Notice & Proxy
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

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 Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

 

 

AGL RESOURCES INC.

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

x No fee required.

 

¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  

 
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

  

 
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:

 

  

 
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

  

 
  (5) Total fee paid:

 

  

 

 

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨ 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.

 

  (1) Amount previously paid:

 

  

 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

  

 
  (3) Filing Party:

 

  

 
  (4) Date Filed:

 

  

 

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

JOHN W. SOMERHALDER II

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

March 19, 2008

To Our Shareholders:

On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to invite you to attend AGL Resources’ 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at our corporate headquarters at Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. A map with directions is included in the attached proxy statement. Please note that you will need to present an admission ticket and picture identification in order to attend the meeting in person. Please see page 4 of the attached proxy statement for more information about attending the meeting in person.

The following items of business will be considered at the annual meeting of shareholders:

 

   

the election of five directors;

 

   

the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

   

such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

During the meeting, we will discuss our efforts and achievements in 2007. We will also update shareholders on our business plans for 2008. Our directors, officers and other employees will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Your vote is very important to us. Regardless of the number of shares you own, please vote. You can vote by telephone (using the toll-free number on your proxy or vote instruction card), internet (using the address provided on your proxy or vote instruction card), or paper proxy or vote instruction card. Please see page 1 of the attached proxy statement or your enclosed proxy or vote instruction card for more detailed information about the various options for voting your shares.

Thank you for your ongoing ownership and support. We hope to see you at our annual meeting.

 

Sincerely,
LOGO
John W. Somerhalder II


Table of Contents

LOGO

Ten Peachtree Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

NOTICE OF 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Time and Date:

   10:00 a.m., Eastern time, Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Place:

   Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta, Georgia

Items of Business:

  

—     Elect five directors, one to serve until the 2010 annual meeting and four to serve until the 2011 annual meeting.

—     Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

—     Transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments.

Who May Vote:

   You can vote if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on February 22, 2008 (the record date).

Proxy Voting:

   Your vote is important. Please vote in one of these ways:
  

—     use the toll-free telephone number shown on the enclosed proxy or vote instruction card;

—     visit the web site listed on your proxy or vote instruction card; or

—     mark, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy or vote instruction card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

Proxy Statement:

   A copy of our proxy statement for the annual meeting, which contains information that is relevant to the proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting, is attached.

Annual Report:

   A copy of our 2007 annual report, which contains financial and other information about our business, is enclosed.

Date of Mailing:

   This notice and the accompanying proxy statement, together with the 2007 annual report, are first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 19, 2008.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Myra C. Bierria

Corporate Secretary


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Proxy Statement

   1

About the Annual Meeting

   1

Share Ownership

   6

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   8

General

   8

Corporate Governance

   13

Board of Directors

   13

Ethics and Compliance Program

   13

Director Independence

   14

Policy on Related Person Transactions

   14

Board and Committee Meetings

   15

Executive Sessions without Management

   15

Communications with Directors

   15

Committees of the Board

   16

Audit Committee Report

   20

Compensation and Management Development Committee Report

   21

Compensation and Management Development Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

   22

Director Compensation

   23

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   27

Executive Compensation

   44

Compensation Paid to Named Executive Officers

   44

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

   47

Material Terms of the Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2007

   48

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

   50

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

   51

Pension Benefits

   52

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

   54

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

   55

Equity Compensation Plan Information

   64

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   66

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   67

PROPOSAL 2—RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008

   68

General Information

   70

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 30, 2008:

A copy of our combined 2007 annual report and Form 10-K for 2007 is being mailed with this proxy statement. You may receive a stand-alone copy of our 2007 Form 10-K free of charge upon written request directed to:

AGL Resources Inc. Investor Relations

Attention: Stephen Cave

Managing Director, Investor Relations

P.O. Box 4569, Location 1071

Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569

Our proxy statement and our 2007 annual report and Form 10-K may be accessed at http://ww3.ics.adp.com/streetlink/ATG and

at our web site at www.aglresources.com.


Table of Contents

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

Who is soliciting my proxy?

The board of directors of AGL Resources is providing you these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at our 2008 annual meeting of shareholders and at any postponement or adjournment of the annual meeting. The proxies will be voted in accordance with your instructions by John W. Somerhalder II, our chairman, president and chief executive officer; Paul R. Shlanta, our executive vice president, general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer; and Andrew W. Evans, our executive vice president and chief financial officer, or any of them. If your shares are held in our Retirement Savings Plus Plan, our 401(k) plan, your proxy will be voted by Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB, which is the trustee for the Retirement Savings Plus Plan, in accordance with the discretionary instructions of the Administrative Committee of the Retirement Savings Plus Plan.

What will I be voting on?

You will be voting on:

 

 

Proposal 1—the election of five directors, one to serve until the 2010 annual meeting and four to serve until the 2011 annual meeting;

 

 

Proposal 2—the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008; and

 

 

such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments.

How does the board recommend I vote on the proposals?

The board of directors recommends you vote “FOR” each of the two proposals listed above.

 

How do I vote?

Most of our shareholders have three options for submitting their votes:

 

 

By telephone,

 

 

Via the internet, or

 

 

By mail.

If your AGL Resources shares are held in your name on the records maintained by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., our transfer agent (meaning you are a “shareholder of record”), please follow the instructions on your proxy card.

If your AGL Resources shares are held through a brokerage firm or bank (that is, in “street name”), your ability to vote by telephone or over the internet depends on the voting process of your brokerage firm or bank. Please follow the directions on your vote instruction card.

Regardless of whether your AGL Resources shares are held by you as a record shareholder or in street name, you can attend the meeting and vote your shares in person. Please note that if your shares are held in street name and you want to vote in person, you must obtain a vote instruction card from your street name nominee and bring it to the meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares by telephone, internet or mail to simplify the voting process at the meeting.

How do I vote if my shares are held in the AGL Resources 401(k) plan?

If your AGL Resources shares are held in the Retirement Savings Plus Plan, only the trustee of the plan can vote your plan shares even if you attend the annual meeting in person. The plan trustee will vote your shares in accordance with your telephone, internet or


 

1


Table of Contents

written proxy vote. Please follow the instructions on your proxy card.

Can I revoke my proxy?

Yes. You may revoke your proxy or vote instructions at any time before the annual meeting by voting again by telephone or via the internet or by timely signing and returning another proxy or vote instruction card with a later date. Additionally, if you are a shareholder of record or if you are a street name holder who has obtained a vote instruction card from your street name nominee, and you decide to attend the meeting and vote in person, you can request that any proxy or vote instruction card that you previously submitted not be used.

What if I don’t specify my choices when returning my proxy or vote instruction card?

If you return a signed and dated proxy or vote instruction card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted “FOR” each of the two proposals specified in the notice of the meeting and in the discretion of the proxies on any other matter that may properly come before the meeting.

If you hold AGL Resources shares through the Retirement Savings Plus Plan and you return the proxy card but do not properly sign or date it or specify how you want your plan shares voted, the plan trustee, upon instruction from the Administrative Committee of the Retirement Savings Plus Plan, will vote your plan shares “FOR” each of the two proposals specified in the notice of the meeting and as instructed by the Administrative Committee on any other proposals that may properly come before the meeting.

Can my shares be voted if I don’t submit a proxy or voting instructions?

If your AGL Resources shares are registered in your name on the books kept by our

transfer agent and you do not return a signed proxy and do not vote by telephone or via the internet, your shares will not be voted.

If your AGL Resources shares are held in street name and you do not submit any voting instructions, your brokerage firm or bank may vote your shares with regard to each of the two proposals, as specified by stock exchange rules. If your AGL Resources shares are held through the Retirement Savings Plus Plan and you do not return the proxy card for those plan shares and do not vote by telephone or the internet, the plan trustee, upon instruction from the Administrative Committee of the Retirement Savings Plus Plan, will vote your shares “FOR” each of the two proposals specified in the notice of the meeting and as instructed by the Administrative Committee on any other proposals that may properly come before the meeting.

How many shares can vote?

As of the February 22, 2008, record date for voting at the annual meeting, 76,456,124 shares of common stock of AGL Resources were outstanding and entitled to be voted at the annual meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of AGL Resources common stock you owned on the record date. Shares held by a trust which holds assets for our Nonqualified Savings Plan are included in the number of shares outstanding but are not eligible to be voted.

Is there a list of shareholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting?

A list of shareholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting is available for inspection by any shareholder between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, at our headquarters at Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta, Georgia. Please contact our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569, if you would like to review the


 

2


Table of Contents

shareholder list. The shareholder list will also be available at the annual meeting for inspection by any shareholder.

How many votes must be present to hold the annual meeting?

A majority of the 76,456,124 shares of AGL Resources common stock outstanding on the record date, including the shares held by the Nonqualified Savings Plan trust, must be present, either in person or represented by proxy, to conduct the annual meeting.

How many votes are needed to elect directors?

Directors are elected by a plurality of the total number of votes cast, which means the five nominees who receive the largest number of properly cast votes will be elected as directors.

What happens if a director nominee fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in his or her election?

As described in “Proposal 1—Election of Directors—General,” our bylaws provide that if a director nominee in an uncontested election is elected by the required plurality vote of the shareholders but does not receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voted, the director must promptly tender his or her resignation to the board of directors following certification of the shareholder vote. The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee must then recommend to the board of directors whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation or whether to take other action. The board must then act on the tendered resignation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind the decision within 90 days after the certification of the election results.

 

What if I vote “withhold authority” to elect directors?

In voting for the election of directors, a vote to “withhold authority” for the election of one or more director nominees will be counted for quorum purposes, but because the vote required to elect directors is a plurality vote, a vote to “withhold authority” will not affect the outcome of the election. However, a vote to “withhold authority” will be counted for purposes of determining whether a director nominee received the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares voted. Please see “What happens if a director nominee fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in his or her election?” above.

How many votes are required to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm?

The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the votes cast “FOR” to exceed the votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal.

How will abstentions be treated?

Abstentions will be treated as shares present and entitled to vote for quorum purposes. Abstentions will not be treated as “votes cast,” and consequently they will not affect the outcome of the vote on the election of directors or the determination of whether a director nominee has received the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voted or the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Could other matters be decided at the annual meeting?

We do not know of any other matters that will be considered at the annual meeting. If a matter that is not listed on the proxy or vote


 

3


Table of Contents

instruction card is properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with Section 1.2 of our bylaws, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with their judgment of what is in the best interest of the Company, based on the discretionary voting authority conferred on them by the proxy and vote instruction cards.

Who will count the votes?

Representatives of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., our transfer and shareholder services agent, will count the votes and act as inspector of elections.

Where and when will I be able to find the voting results?

We will post the voting results on our web site at www.aglresources.com approximately two weeks after the annual meeting. You also can find the results in our Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2008, which we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, no later than August 11, 2008.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

It means that you have multiple accounts with brokerage firms, banks and/or our transfer agent. Please vote all of these shares. We recommend that you contact your broker, bank and/or our transfer agent to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the same name and address. All communications concerning accounts for shares registered in your name on the books kept by our transfer agent, including address changes, name changes, inquiries to transfer shares and similar issues, can be handled by making a toll-free call to Wells Fargo Shareowner Services at (800) 468-9716.

What do I need to bring with me if I want to attend the annual meeting?

The annual meeting is open to all holders of our common stock. To attend the annual

meeting, you will need to bring an admission ticket and valid picture identification. If your shares are registered in your name on the books kept by our transfer agent or your shares are held as 401(k) plan shares, your admission ticket is part of your proxy card or may be printed from the internet when you vote online. If your shares are held in street name by your brokerage firm or bank, you will need to bring evidence of your stock ownership, such as a proxy obtained from your street name nominee (particularly if you want to vote your shares at the annual meeting) or your most recent brokerage account statement (in which case you will not be able to vote your shares at the meeting), together with valid picture identification. You may also request us to send you an admission ticket. If you do not have either an admission ticket or proof that you own our common stock, together with valid picture identification, you may not be admitted to the meeting.

What happens if the annual meeting is postponed or adjourned?

Your proxy will still be valid and may be voted at a postponed or adjourned meeting, unless the board of directors fixes a new record date for the postponed or adjourned meeting, which the board is required to do if the postponement or adjournment is for more than 120 days. If the meeting is postponed or adjourned, you will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.

When are shareholder proposals for the 2009 annual meeting due?

Our bylaws require shareholders to give us advance notice of any shareholder nominations of directors and of any other matters shareholders wish to present for action at an annual meeting of shareholders. The required notice must be given within a prescribed time frame, which is calculated by reference to the date of the proxy statement relating to our most recent annual meeting.


 

4


Table of Contents

Accordingly, with respect to our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, our bylaws require notice to be provided to our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569 no later than November 20, 2008. If a shareholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at the 2009 annual meeting, the persons designated as proxies by the board of directors will have discretionary authority to vote, and the trustee of the Retirement Savings Plus Plan will vote in accordance with the instructions of the Administrative Committee of the Retirement Savings Plus Plan based on its discretionary authority, on any such proposal that may come before the meeting.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for the annual meeting in 2009, you need to follow the procedures outlined in the SEC’s Rule 14a-8. To be eligible for inclusion, your

shareholder proposal intended for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders must be received no later than November 20, 2008, by our Corporate Secretary at the address above.

This deadline does not apply to questions a shareholder may wish to ask at the annual meeting.

Who pays the costs associated with this proxy solicitation?

AGL Resources pays the expenses of soliciting proxies. We may consider the engagement of a proxy solicitation firm to assist in the solicitation of proxies. Additionally, proxies may be solicited on our behalf by directors, officers and employees, in person or by telephone, facsimile or electronic transmission. Directors, officers and employees will not be paid additional fees for those services.


 

5


Table of Contents

SHARE OWNERSHIP

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table presents information as of December 31, 2007*, concerning the beneficial ownership of AGL Resources common stock by each director and director nominee, by each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table under the caption “Executive Compensation—Compensation Paid to Executive Officers,” whom we refer to collectively as the “named executive officers,” and by all executive officers and directors as a group, based on information furnished by them to us.

Beneficial ownership as reported in the table below has been determined in accordance with SEC regulations and includes shares of common stock which may be acquired within 60 days after December 31, 2007, upon the exercise of outstanding stock options but excludes shares and share equivalents held under deferral plans which are disclosed in a separate column. See note (3) below. Unless otherwise indicated, all directors, director nominees and executive officers have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown. As of December 31, 2007, no individual director, director nominee, named executive officer, or executive officers and directors as a group owned beneficially 1% or more of our common stock.

 

     Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
  

Shares and Share
Equivalents Held Under
Deferral Plans(3)

  

Total

Name    Owned
Shares(1)
   Optioned
Shares(2)
     

Sandra N. Bane

   1,000    —      —      1,000

Thomas D. Bell, Jr.

   11,858    —      —      11,858

Charles R. Crisp

   7,087    —      2,352    9,439

Michael J. Durham

   13,966    —      —      13,966

Arthur E. Johnson

   1,061    7,173    20,357    28,591

Wyck A. Knox, Jr.

   12,122    —      21,288    33,410

Dennis M. Love

   474    9,874    25,988    36,336

Charles H. McTier

   2,042    —      2,313    4,355

Dean R. O’Hare

   6,283    —      647    6,930

D. Raymond Riddle(4)

   6,113    11,169    30,283    47,565

James A. Rubright

   3,447    7,173    18,223    28,843

John W. Somerhalder II

   45,518    21,900    422    67,840

Felker W. Ward, Jr.

   19,742    9,672    18,385    47,799

Bettina M. Whyte

   5,350    —      3,277    8,627

Henry C. Wolf

   9,583    —      4,368    13,951

Andrew W. Evans

   18,505    40,266    —      58,771

Kevin P. Madden

   65,570    73,365    —      138,935

Douglas N. Schantz

   46,208    30,300    6,142    82,650

Paul R. Shlanta

   28,962    37,032    —      65,994

All executive officers and directors as a group (22 persons)(5)

   344,739    322,196    154,076    821,011

 

*   All beneficial stock ownership information for Ms. Bane presented in this proxy statement is as of February 29, 2008, the date on which she first was granted shares of our common stock following her election to our board of directors.

 

6


Table of Contents
(1)   Includes 100 shares held by each of our directors as required under our bylaws.

 

(2)   For the non-employee directors, reflects the shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Equity Compensation Plan (which we refer to as the 1996 Directors Plan) and for the executive officers, reflects the shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2007 Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan), the Long-Term Incentive Plan (1999) (which we refer to as the Long-Term Incentive Plan) or the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan of 1990, both of which are predecessor plans, or under the Officer Incentive Plan.

 

(3)   Represents shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and accrued dividend credits held for non-employee directors under the 1998 Common Stock
 

Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which we refer to as the Common Stock Equivalent Plan, and, for the named executive officers, under the Nonqualified Savings Plan. The common stock equivalents track the performance of AGL Resources common stock and are payable in cash. The shares and share equivalents may not be voted or transferred by the participants.

 

(4)   Includes 1,600 shares held by Mr. Riddle in trust via a Keogh account. Mr. Riddle has sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares.

 

(5)   Includes 1,149 shares for which a member of the group who is not a named executive officer has shared voting and investment power. Also includes 737 shares in a trust held by a member of the group who is not a named executive officer. Such member has sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares.

 

7


Table of Contents

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

GENERAL

 

The board of directors presently consists of fifteen members, fourteen of whom are non-employee directors. The board is divided into three classes of approximately equal size, with the directors in each class serving a three-year term. The terms are staggered so that the term of one class expires at each annual meeting.

Our bylaws provide that directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Our bylaws, while not changing the requirement for a plurality vote in the election of directors, requires additionally that any director nominee in an uncontested election who does not receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (including votes to withhold authority) with respect to that director’s election must promptly tender his or her resignation to the board following certification of the shareholder vote. The requirement that a director tender his or her resignation if he or she does not receive a majority of the votes cast does not apply in the case of a contested election where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected.

Following such a tender of resignation, the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, excluding any director tendering his or her resignation if he or she is a member of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, will make a recommendation to the board as to whether to accept or reject the resignation or whether other action should be taken. The board will then act on the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and rationale within 90 days after the date of the certification of the election results. The

director who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in the board’s decision. If the director’s resignation is not accepted by the board, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is duly elected or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. If the director’s resignation is accepted by the board of directors, any resulting vacancy may be filled as provided in the bylaws or the board of directors may decrease the size of the board.

If a majority of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee does not receive a majority of the votes cast in their respective elections, then the independent members of the board who did not fail to receive a majority of the votes cast will appoint a committee from among themselves to consider the resignation offers and recommend to the board whether to accept them. If the only directors who did not fail to receive a majority of the votes cast constitute three or fewer directors, all directors may participate in the action regarding whether to accept the resignation offers.

