def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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[X]
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
Post Office Box 53999
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85072-3999
NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
To our Shareholders:
You are invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation to be held at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, at
10:30 a.m., Mountain Standard Time, on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. At this meeting, we are asking you
to vote on the following proposals in addition to any other business that may properly come before
the meeting:
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Election of four (4) directors; |
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Ratification of the appointment of the Companys independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending 2006; and |
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Consideration of a shareholder proposal, if properly presented at the meeting. |
All shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2006 are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the meeting. Shares can be voted at the meeting only if the holder is present or
represented by proxy.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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NANCY C. LOFTIN |
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Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Approximate date of mailing to Shareholders:
April 10, 2006
We encourage each shareholder to sign and return the enclosed proxy card or to use telephone or
internet voting. Please see our General Information section for information about voting by
telephone, internet or mail.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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(i)
GENERAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement contains information regarding the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe, Phoenix, Arizona 85004,
at 10:30 a.m., Mountain Standard Time, on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. The enclosed proxy is being
solicited by the Companys Board of Directors.
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting you will vote on the matters outlined in the notice of meeting on the
cover page of this proxy statement.
Who is entitled to vote?
All shareholders at the close of business on March 20, 2006 (the record date) are entitled to
vote at the meeting. Each holder of outstanding Company common stock is entitled to one vote per
share held as of the record date on all matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote, except
for the election of directors, in which case cumulative voting applies (see What is required to
approve the items to be voted on? on page 2 of this proxy statement). At the close of business on
the record date there were 99,175,423 shares of common stock outstanding.
How do I vote?
You may vote in person or by a validly designated proxy, or, if you or your proxy will not be
attending the meeting, you may vote in one of three ways:
Vote by internet. The website address for internet voting is on your proxy card.
Internet voting is available 24 hours a day;
Vote by telephone. The toll-free number for telephone voting is on your proxy card.
Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day; or
Vote by mail. Mark, date, sign and mail promptly the enclosed proxy card (a
postage-paid envelope is provided for mailing in the United States).
If you vote by telephone or internet, DO NOT mail your proxy card.
Is my vote confidential?
Yes, your vote is confidential. Only the following persons have access to your vote:
election inspectors; individuals who help with processing and counting your votes; and persons who
need access for legal reasons. If you write comments on your proxy card, your comments will be
provided to the Company, but how you vote will remain confidential.
What constitutes a quorum?
To carry on the business of the meeting, we must have a quorum. A quorum is present when a
majority of the outstanding shares, as of the record date, are represented in person or by proxy.
Shares
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owned by the Company are not considered outstanding or to be present at the meeting. Shares that
are entitled to vote but that are not voted at the direction of the beneficial owner (called
abstentions) and votes withheld by brokers in the absence of instructions from beneficial owners
(called broker non-votes) will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum
for the transaction of business at the meeting, but will have no effect on the outcome of Proposals
2 or 3.
What are the Boards recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions through your proxy vote, the persons named as proxy holders
on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The
Boards recommendations are set forth below, together with the description of each item in this
proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:
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FOR election of the nominated slate of directors (see Proposal 1); |
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FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending 2006 (see Proposal 2); and |
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AGAINST approval of the shareholder proposal (see Proposal 3). |
What is required to approve the items to be voted on?
Election of directors. Individuals receiving the highest number of votes will be
elected. The number of votes which a shareholder may cast is calculated by multiplying the
number of shares of common stock owned by the shareholder, as of the record date, by the
number of directors to be elected. Any shareholder may cumulate his or her votes by casting
them all in person or by proxy for any one nominee, or by distributing them among two or
more nominees. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted towards a nominees
total.
Other items. For each other item, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
voted on that item will be required for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes on a
proposal will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.
Will shareholders be asked to vote on any other matters?
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters that will be brought before the
shareholders for a vote. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the proxy holders
will vote on those matters in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, or, if
no recommendations are given, in accordance with their own judgment. Shareholders attending the
meeting may directly vote on those matters or they may vote by proxy.
Who is entitled to attend the Annual Meeting?
You or your validly designated proxy may attend the meeting if you were a shareholder as of
the record date; however, the Chairman of the meeting may limit the number of proxy representatives
permitted to attend if a shareholder sends several representatives to the meeting.
Can I change or revoke my vote after I submit my proxy?
Even after you have submitted your proxy card or voted by telephone or by internet, you may
change or revoke your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with our Secretary
either a notice of revocation or a signed proxy card bearing a later date. The powers of the proxy
holders will be
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suspended with respect to your shares if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although
attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
How do I get a copy of the Annual Report?
A copy of the Annual Report is available at the Companys website (www.pinnaclewest.com) and
will be provided to any shareholder upon request. Shareholders may request a copy from Shareholder
Services at the telephone number or address set forth in How many annual reports and proxy
statements are delivered to a shared address on page 34 of this proxy statement.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARD, ITS COMMITTEES
AND OUR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
How often did the Board meet during 2005?
The full Board of Directors met nine (9) times during 2005. Every director attended at least
eighty-five percent (85%) of the meetings of the full Board and any committees on which he or she
served.
Do we have independent directors?
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules require companies listed on the NYSE to have a majority
of independent directors. These rules describe certain relationships that prevent a director from
being independent and require a companys board of directors to make director independence
determinations in all other circumstances. The Companys Board of Directors has adopted Director
Independence Standards to assist the Board in making director independence determinations. These
Director Independence Standards are attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
Based on the Director Independence Standards and a review of each directors involvement in
other businesses and operations, including involvement in charitable or non-profit organizations to
which the Company or its affiliated entities made contributions during 2005, the Board of Directors
has determined that three (3) of the Companys twelve (12) directors are not independent and that
nine (9) of the directors are independent. The nine (9) independent directors are Messrs. Basha,
Gallagher, Herberger, Jamieson, Lopez and Nordstrom and Mmes. Grant, Hesse and Munro. Messrs.
Davis and Post are not independent under NYSE rules because of their employment with the Company.
Mr. Stewart is not independent under NYSE rules because of his prior employment with the Company.
What are the Committees the Board has established?
The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee, Corporate Governance
Committee and Finance and Operating Committee. The Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee and
Corporate Governance Committee are made up of independent directors (see Do we have independent
directors? above). The following table sets forth the membership of these Committees as of the
date of this proxy statement:
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Edward N. Basha, Jr. |
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Jack E. Davis |
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Michael L. Gallagher |
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Pamela Grant |
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Roy A. Herberger, Jr. |
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Martha O. Hesse |
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William S. Jamieson, Jr. |
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Humberto S. Lopez |
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Kathryn L. Munro |
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Bruce J. Nordstrom |
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William J. Post |
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William L. Stewart |
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Where
can I find the charters of the Boards Committees and how do I get a copy?
All of the charters of the Boards Committees are available at the Companys website
(www.pinnaclewest.com), and will be provided to any shareholder upon request. Shareholders may
request copies by contacting Shareholder Services at the telephone number or address set forth in
How many annual reports and proxy statements are delivered to a shared address? on page 34 of
this proxy statement.
What are the responsibilities of the Audit Committee?
The primary functions of the Audit Committee, which held six (6) meetings in 2005, are to
assist the Board in monitoring the following:
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the integrity of the financial statements of the Company; |
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the independent auditors qualifications, independence and performance; |
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the performance of the Companys internal audit function; and |
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the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements. |
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and
oversight of the Companys independent auditors. The Board has determined that each member of the
Audit Committee meets the NYSE experience requirements and that Ms. Hesse, the Chair of the Audit
Committee, is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Sarbanes-Oxley). Ms. Hesses experience includes working for public and private companies in a
variety of positions, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer. She also served as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Ms.
Hesse also has served on numerous audit committees of publicly-traded corporations. All members of
the Audit Committee meet the independence requirements of the NYSE rules, SEC rules and the
Director Independence Standards.
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What are the responsibilities of the Human Resources Committee?
The functions of the Human Resources Committee, which held five (5) meetings in 2005, are to:
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review the Companys general compensation strategy; |
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review and approve policies on compensation, benefits, and perquisites, including
incentive cash-compensation plans, equity participation, or other forms of executive
incentives; |
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recommend to the full Board non-CEO executive officer compensation; |
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review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer (the CEO), assess the CEOs performance in light of these
goals and objectives, and set the CEOs compensation level based on this assessment; |
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recommend persons to the full Board for election or appointment as officers; and |
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recommend to the full Board the form and amount of director compensation. |
What are the responsibilities of the Finance and Operating Committee?
The responsibilities of the Finance and Operating Committee, which held four (4) meetings in
2005, include:
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reviewing the Companys historical and projected financial performance and annual
budgets; |
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reviewing and recommending approval of short-term investments and borrowing
guidelines; |
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reviewing the Companys financing plan and recommending approval of the issuance of
long-term debt, common equity, and other credit facilities; |
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reviewing and recommending to the Board the Companys dividend actions, including,
stock dividends and other distributions; |
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reviewing and monitoring the performance of the Companys environmental policies;
and |
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reviewing and monitoring the customer and power plant operations of the Company,
including all aspects of the Companys nuclear program. |
What are the responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee?
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing policies and practices
relating to corporate governance, including the development of the Companys Corporate Governance
Guidelines. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the Companys website
(www.pinnaclewest.com), and will be provided to any shareholder upon request. Shareholders may
request copies by contacting Shareholder Services at the telephone number or address set forth in
How many annual reports and proxy statements are delivered to a shared address? on page 34 of
this proxy statement. Additional functions of the Corporate Governance Committee include the
development and recommendation to the full Board of criteria for selecting new directors;
identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with
criteria approved by the Board; recommending director nominees to the full Board; and recommending
to the Board the directors who should serve on each of the Board committees.
Do the non-management and independent directors meet without management present?
NYSE rules require that non-management directors meet at regularly scheduled sessions without
management. In 2005, all of the Companys non-management directors were given notice of and could
attend the meetings of the Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee met
three (3) times in 2005 and, at each of these meetings, management was not present for all or part
of the meeting and all of the Companys independent directors met in executive session. Ms. Munro
is the presiding director and chairs the Corporate Governance Committee and the meetings of the
non-management directors.
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How are nominees for the Board selected?
As noted above, the Corporate Governance Committee is solely responsible for identifying
individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and recommending director
nominees to the full Board.
Shareholder Nominees. The policy of the Corporate Governance Committee is to consider
properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board. See How do
we submit shareholder proposals or director nominations for the next Annual Meeting? on page 34 of
this proxy statement. In evaluating such nominations, the Corporate Governance Committee seeks to
achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board and to address the
membership criteria set forth under Director Qualifications. Any shareholder nominations
proposed for consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee should include the nominees name
and qualifications for Board membership and should be addressed to:
Corporate Secretary
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
400 North 5th Street
Mail Station 9068
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
In addition, the Bylaws of the Company permit shareholders to nominate directors for
consideration at any Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For a description of the process for
nominating directors in accordance with the Bylaws, see How do we submit shareholder proposals or
director nominations for the next Annual Meeting? on page 34 of this proxy statement.
