has shared voting and
dispositive power covering 4,500,000 shares and Ronald
Baron has sole voting power and sole dispositive power covering
175,000 shares and shared voting power covering
8,449,944 shares and shared dispositive power covering
8,676,844 shares. |
|
|
(3) |
This information is based on a Schedule 13G/ A filed with
the SEC on February 15, 2005 by T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. (Price Associates). According to
the Schedule 13G/ A, Price Associates has sole voting
power covering 1,333,606 shares and sole dispositive power
covering 6,978,526 shares, which are owned by various
individual and institutional investors, for which
Price Associates serves as investment adviser with power to
direct vestments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For
purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act,
Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such
securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that
it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. |
|
|
(4) |
This information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the
SEC on February 14, 2005 by Oppenheimer Capital LLC.
According to the Schedule 13G, Oppenheimer Capital LLC has sole
voting power and sole dispositive power covering
4,670,030 shares. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes 14,000 shares held in a trust, 950 shares
held in a custodial account for his son, 900 shares held in
a custodial account for his daughter and 1,983 shares held
in a custodial account for his minor son. Excludes
50,000 shares of restricted stock granted under the 1997
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, the receipt of which the officer
has elected to defer under the ChoicePoint Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan No. 2, 25,000 deferred shares issued
under the 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and 75,000 deferred
shares issued under the 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 100 shares owned by his wife. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 7,275 shares held by a not-for-profit foundation,
of which he is co-trustee. Mr. Denny disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares held by the foundation. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 971,553 shares owned by Invemed Securities, Inc.
and 209 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Langone is
Chairman of Invemed Securities, Inc. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes 400 shares owned by his wife, 18,959 shares
held in a trust for his daughter and 18,958 shares held in
a trust for his son. Excludes 100,000 shares of restricted
stock granted under the 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, the
receipt of which the officer has elected to defer under the
ChoicePoint Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2, 50,000
deferred shares issued under the 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan and 150,000 deferred shares issued under the 2003 Omnibus
Incentive Plan. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes 13,333 restricted shares owned by his wife and
27 shares owned by his daughter. |
12
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation of ChoicePoints executive officers is
determined by the compensation committee of the board of
directors. The compensation committee was established by the
board of directors and is composed entirely of directors who are
not, and have never been, officers or employees of ChoicePoint
and who are otherwise independent directors under the New York
Stock Exchange listing standards. The board of directors
designates the members and the chairman of this committee. The
compensation committee is responsible for all decisions
regarding the compensation of the executive officers, including
the chief executive officer, and for establishing and
administering ChoicePoints compensation and benefit
policies and practices for the executive officers. The
compensation committee is also responsible for the
administration of the stock incentive plans.
In April 2003, the board of directors recommended and the
shareholders approved the 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan that
included the following new long-term compensation standards:
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No grant may provide for automatic reload rights; |
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Option rights may not be amended to reduce the option price; |
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Option price per share shall be no less than 100 percent of
the fair market value; |
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Limitation on the number of shares issued as restricted stock
and deferred shares; and |
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Minimum of three year time-based vesting on restricted stock and
deferred shares. |
Following shareholder approval of the 2003 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (the 2003 Plan), which created a new
compensation framework, the compensation committee, in 2003,
revised its compensation philosophy regarding the use of equity
grants to include:
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Limit on the aggregate number of equity-based grants that could
be granted in a given year to no more than two percent of
ChoicePoints outstanding shares; |
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Utilization of a mixture of equity vehicles including
performance-accelerating, performance-contingent and time-based
grants of stock options, deferred shares and restricted stock,
with an increased reliance on the use of whole shares; and |
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|
Limit on the amount of aggregate equity-based grants that could
be awarded in a given year to ChoicePoints top two
executives, the CEO and COO, to fifteen percent of the total
equity-based grants in that year. |
The compensation committees philosophy is to link
long-term incentive to the performance of ChoicePoint stock and
the compensation committee believes the revised compensation
philosophy, including annual grant amount limits and achievement
of performance goals is properly aligned with the long-term
interests of its shareholders.
The following report summarizes the philosophies, methods and
recent revisions thereto that the compensation committee uses in
establishing and administering ChoicePoints executive
compensation and incentive programs, including the development
of compensation programs designed to provide key employees with
ownership interests in ChoicePoint and motivation to build
shareholder value.
Executive Compensation Policies
ChoicePoints executive compensation policies are designed
to attract and retain qualified executives, to reward individual
achievement appropriately and to enhance the financial
performance of ChoicePoint, and thus shareholder value, by
significantly aligning the financial interests of
ChoicePoints executives with those of its shareholders. To
accomplish these objectives, the executive compensation program
is comprised of (1) base salary, (2) an annual
performance-based variable cash incentive award,
(3) long-term incentive compensation, consisting of
restricted stock, deferred shares and fair market value stock
options, and (4) other benefits that are intended to
provide competitive capital accumulation opportunities
13
and health, welfare and other fringe benefits. Base salary and
annual bonuses are designed to recognize both individual
performance and the achievement of corporate business objectives
each year. The value of long-term incentives is directly linked
to the performance of the ChoicePoint common stock. Executive
officers also are eligible to participate in a variety of other
benefit plans, including a deferred compensation plan,
supplemental life and disability plans available to key officers
and benefit plans available to employees generally, including
the ChoicePoint Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the
401(k) Plan) and health-related plans.
Decisions regarding the compensation of named executive officers
are based upon (1) the policies described above,
(2) ChoicePoints operating performance, and
(3) competitive practices for executive talent. In addition
to these principles, the compensation committee uses experience
and judgment in determining the mix and level of compensation.
The compensation committee considers market practices and
compensation information drawn from a broad range of companies,
including, but not limited to, certain of the companies included
in the industry indices used in the stock performance graph
included in this proxy statement. The compensation
committees policy is to engage an outside consultant to
insure the compensation package for ChoicePoints officers
provide a competitive base salary and variable performance-based
elements that give the named executive officers an opportunity,
when superior performance is achieved, to earn total
compensation that is generally in the top quartile of similar
titled positions for publicly traded companies.
Annual Salary and Incentive Bonuses
In determining the base salaries for ChoicePoints named
executive officers, the compensation committee takes into
consideration each executives experience and the
responsibilities attendant to his position. Base salaries for
the named executive officers are reviewed annually. In
evaluating whether an adjustment to an executives base
salary is appropriate, factors such as the scope of the
individuals job responsibilities and performance over the
past year, as well as an assessment of how well the individual
performed in meeting or exceeding the personal goals set for
that individual for the applicable period, is considered. In
both 2003 and 2004, the compensation committee accepted the
request of Messrs. Smith and Curling that there be no
increase in their base salaries.
The purpose of ChoicePoints annual incentive compensation
plan is to unite the interests of ChoicePoints management
employees with those of its shareholders through annual payment
of cash incentive awards to management employees based upon
attainment of annually established (1) corporate economic
value added goals and (2) strategic initiatives. Target
incentive cash opportunities under the ChoicePoint annual
incentive compensation plan for the named executive officers
other than the chief executive officer can range from 60% to
112.5% of base salary, and for the chief executive officer
represent 150% of his base salary. Actual annual cash bonuses
are determined by measuring corporate performance and completion
of individual strategic initiatives against goals established
for the applicable period. The goals take into account,
depending upon the responsibility level of the individual, one
or more factors, including the individuals performance,
the performance of the functional group or unit with which the
individual is associated and the overall performance of
ChoicePoint (primarily based upon economic value added goals).
Such goals may or may not be equally weighted and may vary from
one named executive officer to another. Bonus awards under the
ChoicePoint annual incentive compensation plan also take into
account an assessment of the performance of the individual
executive officer. For 2004, the degree of achievement of
economic value added goals, individual performance goals and
strategic initiatives by each of the named executive officers
resulted in annual incentive bonuses that exceeded the target
opportunity level for the CEO, COO and Mr. Surbaugh and
Messrs. Lee and de Janes at the target opportunity level.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
The stock incentive plan is intended to provide a means of
encouraging an ownership interest in ChoicePoint by those
employees who have contributed, or are determined to be in a
position to contribute, materially to the success of
ChoicePoint, thereby increasing their motivation for, and
interest in the achievement of, ChoicePoints long-term
success. Because the value of equity grants bears a direct
14
relationship to the price of shares of the ChoicePoint common
stock, the compensation committee believes that equity grants
are a means of encouraging executives and other key management
employees to increase long-term shareholder value.
ChoicePoints 2004 long-term incentive compensation program
for its CEO and COO consisted of a combination of one-third fair
market value stock options which vest 100% on the third
anniversary of the grant, one-third fair market value stock
options which have three year performance-based accelerated
vesting features and one-third deferred shares which vest after
the expiration of their current employment agreements (currently
scheduled for 2010) and for other executive officers, consisted
of a combination of fair market value stock options which vest
100% on the third anniversary of the grant, fair market value
stock options which have three year performance-based
accelerated vesting features and restricted stock which vests
100% on the third or fourth anniversary of the grant, pursuant
to the stock incentive plans. Consistent with the compensation
philosophy of the compensation committee described above,
ChoicePoint, in February 2004, granted options, deferred shares
and restricted stock to named executive officers (including the
chief executive officer) and a number of employees.
In 2003, as discussed above, the compensation committee revised
its compensation philosophy regarding the use of equity grants.
The current philosophy is to limit the aggregate number of
annual equity-based grants awarded to no more than two percent
of the Companys outstanding shares and limit the combined
grants to the CEO and COO to not more than fifteen percent of
the Companys annual equity-based grant. In 2004, annual
equity grants in the aggregate represented 1.7% of the total
outstanding shares and the grants to the CEO and COO were
limited to 15% of the annual aggregate equity grants. The
compensation philosophy links long-term incentives directly to
the performance of the ChoicePoint common stock and includes a
combination of performance-accelerated, performance-contingent
and time-based grants of fair market value stock options,
deferred shares and restricted stock, with a reduced reliance on
option grants. The compensation committee believes that
long-term equity compensation that is earned upon achievement of
performance goals is properly aligned with the long-term
interests of its shareholders, and that continued use of
long-term equity compensation is needed to attract and retain
qualified executives. The 2003 Plan was approved with shares
available for two years of equity grants. The two-year
supply of grants has been distributed and the compensation
committee has recommended an amendment to the 2003 Plan to
provide additional share availability for future grants in
support of the compensation committees compensation
philosophy. The 2003 Plan is more fully described in
Proposal No. 2. In determining the maximum number of
shares which constitute an award of long-term equity under the
stock incentive plan, the compensation committee has no specific
formula, other than the limitations discussed above, but rather
determines the number of shares based upon such factors as
individual contribution to corporate performance, market
practices, and for grants other than for the CEO and COO,
management recommendations.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The compensation committee generally applies the compensation
philosophy described above for named executive officers in order
to determine the compensation for Derek V. Smith,
ChoicePoints Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In
setting both the cash-based and equity-based elements of
Mr. Smiths compensation, the compensation
committees objective is to establish compensation at
target levels that are competitive and reflect market practice.
Factors considered in evaluating Mr. Smiths
performance include exceeding ChoicePoints financial
targets, executing desired strategic direction, including growth
through acquisitions, and increasing shareholder value. No
specific weight is assigned to these factors in the evaluation
process.
Section 162(m) Limitation
The compensation committee believes that the compensation
program serves its intended objectives. It believes the use of
short-term performance metrics approved in the 2003 Omnibus
Incentive Plan, fair market value stock options and deferred
shares delivered post employment minimizes the effect of the
$1,000,000 limitation on the deduction that an employer may
claim for compensation of executives under
15
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 162(m) provides exceptions to the deduction
limitation, and it is the intent of the compensation committee
to qualify for these exceptions to the extent feasible and in
the best interests of ChoicePoint, including the exceptions with
respect to performance-based compensation.
While it is the compensation committees intention to
maximize the deductibility of compensation payable to
ChoicePoints named executive officers, deductibility will
be only one among a number of factors used by the compensation
committee in ascertaining appropriate levels or methods of
compensation. ChoicePoint intends to maintain the flexibility to
compensate named executive officers based upon an overall
determination of what it believes to be in the best interests of
ChoicePoint and its shareholders.
Conclusion
This report is submitted by the compensation committee.
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Management Compensation and Benefits Committee |
|
|
Terrence Murray (Chairman) |
|
John J. Hamre |
|
John B. McCoy |
March 23, 2005
THE FOREGOING REPORT SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE BY ANY GENERAL STATEMENT INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE
THIS PROXY STATEMENT INTO ANY FILING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS AMENDED (TOGETHER, THE ACTS), EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT THAT CHOICEPOINT SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS
INFORMATION BY REFERENCE, AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE DEEMED
FILED UNDER SUCH ACTS.
16
CHOICEPOINT EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Cash and Other Compensation
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the compensation awarded
to, earned by or paid to ChoicePoints chief executive
officer and the four other most highly compensated executive
officers of ChoicePoint, referred to as the named
executive officers in all capacities in which they served
during such fiscal years.
