Equity Compensation Awards
On February 22, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved PSU awards to certain named executive officers of the Company pursuant to the 2024 Plan, which awards were contingent upon the approval of the 2024 Plan by the Company’s stockholders. The awards were made on May 2, 2024 immediately following the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. The terms of the awards are summarized below:
Karen S. Haller, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), was issued 53,038.674 PSUs, (i) 25% of which vested immediately upon approval of the 2024 Plan by stockholders as a result of the closing of the initial public offering (the “Centuri IPO”) of the common stock (“Centuri common stock”) of Centuri Holdings, Inc. (“Centuri”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company prior to the Centuri IPO, and (ii) 75% of which will vest upon the consummation of a sale or other disposition (a “Sale or Disposition”) by the Company of shares of Centuri immediately after which the Company owns less than 20% of the total outstanding shares of Centuri common stock, subject to Ms. Haller’s Continuous Service (as such term is defined in the 2024 Plan).
Robert J. Stefani, the Company’s Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, was issued 15,785.320 PSUs, (i) 25% of which vested immediately upon approval of the 2024 Plan by stockholders as a result of the closing of the Centuri IPO, and (ii) 75% of which will vest upon a Sale or Disposition, subject to Mr. Stefani’s Continuous Service.
The Compensation Committee has the discretion to reduce or eliminate the 75% portion of Ms. Haller’s and Mr. Stefani’s PSU awards that vest upon a Sale or Disposition if a disposition involving, in whole or in part, a spin-off of Centuri common stock causes the Company to own less than 20% of the total outstanding shares of Centuri common stock.
Justin L. Brown, President of Southwest Gas Corporation, was issued 15,785.320 PSUs, (i) 50% of which will vest on February 22, 2025, and (ii) 50% of which will vest on February 22, 2026, subject to Mr. Brown’s Continuous Service. Prior to each tranche of units vesting, the Company’s CEO will determine whether Mr. Brown has met certain performance objectives pursuant to which the PSUs were granted, including with respect to operational performance, cost management, regulatory outcomes and progress on continuous improvement and optimization initiatives, and the Company’s CEO will have the discretion to reduce or eliminate the portion of PSUs that vest on either or both vesting dates based on such assessment.
The Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Karen S. Haller, Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Robert J. Stefani, and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Justin L. Brown (the “Grant Agreements”) contain restrictions on transfer and encumbrances during the period before vesting, forfeiture provisions, and special vesting terms in the event of termination due to death, disability, retirement, involuntary termination due to a general reduction in force or specific elimination of the grantee’s job (except in connection with a termination for cause), and termination without cause or with good reason within 24 months following a change in control. The Grant Agreements also provide for crediting of dividend equivalents and distribution of common stock and accumulated dividend equivalents as soon as administratively possible after vesting, along with provisions on tax liability, tax withholding and compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The foregoing summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Karen S. Haller, Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Robert J. Stefani, and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement with Justin L. Brown, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4, Exhibit 10.5, and Exhibit 10.6, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.