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
þ
Filed by a
Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ
Definitive Proxy Statement
o
Definitive Additional Materials
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
Penford
Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
|
|
|
|
þ
|
|
No fee required
|
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
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 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Total fee paid:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Centennial,
Colorado
December 28,
2007
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Penford Corporation to be held on Wednesday,
January 30, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) at the
Inverness Hotel and Conference Center, 200 Inverness Drive West,
Englewood, Colorado 80112.
In addition to the items set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, Company
management and the Board of Directors will be available to
provide an opportunity to discuss matters of interest to you as
a shareholder. The 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders is also
enclosed with these materials.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend,
please vote promptly to ensure that your shares are represented.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our
appreciation for your continued interest in Penford Corporation.
Very truly yours,
Thomas D. Malkoski
President and Chief Executive Officer
PENFORD
CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on January 30,
2008
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Penford Corporation (the
Company) will be held at the Inverness Hotel and
Conference Center, 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, Colorado
80112, on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at 3:00 p.m.
(Mountain Time), for the following purposes:
|
|
|
|
1.
|
To elect three directors.
|
|
|
2.
|
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for
the Companys fiscal year ending August 31, 2008.
|
|
|
3.
|
To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
|
The Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other business to
be transacted at the meeting.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007, which contains
financial statements and other information of interest to
shareholders, accompanies this notice and the enclosed proxy.
The record date for the annual meeting is December 20,
2007. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on
that date can vote at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Christopher L. Lawlor
Secretary
December 28, 2007
IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend
the meeting in person, we urge you to vote your shares at your
earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum
at the meeting. An envelope for which no postage is required if
mailed in the United States is enclosed if you wish to vote by
mail.
Responding promptly will save the Company the
additional expense of further solicitation.
Submitting your
vote by Proxy will not prevent you from voting your shares at
the meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable
at your option.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
2
PENFORD
CORPORATION
7094 South Revere Parkway
Centennial, Colorado 80112
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (sometimes
referred to as the Board) of Penford Corporation, a
Washington corporation (Penford or the
Company), to be voted at the Companys 2008
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 3:00 p.m.
(Mountain Time) at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center,
200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, Colorado 80112, on
Wednesday, January 30, 2008.
The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders are the election of directors and the
ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm for the Companys fiscal year ending August 31,
2008. This proxy statement includes a more detailed description
of each of these proposals. The Company will also consider any
other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
Proxies may be submitted by mail or by the Internet or by
following the telephone voting procedures as described in the
proxy and voting instruction card that accompanies this proxy
statement. Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at
any time prior to their exercise by delivering a written
revocation to the Secretary of the Company, by submission of a
proxy with a later date, or by voting in person at the meeting.
The right to revoke a proxy is not limited by or subject to
compliance with a specified formal procedure, but written notice
should be given to the Secretary of the Company at or before the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders so that the number of shares
represented by proxy can be recomputed.
The candidates for director who are elected will be those
receiving the largest number of affirmative (for) votes cast by
the shares entitled to vote in the election, up to the number of
directors to be elected. Shares held by persons who abstain from
voting on the election will not be counted in the election. The
proposal to ratify the appointment of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm will be approved
if it receives the affirmative (for) vote of a majority of the
total votes cast on the proposal. Banks and brokers that have
not received voting instructions from their clients can vote on
their clients behalf in the election of directors and on
the ratification of the appointment of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm. For more
information about the treatment and effect of abstentions and
broker non-votes, please refer to the information set forth
below under the caption Voting Tabulation.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on
December 20, 2007 will be entitled to vote at the meeting
on the basis of one vote for each share held. On
December 17, 2007, there were outstanding
11,221,798 shares of common stock of the Company.
These proxy materials, together with the Companys Annual
Report to Shareholders, are being mailed to shareholders on or
about December 28, 2007. The costs of this solicitation are
being borne by the Company.
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal #1)
The Board of Directors consists of eight members and is divided
into three classes. Directors in each class are generally
elected for a three-year term. This year, William E. Buchholz,
John C. Hunter III and James E. Warjone, each of whom is a
current director, have been nominated by the Board of Directors
to be re-elected for a three-year term that expires at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2011. Unless a
shareholder indicates otherwise, each signed proxy will be voted
for the election of these nominees.
Management expects that each of the nominees will be available
for election, but if any of them is not a candidate at the time
the election occurs, proxies will be voted for the election of
another nominee to be designated to fill any such vacancy by the
Board of Directors.
3
The Board has determined that each of the nominees and
continuing directors is independent under the
applicable legal and Nasdaq listing standards, except for
Mr. Malkoski who is the current President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. To enable the Board to make
this determination, the Boards Governance Committee
reviewed information provided by each of the directors. None of
the directors identified as independent has any material
relationship with the Company (other than as a director and a
shareholder) or its officers. The Nasdaq independence standards
applied by the Board are posted on the Companys web site,
www.penx.com
, under the Investor Relations
heading and Corporate Governance sub-heading.
Nominees
for Election Term to Expire 2011
William E. Buchholz, 65, joined Penford Corporations Board
of Directors in January 2003. He has been a business consultant
and private investor since 2002. From 2001 to 2002,
Mr. Buchholz served as Senior Vice President of Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary at
MessageMedia, a Colorado-based email messaging service and
software company. Mr. Buchholz was Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Nalco Chemical Company, a
specialty chemicals company, with responsibilities for all
finance functions including audit, tax, financial systems,
U.S. and international treasury, and investor relations
from 1992 to 1999. Prior to that, he served as Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Cincinnati Milacron, an
industrial equipment supplier. Mr. Buchholz is a certified
public accountant and holds an M.B.A., Finance and a B.A.,
Accounting, both from Michigan State University.