Summary Compensation Table
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Long-Term Compensation | |
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Annual Compensation | |
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Restricted | |
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Securities | |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Stock | |
|
Underlying | |
|
LTIP | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(1) | |
|
Compensation(2) | |
|
Awards(3) | |
|
Options (#)(4) | |
|
Payout(5) | |
|
Compensation(6) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Derek V. Smith
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
1,038,447 |
|
|
$ |
1,800,000 |
|
|
$ |
318,763 |
|
|
$ |
1,917,500 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
167,100 |
|
|
$ |
1,297,111 |
|
|
Chairman & Chief
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
1,003,832 |
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
553,403 |
|
|
|
3,570,500 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,334,426 |
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
951,434 |
|
|
|
1,950,000 |
|
|
|
297,383 |
|
|
|
972,000 |
|
|
|
733,332 |
|
|
|
3,410,438 |
|
|
|
979,641 |
|
Douglas C. Curling
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
597,105 |
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
91,435 |
|
|
|
958,750 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
83,550 |
|
|
|
462,138 |
|
|
President & Chief
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
577,202 |
|
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
128,175 |
|
|
|
1,785,250 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
452,938 |
|
|
Operating Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
545,764 |
|
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
73,215 |
|
|
|
486,000 |
|
|
|
366,665 |
|
|
|
1,637,010 |
|
|
|
325,678 |
|
David T. Lee
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
365,768 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
575,250 |
|
|
|
34,628 |
|
|
|
445,589 |
|
|
|
112,744 |
|
|
Executive Vice
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
328,831 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
334,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,002 |
|
|
President
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
296,519 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,664 |
|
|
|
477,461 |
|
|
|
95,438 |
|
Steven W. Surbaugh
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
345,004 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,500 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,796 |
|
|
Chief Financial
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
312,913 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
641,750 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,860 |
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
206,539 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,141,200 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,442 |
|
J. Michael de Janes
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
278,463 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191,750 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
222,778 |
|
|
|
37,411 |
|
|
General Counsel
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
256,842 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,454 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
240,477 |
|
|
|
142,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,331 |
|
|
|
272,835 |
|
|
|
31,842 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents an annual cash incentive award determined as a
percentage of salary in the discretion of the compensation
committee based upon attainment of corporate economic
value-added goals and strategic initiatives. |
|
(2) |
For 2004, these amounts include: for Mr. Smith $135,468 in
incremental unreimbursed cost for use of the corporate aircraft,
$98,678 in financial planning and tax preparation fees, $63,559
for the gross-up on the tax liability of various perquisites and
$21,058 for club dues, and for Mr. Curling $46,700 in
financial planning and tax preparation fees, $28,390 for the
gross-up on the tax liability of various perquisites, $15,085 in
incremental unreimbursed cost for use of the corporate aircraft
and $1,260 for club dues. For 2003, these amounts include: for
Mr. Smith $171,457 in incremental unreimbursed cost for use
of the corporate aircraft, $150,000 for a club initiation fee,
$107,260 for the gross-up on the tax liability of various
perquisites, $99,801 in financial planning and tax preparation
fees and $24,885 in club dues, and for Mr. Curling $78,721
in incremental unreimbursed cost for use of the corporate
aircraft, $30,265 in financial planning and tax preparation
fees, $17,929 for the gross-up on the tax liability of various
perquisites and $1,260 in club dues. |
|
(3) |
ChoicePoint granted restricted stock and deferred shares during
2004, 2003 and 2002 to a selected group of key officers to
assure the key officers are retained through various dates
ending February 2010. In the event that any dividends are paid
with respect to the ChoicePoint common stock in the future,
dividends will be paid on the shares of restricted, and may be
paid in the Committees discretion on deferred, ChoicePoint
common stock at the same rate. The value of restricted stock
awards and deferred shares shown in the table is as of the dates
of grant. As of December 31, 2004, the total number of
restricted stock awards and deferred shares outstanding and
related fair market value were as follows:
Mr. Smith 158,000 shares ($7,266,420);
Mr. Curling 79,000 shares ($3,633,210);
Mr. Lee 25,000 shares ($1,149,750);
Mr. Surbaugh 54,166 shares ($2,491,094);
and Mr. de Janes 5,000 shares ($229,950). |
17
|
|
(4) |
Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the four-for-three
stock split that was effective June 6, 2002. |
|
(5) |
In 2001, Messrs. Smith and Curling were granted the right
to receive long-term cash awards, subject to achieving certain
three-year performance goals. These awards, based on a
predetermined value that equals 75% of the market value on the
vesting date of the restricted share grant of the same date,
were earned as of July 1, 2004. In 2002, these executive
officers elected that 95% of these awards be delivered in shares
of ChoicePoint common stock rather than in cash, subject to
achieving the original performance vesting goals, and that their
distribution be deferred to a date subsequent to the termination
of their respective employment. The amounts shown for
Mr. Smith and Mr. Curling represent the cash payout of
the remaining 5% of these awards on July 1, 2004 upon the
achievement of the original performance vesting goals. The
amounts shown for Mr. Lee and Mr. de Janes are the
cash payout under the same plan and represent 100% of their
interest in the Plan. |
|
(6) |
For 2004, these amounts include: for Mr. Smith, $25,900
contributions under the 401(k) Plan, $114,465 accrued under
ChoicePoints deferred compensation plan, referred to as
the DCP Plan, $1,142,301 accrued under
ChoicePoints Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the
SERP), which is part of ChoicePoints DCP Plan,
calculated as a defined contribution equal to 45% of annual
compensation, $9,000 in term life insurance premiums, referred
to as the Life Premiums, and $5,444 for employer
contributions for the salaried employee health-related benefit
plan, referred to as the Health Plan Contributions,
for Mr. Curling, $19,019 in contributions under the 401(k)
Plan, $38,620 accrued under the DCP Plan, $389,131 accrued under
the SERP, calculated as a defined contribution equal to 35% of
annual compensation, $9,924 in Life Premiums, and $5,444 in
Health Plan Contributions; for Mr. Lee, $19,019 in
contributions under the 401(k) Plan, $15,720 accrued under the
DCP Plan, $66,577 accrued under the SERP, calculated as a
defined contribution equal to 10% of annual compensation, $5,984
in Life Premiums, and $5,444 in Health Plan Contributions; for
Mr. Surbaugh, $7,159 in contributions under the 401(k)
Plan, $4,872 accrued under the DCP Plan, $10,320 in Life
Premiums, and $5,444 in Health Plan Contributions; and for
Mr. de Janes, $19,019 in contributions under the 401(k)
Plan, $7,944 under the DCP Plan, $5,004 in Life Premiums, and
$5,444 in Health Plan Contributions. |
Stock Options
The following table sets forth information concerning the grants
to the named executive officers of options to purchase
ChoicePoint common stock during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of | |
|
Percent of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value at | |
|
|
Stock | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Rates of Stock Price | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Appreciation for Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price Per | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted(1)(2) | |
|
2004 | |
|
Share | |
|
Date | |
|
5%(3) | |
|
10%(3) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Derek V. Smith
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
7.36 |
% |
|
$ |
38.5000 |
|
|
|
02/02/2014 |
|
|
$ |
2,421,244 |
|
|
$ |
6,135,908 |
|
Douglas C. Curling
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
3.68 |
% |
|
|
38.5000 |
|
|
|
02/02/2014 |
|
|
|
1,210,622 |
|
|
|
3,067,954 |
|
David T. Lee
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
% |
|
|
38.5000 |
|
|
|
02/02/2014 |
|
|
|
726,374 |
|
|
|
1,840,773 |
|
|
|
|
4,628 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
% |
|
|
43.2000 |
|
|
|
12/21/2014 |
|
|
|
125,734 |
|
|
|
318,636 |
|
Steven W. Surbaugh
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
% |
|
|
38.5000 |
|
|
|
02/02/2014 |
|
|
|
484,249 |
|
|
|
1,227,182 |
|
J. Michael de Janes
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0.74 |
% |
|
|
38.5000 |
|
|
|
02/02/2014 |
|
|
|
242,124 |
|
|
|
613,591 |
|
|
|
(1) |
All options were granted pursuant to the 2003 Omnibus Incentive
Plan except for 4,628 options granted pursuant to reload rights
granted in the ChoicePoint Inc. 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan. |
|
(2) |
The number of options includes non-qualified,
performance-accelerated options to purchase the following number
of shares of ChoicePoint common stock: 50,000 shares for
Mr. Smith, 25,000 shares |
18
|
|
|
for Mr. Curling, 15,000 shares for Mr. Lee,
10,000 for Mr. Surbaugh, and 5,000 shares for
Mr. de Janes that will vest 100% on the seventh anniversary
of the grant, subject to accelerated vesting based on achieving
certain performance criteria within three years of the grant
date. The number also includes options to purchase the following
number of shares of ChoicePoint common stock: 50,000 for
Mr. Smith, 25,000 for Mr. Curling, 19,628 for
Mr. Lee, 10,000 for Mr. Surbaugh and 5,000 for
Mr. de Janes that vest 100% on the third anniversary of the
date of grant. |
|
(3) |
These amounts represent assumed rates of appreciation only.
Actual gains, if any, realized upon exercises of stock options
are dependent on future performance of the ChoicePoint common
stock and overall market conditions. There can be no assurance
that the amounts reflected in these columns will be achieved or,
if achieved, will be realized at the time of any option exercise. |
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal
Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth information, with respect to each
named executive officer, concerning any exercise of options to
purchase ChoicePoint common stock during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 and the fiscal year-end value of
outstanding unexercised options to purchase ChoicePoint common
stock held at December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised In-the- | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
Money Options at | |
|
|
Shares Acquired | |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year-End (#)(1) | |
|
Fiscal Year-End(2) | |
|
|
on Exercise | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
(#)(1) | |
|
Realized | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Derek V. Smith
|
|
|
172,965 |
|
|
$ |
6,639,293 |
|
|
|
2,552,074 |
|
|
|
1,133,332 |
|
|
$ |
80,703,609 |
|
|
$ |
8,178,990 |
|
Douglas C. Curling
|
|
|
70,725 |
|
|
|
2,167,856 |
|
|
|
576,018 |
|
|
|
566,665 |
|
|
|
14,756,294 |
|
|
|
4,089,488 |
|
David T. Lee
|
|
|
54,740 |
|
|
|
1,803,015 |
|
|
|
405,332 |
|
|
|
157,960 |
|
|
|
12,381,668 |
|
|
|
1,299,203 |
|
Steven W. Surbaugh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,378,600 |
|
J. Michael de Janes
|
|
|
16,093 |
|
|
|
654,716 |
|
|
|
209,139 |
|
|
|
56,665 |
|
|
|
6,793,900 |
|
|
|
476,788 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one
stock split effective November 24, 1999, the three-for-two
stock split effective March 7, 2001 and the four-for-three
stock split effective June 6, 2002. |
|
(2) |
The value of unexercised options equals the fair market value
per share of ChoicePoint common stock as of December 31,
2004, less the exercise price, multiplied by the number of
shares underlying the stock options. The closing price of the
ChoicePoint common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
December 31, 2004 was $45.99 per share. |
Employment Agreements and Change-in-Control Arrangements
ChoicePoint currently has in effect employment agreements with
Messrs. Smith, Curling, Lee, Surbaugh and de Janes. The
employment agreements set forth minimum base salary amounts and
provide for participation in ChoicePoints employee and
executive benefit plans and certain perquisites. The employment
agreements vary in duration, but all, except
Mr. Surbaughs, provide for automatic extensions if
not otherwise terminated. Mr. Surbaughs agreement
allows for negotiation of an extension of the duration. The
employment agreements may be terminated by either ChoicePoint or
by the executive. The employment agreements provide that, under
specified circumstances, in the event of a termination, the
executive would be entitled to severance pay for a period of up
to two years from the date of termination.
The employment agreements also contain provisions for severance
pay and specified benefits upon the occurrence of a change
in control of ChoicePoint. A change in control
is defined by the employment agreements to mean: (1) a
merger, consolidation or other reorganization of ChoicePoint
that results in the shareholders of ChoicePoint holding less
than a majority of the voting power of the resulting entity
after such a transaction; (2) a sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of ChoicePoints assets to an entity in
which the shareholders of ChoicePoint hold less than a majority
of the voting power of such entity
19
immediately following such sale or transfer; (3) the filing
of a report with the SEC pursuant to the provisions of the
Exchange Act disclosing that a person or entity beneficially
owns shares representing at least 30% of ChoicePoints
voting power; (4) disclosure by ChoicePoint, pursuant to
the requirements of the Exchange Act, that a change in control
(as defined in the Exchange Act) has occurred or may occur
pursuant to a then-existing agreement; or (5) in specified
circumstances, the failure to reelect a majority of the members
of ChoicePoints board of directors. In the event that the
executives employment is terminated within five years, and
in the case of Mr. Surbaugh within seven years, after the
date of a change in control, then the executive is entitled to
severance pay and other benefits. The amount of the severance
payment is based upon the executives annual compensation,
with specified components of such compensation multiplied by a
factor ranging from two to three times.
Management Compensation and Benefits Committee Interlocks and
Insider Participation
The compensation committee consists of Mr. Murray
(Chairman) and Dr. Hamre and Mr. McCoy. None of the
members of the compensation committee is a former or current
officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
None of ChoicePoints executive officers currently serve on
the compensation committee or board of directors of any other
company of which any member of the Companys compensation
committee or board of directors is an executive officer.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table gives information about our common stock as
of December 31, 2004, that may be issued upon exercise of
options, warrants and rights under the 1997 Omnibus Stock
Incentive Plan, 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the ChoicePoint
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan and the ChoicePoint Inc.
Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2 (the only stock
compensation plans of the Company).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under | |
|
|
Number of securities to | |
|
Weighted-average | |
|
equity compensation | |
|
|
be issued upon exercise | |
|
exercise price of | |
|
plans (excluding | |
|
|
of outstanding options, | |
|
outstanding options, | |
|
securities reflected in | |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights | |
|
warrants and rights | |
|
column(a)) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security Holders
|
|
|
12,234,611 |
|
|
$ |
25.83 |
|
|
|
4,125,608 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security Holders
|
|
|
256,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12,491,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,125,608 |
|
ChoicePoint Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2
Under the ChoicePoint Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2 (the
DCP2 Plan), certain executive officers may elect to
defer receipt, until the termination of their employment or
attainment of a stated age, if later, of all or a portion of
(1) shares of restricted stock granted to them under the
ChoicePoint Inc. 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan that would
otherwise be distributed to them upon satisfaction of vesting
requirements, and (2) certain cash bonuses granted at the
time of grant of the restricted stock awards. The officers
become vested in amounts deferred under the DCP2 Plan when the
underlying awards vest. The initial grant of restricted stock
vested on July 1, 2004, the third anniversary of grant. The
cash bonuses vested on July 1, 2004 based upon satisfaction
of three-year performance goals. The number of shares
distributed with respect to the restricted shares was equal to
the number of shares initially deferred under the DCP2 Plan. The
total amount of the cash bonus was earned as of July 1,
2004. The amount was based on a predetermined value that equals
75% of the market value on the vesting date of the restricted
stock grant to that officer. The officers participating in the
DCP2 Plan previously elected to defer 95% of any vested cash
bonuses under the DCP2 Plan. These vested deferred amounts will
be distributed in shares of ChoicePoint common stock. The shares
distributed under the DCP2 Plan are provided from
20
treasury shares or are acquired by ChoicePoint through open
market purchases. The vesting criteria has been met and
256,875 shares of ChoicePoint common stock will be
distributed under this plan.