Director Qualifications. The Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines contain Board
membership criteria that apply to Corporate Governance Committee recommended nominees for a
position on the Board. Under these criteria, a director must be a shareholder of the Company. In
determining whether an individual should be considered for the Board, the Corporate Governance
Committee considers the following qualities, among others: integrity, specific or general skills
or experience, wisdom, understanding of the Companys business environment and willingness to
devote adequate time to Board duties.
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors. The Corporate Governance Committee
utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for a director position. The
Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board, and whether
any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that
vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Corporate Governance Committee will consider
various potential candidates. Candidates may come to the attention of the Corporate Governance
Committee through current Board members, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons.
These candidates will be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Corporate Governance
Committee, and may be considered at any point during the year. As described above, the Corporate
Governance Committee also will consider properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates
for the Board.
How are directors compensated?
Only non-employee directors are compensated for Board service. Directors receive $30,000 in
annual retainer fees, and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual
retainer fee of $6,000 and, as of January 1, 2006, $15,000; the Chairman of the Human Resources
Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $3,000 and, as of January 1, 2006, $7,500; and
all other
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committee chairmen receive an additional annual retainer fee of $3,000 and, as of January 1,
2006, $5,000. Non-employee directors are eligible for grants of stock and non-qualified options
under a non-employee director equity plan. Under the plan, a director receives 900 shares of stock
each year and, as of January 1, 2006, 1,100 shares. On or before December 31 of a directors first
year on the Board, the director must own or acquire at least 900 shares of common stock as a
condition to receiving the 900-share grant. This ownership requirement increases by 900 shares
annually until it reaches 4,500 shares. Directors are paid $1,500 for each Board meeting attended.
Directors also receive $1,500 for each committee meeting attended if they are a member of that
committee or if they are invited to attend the committee meeting by the chairman of the committee.
Company directors, including employee directors, who also serve as directors of the Arizona
Public Service Company (APS) and Pinnacle West Energy Corporation (PWEC) Boards, do so for no
additional compensation. Non-employee Company directors who serve on the SunCor Development
Company (SunCor) Board, the APS Energy Services Company, Inc. (APSES) Board or the El Dorado
Investment Company (El Dorado) Board receive $5,000 in annual retainer fees and $500 for each
Board meeting attended. Employee Company directors who serve on the SunCor Board, the APSES Board
and the El Dorado Board do so for no additional compensation. Mr. Stewart serves as the Boards
liaison to the APS nuclear oversight group, for which he receives $5,000 per quarter in additional
fees. The following directors deferred either all or a portion of their compensation under the
deferred compensation program described on page 30 of this proxy statement and, during 2005,
accrued above market interest in the following amounts: Mr. Gallagher: $7,509; Mr. Herberger:
$7,273; Ms. Hesse: $522; Mr. Jamieson: $7,286; Mr. Lopez: $11,532; Ms. Munro: $3,725; and Mr.
Nordstrom: $3,961.
In addition, the Company also reimburses Board members for fees and expenses for director
education programs and expenses for the members and their spouses in connection with the Board
members attendance at Board meetings.
How can shareholders communicate with the Board?
Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating with the Board of Directors may do
so by writing to Board of Directors, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, 400 North 5th Street, Mail
Station 9068, P.O. Box 53999, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999. Communications that are intended
specifically for the non-management directors should be sent to the same address to the attention
of the Corporate Governance Committee Chairman.
Do Board members attend the Annual Meeting?
Yes. The Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that each director is expected to
be present at the Annual Meeting. All of the Board members attended the 2005 Annual Meeting.
Does the Company have a code of business conduct and ethics?
Yes. In order to ensure the highest levels of business ethics, the Board has adopted the
following two codes of conduct:
1. Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for
Financial Professionals, which is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance
with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, particularly as related to the maintenance of
financial records, the preparation of financial statements, and proper public disclosure. For
purposes of this Code, a Financial Professional means (a) any Company professional employee in the
area of finance, accounting, internal audit, energy risk management, marketing and trading
financial control, tax, investor relations, or treasury,
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and (b) the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Treasurer, and
persons performing similar functions at any of the Companys subsidiaries.
2. Ethics Policy and Standards of Business Practices. Doing the Right Thing presents the
Ethics Policy and the Standards of Business Practices of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Employees receive a copy of Doing the Right Thing when they join the Company and are provided
updates periodically throughout their employment. These guidelines help ensure that the employees,
officers and directors of the Company act with integrity and avoid any real or perceived violation
of the Companys ethics policy, laws or regulations.
The codes of conduct are available at the Companys website (www.pinnaclewest.com) and will be
provided to any shareholder upon request. The shareholders may request copies from Shareholder
Services at the telephone number or address set forth in How many annual reports and proxy
statements are delivered to a shared address? on page 34 of this proxy statement.
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Who will be elected at the Annual Meeting?
The Companys Articles of Incorporation provide for the division of the Board of Directors
into three classes of approximately equal size (Class I, Class II and Class III). Each class
serves for a period of three years, although occasionally a director may be elected for a shorter
term in one class in order to keep the number of directors in each class approximately equal.
The shareholders will elect four (4) Class III directors this year to serve as members of the
Board until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2009 or until their successors are elected and
qualified. If one or more of the four (4) nominees becomes unavailable to serve prior to the
meeting date, the persons named as proxy holders will vote those shares for the election of such
other person(s) as the Board may recommend, unless the Board reduces the number of directors in the
affected class.
Which directors also serve on the board of a subsidiary?
The following Company directors also serve as directors of the following Company subsidiaries:
APS: Messrs. Basha, Davis, Gallagher, Herberger, Jamieson, Lopez, Nordstrom, Post and
Stewart, and Mmes. Grant, Hesse and Munro
PWEC: Mr. Post
APSES: Messrs. Post and Stewart
SunCor: Messrs. Gallagher, Lopez and Post, and Ms. Grant
El Dorado: Messrs. Gallagher, Herberger and Post
Who are the current nominees?
The nominees for election as Class III directors are set forth on the table on the following
page:
8
NOMINEES FOR CLASS III DIRECTORS
(TERM EXPIRING AT 2009 ANNUAL MEETING)
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|
|
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|
Director |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Occupation, Business & Directorships |
|
Since |
Jack E. Davis
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer of the
Company since September 2003 and
President of the Company since
February 2001. President and Chief
Executive Officer of APS since
September 2002. From October 1998
until September 2002, Mr. Davis
served as President, Energy
Delivery and Sales of APS. Mr.
Davis served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company from April
2000 to February 2001. Mr. Davis
served in various APS positions as
follows: Executive Vice President
of Commercial Operations from
September 1996 to October 1998; and
Vice President, Generation and
Transmission from June 1993 to
September 1996.
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2001 |
|
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Pamela Grant
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
Civic leader. President of
TableScapes, Inc. (party supply
rentals) from July 1989 through
January 1995. Ms. Grant was
President and CEO of Goldwaters
Department Stores (general
mercantile), a division of May
Department Stores, from January
1987 to April 1988. From November
1978 to January 1987, Ms. Grant was
President, Chairman and CEO of
Goldwaters Department Stores, a
division of Associated Dry Goods.
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1985 |
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Martha O. Hesse
|
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|
63 |
|
|
President of Hesse Gas Company from
1990 to 2003. In 1990, Ms. Hesse
served as Senior Vice President of
First Chicago Corporation
(financial services), and from 1986
to 1989, she was Chairman of the
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission. Ms. Hesse is also a
director of Terra Industries Inc.,
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. and
AMEC plc.
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1991 |
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William S.
Jamieson, Jr.
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
President of Micah Institute of
Asheville, North Carolina since
January 2005. From January 1999 to
December 2004, Mr. Jamieson was
President of the Institute of
Servant Leadership.
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|
|
1991 |
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTION OF
THE NOMINATED SLATE OF DIRECTORS.
9
WHICH DIRECTORS WILL CONTINUE IN OFFICE?
The incumbent directors are set forth on the tables below and on the following page:
INCUMBENT CLASS I DIRECTORS
(TERM EXPIRING AT 2007 ANNUAL MEETING)
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Director |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Occupation, Business & Directorships |
|
Since |
Roy A. Herberger, Jr.
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
President Emeritus of Thunderbird,
The Garvin School of International
Management, since November 2004.
Mr. Herberger was President of
Thunderbird from 1989 until August
2004. Mr. Herberger is also a
director of MedAire, Inc.
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1992 |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Humberto S. Lopez
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
President of HSL Properties, Inc.
(real estate development and
investment), Tucson, Arizona since
1975.
|
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|
1995 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
Kathryn L. Munro
|
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|
57 |
|
|
Principal of BridgeWest, LLC
(investment company) since July
2003. Ms. Munro was Chairman of
BridgeWest, LLC from February 1999
until July 2003. From 1996 to 1998
Ms. Munro served as CEO of Bank of
Americas Southwest Banking Group
and was President of Bank of
America Arizona from 1994 to 1996.
Ms. Munro is also a director of
FLOW International Corporation,
Capitol Bancorp, Inc. and Knight
Transportation, Inc.
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2000 |
|
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|
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|
|
William L. Stewart
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
Mr. Stewart retired from the
Company effective November 26,
2003. Mr. Stewart served as Chief
Executive Officer of PWEC from
October 2002 until January 2003 and
President of PWEC from October 1999
until January 2003. Mr. Stewart
served as President, Generation, of
APS from October 1998 to October
2002.
|
|
|
2001 |
|
10
INCUMBENT CLASS II DIRECTORS
(TERM EXPIRING AT 2008 ANNUAL MEETING)
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|
Director |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Occupation, Business & Directorships |
|
Since |
Edward N. Basha, Jr.
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Bashas
supermarket chain since 1968.
Chief Executive Officer of Bashas
and an Arizona civic leader
dedicated to multiple Arizona
community projects.
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|
1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Michael L. Gallagher
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
Attorney-at-law with Gallagher &
Kennedy, P.A., Phoenix, Arizona.
Chairman Emeritus of Gallagher &
Kennedy since 2001. Mr. Gallagher
served as President of Gallagher &
Kennedy from 1978 through 2000.
|
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1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Bruce J. Nordstrom
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
President of and certified public
accountant at the firm of Nordstrom
and Associates, PC, Flagstaff,
Arizona, since 1988.
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William J. Post
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board of the
Company since February 2001 and CEO
of the Company since February 1999.
Mr. Post has served as an officer
of the Company since 1995 in the
following additional capacities: from
August 1999 to February 2001
as President; from February 1997 to
February 1999 as President; and
from June 1995 to February 1997 as
Executive Vice President. Mr. Post
is also Chairman of the Board of
APS and has held various officer
positions at APS since 1982. Mr.
Post is also a director of Phelps
Dodge Corporation.
|
|
|
1997 |
|
11
HOW MANY SHARES OF PINNACLE WEST STOCK ARE OWNED
BY MANAGEMENT AND LARGE SHAREHOLDERS?
The following table shows the amount of Pinnacle West common stock owned by our
directors, nominees, the Named Executive Officers (as defined on page 22 of this proxy statement),
other executive officers and those persons who beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.