The board of directors, based on the recommendation of its Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, has nominated Sandra N. Bane, Arthur E. Johnson, James A. Rubright, John W. Somerhalder II and Bettina M. Whyte for election as directors at the annual meeting. All of the nominees are current directors of the Company. If elected, Ms. Bane will hold office for a two-year term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2010 and each of the remaining nominees will hold office for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2011. Each of the nominees has agreed to serve as a director if elected by the shareholders.


 

8


Table of Contents

If any nominee becomes unable to stand for election, the board may:

 

 

designate a substitute nominee, in which case the proxies or Retirement Savings Plus Plan trustee, as applicable, will vote all valid proxies for the election of the substitute nominee named by the board;

 

 

allow the vacancy to remain open until a suitable candidate is located; or

 

 

reduce the authorized number of directors accordingly.

Michael J. Durham will resign from the board of directors effective April 30, 2008,

immediately following the annual meeting of shareholders. We sincerely thank Mr. Durham for his invaluable contributions and his dedicated service.

Set forth below is information as of December 31, 2007, about the five director nominees, followed by information as of December 31, 2007, about all other current directors whose terms of office will continue after the annual meeting. Unless otherwise stated, all directors have been engaged in their principal occupations for more than the past five years.


 

Nominees For Election

 

 

LOGO

   Sandra N. Bane, audit partner with KPMG LLP from 1985 until her retirement in 1998; head of the Western Region’s Merchandising practice at KPMG LLP and partner in charge of the region’s Human Resources department for two years; accountant with increasing responsibilities at KPMG LLP from 1975 until 1996; and currently a director of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation and Transamerica Premier Investment Funds, a mutual fund company for which she serves a total of eleven funds. Ms. Bane, 55, has been a director of AGL Resources since February 2008.

 

LOGO

   Arthur E. Johnson, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategic Development, of Lockheed Martin Corporation, an advanced technology company engaged in research, design development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, since 2001; Vice President, Corporate Strategic Development, of Lockheed Martin Corporation from 1999 until 2001; President and Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation Information and Services Sector from 1997 until 1999; President of Lockheed Martin Corporation Systems Integration Group from January 1997 until August 1997; President of Loral Corporation Federal Systems Group from 1994 until 1996; and currently a director of IKON Office Solutions Corporation. Mr. Johnson, 61, has been a director of AGL Resources since February 2002.

 

LOGO

   James A. Rubright, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rock-Tenn Company, an integrated paperboard and packaging company, since 1999; and currently a director of Rock-Tenn Company and Forestar Real Estate Group, Inc. Mr. Rubright, 61, has been a director of AGL Resources since August 2001.

 

9


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

   John W. Somerhalder II, our Chairman since October 2007 and our President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2006; Executive Vice President of El Paso Corporation, a natural gas and related energy products provider and owner of North America’s largest natural gas pipeline system and one of North America’s largest independent natural gas producers, from 2000 until May 2005, where he continued service under a professional services agreement from May 2005 until March 2006; President, El Paso Pipeline Group from 2001 until 2005; President of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, an El Paso company from 1996 until 1999; President of El Paso Energy Resources Company from April 1996 until December 1996; Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering, El Paso Natural Gas Company from 1992 until 1996; Vice President, Engineering, El Paso Natural Gas Company from 1986 until 1990; from 1977 until 1990, various other positions with increasing responsibility at El Paso Corporation and its subsidiaries until being named an officer in 1990; and currently a director of AGL Resources Inc. and Quicksilver Gas Services GP LLC. Mr. Somerhalder, 52, has been a director of AGL Resources since March 2006.

 

LOGO

   Bettina M. Whyte, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Bridge Associates, LLC, a leading turnaround, crisis and interim management firm, since October 2007; Managing Director and Head of the Special Situations Group of MBIA Insurance Corporation, a world leader in credit enhancement services and a global provider of fixed-income asset management services, from March 2006 until October 2007; Managing Director of AlixPartners, LLC, a business turnaround management and financial advisory firm, from April 1997 until March 2006; Partner and National Director of Business Turnaround Services, Pricewaterhouse LLP from 1990 until 1997; Partner, Peterson & Co. Consulting, from 1988 until 1990; President, KRW Associates from 1982 until 1988; Vice President and Manager of Houston Regional Office, Continental Bank of Chicago from 1975 until 1982; Loan Officer, Harris Trust from 1971 until 1975; and currently a director of Amerisure Companies and Rock-Tenn Company. Ms. Whyte, 58, has been a director of AGL Resources since October 2004.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES.

Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the Annual Meeting in 2009

 

 

LOGO

   Charles R. Crisp, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Coral Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, which provided energy-related products and services associated with wholesale natural gas and power marketing and trading, from 1999 until his retirement in October 2000; President and Chief Operating Officer of Coral Energy, LLC from 1998 until 1999; joined Houston Industries in 1996 and served as President of its domestic power generation group until 1998; and currently a director of EOG Resources Inc., IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. and Targa Resources, Inc. Mr. Crisp, 60, has been a director of AGL Resources since April 2003.

 

10


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

   Wyck A. Knox, Jr., former partner in, and Chairman of the Executive Committee (for four years) of the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP or a predecessor firm, from 1976 until his retirement in 2007; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Knox Rivers Construction Company from 1976 until 1995. Mr. Knox, 67, has been a director of AGL Resources since November 1998.

 

LOGO

   Dennis M. Love, President and Chief Executive Officer of Printpack Inc., which manufactures flexible and rigid packaging materials used primarily for consumer products, since 1987; and currently a director of Caraustar Industries, Inc. Mr. Love, 52, has been a director of AGL Resources since October 1999.

 

LOGO

   Charles H. “Pete” McTier, former President of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation and the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, which are all based in Atlanta and make up one of the largest foundation groups in the Southeast, from 1988 until his retirement in 2006; Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the foundations from 1987 until 1988; Secretary and Treasurer of the foundations from 1977 until 1987; Secretary of the foundations from 1971 until 1977; prior to that, several administrative positions at Emory University; and currently a director of Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A. de C.V. Mr. McTier, 69, has been a director of AGL Resources since December 2006.

 

LOGO

   Henry C. Wolf, former Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, a holding company that controls a major freight railroad and owns a natural resources company and telecommunications company, from 1998 until his retirement in 2007; Executive Vice President Finance of Norfolk Southern Corporation from 1993 until 1998; Vice President Taxation of Norfolk Southern Corporation from 1991 until 1993; various other positions with increasing responsibility at Norfolk Southern Corporation in the finance division from 1973 until 1991; and currently a director of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Mr. Wolf, 65, has been a director of AGL Resources since April 2004.

 

11


Table of Contents

Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the Annual Meeting in 2010

 

 

LOGO

   Thomas D. Bell, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins Properties Incorporated, a fully integrated real estate investment trust, since December 2006; President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins Properties Incorporated from January 2002 until December 2006; and currently a director of Cousins Properties Incorporated, Regal Entertainment Group and the US Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bell, 58, has been a director of AGL Resources since July 2004. Mr. Bell previously served as a director of AGL Resources from July 2003 until April 2004.

 

LOGO

   Dean R. O’Hare, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Chubb Corporation, a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide, from 1988 until his retirement in November 2002; and currently a director of Fluor Corporation and HJ Heinz Company. Mr. O’Hare, 65, has been a director of AGL Resources since August 2005.

 

LOGO

   D. Raymond Riddle, our Lead Director since October 2007; Chairman of the Board of Directors from March 2006 until October 2007; our Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from January 2006 until March 2006; our Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2000 until 2002; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of National Service Industries, Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, from 1994 until 1996; and currently a director of Atlantic American Corporation and AMC, Inc. Mr. Riddle, 74, has been a director of AGL Resources since May 1978.

 

LOGO

   Felker W. Ward, Jr., Managing Member of Pinnacle Investment Advisors, LLC, an investment advisory services firm, since 1994; and currently a director of Atlanta Life Financial Group. Mr. Ward, 74, has been a director of AGL Resources since August 1988.

Under our Guidelines on Significant Corporate Governance Issues, each member of the board of directors is required to attend the annual meeting of shareholders unless unavoidable circumstances preclude attendance. All of our then current directors attended our 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

12


Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Board of Directors

Our business affairs are managed under the direction of the board of directors in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation Code, our articles of incorporation and our bylaws. The role of the board of directors is to govern our affairs for the benefit of our shareholders and other constituencies, which include our employees, customers, suppliers, creditors and the communities in which we do business. The board strives to ensure the success and continuity of our business through the appointment of qualified executive management, overseen by the board.

Ethics and Compliance Program

The board of directors is responsible for overseeing management’s implementation of the Company’s ethics and compliance program to ensure that our business is conducted in a consistently legal and ethical manner. As part of the ethics and compliance program, our Company has established, and the board of directors has approved, a code of conduct entitled “Commitment to Integrity and Ethics—AGL Resources Code of Business Conduct.” Our Code of Business Conduct governs the way we treat our customers and co-workers, guides our community interactions, and strengthens our commitment to excellence and integrity. The Code of Business Conduct covers a wide range of professional conduct, including environmental, health and safety standards, employment policies, conflicts of interest, accuracy of records, fair dealing, insider trading and strict adherence to all laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of our business. Under the Code of Business Conduct, employees are required to conduct the Company’s activities in an ethical and lawful manner and all employees are expected to report any situation where they believe our

internal policies or external laws are being violated. Our Code of Business Conduct applies to our directors, officers and all of our employees.

In addition, the board of directors has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Financial Officers designed to deter wrongdoing and promote the following: honest and ethical conduct; full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in documents filed with or submitted to the SEC; compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics; and accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics.

Any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct or Code of Ethics for an executive officer and, where applicable, for a member of the board of directors requires the approval of the board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board and will be promptly disclosed on our website at www.aglresources.com. No waivers have been granted under the codes.

The board of directors also has adopted Guidelines on Significant Corporate Governance Issues, or our Corporate Governance Guidelines, that set forth guidelines for the operation of the board of directors and its committees. The board periodically reviews our governance practices and procedures, evaluating them against corporate governance best practices.

Our Code of Business Conduct, our Code of Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.aglresources.com. They also are available to any shareholder upon request to Investor Relations, AGL Resources Inc. at P.O. Box 4569, Location 1071, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569.


 

13


Table of Contents

Director Independence

Pursuant to New York Stock Exchange listing standards, our board of directors has adopted a formal set of categorical Standards for Determining Director Independence. In accordance with these Standards, a director must be determined to have no material relationship with the Company other than as a director in order to be considered an independent director. The Standards specify the criteria by which the independence of our directors will be determined, including strict guidelines for directors and their immediate family members with respect to past employment or affiliation with the Company or its independent registered public accounting firm. The Standards also set forth independence criteria applicable to members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of the board of directors. The Standards meet and in some areas exceed the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange. These Standards are available on our website at www.aglresources.com.

In accordance with these Standards, the board undertook in February 2008 an annual review of director independence and, in connection with Ms. Bane’s election, a concurrent review of her independence. Based on this review, the board has affirmatively determined that, as to each current non-employee director (Messrs. Bell, Crisp, Durham, Johnson, Knox, Love, McTier, O’Hare, Riddle, Rubright, Ward and Wolf and Mmes. Bane and Whyte), no material relationship exists that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each current non-employee director qualifies as “independent” in accordance with the Standards and the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange. John W. Somerhalder II, our chairman, president and chief executive officer, is not independent because of his employment by the Company.

 

Mr. Somerhalder will not participate in any action of the board related to his compensation or any other matters requiring action by only non-employee directors.

In making these independence determinations, the board considered that in the ordinary course of business, transactions may occur between the Company and its subsidiaries and companies at which some of our directors are or have been directors, officers or employees. The board also considered that the Company and its subsidiaries may make charitable contributions to not-for-profit organizations where our directors or their immediate family members serve or are executive officers.

For information about certain transactions between us and business entities with which each of Messrs. Bell, Knox and Wolf are or were associated and the board’s determinations that these directors are independent notwithstanding these transactions, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” Additionally, in making its independence determinations, the board considered the fact that Messrs. Crisp and Durham are each non-employee directors of public corporations with which we or our subsidiaries conduct business in the ordinary course and that Ms. Whyte was an employee, but not an executive officer, of a public company that in the ordinary course of its business guaranteed payment of certain debt obligations of one of our subsidiaries but to which we have made no premium or other payments in the past four years. The board of directors concluded that these relationships are not material and have no effect on the independence of those directors.

Policy on Related Person Transactions

The board of directors recognizes that related person transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest and therefore, in December 2007, adopted a written policy with respect to related person transactions. For


 

14


Table of Contents

the purpose of the policy, a “related person transaction” is a transaction between us and any related person, other than (1) transactions available to all employees or customers generally, or (2) transactions involving less than $120,000 when aggregated with all similar transactions. “Related persons” are (a) executive officers as defined under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (b) executive and senior vice presidents of AGL Resources, (c) each member of the board of directors, (d) holders of more than 5% of our common stock and (e) any immediate family member, as defined under the Exchange Act, of the persons listed in (a) through (d) above.

Under the policy, when management becomes aware of a related person transaction involving a dollar amount that is less than one percent of either the Company’s consolidated gross revenues or the consolidated gross revenues of the related person, or any affiliate of such related person, for the prior fiscal year, management reports the transaction to the Chairman of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee. When management becomes aware of a related person transaction involving a dollar amount that is equal to or exceeds one percent of either the Company’s consolidated gross revenues or the consolidated gross revenues of the related person, or any affiliate of such related person, for the prior fiscal year, management reports the transaction to the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee and requests approval or ratification of the transaction.

Transactions requiring approval or ratification must be (1) on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third person; and (2) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee. The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee will report to the full

board all related person transactions presented to it.

With the exception of the transaction with Mr. Wolf’s former company, the related party transactions concerning certain members of the board of directors referred to in this proxy statement did not require review by the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee because each pre-existed the board of directors’ adoption of the policy.

Board and Committee Meetings

Members of the board are kept informed through reports routinely presented at board and committee meetings by our chief executive officer and other officers and through other means. During 2007, the board of directors held five meetings. Each director attended 75% or more of the aggregate of all meetings of the board and each committee on which he or she served.

Executive Sessions without Management

To promote open discussion among the non-management directors, the board of directors schedules regular executive sessions in which the non-management directors meet without management’s participation. Such sessions are scheduled to occur at every regularly scheduled board meeting. The presiding director at such executive sessions is the Lead Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the board of directors. During 2007, the board met in executive session five times.

Communications with Directors

Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with our board of directors or, alternatively, with the presiding director of executive sessions of our non-management directors or with the non-management directors as a group via our Ethics and Compliance Helpline at (800) 350-1014 or at www.mycompliancereport.com. A copy of our


 

15


Table of Contents

Procedures for Communicating with the Board of Directors of AGL Resources Inc. is available on our web site at www.aglresources.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it from our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569.

Committees of the Board

The board of directors has established five standing committees to assist it in discharging

its duties. Actions taken by any committee of the board are reported to the board, usually at the board meeting next following a committee meeting. Each standing committee has adopted a written charter, which is available on our web site at www.aglresources.com and is available upon request to our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569. The committees of the board and their members at December 31, 2007 are as shown in the following table.


 

Members of the Board’s Committees

 

Audit

 

Compensation and
Management
Development

 

Executive

 

Finance and Risk
Management

 

Nominating,
Governance
and Corporate
Responsibility

H.C. Wolf*

  A.E. Johnson*  

D.R. Riddle**

  J.A. Rubright*   F.W. Ward, Jr.*

M.J. Durham

  T.D. Bell, Jr.  

A.E. Johnson

  T.D. Bell, Jr.   W.A. Knox, Jr.

D.M. Love

  C.R. Crisp  

J.A. Rubright

  C.R. Crisp   D.M. Love

C. H. McTier

  M.J. Durham  

F.W. Ward, Jr.

  A.E. Johnson   C.H. McTier

D.R. O’Hare

  J.A. Rubright  

H.C. Wolf

  W.A. Knox, Jr.   D.R. O’Hare

F.W. Ward, Jr.

  B.M. Whyte     D. R. Riddle   D. R. Riddle

B.M. Whyte

      J. W. Somerhalder II   H.C. Wolf

 

*   Denotes committee chair.
**   Denotes Lead Director.

 

Upon her election to the board of directors, effective February 29, 2008, Ms. Bane was appointed to serve on the Audit Committee and Compensation and Management Development Committee of the board of directors. As a result, Ms. Bane is not a signatory of the Audit Committee Report or Compensation and Management Development Committee Report, each of which were adopted prior to the time of her election.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee met eight times during 2007. The Audit Committee’s primary function is to assist the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. Among other things, the Audit Committee reviews (1) the integrity of our financial statements, including our internal control over financial reporting,

(2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, (4) the performance of our internal audit function, and (5) the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm. Our chief financial officer, chief ethics and compliance officer, chief auditor, chief accounting officer and controller, and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm each provide a quarterly report to and meet in separate executive sessions with the Audit Committee each quarter.

The board of directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee satisfy the enhanced independence standards applicable to all members of the Audit Committee under the independence requirements of the SEC, the New York Stock Exchange and the Company’s Standards for Determining Director


 

16


Table of Contents

Independence. The board also has determined that all members of the Audit Committee meet the financial literacy requirements of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The board has further determined that Henry C. Wolf, the Audit Committee Chair, is a “financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations. Information regarding Mr. Wolf’s qualification as a “financial expert” is included in his biographical information under the caption, “Proposal 1—Election of Directors—Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the Annual Meeting in 2009”.

Additional information regarding the Audit Committee and its functions and responsibilities is included in this proxy statement under the captions “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal 2—Ratification of the Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2008.”

Compensation and Management Development Committee

The Compensation and Management Development Committee met ten times during 2007. All members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee are independent, non-employee directors, as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and our Standards for Determining Director Independence. Among other things, the Compensation and Management Development Committee assists the board of directors in its efforts to achieve its goal of maximizing the long-term total return to shareholders by establishing policies by which officers, directors and employees are to be compensated in accordance with the board’s compensation philosophy and objectives and by overseeing management succession and executive development processes.

The board of directors delegated to the Compensation and Management Development

Committee the following areas of responsibilities that are more fully described in the Compensation and Management Development Committee’s charter:

 

 

Performance evaluation, compensation and development of executive officers;

 

 

Succession planning for executive officers;

 

 

Compensation of non-employee members of the board of directors;

 

 

Establishment of performance objectives under the Company’s short- and long-term incentive compensation plans and determination of the attainment of such performance objectives; and

 

 

Oversight of benefit plans.

The Compensation and Management Development Committee has delegated to our chief executive officer the authority to grant equity awards to employees of the Company solely in connection with non-annual grants to employees other than executive officers. The Committee has established narrowly defined, pre-approved parameters regarding the terms and conditions of grants under the delegated authority, including the eligible employee groups, the maximum number of shares subject to the delegation, the determination of the exercise price and other terms and conditions of the awards. The Committee also adopted a stock option grant policy that provides additional terms and conditions for grant making. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Grants of Long-Term Incentive Awards” for more detail concerning our stock option grant policy.