CHOICEPOINT STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on the
ChoicePoint common stock with a cumulative total return on the
S&P Midcap 400 Index and the S&P 400 Diversified
Commercial Services Index for the period from December 31,
1999 through December 31, 2004. The comparison assumes an
original investment of $100 on December 31, 1999 and
assumes the reinvestment of any dividends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INDEXED RETURNS | |
|
|
Years Ending | |
| |
|
|
Base | |
|
|
|
|
Period | |
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Company/Index |
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Dec-99 | |
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Dec-00 | |
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Dec-01 | |
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Dec-02 | |
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Dec-03 | |
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Dec-04 | |
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ChoicePoint Inc.
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100 |
|
|
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158.46 |
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|
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183.77 |
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|
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190.89 |
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|
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184.12 |
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222.31 |
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S&P Midcap 400 Index
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100 |
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117.51 |
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116.80 |
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99.85 |
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135.41 |
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157.73 |
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S&P 400 Diversified Commercial Services
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|
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100 |
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132.79 |
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|
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126.15 |
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|
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110.30 |
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|
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158.09 |
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175.89 |
|
THE STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH SHALL NOT BE DEEMED
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE BY ANY GENERAL STATEMENT INCORPORATING
BY REFERENCE THIS PROXY STATEMENT INTO ANY FILING UNDER THE
ACTS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT CHOICEPOINT SPECIFICALLY
INCORPORATES THIS INFORMATION BY REFERENCE, AND SHALL NOT
OTHERWISE BE DEEMED FILED UNDER SUCH ACTS.
21
PROPOSAL NO. 2 APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO
THE CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK THAT MAY BE ISSUED UNDER THE PLAN
FROM 3,500,000 TO 7,500,000.
General
The 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan is intended to attract and
retain officers, full-time employees, directors and others who
render significant services to ChoicePoint and our subsidiaries
and to motivate these persons to achieve performance objectives
related to our overall goal of increasing shareholder value.
This plan, as amended, is hereafter referred to as the
2003 plan. The board of directors recently approved
an amendment to the 2003 plan which, subject to shareholder
approval, increases the number of shares available for grant
under the 2003 plan by 4,000,000 shares, for a total of
7,500,000 shares available for grants under the 2003 plan.
In addition, the number of shares available for grants of
restricted shares, deferred shares or performance shares under
the 2003 plan has been increased to 1,500,000 from 700,000 to
maintain the proportion of such awards at 20% of the total
number available for grant under the 2003 plan. For two years,
ChoicePoint has been utilizing the 2003 plan, which has certain
key features as follows:
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authorized shares available under the 2003 plan (including the
amendment) constitute 8% of shares outstanding; |
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awards of options and appreciation rights may be made at no less
than the fair market value on the date of grant; and |
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shareholder approval is required for amendments that affect
dilution to shareholders, as required by the 2003 plan and
applicable listing standards, and in the case of amendments
pertaining to the restrictions on the grant of certain
replacement options or reload options. |
In addition, if the amendment to the 2003 plan is approved by
shareholders, the number of shares issuable under the
ChoicePoint Inc. 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (referred to
as the 1997 plan) will be reduced by
1,300,000 shares, to a number of authorized shares needed
to satisfy existing reload obligations, for a total of
18,700,000 shares available for grants under the 1997 plan.
There are 17,804,490 shares currently subject to
outstanding awards or that have been issued under the 1997 plan.
No new grants will be made under the 1997 plan other than reload
options arising from grants existing prior to the approval of
the 2003 plan. Due to the decrease in the number of shares
available under the 1997 plan, the total increase in shares
available for grant under ChoicePoints plans as a result
of the amendment is 2,700,000. Additional information about
available shares and awards is included below.
The amendment to the 2003 plan is being presented to
shareholders for approval. If a quorum is present at the annual
meeting, the approval of the amendment to the 2003 plan must
receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at
the annual meeting.
The board of directors believes approval of the amendment to the
2003 plan is in the Companys best interest. The principal
reasons for adopting the amendment to the 2003 plan are to
ensure that we have a mechanism for long-term, equity-based
incentive compensation and to provide annual incentive
compensation to certain executives. Certain awards under the
2003 plan are designed to qualify as performance-based under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which places a
limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that we may
deduct for federal income tax purposes unless it is
performance-based. The 2003 plan is also designed to comply with
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
A summary description of the 2003 plan, including the amendment
to the 2003 plan, is set forth below. The full text of the 2003
plan and its amendments are annexed to this proxy statement as
APPENDIX A, and the following summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to APPENDIX A.
Overview. Under the 2003 plan, the compensation committee
of the board of directors is authorized to make awards of
options to purchase shares of ChoicePoint common stock, tandem
appreciation rights
22
and/or free-standing appreciation rights, restricted shares,
deferred shares, performance shares and performance units, and
share equivalent units. The terms applicable to awards of the
various types, including those terms that may be established by
the compensation committee when making or administering
particular awards, are set forth in detail in the 2003 plan.
Shares Available Under the 2003 plan. The number of
shares of common stock that may be issued or transferred
pursuant to awards, or in payment of divided equivalents paid
with respect to awards made under the 2003 plan, may not exceed
7,500,000 in the aggregate if the amendment to the 2003 plan is
approved, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2003 plan.
These shares of common stock may be shares of original issuance
or treasury shares or a combination of both. Upon the payment of
any option price by the transfer to us of shares of common stock
or upon satisfaction of any withholding amount by means of
transfer or relinquishment of shares of common stock, only the
net number of shares of common stock we actually issue or
transfer will be deemed to have been issued or transferred under
the 2003 plan. As of March 18, 2005, the market value of
common stock was $39.15 per share.
Outstanding Awards Under the 2003 plan. Assuming
shareholder approval is obtained, there will be a total of
7,500,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 2003
plan, representing a total of 8% of the shares outstanding as of
March 18, 2005. There are 3,333,000 shares subject to
outstanding awards or that have been issued under the 2003 plan.
If the amendment to the 2003 plan is not approved, there are
only 167,000 shares (not including 93,742 shares subject to
cancelled awards), or .2% of outstanding shares, remaining
available for issuance under the 2003 plan
(2,362,510 shares, or 3% of outstanding shares including
shares remaining under the 1997 plan if the amendment is not
approved). If the amendment to the 2003 plan is approved, there
will be 4,167,000 shares, or 5% of outstanding shares,
remaining available for issuance under the 2003 plan
(5,062,510 shares, or 6% of outstanding shares including
shares remaining under the 1997 plan).
23
Awards granted under the 2003 plan have been in the form of
options, restricted shares, deferred shares and share equivalent
units. The following table presents (a) the number of
shares subject to awards granted under the 2003 plan from its
inception through March 18, 2005 to all current executive
officers as a group, all current directors and all employees,
including all current officers who are not executive officers as
a group and (b) with respect to options, the
weighted-average exercise price payable per share granted to
each individual and group indicated. No associate of any
officer, non-executive director or director standing for
election has been granted an award under the 2003 plan and,
except as set forth below, no person has received five percent
or more of the total awards granted under the 2003 plan.
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Weighted- | |
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Number of | |
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Average | |
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Number of | |
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Shares | |
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Exercise | |
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Number of | |
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Number of | |
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Share | |
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Subject to | |
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Price of | |
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Restricted | |
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Deferred | |
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Equivalent | |
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Granted | |
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Granted | |
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Shares | |
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Shares | |
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Units | |
Name and Position |
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Options(1) | |
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Options | |
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Granted | |
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Granted | |
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Granted | |
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Derek V. Smith(2)
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200,000 |
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$ |
42.31 |
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0 |
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150,000 |
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0 |
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Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
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Douglas C. Curling(3)
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100,000 |
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$ |
42.31 |
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0 |
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75,000 |
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0 |
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President & Chief Operating Officer
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David T. Lee
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60,000 |
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$ |
42.31 |
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30,000 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Executive Vice President
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Steven W. Surbaugh
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40,000 |
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$ |
42.31 |
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32,500 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Chief Financial Officer
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J. Michael de Janes
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30,000 |
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$ |
43.58 |
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15,000 |
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0 |
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0 |
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General Counsel
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John J. Hamre
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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2,858 |
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Director (standing for reelection)
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John B. McCoy
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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3,908 |
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Director (standing for reelection)
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Terrence Murray
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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2,858 |
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Director (standing for reelection)
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Ray Robinson
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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925 |
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Director (standing for election)
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All current executive officers as a group
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479,000 |
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$ |
42.35 |
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86,000 |
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225,000 |
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0 |
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All non-executive directors as a group
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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21,981 |
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All employees, including all current officers who are not
executive officers, as a group
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2,313,402 |
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$ |
42.70 |
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90,875 |
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0 |
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0 |
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(1) |
Net of cancelled options, but including exercised options. |
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(2) |
Received 10.5% of the equity awards made under the 2003 plan. |
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(3) |
Received 5.25% of the equity awards made under the 2003 plan. |
Eligibility. Officers and full-time employees of
ChoicePoint and its subsidiaries may be selected by the
compensation committee to receive benefits under the 2003 plan
which are intended to constitute long-term incentives. In
addition, non-employee directors and others who render
significant services will be eligible for such grants. There
were approximately 2,800 persons eligible to participate in the
2003 plan as of March 18, 2005. In addition, for annual
incentive awards, eligible participants are those executives who
constitute covered employees under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. These are
generally the chief executive officer and the four other
highest-paid officers of ChoicePoint.
Limitations on Specific Kinds of Awards. In addition to
the general limitation on the number of shares of common stock
available under the 2003 plan, the 2003 plan would specifically
limit the number of shares issued as restricted shares, deferred
shares or performance shares to 1,500,000 in the aggregate, or
20% of the total number available for grant under the 2003 plan,
if the amendment to the 2003 plan is
24
approved. Additionally, the 2003 plan provides for specific
limits and other requirements for certain awards to qualify as
performance-based compensation for the purpose of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. No participant
may be granted (1) option rights, in the aggregate, for
more than 750,000 shares of common stock during any
calendar year, or (2) appreciation rights in the aggregate,
for more than 750,000 shares of common stock during any
calendar year, or (3) awards of performance shares,
performance units, share equivalent units, deferred shares or
restricted shares which in total have an aggregate maximum value
as of their respective dates of grant more than $4,000,000 in
any fiscal year, nor shall an annual incentive award exceed
$4,000,000 in any fiscal year. In addition, the aggregate number
of shares of common stock actually issued or transferred upon
the exercise of incentive stock options, within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, may not exceed
7,500,000 if the amendment is approved.
Option Rights. The compensation committee may grant
option rights, which entitle the holder to purchase shares of
common stock at a price equal to or greater than market value at
the date of grant, which is the closing price of the stock on
the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. The option
price is payable by the transfer to us of shares of common
stock, in cash, by a combination of these payment methods or by
other consideration authorized by the compensation committee.
Any grant may provide for deferred payment of the option price
from the proceeds of sale through a broker on the date of
exercise of some or all of the shares of common stock to which
the exercise relates. Option rights granted under the 2003 plan
may be incentive stock options, option rights that are not
intended to qualify as incentive stock options, or combinations
of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Each
grant specifies the period of employment, which for officers
shall generally be not less than three years, or performance
goals required to be achieved before the option or portions of
options will become exercisable. Option rights may not be
amended to reduce the option price, nor may options be cancelled
and replaced with rights with lower option prices, without
further approval of the shareholders. No grant may provide for
the automatic grant of reload option rights.
Appreciation Rights. A tandem appreciation right is a
right to receive up to 100% of the spread between the option
price and the current value of the shares of common stock
underlying an option upon surrender and cancellation of the
option. A free-standing appreciation right is the right to
receive a percentage of the spread at the time of exercise. When
computing the spread for a free-standing appreciation right, the
base price must be equal to or greater than the market value of
the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Any grant may
specify waiting periods or performance goals which must be
reached before exercise, and permissible exercise dates or
periods.
Restricted Shares. An award of restricted shares involves
the immediate transfer to a participant of ownership of a
specific number of shares of common stock in consideration of
the performance of services, with the participant entitled to
voting, dividend and other ownership rights in the restricted
shares. The transfer is made without additional consideration or
in consideration of a payment by the participant that is less
than current market value. In addition, the transfer may be
conditioned on the achievement of performance goals. Restricted
shares must be subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture within the meaning of Section 83 of the
Internal Revenue Code for a period to be determined by the
compensation committee, or until the achievement of the stated
performance goals. If the elimination of said restrictions is
based on the passage of time rather than the achievement of
performance goals, the period of time shall be no shorter than
three (3) years, except that said restrictions may be
removed on an annual, ratable basis during the three-year
period. In order to enforce these forfeiture provisions, the
transferability of restricted shares will be prohibited or
restricted in a manner and to the extent prescribed by the
compensation committee for the period during which the
forfeiture provisions are to continue, subject to the limited
rights of transferability described below under
Transferability.
Deferred Shares. An award of deferred shares constitutes
an agreement to deliver shares of common stock to the
participant in the future in consideration of the performance of
services, but subject to the fulfillment of specified
conditions. During the deferral period, the participant has no
right to transfer any rights under the deferred shares, except
as described below under Transferability, and has no
rights of ownership in the deferred shares. Awards of deferred
shares may be made without additional consideration
25
or in consideration of a payment by the participant that is less
than the market value per share at the date of grant. Except in
the event of a change in control or similar event, deferred
shares must be subject to a deferral period of not less than
3 years, except that a grant may provide that the deferral
period will expire ratably during said three-year period, on an
annual basis, as determined by the compensation committee at the
date of grant.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. A performance
share is the equivalent of one share of common stock, and a
performance unit is the equivalent of $100.00. A recipient must
meet one or more performance goals within a specified
performance period to earn the award in full. Alternatively, if
a minimum level of acceptable achievement is established by the
compensation committee, that minimum level must be exceeded in
order to earn a portion of the award; the amount earned in this
case will be determined in accordance with a formula. The
compensation committee must certify the achievement of the
performance goals before the award can be earned.