Unless otherwise indicated, each shareholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares beneficially owned.
The
address of listed shareholders not otherwise set forth below is P.O.
Box 53999, Mail Station 8602,
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999. Unless otherwise indicated, all information is as of March 20, 2006,
the record date for the Annual Meeting.
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|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Shares Acquirable |
|
Percent of |
Name |
|
Beneficially Owned (1) |
|
Within 60 Days (2) |
|
Class |
Directors and Nominees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward N. Basha, Jr. |
|
|
8,695 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Jack E. Davis |
|
|
52,327 |
|
|
|
142,583 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Michael L. Gallagher |
|
|
9,206 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Pamela Grant |
|
|
20,856 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Roy A. Herberger, Jr. |
|
|
13,160 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Martha O. Hesse |
|
|
18,337 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
William S. Jamieson, Jr. |
|
|
10,490 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Humberto S. Lopez |
|
|
31,308 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Kathryn L. Munro |
|
|
7,502 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Bruce J. Nordstrom |
|
|
10,247 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
William J. Post |
|
|
68,158 |
|
|
|
484,750 |
|
|
|
|
* |
William L. Stewart |
|
|
41,363 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Executive Officers Named on Page
23: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Brandt |
|
|
3,369 |
|
|
|
5,042 |
|
|
|
|
* |
James M. Levine |
|
|
38,132 |
|
|
|
69,505 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Steven M. Wheeler |
|
|
9,842 |
|
|
|
5,042 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Directors, Nominees, Named Executive
Officers, and Executive Officers as a
Group (20 Persons): |
|
|
423,962 |
|
|
|
823,296 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Beneficial Owners (3): |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Global Investors, NA. and
certain other entities |
|
|
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|
|
45 Fremont Street
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
|
|
7,689,021 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
7.8 |
% |
* Represents less than
1% of the outstanding common stock
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Shares Acquirable |
|
Percent of |
Name |
|
Beneficially Owned (1) |
|
Within 60 Days (2) |
|
Class |
Franklin Resources, Inc. and
certain other entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Franklin Parkway
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 |
|
|
5,928,150 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
6.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wellington Management Company, LLP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 State Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
5,838,900 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
5.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Research and Management Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
333 South Hope Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles, CA 90071 |
|
|
5,277,040 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common stock |
|
(1) |
|
Does not include shares that could be purchased by the exercise of options available at March
20, 2006 or within 60 days thereof under the Companys equity incentive plans. Those shares
are shown in a separate column on this table. The following shares are held in joint tenancy:
Directors and Nominees: Mr. Davis 44,534; Mr. Gallagher 9,206; Mr. Herberger 6,710;
Ms. Hesse 13,955; Mr. Post 22,192; and Mr. Stewart 41,363; Other Executive Officers
Named on Page 23: Mr. Wheeler 9,170; and All Directors, Nominees, Named Executive Officers
and Executive Officers as a Group: 170,410. The following shares are held in joint trusts:
Directors and Nominees: Mr. Lopez 31,308; and Ms. Munro 7,502; and All Directors,
Nominees, Named Executive Officers and Executive Officers as a Group: 73,527. Mr. Basha has
donated all of his shares to a charitable foundation; however, he has shared voting rights
with respect to such shares. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the number of shares that could be purchased by the exercise of options available at
March 20, 2006 or within 60 days thereof under the Companys equity incentive plans. |
|
(3) |
|
Barclays Global Investors, NA.; Barclays Global Fund Advisors; Barclays Global Investors,
Ltd; and Barclays Global Investors Japan Trust and Banking Company Limited (collectively,
Barclays); Schedule 13G filing, dated January 31, 2006 and filed with the SEC on January 26,
2006, reports beneficial ownership collectively of 7,689,021 shares, with sole voting power as
to 2,119,933 shares and sole dispositive power as to 2,606,126 shares in Barclays Global
Investors, NA., sole voting power as to 4,672,570 shares and sole dispositive power as to
4,679,046 shares in Barclays Global Fund Advisors, sole voting power as to 289,340 shares and
sole dispositive power as to 319,023 shares in Barclays Global Investors, Ltd., and sole
voting power and sole dispositive power as to 84,826 shares in Barclays Global Investors Japan
Trust and Banking Company Limited. Franklin Resources, Inc., Charles B. Johnson, Rupert H.
Johnson, Jr., and Franklin Advisers, Inc. (collectively, Franklin) Schedule 13G filing,
dated February 2, 2006 and filed with the SEC on February 7, 2006, reports beneficial
ownership collectively of 5,928,150 shares, with sole voting power and sole dispositive power
as to 5,926,000 shares in Franklin Advisers, Inc., sole voting power and sole dispositive
power as to 2,100 shares in Fiduciary Trust Company International, sole voting power and sole
dispositive power as to 25 shares in Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., and sole voting
power and sole dispositive power as to 25 shares in Franklin Templeton Portfolio Advisers,
Inc. Wellington Management Company, LLP (Wellington) Schedule 13G/A filing, dated February
14, 2006 and filed with the SEC on February 14, 2006, reports beneficial ownership of
5,838,900 shares with shared voting power as to 1,814,700 shares and shared dispositive power
as to 5,838,900 shares. Capital Research and Management Company (CRM) Schedule 13GA filing, dated
February 6, 2006 and filed with the SEC on February 10, 2006, reports beneficial ownership of
5,277,040 shares, with sole voting power as to 800,000 shares and sole dispositive power as to
5,277,040 shares. The Company makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of
such information and believes these filings represent share |
13
|
|
|
|
|
ownership as of December 30, 2005
with respect to Wellington and CRM and as of December 31, 2005 with respect to Barclays and
Franklin. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Companys
directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of the Companys common stock, to file
reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC. Based solely on the Companys review
of these reports, the Company believes that its directors, officers, and greater than 10%
beneficial owners complied with their respective Section 16(a) reporting requirements for fiscal
year 2005 and prior fiscal years on a timely basis except as otherwise previously disclosed, and
except that, due to a Company administrative oversight, Mr. Basha inadvertently failed to timely
report a donation of 2,225 shares in 2000 and 550 shares in 2001 to a charitable foundation.
DOES THE COMPANY HAVE ANY RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS TO DISCLOSE?
Mr. Gallagher is Chairman Emeritus of Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A., one of many law firms
that provided legal services to the Company in 2005. Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. will continue to
provide such services in 2006. Mr. Gallagher himself does not furnish legal services to the
Company. Mr. Gallagher has advised the Company that he receives no compensation or benefits from
Gallagher and Kennedy, P.A., as a result of the firm providing legal services to the Company.
AUDIT MATTERS
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board submitted the following report:
In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, the primary function of the Audit
Committee is to assist the Board in monitoring (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the
Company, (2) the independent auditors qualifications and independence, (3) the performance of the
Companys internal audit function and independent auditors, and (4) the compliance by the Company
with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Companys independent auditors.
Management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process, including the Companys
system of internal controls, and for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The independent auditors
are responsible for auditing and rendering an opinion on those financial statements as well as
auditing certain aspects of the Companys internal controls. The Committees responsibility is to
monitor these processes.
The Audit Committee is composed of seven non-employee directors, each of whom is independent
(as defined by the NYSE rules, SEC rules and the Companys Director Independence Standards) and
considered by the Board to be financially literate. In addition, the Board of Directors has
determined that Martha O. Hesse is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of
applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee reviewed the Companys March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005 Form 10-Q Reports with management, the Companys independent auditors and the
Companys internal auditors before such documents
14
were filed with the SEC. The Audit Committee also reviewed the Companys disclosure controls
and procedures and the process by which the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial
officer satisfied their obligations to certify certain aspects of the Companys SEC filings
pursuant to SEC requirements and Sections 302 and 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
During 2005, the Audit Committee met six (6) times. These meetings included sessions with the
Companys internal auditors and with the independent auditor, both with and, at three of these
meetings, without the presence of management.
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained
from Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Companys independent auditors, the formal written disclosures and
the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees. The Committee discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact the
auditors objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors independence. The
Audit Committee further determined that the other services provided to the Company for which the
auditors received the fees disclosed on page 16 of this proxy statement were compatible with
maintaining the auditors independence.
The Committee discussed and reviewed with Deloitte & Touche LLP all communications required by
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and SEC regulations,
including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, Codification of
Statements on Auditing Standards, AU § 380 and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X and, with and without
management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors audit of the
financial statements.
The Committee also continued to monitor the Companys systems of internal controls over
financial reporting required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and related regulations. The
Committee also reviewed the Companys internal auditing program. The Committee further reviewed
the report of management contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC, as well as Deloitte & Touche LLPs Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 related to its audit of (1) the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule, (2) managements assessment of the effectiveness of
internal controls over financial reporting and (3) the effectiveness of internal controls over
financial reporting. The Committee continues to oversee the Companys efforts related to its
internal controls over financial reporting and managements preparations for the evaluation in
2006.
The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed the audited financial statements of the Company as
of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, with the Companys management, the Director of
Audit Services and the independent auditors.
Based on the foregoing, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Companys audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the SEC.
|
|
|
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
|
|
COMMITTEE MEMBERS |
Martha O. Hesse
|
|
Edward N. Basha, Jr. |
|
|
Pamela Grant |
|
|
William S. Jamieson, Jr. |
|
|
Humberto S. Lopez |
|
|
Kathryn L. Munro |
|
|
Bruce J. Nordstrom |
15
Who are the Companys independent accountants and will they be at the Annual Meeting?
The Audit Committee has approved the retention of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified
public accountants, to examine the Companys financial statements for the year ending December 31,
2006. The Company expects that representatives of that firm will be present at the Annual Meeting.
These representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
What fees were paid to our independent registered public accountants in 2005 and 2004?
The following fees were paid to the Companys independent registered public accountants,
Deloitte & Touche LLP, for the last two fiscal years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Service |
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
3,065,405 |
|
|
$ |
3,145,077 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
571,000 |
|
|
|
189,400 |
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
|
1,579,928 |
|
|
|
33,211 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The aggregate fees billed for services rendered for the audit of the Companys annual
financial statements and for review of financial statements included in Forms 10-Q,
attestation procedures on internal controls over financial reporting, and services related to
SEC matters and filings. |
|
(2) |
|
The aggregate fees billed for services that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of the financial statements that are not included in Audit Fees reported
above, which primarily consist of fees for auditing of the Companys benefit plans, auditing
of the stock transfer agent and registrar functions and Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 readiness. |
|
(3) |
|
The aggregate fees billed primarily for investment tax credit services, tax compliance and
tax planning. |
What are the Audit Committees pre-approval policies?
The Audit Committee pre-approves each audit service and non-audit service to be provided by
the Companys independent public accountants. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of
the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit and non-audit services to be performed by
the independent public accountants if the services are not expected to cost more than $50,000. The
Chairman must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled
meeting. All of the services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the Company in 2005 were
pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for Pinnacle West
Capital Corporation stock, the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index, and the Edison Electric Institute
Index of Investor-
16
Owned Electrics. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on the last trading day in 2000 in
Company stock and in the market represented by each of the two indices, and that any dividends were
reinvested.