Our chief executive officer, based on the performance evaluations of the other executive officers, recommends to the Compensation and Management Development Committee compensation for those executive officers. The executive officers, including our chief executive officer, also provide recommendations to the Committee from time


 

17


Table of Contents

to time related to compensation philosophy, program design, compliance, performance measures and competitive strategy.

The Compensation and Management Development Committee’s charter provides that the Committee, in its sole discretion, has the authority to retain a compensation consultant. Accordingly, Towers Perrin was retained directly by the Compensation and Management Development Committee to assist it in 2007. Towers Perrin’s role is to provide expertise and data as needed by the Committee pertaining to all aspects of executive and director compensation, including but not limited to advice and counsel as to the amount and form of executive and director compensation, and to advise the Committee on emerging trends, best practices and regulatory practices.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee did not meet during 2007. The Executive Committee may meet during intervals between board meetings and has all the authority of the board, subject to limitations imposed by law or our bylaws.

Finance and Risk Management Committee

The Finance and Risk Management Committee met five times during 2007. The Finance and Risk Management Committee’s primary function is to assist the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. Among other things, the Finance and Risk Management Committee oversees (1) the management of our balance sheet including leverage, liquidity, funding sources, and related matters, (2) the annual capital budget and certain capital projects, (3) management’s assessments, actions, processes and procedures concerning our exposure to risks identified in the Finance and Risk Management Committee’s charter, and (4) any other matters that the board may delegate to the

Finance and Risk Management Committee from time to time. Our chief risk officer provides a quarterly report to and meets in executive session with the Finance and Risk Management Committee at each regularly scheduled meeting.

Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee

The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee met nine times during 2007. All members of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee are independent, non-employee directors, as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and our Standards for Determining Director Independence, which are available at www.aglresources.com and are available upon request to our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569. The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee’s primary responsibilities include (1) identifying individuals qualified to serve on the board of directors and recommending director nominees for selection by the full board of directors or shareholders, (2) evaluating, formulating and recommending to the board of directors corporate governance policies, and (3) overseeing the Company’s position on corporate social and environmental responsibilities.

Nomination of Director Candidates. The board of directors is responsible for recommending director candidates for election by the shareholders and for electing directors to fill vacancies or newly created directorships. The board of directors has delegated the screening and evaluation process for director candidates to the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, which identifies, evaluates and recruits highly qualified director candidates and recommends them to the board of directors. Potential


 

18


Table of Contents

candidates for director may come to the attention of the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee through current directors, management, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons.

If the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee has either identified a prospective nominee or determined that an additional or replacement director is required, the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee may take such measures that it considers appropriate in connection with its evaluation of a director candidate, including candidate interviews, engagement of an outside firm to gather additional information and inquiry of persons with knowledge of the candidate’s qualifications and character. In its evaluation of director candidates, including the members of the board of directors eligible for reelection, the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee considers the current size and composition of the board of directors and the needs of the board of directors and the respective committees of the board in view of the criteria for directors described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which is available on our web site at www.aglresources.com.

The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee will consider director nominees proposed by shareholders. A shareholder may recommend a person for nomination for election to our board of directors by writing to our Corporate Secretary at AGL Resources Inc., P.O. Box 4569, Location 1466, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, each submission must include:

 

 

A brief biographical description of the candidate, including background and experience;

 

 

The candidate’s name, age, business address, and residence address;

 

 

The candidate’s principal occupation;

 

 

The following information about the shareholder making the recommendation:

 

   

the name and record address of such shareholder;

 

   

the number of shares of our common stock owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder;

 

   

a description of all arrangements or undertakings between such shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by such shareholder; and

 

 

The written consent of the candidate to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

A shareholder’s recommendation for a candidate for nomination to be elected at the next annual meeting of shareholders must be received by our corporate secretary no later than 45 days prior to the end of the year preceding such annual meeting of shareholders. The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee will evaluate these recommendations in the same manner as it evaluates all other nominees, using the criteria described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee periodically engages a third party search firm to identify possible candidates for the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee’s consideration based on skills and characteristics identified by the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee and in light of gaps in board composition that the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee may identify from time to time as the issues facing the board evolve. Such skills and


 

19


Table of Contents

characteristics desirable in the context of the then current make-up of the board of directors may include diversity, age, business or professional background, financial literacy and expertise, availability, commitment, independence and other relevant criteria. In 2007, the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee did not engage a third party search firm. Ms. Bane, who is the one director who is new to our

board, was identified by a non-management member of the board of directors. The Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee engaged the James Mintz Group, Inc. to gather additional information concerning Ms. Bane’s qualifications and characteristics in light of then current needs of the board. Ms. Bane is standing for election by the shareholders at the annual meeting.


 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee of the board of directors is composed of seven directors each of whom are independent directors, as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the Company’s Standards for Determining Director Independence. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors, a copy of which is available on the Company’s web site at www.aglresources.com.

The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the board of directors. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007 with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Management is responsible for the Company’s financial statements and the financial reporting process, including the system of internal control over financial reporting. PricewaterhouseCoopers is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of

those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Audit Section 380, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, regarding PricewaterhouseCooper’s judgments about the quality of the Company’s accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers its independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter provided to the Audit Committee by PricewaterhouseCoopers as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has concluded that PricewaterhouseCoopers is independent from the Company and its management.


 

20


Table of Contents

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended that the board of directors approve the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007 for filing with the SEC.

Henry C. Wolf (Chair)

Michael J. Durham

Dennis M. Love

Charles H. McTier

Dean R. O’Hare

Felker W. Ward, Jr.

Bettina M. Whyte

 

The information contained in the Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.


 

COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Compensation and Management Development Committee of the board of directors is composed of six directors each of whom are independent directors, as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the Company’s Standards for Determining Director Independence. The Compensation and Management Development Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors, a copy of which is available on the Company’s web site at www.aglresources.com.

The Compensation and Management Development Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” or CD&A, section of this proxy statement required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Based on the Committee’s review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended

to the board of directors that the CD&A be included in the Company’s 2007 annual report on Form 10-K and in this proxy statement.

Arthur E. Johnson (Chair)

Thomas D. Bell, Jr.

Charles R. Crisp

Michael J. Durham

James A. Rubright

Bettina M. Whyte

The information contained in the Compensation and Management Development Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.


 

21


Table of Contents

COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

The following directors served on the Compensation and Management Development Committee at December 31, 2007: Thomas D. Bell, Jr., Charles R. Crisp, Michael J. Durham, Arthur E. Johnson (Chair), James A. Rubright and Bettina M. Whyte. None of such persons was, during 2007 or previously, an officer or employee of AGL Resources or any of its subsidiaries and each such person was an independent director as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and our Standards for Determining Director Independence.

Thomas D. Bell, Jr. is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins Properties Incorporated. Cousins holds a 50% general partnership interest in Ten Peachtree Place Associates, or TPPA, which owns the building where we lease space for our corporate headquarters. Mr. Bell is not an officer of TPPA. Although Cousins is the managing member of TPPA, major business decisions for the TPPA partnership must be decided unanimously by Cousins and its partner. Prior to Mr. Bell joining our board of directors, we entered into a ten-year lease agreement with

TPPA that commenced in 2003. Cousins’ 50% interest in the amount we paid in lease payments to TPPA in 2005 was approximately $2,993,000, in 2006 was approximately $3,104,000 and in 2007 was approximately $3,466,000, which, in each of 2005 and 2006, was less than 1% of both our consolidated gross revenues and Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues for such respective years; but in 2007, was less than 1% of our consolidated gross revenues but slightly higher than 1% of Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues. Revenue amounts of less than 1% do not create any presumption of materiality, and hence create no issue with regard to a director’s independence from management, under our Standards for Determining Director Independence. Revenue amounts in excess of 1% of either our or Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues creates a rebuttable presumption of materiality. Based on all relevant facts and circumstances from the standpoint of each of Mr. Bell and Cousins, the board determined that Mr. Bell meets the Company’s Standards for Determining Director Independence.


 

22


Table of Contents

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

General

A director who is one of our employees receives no additional compensation for his or her services as a director or as a member of a committee of our board. A director who is not one of our employees (a non-employee director) receives compensation for his or her services as described in the following paragraphs. All directors are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attendance at board and committee meetings.

Initial Stock Award

Stock awards include shares of our common stock and common stock equivalents as more fully described in the following paragraphs. All stock awards are 100% vested as of date of grant, eligible for dividend treatment at the same rate as our other shares of common stock, may be voted and may be transferred by the recipient.

Upon his or her initial election or appointment to the board, each non-employee director receives 1,000 shares of our common stock.

Annual Retainer

Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer for service as a director on the first day of each annual service term. The amount and form of the annual retainer are fixed from time to time by resolution of the board. The annual retainer is currently $105,000, of which $35,000, or the Cash Portion, is payable in cash and $70,000, or the Equity Portion, is payable in shares of our common stock. Alternatively, a director may choose to receive his or her entire retainer (including the Cash Portion) in shares of our common stock, or to defer the retainer under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan.

Amounts deferred under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan are invested in common stock equivalents that track the performance of our

common stock and are credited with equivalents to dividend payments that are made on our common stock. Common stock equivalents may not be voted or transferred. At the end of a participating non-employee director’s board service, he or she receives a cash distribution based on the then-current market value of his or her common stock equivalents and dividend equivalents.

Committee Chair and Lead Director Retainer

Committee chairs receive an annual retainer on the first day of each annual service term. The Audit Committee chair receives $12,000; the Compensation and Management Development Committee chair receives $8,000; and all other committee chairs receive $6,000. Beginning with the 2008 service term, the Lead Director will receive an annual retainer of $20,000. The committee chair and Lead Director retainers are payable, at the election of each director, in cash or shares of our common stock, or it may be deferred under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan.

Meeting Fees

Each non-employee director receives $2,000 for attendance in person or by telephone at each meeting of the board and any committee of the board of which he or she is a member.

Meeting fees may be paid in cash or, at the election of a director, may be deferred under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan. As noted above, under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan, deferred meeting fees are invested in

common stock equivalents that track the performance of our common stock and are credited with dividend equivalent payments. At the end of a non-employee director’s board service, a participating director receives a cash distribution based on the then-current market value of his or her common stock equivalents and dividend equivalents.


 

23


Table of Contents

2007 Non-Employee Director Compensation Paid

As noted above, during the 2007 service term, each non-employee director received compensation as follows:

 

 

an annual retainer of $105,000 that, upon the election of each director, was paid in cash (limited to $35,000), or in shares of our common stock or deferred under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan,

 

 

a committee chair retainer, if applicable, that was paid in cash or shares of common stock, or deferred under the Common Stock Equivalent Plan, and

 

 

$2,000 for attendance in person or by telephone at each meeting of the board and any committee of the board of which he or she is a member.

The following table sets forth compensation earned and paid to or deferred by each non-employee director for service as a director during 2007.


 

Non-employee Director Compensation

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

($)(1)
   Stock Awards
($)(1)(2)(3)(4)
   Option Awards
($)(5)(6)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(7)
   Total
($)

Thomas D. Bell, Jr.  

   $ 42,500    $ 102,521    $—      $—      $ 145,021

Charles R. Crisp

     55,250      100,000    —      —        155,250

Michael J. Durham

     75,750      70,028    —      —        145,778

Arthur E. Johnson

     —        155,000    —      —        155,000

Wyck A. Knox, Jr.  

     71,750      70,000    —      1,000      142,750

Dennis M. Love

     5,000      140,000    —      —        145,000

Charles H. McTier

     74,750      70,000    —      —        144,750

Dean R. O’Hare

     75,750      70,028    —      —        145,778

D. Raymond Riddle

     5,000      164,000    —      1,000      170,000

James A. Rubright

     60,250      88,028    —      —        148,278

Felker W. Ward, Jr.  

     26,250      118,000    —      1,000      145,250

Bettina M. Whyte

     44,000      105,030    —      1,000      150,030

Henry C. Wolf

     4,500      152,022    —      —        156,522

 

(1)   Non-employee director compensation is paid and/or deferred, at the election of each director, in connection with initial election (if applicable), the annual retainer, chair retainers and meeting fees.

 

(2)   Reflects the dollar amount recognized by the Company for financial reporting purposes relating to stock awards, which include shares of our common stock and common stock equivalents. Stock awards are 100% vested as of date of grant. Accordingly, the dollar values shown above equal the full value of the awards at the date of grant.

 

24


Table of Contents
(3)   The following table presents the grant date fair value for each stock award made to each non-employee director during 2007.

 

     Grant Date Fair Value
(in dollars)
    

Name

   Date of
Grant –

5/2/07
   Date of
Grant –

6/15/07
   Date of
Grant –

12/15/07
   Total Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)

Thomas D. Bell, Jr.  

   $ 102,521    $ —      $ —      $ 102,521

Charles R. Crisp

     100,000      —        —        100,000

Michael J. Durham

     70,028      —        —        70,028

Arthur E. Johnson

     113,000      22,000      20,000      155,000

Wyck A. Knox, Jr.  

     70,000      —        —        70,000

Dennis M. Love

     100,000      16,000      24,000      140,000

Charles H. McTier

     70,000      —        —        70,000

Dean R. O’Hare

     70,028      —        —        70,028

D. Raymond Riddle

     126,000      16,000      22,000      164,000

James A. Rubright

     70,028      18,000      —        88,028

Felker W. Ward, Jr.  

     76,000      16,000      26,000      118,000

Bettina M. Whyte

     105,030      —        —        105,030

Henry C. Wolf

     112,022      14,000      26,000      152,022

 

(4)   The aggregate number of stock awards, which includes shares of our common stock and common stock equivalents, outstanding at December 31, 2007, for each of the non-employee directors was as follows:

 

Name

   Shares
Outstanding

(#)
   Common Stock
Equivalents
Outstanding

(#)(a)
   Total Stock
Awards
Outstanding

(#)(a)

Thomas D. Bell, Jr.  

   10,684    —      10,684

Charles R. Crisp

   7,087    2,352    9,439

Michael J. Durham

   9,588    —      9,588

Arthur E. Johnson

   1,061    20,357    21,418

Wyck A. Knox, Jr.  

   1,015    21,288    22,303

Dennis M. Love

   329    25,988    26,317

Charles H. McTier

   1,000    2,313    3,313

Dean R. O’Hare

   4,283    647    4,930

D. Raymond Riddle

   3,309    30,283    33,592

James A. Rubright

   2,926    18,223    21,149

Felker W. Ward, Jr.  

   4,244    18,385    22,629

Bettina M. Whyte

   5,011    3,277    8,288

Henry C. Wolf

   9,583    4,368    13,951

 

(a)   Includes dividend equivalents.

 

(5)   Stock options previously were granted to non-employee directors as part of a non-employee director’s annual retainer for services as a director. Stock options granted to non-employee directors were 100% vested as of the date of grant. During 2007, the Company did not grant any stock options to non-employee directors. Accordingly, in 2007, the Company did not recognize any dollar amount for financial reporting purposes relating to stock options.

 

25


Table of Contents
(6)   The number of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2007, for each of the non-employee directors was as follows:

 

Name

   Number of Securities
Underlying Outstanding Options

Arthur E. Johnson

   7,173

Dennis M. Love

   9,874

D. Raymond Riddle

   11,169

James A. Rubright

   7,173

Felker W. Ward, Jr.  

   9,672

 

(7)   Reflects matching contributions contributed by the Company under our Educational Matching Gift program.

 

Share Ownership and Holding Period Requirements for Non-Employee Directors

In order to serve on our board, directors are required to own shares of our common stock. Our share ownership guidelines for non-employee directors require that non-employee directors own shares of our common stock having a value of at least $350,000, which represents five times the value of the Equity Portion, and ten times the value of the Cash Portion of the annual retainer. Each director has five years from the date of his or her initial election to meet the share ownership requirement. Common stock equivalents and shares issuable upon the exercise of vested stock options are included in the determination of the ownership guideline

amount. We believe that the equity component of non-employee director compensation serves to further align the interests of the non-employee directors with the interests of our shareholders.

Under the terms of the 2006 Non-Employee Directors Equity Compensation Plan, non-employee directors are required to hold shares awarded under the plan until the earlier of (i) five years from the date of the initial stock award or stock grant; (ii) termination of the non-employee director’s service; or (iii) a change in control of the Company. Shares subject to the holding period include all shares issued in connection with an initial stock award under the plan and all shares issued under the plan in payment of all or part of a director’s annual retainer.


 

26


Table of Contents

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides an overview of our compensation objectives and policies, the elements of compensation that we provide to our top executive officers, and the material factors that we considered in making the decisions to pay such compensation. Later in this proxy statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” you will find a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in 2007 to the following individuals, whom we refer to as our “named executive officers”:

 

 

John W. Somerhalder II, our chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer,

 

 

Andrew W. Evans, our executive vice president and chief financial officer,

 

 

Kevin P. Madden, our executive vice president, external affairs,

 

 

Douglas N. Schantz, president of Sequent Energy Management (Sequent), our wholesale services segment.

 

 

Paul R. Shlanta, our executive vice president, general counsel, and chief ethics and compliance officer, and

Executive Summary

The following provides a brief overview of the more detailed information provided in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

 

 

The objective of our compensation program is to recruit, retain, and motivate talented executives and align the interests of our executives with our shareholders and our long-term financial health.

 

 

We provide our executive officers with cash compensation in the form of base salary, annual incentives and long-term performance-based cash awards.

 

 

We provide our executives with equity compensation in the form of

 

performance-based restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options.

 

 

We target total direct compensation to be competitive with our “proxy peers” (a group of natural gas providers) and our larger energy services industry survey group.

 

 

Financial planning is the only perquisite that we presently offer to our named executive officers.

 

 

Each of our named executive officers has a change-in-control severance agreement.

 

 

Our executives participate in the same group benefit programs available to all employees.

 

 

We maintain both tax-qualified retirement plans and non-qualified supplemental excess retirement plans.

 

 

Company performance for fiscal 2007 resulted in annual and certain long-term incentive compensation payouts below their target amounts.

Executive Compensation Program Objectives

Our executive compensation program has three primary objectives, each of which relates to our desire to reflect the long-term value-creation goals for the Company and the industries in which we compete. These objectives are:

 

 

to provide a total compensation package that allows us to compete effectively in the executive labor market to attract, reward and retain executive leadership talent,

 

 

to reward executives for meaningful performance that contributes to enhanced shareholder value and our general long-term financial health, and

 

 

to align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders.


 

27


Table of Contents

In accordance with these goals, we provide a significant portion of each executive’s compensation in the form of at-risk incentive awards that measure individual performance and our success as a company in achieving our business strategy and objectives. With respect to Company performance, we focus on two primary criteria:

 

 

shareholder value as measured by long-term earnings growth and dividend yield, and

 

 

operational performance as measured by earnings per share, or EPS, and achievement of strategic goals and objectives, such as acquisition integration, safety, customer service excellence and business process improvement.