Share Equivalent Units. An award of share equivalent
units results in the creation of a bookkeeping account which
tracks the price of our common shares. When the participant has
served ChoicePoint for the period of time specified at the time
of grant, or when specified performance goals have been met, the
value of the account will be distributed in common shares,
restricted shares, cash, or a combination thereof, as the
compensation committee decides.
Annual Incentive Awards. The 2003 plan also provides for
the grant of annual incentive awards to the named executive
officers. The amendment to the 2003 plan does not impact this
component of the 2003 plan. Similar awards will be made to
employees who are not named executive officers pursuant to other
programs established by ChoicePoint. Annual incentive awards are
paid in cash at the end of our fiscal year, in amounts which
reflect the degree of achievement of performance goals
established by the compensation committee for the participant
during the first ninety days of the fiscal year. Minimum goals
will be established by the compensation committee for a
participant which must be met before any award is paid. A
formula will determine the portion of the award which will be
paid if performance exceeds the minimum but falls short of full
achievement of the performance goals. Notwithstanding the
achievement of a participants performance goals, the
compensation committee has the discretion to reduce (but not to
increase) the award which will be paid. The compensation
committee must certify the achievement of performance goals
before awards will be paid. The 2003 plan provides that
participants must be employed at the end of the fiscal year,
although awards will be prorated if termination is because of
retirement, or if a change of control occurs during the year.
Performance Goals. Performance goals may be described
either in terms of company-wide objectives or objectives that
are related to performance of the individual participant or the
division, subsidiary, department, region, function or business
unit in which the participant is employed. The performance goals
applicable to any award to a participant who is or is likely to
become a covered employee, within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, will be based
on specified levels of achievement, growth, or improvement in
one or more of the following business criteria: (1) the
price of our securities; (2) revenue; (3) book value
per share; (4) return on equity, assets, capital or
investment; (5) economic value added; (6) total
shareholder return; (7) operating performance;
(8) strategic initiatives; (9) earnings margin or
earnings per share; (10) cash flow; and (11) operating
profit after amortization. For purposes of using earnings as a
business criteria, they may be calculated as net, gross,
operating, pre-tax, before interest and taxes, or before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The compensation
committee must certify the achievement of performance goals with
respect to awards made to named executive officers, in order for
the award to be earned.
If the compensation committee determines that a change in our
business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure,
or the manner in which we conduct our business, or other events
or circumstances render the business criteria unsuitable, the
compensation committee may modify the business criteria or the
related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in
part, as the compensation committee deems appropriate and
equitable, except in the case of a covered employee where
26
such an action would result in the loss of the otherwise
available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Awards of Option Rights and Restricted Shares to Non-Employee
Directors. The compensation committee may, in its
discretion, authorize the grant of option rights or the grant or
sale of restricted shares or share equivalent units to
non-employee directors. Each such grant or sale will be upon
terms and conditions consistent with those described above for
employees.
Foreign Employees and Providers of Services. The
compensation committee may provide for special terms for awards
to participants who are foreign nationals or who are employed
by, or provide services to, ChoicePoint or any of its
subsidiaries outside of the United States of America as the
compensation committee may consider necessary or appropriate to
accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The
compensation committee may approve supplements, amendments,
restatements or versions of the 2003 plan as it deems necessary
for such purposes so long as such supplements, restatements and
versions are consistent with the 2003 plan.
Transferability. Except as described below or otherwise
determined by the compensation committee, no award under the
2003 plan is transferable by a participant other than by
designation of a beneficiary or by will or the laws of descent
and distribution or, during a participants lifetime,
without the consent of ChoicePoints chief financial
officer or its vice president with responsibility for
compensation and benefits. In any case, unless the compensation
committee provides otherwise, such a transfer may only be made
to a family member of the participant or a trust or partnership
for a family member or to a tax-exempt charity. Only the
participant, or the participants guardian or legal
representative in the event of the participants legal
incapacity, or a transferee described above, may exercise option
rights or appreciation rights or other awards during the
participants lifetime. Any transferee will be subject to
the same terms and conditions under the 2003 plan as the
participant.
Adjustments. The number, kind, and price of shares
covered by outstanding awards are subject to adjustment by the
compensation committee in its discretion in the event of stock
combinations, changes in our capital structure, mergers,
spin-offs, partial or complete liquidation, and similar events.
The compensation committee may also make or provide for
adjustments in the numbers of shares available under the 2003
plan and available for specific kinds of awards under the 2003
plans as the compensation committee may determine appropriate to
reflect such a transaction or event, and said numbers shall be
automatically adjusted in the event of a stock dividend or stock
split.
Change in Control. A definition of change in control is
specifically included in the 2003 plan, the full text of which
is attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX A. Generally, a
change in control includes the acquisition by a person of 30% or
more of our voting securities, specified changes in the board of
directors and specified business combination transactions and
similar events. Awards under the 2003 plan may provide for
acceleration of exercisability or early termination of
restrictions in the event of a change in control.
Withholding Taxes. To the extent that we are required to
withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection
with any payment made or benefit realized by a participant or
other person under the 2003 plan, and the amounts available to
us for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition
to the receipt of the payment or the realization of the benefit
that the participant or the other person make arrangements
satisfactory to us for payment of the balance of taxes required
to be withheld. These arrangements, in the discretion of the
compensation committee, may include relinquishment of a portion
of the benefit.
Administration and Amendments. The 2003 plan is to be
administered by the compensation committee. The board of
directors elects the compensation committee, which shall consist
of not less than three directors who meet the standards for
independence established by applicable requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code, the Securities and Exchange Commission
and relevant stock exchanges. The compensation committees
interpretation of the 2003 plan and related agreements and
documents is final and conclusive. The compensation committee
also has the right to accelerate the earning of awards upon
27
certain events and in special circumstances. The 2003 plan may
be amended from time to time by the compensation committee,
provided stockholder approval of any amendment will be obtained
when required by applicable law or the rules of any national
securities exchange upon which the shares of common stock are
traded or quoted, or in the case of any amendment pertaining to
the restrictions on the grant of certain replacement options or
reload options.
Termination. No grant under the 2003 plan may be made
after April 29, 2013 (ten years after the date that the
2003 plan was initially approved by the shareholders), but all
grants made on or before that date will continue in effect after
that date subject to the terms of those grants and the 2003
plan. Option rights will not continue to be exercisable in any
event beyond ten years from the date of grant.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of the federal income tax
consequences of certain transactions under the 2003 plan based
on federal income tax laws in effect on January 1, 2005.
This summary is not intended to be complete and does not
describe state or local tax consequences.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. In general, (1) no
income will be recognized by an option holder at the time a
non-qualified stock option is granted; (2) at the time of
exercise of a non-qualified stock option, ordinary income will
be recognized by the option holder in an amount equal to the
difference between the option price paid for the shares and the
fair market value of the shares, if unrestricted; and
(3) at the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of a non-qualified stock option, appreciation (or
depreciation) in value of the shares after the date of exercise
will be treated as a capital gain (or capital loss).
Incentive Stock Options. No income generally will be
recognized by an option holder upon the grant or exercise of an
incentive stock option. The exercise of an incentive stock
option, however, may result in alternative minimum tax
liability. If shares of common stock are issued to the option
holder pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option,
and if no disqualifying disposition of those shares is made by
the option holder within two years after the date of grant or
within one year after the transfer of those shares to the option
holder, then upon sale of those shares, any amount realized in
excess of the option price will be taxed to the option holder as
a capital gain and any loss sustained will be a capital loss. If
shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an
incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration
of either holding period described above, the option holder
generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of
disposition in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of those shares at the time of exercise, or,
if less, the amount realized on the disposition of those shares
in a sale or exchange, over the option price paid for those
shares.
Appreciation Rights. No income will be recognized by a
participant in connection with the grant of an appreciation
right. When the appreciation right is exercised, the participant
normally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income
in the year of exercise an amount equal to the amount of cash
received and the fair market value of any nonrestricted shares
of common stock received upon exercise.
Restricted Shares. The recipient of restricted shares
generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the
fair market value of the restricted shares, reduced by any
amount paid by the participant for those restricted shares, at
such time as the shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or
restrictions on grant for purposes of Section 83 of the
Internal Revenue Code. However, a recipient who so elects under
Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code within
30 days of the date of transfer of the shares will have
taxable ordinary income on the date of grant of the shares equal
to the excess of the fair market value of those shares,
determined without regard to the forfeiture restrictions and
restrictions on transfer, over the purchase price, if any, of
those restricted shares. If a Section 83(b) election has
not been made, any dividends received with respect to restricted
shares that are subject to the forfeiture restrictions and
restrictions on transfer generally will be treated as
compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the
participant.
28
Deferred Shares. No income generally will be recognized
upon the award of deferred shares. The recipient of a deferred
share award generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income
rates on the fair market value of nonrestricted shares of common
stock on the date that those shares are transferred to the
participant under the award, reduced by any amount paid by the
participant for the deferred shares.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. No income
generally will be recognized upon the grant of performance
shares or performance units. Upon payment in respect of the
earn-out of performance shares or performance units, the
recipient generally will be required to include as taxable
ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the
amount of cash received and the fair market value of any
nonrestricted shares of common stock received.
Share Equivalent Units. No income generally will be
recognized upon the grant of share equivalent units. Upon
distribution of the value of those units, the recipient
generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income
in the year of receipt an amount equal to the amount of cash
received and the fair market value of any nonrestricted common
shares received.
Annual Incentive Awards. A participant will generally be
taxed as on ordinary income in the year of receipt of cash paid
to the recipient based on an annual incentive award.
Tax Consequences to ChoicePoint or its Subsidiaries. To
the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the
circumstances described above, we or the subsidiary for which
the participant performs services will be entitled to a
corresponding deduction provided that, among other things, the
income meets the test of reasonableness, is an ordinary and
necessary business expense, is not an excess parachute
payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code and is not disallowed by the $1,000,000
limitation on certain executive compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Note Regarding Recent Legislation. The foregoing
discussion does not reflect the potential impact of the American
Jobs Creation Act of 2004 that was enacted on October 22,
2004. The new legislation makes substantial changes in the
taxation of compensation paid under certain non-qualified
deferred compensation plans. The scope of the new legislation
and the impact that it may have on the various types of awards
available under the 2003 plan is presently unclear. Additional
guidance on this legislation is expected to be forthcoming from
regulatory authorities. Failure to comply with the new
legislation could result in significant adverse tax consequences
to participants, including the acceleration of the recognition
of income and the imposition of additional taxes. Future awards
under the 2003 plan may need to be tailored to avoid these
adverse tax consequences to participants and will be reviewed in
light of the forthcoming guidance.
THE CHOICEPOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK THAT MAY BE ISSUED UNDER THE PLAN FROM 3,500,000 TO
7,500,000.
29
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audit committee oversees the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the board of directors.
Management has the primary responsibility for the financial
statements and the reporting process including the systems of
internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities,
the audit committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements to be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 with
management. In addition, the audit committee reviewed and
discussed with management the assessment of the effectiveness of
the Companys internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2004.
In connection with their audit of the Companys financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, the
Companys independent registered public accountants,
Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte), were
responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the
Companys audited financial statements with generally
accepted accounting principles. In addition, Deloitte was
responsible for expressing an opinion on managements
assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting and on the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004.
The audit committee discussed with Deloitte the matters required
by Statement of Accounting Standards No. 61, as amended. In
addition, the audit committee received from and discussed with
Deloitte the written disclosures and letter from Deloitte
required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
regarding their independence.
The members of the audit committee are independent as required
by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the
new independence requirements promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The Companys board of directors has approved a written
charter for the audit committee. The charter is reviewed
annually and was most recently amended and approved on
February 26, 2004.
The audit committee discussed with the Companys internal
auditors and independent registered public accountants the
overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The audit
committee meets with the internal auditors and independent
registered public accountants, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their
evaluations of the Companys internal controls, and the
overall quality of the Companys financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that
the audited financial statements be included in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
audit committee and the board have also approved, subject to
shareholder ratification, the selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accountants for the year ending December 31, 2005.
The audit committee has approved a policy prohibiting the
Company from hiring into a senior financial reporting role any
current or former employee of the independent registered public
accountants who was a member of the audit engagement team within
the past year.
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
|
THOMAS M. COUGHLIN (Chairman) |
|
JAMES M. DENNY |
|
JOHN B. MCCOY |
March 23, 2005
THE FOREGOING REPORT SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE BY ANY GENERAL STATEMENT INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE
THIS PROXY STATEMENT INTO ANY FILING UNDER THE ACTS, EXCEPT TO
THE EXTENT THAT CHOICEPOINT SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS
INFORMATION BY REFERENCE, AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE DEEMED
FILED UNDER SUCH ACTS.
30
PROPOSAL NO. 3 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT
OF
CHOICEPOINT INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
General
The ChoicePoint board of directors has selected
Deloitte & Touche LLP as ChoicePoints independent
registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005 and recommends that the shareholders vote
for the ratification of such appointment. Notwithstanding the
selection, the board of directors, in its discretion, may direct
the appointment of new independent registered public accountants
at any time during the year if the board of directors determines
that such a change would be in the best interests of ChoicePoint
and its shareholders. A representative of Deloitte &
Touche LLP will be present at the annual meeting, 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.
THE CHOICEPOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS CHOICEPOINTS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2005.