PNW Stock Performance Comparison
(Value of $100 invested on 12/29/00, with Dividends Reinvested)
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
Pinnacle West |
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
91 |
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$ |
78 |
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$ |
95 |
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$ |
111 |
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$ |
108 |
|
S&P500 Index |
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100 |
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88 |
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69 |
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88 |
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98 |
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103 |
|
EEI Electric Index |
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100 |
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|
91 |
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|
78 |
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|
96 |
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118 |
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137 |
|
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Report of the Human Resources Committee
The Human Resources Committee of the Board submitted the following report on executive
compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. This report describes the Committees
overall objectives for the Companys executive compensation program and discusses the specific
components of the program. It also reviews the Committees determinations for the 2005
compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer, William J. Post.
What are the Committees responsibilities?
The Human Resources Committee of the Board is responsible for compensation matters regarding
executive officers. The duties of the Committee are detailed in a Committee Charter that the
Committee and the Board periodically review and update, as necessary. The duties of the Committee
include:
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reviewing managements plans and programs for the attraction, retention, succession,
motivation and development of the human resources the Company needs in order to achieve
its corporate objectives; |
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reviewing the goals and performance of all executive officers of the Company,
including reviewing all compensation, benefits, and perquisites for such officers, in
order to ensure that there is equity in the compensation practices and general
integrity in conforming to approved plans and policies; |
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reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation,
assessing the CEOs performance in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the
CEOs compensation level based on that assessment; |
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making recommendations to the full Board with respect to non-CEO executive officer
compensation and incentive compensation and stock-based plans that are subject to Board
approval; and |
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administering the Companys stock-based incentive plans. |
Are the members of the Committee independent?
Yes. The Human Resources Committee is composed entirely of non-employee directors and the
Board has determined that all of the members of the Committee are independent under applicable NYSE
rules and the Companys Director Independence Standards.
What is the Committees executive compensation strategy?
The Committees executive compensation strategy is based on the following core principles:
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Business Performance Accountability. The Committee believes that
compensation should be tied to the financial performance of the Company, so that
executives are held accountable through their compensation for the performance of the
Company. |
18
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Individual Performance Accountability. The Committee believes that
compensation should be tied to the individuals performance, so that individual
contributions to the Companys performance are rewarded. |
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Alignment with Shareholder Interests. The Committee believes that
compensation should be tied to the Companys stock performance through
performance-based stock incentives, which in turn serve to align executives interests
with those of the Companys shareholders. |
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|
Competitiveness. Finally, the Committee believes that the compensation
program must be designed to attract, retain and reward key leaders critical to the
Companys success by providing competitive total compensation. |
The Committee believes that its compensation strategy is best implemented by considering
each officers total compensation (base salary plus incentives), with an emphasis on
performance-based compensation.
What are the components of the Companys compensation program?
In general, the Companys compensation program consists of three major elements: base salary,
performance-based annual incentives and performance-based long-term incentives. The Committee
promotes annual performance objectives primarily through annual cash incentive programs. The
Committee promotes longer-term performance objectives through the use of stock based incentives.
Consistent with past practice, in 2004 the Committee directly engaged an outside compensation
consultant to assist the Committee in its evaluation of 2005 compensation for the Companys
executive officers. The consultant met with the Committee and discussed, among other things,
trends and prevailing practices affecting executive compensation. At the request of the Committee,
the consultant provided the Committee with compensation information within a blended market
comprised of 50% weighted for the utility labor market and 50% weighted for the general industry
labor market (100% utility for utility specific jobs), adjusted for the Companys size (including,
in revenue comparisons, assets managed as well as owned), and taking into account the specific
duties assigned to each executive officer. The Committee believes the Companys compensation
program should be competitive in both the utility industry and the blended market because the
Company needs to be in a position to attract and retain quality talent as necessary in order to
achieve the Companys business goals.
The compensation information used by the consultant and the Committee is based on an analysis
of several compensation practices derived from a number of widely-accepted industry compensation
surveys. The compensation information for the utility labor market was obtained in part from a
survey providing an analysis of the compensation practices of a 14-company comparator group
recommended by the compensation consultant and approved by the Committee. The comparator group
includes utilities that possess specified operational and/or market characteristics, for example,
utilities that own nuclear and/or fossil generating plants or have similar amounts of assets. The
14-company sample, however, is just one of seven compensation survey data points used to determine
competitive compensation (three of the data points represent the utility industry and are weighted
50%, and four of the data points represent general industry and are weighted 50%). Except for the
14-company sample, the other six data points are based on revenue either regression analysis
based on revenue or tabular data that represents the median of the comparator group. The Committee
believes using several surveys and several survey samples provides a sound competitive compensation
analysis.
The Committee then focused on the individual executives and their individual responsibilities,
skills, expertise and value added through performance, and then applied these views in conjunction
with the information provided by the consultant. However, in making any decision with respect to
an executives
19
compensation, the Committee considers the officers total compensation, but with an increased
emphasis on performance-based compensation in lieu of base salary adjustments.
Base Salary. The Committee reviews competitive salary information and individual salaries for
executive officers on an annual basis. In determining individual salaries, the Committee considers
the scope of job responsibilities, individual contributions, business performance and current
compensation compared to market practices. The base salaries paid to the Companys executive
officers during 2005 overall were competitive with the median salaries in both the utility industry
and the compensation analysis blended market.
Annual Incentives. The Company has used incentive programs for all its employees for a number
of years. The performance criteria that underlie the annual incentive programs have historically
focused on superior operational performance, disciplined cost management, and increased
productivity and efficiency. The Committee believes that the annual incentive programs have been
effective in achieving these goals. For example, between 2002 and 2005, APS customer per employee
ratio, a key efficiency measure, improved by 12%. The Committee is committed to the pay for
performance approach fundamental to the annual incentive programs and believes it has contributed
significantly to positive results for our shareholders and APS customers.
For 2005, the Committee recommended to the Board the approval of the 2005 Officer Variable
Incentive Plan (the Officer Incentive Plan). In addition, the Committee established the 2005
Chairman and CEO Plan (the CEO Plan) for Mr. Post, which is discussed below. The Officer
Incentive Plan is composed of two components, one of which is based on the Companys 2005 earnings
and the other on the achievement of specified business unit results. Once a specified earnings
threshold is met, the achievement of the level of earnings and business unit results generally
determines what award, if any, the officer receives. The CEO Plan is based on whether a specified
2005 earnings threshold is met. However, the amount of the award, if any, to each officer under
the Officer Incentive Plan or to the CEO under the CEO Plan, is in the discretion of the Committee.
Accordingly, the Committee may consider factors other than Company earnings and the achievement of
business unit results to measure performance. For 2005, the incentive opportunities were designed
to pay out total cash compensation (base salary plus incentive) at or near the median of the
compensation analysis if performance objectives were achieved.
The Committee assessed the attainment levels of the performance criteria in early 2006. The
Committee determined that the 2005 earnings targets were met and, with respect to the executive
officers, the 2005 business unit targets were met. At that same time, the Committee considered the
Companys financial condition and current issues facing the Company and decided to suspend its
consideration of the amount of incentive payments, if any, to be paid under the Plans to the
eligible officers, including the Named Executive Officers and the CEO.
Long-Term Incentives. The Committee believes managements performance is ultimately judged by
the delivery of returns to shareholders in the form of share price appreciation and dividends over
time. To achieve this, the Committee intends that grants of performance shares and stock ownership
incentives, which create a personal investment in the Company, serve as significant components of
the total compensation package for officers and key management employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Under the Companys 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2002 Plan), the terms of
the performance shares and stock ownership incentives are as follows:
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Performance shares are used to promote long-term performance. Generally, each
recipient of performance shares is entitled to receive shares of common stock at the
end of a three-year period based upon the Companys earnings per share growth rate
during that three-year period compared to the earnings per share growth rate of all
relevant companies in a specified S&P Electric Utilities Index. For the performance shares granted in 2005, the three-year performance period is from |
20
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|
|
January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007. The earnings per share growth rate for the
three-year performance period is the compounded annual-growth rate of a companys
earnings per share from continuing operations (plus SunCors discontinued operations for
purposes of calculating the Companys earnings per share growth), on a fully-diluted
basis, during the three-year period. The number of shares of common stock a recipient is
entitled to receive is determined by the Companys relative percentile ranking in the
Index during the three-year performance period. See the 2005 Performance Share Awards
table on page 25 of this proxy statement for additional information regarding 2005
performance share awards. |
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Stock ownership incentives are used to promote annual performance and stock
ownership. Each recipient who owned an amount of stock equal to a specified multiple
of such individuals base salary was entitled to receive 4% of the average number of shares of common stock owned by the recipient during 2005 if the Companys 2005
earnings met a specified threshold. The share ownership requirements for executive
officers are 5 times base salary in the case of the CEO; 3 times base salary in the
case of the president of the Company; 2.5 times base salary in the case of Mr. Levine;
2 times base salary in the case of the president of APSES and executive vice
presidents; and 1.75 times base salary in the case of all other officers. The 2005
earnings threshold was met, so those executive officers who held the requisite number
of shares were granted their corresponding stock ownership awards. In the case of the
Named Executive Officers, Mr. Levine met the required share ownership level, so he
received a total of 1,395 shares of Company common stock in early 2006. The value of
this common stock is included in the Restricted Stock Awards column of the Summary
Compensation Table on page 23 of this proxy statement. |
Although stock options are available under the 2002 Plan, the Committee did not award any
stock options in 2005.
The members of the Human Resources Committee approve grants under the Companys stock-based
compensation plans. The Committee determines the size of grants in part by assessing competitive
practices for comparable positions in other companies and the executives contributions to the
Company.
The Committee decided that all long-term compensation provided to officers in 2005 must have a
performance component. The Committee sees this as a key factor in having officers work toward the
achievement of long-term performance goals.
Other Programs. The Company also provides its officers and key managers with life and medical
insurance, pension, compensation deferral programs, and other benefits. See Retirement Plan and
Supplemental Excess Benefit Retirement Plan and Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements on
pages 26-30 of this proxy statement for additional information regarding pension benefits and other
compensatory agreements. The Committee believes that the Company provides de-minimus perquisites
to its executive officers.
How is the Companys CEO compensated?
The Committee reviews the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEOs compensation,
assesses the CEOs performance in light of these goals and objectives and sets the CEOs
compensation level based on this assessment. In determining the CEOs compensation, the Committee
considers the Companys performance and relative shareholder return, the value of incentive awards
to chief executive officers at comparable companies, and the awards given to the CEO in past years.
As part of the Committees strategy in aligning CEO compensation with Company performance and
shareholder return, Mr. Posts base salary and total annual compensation is targeted around the
median of the compensation analysis, so that if performance objectives are met, Mr. Posts total
cash compensation would be competitive.
21
Mr. Posts annual incentive is discussed above under Annual Incentives. During 2005,
Mr. Post was granted the stock performance share awards reflected in the table on page 25 of this
proxy statement. These awards are intended to meet the compensation objectives discussed above.
Mr. Posts base salary was last increased in late 2004.