The Compensation and Management Development Committee of our board of directors, which we refer to as the Compensation Committee, governs our executive compensation program. Information about the Compensation Committee and its composition, responsibilities and operations can be found on page 17 of this proxy statement, under the caption “Corporate Governance—Compensation and Management Development Committee.”

Compensation Program Elements and their Purpose

Our executive compensation program consists, primarily, of the following integrated components which make up an executive’s total direct compensation in a given year: base salary, annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive opportunities. The program also contains elements related to retirement, severance, and other employee benefits. The following provides a brief description of each of these elements.

 

 

Base salary—Provides the fixed portion of an executive’s annual compensation

 

and is intended to recognize fundamental market value for the skills and experience of the individual, relative to the responsibilities of his or her position in our Company.

 

 

Annual incentive award—Provides the variable portion of an executive’s annual compensation and is intended to vary as a direct reflection of Company and individual performance over a twelve-month period.

 

 

Long-term incentives (stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock and performance cash awards)—Encourages retention and rewards performance over a multi-year period with clear links to shareholder value appreciation and operational performance.

 

 

Employee retirement/health and welfare benefit plans—Provides competitive levels of medical, retirement and income protection, such as life and disability insurance coverage, for the executives and their families.

 

 

Severance and other termination payments—Provides severance benefits in the event an executive’s employment is terminated in various circumstances following a change in control.

 

 

Financial planning perquisite—Provides reimbursement of up to $15,000 per year for financial and estate planning and tax preparation.

Benchmarking Practices

Each year we review our executives’ compensation for market competitiveness and performance impact. We compare our compensation levels to the amounts paid to executives in similar roles in other companies, a process called “benchmarking,” to determine if our executive compensation is competitive in the market. Companies that comprise our peer groups are reviewed


 

28


Table of Contents

annually to assure that we have the appropriate marketplace focus. For 2007, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Towers Perrin as its independent compensation consultant to benchmark base salary, target annual incentive opportunities and annual long-term incentive market rates from two market perspectives:

 

 

A group of 13 comparably sized natural gas providers, which we refer to as “proxy peers.” As publicly-traded natural gas companies, our proxy peers represent those companies considered most comparable to our Company, but for compensation purposes this group provides a very limited view of the available labor market. For 2007, our proxy peers were:

Atmos Energy Corp

Energen Corp

Equitable Resources Inc

National Fuel Gas Co

New Jersey Resources

Nicor Inc

ONEOK Inc

Peoples Energy Corp

    (acquired by Integrys Energy             Group, Inc.,

    effective February 2007)

Piedmont Natural Gas Co

Questar Corp

UGI Corp

Western Gas Resources Inc

    (acquired by Anadarko Petroleum

    Corporation, effective August             2006)

WGL Holdings Inc

 

 

A group of 95 energy services companies from Towers Perrin’s Energy Industry Services Compensation Database ranging in revenue from under $422 million to over $12 billion with a median revenue of $2.6 billion, which we refer to as our “energy industry peers.” Our energy industry peers include a much larger list of companies and provide a more

 

accurate understanding of the broader labor market in which we compete for executive talent. For 2007, our energy industry peers were:

AES Corp

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Allete Inc.

Ameren Corp.

American Electric Power

American Transmission Company

Aquila Inc.

Atmos Energy Corp.

Avista Corp.

California Independent System

    Operator

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

CH Energy Group Inc.

Cleco Corp.

CMS Energy Corp.

Colorado Springs Utilities

Consolidated Edison Inc.

Constellation Energy Group

Covanta Energy Corp.

Dominion Resources Inc.

DTE Energy Co.

Duke Energy Corp.

Dynegy Inc.

E. ON U.S.

Edison International

El Paso Co.

Enbridge Energy Partners LP

Energen Corp.

Energy East Corp.

Energy Northwest

Enron

Entergy Corp.

Equitable Resources Inc.

Eugene Water & Electric Board

Exelon Corp.

FirstEnergy Corp.

FPL Group Inc.

Great Plains Energy Inc.

Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc.

IDACORP Inc.

Jacksonville Electric Authority

Lower Colorado River Authority

MarkWest Energy Partners LP


 

29


Table of Contents

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

MGE Energy Inc.

Mirant Corp.

National Enrichment Facility

National Fuel Gas Co.

New York Independent System             Operator

New York Power Authority

Nicor Inc.

NorthWestern Energy LLC

NRG Energy, Inc.

NSTAR Electric Co.

Nuclear Management

Northwest Natural

OGE Energy Corp.

Oglethorpe Power Corp.

Omaha Public Power

ONEOK Inc.

Otter Tail Corp.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

PacifiCorp

Peoples Energy Corp.

    (acquired by Integrys Energy             Group, Inc., effective February             2007)

Pepco Holdings Inc.

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

PNM Resources Inc.

Portland General Electric Co.

PPL Corp

Prisma Energy International Inc.

Progress Energy Corp.

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

Puget Energy Inc.

Reliant Energy Inc.

Salt River Project

SCANA Corp.

Sempra Energy

Southern Company

STP Nuclear Operating Co.

SUEZ Energy North America

Targa Resources Inc.

TECO Energy Inc.

Tennessee Valley Authority

TransCanada Corporation

TXU Energy

UIL Holdings Corp.

UniSource Energy Corp.

United States Enrichment             Corporation

Unitil Corp.

Vectren Corp.

Westar Energy Inc.

Williams Companies Inc.

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

Wolf Creek Nuclear

WPS Resources

    (currently Integrys Energy Group,

    effective February 2007)

Xcel Energy Inc.

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews compensation levels and practices from a broader, general industry perspective for general reference purposes only. We do not benchmark our pay against the general industry, and we do not consider this comparison to play a material part in our compensation decisions.

Because the companies in the energy industry peer group vary widely in size, Towers Perrin adjusts the market data to reflect a company of our revenue size. Since larger companies typically pay higher levels of executive pay, and smaller companies typically pay less, we believe that this adjustment provides us with more accurate information. We do not adjust the proxy peer group in this manner because Towers Perrin has informed us that the adjustment method is not accurate when analyzing such a small number of companies.


 

30


Table of Contents

Using the proxy peer and energy industry peer group information, the Compensation Committee evaluates our aggregate executive compensation on an annual basis by comparing the compensation of our named executive officers with executive pay in the peer groups. For 2007 we compared our named executive officers to executives at the following levels:

 

Executive Position

  

Benchmarked Position

Chairman of the Board, President

and Chief Executive Officer

  

Chief Executive Officer

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

  

CFO/Top Financial Executive

EVP, External Affairs

  

Top Corporate Affairs Executive*

President, Sequent

  

Top Trading Executive*

EVP, General Counsel and Chief

Ethics and Compliance Officer

  

Top Legal Executive

 

*

 

Since comparable positions could not be found in the proxy peer group for the President, Sequent, and the EVP, External Affairs, these positions were matched to the proxy peer group’s 2nd and 3rd highest paid executive, respectively (based upon total cash compensation).

 

The Compensation Committee examines each component of pay on both a stand-alone basis and together as a whole when setting levels of base pay and targets for annual and long-term incentives. We seek to be generally competitive with our proxy peers and our energy industry peers, across the three pay elements that make up total direct compensation (base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentives). However, we recognize that the companies that comprise our proxy and energy industry peer groups and our own performance may change from year to year and that these changes may cause our compensation levels relative to our peer groups to vary, as well. Accordingly, we do not apply a specific formula to determine any adjustments to overall or individual executive pay. Instead, the Compensation Committee determines individual compensation amounts in a deliberative process with input from Towers Perrin and our chief executive officer. This process is described in more detail below.

Determining the Amount of Each Compensation Program Element

We consider multiple factors when determining the compensation elements for our executives, as described below.

 

Base salary—The factors that the Compensation Committee considered in setting base salary for our named executive officers in 2007 include: years in position as well as pay for comparable positions among peers, individual executive performance, internal equity comparisons and mastery of position. Base salary is considered the foundation of the total compensation package, as most other elements of direct compensation are awarded as a percentage of base salary.

Annual incentives—In 2007, (other than for Mr. Schantz, as described below), our Annual Incentive Plan provided the individual performance portion of our named executive officers’ annual incentive, and our Executive Performance Incentive Plan provided the corporate performance portion. The Executive Performance Incentive Plan was approved by our shareholders, and awards earned under it are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception to the deduction limits under Section 162(m) of the U.S. tax code.


 

31


Table of Contents

Target bonuses under both incentive plans are calculated as a percentage of base salary and represent the amount of money to be paid if performance is met exactly as expected. Target bonuses for our named executive officers ranged from 50% to 85% of base salary. Actual awards may be substantially greater or smaller than the target bonus, based upon actual performance against performance measures set by the Compensation Committee. Annual payout opportunity can range from 0% to 200% of the target bonus. To achieve a 200% award, performance must meet or exceed maximum performance levels on both corporate and individual performance measures.

For 2007, the Compensation Committee derived performance measures from our annual operating plan and business strategy, as reviewed by the board of directors. Measures applicable to the named executive officers included our corporate EPS target, which was weighted at 75% of the total award, and individual performance, which was weighted at 25%. In administering our incentive plans (both annual and long-term), when we use EPS as a performance measure, we adjust our EPS, which is based on net income determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), for economic value created in a plan year by our wholesale services operating segment, but not yet reflected in GAAP earnings reported for that year. We refer to this as Plan EPS. For 2007, this adjustment took into account both (i) economic value related to 2007 and created in a prior year but not reflected in our GAAP net income for such prior year; and (ii) economic value created in 2007, related to 2008 and not reflected in our GAAP net income for 2007.

The Compensation Committee feels that Plan EPS is an appropriate measure of our performance, as it reflects any growth of the business and any changes in the value of

shareholder investment. EPS is also a common measure of general financial and operating health used by stock and financial analysts as well as investors. The Compensation Committee chose individual measures as the second performance factor to drive the achievement of operational goals considered critical to the overall success of our Company. Regardless of the achievement of individual performance measures, absent the Compensation Committee’s discretion, our named executive officers are not eligible to receive incentive pay unless a threshold Plan EPS performance is met.

The individual goals for each executive were aligned with our corporate objectives, under the following themes:

 

 

deliver superior earnings and dividend growth for our shareholders,

 

 

focus on our core businesses and assets,

 

 

grow all our businesses,

 

 

leverage information systems and technology, and

 

 

continue to invest in our employees as a competitive advantage.

For our chief executive officer, the individual performance component was based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of performance against his individual objectives established at the beginning of the year. Our chief executive officer performed a similar assessment of the performance related to their respective individual goals for the other named executive officers and reviewed that assessment with the Compensation Committee. Further details regarding these goals are provided on page 39.

Mr. Schantz serves as president of Sequent, our wholesale services segment, which maintains an annual incentive plan specific to its employees and separate from the Annual Incentive Plan and the Executive Performance Incentive Plan. He does not participate in any


 

32


Table of Contents

of our formal annual incentive plans; instead, to establish Mr. Schantz’s incentive compensation for 2007, the Compensation Committee considered our Plan EPS performance, Mr. Schantz’s individual performance, and the annual incentive compensation payable to Mr. Schantz’s direct reports, who are paid under the Sequent annual incentive plan. Although not subject to a cap, Mr. Schantz’s annual incentive compensation is subject to mandatory deferral of 50% of any amount earned in a plan year which exceeds his annual base salary for that year. The deferred amount is payable in approximately equal installments on each of the first two anniversaries of the deferral date. Should Mr. Schantz terminate employment for any reason before an anniversary date, the remaining deferred balances are forfeited. During the deferral period, deferred amounts earn interest calculated at the appropriate treasury rate.

Long-term incentives—For 2007, the Compensation Committee, using market and benchmarking data furnished by Towers Perrin, determined that the overall long-term incentive compensation opportunity for the named executive officers should range between 70% and 233% of base salary.

As noted earlier, for the purpose of providing 2007 annual grants, we used three vehicles to deliver long-term incentives. The proportional mix of options, restricted stock units and performance cash awards was set with regard for the respective attributes that each of these vehicles represent from the Company’s and executive’s perspective, as described below.

 

 

Stock options—Because stock options produce tangible value to the holder only if our stock price increases, the Compensation Committee believes that options provide an incentive to perform in ways that lead to stock price appreciation and thus align pay with shareholder interests. The Compensation Committee determines the number of stock options

 

granted to each executive, using a binomial lattice model and the market value of shares at the time of grant. For 2007, stock options constituted 20% of the total long-term incentive at the target award level.

 

 

Restricted stock/units—This portion of the long-term incentive initially takes the form of restricted share units having a one-year measurement period and a Plan EPS performance hurdle. Plan EPS is described above in “Annual Incentive Awards.” Assuming the Plan EPS performance hurdle is met, the restricted stock units convert to an equal number of shares of restricted stock with a three-year vesting period. These awards are designed to focus the executives on earnings per share and provide retention value during the vesting period. In addition, because the per share grant date value of restricted shares is greater than the per share grant date value of stock options, fewer of these shares are awarded compared to stock options, resulting in less dilution. The Compensation Committee believes that these awards provide significant performance incentive and retention value, while aligning the applicable compensation with shareholder interests. For 2007, restricted stock/units constituted 40% of the total long-term incentive at the target award level.

 

 

Performance cash—Performance cash awards granted in 2007 provide a potential cash payment based on average annual growth in earnings per share, as adjusted to reflect the effect of economic valued created by the Company’s wholesale services business, plus the average dividend yield above a preset level over a three-year period. If the value hurdle is not attained, nothing will be paid. The award value may range between 0% and 140% of the target award value, based on actual performance. The

 


33


Table of Contents
 

Compensation Committee believes that using cash rather than shares limits share dilution, while continuing to provide significant performance incentive and retention value. For 2007, target performance cash awards constituted 40% of the total long-term incentive at the target award level.

The realized compensation value from equity-based long-term incentives is ultimately determined by our stock price performance over the term of the awards and the executive’s decision as to when to exercise stock options and to sell shares.

Factors influencing actual individual grant levels include executive level, position retention concerns, if any, and Company performance. The 20%-40%-40% mix used in 2007 was determined based upon peer group data and by balancing factors that included the cost of equity awards and projected impact on shareholder dilution.

Employee retirement/health and welfare benefit plans—Our executives participate in the same programs pertaining to medical coverage (active employee and retiree), life insurance, disability, pension and retirement offered to all of our eligible employees. In addition, we provide our executives and other highly compensated employees non-qualified retirement benefits in excess of Internal Revenue Service qualified plan limits on contributions, and total benefits. These

additional benefits generally are calculated based upon benefits an executive would be entitled to under our qualified retirement plans if such tax limitations did not apply. The retirement plans available to the named executive officers are described in more detail beginning on page 52. We believe that our benefits and retirement programs, including the amount of the retirement benefit, is comparable to those offered by similar companies and, as a result, are competitive.

Executive perquisites—In 2007, we established a financial planning benefit that may be used exclusively for financial planning, estate planning, and tax preparation. This benefit provides covered executives with a valuable resource to assist with tax and financial planning and optimizes the use of the array of compensation and benefits made available to our executives within their plan provisions and regulatory requirements. Worth up to a maximum of $15,000 per year, the value of this benefit is based upon the actual charge for services, which can be found in the perquisite column of the table for All Other Compensation Detail on page 46. We do not provide any other perquisites such as executive life insurance, or country club memberships to our executives. Benefits such as temporary housing allowances or use of a Company car, generally are provided on a temporary basis in the event of relocation or other exceptional circumstances, as determined by pre-established policy or by the Compensation Committee.


 

34


Table of Contents

Allocation of Total Direct Compensation

Long-Term vs. Annual Compensation. We seek to maintain an executive compensation program that is balanced in terms of each element of pay relative to competitive practices, with the emphasis placed on long-term versus short-term incentives. The Compensation Committee developed target total direct compensation and the allocations between short- and long-term incentives for 2007 in coordination with Towers Perrin, based on its research regarding effective and emerging practice among proxy peers and energy industry peers. The following table provides the elements of total direct compensation for our named executive officers for 2007.

 

       
           Incentive Targets      
           Short Term    Long-Term*      
   
Name    Base
Salary
   % of
Base
    Target    % of
Base
    Target    Total Direct
Compensation

John W. Somerhalder II

   $ 750,000    85 %   $ 637,500    233 %   $ 1,750,000    $ 3,137,500

Andrew W. Evans

     420,000    60 %     252,000    140 %     588,000      1,260,000

Kevin P. Madden

     400,000    60 %     240,000    140 %     560,000      1,200,000

Douglas N. Schantz

     305,000    75 %     228,750    71 %     216,550      750,300

Paul R. Shlanta

     345,000    50 %     172,500    85 %     293,250      810,750

 

*   Compensation Committee approved a flat dollar long-term target for Mr. Somerhalder, which results in the 233% of base set forth above.

 

Stock vs. Cash-Based Compensation. A total of 60% of the long-term incentive target value in 2007 was delivered through stock-based awards, and the remaining 40% of the long-tem incentive target value in 2007 was delivered through performance cash awards. The Compensation Committee believes that this mix effectively aligns the executive’s interests with shareholders’ interests and gives the executive a measure of diversification through the cash component.

Role of Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation

Our chief executive officer develops recommendations regarding executive compensation, including proposals relative to compensation for individual executive officers, other than himself, using internal and external resources. These resources include such things as compensation surveys, external data and reports from the Compensation Committee’s consultant and data, reports and recommendations from internal staff.

Recommendations from the chief executive officer include and consider all aspects of the compensation program—philosophy, design, compliance and competitive strategy—as well as specific actions regarding individual executive officer compensation, including individual performance. The Compensation Committee reviews these recommendations along with data provided by Towers Perrin, and decides whether to accept, reject, or revise these proposals. The Compensation Committee may recommend certain decisions to the full board for its approval.

Our chief financial officer assists the Compensation Committee in understanding key business drivers included in program designs, especially incentive programs and performance measures. This may include defining related measures and explaining the mutual influence on or by other business drivers and the accounting and tax treatment relating to certain awards. Our chief financial officer also provides regular updates to the Compensation Committee regarding current


 

35


Table of Contents

and anticipated performance outcomes and their impact on executive compensation.

Our general counsel ensures that appropriate plan documentation and approvals are received in order to keep executive pay programs in compliance with applicable laws and stock exchange listing requirements. Our general counsel also advises the Compensation Committee and board of directors regarding compliance with appropriate governance standards and requirements.

2007 Executive Compensation Analysis

Early each year, the Compensation Committee meets to review and potentially adjust each executive’s base salary, short-term and long-term incentive targets, and the mix between cash and stock-based pay for the upcoming year, as well as to review performance-based payments to be made based upon the prior year’s performance. Additionally, the Compensation Committee may consider and make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances that may have occurred during the year.