AUDIT FEES AND OTHER FEES
During fiscal years 2003 and 2004, ChoicePoint retained
Deloitte & Touche LLP to provide services in the
following categories and amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
$ |
439,000 |
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
$ |
617,601 |
|
|
$ |
137,000 |
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Sarbanes-Oxley 404 Fees(4)
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 $1,500,000 |
|
All Other Fees(5)
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Audit fees include audit of the annual financial statements and
quarterly reviews. |
|
(2) |
2004 and 2003 audit-related fees include benefit plan audits,
agreed-upon procedures reports, acquisitions and accounting
consultations. 2003 fees also include the re-audit of 2001
financial statements in connection with a divestiture. |
|
(3) |
No tax services were provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP for
fiscal 2003 or 2004. |
|
(4) |
Fees related to the audit of managements assessment of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting. The
actual amount of these fees has not been determined. |
|
(5) |
No other services were provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP for
fiscal 2003 or 2004. |
Pursuant to its charter, the audit committee must pre-approve
all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the
independent registered public accountants. Commencing in 2002,
as a matter of corporate policy, the Companys independent
registered public accountants will not perform any services
other than audit and audit-related services.
OTHER MATTERS
ChoicePoint Shareholder Proposals
Any shareholder proposal, including nominations for candidates
for election as directors, intended for inclusion in the proxy
statement for ChoicePoints 2006 annual meeting of
shareholders must be received by ChoicePoint at its principal
executive offices on or before November 19, 2005. In
accordance with ChoicePoints bylaws, any shareholder
proposal submitted for consideration at next years annual
meeting and any shareholder director nomination (even if not
submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement) must
31
be received by ChoicePoint at its principal executive offices on
or before November 19, 2005 and must comply with the
written notice requirements specified in ChoicePoints
bylaws or such proposal or nomination will be considered out of
order and will not be acted upon at ChoicePoints 2006
annual meeting of shareholders.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
During 2004, Mr. Langone served as a director of The Home
Depot, Inc. In 2004, the Company performed services for The Home
Depot, Inc. through the Business Services segment totaling
approximately $18.0 million ($13.6 million net of
pass-through expenses). These services were the result of
arms length negotiations in the ordinary course of
business.
During 2004, Mr. Langone served as a director of General
Electric Company. During 2004, the Company performed business
outsourcing, software solutions and background screening
services for General Electric Company and its subsidiaries
through the Insurance Services and Business Services segments
totaling approximately $10.4 million. These services were
the result of arms length negotiations in the ordinary
course of business.
Mr. Murray served as a director of FleetBoston Financial
Corporation until April 1, 2004 when it merged with Bank of
America Corporation and he did not continue as a director of
Bank of America Corporation. In 2002, ChoicePoint entered into a
credit facility with a total commitment of $325 million, in
which Fleet National Bank, a subsidiary of FleetBoston Financial
Corporation, participated in the amount of $25 million.
This facility was replaced with a new credit facility as of
December 29, 2004. Total interest and fees paid to Fleet
National Bank through March 31, 2004 related to this
transaction during the first quarter of 2004 was approximately
$9,000. ChoicePoint also has a synthetic lease with a total
commitment of up to $48 million, in which Fleet National
Bank participates in the amount of $13.8 million. As of
March 31, 2004, $42.3 million was outstanding under
the synthetic lease, of which ChoicePoint is liable to Fleet
National Bank for $12.2 million. Interest paid to Fleet
National Bank for the first quarter of 2004 related to this
transaction was approximately $156,000. In addition, during the
first quarter of 2004, the Company provided public filing
information services for FleetBoston Financial Corporation
totaling approximately $8,000. The Credit Facility, synthetic
lease and services performed were the results of arms
length negotiations conducted in the ordinary course of business.
ChoicePoint Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the regulations of
the SEC require ChoicePoints executive officers, directors
and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the
ChoicePoint common stock to file initial reports of ownership
and changes in ownership of the ChoicePoint common stock with
the SEC and the NYSE. Executive officers, directors and
ChoicePoint 10% shareholders are required by the regulations of
the SEC to furnish ChoicePoint with copies of all reports that
they file pursuant to Section 16(a). In addition,
Item 405 of Regulation S-K requires ChoicePoint to
identify in its Proxy Statement each reporting person that
failed to file on a timely basis reports required by
Section 16(a) during the most recent fiscal year or prior
fiscal years. To ChoicePoints knowledge, based upon a
review of the copies of such forms furnished to ChoicePoint and
written representations from ChoicePoints executive
officers and directors, all filing requirements applicable to
ChoicePoints executive officers, directors and persons who
beneficially own more than 10% of the ChoicePoint common stock
complied with the applicable reporting requirements for 2004,
except for David T. Lee, who inadvertently had one delinquent
filing.
Annual Report to Shareholders/ Annual Report on
Form 10-K
The Annual Report to Shareholders of ChoicePoint Inc. for the
year ended December 31, 2004, including audited financial
statements, accompanies this proxy statement. The Annual Report
does not form any part of the material for the solicitation of
proxies. Additionally, ChoicePoint files an Annual Report on
Form 10-K with the SEC. A COPY OF CHOICEPOINTS
MOST RECENT FORM 10-K
32
REPORT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY SHAREHOLDER
WHO MAKES WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE OFFICE OF THE CORPORATE
SECRETARY, CHOICEPOINT INC., 1000 ALDERMAN DRIVE, ALPHARETTA,
GEORGIA 30005.
Other Matters at the Annual Meeting
ChoicePoint is unaware of any matter to be presented at the
ChoicePoint annual meeting other than as described in this proxy
statement. If other matters are properly presented at the
ChoicePoint annual meeting, the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy will have authority to vote all properly executed
proxies in accordance with their judgment on any such matter,
including, without limitation, any proposal to adjourn or
postpone the ChoicePoint annual meeting.
Expenses of Solicitation
ChoicePoint has retained Morrow & Co., Inc. to aid in
the solicitation of proxies. ChoicePoint estimates the cost of
these services to be approximately $6,000, plus out-of-pocket
expenses. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by
ChoicePoint. Proxies may be solicited by personal interview,
mail or telephone. In addition, ChoicePoint may reimburse
brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners
of shares of ChoicePoint common stock for their expenses in
forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners. Proxies
may also be solicited by ChoicePoints executive officers,
directors and regular employees, without additional
compensation, personally or by telephone or facsimile
transmission.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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|
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|
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David W. Davis |
|
Corporate Secretary |
Alpharetta, Georgia
March 23, 2005
33
APPENDIX A
CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan
1. Purpose. The purpose of the 2003 Omnibus
Incentive Plan (the Plan) is to attract and retain
directors, officers and key employees for ChoicePoint Inc. (the
Corporation) and its Subsidiaries and to provide to
such persons incentives and rewards for superior performance.
The Plan contains provisions for both annual incentives, which
will generally be paid in cash, and long-term incentives, which
may be represented by equity interests in the Corporation and/or
cash.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan,
Annual Meeting means the annual meeting of
shareholders of the Corporation.
Annual Incentive Award means the cash award
described in Sections 16 through 19 of this Plan.
Appreciation Right means a right granted pursuant to
Section 5 of this Plan, including a Free-standing
Appreciation Right or a Tandem Appreciation Right.
Base Compensation means the aggregate payments made
on a biweekly basis during the Plan Year at the base rate of pay
applicable to a Participant for the payroll period in question,
but not including bonuses, commissions or other similar amounts,
nor any benefit plan contributions, nor any such compensation
received during, or as a consequence of, an approved leave of
absence. Base Compensation shall include any such base rate
compensation the receipt of which may have been deferred by the
Participants election. Base Compensation shall only
include said amounts paid (or deferred) during the portion of a
Plan Year in which a person is a Participant.
Base Price means the price to be used as the basis
for determining the Spread upon the exercise of a Free-standing
Appreciation Right.
Board means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.
Bonus Participants means those employees eligible
for Annual Incentive Awards described in section 16 of this
Plan.
Business Criteria means the criteria established
pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received grants
pursuant to this Plan, where those grants are conditioned by
their terms upon satisfaction of Performance Goals in relation
to said criteria. Business Criteria may be described in terms of
Corporation-wide objectives or objectives that are related to
the performance of the individual Participant or of the
Subsidiary, business unit, division, department, region or
function within the Corporation or Subsidiary in which the
Participant is employed. The Performance Goals relating to the
Business Criteria may be made relative to the performance of
other corporations. The Performance Goals applicable to an award
to a Covered Employee shall be based on specified levels of
achievement, growth or improvement with respect to one or more
of the following Business Criteria:
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(a) Earnings (Gross, Operating, Pre-Tax, Before Interest
and Taxes (EBIT), Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and
Amortization (EBITDA), Net) |
|
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|
(b) Cash Flow (Operating, Free, Net) |
|
|
(c) Revenue |
|
|
(d) Economic Value Added (EVA) |
|
|
(e) Total Shareholder Return |
A-1
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|
|
(1) Equity (Beginning, Ending, Average) |
|
|
(2) Assets (Beginning, Ending, Average, Net, Employed) |
|
|
(3) Capital (Beginning, Ending, Average) |
|
|
(4) Investment (Beginning, Ending, Average) |
|
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(g) Price of Any Security of the Corporation |
|
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(h) Book Value per Share |
|
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(i) Operating Performance |
|
|
(j) Strategic Initiatives |
|
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(k) Operating Profit After Amortization (OPAA) |
If the Committee determines that a change in the business,
operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the
Corporation, or the manner in which it conducts its business, or
other events or circumstances render the Business Criteria
unsuitable, the Committee may in its discretion modify such
Business Criteria, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems
appropriate and equitable, except in the case of a Covered
Employee where such action would result in the loss of the
otherwise available exemption of the award under
Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Committee
shall not make any modification of the Business Criteria.
Change in Control shall have the meaning provided in
Section 14 of this Plan.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
Committee means the committee (or a subcommittee)
described in Section 24 of this Plan.
Common Shares means shares of common stock,
$.10 par value per share, of the Corporation or any
security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason
of any transaction or event of the type referred to in
Section 13 of this Plan.
Covered Employee means a Participant who is, or is
determined by the Committee to be likely to become, a
covered employee within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).
Date of Grant means the date specified by the
Committee on which a grant of Option Rights, Appreciation
Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units or Share
Equivalent Units or a grant or sale of Restricted Shares or
Deferred Shares shall become effective.
Deferral Period means the period of time during
which Deferred Shares are subject to deferral limitations under
Section 7 of this Plan.
Deferred Shares means an award made pursuant to
Section 7 of this Plan of the right to receive Common
Shares at the end of a specified Deferral Period.
Designated Subsidiary means a Subsidiary that is
(i) not a corporation or (ii) a corporation in which
at the time the Corporation owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, less than 80 percent of the total combined
voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such
corporation, as referenced in Section 21 below.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as
such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
Family Member means a Participants children,
stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents,
spouses, siblings (including half-brothers and sisters), nieces,
nephews and in-laws.
A-2
Free-standing Appreciation Right means an
Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 of this
Plan that is not granted in tandem with an Option Right or
similar right.
Incentive Stock Options means Option Rights that are
intended to qualify as incentive stock options under
Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
Market Value per Share means, as of any particular
date, the closing price of the Common Shares on a national stock
exchange on said date, or if said date is not a business date,
the immediately preceding business date.
Non-Employee Officer or Director means an officer or
director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary.
Optionee means the optionee named in an agreement
evidencing an outstanding Option Right.
Option Price means the purchase price payable on
exercise of an Option Right.
Option Right means the right to purchase Common
Shares upon exercise of an option granted pursuant to
Section 4 or Section 10 of this Plan.
Participant means a person who is selected by the
Committee to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the
time an officer, or other key employee of the Corporation or any
one or more of its Subsidiaries, or who has agreed to commence
serving in any of such capacities within 90 days of the
Date of Grant, and shall also include each Non-Employee Officer
or Director who receives an award pursuant to Section 10 of
this Plan, or any other person, whether or not an employee,
Director or officer, who renders significant services as a
consultant or otherwise, in the discretion of the Committee.
Performance Goal means the level of achievement,
growth or improvement with respect to one or more Business
Criteria which must be met to earn a stated award or grant
hereunder within a stated Performance Period. Any such
determination made by the Committee shall include a minimum
acceptable level of achievement, below which no award will be
paid, and a maximum level above a Performance Goal which may
result in incremental additional payment, and a formula for
determining the amount of payment if performance falls between
said minimums and maximums. If the Committee determines that a
change in the business, operations, corporate structure or
capital structure of the Corporation, or the manner in which it
conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render a
Performance Goal unsuitable, the Committee may in its discretion
modify such Performance Goal or the related minimum acceptable
level of achievement, or maximum level for which incremental
benefits will be paid, in whole or in part, as the Committee
deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of a Covered
Employee where such action would result in the loss of the
otherwise available exemption of the award under
Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Committee
shall not make any modification of the Performance Goals. The
satisfaction of a Performance Goal applicable to any award to a
Covered Employee must be certified by the Committee in each case.
Performance Period means, with respect to
Performance Goals, the period of time within which the relevant
performance is to be measured, which shall not be less than one
year, except in the event of certain occurrences, including but
not limited to retirement or Change in Control, provided
elsewhere in the Plan.
Performance Share means a bookkeeping entry that
records the equivalent of one Common Share awarded pursuant to
Section 8 of this Plan.
Performance Unit means a bookkeeping entry that
records a unit equivalent to $100.00 awarded pursuant to
Section 8 of this Plan.
Plan Year means the Corporations fiscal year.
Restricted Shares means Common Shares granted or
sold pursuant to Section 6 or Section 10 of this Plan
as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the
prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 6 has
expired.
A-3
Retirement means termination of employment after the
attainment of a minimum age of 50 and completion of that number
of years service with the Corporation or a Subsidiary which,
when added to the Participants age at said time, equals at
least 75; unless the Committee provides differently in a
specific grant or award. With respect to Non-Employee Officers
and Directors, Retirement shall mean cessation of
service after the sixth anniversary of commencement of said
service.
Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor rule to the
same effect) as in effect from time to time.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law,
rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
Share Equivalent Unit means a bookkeeping unit, the
value of which at the time of grant is equal to the Market Value
per Share of a Common Share.