John C. Hunter III, 60, has served as a director of the Company
since October 1998. From 1999 until his retirement in 2004,
Mr. Hunter was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Solutia, Inc., an international producer of
high-performance, chemical-based materials used to make
consumer, household, automotive and industrial products.
Mr. Hunter also served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Solutia, Inc. from 1997 to 1999. On December 17,
2003, Solutia, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries filed a
voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for
the Southern District of New York in order to reorganize its
business and to obtain relief from certain legacy liabilities
which accrued under prior ownership and management. From 1992 to
1997, Mr. Hunter was President, Fibers for Monsanto
Company. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology
with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the
University of Houston at Clear Lake City. Mr. Hunter serves
as a board member of Hercules, Inc. and Energizer Holdings, Inc.
James E. Warjone, 64, has served as a director of the Company
since January 2001. Mr. Warjone is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The Port Blakely Companies, a private
company that owns and operates commercial forests in Washington,
Oregon and New Zealand and also develops real estate in
Washington State. Mr. Warjone has been with Port Blakely
since 1978. He earned his B.S. in economics from Claremont
Mens College. Mr. Warjone also serves as a board
member of The Joshua Green Corporation, Uwajamaya, the
Association of Washington Business, the Greater Seattle Chamber
of Commerce, the Washington Roundtable and the Pacific Science
Center.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees as
a director.
Continuing
Directors Term Expires 2009
R. Randolph Devening, 65, was appointed to the Board of
Directors in August 2003. Until his retirement in 2001,
Mr. Devening served for seven years as Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer and as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Foodbrands America, Inc., a company that produces,
markets and distributes branded and processed food products for
the food service and retail markets. Prior to that, he served as
Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Director from 1993 to
1994, and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director from 1989 to 1993 for Fleming Companies, Inc., a
wholesale food distributor. Mr. Devening holds an
undergraduate degree in International Relations from Stanford
University and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Harvard
University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Devening serves
as a director of 7 Eleven Inc., Gold Kist Inc., and Safety-Kleen
Holdco, Inc., and as an advisor to Hall Brothers Capital
Partners.
Paul H. Hatfield, 71, has served as a director of the Company
since October 1994 and as Chairman of the Board since January
2003. Mr. Hatfield has been Principal of the Hatfield
Capital Group, a private investment company, since 1997. He
served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Petrolite Corporation until
4
July 1997. Previously, he worked for Ralston Purina Company from
1959 until his retirement in 1995. He served as a Vice President
of Ralston as well as the President and Chief Executive officer
of Protein Technologies International, Inc., then a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ralston. He serves as a board member and is lead
director for Solutia Inc., and is a director of Bunge Limited
and Maritz Inc.
Continuing
Directors Term Expires 2010
Jeffrey T. Cook, 51, is the President and Chief Operating
Officer of Stellar Holdings, Inc. a Seattle based private
investment firm. Mr. Cook has been a member of the Board of
Directors since 1998. He previously served Penford Corporation
as President from January 2002 to January 2003, President and
Chief Executive Officer from September 1998 to January 2002,
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1991 to
August 1998, and was the Corporate Treasurer prior to that time.
He joined the Company in 1983. He is a graduate of Stanford
University with a B.A. in Economics. Mr. Cook serves as a
board member of Port Blakely Company, a privately held natural
resources and real estate development company headquartered in
Seattle, Washington; Micro A.B., a retail auto parts publicly
traded company based in Sweden; and Powerit Holdings, Inc., a
leader in intelligent energy demand management also
headquartered in Seattle.
Thomas D. Malkoski, 51, joined Penford Corporation as Chief
Executive Officer and was appointed to the Board of Directors in
January 2002. He was named President of Penford Corporation in
January 2003. From 1997 to 2001 he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Griffith Laboratories, North America, a
formulator, manufacturer and marketer of ingredient systems to
the food industry. Previously, he served as Vice
President/Managing Director of the Asia Pacific and South
Pacific regions for Chiquita Brands International.
Mr. Malkoski began his career at the Procter and Gamble
Company, a marketer of consumer brands, progressing through
major product category management responsibilities.
Mr. Malkoski serves on the board of Libby Perszyk Kathman,
a privately-held brand imaging and strategic positioning company.
Sally G. Narodick, 62, has served as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company since August 1993. Ms. Narodick
was an educational technology and
e-learning
consultant until she retired in March 2004. From 1998 to 2000,
she served as Chief Executive Officer of Apex Online Learning,
an Internet educational software company. Previously,
Ms. Narodick served as an education technology consultant,
both independently and for the Consumer Division of IBM from
1996 to 1998. From 1989 to 1996, Ms. Narodick served as
Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Edmark Corporation, an
educational software company that was sold to IBM in 1996. A
graduate of Boston University, Ms. Narodick earned an M.A.
in Teaching from Columbia Teachers College and an M.B.A. from
New York University. She serves as a board member of Puget
Energy, Inc.; Solutia, Inc.; SumTotal Systems, Inc.; and Cray,
Inc.
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
Board
of Directors
The Board of Directors provides guidance and strategic oversight
to the Companys management with the objective of
optimizing shareholders returns on their investment in the
Company. The Board is designed to assure that there is
independent review and oversight as well as approval of
significant strategic and management decisions affecting the
Company. Regular meetings of the Board are held five times per
year and special meetings are scheduled when required. The Board
held five meetings in fiscal 2007. All current directors
attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and the Board
Committees on which they served.
Committees
Established by the Board
The Board has established the following standing committees,
each of which is composed solely of independent directors, to
assist in discharging its responsibilities.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which
met seven times in fiscal 2007, is comprised of William E.