How is the Company addressing Internal Revenue Code limits on deductibility of compensation?
Publicly-traded corporations generally are not permitted to deduct, for federal income tax
purposes, annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of certain top executives, except
to the extent the compensation qualifies as performance-based. While the Committee strongly
believes in rewarding performance through the bonus and equity participation programs, certain
features of these programs do not fit the laws definition of performance-based, and therefore
limited amounts of compensation may not be deductible.
Summary
The Committee firmly believes that the executive compensation program is structured in a
manner that supports our goals of advancing shareholder interests, improving the Companys
performance, and remaining competitive in order to retain leaders key to our Companys success.
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COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS |
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Roy A. Herberger, Jr.
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Edward N. Basha, Jr. |
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Pamela Grant |
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William S. Jamieson, Jr. |
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Humberto S. Lopez |
Human Resources Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Human Resources Committee are Messrs. Basha, Herberger, Jamieson and Lopez
and Ms. Grant. None of the members of the Human Resources Committee is or has been an employee of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. There were no interlocking relationships between the
Company and other entities that might affect the determination of the compensation of the Companys
executive officers.
What compensation was paid to the Named Executive Officers in 2005?
The table on the following page sets forth information concerning total compensation paid to
the Companys CEO and four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who
served in such capacities as of December 31, 2005 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers)
for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries.
22
Summary Compensation Table
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All Other |
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Compen- |
Name and Principal |
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sation |
Position |
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Year |
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Annual Compensation |
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Long-Term Compensation |
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($) (1) |
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Other |
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Awards |
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Payouts |
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Annual |
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Restricted |
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Compen- |
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Stock |
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LTIP |
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Salary |
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sation |
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Awards ($) |
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Options |
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Payouts |
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($) |
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Bonus ($) |
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($)(2) |
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(3) |
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(#) |
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($) (4) |
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Annual |
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Other |
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Incentives |
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Awards |
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($)(5) |
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($) |
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William J. Post |
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2005 |
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950,004 |
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0 |
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|
0 |
|
|
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11,071 |
|
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|
0 |
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|
|
0 |
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0 |
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38,030 |
|
Chairman of the Board |
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2004 |
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870,174 |
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1,350,000 |
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0 |
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89,779 |
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0 |
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0 |
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551,837 |
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30,682 |
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and CEO of the |
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2003 |
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774,926 |
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0 |
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0 |
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8,812 |
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0 |
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85,750 |
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0 |
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31,301 |
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Company and Chairman
of the Board of APS |
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Jack E. Davis |
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2005 |
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800,004 |
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0 |
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85,600 |
(6) |
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11,071 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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33,084 |
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President and COO of |
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2004 |
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716,674 |
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1,000,000 |
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0 |
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47,539 |
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75,700 |
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0 |
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263,144 |
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25,059 |
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the Company and |
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2003 |
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665,450 |
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0 |
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0 |
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8,735 |
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64,620 |
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34,750 |
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0 |
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26,724 |
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President and CEO of
APS |
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James M. Levine |
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2005 |
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600,012 |
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0 |
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85,600 |
(6) |
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11,071 |
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57,962 |
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0 |
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0 |
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48,621 |
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Executive Vice |
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2004 |
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561,342 |
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313,206 |
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0 |
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20,719 |
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129,303 |
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11,130 |
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79,838 |
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34,932 |
|
President, Generation |
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2003 |
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557,503 |
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0 |
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112,000 |
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16,578 |
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64,620 |
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17,250 |
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0 |
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38,593 |
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of APS |
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Donald E. Brandt |
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|
2005 |
|
|
|
416,467 |
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|
0 |
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|
0 |
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|
|
14,934 |
|
|
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|
0 |
|
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|
0 |
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|
0 |
|
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|
11,663 |
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
372,668 |
|
|
|
180,196 |
|
|
|
0 |
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|
12,675 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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|
9,762 |
|
President and CFO of |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
324,660 |
|
|
|
0 |
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50,000 |
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|
41,059 |
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|
0 |
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|
15,125 |
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0 |
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7,385 |
|
the Company and APS |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Wheeler |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
380,849 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
23,091 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
12,787 |
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
356,676 |
|
|
|
168,955 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
22,876 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
70,257 |
|
|
|
|
9,390 |
|
President, Customer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
317,669 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
10,065 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,125 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
9,285 |
|
Service and
Regulation of APS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column for 2005 consist of Company matching contributions to the
Companys employees savings plan: Mr. Post $9,344, Mr. Davis $9,450, Mr. Levine
$6,300, Mr. Brandt $9,450 and Mr. Wheeler $6,300; the above-market portion of interest
accrued under a deferred compensation plan: Mr. Post $22,191, Mr. Davis $23,634, Mr.
Levine $38,767, Mr. Brandt $2,213 and Mr. Wheeler $6,487; and life insurance premiums
paid by the Company under an executive life insurance plan for: Mr. Post $6,495 and Mr.
Levine $3,554. |
23
|
|
|
(2) |
|
In accordance with SEC rules, no disclosure is required if total perquisites are less than
$50,000 or 10 percent of the total annual salary and bonuses for the Named Executive Officer.
However, the Company has voluntarily disclosed these amounts, with the following exception:
Each of the Named Executive Officers is offered an annual physical. The amount included in
the Summary Compensation Table includes the maximum benefit available for the physical, not
the actual cost. For Mr. Wheeler in 2005, the amount in this column includes a tax gross-up
payment of $3,161. For 2004, the amount shown includes the dividend cash equivalent and
interest payments received by the Named Executive Officers in connection with the performance
share awards granted in 2002 as follows: Mr. Post $80,741; Mr. Davis $38,501; Mr. Levine
$11,681; Mr. Brandt $0; and Mr. Wheeler $10,280. For Mr. Brandt for 2003, this amount
includes a tax gross-up payment of $23,827. |
|
(3) |
|
The value of the restricted stock is based on the closing price of the Companys common stock
on the date the restricted stock was granted. During each of 2004 and 2003, Messrs. Davis and
Levine received 2,000 shares of restricted stock that vested upon the date of the grant.
Dividends are paid on the restricted stock, but are held by the Company until the restrictions
lapse. At the end of 2005, none of the Named Executive Officers held restricted stock. As
shown on page 25 of this proxy statement, in the 2005 Performance Share Awards table, the
Named Executive Officers were granted long-term incentive plan awards. Similar awards were
granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2004 (the 2004 Performance Share Awards). Under
the terms of the grants, whether a common stock payment, if any, is made will not be
determined until after the end of the performance period. However, in accordance with SEC
reporting requirements, the number (based on target) and value (at market) of the 2005
Performance Share Awards as of the end of 2005 were: Mr. Post 30,850 shares, $1,275,648;
Mr. Davis 12,500 shares, $516,875; Mr. Levine 8,150 shares, $337,003; Mr. Brandt 5,450
shares, $225,358 and Mr. Wheeler 5,450 shares, $225,358. The number (based on target) and
value (at market) of the 2004 Performance Share Awards as of the end of 2005 were: Mr. Post
30,850 shares, $1,275,648; Mr. Davis 12,500 shares, $516,875; Mr. Levine 9,225 shares,
$381,454; Mr. Brandt 5,450 shares, $225,358 and Mr. Wheeler 5,450 shares, $225,358. See
also the information in footnote (4) to this table. In 2005, each of the Named Executive
Officers received a stock ownership incentive award entitling the officer to receive,
following the award period described below, a number of shares of common stock equal to 4% of
the average number of shares owned by the officer during the award period (January 1, 2005 to
December 31, 2005) if both (i) a threshold performance goal based on the Companys earnings
from continuing operations plus SunCors earnings from discontinued operations (the Threshold
Performance Goal) is satisfied, and (ii) the value of the average number of shares owned by
the officer is at least a set multiple of the base salary of the officer (the Ownership
Requirement). The ownership multiple in the case of Mr. Post is 5 times base salary; for Mr.
Davis, 3 times base salary; for Mr. Levine, 2.5 times base salary; and for Messrs. Brandt and
Wheeler, 2 times base salary. Although the Threshold Performance Goal was satisfied for 2005,
only Mr. Levine satisfied the Ownership Requirement and received 1,395 shares of common stock
pursuant to this award, which amount is included in the amount in this column for 2005. |
|
(4) |
|
The amount in this column for 2004 and 2005 consists of the common stock payout in respect of
the 2002 and 2003 performance share awards, respectively. For 2005, the amount is an estimate
based on the earnings per share reported by the comparator companies in their Form 10-K
filings filed with the SEC. |
|
(5) |
|
See Report of the Human Resources Committee on page 18 of this proxy statement for
information regarding the officer incentive plans. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Levines employment agreement provides that the Human Resources Committee is to consider
an annual equity grant to Mr. Levine. On December 14, 2005, the Companys Board of Directors,
acting on the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee and consistent with the intent
of Mr. Levines agreement, approved a cash payment of equivalent value to Mr. Levine in lieu
of Mr. Levine receiving the annual grant during 2005. The Board of Directors, also acting on
the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, approved an identical cash payment to Mr.
Davis. |
What options were exercised by the Named Executive Officers in 2005?
The table set forth on the following page provides information with respect to options
exercised by the Named Executive Officers and year-end values.
24
Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised In-The- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Money Options at Fiscal Year- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year-End |
|
End (2) |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Exercise |
|
Realized (1) |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
William J. Post |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
456,167 |
|
|
|
28,583 |
|
|
$ |
1,310,161 |
|
|
$ |
258,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack E. Davis |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
$ |
234,982 |
|
|
|
131,000 |
|
|
|
11,583 |
|
|
$ |
175,070 |
|
|
$ |
104,942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James M. Levine |
|
|
21,500 |
|
|
$ |
277,891 |
|
|
|
60,045 |
|
|
|
9,460 |
|
|
$ |
81,333 |
|
|
$ |
65,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Brandt |
|
|
5,041 |
|
|
$ |
66,995 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,042 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
45,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Wheeler |
|
|
21,125 |
|
|
$ |
136,762 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,042 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
45,681 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Value of options exercised is the market value of the shares on the exercise date minus
the exercise price. The officers listed above who exercised options retained all shares
received upon the exercise of options, except for those sold solely for the purpose of meeting
estimated option exercise costs and tax-withholding requirements. |
|
(2) |
|
The value of unexercised options equals the market value of Company common stock on December
30, 2005 ($41.35 per share) minus the exercise price of options. |
What long-term incentive plan awards were given to the Named Executive Officers in 2005?
The following table sets forth information with respect to long-term incentive awards to the
Companys Named Executive Officers during 2005. For additional information regarding these awards,
see Report of the Human Resources Committee Long-Term Incentives on page 20 of this proxy
statement.