Spread means the excess of the Market Value per
Share of the Common Shares on the date when an Appreciation
Right is exercised, or on the date when Option Rights are
surrendered in payment of the Option Price of other Option
Rights, over the Option Price provided for in the related Option
Right.
Subsidiary means a corporation, company or other
entity (i) more than 50 percent of whose outstanding
shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the
election of directors or other managing authority) are, or
(ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities
(as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture or
unincorporated association), but more than 50 percent of
whose ownership interest representing the right generally to
make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned
or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation except
that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a
Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock
Options, Subsidiary means any corporation in which
at the time the Corporation owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, more than 50 percent of the total combined
voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such
corporation.
Tandem Appreciation Right means an Appreciation
Right granted pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan that is
granted in tandem with an Option Right or any similar right
granted under any other plan of the Corporation.
Voting Shares means at any time, the
then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of the Corporation.
3. Shares Available Under the Plan.
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(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13 of
this Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be issued or
transferred to Participants (i) upon the exercise of Option
Rights or Appreciation Rights, (ii) as Restricted Shares
and released from substantial risks of forfeiture thereof,
(iii) as Deferred Shares, (iv) in payment of
Performance Shares or Performance Units that have been earned,
(v) in payment of Share Equivalent Units,
(vi) pursuant to other awards specified in Section 11
of this Plan or (vii) in payment of dividend equivalents
paid with respect to awards made under the Plan shall not exceed
in the aggregate 3,500,000 shares of which no more than
700,000 shares shall be granted as Restricted Shares,
Deferred Shares or Performance Shares. Such shares may be shares
of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the
foregoing. Upon the payment of any Option Price by the transfer
to the Corporation of Common Shares or upon satisfaction of any
withholding amount by means of transfer or relinquishment of
Common Shares, there shall be deemed to have been issued or
transferred under this Plan only the net number of Common Shares
actually issued or transferred by the Corporation. |
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(b) The total number of shares available under the Plan as
of a given date shall include any shares relating to prior
awards that have expired or have been forfeited or cancelled. |
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(c) Upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by any
award granted under this Plan, any shares that were covered by
that award shall again be available for issue or transfer
hereunder. |
A-4
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(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or
elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary, the aggregate number of
Common Shares actually issued or transferred by the Corporation
upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed
3,500,000 shares, subject to adjustments as provided in
Section 13 of this Plan. |
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(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the
contrary, no Participant shall be granted Option Rights for more
than 750,000 Common Shares during any plan year, subject to
adjustments as provided in Section 13 of this Plan.
Further, in no event shall any Participant in any plan year
receive more than 750,000 Appreciation Rights, subject to
adjustments as provided in Section 13 of this Plan. |
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(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the
contrary, in no event shall any Participant in any Plan Year
receive an award of Performance Shares, Performance Units, Share
Equivalent Units, Deferred Shares or Restricted Shares pursuant
to this Plan having an aggregate maximum value as of their
respective Dates of Grant in excess of $4,000,000, nor shall a
Bonus Participant receive an Annual Incentive Award in any Plan
Year in excess of $4,000,000. |
PROVISIONS RELATING TO LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
(SECTIONS 4-15)
4. Option Rights. The Committee may, from time to
time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine,
authorize the granting to Participants of options to purchase
Common Shares. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the
authorizations, and shall be subject to all of the requirements,
contained in the following provisions:
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(a) Each grant shall specify the number of Common Shares to
which it pertains subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3 of this Plan. |
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(b) Each grant shall specify an Option Price per share,
which may be no less than 100 percent of the Market Value
per Share on the Date of Grant. |
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(c) Each grant shall specify whether the Option Price shall
be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the
Corporation, (ii) by the actual or constructive transfer to
the Corporation of nonforfeitable, unrestricted Common Shares
owned by the Optionee (or other consideration authorized
pursuant to subsection (d) below) having a value at
the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or
(iii) by a combination of such methods of payment. |
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(d) The Committee may determine, at or after the Date of
Grant, that payment of the Option Price of any option (other
than an Incentive Stock Option) may also be made in whole or in
part in the form of Restricted Shares or other Common Shares
that are forfeitable or subject to restrictions on transfer,
Deferred Shares, Performance Shares (based, in each case, on the
Market Value per Share on the date of exercise), other Option
Rights (based on the Spread on the date of exercise), Share
Equivalent Units or Performance Units. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at or after the Date of Grant,
whenever any Option Price is paid in whole or in part by means
of any of the forms of consideration specified in this
paragraph, the Common Shares received upon the exercise of the
Option Rights shall be subject to such risks of forfeiture or
restrictions on transfer as may correspond to any that apply to
the consideration surrendered, but only to the extent of
(i) the number of shares or Performance Shares,
(ii) the Spread of any unexercisable portion of Option
Rights, or (iii) the stated value of Share Equivalent Units
or Performance Units surrendered. |
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(e) To the extent permitted by law, any grant may provide
for deferred payment of the Option Price from the proceeds of
sale through a broker on a date satisfactory to the Corporation
of some or all of the shares to which such exercise relates. |
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(f) No grant may provide for the automatic grant of reload
option rights to an Optionee upon the exercise of Option Rights. |
A-5
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(g) No outstanding Option Right may be amended to reduce
the Option Price. Furthermore, no Option Right shall be
cancelled and replaced with awards having a lower Option Price
without further approval of the shareholders of the Corporation.
This Section 4(g) is intended to prohibit the repricing of
underwater Option Rights and shall not be construed
to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 13 of
this Plan. |
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(h) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant
whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such
Participant remain unexercised. |
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(i) Each grant shall specify the period or periods of
continuous service by the Optionee with the Corporation or any
Subsidiary which is necessary before the Option Rights or
installments thereof will become exercisable and may provide for
the earlier exercise of such Option Rights in the event of a
Change in Control, Retirement, death or disability of the
Optionee or other similar transaction or event, or may provide
for the continuation of vesting following the occurrence of any
such transaction or event. |
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(j) In lieu of the period of performance referred to in |
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subparagraph (i) above, any grant of Option Rights may
specify Performance Goals that must be achieved as a condition
to the exercise of such rights. The grant may provide for
earlier exercise of such Option Rights in the event of a Change
in Control, Retirement, death or disability of the Optionee or
other similar transaction or event during a Performance Period. |
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(k) Option Rights granted under this Plan may be
(i) options, including, without limitation, Incentive Stock
Options, that are intended to qualify under particular
provisions of the Code, (ii) options that are not intended
so to qualify, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing. |
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(l) The Committee may, at or after the Date of Grant of any
Option Rights (other than Incentive Stock Options), provide for
the payment of dividend equivalents to the Optionee on either a
current or deferred or contingent basis or may provide that such
equivalents shall be credited against the Option Price. |
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(m) The exercise of an Option Right shall result in the
cancellation on a share-for-share basis of any Tandem
Appreciation Right authorized under Section 5 of this Plan. |
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(n) Each grant shall specify the term of the Option Right;
provided, however, that no Option Right shall be exercisable
more than 10 years from the Date of Grant. |
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(o) Each grant of Option Rights shall be evidenced by an
agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation by an officer
and delivered to the Optionee and containing such terms and
provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may
approve. |
5. Appreciation Rights. The Committee may also
authorize grants to Participants of Appreciation Rights. An
Appreciation Right shall be a right of the Participant to
receive from the Corporation an amount, which shall be
determined by the Committee and shall be expressed as a
percentage (not exceeding 100 percent) of the Spread at the
time of the exercise of such right. Any grant of Appreciation
Rights under this Plan shall be upon such terms and conditions
as the Committee may determine in accordance with the following
provisions:
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(a) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may be paid by the Corporation
in cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may
either grant to the Optionee or retain in the Committee the
right to elect among those alternatives. |
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(b) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed a maximum
specified by the Committee at the Date of Grant. |
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(c) Any grant may specify waiting periods before exercise
and permissible exercise dates or periods. |
A-6
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(d) Any grant may specify that such Appreciation Right may
be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control or other
similar transaction or event. |
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(e) Each grant of Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by
a notification executed on behalf of the Corporation by an
officer and delivered to and accepted by the Participant, which
notification shall describe such Appreciation Rights, identify
the related Option Rights, if any, state that such Appreciation
Rights are subject to all the terms and conditions of this Plan,
and contain such other terms and provisions, consistent with
this Plan, as the Committee may approve. |
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(f) In lieu of the waiting periods referred to in
subparagraph (c) above and (h)(iii) below, any grant
of Appreciation Rights may specify Performance Goals that must
be achieved as a condition of the exercise of such rights. |
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(g) Regarding Tandem Appreciation Rights only: Each grant
shall provide that a Tandem Appreciation Right may be exercised
only (i) at a time when the related Option Right (or any
similar right granted under any other plan of the Corporation)
is also exercisable and the Spread is positive and (ii) by
surrender of the related Option Right (or such other right) for
cancellation. In addition, a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded
in relation to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted
concurrently with such Incentive Stock Option. |
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(h) Regarding Free-standing Appreciation Rights only: |
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(i) Each grant shall specify in respect of each
Free-standing Appreciation Right a Base Price per Common Share,
which shall be equal to or greater than the Market Value per
Share on the Date of Grant; |
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(ii) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant
regardless of whether any Free-standing Appreciation Rights
previously granted to such Participant remain unexercised; |
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(iii) Each grant shall specify the period or periods of
continuous service by the Participant with the Corporation or
any Subsidiary that is necessary before the Free-standing
Appreciation Rights or installments thereof shall become
exercisable, and any grant may provide for the earlier exercise
of such rights in the event of a Change in Control, Retirement,
death or disability of the Participant or other similar
transaction or event as approved by the Committee; and |
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(iv) No Free-standing Appreciation Right granted under this
Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the Date of
Grant. |
6. Restricted Shares. The Committee may also
authorize the grant or sale to Participants of Restricted
Shares. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the
authorizations contained in subparagraphs (b), (e) and
(f), and shall be subject to all of the requirements contained
in subparagraphs (a), (c), (d) and (g) below:
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(a) Each such grant or sale shall constitute an immediate
transfer of the ownership of Common Shares to the Participant in
consideration of the performance of services, entitling such
Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights, but
subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions
on transfer hereinafter referred to. |
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(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such
Participant that is less than Market Value per Share at the Date
of Grant. |
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(c) Each such grant or sale shall provide that the
Restricted Shares covered by such grant or sale shall be subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the
meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period to be
determined by the Committee at the Date of Grant, or upon
achievement of Performance Goals referred to in
subparagraph (e) below. If the elimination of said
restrictions is based on the passage of time rather than the
achievement of Performance Goals, the period of time shall be no
shorter than three (3) years, except that said restrictions
may be removed on an annual, ratable basis during the three year
period. Any grant or sale may nonetheless provide for the earlier |
A-7
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termination of such period in the event of a Change in Control
or similar transaction, Retirement, death or disability of the
Participant as approved by the Committee. |
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(d) Each such grant or sale shall provide that during the
period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to
continue, the transferability of the Restricted Shares shall be
prohibited or restricted except as permitted in Section 12
below, or as may be prescribed by the Committee at the Date of
Grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation,
rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Corporation or
provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a continuing
substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee). |
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(e) Any grant of Restricted Shares may specify Performance
Goals which, if achieved, will result in termination or early
termination of the restrictions applicable to such shares. |
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(f) Any such grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require
that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon
during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred
and reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, which may be
Subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award. |
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(g) Each grant or sale of Restricted Shares shall be
evidenced by an agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation
by any officer and delivered to and accepted by the Participant
and shall contain such terms and provisions, consistent with
this Plan, as the Committee may approve. Unless otherwise
directed by the Committee, all certificates representing
Restricted Shares shall be held in custody by the Corporation
until all restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, together with
a stock power executed by the Participant in whose name such
certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such
Shares. |
7. Deferred Shares. The Committee may also authorize
the grant or sale of Deferred Shares to Participants. Each such
grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations
contained in subparagraph (b), and shall be subject to all
of the requirements contained in subparagraphs (a), (c),
(d) and (e) below:
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(a) Each such grant or sale shall constitute the agreement
by the Corporation to deliver Common Shares to the Participant
in the future in consideration of the performance of services,
but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions during the
Deferral Period as the Committee may specify. |
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(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such
Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the
Date of Grant. |
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(c) Each such grant or sale shall be subject, except (if
the Committee shall so determine) in the event of a Change in
Control or other similar transaction or event, to a Deferral
Period of not less than three (3) years, except that a
grant may provide that the Deferral Period will expire ratably
during said three-year period, on an annual basis, as determined
by the Committee at the Date of Grant. |
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(d) During the Deferral Period, the Participant shall have
no right to transfer any rights under his or her award except to
the extent provided in Section 12 below and shall have no
rights of ownership in the Deferred Shares and shall have no
right to vote them, but the Committee may, at or after the Date
of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on such
Shares on either a current or deferred or contingent basis,
either in cash or in additional Common Shares. |
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(e) Each grant or sale of Deferred Shares shall be
evidenced by an agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation
by any officer and delivered to and accepted by the Participant
and shall contain such terms and provisions, consistent with
this Plan, as the Committee may approve. |
8. Performance Shares or Performance Units. The
Committee may also authorize the grant of Performance Shares or
Performance Units that will become payable to a Participant upon
achievement of specified Performance Goals. Each such grant may
utilize any or all of the authorizations contained in
A-8
subparagraphs (f), (g) and (i), and shall be subject
to all of the requirements contained in subparagraphs (a),
(b), (c), (d), (e) and (h) below:
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(a) Each grant shall specify the number of Performance
Shares or Performance Units to which it pertains, which number
may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation
or other factors; provided, however, that no such adjustment
shall be made in the case of a Covered Employee where such
action would result in the loss of the otherwise available
exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. |
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(b) The Performance Period with respect to each Performance
Share or Performance Unit shall be such period of time not less
than 1 year, (except in the event of a Change in Control or
other similar transaction or event, Retirement, death or
disability of the Participant, if the Committee shall so
determine) commencing with the Date of Grant and ending on the
last date of the Performance Period (as shall be determined by
the Committee at the time of grant). |
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(c) Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units
shall specify Performance Goals which, if achieved, will result
in payment or early payment of the award. The grant of
Performance Shares or Performance Units shall specify that,
before the Performance Shares or Performance Units shall be
earned and paid, the Committee must certify that the Performance
Goals have been satisfied. |
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(d) Each grant shall specify a minimum acceptable level of
achievement in respect of the specified Performance Goals below
which no payment will be made. |
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(e) Each grant shall specify the time and manner of payment
of Performance Shares or Performance Units which have been
earned. Any grant may specify that the amount payable with
respect thereto may be paid by the Corporation in cash, in
Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may either grant
to the Participant or retain in the Committee the right to elect
among those alternatives. |
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(f) Any grant of Performance Shares may specify that the
amount payable with respect thereto may not exceed a maximum
specified by the Committee at the Date of Grant. Any grant of
Performance Units may specify that the amount payable or the
number of Common Shares issued with respect thereto may not
exceed maximums specified by the Committee at the Date of Grant. |
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(g) The Committee may, at or after the Date of Grant of
Performance Shares, provide for the payment of dividend
equivalents to the holder thereof on either a current or
deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional
Common Shares. |
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(h) Each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units
shall be evidenced by a notification executed on behalf of the
Corporation by any officer and delivered to and accepted by the
Participant, which notification shall state that such
Performance Shares or Performance Units are subject to all the
terms and conditions of this Plan, and contain such other terms
and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may
approve. |
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(i) Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units
may provide for appropriate adjustments to goals and awards or
deemed achievement thereof, in the event of a Change in Control,
Retirement, death or disability of the Participant, or other
similar transaction or event during the Performance Period. |
9. Share Equivalent Units. The Committee may also
authorize the grant of Share Equivalent Units to a Participant
hereunder, subject to the following terms and conditions:
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(a) Each grant shall specify the number of Share Equivalent
Units to which it pertains. |
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(b) Share Equivalent Units allocated to a Participant shall
be credited to a ledger account established and maintained for
such Participant on the books and records of the Corporation.