Buchholz (Chair), Jeffrey T. Cook, John C. Hunter III and
James E. Warjone. Jeffrey T. Cook joined the Audit Committee on
October 30, 2007. The committee selects the independent
registered public accounting firm; reviews
5
the proposed scope of the independent audit; reviews the annual
financial statements and the report of the independent
registered public accounting firm; reviews the independent
registered public accounting firms recommendations
relating to accounting, internal controls and other matters;
reviews internal controls and accounting policies with
management; and approves policies relating to risk management
matters. The Board of Directors has determined that each member
of the Audit Committee has sufficient knowledge in financial and
auditing matters to serve on the committee. In addition, the
Board has determined that Mr. Buchholz is an audit
committee financial expert as defined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission rules. The Audit Committee charter is
available on the Companys web site at
www.penx.com
., under the Investor Relations
heading and Corporate Governance sub-heading.
Executive Compensation and Development Committee
The Executive Compensation and Development Committee, which
met five times in fiscal 2007, is comprised of Sally G. Narodick
(Chair), R. Randolph Devening and James E. Warjone. The
committee establishes the compensation of executive officers,
provided that, as to the salary of the Chief Executive Officer,
the committee recommends an appropriate salary to the Board for
approval. The committee also monitors the Companys benefit
plans, works with management to set fiscal year incentive
compensation goals for recommendation to the Board, determines
executive bonus payments, and authorizes awards under the
Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In addition, the
committee reviews plans for executive development and succession
on a regular basis. The Executive Compensation and Development
Committee charter is available on the Companys web site at
www.penx.com
., under the Investor Relations
heading and Corporate Governance sub-heading. For
additional information about Executive Compensation and
Development Committee policies and procedures, please see the
description of this Committees activities under the
Executive Compensation heading below.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee,
which did not meet during fiscal 2007, is comprised of Paul H.
Hatfield (Chair) and the chairs of the other standing committees
(William E. Buchholz, John C. Hunter III and Sally G.
Narodick). The committee is authorized to exercise all powers
and authority of the Board with certain exceptions.
Governance Committee
The Governance
Committee, which met two times in fiscal 2007, is comprised of
John C. Hunter III (Chair), R. Randolph Devening, and Sally
G. Narodick. The committee makes recommendations to the Board
for director nominations and the appointment of the Chairman;
reports to the Board on corporate governance matters and
practices, including the effectiveness of the Board, its
committees and individual directors; determines the criteria for
qualification of directors; periodically reviews Board
compensation for non-employee directors and the processes and
policies established by the Board; and approves policies related
to environmental, health, and safety matters. The committee
recommends to the Board individuals for nomination for election
to the Board at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and committee
appointments. The Governance Committee charter is available on
the Companys web site at
www.penx.com
., under the
Investor Relations heading and Corporate
Governance sub-heading.
Board
Membership Criteria
The Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the
requisite skills and characteristics of new Board candidates in
the context of the current composition of the Board. This
assessment includes a review of candidates experience in
corporate governance, industry, finance, administration,
operations
and/or
marketing, and an appropriate level of diversity will be
considered. Director candidates should be able to provide
insights and practical wisdom based on their experience and
expertise. Directors are also expected to have sound judgment,
borne of management or policy-making experience that
demonstrates an ability to function effectively in an oversight
role.
The Board has not established minimum qualifications for
nominees to the Board. The Governance Committee annually
evaluates the performance of the Board, each of the committees
and each of the members of the Board. In connection with its
annual review, the Governance Committee makes an assessment of
the skills and expertise of its members and their adherence to
Board membership criteria and other policies of the Board and
the Company. It also reviews the size of its Board and whether
it would be beneficial to add additional members
and/or
any
new skills or expertise, taking into account the overall
operating efficiency of the Board and its committees. If
6
the Board has a vacancy or the Governance Committee determines
that it would be beneficial to add an additional member, the
Governance Committee will take into account the factors
identified above and all other factors which the Governance
Committee in its best judgment deems relevant at such time. The
overall composition of the Board shall also comply with the
requirements of the Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
Each Board member is required to annually complete a standard
director and officer questionnaire which solicits information
regarding relationships with the Company and other factors
relating to independence issues, memberships on other boards of
directors and other information required to be disclosed in the
Companys proxy statement. Any new candidate for nomination
will be required to provide similar information as well as be
available for interviews as the Governance Committee may
determine to be appropriate. Directors should not have any
interests that would materially impair their ability to
(i) exercise independent judgment, or (ii) otherwise
discharge the fiduciary duties owed as a director to the Company
and its shareholders.
Directors are expected to prepare for, attend and participate in
Board meetings and meetings of the Board committees on which
they serve, to ask questions and require responsive answers, and
to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as necessary to
properly discharge their responsibilities and duties as
directors. Each Board member is expected to ensure that other
existing and planned future commitments do not materially
interfere with the members service as a director. Service
on other boards and other commitments will be considered by the
Governance Committee and the Board when reviewing Board
candidates and in connection with the Boards annual
self-assessment process. The Companys Bylaws provide that
a director is eligible to serve as a director until the annual
meeting of shareholders immediately following such
directors 72nd birthday.
Attendance
Policy at Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Each director is expected to attend the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders in the absence of extenuating circumstances. All
eight directors attended the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
held on January 24, 2007.
Committee
Membership
The Board appoints committee chairs and members on an annual
basis with consideration given to the qualifications and
preferences of individual directors. In its deliberations, the
Governance Committee is aware that (i) each member of the
Audit Committee must be financially literate, as such
qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business
judgment, (ii) each member of the Governance Committee, the
Audit Committee and the Executive Compensation and Development
Committee must be independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq
corporate governance rules, (iii) each member of the Audit
Committee must meet the independence standards set forth in
Rule 10A-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
(iv) at least one member of the Audit Committee must be a
person who satisfies the definition of an audit committee
financial expert as set forth in Item 407 of
Regulation S-K
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Process
for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees
The Governance Committee may employ a variety of methods for
identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The Governance
Committee regularly assesses the size of the Board, the need for
particular expertise on the Board, the upcoming election cycle
of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected
due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are
anticipated or arise, the Governance Committee considers
potential candidates for director who may come to the Governance
Committees attention through current Board members, the
Companys executive officers, professional search firms,
shareholders or other persons. These candidates will be
evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Governance
Committee and may be considered at any time during the year.