Annual Total Direct Compensation Review

Mr. Somerhalder—Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Towers Perrin reported that while Mr. Somerhalder’s total direct compensation (base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentives) was above the proxy peers, it was below the energy industry peers. Towers Perrin further noted that Mr. Somerhalder’s base pay and annual incentive was below both peer groups. The Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Somerhalder’s base salary and short term incentive should be increased to more closely align with market and increased his base salary for 2007 from $700,000 to $750,000 and his annual incentive target from 75% to 85% of base salary. Although these amounts are generally still below market, the

Compensation Committee determined that these increases were appropriate, considering Mr. Somerhalder’s tenure and progression in his role as chief executive officer. The Compensation Committee decided to set Mr. Somerhalder’s long-term incentive target at a flat $1,750,000, which maintained the same targeted value of his long-term incentives as the prior year.

During 2007, Mr. Somerhalder assumed the additional duties of chairman of the board of directors. No additional remuneration was provided in connection with this change.

We note that Mr. Somerhalder’s compensation, in general, is greater than our other named executive officers. In benchmarking our executives, the data collected by Towers Perrin indicated that this is common among our peer groups. The Compensation Committee determined that the difference in compensation between our chief executive officer and the other executive officers was appropriate, based upon the difference in duties and responsibilities.

Mr. Evans—Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Towers Perrin reported to the Compensation Committee that Mr. Evans’ total direct compensation was below both the proxy and energy industry peers. At the time of his promotion into the position of chief financial officer in 2005, the Compensation Committee determined that setting an initial base salary that was less than that of chief financial officers within our peer groups would allow for future recognition as he grew into his role. After considering his current market position, and personal growth within his role, the Compensation Committee approved a base salary increase for 2007 from $360,000 to $405,000. In mid-2007, Mr. Evans received an additional base salary increase to $420,000, when he became responsible for our information technology function. The Compensation Committee maintained Mr. Evans’ annual and long-term incentive targets at 60% and 140% of base salary, respectively.


 

36


Table of Contents

Mr. Madden—Executive Vice President, External Affairs. As mentioned earlier, because of the lack of an appropriate match, Towers Perrin used the 3 rd highest paid executive data when comparing Mr. Madden to the proxy peer group. Towers Perrin reported that in his current role of executive vice president, external affairs, Mr. Madden’s total direct compensation surpassed the 75th percentile for both peer groups. However, when reviewing his compensation for 2007, the Compensation Committee took into consideration the high level of experience and ability Mr. Madden brings to the role, based in part upon his tenure in other senior roles within our Company. The Compensation Committee decided to provide Mr. Madden with a salary increase from $380,000 to $400,000 to maintain his current position within market. No changes were made to either annual or long-term incentives, which remained at 60% and 140% of base salary, respectively.

Mr. Schantz—President, Sequent. As mentioned earlier, because of the lack of an appropriate match, Towers Perrin used the 2nd highest paid executive when comparing Mr. Schantz to the proxy peer group. Towers Perrin reported to the Compensation Committee that while Mr. Schantz’s total direct compensation was below the proxy peers, it was above the energy industry peers. They further reported that although his base salary generally met market, his short-term incentive target was higher than both peer groups, while his long-term incentive target was below both peer groups. The Compensation Committee approved an increase in base salary from $290,000 to $305,000 but decided to maintain his current level of short and long-term incentives. Although Mr. Schantz’s annual incentives are generally higher than market and his long-term incentives are generally lower than market, the Compensation Committee determined his incentive targets to be appropriate in the aggregate. Additionally, since his short-term incentives are in part

based upon the relative level of annual incentive payments made to his direct reports within Sequent, our wholesale services segment, the Compensation Committee realized that his short-term incentives may exceed the top of the range available to other executives. With this in mind, the Compensation Committee did not modify the mix between annual and long-term incentives. Additionally, since a portion of Mr. Schantz’s short-term incentive may be subject to mandatory deferral, as explained on page 33, the Compensation Committee believes his annual and long-term incentive targets of 75% and 71%, respectively, of base salary continue, to be appropriate.

During 2007, the energy trading business proved to be very competitive for attracting and retaining highly experienced talent. After experiencing the loss of some key employees within our wholesale services segment, due to competitive recruiting, the Compensation Committee approved retention grants to key Sequent employees to minimize disruption and protect against the loss of business. Upon concerns expressed by Mr. Somerhalder, the Compensation Committee also approved a retention grant of 26,254 shares of restricted stock to Mr. Schantz, which was considered to be an appropriate retention incentive and substantial deterrent to outside recruitment.

Details of this grant can be found on page 47 in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.

Mr. Shlanta—Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. Towers Perrin reported to the Compensation Committee that Mr. Shlanta’s total direct compensation was above the proxy peers, but below energy industry peers. Additionally, Mr. Shlanta’s base pay was below energy industry peers and his long-term incentive target was below both the proxy peer group and the energy industry peer group by 23% and 33%, respectively. These market considerations plus Mr. Shlanta’s


 

37


Table of Contents

extended experience and performance in his role, prompted the Compensation Committee to increase his base salary from $310,000 to $345,000, which is slightly above both the proxy and energy industry peer groups. Additionally, the Compensation Committee increased his long-term incentive target to 85% of base salary. The increase in base salary, combined with his increase in long-term incentive target, helped to raise the expected value of his long-term incentive to a value that is closer to market levels. Since his target

annual incentive of 50% of base salary was already at market, no change was necessary for 2007.

Determination of 2007 Annual Incentive Payouts

Annual incentives earned in 2007, were calculated according to achievement against Plan EPS and individual performance measures. Performance against our corporate target was weighted at 75% of the total award, and individual performance was weighted at 25%.


 

Corporate Performance. The Compensation Committee approved a Plan EPS target of $2.84 as the 2007 corporate performance metric for annual incentives, as detailed below. The Compensation Committee considered the following factors when approving this goal: it would require us to meet the 4% year-over-year growth commitment made to shareholders, it is consistent with our Institutional Brokers’ Estimate System (IBES) earnings estimate, it was an appropriate stretch target when considering our 2007 business objectives, and it accounts for anticipated volatility and treatment of earnings with Sequent. IBES is a system that gathers and compiles estimates made by stock analysts on the future earnings of U.S. publicly traded companies. Corporate performance results are set forth in the table below.

 

Target Plan EPS
(1)
   Plan EPS Achieved
(2)
   Resulting Corporate Payout
Percentage
 

$2.84

   $ 2.69    0 %

 

(1)   Our Plan EPS target for 2007 reflected an upward pre-tax adjustment of $5 million or $0.04 per basic share of net economic value created by our wholesale services operating segment but not yet reflected in GAAP earnings. This adjustment had the effect of increasing by $0.04 per basic share our EPS goals included in the “Executive Performance Incentive Plan and Annual Incentive Plan” section of Item 5.02 of our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 29, 2007.

 

(2)   Our actual Plan EPS reflects a downward pre-tax adjustment of $7 million or $0.05 per basic share of net economic value created by our wholesale services operating segment. This adjustment had the effect of decreasing our reported EPS of $2.74 by $0.05 per basic share and
 

resulting in 2007 Plan EPS of $2.69, which was certified by the Compensation Committee for purposes of the 2007 annual incentive plans. Consequently, the resulting corporate performance payout under the 2007 annual incentive plan was 0%.

Individual Performance. Incorporating elements of individual performance in the determination of annual incentive awards is intended to reflect the contributions made by individuals toward the Company’s overall objectives for the year. Early in the year certain individual objectives are assigned to each named executive officer by Mr. Somerhalder, and/or the Compensation Committee. With these objectives in mind, shortly following the end of the year, Mr. Somerhalder and the Compensation


 

38


Table of Contents

Committee subjectively assess the individual performance of each of the named executive officers and discuss the respective assessment with each named executive officer.

The following summaries of achievements, from the assessment referred to above, directly impacted the individual performance rating of each named executive officer, as explained further below.

Mr. Somerhalder:

 

 

demonstrated strong performance related to operating and commercial accomplishments within the business units, and, in particular, secured key regulatory approvals in many parts of the business;

 

 

displayed solid leadership of a strong and cohesive management group, and, in particular, coordinated a smooth leadership transition in Distribution Operations.

Mr. Evans:

 

 

successfully led efforts to enhance our tax planning strategies;

 

 

directed the implementation of procedures that resulted in improvements in our Sarbanes Oxley and SEC reporting processes;

 

 

successfully managed our refinancing activities with regard to a revenue bond offering;

 

 

implemented a share repurchase program; and

 

 

successfully deployed several key information technology initiatives.

Mr. Madden:

 

 

successfully led our efforts to resolve regulatory issues in Florida, Virginia and Georgia;

 

 

directed a number of initiatives that improved our Jefferson Island storage facility, including operational and commercial enhancements, increases in interruptible and firm revenues, and improved safety. However, progress towards moving the expansion project forward, as well as public relations at the site met with mixed results.

 

 

contributed to significant progress made on the engineering and commercial aspect of our Golden Triangle storage facility in Texas, including the receipt of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certificate.

Mr. Schantz:

 

 

provided strong leadership toward the extension of affiliated asset management agreements, as well as the origination of non-affiliated commercial transactions;

 

 

effectively managed efforts to improve controls in the areas of risk and credit;

 

 

successfully implemented measures to respond to the significant risk of loss of employees in the highly competitive energy trading marketplace and maintained the majority of key contributors in that area.

Mr. Shlanta:

 

 

led the implementation of several key risk management initiatives and internal audit improvements;

 

 

guided our legal department in providing substantial support of business expansion and merger and acquisition activities; and

 

 

effectively led efforts to enhance the cost effective management of our insurance programs and expand coverages.


 

39


Table of Contents

Taking into consideration the individual achievements noted above, the Compensation Committee determined the appropriate level of performance payouts, as set forth in the table below, based upon their assessment that each named executive officer’s individual performance had exceeded target levels for the year.

 

Named Executive Officers    Individual
Performance
Payout
    Percent of
Annual Incentive
Target
(0% to 200%)
 

John W. Somerhalder II

   $ 0 *   0 %

Andrew W. Evans

   $ 83,375     33 %

Kevin P. Madden

   $ 74,125     31 %

Douglas N. Schantz

   $ 0 *   0 %

Paul R. Shlanta

   $ 54,614     32 %

 

*   Messrs Somerhalder and Schantz notified the Compensation Committee that they wished to waive any annual incentive payment for 2007. Based upon their respective achievement against established goals, in the absence of the waiver, each would have received an annual incentive payment for 2007.

Discretion to Modify Awards. The Compensation Committee reserves the right to adjust individual goals during the course of the year in order to reflect changes in the Company and its business. In determining the corporate performance component under our Executive Performance Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to (i) exclude extraordinary one-time effects, which could increase or decrease award payments, if, in its overall judgment, our Company and our shareholders are better served by that result, and (ii) exercise negative discretion against reported results which would serve to reduce an award otherwise due. The Compensation Committee did not exercise such discretion in determining award payments for 2007 performance.

Determination of 2007 Long-Term Incentive Payouts

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units. As mentioned above, performance-based restricted stock units constitute 40% of the annual long-term incentive at the target award level and are subject to a one-year EPS performance hurdle. For 2007, as noted in the following table, the performance hurdle for restricted share units was not attained and all such units were forfeited.

 

Performance Hurdle
(Target Plan EPS)
  

Actual Result

(Plan EPS Achieved)

$2.84

   $ 2.69

The following chart details the value of the forfeited restricted stock units. Details regarding the grant of these awards can be found on the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 47.

 

Officer    Total Forfeited Value*

John W. Somerhalder II

   $ 1,125,944

Andrew W. Evans

   $ 323,368

Kevin P. Madden

   $ 342,848

Douglas N. Schantz

   $ 132,464

Paul R. Shlanta

   $ 171,424

 

  *   Value as of date of grant.

 

40


Table of Contents

Performance Cash Payouts. Performance cash awards granted to named executive officers in January 2005 and having a measurement period that ended December 31, 2007, resulted in payments based on the performance set forth below, as certified by the Compensation Committee.

 

Performance Measure   Target     Actual     Award Level  

Compound earnings growth plus dividend yield over measurement period

  10 %   12.02 %   120.2 %

 

Payments associated with these awards can be found in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Payout Detail” table on page 45.

Performance Cash and Stock Option. As discussed above, performance cash awards granted in 2007 to our named executive officers provide a potential cash payment based on earnings growth and dividend yield above a preset level over a three-year period that began January 1, 2007 and will end on December 31, 2009. Details on the performance cash awards and time-vested stock options granted to our named executive officers can be found on page 47 in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table.

Discretion to Modify Awards. Under the long-term incentive program the Compensation Committee has discretion to extend an award that would otherwise be forfeited, but not beyond the original term of the award. The Compensation Committee does not generally have the authority to unilaterally rescind an award. Each award defines the terms under which it could be forfeited according to the terms approved by shareholders in each of the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee did not exercise such discretion in determining award payments for 2007 performance.

Change-of-Control Severance Agreements

During 2007, the Compensation Committee analyzed whether and how to replace existing individual change-of-control severance agreements, also referred to as continuity agreements, with the Company’s named

executive officers, which were scheduled to expire on November 30, 2007. The Compensation Committee met on three occasions to decide whether the Company should enter into replacement agreements with the executives, and if so, the appropriate terms and conditions for such agreements. The Compensation Committee sought and received guidance from Towers Perrin regarding the current state of common practices in connection with the use of and appropriate terms and conditions of change-of-control agreements at companies including our proxy peers and energy industry peers. The Compensation Committee also sought input from Company management from the standpoint of determining the requirements for effective retention. In addition, the Compensation Committee used an independent accounting firm to estimate the costs associated with providing agreements to named executive officers and select other Company officers, under a variety of scenarios.

The Compensation Committee determined that based on all the factors and information it considered, it was appropriate to authorize the Company to enter into replacement agreements. Such agreements align with the Company’s business objectives, including but not limited to, retaining the management team during the period of a potential transaction, preserving the objectivity of the management team in negotiating and executing a potential transaction, keeping management team members focused on the business, rather than their personal financial security and bridging potential periods of unemployment for covered executives.


 

41


Table of Contents

The new agreements are similar in form to the agreements they replace but (except in the case of Mr. Schantz, who was previously party to a lower level of agreement, entered into prior to the time he became a named executive officer) provide for a significantly lower value of cash severance benefits, in the aggregate. The principal distinction that results in the lower value was the transition to a two-times multiple of base salary and bonus for the calculation of severance, from the three-times multiple previously provided. Although benchmark levels of severance provided by Towers Perrin indicated that a three-times multiple was still the most prevalent level, at least for a chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management proposed to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee adopted, the proposal that no executive’s agreement provide for a severance multiple greater than two. The severance payments remain “double-trigger,” meaning that both the consummation of a change-of-control and a “qualifying termination” of employment (as such terms are described in the agreements) must occur in order for the executive to receive any severance payments under the agreements. The reduced multiple also results in a shorter period (two years, rather than three, as previously provided) of continued welfare benefits, following a qualifying termination and a similarly reduced level of enhanced non-qualified retirement plan benefits. Certain agreement provisions remain consistent with those of the prior agreements, including a prorated annual incentive payment for the year of the qualifying termination, vesting of long-term incentive awards and reimbursements of reasonable legal fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of the executive’s rights under the agreement. The agreements also provide for a payment to offset any excise payments incurred by the executive, but only in the event that so-called parachute payments exceed the threshold necessary to trigger the excise tax by at least ten percent. The terms and conditions set forth above have been

deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Compensation Committee, after its consultation with and review of market data provided by Towers Perrin and its review of estimated costs, in order to accomplish the business purposes described above. However, because the market regarding agreements of this nature is susceptible to rapid changes, the Compensation Committee determined that the term of the agreements should be limited to a two year period. Tables disclosing the estimated costs associated with these agreements, as well as costs associated with termination of employment under other circumstances, are set forth on page 55 under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Other Policies Governing our Executive Compensation Program

Grants of Long-Term Incentive Awards

The Compensation Committee generally grants long-term incentive awards on an annual basis at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board of directors, usually in late January or early February. The meeting date is scheduled well in advance and without regard to potential stock price movement.

In 2006, the Compensation Committee adopted a stock option grant policy. The stock option grant policy provides that in the ordinary course, stock option grants to executive officers and annual stock option grants to all other key employees will be made by the Compensation Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting. However, this policy also provides that the Compensation Committee may make grants through use of a unanimous written consent, in lieu of a meeting, but only when circumstances prevent the action from being taken at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Impact of restated earnings on previously paid or awarded compensation

We have not had to restate earnings in a manner that would impact incentive award


 

42


Table of Contents

payments. If future restatements are necessary, the Compensation Committee and the board of directors will consider the facts and circumstances relating to the cause of the restatement, as well as the requirements under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in determining whether any payments based upon the financial results were made unjustly and the materiality and methods for recovering such payments.

Accounting and tax treatment of direct compensation

All compensation is subject to federal, state and local taxes as ordinary income or capital gains as various tax jurisdictions provide. Section 162(m) of the U.S. tax code places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one year with respect to any one of our named executive officers. However, qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. The Compensation Committee anticipates that most awards under our long-term incentive programs and the corporate portion of the annual incentive for executive officers will continue to qualify as performance-based compensation. To maintain flexibility in compensating our executives, however, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to use its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be subject to the limit, when the Compensation Committee believes that such payments are appropriate. Accordingly, certain components of our executive compensation program are designed to be qualifying performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) while others are not.

 

Since the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s FAS 123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, the accounting treatment of differing forms of stock-issued awards does not have a material effect on the selection of forms of compensation.

Stock ownership

We maintain stock ownership guidelines that are designed to ensure sustained, meaningful executive share ownership, align executive long-term interests with shareholder interests, and demonstrate our officers’ commitment to enhancing long-term shareholder value. As chief executive officer, Mr. Somerhalder is expected to own shares of our common stock with a market value of at least five times his annual base salary, and our other named executive officers are expected to own shares of our common stock with a market value of two or three times their annual base salaries, depending on position level. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the attainment of these ownership levels. We include all of the stock owned by an executive, restricted stock and vested stock options, and stock included in the executive’s account under our Retirement Savings Plus Plan and Nonqualified Savings Plan in calculating compliance with the ownership guidelines. Reports are provided regularly to the Compensation Committee as to the status of each executive’s stock ownership. As of December 31, 2007, each of our named executive officers had met his stock ownership requirement or had made significant progress toward meeting the ownership requirement within the required three year time period.


 

43


Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Paid to Named Executive Officers

The Summary Compensation Table below reflects the total compensation earned by our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer and each of our three most highly compensated executive officers who served as an executive officer as of December 31, 2007. These five officers are our “named executive officers.”