Such ledger account, including units credited thereto, shall be
bookkeeping entries only and shall not require the Corporation
to segregate or otherwise earmark or reserve assets. No Common
Shares shall be issued or issuable at the time units are
credited to a ledger account established hereunder. |
A-9
During any period in which Share Equivalent Units are credited
to a ledger account, the Committee may provide (i) that an
amount equal to the dividends payable with respect to Common
Shares represented by units credited to such account shall be
credited as of each dividend payment date, and/or (ii) that
any stock dividend, stock split or other recapitalization shall
be reflected in the credits made to such ledger account.
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(c) Share Equivalent Units allocated to a Participant shall
be distributable in accordance with the terms and conditions
imposed by the Committee. When any such unit is or becomes
distributable, the affected Participant shall be entitled to
receive a distribution from the Corporation in such form, which
may include Common Shares, with or without legends, Restricted
Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as the Committee shall
determine. |
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(d) The allocation of Share Equivalent Units to a ledger
account shall not entitle a Participant to exercise the rights
of a stockholder of the Corporation until the issuance of Common
Shares with respect to such allocation. |
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(e) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if a
Participant severs his or her employment, or ceases to serve as
a Non-Employee Officer or Director, with the Corporation and all
Subsidiaries with Share Equivalent Units credited to his or her
ledger account, the Participant shall forfeit all rights to said
Share Equivalent Units, subject to the provisions of
Section 15(b) below. |
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(f) The Committee may provide that a grant of Share
Equivalent Units shall specify Performance Goals which, if
achieved, will result in payment or early payment of the award. |
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(g) Each grant may provide that, in the event of a Change
in Control or other similar transaction or event prior to
satisfaction of the conditions for distribution of such Share
Equivalent Awards, said conditions shall be deemed particularly
or fully satisfied. |
10. Awards to Non-Employee Officers or Directors.
The Committee may also grant Restricted Shares, Option Rights
and Share Equivalent Units to Non-Employee Officers or Directors.
Each such grant shall be evidenced by an agreement executed on
behalf of the Corporation by an officer and delivered to the
grantee and shall contain such terms and provisions, consistent
with the provisions of this Plan relevant to the type of grant
or award made, as the Committee may approve.
11. Other Awards. The Committee shall have the
authority to specify the terms and provisions of other
equity-based or equity-related awards not described above
(Other Awards) which the Committee determines to be
consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the interests of the
Corporation, which awards may provide for the acquisition or
future acquisition of Common Shares by Participants.
12. Transferability.
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(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no
Option Right, Appreciation Right or other derivative security
(which shall not include incentive stock options or any right to
cash or to units which are not equity interests which shall not
in any event be transferable) granted under the Plan shall be
transferable by a Participant other than (i) to a Family
Member, (ii) to a trust for the sole benefit of Family
Members, (iii) to a family partnership for the sole benefit
of Family Members, or (iv) to an entity which is exempt
from federal income taxes pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of
the Code; provided, however, that said transfer shall be made
(A) by execution and delivery of a Beneficiary Designation
Form provided by the Company, or if none, by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, or (B) if inter vivos, only upon
the written approval of the Corporations Chief Financial
Officer or Vice President with responsibility for compensation
and benefits. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee,
Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, and other awards shall be
exercisable during the Optionees lifetime only by him or
her or by his or her guardian or legal representative, or by the
person or entity to whom a transfer has been permitted pursuant
to the preceding sentence. |
A-10
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(b) The Committee may specify at the Date of Grant that
part or all of the Common Shares that are (i) to be issued
or transferred by the Corporation upon the exercise of Option
Rights or Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the
Deferral Period applicable to Deferred Shares or upon payment
under any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units or
Share Equivalent Units or (ii) no longer subject to the
substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer
referred to in Section 6 of this Plan, shall be subject to
further restrictions on transfer. |
13. Adjustments. The Committee may make or provide
for such adjustments in the numbers of Common Shares covered by
outstanding Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Deferred Shares,
Performance Shares, Share Equivalent Units and Other Awards
granted hereunder, in the prices per share applicable to such
awards and in the kind of shares covered thereby, as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may
determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the rights of Participants or Optionees that
otherwise would result from (a) any combination of shares,
recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the
Corporation, or (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off,
split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or
complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance
of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any
other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to
any of the foregoing. Similar adjustments shall be made
automatically, on a purely mathematical basis, in the event of a
stock dividend or stock split. Moreover, in the event of any
such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may
provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under
this Plan such alternative consideration as it, in good faith,
may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may
require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so
replaced. The Committee may also make or provide for such
adjustments in the numbers of shares specified in Section 3
of this Plan as the Committee in its sole discretion, exercised
in good faith, may determine is appropriate to reflect any
transaction or event described in this Section 13. A
similar adjustment shall be made automatically to the number of
shares specified in Section 3 of this Plan in the event of
a stock dividend or stock split.
14. Change in Control. For purposes of this Plan, a
Change in Control shall mean if at any time any of
the following events shall have occurred:
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(a) The Corporation is merged or consolidated or
reorganized into or with another corporation or other legal
person, and as a result of such merger, consolidation or
reorganization less than a majority of the combined voting power
of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
immediately after such transaction is held in the aggregate by
the holders of Voting Shares immediately prior to such
transaction; |
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(b) The Corporation sells or otherwise transfers all or
substantially all of its assets to any other corporation or
other legal person, and as a result of such sale or transfer,
less than a majority of the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
immediately after such sale or transfer is held in the aggregate
by the holders of Voting Shares immediately prior to such sale
or transfer; |
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(c) There is a report filed on Schedule 13D or
Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report),
each as promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing
that any person (as the term person is used in
Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) has become the beneficial owner (as the term
beneficial owner is defined under Rule 13d-3 or
any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange
Act) of securities representing 30% or more of the Voting Shares; |
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(d) The Corporation files a report or proxy statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act disclosing in response to Form 8-K or Schedule 14A
(or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) that
a change in control of the Corporation has or may have occurred
or will or may occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing
contract or transaction; or |
A-11
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(e) If during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of any such period constitute
the Directors of the Corporation cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election, or
the nomination for election by the Corporations
shareholders, of each Director of the Corporation first elected
during such period was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the Directors of the Corporation then still in office who
were Directors of the Corporation at the beginning of any such
period. |
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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
Section 14(c) and (d) above, a Change in
Control shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes
of this Plan (i) solely because (A) the Corporation,
(B) a Subsidiary, (C) any Corporation-sponsored
employee stock ownership plan or other employee benefit plan of
the Corporation or (D) any employee of the Corporation or a
Subsidiary, either files or becomes obligated to file a report
or proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D,
Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any
successor schedule, form or report or item therein) under the
Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of
Voting Shares, whether in excess of 30% or otherwise, or because
the Corporation reports that a change of control of the
Corporation has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the
future by reason of such beneficial ownership or
(ii) solely because of a change in control of any
Subsidiary. |
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(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 14, if prior to any event described in
paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 14
instituted by any person who is not an officer or director of
the Corporation, or prior to any disclosed proposal instituted
by any person who is not an officer or director of the
Corporation which could lead to any such event, management
proposes any restructuring of the Corporation which ultimately
leads to an event described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or
(d) of this Section 14 pursuant to such management
proposal, then a Change in Control shall not be
deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Plan. |
15. Other Provisions Applicable to Long-Term
Incentives.
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(a) The Corporation shall not be required to issue any
fractional Common Shares pursuant to this Plan. The Committee
may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the
settlement of fractions in cash based on Market Value per Share
on the date of settlement. |
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(b) Any grant or award issued pursuant to Sections 4
through 11 above may provide that, in case of termination of
employment or service by reason of death, disability or
Retirement, or in the case of hardship or other special
circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option Right or
Appreciation Right not immediately exercisable in full, or any
Restricted Shares as to which the substantial risk of forfeiture
or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed, or
any Deferred Shares as to which the Deferral Period has not been
completed, or any Performance Shares or Performance Units, or
Share Equivalent Units which have not been fully earned, or who
holds Common Shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed
pursuant to Section 12(b) of this Plan, the time at which
such Option Right or Appreciation Right may be exercised or the
time at which such substantial risk of forfeiture or prohibition
or restriction on transfer will lapse or the time when such
Deferral Period will end or the time at which such Performance
Shares or Performance Units or Share Equivalent Units will be
deemed to have been fully earned or the time when such transfer
restriction will terminate may be accelerated, or in lieu of
such a provision, that the Committee may provide for such
acceleration after the fact, in its discretion, or that any
other limitation or requirement under any such award may be
waived. |
PROVISIONS RELATING TO ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS
(SECTIONS 16-19)
16. Participants. The participants (Bonus
Participants) in the Annual Incentive Award program shall
be the Covered Employees of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries
determined as of the first day of the Plan Year in question, and
any other key employees designated by the Committee for the Plan
Year in question or any portion thereof. Any Bonus Participant
whose active employment commences after the first
A-12
day of a Plan Year will receive an award which is based on Base
Compensation earned during active employment in said Plan Year.
17. Calculation of Annual Incentive Award.
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(a) Each Bonus Participant who is entitled to receive an
Annual Incentive Award for a Plan Year pursuant to
Section 16 shall receive a cash payment after the end of
said Plan Year which is a percentage of his or her Base
Compensation determined by the degree of achievement of the
Performance Goals established by the Committee and communicated
to the Bonus Participant within the first ninety (90) days
of the Plan Year. The determination of the level of said
achievement will be certified by the Committee prior to the
distribution of any Award, and will be final. The Performance
Goals will relate to one or more Business Criteria. |
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(b) The Committee will assign varying weights to the
achievement of multiple Performance Goals where applicable,
which, with the Performance Goals themselves shall be intended
to reflect the role, responsibility, impact and organizational
relationships of each Bonus Participant. |
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(c) The Committee may determine, in its sole discretion
that notwithstanding the achievement of stated Performance
Goals, the amount of any Annual Incentive Award may be reduced
(but not increased). |
18. Payment of Annual Incentive Award. The Bonus
shall be paid to all Bonus Participants no later than
75 days after the close of the Plan Year, in cash, unless
the Bonus Participant has made a valid election to defer said
award pursuant to the terms of any applicable deferred
compensation plan maintained by the Corporation. Payment shall
be made from the Corporations general assets; no trust
fund shall be established for purposes of funding said payments.
The Annual Incentive Award may not be assigned, transferred,
mortgaged or hypothecated prior to actual receipt, except for
any assignment to secure a debt to the Corporation itself, and
any such attempt will be null and void.
19. Termination of Employment Prior to Year End; Change
of Control.
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(a) The Annual Incentive Award will not be paid for a
Participant who voluntarily terminates employment, or whose
employment is terminated by the Corporation or Subsidiary, prior
to the end of the Plan Year; provided, however, that a pro rata
award will nonetheless be paid if termination follows a Change
of Control as discussed below or is a consequence of Retirement.
Said prorated award will be calculated by inserting the actual
amount of Base Compensation received by the Participant during
the Plan Year in which termination occurs in the formula
provided for in paragraph 17 above, and based on the
assumption that the Performance Goals have been achieved in said
Plan Year. |
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(b) In the event of a Change of Control of the Corporation,
any Annual Incentive Award for the Plan Year (or portion thereof
during which a Participant remains employed, if applicable) in
which said Change of Control occurs will be paid to the
Participant regardless of whether he remains employed by the
Corporation on the last day of said Plan Year, based on the
assumption that the Performance Goals have been achieved and on
Base Compensation actually earned through the date of the Change
in Control. This provision of the Plan may not be amended during
the Plan Year in which a Change of Control occurs. The authority
to amend the definition of Change of Control provided for in
said Section 14 shall be exercised, for purposes of this
Plan only, by the Committee. |
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(c) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a) and (b)
above, if an Award Participant is a party to an individual
agreement providing for severance benefits upon a Change in
Control or termination of employment which include payments
based on Annual Incentive Awards, the provisions of said
agreement shall control. |
GENERAL PROVISIONS
20. Withholding Taxes. To the extent that the
Corporation is required to withhold federal, state, local or
foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit
realized by a Participant or other
A-13
person under this Plan, and the amounts available to the
Corporation for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a
condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of
such benefit that the Participant or such other person make
arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation for payment of the
balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which
arrangements (in the discretion of the Committee) may include
relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. The Corporation and
a Participant or such other person may also make similar
arrangements with respect to the payment of any taxes with
respect to which withholding is not required.