The Governance Committee will consider candidates recommended by
shareholders when the nominations are properly submitted, under
the criteria summarized below in Shareholder
Nominees. Included in this discussion is a description of
the deadlines and procedures for shareholder submissions of
director nominees. Following verification of the shareholder
status of persons proposing candidates, the Governance Committee
will make an initial analysis of the qualifications of any
candidate recommended by shareholders or others pursuant to the
criteria summarized above, under the Board Membership
Criteria heading, to determine whether the
7
candidate is qualified for service on the Board, before deciding
to undertake a complete evaluation of the candidate. If a
shareholder or professional search firm provides any materials
in connection with the nomination of a director candidate, such
materials will be forwarded to the Governance Committee as part
of its review. If the Governance Committee determines that
additional consideration is warranted, it may request the
third-party search firm to gather additional information about
the prospective nominees background and experience and to
report its findings to the Governance Committee. Other than the
verification of compliance with procedures and shareholder
status, and the initial analysis performed by the Governance
Committee, the Governance Committee will treat a potential
candidate nominated by a shareholder like any other potential
candidate during the review process. In connection with this
evaluation, the Governance Committee will determine whether to
interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more
members of the Governance Committee, and others as appropriate,
will interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone.
After completing this evaluation and interview, the Governance
Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board as to the
persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board will
determine the nominees after considering the recommendation and
report of the Governance Committee.
Shareholder
Nominees
Any shareholder wishing to nominate a candidate should provide
the information described below in a letter addressed to the
Chairman of the Governance Committee, in care of the Corporate
Secretary, no later than 120 days prior to the anniversary
of the date on which the Companys annual proxy statement
was mailed in connection with the most recent annual meeting.
This means that any shareholder wishing to submit such a
nomination for consideration at the Companys Annual
Meeting of Shareholders in 2009 should expect to provide such a
letter to the Corporate Secretary not later than August 30,
2008.
The letter must include the following information:
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
the name and address of the shareholder recommending the person
to be nominated;
|
|
|
(ii)
|
a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of
shares of Penford, including the number of shares held and the
period of holding;
|
|
|
(iii)
|
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
shareholder and the recommended nominee;
|
|
|
(iv)
|
information as to any plans or proposals of the type required to
be disclosed in Schedule 13D (i.e., plans involving
acquisitions of Penfords securities
and/or
plans
involving a potential merger or change of control transaction)
and any proposals that the nominee proposes to bring to the
Board of Directors if elected;
|
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
any other information regarding the recommended nominee as would
be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant
to Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
|
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
the consent of the recommended nominee to serve as a director of
Penford if so elected.
|
Additional information may be requested to assist the Governance
Committee in determining the eligibility of a proposed candidate
to serve as a director. This may include requiring that a
prospective nominee complete a director and officer
questionnaire and provide any
follow-up
information requested. In addition, the shareholder and the
notice must meet all other applicable requirements contained in
Penfords Bylaws. A copy of Penfords Bylaws is posted
on the Companys web site at
www.penx.com
under the
under the Investor Relations heading and
Corporate Governance sub-heading.
8
Shareholder
Communications
Any shareholder or interested party who wishes to communicate
with the Board of Directors or any specific directors, including
non-management directors, may write to:
Board of Directors
c/o Corporate
Secretary
Penford Corporation
7094 South Revere Parkway
Centennial, Colorado
80112-3932
The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating
that the enclosed letter is a Shareholder-Board
Communication or
Shareholder-Director
Communication. All such letters must identify the author
as a shareholder and clearly state whether the intended
recipients are all members of the Board or just certain
specified individual directors. The Corporate Secretary will
make copies of all such letters and circulate them to the
appropriate director or directors. The Company generally will
not forward communications that are primarily commercial in
nature, relate to a topic other than corporate governance, or
that request general information about the Company.
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
(Proposal #2)
The Audit Committee has chosen Ernst & Young LLP to
serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for
the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008.
This firm has served as the independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company since 1985. Representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will be given an opportunity to
make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so, and
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Although not required by the Companys Bylaws or otherwise,
the Audit Committee and the Board believe it appropriate, as a
matter of good corporate practice, to request that the
shareholders ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young
LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal year 2008. Assuming that a quorum is
present, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP will be
deemed to have been ratified if more shares are voted in favor
of ratification than are voted against ratification. Abstentions
and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum but will not otherwise have any effect on
the outcome of this proposal. If the shareholders should not so
ratify, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and
may retain Ernst & Young LLP or another firm without
re-submitting the matter to the Companys shareholders.
Even if the shareholders vote on an advisory basis in favor of
the appointment, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion,
direct the appointment of a different independent registered
public accounting firm at any time during the year if it
determines that such a change would be in the best interests of
the Company and the shareholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee is comprised of four independent Directors
and acts under a written charter approved by the Board of
Directors. A copy of the charter is available at the
Companys web site at
www. penx.com
under the
Investor Relations heading and Corporate
Governance sub-heading. The Board annually reviews the
Nasdaq listing standards definition of independence for
audit committee members and has determined that each member of
the Audit Committee meets that standard. The Board has
affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee
is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements
as required by the listing standards of Nasdaq, and that
Mr. William E. Buchholz is an audit committee
financial expert as such term is defined by Securities and
Exchange Commission rules.