2005 Performance Share Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Stock Price Based Plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Above |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Performance Period |
|
|
|
Below |
|
|
25th |
|
|
50th |
|
|
75th |
|
|
90th |
|
Name |
|
Shares |
|
|
Until Payout |
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
Percentile |
|
|
Percentile |
|
|
Percentile |
|
|
Percentile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William J. Post |
|
|
30,850 |
|
|
|
1/1/2005 12/31/2007 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,425 |
|
|
|
30,850 |
|
|
|
46,275 |
|
|
|
61,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack E. Davis |
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
1/1/2005 12/31/2007 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James M. Levine |
|
|
8,150 |
|
|
|
1/1/2005 12/31/2007 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
4,075 |
|
|
|
8,150 |
|
|
|
12,225 |
|
|
|
16,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald E. Brandt |
|
|
5,450 |
|
|
|
1/1/2005 12/31/2007 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,725 |
|
|
|
5,450 |
|
|
|
8,175 |
|
|
|
10,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Wheeler |
|
|
5,450 |
|
|
|
1/1/2005 12/31/2007 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,725 |
|
|
|
5,450 |
|
|
|
8,175 |
|
|
|
10,900 |
|
Except as otherwise shown, the performance share awards in the preceding table are
payable at the end of the three-year performance period. The amount of the payout may increase or
decrease based upon the Companys earnings per share growth rate as compared to the earnings per
share growth rate of the S&P Utilities Index during the performance period. The amount of the
payout will be determined by the percentile relative ranking; however, in no event will an employee
be entitled to receive a number of performance shares greater than two times the base grant. The
Company pays dividends on the performance shares actually earned, with interest, when the award is
vested and distributed.
25
What are the Companys defined benefit plans?
Retirement Plan and Supplemental Excess Benefit Retirement Plan
The Company currently maintains the Retirement Plan, a tax-qualified, non-contributory
retirement plan for salaried and union employees, and the Supplemental Excess Benefit Retirement
Plan, a supplemental excess benefit retirement plan that provides additional retirement benefits
for key salaried employees (Supplemental Plan). Prior to January of 2003, benefits under the
Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Plan accrued in accordance with a traditional retirement plan
formula (collectively referred to herein as the Traditional Formula). Effective January of 2003,
the Company modified the formula under which benefits accrue under the Retirement Plan and the
Supplemental Plan to a retirement account balance formula (collectively referred to herein as the
Account Balance Formula). Except with respect to Messrs. Wheeler and Levine, who have special
pension arrangements under their individual employment agreements with the Company, as part of the
modification, all employees were able to elect to either (a) continue to receive benefits
calculated under the Traditional Formula or (b) receive benefits calculated under the Traditional
Formula for service through March 31, 2003, but with respect to service after that date, receive
benefits calculated under the Account Balance Formula. All employees joining the Company after
January 1, 2003 will have their benefits calculated under the Account Balance Formula. The
benefits of Messrs. Levine and Wheeler are calculated under the Traditional Formula. The benefits
of Messrs. Post, Davis and Brandt are calculated under the Traditional Formula with respect to
service completed prior to April 1, 2003, and under the Account Balance Formula with respect to
service completed on and after April 1, 2003.
Traditional Formula
The following table illustrates the annual benefits that would be provided under the
Traditional Formula under both the Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Plan to the Companys
officers retiring at age 65 or later at the indicated compensation and years of service levels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Annual |
|
|
Years of Service |
Compensation (1) |
|
5 |
|
10 |
|
20 |
|
25 or more |
|
$ 100,000 |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
$ |
60,000 |
200,000 |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
120,000 |
300,000 |
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
180,000 |
400,000 |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
240,000 |
500,000 |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
300,000 |
600,000 |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
360,000 |
700,000 |
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
420,000 |
800,000 |
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
240,000 |
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
480,000 |
900,000 |
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
540,000 |
1,000,000 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
600,000 |
1,100,000 |
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
660,000 |
1,200,000 |
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
720,000 |
1,300,000 |
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
390,000 |
|
|
650,000 |
|
|
780,000 |
1,400,000 |
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
420,000 |
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
840,000 |
1,500,000 |
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Benefits are calculated on a straight-life annuity basis. Benefits listed in the Table
are not subject to deductions for Social Security or other offset amounts. |
26
Compensation under the Retirement Plan (for purposes of both the Traditional Formula and
the Account Balance Formula) consists solely of base salary (as shown in the Summary Compensation
Table, Salary Column) up to $210,000 (as adjusted for cost-of-living), including any amounts
voluntarily contributed under the Companys 401(k) plan and salary reduction contributions under
the Companys flexible benefits plan and its qualified transportation arrangement under Section
132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. Compensation does not include additional components of
compensation related to amounts voluntarily deferred under other deferred compensation plans,
bonuses or incentive pay. The Supplemental Plan does include, subject to certain exceptions, these
additional components of compensation plus base salary beyond the $210,000 limit. As a
tax-qualified pension plan, benefits payable under the Retirement Plan are limited pursuant to the
Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, benefits payable under the Supplemental Plan that are in excess
of the benefits payable under the Retirement Plan are payable from the general assets of the
Company. For purposes of the Traditional Formula, the average monthly compensation is the average
of the highest 36 consecutive months in the final 10 years of employment. In addition, except with
respect to Mr. Levine as described below, the maximum monthly benefit payable under the Traditional
Formula under the Retirement Plan is sixty percent (60%) of the participants average monthly
compensation during that 36 month period. For purposes of the Account Balance Formula,
contributions are made on the basis of the participants then current monthly compensation
calculated as described above.
The number of credited years of service for each of the Named Executive Officers and the
average annual compensation upon which payments under the Traditional Formula would be based, as of
December 31, 2005, are as follows: Mr. Post 30 years, $1,394,701; Mr. Davis 30 years,
$1,094,777; Mr. Levine 21 years, $701,354; Mr. Brandt .87 years, $428,384; and Mr. Wheeler 17
years (see description of Mr. Wheelers employment agreement below), $421,050. Even though Messrs.
Post and Davis have accrued 30 credited years of service while earning benefits under the total
Traditional Formula, they earn no additional benefits for their credited service in excess of 25
years because only 25 years of credited service are counted under the Traditional Formula.
Notwithstanding the table above, Mr. Levines pension benefit will increase by 3% of average annual
compensation for each additional year of service to age 60, so that his pension benefit will equal
70% of his average annual compensation if he remains employed until age 60. See description of Mr.
Levines employment agreement on page 29. Except with respect to Messrs. Brandt and Wheeler, who
are discussed separately below, although years of service begin accruing on the date of employment,
benefits do not vest until the completion of five years of service. Note that as a result of the
election of Messrs. Post, Davis and Brandt to participate in the Account Balance Formula, their
credited years of service under the Traditional Formula are frozen at the number of years set forth
above. Under the terms of Mr. Brandts employment agreement, five (5) years of service was
credited to his pension vesting only. Under the terms of Mr. Wheelers employment agreement, he
received ten (10) years of service solely for the purpose of calculating future pension benefits
and two (2) years of service for pension purposes in each of his first two years of employment.
The benefits of Messrs. Post and Davis are offset by whatever benefits they accrue under the
Account Balance Formula described below.
Account Balance Formula
Under the Account Balance Formula, a notional account is established for each eligible
participant. The Company credits monthly amounts (base credits, transition credits and interest
credits) to a participants account. Therefore, a participants total account balance equals the
sum of all the monthly base, transition and interest credits made to the account. The amount of
the base credit and transition credit a participant receives each month is described in the charts
below. The transition credit is only for service until 2013 and applies only to participants who
elected the Account Balance in 2003 and who also have a Traditional Formula benefit. Since
benefits payable from the Account Balance Formula in the Supplemental Plan are reduced by benefits
payable from the Account Balance Formula in the Retirement Plan, an executive who participates in
the
27
Supplemental Plan does not receive duplicative benefits under the Account Balance Formula. The
maximum monthly base and traditional credits available under the plans are determined under the
following charts:
Retirement Plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age Plus Whole Years Of Service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transition Credits: Percent Of |
At End Of Plan Year In Which |
|
|
Base Credits: Percent Of Monthly |
|
Monthly Compensation |
Month Occurs |
|
|
Compensation Contribution Rate |
|
Contribution Rate |
Less than 40 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
40-49 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
50-59 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
|
1.50 |
% |
|
60-69 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
|
1.75 |
% |
|
70-79 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
|
2.25 |
% |
|
80 and over |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
|
|
|
2.75 |
% |
|
Supplemental Plan (1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age At End Of Plan Year In Which Month Occurs |
|
Percent Of Monthly Compensation Contribution Rate |
Less than 35 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
35-39 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
40-44 |
|
|
|
16 |
% |
|
45-49 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
|
50-54 |
|
|
|
24 |
% |
|
55 and over |
|
|
|
28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Once a participant reaches over 25 years of participation under the Supplemental Plan,
that participant is no longer entitled to the monthly credit in the Supplemental Plan. For
example, since Messrs. Davis and Post have over 25 years of participation in the Supplemental
Plan, they would not be eligible for the Supplemental Plan credits. |
Benefits at retirement are generally payable, as the participant elects, in the form of a
level annuity, with or without survivorship, a lump sum or an over and under pension which payments
shall take into account old age Social Security benefits under the Social Security Act; however,
benefits under the Traditional Formula are generally not available as a lump sum but are paid in
the form of an annuity. The estimated annual benefits payable for life upon retirement at age 65
under the Account Balance Formula (both the Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Plan) for each of
the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2005, is as follows: Mr. Post $11,987; Mr. Davis
$9,575; and Mr. Brandt $50,830. These calculations use the assumption that benefits will be
paid on a straight-life annuity basis.
Option II Plan
In 1986 Mr. Post, and in 1984 and 1985 Mr. Davis, participated in Option II of the Arizona
Public Service Company Deferred Compensation Plan, pursuant to which, each will receive an annual
payment for a ten-year period following their retirement from the Company (the Option II Plan).
The Option II Plan allows the participant to elect the post-retirement year in which the
installment payments begin, provided the initial year is on or after the participant reaches sixty
years of age and on or before the participant reaches seventy years of age. Under the Option II
Plan, in the event Mr. Post elects to begin payments following his retirement upon reaching 60
years of age, his annual payment would be $162,020. In the event Mr. Davis elects to begin
payments following his retirement upon reaching 60 years of age, his annual payment would be
$152,037. Each year thereafter that the initial payment is delayed, the annual installment
increases by 6.5%. The annual payments under the Option II Plan are forfeited if the participant
is not employed by the Company or one of its
28
subsidiaries at the time he becomes available for early retirement (age 55), in which case the
participant is only entitled to receive amounts the participant contributed to the Option II Plan,
plus interest. This forfeiture provision does not apply if the participant fails to reach
retirement age with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a result of death.
Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements
Neither Mr. Post nor Mr. Davis has an employment agreement with the Company.
APS and Mr. Levine entered into a five-year employment agreement effective as of October 1,
2002. As amended to the date hereof, the agreement provides for Mr. Levine to participate in any
annual officer incentive plan and to receive incentive payments thereunder based on his position
and the attainment of specified objectives (e.g., earnings, business unit, and individual
objectives) all in accordance with the terms of any such plan. Pursuant to the employment
agreement, APS must request that the Human Resources Committee grant Mr. Levine awards under the
2002 Plan in an amount equivalent to 65%-85% of the amount of annual base awards granted to a
member of the Office of the President under the 2002 Plan. In addition, APS must request the Human
Resources Committee to grant Mr. Levine 2,000 performance shares each year under the 2002 Plan.