21. Participation by Employees and Other Providers of
Services to Designated Subsidiaries. As a condition to the
effectiveness of any grant or award to be made hereunder to a
Participant who is an employee of, or other provider of services
to, a Designated Subsidiary, whether or not such Participant is
also employed by or provides services to the Corporation or
another Subsidiary, the Committee may require such Designated
Subsidiary to agree to transfer to such person (when, as and if
provided for under this Plan and any applicable agreement
entered into with any such person pursuant to this Plan) the
Common Shares that would otherwise be delivered by the
Corporation, upon receipt by such Designated Subsidiary of any
consideration then otherwise payable by such Participant to the
Corporation. Any such award shall be evidenced by an agreement
between the Participant and the Designated Subsidiary, in lieu
of the Corporation, on terms consistent with this Plan and
approved by the Committee and such Designated Subsidiary. All
such Common Shares so delivered by or to a Designated Subsidiary
shall be treated as if they had been delivered by or to the
Corporation for purposes of Section 3 of this Plan, and all
references to the Corporation in this Plan shall be deemed to
refer to such Designated Subsidiary, except for purposes of the
definition of Board and except in other cases where
the context otherwise requires.
22. Foreign Employees and Providers of Services. In
order to facilitate the making of any grant or combination of
grants under this Plan, the Committee may provide for such
special terms for awards to Participants who are foreign
nationals or who are employed by or provide services to the
Corporation or any Subsidiary outside of the United States of
America as the Committee may consider necessary or appropriate
to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom.
Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to or
amendments, restatements or alternative versions of this Plan as
it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes,
without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect
for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate
officer of the Corporation may certify any such document as
having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this
Plan. No such special terms, supplements, amendments or
restatements, however, shall include any provisions that are
inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect
unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such
inconsistency without further approval by the shareholders of
the Corporation.
23. Election to Defer Awards. The Committee also may
permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of Common
Shares or the settlement of awards in cash under the Plan
pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may
establish for purposes of this Plan. The Committee also may
provide that deferred settlements include the payment or
crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral
amounts.
24. Administration of the Plan.
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(a) This Plan shall be administered by a Committee of the
Board (or subcommittee thereof), consisting of not less than
three Directors appointed by the Board who meet the standards
for independence established for purposes of Section 162(m)
of the Code and with respect to compensation committees pursuant
to the then applicable rules of the Securities Exchange
Commission and any stock exchange upon which the Common Shares
are traded. A majority of the Committee (or subcommittee
thereof) shall constitute a quorum, and the action of the
members of the Committee (or subcommittee thereof) present at
any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously
approved in writing, shall be the acts of the committee (or
subcommittee thereof). Until subsequent action of the Board, the
Committee shall be the Management Compensation and Benefits
Committee of the Board. |
A-14
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(b) The interpretation and construction by the Committee of
any provision of this Plan or of any agreement, notification or
document evidencing the grant of Option Rights, Appreciation
Rights, Restricted Shares, Deferred Shares, Performance Shares,
Performance Units, Share Equivalent Units, Other Awards or
Annual Incentive Awards and any determination by the Committee
pursuant to any provision of this Plan or of any such agreement,
notification or document shall be final and conclusive. No
member of the Committee shall be liable for any such action or
determination made in good faith. |
25. Amendments, Etc.
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(a) The Committee may at any time and from time to time
amend the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that any
amendment which must be approved by the shareholders of the
Corporation in order to comply with applicable law or the rules
of the principal national securities exchange upon which the
Common Shares are traded or quoted shall not be effective unless
and until such approval has been obtained, and provided further
that the restrictions of Sections 4(f) and (g) may not
be amended without the approval of the shareholders of the
Corporation. Presentation of this Plan or any amendment hereof
for shareholder approval shall not be construed to limit the
Corporations authority to offer similar or dissimilar
benefits under plans that do not require shareholder approval. |
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(b) The Committee may, with the concurrence of an affected
Participant, cancel any agreement evidencing Option Rights or
any other award granted under this Plan. In the event of such
cancellation, subject to the provisions of Section 4(g) the
Committee may authorize the granting of new Option Rights or
other awards hereunder (which may or may not cover the same
number of Common Shares which had been the subject of the prior
award) in such manner, at such option price, and subject to such
other terms, conditions and discretion as would have been
applicable under this Plan had the cancelled Option Rights or
other award not been granted. |
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(c) The Committee may condition the grant of any award or
combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the
surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to
receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by
the Corporation or a Subsidiary to the Participant. |
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(d) This Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any
right with respect to continuance of employment or other service
with the Corporation or any Subsidiary, nor shall it interfere
in any way with any right the Corporation or any Subsidiary
would otherwise have to terminate such Participants
employment or other service at any time. |
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(e) To the extent that any provision of this Plan would
prevent any Option Right that was intended to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option from qualifying as such, that provision
shall be null and void with respect to such Option Right. Such
provision, however, shall remain in effect for other Option
Rights and there shall be no further effect on any provision of
this Plan. |
26. Termination. No grant shall be made under this
Plan more than 10 years after the date on which this Plan
is first approved by the shareholders of the Corporation, but
all grants made on or prior to such date shall continue in
effect thereafter subject to the terms thereof and of this Plan.
In Witness Whereof, the Company has caused this Plan to be
executed effective February 4, 2003.
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By: |
/s/ J. Michael de Janes
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A-15
FIRST AMENDMENT
TO THE
CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS AMENDMENT is made this 2nd day of February, 2004, by
CHOICEPOINT INC., a Georgia corporation (the
Company), to the CHOICEPOINT INC. 2003 OMNIBUS
INCENTIVE PLAN (the Plan).
WHEREAS, the Company has previously adopted the Plan, and
pursuant to Section 25 thereof, has authorized the
Management Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
Companys Board of Directors (the Committee) to
amend the Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee deems it desirable to amend the Plan as
reflected below;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:
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1. Section 2 of the Plan is
hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of
the definition of Participant contained in said
section: |
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This definition may only be expanded with the approval of
the shareholders of the Corporation. |
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2. Section 3 of the Plan is
hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of
subsection (a) of said section: |
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Subject to the adjustments provided for in Section 13
below, the number of Common Shares which may be issued or
transferred to Participants pursuant to the first sentence of
this subsection (a) may only be increased with the
approval of the shareholders of the Corporation. |
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3. Section 15 of the Plan is
hereby amended by adding the following phrase at the end of the
final sentence thereof: |
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; provided, however, that any such action by the Committee
with respect to the restriction period otherwise applicable to
Option Rights will only be effective after approval of the Board
in each case. |
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4. The remaining provisions of the
Plan are hereby ratified and confirmed. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this First
Amendment as directed by the Committee, effective the date first
above noted.
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Title: |
Vice President, Compensation
and Benefits |
A-16
ADDENDUM TO THE
CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
This Addendum to the ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (the Plan) is made as of the 20th day of
December, 2004, pursuant to resolutions adopted by the
Management Compensation Committee of ChoicePoint, Inc. (the
Company), and the provisions of Section 22 of
the Plan.
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1. Purpose. The purpose of this Addendum is to amend
those provisions of the Plan which are required to be amended in
order for grants made under the Plan, and communications
concerning those grants, to be made pursuant to an
employee share scheme and thereby to be exempt from
provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
(United Kingdom), with respect solely to grants made to
residents of the United Kingdom. This Addendum shall not apply
to any other grants made under the Plan. |
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2. Restricted Availability of Grants. Any grants
made pursuant to this Addendum shall be made only to officers
and employees of the group of companies of which the Company is
a member, and shall be payable only in Common Shares of the
Companys stock. |
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3. Definition of Family Member. For purposes of
grants made pursuant to this Addendum, Family
Members shall mean a Participants children and
step-children under the age of eighteen, spouses and surviving
spouses. |
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4. Inapplicability of Certain Provisions of Plan.
For purposes of grants made pursuant to this Addendum,
subparagraph (l) of Section 4, and the entireties
of Sections 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18,
19 and 23 of the Plan are not applicable to said grants. |
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5. Incorporation of Remaining Plan Provisions. With
the exception of the provisions noted above, the provisions of
the Plan will apply or be available to all grants made pursuant
to this Addendum. |
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By: |
/s/ Steven W. Surbaugh
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
A-17
SECOND AMENDMENT
TO THE
CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS AMENDMENT is made this 1st day of February, 2005, by
CHOICEPOINT INC., a Georgia corporation (the
Company), to the CHOICEPOINT INC. 2003 OMNIBUS
INCENTIVE PLAN (the Plan).
WHEREAS, the Company has previously adopted the Plan, and
pursuant to Section 25 thereof, has authorized the
Management Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
Companys Board of Directors (the Committee) to
amend the Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee deems it desirable to amend the Plan as
reflected below;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows, effective
as of the date of shareholder approval hereof:
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1. Subsections (a) and (d) of Section 3 of
the Plan are hereby amended to replace the number
3,500,000 with the number 7,500,000. |
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2. Subsection (a) of Section 3 of the Plan
is hereby amended to replace the number 700,000 with
the number 1,500,000. |
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3. The remaining provisions of the Plan are hereby ratified
and confirmed. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Second
Amendment as directed by the Committee.
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By: |
/s/ Steven W. Surbaugh
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
A-18
THIRD AMENDMENT
TO THE
CHOICEPOINT INC.
2003 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS AMENDMENT is made this 21st day of March, 2005, by
CHOICEPOINT INC., a Georgia corporation (the
Company), to the CHOICEPOINT INC. 2003 OMNIBUS
INCENTIVE PLAN (the Plan).
WHEREAS, the Company has previously adopted the Plan, and
pursuant to Section 25 thereof, has authorized the
Management Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
Companys Board of Directors (the Committee) to
amend the Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee deems it desirable to amend the Plan as
reflected below;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows, effective
March 18, 2005:
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1. Subsection (k) of Section 4 of the Plan
is hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of
said Subsection: |
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Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to
Participants who meet the definition of employees as
contained in Section 3401(c) of the Code. |
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2. Section 23 of the Plan is hereby amended by
deleting the first sentence of said section and replacing it
with the following sentence: |
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The Committee also may permit Participants to elect to
defer (a) the issuance of Common Shares, other than upon
exercise of Options or of Stock Appreciation Rights, or
(b) the settlement of awards in cash under the Plan
pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may
establish for the purposes of this Plan. |
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3. The remaining provisions of the Plan are hereby ratified
and confirmed. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Third
Amendment as directed by the Committee, effective the date first
above noted.
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By: |
/s/ Steven W. Surbaugh
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
A-19
PROXY
CHOICEPOINT INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE CHOICEPOINT BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
The
undersigned hereby appoints Derek V. Smith, Douglas C. Curling, and David W. Davis and each of them,
to act, with or without the other and with full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to appear and vote
on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ChoicePoint Inc. to be held on April 28, 2005
at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the following purposes:
(continued on other side)
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▲
FOLD AND DETACH HERE ▲
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Please mark your votes as indicated in
this example |
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FOR all nominees listed
below (except as marked to the contrary below) |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to
vote for all nominees listed below |
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1.
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Election of Directors
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01. Ray M. Robinson for a term
to expire in 2007 02. John J. Hamre for a term to expire in
2008 03. John B. McCoy for a term
to expire in 2008 04. Terrence Murray for a term to expire in 2008 |
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee(s), strike a line through the nominee's name in
the above
list.) _________________________________________________________________________ THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS
DIRECTED, OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
ABOVE MATTERS. |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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2.
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Proposal to approve an
amendment to the
ChoicePoint Inc. 2003 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number
of shares of common stock that may be issued under the plan from
3,500,000 to 7,500,000. |
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3.
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Proposal to ratify the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered
public
accountants for ChoicePoint for the year ending December 31, 2005. |
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4.
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In their discretion, upon
such other matters in connection with the foregoing or otherwise as
may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or
postponement thereof; all as set forth in the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement, receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged. |
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Do you plan to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders? |
YES |
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NO |
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IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN THIS
PROXY EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR. DETACH CARD. |
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Signature(s) |
_________________________________ |
Date: |
__________________________________ |
, 2005 |
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IMPORTANT: Please date this proxy
and sign exactly as your name appears above. If stock is held
jointly, signature should include both names. Executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians and others signing in a
representative capacity, please give your full title(s). |
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Δ FOLD AND DETACH
HERE Δ
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DETACH CARD
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Please detach proxy at perforation before mailing.
YOU MAY ALSO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET. |
If you are voting by
telephone or the Internet, please do not mail your proxy.
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Vote By Telephone
Call Toll-Free using a
Touch-Tone telephone
1-800-542-1160
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Vote By Internet
Access the Web site at
http://www.votefast.com
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Vote By Mail
Return your proxy in the
postage-paid envelope
provided |
Vote 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Your telephone or Internet
vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. local time on April 27, 2005,
to be counted in the final tabulation. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies
to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked, signed, dated and returned your proxy card.
Vote By Telephone
Have your proxy card available when you call the Toll-Free number 1-800-542-1160 using a Touch-Tone telephone. Follow the
simple prompts to record your vote.
Vote By Internet
Have your proxy card available when you access the Web site http://www.votefast.com. Follow the simple prompts
to record your vote.
Vote By Mail
Please mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage paid envelope provided or return it
to: SunTrust Bank, P.O. Box 4625, Atlanta, GA 30302.
To Change Your Vote
Any subsequent vote by any means will change your prior vote. For example, if you voted by telephone, a subsequent
Internet vote will change your vote. The last vote received before
11:59 p.m. local time, April 27, 2005,
will be the vote counted. You may also revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.