9
The Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Management has the primary responsibility for the financial
statements and the reporting process including the systems of
internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities,
the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements for fiscal year 2007 with management including a
discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant
judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial
statements.
The Audit Committee reviewed with Ernst & Young LLP,
the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the
conformity of those audited financial statements with generally
accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the
quality, not just the acceptability, of the Companys
accounting principles and such other matters as are required to
be discussed with the Audit Committee by the Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61,Communication with Audit
Committees, as amended. In addition, Ernst &
Young LLP has provided the Committee with the written
disclosures and the letter required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, and the Committee has
discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm
the auditors independence from management and the Company.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope
and plans for their respective audits. The Committee meets with
the independent registered public accounting firm, with and
without management present, to discuss the results of their
examinations, their evaluations of the Companys internal
controls, and the overall quality of the Companys
financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the Committee recommended that the audited financial statements
be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2007 for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee has selected
Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for
fiscal 2008.
William E. Buchholz,
Chair
Jeffrey T. Cook
John C. Hunter III
James E. Warjone
FEES
PAID TO ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Fees
The following table sets forth approximate aggregate fees billed
to the Company by Ernst & Young LLP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$
|
978,213
|
|
|
$
|
902,616
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees
(1)
|
|
|
13,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
Fees
(2)
|
|
|
110,318
|
|
|
|
137,883
|
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
3,724
|
|
|
|
2,530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
$
|
1,105,355
|
|
|
$
|
1,043,029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Consists of fees for professional
services in connection with a registration statement.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Consists of fees for professional
services for tax compliance, tax consulting and assistance with
audits by taxing authorities.
|
The Audit Committee has concluded that the provision of the
non-audit services listed above is compatible with maintaining
the independence of Ernst & Young LLP. The services
described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to
the policy described below. The Audit Committee did not rely on
any of the exceptions to pre-approval under
Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C)
under
Regulation S-X
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
10
Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible
Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee has adopted an Audit and Non-Audit Services
Pre-Approval Policy that sets forth the procedures and the
conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed
by the independent registered public accounting firm may be
pre-approved. These services may include audit services,
audit-related services, tax services and other services. The
Audit Committee determines from time to time those permitted
services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit
Committee, which is generally provided for up to one year. Any
pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or
category of services and is generally subject to a specific
budget. The Audit Committee considers whether such services are
consistent with SEC rules on auditor independence, as well as
whether the independent registered public accounting firm is
best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient
service, for reasons such as its familiarity with the
Companys business, people, culture, accounting systems,
risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might
enhance the Companys ability to manage or control risk or
improve audit quality. The independent registered public
accounting firm and management are required to periodically
report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in
accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services
performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve
particular services on a
case-by-case
basis.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of
December 17, 2007, regarding the beneficial ownership of
the Companys common stock by any person known to the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of
such outstanding common stock; by the directors, by the
Companys Chief Executive Officer, by the four other
highest paid executive officers in fiscal year 2007; and by the
directors and executive officers as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership of
|
|
|
|
|
Name (and Address for Beneficial Owners over 5%)
|
|
Common Stock(1)
|
|
|
Percent of Class
|
|
|
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
|
|
|
1,040,000
|
|
|
|
9.27
|
(4)
|
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bear Stearns Asset Management, Inc.
|
|
|
665,279
|
|
|
|
5.93
|
(5)
|
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
626,688
|
|
|
|
5.58
|
(6)
|
1299 Ocean Avenue,
11
th
Floor
Santa Monica, California 90401
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William E. Buchholz
|
|
|
10,219
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jeffrey T. Cook(2)
|
|
|
242,668
|
|
|
|
2.16
|
(3)
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
173,500
|
|
|
|
1.52
|
(3)
|
R. Randolph Devening
|
|
|
5,211
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Paul H. Hatfield
|
|
|
86,707
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
John C. Hunter III
|
|
|
28,893
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
28,439
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
346,664
|
|
|
|
3.01
|
(3)
|
Sally G. Narodick
|
|
|
28,722
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
53,035
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
James E. Warjone
|
|
|
5,684
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)
|
|
|
1,101,111
|
|
|
|
9.23
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Represents less than 1%
|
11
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated,
beneficial ownership represents sole voting and investment
power. The totals include shares that may be acquired within
60 days through the exercise of stock options, as follows:
Mr. Malkoski, 308,750; Mr. Buchholz, 7,859;
Mr. Cook, 5,155; Mr. Cordier, 157,500;
Mr. Devening, 3,053; Mr. Hatfield, 49,730;
Mr. Hunter, 24,868; Mr. Kortemeyer 18,000;
Mr. Lawlor, 17,500; Ms. Narodick, 17,783;
Mr. Randall, 36,250; Mr. Warjone, 2,529; and all
directors and executive officers as a group, 707,727.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Includes 78,300 shares held in
irrevocable trusts for which Mr. Cook shares voting and
investment power.
|
|
(3)
|
|
For purposes of calculating the
percentage of class owned by this officer or director and the
directors and executive officers as a group, the total shares of
the class includes shares that may be acquired within
60 days through the exercise of stock options set forth in
footnote (1).
|
|
(4)
|
|
Information based on
Schedule 13G dated February 14, 2007. T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. and an affiliate had sole voting power over all
shares. The amount shown includes an additional
200,000 shares purchased on December 12, 2007.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Information based on
Schedule 13F dated November 14, 2007. Bear Stearns
Asset Management, Inc. had voting authority as follows: sole,
382,075 shares; shared, 272,561 shares; none,
10,643 shares.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Information based on
Schedule 13F dated October 25, 2007. Dimensional
Fund Advisors, Inc. had voting authority as follows: sole,
616,344 shares; none, 10,344 shares.
|
REPORT
OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
In connection with the exercise of its duties, the Executive
Compensation and Development Committee has reviewed and
discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
set forth below with management. Based upon that review and
those discussions, the Executive Compensation and Development
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included by reference in
the Companys annual report to shareholders on
Form 10-K
and included in this Proxy Statement.