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Levine was credited with an additional five years of service
for pension purposes, resulting in a total of twenty years of service as of January 2004, and his
pension benefit grows at 3% per year until his benefit reaches 70% of average annual compensation,
which is scheduled to occur when he reaches 60. Mr. Levine may also receive additional
compensation upon the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station maintaining specified federal and
nuclear oversight program ratings for nuclear safety and for achieving successful outage results.
The Company and Mr. Brandt entered into a letter agreement in November of 2002, pursuant to
which five (5) years of service were credited to Mr. Brandts pension vesting only, effective as of
the date of his employment.
The Company and Mr. Wheeler entered into a letter agreement in June of 2001, pursuant to which
Mr. Wheeler was credited with ten (10) years of vested service for purposes of calculating his
pension, effective as of June 29, 2001. Mr. Wheeler also received two years of service for pension
purposes in each of the first two years of employment.
The Company has entered into identical change-in-control agreements with each of its executive
officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers. The Company intends that these
agreements provide stability in its key management in the event the Company experiences a change of
control. The agreements provide for certain payments if, during the two-year period following a
change of control of the Company, the Company involuntarily terminates the officers employment or
the executive terminates his or her own employment following a significant and detrimental change
in the executives employment. No severance benefits will be payable to an officer whose
termination is due to retirement, disability, death, voluntary termination (except for good reason
as described above), or for cause as defined in the agreements. The termination payment, if
required, is an amount equal to three times the sum of the executives annual salary at the change
in control as increased to the date of termination plus an annual bonus, as determined by an
average over the last four years preceding termination. In addition, the executive is entitled to
continued medical, dental and group life insurance benefits at a shared cost until the end of the
second year following the calendar year of termination. The termination is treated as a normal
termination under the Companys stock option and benefit plans entitling the executive to exercise
outstanding options within three months after termination and causing restrictions on restricted
stock to lapse, and outplacement services are provided. If Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code imposes an excise tax on all or part of the total payments, the agreement further provides for
an additional gross up payment equal to the excise tax (plus any penalties and interest) imposed on
or with respect to the total payments. Change of control includes: (1) an unrelated third
partys acquisition of 20% or more
29
of the Companys or APS voting stock; (2) a merger or consolidation where either the Company or
APS combines with any other corporation such that the Companys or APS outstanding voting stock
immediately prior to merger or consolidation represents less than 60% of the voting stock of the
Company or APS immediately after the merger or consolidation, but excluding a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization in which no unrelated third party acquires
more than 20% of the voting stock of the Company or APS; (3) a sale, transfer or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or APS to an unrelated third party; or (4)
the case where the composition of either the Board of the Company or of APS changes such that the
members of the Board of the Company (the Company Incumbent Board) or of APS (the APS Incumbent
Board), as of July 31, 2005, no longer comprises at least 2/3 of the Companys or APS Board of
Directors. For purposes of this latter provision, a person elected to either Board after July 31,
2005, is treated as a member of the Company Incumbent Board or APS Incumbent Board if his or her
nomination or election by shareholders was approved by a 2/3 vote of the members then comprising
the Company Incumbent Board or APS Incumbent Board, and it does not include anyone who became a
director in an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of directors. Each
of the agreements terminates on December 31st of each year upon six months advance notice by the
Company to the officer; if the six months advance notice is not given, the agreements will continue
for successive one-year periods until the notice is given.
Effective January 1, 1992, the Company established a deferred compensation plan for directors
and officers of the Company pursuant to which amounts deferred are credited with interest at rates
determined by the plan committee appointed by the Board (the General Plan). The General Plan was
operated generally as described below with respect to the 2005 Plan. Effective January 1, 1996,
the Company established a revocable trust to fund the benefits under the General Plan, the Option
II Plan, and certain other benefits. Upon the occurrence of a change of control within the
meaning of the General Plan and the trust, the interest rate under the General Plan shall be the
enhanced rate established by the plan committee, and the trust will become irrevocable and the
Company will be required to fully fund the benefits earned under the General Plan and the Option II
Plan within 60 days after the occurrence of that event. The change of control, for purposes of
the plans and trust, is defined in the same manner as the change of control definition contained
in the severance agreements described above.
On December 15, 2004, the Company was authorized to adopt a new non-qualified deferred
compensation plan applicable to post-2004 deferrals (the 2005 Plan). No future deferrals will be
permitted under the Companys previously existing non-qualified deferred compensation plan
described above. The 2005 Plan will be based in large part on the prior plan and is required as a
result of the new tax law requirements imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, which was
added by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, an account will
be established for each participant to record the participants deferrals and interest credits.
Participation in the 2005 Plan is limited to directors, officers and a select group of management
or highly compensated employees of the Company, APS, SunCor, APSES, PWEC and El Dorado selected by
an administrative committee appointed by the Companys Board of Directors (the Plan Committee).
Participants include Mr. Post and each of the Named Executive Officers. A participant is allowed
to defer up to 50% of the participants base salary and up to 100% of the participants bonus or
directors fees, as applicable. Amounts deferred are credited with interest rates determined by
the Plan Committee. Assuming the participants meet certain length-of-service requirements, the
interest rate for 2005 under the General Plan and the 2005 Plan will be 7.5%. Deferral elections
of base salary or directors fees, as applicable, must be made prior to the calendar year in which
such base salary will be paid. Deferral elections of any bonus payable in 2005 must be made before
the end of 2004. Deferral elections of bonuses paid in 2006 and future years must be made at least
six months prior to the end of the earning period. When making a deferral election, a participant
will also make an election regarding the timing and manner of distributions of the participants
deferrals and interest thereon. Changes in any such election will be permitted only to the extent
allowed by Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. All distributions under the 2005 Plan will be made
in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. The 2005 Plan was effective as of January
1, 2005.
30
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY
The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent
auditors for fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 and has further directed that management submit
the selection of independent auditors for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
Shareholder ratification is not required by the Companys Bylaws or other applicable legal
requirements. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to
the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event the
shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider this appointment.
Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the
appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit
Committee determines that such a change would be in the Companys and the shareholders best
interests.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING 2006.
PROPOSAL 3 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
The Company has been advised that Emil Rossi (owner of record of 300 shares, as of
November 4, 2005) intends to present the following proposal at the 2006 Annual Meeting. The
proposal and supporting statement, exactly as submitted to the Company, are set forth below. The
Board of Directors opposes this proposal for the reasons stated on pages 32-34 of this proxy
statement.
3 Elect Each Director Annually
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that our Directors take the necessary steps, in the most
expeditious manner possible, to adopt and implement annual election of each director. This
includes complete transition from the current staggered system to 100% annual election of each
director in one election cycle if practicable. Also to transition solely through direct action of
our board if practicable.
The Safeway 2004 definitive proxy is one example of converting from a 100% staggered system to a
100% annual election of each director system in one election cycle. Southwest Airlines began
transition to annual election of each director solely through direct action by the Southwest
Airlines board in 2005.
Emil Rossi, P.O. Box 249, Boonville, Calif. 95415 submitted this proposal.
66% Yes-Vote
Thirty-three (33) shareholder proposals on this topic won an impressive 66% average yes vote in
2005 through late-September. The Council of Institutional Investors www.cii.org, whose
members have $3 trillion invested, recommends adoption of this proposal topic.
31
Progress Begins with One Step
It is important to take one step forward in our corporate governance and adopt the above RESOLVED
statement since our 2005 governance standards were not impeccable. For instance in 2005 it was
reported (and certain concerns are noted):
|
|
|
The Corporate Library (TCL), an independent investment research firm in Portland,
Maine rated our company: |
C in Overall Board Effectiveness.
|
|
|
We had two insiders on our board compounded by two directors who had non-director
links with our company Independence concern. |
|
|
|
|
The chairman of our key Audit Committee had 14 years tenure Independence concern. |
|
|
|
|
Of the 7 members of our key Audit Committee only the Audit Chairman was an Audit
Financial Expert. |
Additionally:
|
|
|
We had no Independent Board Chairman Independent oversight concern. |
|
|
|
|
We were allowed to vote on individual directors only once in 3-years
Accountability concern. |
|
|
|
|
We had to marshal an awesome 67% shareholder vote to make certain key changes
Entrenchment concern. |
|
|
|
|
Our directors were still protected by a poison pill with a 15% threshold. |
|
|
|
|
Our CEOs personal shareholdings declined over the past year according to the
Corporate Library. |
The above practices show there is room for improvement and reinforce the reason to take one step
forward now and adopt the initial RESOLVED statement of this proposal.
Our directors should be comfortable with this proposal because our typically unopposed directors
need only one vote for election out of tens of millions of shares.
Best for the Investor
Arthur Levitt, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 1993-2001 said:
In my view its best for the investor if the entire board is elected once a year. Without annual
election of each director shareholders have far less control over who represents them.
Take on the Street by Arthur Levitt
Elect Each Director Annually
Yes on 3
What is the Boards response to the proposal?
BOARD OF DIRECTORS STATEMENT AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
The Board of Directors and the Corporate Governance Committee have carefully reviewed this
proposal. In that review, they considered the industry environment, the history of the staggered
board system, arguments for and against such system and the performance of our Company compared to
companies without a staggered system. After an extensive review, the Board and the Committee have
concluded that a classified board continues to be in the best interests of the Company and the
shareholders at this time for the following reasons:
32
|
|
|
A classified Board provides for continuity and experience that protects long-term
goals. |
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation currently has three classes of directors, with members of
each class serving three-year terms. By using a classified Board, a majority of directors at any
given time possesses the experience and understanding that only comes with a period of service on
the Board. Having a majority of directors with prior experience enables new directors to learn
from continuing directors. If all directors were elected annually, a majority could be replaced
each year, resulting in a majority of directors unfamiliar with our business. This experience and
depth of understanding is critical to our Company given its complex structure, including the added
complexity of the highly-regulated nature of the business of our major subsidiary, APS.
A classified Board helps insure continuity and stability of our business strategies and
permits directors to better focus on long-term strategies crucial to the success of our business.
The Board believes that a three-year term of service operates to ensure responsible, knowledgeable
direction of the Company and its long-term strategy rather than the uncertainty and harm that can
arise as a result of abrupt changes in corporate strategy based on misplaced short-term objectives.
|
|
|
A classified Board will not prevent a change in control but can protect shareholder
value. |
A change of control can still occur with a classified Board. The classified Board protects
shareholders because in the event of an unsolicited proposal from third parties seeking a change in
control, it encourages such individuals to engage in arms-length negotiations with the Board.