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position   Year  

Salary

($)(1)

 

Bonus

($)(2)

  Stock
Awards
($)(3)
  Option
Awards
($)(4)
  Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)(5)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(6)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(7)
 

Total

($)

                 

John W. Somerhalder II

  2007   $ 742,308   $—     $ 286,640   $ 274,612   $—     $ 212,267   $ 151,756   $ 1,667,583

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

  2006     568,077   150,000     238,867     143,126   830,918     81,150     439,015     2,451,153
                 

Andrew W. Evans

  2007     405,865   —       252,630     95,301   281,705     26,355     66,830     1,128,686

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  2006     339,231   —       252,353     63,121   483,143     29,505     50,802     1,218,155
                 

Kevin P. Madden

  2007     396,923   —       418,536     193,852   279,066     60,744     106,187     1,455,308

Executive Vice President, External Affairs

  2006     380,000   —       428,373     59,911   538,300     85,647     84,975     1,577,206
                 

Douglas N. Schantz

  2007     302,692   —       222,531     37,652   123,325     62,974     68,120     817,294

President, Sequent Energy Management, LP

  2006     288,846   —       28,133     55,856   1,250,000     87,705     64,400     1,774,940
                 

Paul R. Shlanta

  2007     339,615   —       124,903     47,454   154,861     24,643     60,328     751,804

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

                                               

 

(1)   For each of the named executive officers, includes salary that was eligible for deferral, at the election of the named executive officer, under our Retirement Savings Plus Plan and Nonqualified Savings Plan.

 

(2)   2007: The Company did not pay any discretionary bonuses. All annual incentive awards for 2007 were granted under the Company’s annual incentive compensation program, and such awards are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column.

 

     2006: Represents a one-time signing bonus in connection with Mr. Somerhalder’s appointment as president and chief executive officer. The Company did not pay any other discretionary bonuses. All annual incentive awards for 2006 were granted under the Company’s annual incentive compensation program, and such awards are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column.

 

44


Table of Contents
(3)   Reflects the dollar amount recognized by the Company for financial reporting purposes relating to stock awards, which include shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units, which in accordance with FAS 123R does not include an estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The aggregate grant date fair value of these awards and the amounts expensed in each fiscal year were determined in accordance with FAS 123R. For additional information, please see also Note 4—“Stock-based and Other Incentive Compensation Plans and Agreements” to the financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 7, 2008.

 

     For each of the named executive officers, excludes restricted stock unit grants made on January 30, 2007 with a 12-month performance measurement period that ended on December 31, 2007 which were forfeited in 2008 for failure to meet the performance criteria. The number of units granted and the grant date fair value of these awards are set forth below.

Forfeited Restricted Stock Unit Detail

 

Name

   Grant
Date
   Restricted Stock
Units Forfeited (#)
   Grant Date Value of
Forfeited Restricted
Stock Units ($)

John W. Somerhalder II

   1/30/07    28,900    $1,125,944

Andrew W. Evans

   1/30/07    8,300    323,368

Kevin P. Madden

   1/30/07    8,800    342,848

Douglas N. Schantz

   1/30/07    3,400    132,464

Paul R. Shlanta

   1/30/07    4,400    171,424

 

(4)   Reflects the dollar amount recognized by the Company for financial accounting purposes relating to option awards, which is a net of estimated forfeitures based on an assumed forfeiture rate of 14% related to service-based vesting conditions. The aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards and the amounts expensed in each fiscal year were determined in accordance with FAS 123R. The assumptions used in calculating these amounts are incorporated by reference to Note 4—“Stock-based and Other Incentive Compensation Plans and Agreements” to the financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 7, 2008.

 

(5)   Reflects (i) the dollar value of annual incentive compensation earned under our annual incentive program in 2007 and paid in 2008, and (ii) performance cash unit awards made in 2005 and paid in 2008.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Payout Detail

 

Name    Annual Incentive
Compensation
Payout ($) (a)
   Performance Cash
Unit Payout ($)
  

Total Non-equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation ($)

John W. Somerhalder II

   $—      $—      $—  

Andrew W. Evans

   83,375    198,330    281,705

Kevin P. Madden

   74,125    204,941    279,066

Douglas N. Schantz

   —      123,325    123,325

Paul R. Shlanta

   54,614    100,247    154,861

 

  (a)  

Messrs. Somerhalder and Schantz notified the Compensation and Management Development Committee that they wished to waive any annual incentive payments for

 

45


Table of Contents
 

2007. Accordingly, we have reported $0 in the Annual Incentive Compensation Payout column above. Based upon their achievement against established goals, in the absence of the waiver, Messrs. Somerhalder and Mr. Schantz would have received annual incentive payments for 2007.

 

(6)   Reflects the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the named executive officer’s accumulated benefit under the Retirement Plan, which we refer to as the Pension Plan, and the Excess Plan both of which are defined benefit plans. In 2007 and 2008, none of the named executive officers received any interest on deferred compensation at an above-market rate of interest.

 

(7)   The following table reflects the items that are included in the All Other Compensation column for 2007.

All Other Compensation Detail

 

Name  

Company
Contributions to
the Retirement
Savings Plus
Plan

($)(a)

  Company
Contributions to
the
Nonqualified
Savings
Plan($)(a)
  Dividends
Paid on
Restricted
Stock
Awards
($)(b)
  Perquisites
(c)($)
  Other
Income
($)(d)
  Total All
Other
Compensation
($)

John W. Somerhalder II

  $ 10,075   $ 71,733   $ 65,600   $2,500   $ 1,848   $ 151,756

Andrew W. Evans

    10,075     30,147     24,108   2,500     —       66,830

Kevin P. Madden

    10,075     32,350     48,762   15,000     —       106,187

Douglas N. Schantz

    8,045     47,735     8,090   4,250     —       68,120

Paul R. Shlanta

    10,075     23,043     11,532   15,000     678     60,328

 

  (a)   Amounts of matching contributions contributed by the Company to the Retirement Savings Plus Plan and Nonqualified Savings Plan are calculated on the same basis for all plan participants in the relevant plan, including the named executive officers.

 

  (b)   If eligible for dividend treatment, dividends are paid on shares of unvested stock at the same rate as on our other shares.

 

  (c)   Reflects the incurred cost to the Company of providing financial and tax planning benefits.

 

  (d)   Infrequently, spouses/guests of the named executive officer accompany the officer on industry functions. These costs were grossed up and paid by the Company and considered taxable income to the named executive officer.

 

46


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table presents information concerning plan-based awards granted to each of the named executive officers during 2007.

 

          Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Future
Payouts under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
(3)
                        
Name   Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
 

Target

($)

  Maximum
($)
  Thres-
hold
(#)
 

Target

(#)

  Max-
imum
(#)
  All
Other
Stock
Awards
(#)(4)
  All
Other
Option
Awards
(#)(5)
 

Exercise
Price of
Option

($/
Sh)(6)

  Closing
Market
Price on
Date of
Option
Grant
($/Sh)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards ($)
                         

John W. Somerhalder II

  01/30/07   $318,750(1)   $637,500(1)   $1,275,000(1)                  
    01/30/07   420,000(2)   700,000(2)   980,000(2)                  
    01/30/07                 65,700   $38.96   $39.12   $320,419
    01/30/07                   28,900                       1,125,944
                         

Andrew E. Evans

  01/30/07   126,000(1)   252,000(1)   504,000(1)                  
    01/30/07   120,960(2)   201,600(2)   282,400(2)                  
    01/30/07                 18,900   38.96   39.12   92,175
    01/30/07                   8,300                       323,368
                         

Kevin P. Madden

  01/30/07   120,000(1)   240,000(1)   480,000(1)                  
    01/30/07   127,680(2)   212,800(2)   297,920(2)                  
    01/30/07                 20,000   38.96   39.12   97,540
    01/30/07           8,800             342,848
    02/05/07                               3,105   41.15   40.70   15,967
                         

Douglas N. Schantz

  01/30/07   —         228,750(1)   —                        
    01/30/07   48,720(2)   81,200(2)   113,680(2)                  
    01/30/07                 7,700   38.96   39.12   37,553
    01/30/07           3,400             132,464
    07/31/07                           26,254               1,000,015
                         

Paul R. Shlanta

  01/30/07   86,250(1)   172,500(1)   345,000(1)                  
    01/30/07   63,240(2)   105,400(2)   147,600(2)                  
    01/30/07                 9,900   38.96   39.12   48,282
    01/30/07                   4,400                       171,424

 

(1)   For Messrs. Somerhalder, Evans, Madden and Shlanta, reflects annual incentive opportunity grants made on January 30, 2007 under the Annual Incentive Plan and the Executive Performance Incentive Plan for the performance measurement period that ended December 31, 2007. For Mr. Evans, the annual incentive grant was calculated based on a mid-year salary adjustment. For Mr. Schantz, reflects his participation in the Company’s AIP and EPIP for the performance measurement period that ended December 31, 2007. Mr. Schantz’ actual incentive payment is based on the combined results of the Company’s performance with additional consideration of the relative performance of Sequent Energy Management’s incentive plan performance measurements.

 

     Please see the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table above for actual payouts for 2007 and the narrative following this table for a description of the plans.

 

(2)   For each of the named executive officers, reflects annual performance cash awards made on January 30, 2007 for a 36-month performance measurement period that ends on December 31, 2009.

 

47


Table of Contents
(3)   For each of the named executive officers, reflects restricted stock unit grants made on January 30, 2007 with a 12-month performance measurement period that ended on December 31, 2007. These grants were forfeited in 2008 for failure to meet the performance criteria.

 

(4)   For Mr. Schantz reflects a grant of time-based restricted stock on July 31, 2007, which vests as to 100% of the shares three years after the date of grant.

 

(5)   Reflects stock option grants made on January 30, 2007 that vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period.

 

     For Mr. Madden, includes the grant of a reload option made on February 5, 2007 in connection with a stock option previously granted in 2001. The grant date for such reload is governed by the terms of our Officer Incentive Plan. A reload option is an option for the same number of shares as is exchanged in payment of the exercise price. A reload option is subject to all of the same terms and conditions as the original option except that the exercise price is determined by the fair market value of our common stock on the date the reload option is granted. In 2006, we eliminated reload stock options for future grants.

 

(6)   The exercise price for each of the options is the fair market value on the option’s date of grant. “Fair market value” is defined under the terms of the applicable plans as the closing price of our common stock as of the trading day immediately before the date of grant.

 

Material Terms of the Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2007

The Compensation Committee granted the following types of plan-based awards in 2007:

Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

Annual cash incentive grants

 

Performance cash awards

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

Restricted stock units and restricted stock

Other Equity-based Plan Awards

 

 

Stock awards

 

Stock options

Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards. Estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards include both annual cash incentive grants and performance cash grants.

 

 

Annual cash incentive grants. For Messrs. Somerhalder, Evans, Madden and

 

Shlanta, annual cash incentives are granted under the Annual Incentive Plan and the Executive Performance Incentive Plan. Under the Executive Performance Incentive Plan, we measure corporate performance. Under the Annual Incentive Plan, we measure individual performance. The annual performance measurement period under both plans corresponds with our fiscal year and ends December 31. Target incentive opportunity is expressed as a percent of base salary. Total payout opportunity ranges from 0% to 200% of the target opportunity. Regardless of the achievement of individual performance measures, absent the Compensation Committee’s discretion, our named executive officers are not eligible to receive incentive pay unless the lowest level of acceptable Plan EPS performance is met. For 2007, target incentive opportunity was weighted 75% on corporate Plan EPS results and 25% on individual performance.


 

48


Table of Contents

Mr. Schantz’s annual cash incentive arrangement is based upon our economic Plan EPS, Mr. Schantz’s individual performance in leading the Sequent business and annual incentive compensation payable to Mr. Schantz’s direct reports. Mr. Schantz’s annual incentive provides for a mandatory deferral of 50% of any amount earned that exceeds his annual base salary.

 

 

Performance Cash Awards. Performance cash awards represent an opportunity to receive a cash award subject to the achievement of certain pre-established performance criteria. The 2007 performance cash awards have a 36-month performance measurement period that ends on December 31, 2009, and a performance measure that relates to our average annual growth in earnings per share (as adjusted to reflect the effect of economic value created during the performance measurement period by the Company’s wholesale services business unit) plus the average dividend yield. Total payout opportunity ranges from 0% to 140% of the target opportunity. The Company must meet or surpass its threshold level in order for any award to be paid.

Equity Incentive Plan Awards. Equity incentive plan awards include restricted stock units.

 

 

Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock. Our restricted stock units have a 12-month performance measurement period with a pre-established performance hurdle. The performance measure for the 2007 restricted stock unit awards relates to an earnings per share goal, as adjusted to reflect the effect of economic value created during the performance measurement period by the Company’s wholesale services business unit. If the performance measure is not achieved, the restricted stock units are forfeited. If the performance hurdle is achieved, the restricted stock units convert to an equal number of shares of restricted stock and, thereafter, vest ratably over a three-year

 

period. Restricted stock units are not eligible for dividend credit or voting. During the vesting period for restricted stock, the recipient has the right to vote the stock and receive dividends.

Other Equity-Based Plan Awards. Equity incentive plan awards include restricted stock and stock options.

 

 

Stock Awards. Stock awards, which include restricted stock, are subject to time-based vesting according to the terms of the respective stock award agreement. Stock awards are subject to transfer restrictions and subject to forfeiture upon a recipient’s termination of employment for any reason prior to vesting. Upon a change in control of the Company, all stock awards immediately become vested.

 

 

Stock Options. All stock options are granted at fair market value as of the date of grant. Fair market value is defined under the terms of our applicable plans as the closing price of our common stock as of the trading day immediately before the date of grant.

Employee stock options are subject to time-based vesting and are exercisable according to the terms of the respective option agreement. The exercise price of options may be paid in cash, by delivery of already-owned shares of our common stock or by other methods approved by our Compensation Committee. The expiration date for stock options is ten years from the date of grant for options other than reload options. Reload options, which are available only with respect to options granted in the past, have an expiration date that is the same date as the expiration date of the original underlying option. Options are subject to early termination upon the occurrence of certain events related to termination of employment or service. All options immediately become exercisable in the event of a change in control.


 

49


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table presents information concerning outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2007.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

          Option Awards   Stock Awards
Name        Date of
Grant
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Exercis-
able
Options
(#)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexer-
cisable
Options
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have Not
Vested (#)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
that Have
Not
Vested
($)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
that Have
Not
Vested
($)
                     

John W. Somerhalder II

  (1)   03/03/06   —     200,000   $35.83   03/03/16   —     $—     —     $—  
    (1)   03/03/06   —     —     —     —     40,000   1,505,600   —     —  
    (2)   01/30/07   —     65,700   $38.96   01/30/17   —     —     —     —  
                     

Andrew W. Evans

    05/01/02   3,333   —     $23.94   05/01/12   —     —     —     —  
    (3)   01/03/05   3,800   1,900   $33.24   01/03/15   —     —     —     —  
    (4)   01/03/05   —     —     —     —     —     —     567   21,342
    (5)   09/27/05   12,000   12,000   $36.56   09/27/15   —     —     —     —  
    (6)   09/27/05   —     —     —     —     4,000   150,560   —     —  
    (7)   02/01/06   6,467   12,933   $35.78   02/01/16   —     —     —     —  
    (8)   02/17/06   —     —     —     —     —     —     5,400   203,256
    (2)   01/30/07   —     18,900   $38.96   01/30/17   —     —     —     —  
                     

Kevin P. Madden

    09/01/01   21,850   —     $21.30   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
      05/27/03   2,000   —     $26.08   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
      05/28/03   443   —     $26.61   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
      09/04/03   1,000   —     $28.42   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
      08/25/04   1,000   —     $29.68   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
      08/27/04   1,000   —     $30.20   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
    (3)   01/03/05   13,267   6,633   $33.24   01/03/15   —     —     —     —  
    (4)   01/03/05   —     —     —     —     —     —     2,000   75,280
    (7)   02/01/06   8,200   16,400   $35.78   02/01/16   —     —     —     —  
    (8)   02/17/06   —     —     —     —     —     —     6,900   259,716
    (2)   01/30/07   —     20,000   $38.96   01/30/17   —     —     —     —  
        02/05/07   3,105   —     $41.15   09/01/11   —     —     —     —  
                     

Douglas N. Schantz

    05/05/03   10,000     $25.50   05/05/13   —     —     —     —  
    (3)   01/03/05   7,733   3,867   $33.24   01/03/15   —     —     —     —  
    (4)   01/03/05   —     —     —     —     —     —     1,167   43,926
    (7)   02/01/06   3,067   6,133   $35.78   02/01/16   —     —     —     —  
    (8)   02/17/06   —     —     —     —     —     —     2,600   97,864
    (2)   01/30/07   —     7,700   $38.96   01/30/17   —     —     —     —  
    (9)   07/31/07   —     —     —     —     26,254   988,201   —     —  
                     

Paul R. Shlanta

    05/01/03   4,679   —     $25.73   11/09/09   —     —     —     —  
      12/17/03   700   —     $28.52   11/09/08   —     —     —     —  
      08/20/04   7,960   —     $29.46   08/20/09   —     —     —     —  
    (3)   01/03/05   6,200   3,100   $33.24   01/03/15   —     —     —     —  
    (4)   01/03/05   —     —     —     —     —     —     933   35,118
      11/10/05   2,337   —     $36.37   11/09/08   —     —     —     —  
    (7)   02/01/06   3,434   6,866   $35.78   02/01/16   —     —     —     —  
    (8)   02/17/06   —     —     —     —     —     —     2,900   109,156
      12/08/06   1,889   —     $39.49   11/09/08   —     —     —     —  
    (2)   01/30/07   —     9,900   $38.96   01/30/17   —     —     —     —  

 

50


Table of Contents
(1)   Date of grant—March 3, 2006. Stock options and restricted shares each vest as to 100% of the options and 100% of the shares, five years after date of grant on March 3, 2011.

 

(2)   Date of grant—January 30, 2007. Stock options vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on January 30, 2008, January 30, 2009 and January 30, 2010.

 

(3)   Date of grant—January 3, 2005. Stock options vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on January 3, 2006, January 3, 2007 and January 3, 2008.

 

(4)   Date of grant—January 3, 2005. Restricted stock units, having satisfied performance criteria for the applicable performance measurement period, converted to an equal number of restricted shares and vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008.

 

(5)   Date of grant—September 27, 2005. Stock options vest at the rate of
 

one-fourth per year, with vesting dates on September 27, 2006, September 27, 2007, September 27, 2008 and September 27, 2009.

 

(6)   Date of grant—September 27, 2005. Restricted shares vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on September 27, 2006, September 27, 2007 and September 27, 2008.

 

(7)   Date of grant—February 1, 2006. Stock options vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on February 1, 2007, February 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009.

 

(8)   Date of grant—February 17, 2006. Restricted stock units, having satisfied performance criteria for the applicable performance measurement period, converted to an equal number of restricted shares and vest at the rate of one-third per year, with vesting dates on January 30, 2008, January 30, 2009 and January 30, 2010.