Sally G. Narodick,
Chair
R. Randolph Devening
James E. Warjone
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
The Executive Compensation and Development Committee (the
Committee) is a Board of Directors committee
comprised of three independent directors. The Committee is
broadly charged by the Board of Directors to establish
compensation and incentive programs for executive officers.
Following review and approval by the Committee, issues
pertaining to executive compensation are reported to the full
Board of Directors, except that with regard to the base salary
of the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee reviews and
recommends an appropriate salary to the full Board for approval.
The following discussion provides an explanation of:
(1) the philosophy and objectives of the Companys
compensation programs for executive officers, (2) each of
the major elements comprising these compensation programs, and
(3) the rationale for and process used to determine the
amounts of each of these elements.
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
The Committee believes that executive officer compensation
should be closely aligned with the performance of the Company on
both a short-term and long-term basis, and that such
compensation should assist the Company in attracting and
retaining key executives critical to its long-term success.
The objectives of the executive officer compensation program
include:
|
|
|
|
|
Competitive Compensation.
The Company needs to
hire, retain and motivate executives with the requisite skills
and experience to develop, expand and execute upon our business
initiatives, as this is essential to the Companys success
in providing value to shareholders.
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
Performance-Based Compensation.
Variable
compensation tied to Company and individual performance should
represent a significant portion of total compensation for our
executives.
|
|
|
|
Reward both Company Performance and Individual
Achievement.
In determining annual incentive and
long-term equity-based incentive awards, the Company considers
both Company performance and individual achievement. Merit
increases to base salaries are weighted towards recognition of
individual performance and achievement.
|
|
|
|
Long Term Incentive.
The Company believes that
long term equity-based incentives are a valuable tool to align
the interests of executives and other senior managers with those
of shareholders. These incentives can be accomplished through
awards made under the Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan,
which was approved by shareholders in 2006.
|
Committee
Practices
The Committee establishes total annual compensation for the
Chief Executive Officer (subject to full Board approval for base
salary) and other executive officers after reviewing each
component of such executives compensation against surveys
and applying the best business judgment of the Committee. The
surveys used for comparison reflect compensation levels and
practices for persons holding comparably responsible positions
at the peer group companies and a broader group of companies of
similar size in general industry. However, the Committee has
noted that it is not aware of any companies that are truly
comparable to the Company and it is also sensitive to the fact
that the companies used in these surveys may differ
significantly as to size, products and markets. Because of the
inherent limitations of survey data, the Committee does not
mechanically apply the data but engages in a review and weighs
the survey information with other Company and individual
performance related factors. A significant part of this review
with respect to executive officers other than the Chief
Executive Officer is a discussion with the Chief Executive
Officer of his recommendations and input regarding compensation
for the other executive officers.
Benchmarking
The Committees comprehensive review of executive
compensation including its review of benchmarking compensation
studies generally occurs during a period around the beginning of
the fiscal year. The Committee engaged independent compensation
consultant Towers Perrin to prepare these studies, with its most
recent study being completed in October 2007. These studies have
provided the Committee with relevant market data, trends and
alternatives to consider when making compensation decisions, and
the Committee has used the study information to ensure that
executive officer compensation plans remain competitive and the
Committee understands the plans in relation to market-median
levels. Towers Perrin is engaged by the Committee and is not
engaged by management in any other material capacity.
Peer
Group
As discussed above, the Committee compares total compensation
and its components against a peer group of publicly traded
companies. The Committee has used the essentially the same peer
group for the last few years and, in mid-2007, it asked Towers
Perrin to review the appropriate peer group for compensation
purposes. The determination of peer group companies included
assessing those companies (i) within the same industry
classifications (food products, chemicals, and oil and gas and
consumable fuels) as the Company, (ii) within the revenue
(under $1 billion), total assets (under $1 billion)
and market cap (greater than $200 million) scope of the
Company, (iii) in multiple business lines, with
international operations and with research, product development,
manufacturing and marketing organizational expertise and
(iv) with 5% or more sales growth. As a result of this peer
group review process, in September 2007 the Committee identified
a revised peer group to be used during the Companys fiscal
year 2008.
13
The companies included in the peer group considered as part of
the compensation decisions for the Companys fiscal year
2007 were:
|
|
|
AMCOL International Corp.
|
|
Landec Corp.
|
American Vanguard Corp.
|
|
MGP Ingredients Inc.
|
Balchem Corp.
|
|
Natures Sunshine Products
|
Calgon Carbon Corp.
|
|
Oil-Dri Corp of America
|
Cambrex Corp
|
|
OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
|
Darling International Inc.
|
|
Pioneer Cos. Inc.
|
Flow International Corp.
|
|
Quaker Chemical Corp
|
Gehl. Co.
|
|
Stepan Corp.
|
Imperial Sugar Co.
|
|
|
Based on the review of the peer group, Aventine Renewable Energy
Corp., ICO Inc., Koppers Holdings, Minerals Technologies
and Sensient Technologies Corporation have been added to the
peer group for fiscal year 2008 compensation purposes and AMCOL
International Corp., Cambrex Corp., Flow International Corp.,
Gehl Co., Imperial Sugar Co., Natures Sunshine Products,
and Oil-Dri Corp. of America will no longer be included in the
peer group for fiscal year 2008 compensation purposes. In
addition, since Pioneer Cos. Inc. has recently been acquired by
another company, it will not be included in the 2008 peer group.
Targets
Taking into account the limitations of the survey data discussed
above and the need to be competitive, the Committee targets base
salary for executive officers at between the
50
th
and
75
th
percentile
and the cash bonus component at between the
75
th
and
100
th
percentile.