Absent agreement by the Board, at least two meetings of shareholders would be required to replace a
majority of the Board. By reducing the threat of an abrupt change, our Board has more time to
evaluate the adequacy and fairness of any takeover proposal, and is placed in a better position to
negotiate in order to achieve the best price for the Companys shareholders. The classified Board
does not prevent anyone from making an unsolicited acquisition proposal that may be beneficial to
consider and, in this event, the Board would consider such a proposal.
|
|
|
Regardless of the term, a director has a fiduciary duty to the shareholders. |
The duty a director owes to shareholders is the same, regardless of whether the directors
term is one year or three. It is the manner in which directors fulfill their duties and
responsibilities, not the frequency of their election, which drives effective corporate governance
and protects the interests of shareholders. Furthermore, since one-third of the directors are
elected annually, the shareholders have a significant means to effect change and communicate their
views on the performance of the Company and its directors. The Corporate Governance Committee and
the Board also believe that three-year director terms strengthen director independence by
fortifying a directors ability to voice disagreement with the desires of management or other
directors without necessarily running the risk that he or she will not be re-nominated for office
at the next Annual Meeting. In addition, the Board has implemented measures to further foster
accountability, including the adoption of Corporate Governance Guidelines (that focus on the
independence and quality of members of the Board and its effective functioning) and regular annual
self-evaluations of the Board and its four committees.
|
|
|
Shareholders interest. |
Our directors are also shareholders of the Company and, as a result, their interests and their
actions are clearly aligned with the interests of the shareholders. A significant portion of our
directors compensation is paid in the Companys common stock. This provides a continuing
incentive to the directors to increase shareholder value.
33
|
|
|
Implementation wont be automatic. |
Adoption of this proposal would not automatically eliminate the classified Board. Further
action would be required by the shareholders to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
Under the Articles of Incorporation, an affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock is required to amend
the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation that pertain to the staggered board.
|
|
|
Statements in the Shareholder proposal. |
The Board takes issue with several of the statements made in the shareholder proposal and
believes that some of the statements are subject to either rebuttal or clarification. However, the
Board has chosen to limit its response to the issue of the elimination of the staggered board.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
How do we submit shareholder proposals or director nominations for the next Annual Meeting?
Any shareholder who intends to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the proxy statement
and form of proxy relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Companys shareholders and who wishes
to present the proposal at that meeting must submit the proposal in accordance with the applicable
rules of the SEC. The Company must receive the proposal at its principal executive office on or
before December 9, 2006. A shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2007 Annual
Meeting but does not wish it to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy must submit
the proposal by the close of business on February 16, 2007 but not earlier than January 17, 2007,
in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companys Bylaws, a copy of which is available
upon written request to the Office of the Secretary. If a shareholder submits a proposal after the
close of business on February 24, 2007, the Companys proxy holders will be allowed to use their
discretionary voting authority to vote against the proposal when and if the proposal is raised at
the 2007 Annual Meeting. In addition, any shareholder who wishes to submit a nomination to the
Board must deliver written notice of the nomination on or before November 17, 2006 and comply with
the information requirements in the Companys Bylaws relating to shareholder nominations. See How
are nominees for the Board selected? on page 6 of this proxy statement. The Company suggests that
proponents submit their proposals and nominations to the Office of the Secretary by Certified Mail
Return Receipt Requested.
How many annual reports and proxy statements are delivered to a shared address?
If you and one or more shareholders of Company stock share the same address, it is possible
that only one annual report and proxy statement was delivered to your address. This is known as
householding. Any registered shareholder who wishes to receive separate copies of an annual
report or proxy statement at the same address now or in the future may:
|
|
|
call the Companys Shareholder Services at 1-602-250-5511; |
|
|
|
|
mail a request to receive separate copies to Shareholder Services at P.O. Box 53999,
Mail Station 8602, Phoenix, AZ 85072-3999; or |
|
|
|
|
e-mail a request to: shareholderdept@pinnaclewest.com; |
34
and the Company will promptly deliver the annual report or proxy statement to you upon your
request.
Shareholders who own Company stock through a broker and who wish to receive separate copies of
an annual report and proxy statement should contact their broker.
Shareholders currently receiving multiple copies of an annual report and proxy statement at a
shared address and who wish to receive only a single copy in the future may direct their request to
the same phone number and addresses.
How much did this proxy solicitation cost?
The Board of Directors is soliciting the enclosed proxy. The Company bears the cost of the
solicitation of proxies. Proxies are primarily sent by mail, although the Company may solicit
consenting shareholders over the internet or by telephone. The Company has retained Georgeson
Shareholder to assist in the distribution of proxy solicitation materials and the solicitation of
proxies for $7,500, plus customary expenses. As required, the Company will reimburse brokerage
houses and others for their out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding documents to beneficial owners of
stock.
35
APPENDIX A
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS
(February 22, 2006)
BACKGROUND
On November 4, 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) approved corporate
governance rules proposed by The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). These rules were amended on
November 3, 2004. Among other things, the rules require NYSE-listed companies, such as Pinnacle
West Capital Corporation (the Company), to have a majority of independent directors. The rules
include a list of relationships that would prevent a director from being independent under NYSE
listing standards. Commentary to the rules includes the following language on this topic:
It is not possible to anticipate, or explicitly to provide for, all
circumstances that might signal potential conflicts of interest, or that
might bear on the materiality of a directors relationship to a listed
company (references to company would include any parent or subsidiary
in a consolidated group within the company). Accordingly, it is best
that boards making independence determinations broadly consider all
relevant facts and circumstances. In particular, when assessing the
materiality of a directors relationship with the listed company, the
board should consider the issue not merely from the standpoint of the
director, but also from that of persons or organizations with which the
director has an affiliation. Material relationships can include
commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting,
charitable and familial relationships, among others. However, as the
concern is independence from management, the [NYSE] does not view
ownership of even a significant amount of stock, by itself, as a bar to
an independence finding.
In discussing a boards determination of the independence of a director, commentary to the
rules includes the following language:
[A] board may adopt and disclose categorical standards to assist it in
making determinations of independence and may make a general disclosure
if a director meets these standards. Any determination of independence
for a director who does not meet these standards must be specifically
explained. A company must disclose any standard it adopts. It may then
make the general statement that the independent directors meet the
standards set by the board without detailing the particular aspects of
the immaterial relationships between individual directors and the
company.
The Board of Directors of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (Pinnacle West) believes it is
appropriate to adopt director independence standards designed to comply with the rules and to
evaluate each directors independence in light of these standards.
36
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS
1. |
|
For purposes of these Director Independence Standards, (a) the term Independent has the
meaning ascribed to such term in NYSE Rule 303A.02 and (b) the term Company means Pinnacle
West and its consolidated subsidiaries. |
|
2. |
|
Pinnacle West will publicly disclose director independence determinations in accordance with
NYSE rules and/or applicable law. |
|
3. |
|
No director qualifies as Independent unless the Board of Directors affirmatively determines
that the director has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a
partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company).
The Board may make this determination upon its finding that a director does not have any of
the relationships or interests described in Paragraphs 4 8 below. |
|
4. |
|
A director is not Independent who is, or has been within the last three years, an employee of
the Company, or whose immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, an
executive officer, of the Company. |
|
5. |
|
A director is not Independent if the director or an immediate family member has received,
during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $100,000 in direct
compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other
forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such deferred compensation is not
contingent in any way on continued service). |
|
6. |
|
A director is not Independent if (a) the director or an immediate family member is a current
partner of a firm that is the Companys internal or external auditor; (b) the director is a
current employee of such a firm; (c) the director has an immediate family member who is a
current employee of such a firm and who participates in the firms audit, assurance or tax
compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or (d) the director or an immediate family member
was within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and
personally worked on the Companys audit within that time. |
|
7. |
|
A director is not Independent if the director or an immediate family member is, or has been
within the last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of
the Companys present executive officers at the same time serves or served on that companys
compensation committee. |
|
8. |
|
A director is not Independent if the director is a current employee, or an immediate family
member is a current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received
payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last
three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of $1 million or 2% of such other companys
consolidated gross revenues. In the case of Company contributions to tax-exempt organizations
that exceed the threshold in the previous sentence, a director will not be considered
Independent only if the director is a paid executive officer (exclusive of expense
reimbursements) of any such organization. |
|
9. |
|
For purposes of Paragraphs 4 8 above, (a) immediate family members consist of a persons
spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law,
brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares such
persons home and (b) the term executive officer means Pinnacle Wests president, principal
financial officer, principal accounting officer (or, if there is no such accounting officer,
the controller), any Pinnacle West vice-president in charge of a principal business unit,
division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any |
37
other Pinnacle West officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person who
performs similar policy-making functions for Pinnacle West. Officers of Pinnacle Wests
subsidiaries shall be deemed officers of Pinnacle West if they perform such policy-making
functions for Pinnacle West.
10. |
|
Nothing in these Director Independence Standards prohibits the Board of Directors from
determining that a director is not Independent based on other relationships or transactions
not specifically described in Paragraphs 4 8 above. |
|
11. |
|
Nothing in these Director Independence Standards prohibits the Board of Directors from
adopting additional or different qualifications for director membership on a Board committee,
it being understood that such qualifications will be separately approved by the Board and
included in such Board committees charter. |
Effective as of February 22, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ WILLIAM J. POST |
|
|
|
|
|
William J. Post, Chairman of the Board |
|
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
38
|
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|
|
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
VOTE BY INTERNET / TELEPHONE
24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK |
INTERNET
https://www.proxyvotenow.com/pnw
|
|
Go to the website address
listed above. |
|
|
|
Have your proxy card ready. |
|
|
|
Follow the simple
instructions that appear on
your computer screen. |
TELEPHONE
1-866-289-1787
|
|
Use any touch-tone telephone. |
|
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|
Have your proxy card ready. |
|
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|
Follow the simple recorded instructions. |
MAIL
|
|
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card. |
|
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|
Detach your proxy card. |
|
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|
Return your proxy card in
the postage-paid envelope
provided. |
If you vote by Internet or by phone,
DO NOT mail your proxy card.
Thank you for voting.
For shareholders who have elected to
receive Pinnacle Wests Proxy Statement and
Annual Report electronically,
you can now view the 2006 Annual Meeting
materials on the Internet by pointing your
browser to http://www.pinnaclewest.com
Ú DETACH PROXY CARD HERE IF YOU ARE NOT VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET Ú
Please sign, date, and return
the proxy card promptly using
the enclosed envelope.
x
Votes must be indicated
(x) in black or blue ink.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposals one (1) and two (2) and AGAINST three (3).
1. Election of Directors
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FOR
ALL
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o
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WITHHOLD
ALL
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o
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FOR ALL
ALL EXCEPT
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Nominees: 01 - Jack E. Davis, 02 - Pamela Grant, |
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03 - Martha O. Hesse, 04 - William S. Jamieson, Jr. |
To withhold authority to vote, mark For All Except
and write the nominees number on the line below.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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2.
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Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys
independent auditors for fiscal year ending
December 31, 2006
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
3.
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Vote on Shareholder Proposal to Elect
Directors Annually
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o
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Please indicate if you wish to view meeting materials
electronically via the Internet rather than receiving a
hard copy. Please note that you will continue to receive
a proxy card for voting purposes only.
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Yes
o
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No
o |
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To change your address, please mark this box
and indicate new address on the reverse side.
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To include any comments, please mark this box
and comment on reverse side.
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All owners should sign as their name appears hereon.
Fiduciaries, trustees, and corporate officers should
indicate title and authority.
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Date
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Shareholder sign here
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Co-Owner sign here |