 

(9)   Date of grant—July 31, 2007. Restricted shares will vest as to 100% of the shares on July 31, 2010.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table presents information concerning stock options exercised by the named executive officers during 2007 and stock awards held by our named executive officers that vested in 2007.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

     Option Awards   Stock Awards
Name  

Number of

Shares

Acquired

on Exercise

(#)

 

Value Realized

on Exercise

($)

 

Number of

Shares

Acquired

on Vesting

(#)(1)

 

Value Realized

on Vesting

($)(1)

John W. Somerhalder II

  —     $—     —     $—  

Andrew W. Evans

  —     —     5,733   223,776

Kevin P. Madden

  6,000   119,100   20,833   793,328

Douglas N. Schantz

  —     —     1,166   43,888

Paul R. Shlanta

  —     —     3,199   119,664

 

51


Table of Contents
(1)   For 2007, includes the vesting of shares for each of the named executive officers as follows:

Value Realized on Vesting Detail

 

Name   Date of
Grant
  Date of
Vesting
  Vested
(#)
  Vested
($)

John W. Somerhalder II

  —     —     —     $—  

Andrew W. Evans

  12/01/04   12/01/07   1,167   43,272
    01/03/05   12/31/07   566   21,304
    09/27/05   09/27/07   4,000   159,200

Total

          5,733   223,776

Kevin P. Madden

  12/01/04   12/01/07   1,833   67,968
    01/03/05   12/31/07   2,000   75,280
    01/03/05   12/31/07   2,000   75,280
    12/07/05   12/07/07   15,000   574,800

Total

          20,833   793,328

Douglas N. Schantz

  01/03/05   12/31/07   1,166   43,888

Paul R. Shlanta

  12/01/04   12/01/07   1,333   49,428
    01/03/05   12/31/07   933   35,118
    01/03/05   12/31/07   933   35,118

Total

          3,199   119,664

Pension Benefits

The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer under our Pension Plan and Excess Plan, and, for Mr. Somerhalder, his employment offer letter. Assumptions used in the calculations are set forth in a table below the footnotes to the table below.

Pension Benefits

 

Name   Plan Name(1)(2)(3)   

Number of
Years Credited
Service

(#)

  

Present

Value of
Accumulated
Benefit

($)

  

Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year

($)

John W. Somerhalder II

  Pension Plan    2    $28,494    —  
    Excess Plan    2    118,214    —  
    Employment Offer Letter    2    146,709    —  

Andrew W. Evans

  Pension Plan    6    48,595    —  
    Excess Plan    6    54,675    —  

Kevin P. Madden

  Pension Plan    7    109,053    —  
    Excess Plan    7    225,295    —  

Douglas N. Schantz

  Pension Plan    5    64,691    —  
    Excess Plan    5    169,060    —  

Paul R. Shlanta

  Pension Plan    10    111,147    —  
    Excess Plan    10    157,081    —  

 

52


Table of Contents
(1)   The Pension Plan, is a broad-based, tax-qualified defined benefit plan. All of our employees are eligible to participate in the Pension Plan, upon completion of one year of service and attainment of age 21. Plan benefits are determined, generally, by a “career average” earnings formula. Generally, the Pension Plan provides that the term “compensation” means base pay, overtime, and bonuses. Benefits vest upon completion of five years of service. A participant’s accrued benefit is calculated based upon the normal form of benefits for that participant, as of the date the participant will reach the Pension Plan’s normal retirement age of 65. The normal form of benefits for a participant who is single is a life annuity. The normal form for a married participant is a joint and 50% survivor annuity. The Pension Plan provides for the payment of benefits in other forms, if the participant so elects. These other forms include various annuities, and only in cases where a participant’s benefit is less than $10,000, a single lump sum payment. A participant may elect to receive benefits earlier than normal retirement age, once the participant has reached the early retirement age of 55. If a participant elects to commence benefits earlier than normal retirement age, the monthly payments will be reduced to reflect the fact that payments may continue over a longer period of time. If the participant satisfies the Pension Plan’s requirements for early retirement (age 55 with 5 years of service) the reduced amount is subsidized. If the participant does not satisfy the early retirement criteria, the
 

reduced payments represent the actuarial equivalent of the full normal retirement benefit.

 

(2)   The Excess Plan, is a non-qualified, and unfunded, defined benefit plan designed for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees. Specifically, the Excess Plan is available to our employees who are adversely affected by limitations set forth in the U.S. tax code imposed on benefits under a tax-qualified plan, such as the Pension Plan. Benefits under the Excess Plan are calculated by a formula that first determines what the participant’s benefit would be under the Pension Plan, but for the imposition of the U.S. tax code limits and then subtracts from that figure, the amount the participant will actually be entitled to under the Pension Plan. Benefits under the Excess Plan are paid in the same form as the benefit paid to the participant under the Pension Plan.

 

(3)   The employment offer letter for Mr. Somerhalder, dated March 2, 2006, provides that if Mr. Somerhalder is employed with us through December 31, 2010, he will become eligible to receive a lump sum payment at the earlier of his termination of employment or retirement under the Pension Plan. The payment will be equal to the actuarial equivalent of the additional benefit he would have been entitled to receive under the Pension Plan and Excess Plan at normal retirement age, in the form of a single-life annuity if for each year of service with us (up to a maximum of five years) he had earned one additional year of service.

 

53


Table of Contents

Pension Benefit Assumptions

We used the following assumptions in calculating the present value of accumulated benefits:

 

•       Retirement age:

  Earliest Unreduced

•       Payment form:

  Life annuity

•       Discount rate:

  5.80% at 12/31/2006 and 6.40% at 12/31/2007

•       Postretirement mortality:

  Use of the RP-2000 mortality table, with mortality improvements projected for 10 years. The RP-2000 table (or “Retired Pensioners Mortality Table”) is the mortality table prescribed for the plans by the U.S. Treasury Department. To reflect more recent expectations in mortality rates, the table incorporates projected improvements in life expectancy, over a 10-year period.

•       Salary scale:

  None

•       Preretirement decrements:

        (Mortality withdrawals disability)

  None

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The table below relates to and describes compensation deferred by named executive officers under our Nonqualified Savings Plan.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Name (a)  

Executive
Contributions in
Last FY

($)

(b)(1)

 

Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY

($)

(c)(2)

 

Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY

($)

(d)

 

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions

($)

(e)

 

Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE

($)

(f)(3)

John W. Somerhalder II

  $111,012   $71,733   $5,558   $—     $168,402

Andrew W. Evans

  53,763   30,147   6,418   —     155,433

Kevin P. Madden

  343,993   32,350   82,974   —     1,373,415

Douglas N. Schantz

  107,269   47,735   8,117   —     403,021

Paul R. Shlanta

  37,366   23,043   30,636   —     443,889

 

(1)   All amounts set forth in column (b) are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the columns for Salary and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.

 

(2)   All amounts set forth in column (c) represent Company contributions to our Nonqualified Savings Plan and are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the All Other Compensation column.

 

(3)   Amounts reported in column (f) are reported as compensation for 2007, and if applicable, 2006 (in the aggregate) in
 

the Summary Compensation Table as $168,402 for Mr. Somerhalder; $131,684 for Mr. Evans; $664,910 for Mr. Madden; $320,152 for Mr. Schantz; and $60,409 for Mr. Shlanta.

The Nonqualified Savings Plan allows eligible employees to defer up to 100% of base salary and up to 100% of annual incentive pay, as before-tax contributions. The timing restrictions for contribution deferral elections are intended to comply with Section 409A of the U.S. tax code, as well as other applicable tax code provisions. The Company matches contributions at a rate of 65%


 

54


Table of Contents

of participant contributions, up to the first 8% of the participant’s covered compensation. However, matching contributions under the Nonqualified Savings Plan are offset to the extent of any matching contributions the participant is entitled to under our tax-qualified Retirement Savings Plus Plan. Each participant in the Nonqualified Savings Plan has a plan account, which represents a bookkeeping entry reflecting contributions and earnings/losses on the actual performance of the participant’s notional investments. Participants are always 100% vested in their own contributions and vest over a three-year period in employer matching contributions. Distributions of a participant’s account balance occur following a termination of employment. Participants have the option of taking distributions, following termination of employment, in the following forms: (i) a single lump sum cash payment; (ii) a lump sum cash payment of a portion of the participant’s account, with the remainder distributed in up to 10 equal annual installments; or (iii) between one and ten equal annual installments. The notional investment choices

under the Nonqualified Savings Plan are similar to the investment choices in the Retirement Savings Plus Plan.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

We have entered into certain agreements and maintain certain plans that will require us to provide compensation and benefits to our named executive officers in the event of a termination of employment following a change in control of our company. We also entered into an employment offer letter with Mr. Somerhalder that provides for certain payments or benefits upon an involuntary termination of employment under certain circumstances. We do not otherwise maintain any agreement, plan or practice that specifically provides for compensation to a named executive officer upon termination of employment. The appropriate amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer in each relevant situation is listed in the tables below. Footnotes relating to all of these tables follow the last table on page 60.


 

55


Table of Contents

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment with the Company for John W. Somerhalder II, our chairman, president and chief executive officer.

 

     Potential Payments Upon Termination
Other than in Connection with a
Change in Control
  Potential
Payments Upon
Termination
Following a
Change in
Control
      
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination(1)
 

Voluntary
Termination

(2)

 

Involuntary
Not for
Cause
Termination

(3)

 

For Cause
Termination

(4)

  Involuntary
or Good
Reason
Termination
(5)
 

Death or

Disability

(6)

 

Compensation:

                     

Base Salary

  $—     $1,125,000   $—     $1,500,000   $—    

Short-term Incentive

  —     1,246,377   —     2,670,750   159,375  

Long-term Incentives

                     

Unvested Restricted Stock

  —     602,240   —     1,505,600   —    

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  —     —     —     1,087,796   —    

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  —     —     —     700,000   —    

Unvested Stock Options

  —     144,800   —     362,000   362,000  

Benefits & Perquisites:

                     

Incremental Non-qualified Pension

  —     —     —     477,587   —    

Post-retirement/Post-termination Health Care and Life Insurance

  —     5,152   —     22,611   —    

Disability Benefits

  —     —     —     —     (6 )

Death Benefit

  —     —     —     —     (6 )

Accrued Vacation Pay

  5,769   5,769   5,769   5,769   5,769  

Outplacement Assistance

  —     —     —     187,500   —    

280G Tax Gross-up

  —     —     —     2,550,733   —    

TOTAL:

  $5,769   $3,129,338   $5,769   $11,070,346   (6 )

 

56


Table of Contents

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment with the Company for Andrew W. Evans, our executive vice president and chief financial officer.

 

     Potential Payments Upon Termination
Other than in Connection with a
Change in Control
  Potential
Payments Upon
Termination
Following a
Change in
Control
      
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination(1)
 

Voluntary
Termination

(2)

 

Involuntary
Not for
Cause
Termination

(3)

   

For Cause
Termination

(4)

  Involuntary
or Good
Reason
Termination
(5)
 

Death or

Disability

(6)

 

Compensation:

                       

Base Salary

  $—     (3 )   $—     $840,000   $—    

Short-term Incentive

  —     —       —     1,286,460   63,000  

Long-term Incentives

                       

Unvested Restricted Stock

  —     —       —     375,158   —    

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  —     —       —     312,412   —    

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  —     —       —     534,600   —    

Unvested Stock Options

  —     —       —     45,375   32,416  

Benefits & Perquisites:

                       

Incremental Non-qualified Pension

  —     —       —     179,461   —    

Post-retirement/Post-termination Health Care and Life Insurance

  —     —       —     10,369   —    

Disability Benefits

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Death Benefit

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Accrued Vacation Pay

  —     —       —     —     —    

Outplacement Assistance

  —     —       —     105,000   —    

280G Tax Gross-up

  —     —       —     1,282,994   —    

TOTAL:

  $—     (3 )   $—     $4,971,829   (6 )

 

57


Table of Contents

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment with the Company for Kevin P. Madden, our executive vice president, external affairs.

 

     Potential Payments Upon Termination
Other than in Connection with a
Change in Control
  Potential
Payments Upon
Termination
Following a
Change in
Control
      
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination(1)
 

Voluntary
Termination

(2)

 

Involuntary
Not for
Cause
Termination

(3)

   

For Cause
Termination

(4)

  Involuntary
or Good
Reason
Termination
(5)
 

Death or

Disability

(6)

 

Compensation:

                       

Base Salary

  $—     (3 )   $—     $800,000   $—    

Short-term Incentive

  —     —       —     1,323,600   60,000  

Long-term Incentives

                       

Unvested Restricted Stock

  —     —       —     334,996   —    

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  —     —       —     331,232   —    

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  —     —       —     709,270   —    

Unvested Stock Options

  —     —       —     59,689   59,691  

Benefits & Perquisites:

                       

Incremental Non-qualified Pension

  —     —       —     273,402   —    

Post-retirement/Post-termination Health Care and Life Insurance

  —     —       —     3,697      

Disability Benefits

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Death Benefit

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Accrued Vacation Pay

  —     —       —     —     —    

Outplacement Assistance

  —     —       —     100,000   —    

280G Tax Gross-up

  —     —       —     —     —    

TOTAL:

  $—     (3 )   $—     $3,935,886   (6 )

 

58


Table of Contents

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment with the Company for Douglas N. Schantz, president, Sequent.

 

     Potential Payments Upon Termination
Other than in Connection with a
Change in Control
  Potential
Payments Upon
Termination
Following a
Change in
Control
      
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination(1)
 

Voluntary
Termination

(2)

 

Involuntary
Not for
Cause
Termination

(3)

   

For Cause
Termination

(4)

  Involuntary
or Good
Reason
Termination
(5)
 

Death or

Disability

(6)

 

Compensation:

                       

Base Salary

  $—     (3 )   $—     $610,000   $—    

Short-term Incentive

  —     —       —     3,943,650   57,188  

Long-term Incentives

                       

Unvested Restricted Stock

  —     —       —     1,129,991   —    

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  —     —       —     127,476   —    

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  —     —       —     262,200   —    

Unvested Stock Options

  —     —       —     28,422   28,421  

Benefits & Perquisites:

                       

Incremental Non-qualified Pension

  —     —       —     376,650   —    

Post-retirement/Post-termination Health Care and Life Insurance

  —     —       —     30,465   —    

Disability Benefits

  —     —           —     (6 )

Death Benefit

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Accrued Vacation Pay

  2,346   2,346     2,346   2,346   2,346  

Outplacement Assistance

      —       —     76,250   —    

280G Tax Gross-up

      —       —     1,994,312   —    

TOTAL:

  $2,346   (3 )   $2,346   $8,581,762   (6 )

 

59


Table of Contents

The following table describes the potential payments upon termination of employment with the Company for Paul R. Shlanta, our executive vice president, general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer.

 

     Potential Payments Upon Termination
Other than in Connection with a
Change in Control
  Potential
Payments Upon
Termination
Following a
Change in
Control
      
Executive Benefits and
Payments Upon Termination(1)
 

Voluntary
Termination

(2)

 

Involuntary
Not for
Cause
Termination

(3)

   

For Cause
Termination

(4)

  Involuntary
or Good
Reason
Termination
(5)
 

Death or

Disability

(6)

 

Compensation:

                       

Base Salary

  $—     (3 )   $—     $690,000   $—    

Short-term Incentive

  —     —       —     992,565   43,125  

Long-term Incentives

                       

Unvested Restricted Stock

  —     —       —     144,274   —    

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  —     —       —     165,616   —    

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  —     —       —     188,800   —    

Unvested Stock Options

  —     —       —     26,412   26,412  

Benefits & Perquisites:

                       

Incremental Non-qualified Pension

  —     —       —     185,787   —    

Post-retirement/Post-termination Health Care and Life Insurance

  —     —       —     24,613   —    

Disability Benefits

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Death Benefit

  —     —       —     —     (6 )

Accrued Vacation Pay

  —     —       —     —     —    

Outplacement Assistance

  —     —       —     86,250   —    

280G Tax Gross-up

  —     —       —     —     —    

TOTAL:

  $—     (3 )   $—     $2,504,317   (6 )

 

Below is a description of the assumptions that we used in creating the tables above. Unless otherwise noted, the descriptions of the payments below are applicable to all of the above tables relating to potential payments upon termination or change in control.

Notes to Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Tables

 

(1)   For purposes of this analysis, we assumed the executive’s compensation as current base salary, target annual incentive opportunity and target long-term incentive opportunity, each as of December 31, 2007. Each column
 

assumes the named executive officer’s date of termination is December 31, 2007 and the price per share of our common stock on the date of termination is $37.64.

 

(2)   If the executive leaves voluntarily prior to retirement eligibility, compensation stops as of the termination date. All outstanding, long-term incentive awards would be forfeited. No further benefits would be earned under ERISA-qualified plans. Balances related to compensation deferred under the Nonqualified Savings Plan, if any, would be paid out in the year

 

60


Table of Contents
 

following the year of termination, or later if the executive has so elected. Prorated accrued and unused vacation would be paid. If the executive was retirement-eligible at the time of voluntary termination and elected to retire, in addition to commencing retirement benefits, he would be entitled to a prorated annual incentive under the Annual Incentive Plan and for accelerated vesting of certain unvested stock options.

 

(3)   If the executive is terminated without “cause,” a severance agreement may be executed based upon the facts and circumstances of the termination and in exchange for a release of any future liabilities which might otherwise be claimed by the executive. Due to the wide range and variety of circumstances, there is no preset policy governing involuntary severance compensation. However, any terms of such a special agreement would be subject to the review and approval of the Compensation Committee. Upon such a termination, no further benefits would be earned under ERISA-qualified plans. Balances related to compensation deferred under the Nonqualified Savings Plan, if any, would be paid out in the year following the year of termination, or later if the executive has so elected. Outstanding long-term incentive awards would be forfeited and annual incentive would not be payable. The prorated value of accrued but unused vacation would be paid. Pursuant to terms set forth in his offer letter, if Mr. Somerhalder’s employment is terminated by us without cause (other than a termination covered by his continuity agreement, described below) on or before December 31, 2007, he would be entitled (subject to his execution of an agreement containing a release of claims and certain restrictive covenants) to termination payments equal to 18 months’ base salary plus 1.5 times his 2006 annual bonus amount. The
 

termination payments would, generally, be paid over an 18-month period, commencing as of the date of termination. In addition, Mr. Somerhalder would be entitled to receive a prorated portion of his 2006 annual bonus. The prorated bonus payment would be paid within 10 days of termination, or if required by tax law, following the six-month anniversary of the termination date. Mr. Somerhalder would also be entitled to 18 months’ continuation in our health plan, at rates he had previously paid as an active employee and to the vesting of long-term incentive awards (except that long-term incentives granted on his start date only vest pro rata).

 

(4)   If the executive is terminated for “cause,” compensation stops as of the termination date. All outstanding long-term incentive awards would be forfeited. No further benefits would be earned under ERISA-qualified plans. Balances related to compensation deferred under the Nonqualified Savings Plan, if any, would be paid out in the year following the year of termination, or later if the executive has so elected.

 

(5)   If the executive is terminated without cause, or resigns for good reason, generally, within two years of a change in control (as described below) the terms and conditions described below under “Payments upon a Termination in connection with a Change in Control” would apply.