However, the Committee has also concluded that it should
exercise discretion and set targets or award compensation in
excess of or below these targets after applying its best
business judgment. As noted above, the program is intended to be
competitive with other high-performing organizations and to
enable the Company to attract, reward and retain exceptional
talent.
Compensation
Program Elements
The Committees policy is that the compensation package for
executive officers shall consist of three components:
(i) annual base salary; (ii) the potential to earn
incentive bonuses, and (iii) long-term incentives,
including stock option or other equity based awards designed to
align managements interests with those of shareholders.
Base
Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are reviewed on an annual
basis and at the time of promotion or other increase in
responsibilities. Increases in salary are based on evaluation of
such factors as the levels of responsibility, individual
performance, experience, current pay, and Company peer group pay
levels. In addition to the market data from the peer group and
other sources, the Committee considers other factors in arriving
at or adjusting each executive officers base salary,
including: (1) each executive officers scope of
responsibilities; (2) each executive officers
qualifications, skills and experience; (3) internal pay
equity among senior executives; (4) individual job
performance, including both impact on current financial results
and contributions to building longer-term shareholder value and
(5) with respect to executive officers other than the Chief
Executive Officer, the recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer.
For the Companys fiscal year 2007, executive
officers base salaries were generally compared against the
range of the
50
th
and
75
th
percentile
of of base salary levels of similarly positioned executives at
peer group companies and in general industry. There were
variances among executives based on the Committees
assessment of factors as described above.
14
Annual
Bonus Incentive Compensation
The executive bonus plan (the Bonus Plan) is
designed to drive Company and operating unit performance
consistent with its objectives.
Near the start of each fiscal year, the Committee selects
participants in the Bonus Plan, sets target percentages and
objective quantitative and qualitative performance goals, and
approves individual performance goals for the current year. For
fiscal year 2007, the Committee determined that achievement of
quantitative metrics would constitute 70% of target attainment
and achievement of individual qualitative goals would constitute
30% of target attainment.
The Chief Executive Officer recommends performance goals. After
review and discussion of the Chief Executive Officers
recommendations, the Committee determines both the types of, and
the targets for, the corporate and operating business as well as
individual performance goals and the percentage of bonus payout
to be tied to each of the performance goals. Performance goals
are generally tied to the Companys Board-approved budget
and operating plans, as well as the Companys long-term
strategic objectives.
Individual qualitative performance metrics are tailored to each
executive officer and include such metrics as identifying
opportunities and successfully implementing programs. Individual
objectives for fiscal 2007 included objectives relating to the
ethanol initiative, Company finances, organizational
development, strategic projects, cost containment, and growth.
Target bonus amounts, payable in cash, are expressed as a
percentage of base salary. Bonus targets for executive officers
range from 40% to 100% of base salary depending on position and
overall responsibility:
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
75
|
%
|
Other Executive Officers
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Actual bonus payments are increased above the target bonus
levels for results that exceed the performance goals and are
decreased below the target bonus levels, and may be reduced to
zero, for results that do not fully meet the goals, with the
amount of the increase or decrease based on a sliding scale
determined by the Committee. No bonus on the quantitative
portion is payable unless a minimum threshold is attained and
the overall payouts may not exceed 200% of target bonus.
For each quantitative performance measure, the Committee
establishes a threshold, target and maximum goal. The following
table lists the quantitative performance measures for the 2007
fiscal year for its headquarters executive officers, the
percentage of target attainment that measure represented, the
target for the measure, the actual result and the achievement
represented by the actual result in comparison to the target:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Measure
|
|
Bonus%
|
|
|
Target
|
|
Actual
|
|
Achievement
|
|
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
$16.8 million
|
|
$25.2 million
|
|
200% (exceeded maximum)
|
Return on invested capital (ROIC)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
8.7%
|
|
13.4%
|
|
200% (exceeded maximum)
|
Earnings per share (EPS)
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
$.0.92
|
|
$1.46
|
|
200% (exceeded maximum)
|
Total
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
140%
|
EBIT is calculated as the Companys net income plus
interest expense less interest income plus income tax expense.
ROIC is calculated as the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of
EBIT for the fiscal year divided by the sum of average debt and
average equity.
Additional goals based upon operating unit performance were
established for two named executive officers assigned to
operating units. 20% of target attainment for these officers was
dependent upon overall corporate performance, a goal established
to encourage operating units to support the Companys
objective of achieving
cross-unit
cooperation, sales and support.
15
Because disclosure of specific quantitative goals for operating
units (other than as described above) would signal where the
Company is shifting its focus, give competitors insight into
areas where the Company is changing its approach, and impair the
Companys ability to leverage these actions for competitive
advantage, the Company is not disclosing some of these
confidential operating unit targets. Knowledge of these targets
could be used by competitors to take advantage of the Company.
The targets are set at aggressive levels each year to motivate
high business performance and support the attainment of
longer-term objectives. These targets, individually or together,
are designed to be challenging to attain. For the three fiscal
years preceding fiscal year 2007, the level of target attainment
for the Industrial Ingredients business has ranged between
approximately 42% and 79% and for the Food Ingredients between
approximately 84% and 119%.
For fiscal year 2007, the Chief Executive Officers bonus
payment was based upon the attainment of the above noted
quantitative objectives relating to EBIT, ROIC and EPS. The
Chief Executive Officers qualitative objectives related to
organizational development, the ethanol initiative, and
strategic projects intended to enhance shareholder value. After
a review of all of the factors described above, and taking into
account the Companys excellent financial performance and
significantly increased market capitalization during the year,
the Committee determined that the Chief Executive Officers
bonus for fiscal year 2007 would be $980,000 under the Bonus
Plan.
In total, named executives earned between 166% and 200% of their
2007 targeted bonuses as established by the 2007 Bonus Plan.