 

(6)  

If the executive’s employment terminates as a result of death, a death benefit would be paid to the executive’s estate in the amount of $60,000 from a company-sponsored plan that covers all employees. That plan does not discriminate in favor of executives, or highly compensated employees. Upon a determination of long-term disability, payments would be made, based on the

 


61


Table of Contents
 

level of coverage elected and paid for by the executive, under our group disability plan. Our disability plan is also a plan that does not discriminate in favor of executives, or highly compensated employees.

 

     A prorated bonus award would also be paid. Bonus amounts shown are at target level for the individual performance portion of each named executive officer’s annual incentive and at the actual level for the corporate performance portion. Unvested stock options would vest and vested stock options would be exercisable for a period of one year following death.

 

     All other unvested long-term incentives would be forfeited.

 

     Balances related to compensation deferred under the Nonqualified Savings Plan, if any, would be paid out in the year following the year of termination, or later if the executive has so elected. The prorated value of accrued but unused vacation would be paid.

Payments upon a Termination in connection with a Change in Control—

Each of the named executive officers has a continuity agreement with us, as referenced on page 41 in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The purpose of these agreements is to retain key management personnel and assure continued productivity of such personnel in the event of a change in control of our Company.

The continuity agreements define a “change in control” to generally mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

 

the acquisition by a person or group of persons of more than a specified percentage (at least 50%) of our voting securities;

 

 

the acquisition, within a twelve month period by a person or group of more than

 

35% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;

 

 

the replacement, during a twelve-month period of a majority of members of our board of directors; or

 

 

the acquisition by a person or group of assets of the Company, having a fair market value of at least 50% of the fair market value of all Company assets, immediately before such acquisition.

Generally, no benefits are provided under the continuity agreements for any type of termination that occurs before our announcement of our intention to engage in a transaction that is expected to result in a change in control, which we refer to as a “change in control transaction,” or for terminations that occur after such an announcement due to death, disability, voluntary termination without “good reason” or any termination for “cause,” which includes failure to perform duties and responsibilities and fraud or dishonesty. “Good reason” includes a material diminution of position, duties or responsibilities; material diminution of base salary or annual incentive opportunity, a material breach by the Company of any agreement under which the executive provides services; or a material change in the geographic location (at least 50 miles) of the executive’s primary employment location.

An officer who is involuntarily terminated without cause or voluntarily terminated for good reason within two years of the date of the consummation of a change in control would be entitled to:

 

 

a severance benefit equal to two times the sum of his or her base salary plus the highest annual incentive compensation during the three years prior to the year of the qualifying termination;

 

 

a prorated annual incentive compensation payment for the year of the qualifying termination, based on the number of days

 


62


Table of Contents
 

the named executive officer was employed by us during that year (in the case of a termination occurring on December 31st, the prorated annual incentive payment would equal the full value of the award);

 

 

two-year continuation of medical, dental and life insurance benefits;

 

 

vesting of long-term incentive compensation, pursuant to the terms of the plan the awards were granted under;

 

 

payment of any forgone employer matching contributions under the Retirement Savings Plus Plan and Nonqualified Savings Plan;

 

 

an additional payment, based upon foregone employer contributions to the Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan; and

 

 

outplacement assistance.

We will pay any additional retirement benefit payable due to the provisions of the continuity agreements from general assets. The executives may also receive reimbursement of legal fees in connection with the enforcement of payments under the continuity agreements.

 

If the payments under the continuity agreements and under any other compensation arrangement with the Company, were to exceed three times the base amount permitted under Section 280G(b)(3) of the U.S. tax code by 10% or more, we would pay the affected executive an additional amount, equal to the excise tax, plus an amount equal to the state, federal and FICA taxes on the additional amount. If payments under the continuity agreement and any other compensation arrangement with the Company were to exceed three times the base amount permitted under Section 280G(b)(3) by less than 10%, then payments and benefits under the agreement would be reduced and payable only to the maximum amount which could be paid without the imposition of the excise tax under Section 4999 of the U.S. tax code.

The continuity agreements contain covenants on the part of the executive relating to the maintenance of our confidential information and that require the executive to refrain, for a period of 24 months following a qualifying termination, from soliciting employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.


 

Summary of Potential Payments upon a Change in Control

The following table summarizes the value of the payments that each of our named executive officers would receive as a result of the vesting of long-term incentive awards if a change in control occurred on December 31, 2007, and the executive did not incur a termination of employment. The amounts in the table exclude the value of long-term incentive awards that were vested by their terms on December 31, 2007.

 

     John W.
Somerhalder II
  Andrew W.
Evans
  Kevin P.
Madden
  Douglas N.
Schantz
  Paul R.
Shlanta

Unvested Restricted Stock

  $1,505,600   $375,158   $334,996   $1,129,991   $144,274

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

  1,087,796   312,412   331,232   127,476   165,616

Unvested Performance Cash Units

  700,000   534,600   709,270   262,200   188,800

Unvested Stock Options

  362,000   45,375   59,689   28,422   26,412

Total

  $3,655,396   $1,267,545   $1,435,187   $1,548,089   $525,102

Each column assumes the change in control occurred on December 31, 2007 and the price per share of our common stock on the date of termination is $37.64. Mr. Schantz’s unvested

 

63


Table of Contents

restricted stock would only become vested and non-forfeitable if following the change in control, the surviving entity failed to assume or substitute for the awards.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2007, with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans:

 

Plan Category    Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column(a))
      (a)(1)    (b)    (c)(1)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   2,430,434    $ 33.62    5,397,532

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   87,064      23.90    215,702

Total

   2,517,498           5,613,234

 

(1)   Includes shares issuable as follows:

 

Name of Plan   Approved
by
Security
Holders
  Active/
Inactive Plan
(2)
  Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Outstanding Options)

2007 Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan

  Ö   Active   44,500   4,806,086

Long-Term Incentive Plan (1999)

  Ö   Inactive   2,249,812   0

Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan of 1990

  Ö   Inactive   91,061   0

2006 Directors Plan

  Ö   Active   N/A   189,107

1996 Directors Plan

  Ö   Active   45,061   14,180

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  Ö   Active   N/A   388,159

Subtotal—Approved Plans

          2,430,434   5,397,532

Officer Incentive Plan(3)

  No   Active   87,064   215,702

Subtotal—Not Approved Plans

          87,064   215,702

Total

          2,517,498   5,613,234

 

(2)   No further grants will be made under the inactive plans except for reload options that may be granted under outstanding option agreements.

 

64


Table of Contents
(3)   The Officer Incentive Plan is our only plan that was not approved by our security holders. The Officer Incentive Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options and shares of restricted stock to new-hire officers. At the time of its adoption, the Officer Incentive Plan did not require shareholder approval under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise. The Officer Incentive Plan is considered an “open market” plan. This means that shares issuable under the Officer Incentive Plan will be purchased by the Company on the open market.

 

65


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Unless otherwise indicated, at the time we entered into the following transactions, we had not yet adopted a written policy on the review, ratification or approval of related person transactions. See “Corporate Governance—Policy on Related Person Transactions.”

Henry P. Linginfelter, formerly our senior vice president, mid-Atlantic operations, was promoted to executive vice president, utility operations in June 2007. In connection with his promotion, Mr. Linginfelter relocated from Norfolk, Virginia to Atlanta, Georgia under the Company’s employee relocation policy. Pursuant to the relocation policy and to facilitate Mr. Linginfelter’s purchase of a home in Georgia, the Company took Mr. Linginfelter’s house into inventory, or assumed his mortgage via a power of attorney, and paid Mr. Linginfelter $651,499.19, an amount equal to his equity in the value of his Virginia home based on the fair market value, which was determined by independent appraisers. The Company eventually sold Mr. Linginfelter’s home for an amount in excess of $651,499.19.

Mr. Thomas D. Bell, Jr., a member of our board of directors, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins Properties Incorporated. Cousins holds a 50% general partnership interest in Ten Peachtree Place Associates, or TPPA, which owns the building where we lease space for our corporate headquarters. Mr. Bell is not an officer of TPPA. Although Cousins is the managing member of TPPA, major business decisions for the TPPA partnership must be decided unanimously by Cousins and its partner. Prior to Mr. Bell joining our board of directors, we entered into a ten-year lease agreement with TPPA that commenced in 2003. Cousins’ 50% interest in the amount we paid in lease payments to TPPA in 2005 was approximately $2,993,000, in 2006 was approximately $3,104,000 and in 2007 was approximately $3,466,000, which, in 2005 and 2006, was

less than 1% of our consolidated gross revenues and less than 1% of Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues for such respective years; but in 2007, was less than 1% of our consolidated gross revenues but slightly higher than 1% of Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues. Related party payments of less than 1% of consolidated gross revenues do not create any presumption of materiality, and hence create no issue with regard to a director’s independence under our Standards for Determining Director Independence. Revenue amounts in excess of 1% of either our or Cousins’ consolidated gross revenues creates a rebuttable presumption of materiality. Based on all relevant facts and circumstances from the standpoint of each of Mr. Bell and Cousins, the board determined that Mr. Bell meets the Company’s Standards for Determining Director Independence.

Mr. Wyck A. Knox, Jr., a member of our board of directors, is a retired and former partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP. During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we retained Kilpatrick Stockton with regard to a variety of legal matters. The amount of fees paid to Kilpatrick Stockton for such services in 2005 was approximately $236,635, in 2006 was approximately $276,279 and in 2007 was approximately $233,518, which was less than 1% of our consolidated gross revenues and less than 1% of Kilpatrick Stockton’s gross revenues for such respective years, thus creating no presumption of materiality or any issue with Mr. Knox’s independence under our Standards for Determining Director Independence.

Mr. Henry C. Wolf, a member of our board of directors, retired as the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, or NSC, as of June 30, 2007. T-Cubed of North America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSC. Mr. Wolf is a former


 

66


Table of Contents

director, but not an officer or major shareholder, of T-Cubed. Prior to Mr. Wolf being nominated to our board of directors, our wholly-owned subsidiary, AGL Networks, LLC, or AGL Networks, entered into a Duct Purchase Agreement and a Right-of-Way Sublease Agreement with T-Cubed under which AGL Networks purchased and rents three segments of conduits from T-Cubed. On May 9, 2007 AGL Networks and T-Cubed amended the agreements to reflect AGL Networks’ purchase and rent of a fourth segment of conduit from T-Cubed. The amount we paid T-Cubed in 2005 was approximately $13,650, in 2006 was approximately $35,320 and in 2007 was approximately $73,807, which was less than 1% of our

consolidated gross revenues and less than 1% of NSC’s consolidated gross revenues for such respective years, thus creating no presumption of materiality or any issue with Mr. Wolf’s independence under our Standards for Determining Director Independence.

The transactions with Messrs. Bell and Knox pre-existed the Company’s Policy on Related Persons Transactions, which was adopted by the board of directors in December 2006. The transaction with Mr. Linginfelter and the transaction involving the amendment to the agreements between AGL Networks, LLC and T-Cubed was reviewed and approved pursuant to the Policy on Related Party Transactions by the board of directors.


 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and certain of our officers, including executive officers, and any person who owns more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of initial common stock ownership and changes in common stock ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Such persons are

required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us and written representations that no other reports were required for those persons, during 2007 all required filings were made.


 

67


Table of Contents

PROPOSAL 2—RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008

 

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm and audited our annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. PricewaterhouseCoopers has served as our principal independent registered public accounting firm since 2003.

The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to be our independent registered public accounting firm

for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The shareholders are asked to ratify this appointment at the annual meeting. In the event shareholders do not ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008, the Audit Committee will review its future selection of the independent registered public accounting firm.

Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers will attend the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. They will also be available to answer appropriate questions.


 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table summarizes certain fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for 2007 and 2006:

 

Fee Category:

   2007    2006

Audit fees

   $1,879,011    $1,941,456

Audit-related fees

   250,650    312,096

Tax fees

   45,070    91,658

All other fees

   3,000    3,800
         

Total fees

   $2,177,731    $2,349,010
         

 

Set forth below is a description of the nature of the services that PricewaterhouseCoopers provided to us in exchange for such fees.

Audit Fees

Represents fees PricewaterhouseCoopers billed us for the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our quarterly financial statements and for services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. These fees include substantial fees incurred in meeting the internal control over financial reporting compliance requirements of Section 404 of

the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as audit fees for our subsidiary, SouthStar Energy Services LLC.

Audit-Related Fees

Represents fees PricewaterhouseCoopers billed us for audit and review-related services, including services relating to potential business acquisitions and dispositions, the audit of employee benefit plan financial statements, assistance with implementation of rules and regulations pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and compliance with rules and regulations applicable to accounting matters.


 

68


Table of Contents

Tax Fees

Represents fees PricewaterhouseCoopers billed us for tax compliance, planning and advisory services.

All Other Fees

Represents fees PricewaterhouseCoopers billed us for professional services related to an online research tool and professional training.

The $171,279, or 7%, decrease in fees from 2006 to 2007 primarily reflects $123,891 in reduced audit and audit–related fees as a result of audit efficiencies. The decreased fees also reflected a reduction of $46,588 in tax fees due to tax consulting fees required in 2006 and not in 2007.

The Audit Committee pre-approved all of the above audit, audit-related, tax and other fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers, as required by the pre-approval policy described below. The Audit Committee concluded that the provision of the above services by PricewaterhouseCoopers was compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers’ independence.

Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Approval Policy

Consistent with rules and regulations pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding registered public accounting firm independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this

responsibility, the Audit Committee adopted a policy that requires specific Audit Committee approval before any services are provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management submits to the Audit Committee for approval a summary of services expected to be rendered during that year and an estimate of the related fees for (1) audit services, (2) audit-related services, (3) tax services, and (4) all other services. The Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service and budget amount. The services and fees must be deemed compatible with the maintenance of the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires that management obtain specific approval from the Audit Committee before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee may delegate approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must present for ratification any approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.


 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2008.

 

69


Table of Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

2007 Annual Report

A copy of our 2007 annual report is enclosed. The annual report, which contains financial and other information about us, is not incorporated in this proxy statement and is not a part of the proxy soliciting material.

Availability of Corporate Governance Documents

Our Standards for Determining Director Independence, our Corporate Governance

Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct, our Code of Ethics, and the charters of each of our board committees are available on our web site at www.aglresources.com and are available in print to any shareholder who requests them. You may contact our Investor Relations department for copies at:

AGL Resources Inc.

Investor Relations

P.O. Box 4569, Location 1071

Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4569


 

70


Table of Contents

LOGO


Table of Contents

LOGO

Ten Peachtree Place, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309, aglresources.com


Table of Contents

Annual Meeting Admission Ticket

Annual Meeting Proxy

AGL Resources Inc.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

10:00 a.m. Eastern Time

10 Peachtree Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

LOGO

Revocable Proxy — Common Stock

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The undersigned hereby appoints John W. Somerhalder II, Paul R. Shlanta and Andrew W. Evans, and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to act for and in the name of the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of AGL Resources Inc. (the “Company”) that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, and at any and all adjournments thereof, as indicated on the reverse side of this card.

Receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting, the accompanying Proxy Statement and the 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders hereby is acknowledged.

Please present this admission ticket and valid picture identification for admission to the Annual Meeting.

When properly executed, this proxy card will be voted as directed. If no voting instructions are specified, this proxy card will be voted “FOR” each of the proposals.

PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

See reverse for voting instructions.

COMPANY #

There are three ways to vote your Proxy

Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

VOTE BY PHONE — TOLL FREE — 1-800-560-1965 — QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

 

   

Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on April 29, 2008.

 

   

Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you.

 


Table of Contents

VOTE BY INTERNET — www.eproxy.com/atg — QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

 

   

Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on April 29, 2008.

 

   

Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we’ve provided or return it to AGL Resources Inc., c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.

If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card

Please detach here

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.

 

1.      Election of directors:

   01 Sandra N. Bane    04 John W. Somerhalder II    ¨ Vote FOR    ¨ Vote WITHHELD
  

02 Arthur E. Johnson

03 James A. Rubright

   05 Bettina M. Whyte   

all nominees

(except as indicated)

   from all nominees

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)     

 

2.      To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

   ¨  For    ¨  Against    ¨  Abstain

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments thereof. If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, this proxy card will be voted by the proxies in their best judgment. At the present time, the board of directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.

Address Change? Mark Box   ¨         Indicate changes below:

 

Date

 

 
 
 

 

Signature(s) in Box

Please sign name(s) exactly as shown at left. When signing as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title as such; when shares have been issued in names of two or more persons, all should sign.


Table of Contents

Annual Meeting Admission Ticket

Annual Meeting Proxy

AGL Resources Inc.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

10:00 a.m. Eastern Time

10 Peachtree Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

LOGO

Revocable Proxy — Common Stock

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The undersigned hereby appoints Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB, which acts as Trustee for the AGL Resources Inc. Retirement Savings Plus Plan (the “RSP Plan”), as proxy, to act for and in the name of the undersigned, to vote all shares of Common Stock of AGL Resources Inc. (the “Company”) that have been allocated to the account of the undersigned under the RSP Plan, at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, and at any and all adjournments thereof, as indicated on the reverse side of this card.

Under the terms of the RSP Plan, only the Trustee of the plan can vote the shares allocated to the accounts of the participants, even if such participants or their beneficiaries attend the Annual Meeting in person.

Receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting, the accompanying Proxy Statement and the 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders hereby is acknowledged.

Please present this admission ticket and valid picture identification for admission to the Annual Meeting.

When properly executed, this proxy card will be voted as directed. If no voting instructions are specified, this proxy card will be voted “FOR” each of the proposals.

PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

See reverse for voting instructions.

COMPANY #

There are three ways to vote your Proxy

Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the proxy to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

VOTE BY PHONE — TOLL FREE — 1-800-560-1965 — QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

 

   

Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on April 25, 2008.

 

   

Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you.


Table of Contents

VOTE BY INTERNET — www.eproxy.com/atg — QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

 

   

Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on April 25, 2008.

 

   

Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot.

VOTE BY MAIL

 

 

 

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we’ve provided or return it to AGL Resources Inc., c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.

If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card

Please detach here

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.

 

1.      Election of directors:

   01 Sandra N. Bane    04 John W. Somerhalder II    ¨  Vote FOR    ¨  Vote WITHHELD
  

02 Arthur E. Johnson

03 James A. Rubright

   05 Bettina M. Whyte   

all nominees

(except as indicated)

   from all nominees

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)    

 

2.      To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

   ¨   For    ¨   Against    ¨   Abstain

In its discretion, the Trustee is authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments thereof. If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, this proxy card will be voted by the Trustee according to the instructions of the Administrative Committee of the RSP Plan. At the present time, the board of directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.

Address Change? Mark Box  ¨         Indicate changes below:

 

Date

 
 
Signature(s) in Box
Please sign name(s) exactly as shown at left. When signing as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title as such; when shares have been issued in names of two or more persons, all should sign.