This payout range was significantly higher than in recent prior
years due largely to the Companys substantial increase in
EBIT and EPS as a result of the superior performance of its
Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients businesses.
Long-Term
Incentives
The Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
LTIP) is administered by the Committee, which
determines to whom stock option or other awards are granted, the
number of shares subject to each grant, the vesting schedule and
exercise price. The LTIP provides that all stock options to
executive officers and others must be granted at no less than
100% of fair market value on the date of the grant.
The LTIP allows the Company to grant stock options, restricted
shares, and other equity-based awards. These types of awards
typically reward service and performance over a longer period of
time than other methods of compensation and focus on the
Companys long-term strategic goals.
The Committee believes that including a significant level of
equity-based awards helps align the financial interests of
management with those of our shareholders since the ultimate
value of equity-based awards is tied to the value of the
Companys stock and these awards provide executives with a
further equity stake in the Company. In making LTIP awards, the
Committee considers the Companys financial performance,
executives levels of responsibilities, the need to retain
executive talent, the long-term incentive compensation practices
for similar positions at peer group and other comparable
companies, and the advice of the Committees consultant.
The Committee has not adopted specific targets for long term
incentive compensation. In addition, prior to making an LTIP
grant, the Committee considers the Companys share price,
the volatility of the share price and potential dilution.
Options and restricted stock generally vest ratably over four
years.
In fiscal year 2007, the Company provided LTIP equity incentive
compensation in the form of stock options to two of the named
executive officers. These stock option awards were granted at
the October 2006 meeting of the Committee. Apart from these
awards, no LTIP awards were made in fiscal year 2007.
Looking forward, the Committee generally expects to consider
LTIP awards for executives each fall, following the conclusion
of the Companys fiscal year. However, the Committee may in
the future, applying its best judgment at the time, make LTIP
awards at additional or different times.
For fiscal year 2008, the Committee decided in October 2007 to
grant restricted stock awards as long-term incentive
compensation for the Companys named executive officers.
The Committees determination to award restricted stock
rather than options is consistent with trends in long term
compensation reported to the Committee by its independent
consultant. In addition, because executives will receive benefit
from restricted stock if they remain employed by the Company
throughout the period of restriction, the Committee believes
restricted stock grants can be an effective retention tool for
key executives. Finally, the switch from issuing options to
restricted
16
stock awards was due in part to recent accounting rule changes
making options less efficient for the Company by requiring that
stock options (like restricted stock awards) be expensed when
granted whether or not the options are ever exercised by the
executive.
The Board of Directors encourages executive officers to build an
ownership position in Company common stock, but the Board has
not felt it necessary or advisable to date to establish formal
executive officer stock ownership requirements.
Employment
Related Agreements
Except with respect to the change in control agreements
described in more detail below, the Company does not have
employment agreements that provide for continued employment for
any period of time or guarantee severance benefits upon
termination.
The Company entered into revised change in control agreements
with each of its executive officers in 2006 to provide for
continuity of management in the event of a change in control of
the Company. Pursuant to each agreement, the Company agrees to
provide certain payments and benefits to the participants if
they are terminated within 24 months after a Change
in Control, as defined in the agreements. Participants
will not be considered terminated for purposes of
these agreements if they die, become disabled or are terminated
for cause. They will, however, be considered
terminated if they voluntarily leave the
Companys employ for certain good reasons (defined as
Good Reason in the agreements), and, in the case of
Mr. Malkoski and Mr. Cordier, if they voluntarily
terminate employment during the
30-day
period beginning on the first anniversary of a Change in
Control. A description of the payments and benefits under these
agreements is set forth in the Change-in-Control
Arrangements section below.
Benefits
and Perquisites
The Companys executive officers participate in the
broad-based benefits plans that are available to other employees
and can elect to have a portion of their compensation deferred
as described in the Deferred Compensation Plan section. With the
exception of a car program and tax preparation assistance for
the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the
Company does not provide additional material perquisites for its
executive officers.
Tax and
Accounting Considerations
The Committee considers the tax and accounting implications of
its compensatory programs. As described above, one of its
several motivations for recently changing equity incentives from
options to restricted stock was the change in the required
accounting treatment of options.
Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, generally disallows a tax deduction to public
companies for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to
the CEO or any of the three other most highly compensated
officers (other than the CEO and CFO). Performance-based
compensation arrangements may qualify for an exemption from the
deduction limit if they satisfy various requirements under
Section 162(m). Although the Company considers the impact
of this rule as well as other tax consequences (such as
non-deductibility of certain change in control payments) when
developing and implementing the Companys executive
compensation programs, the Company has not adopted a policy that
all compensation must qualify as deductible.
17
Executive
Compensation Tables (Fiscal Year 2007)
2007
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Awards ($)(1)
|
|
|
($)(2)
|
|
|
Earnings ($)(3)
|
|
|
($)(4)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
485,000
|
|
|
$
|
253,557
|
|
|
$
|
980,000
|
|
|
$
|
14,494
|
|
|
$
|
47,868
|
|
|
$
|
1,780,919
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
321,667
|
|
|
|
193,679
|
|
|
|
420,000
|
|
|
|
17,253
|
|
|
|
26,976
|
|
|
|
979,575
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
Corporate Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
126,028
|
|
|
|
160,000
|
|
|
|
28,046
|
|
|
|
26,794
|
|
|
|
570,868
|
|
Vice President and President, Penford Food Ingredients
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
226,667
|
|
|
|
74,444
|
|
|
|
155,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,246
|
|
|
|
486,357
|
|
Vice President Human Resources, General Counsel and
Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
216,667
|
|
|
|
122,027
|
|
|
|
170,000
|
|
|
|
10,582
|
|
|
|
28,105
|
|
|
|
547,381
|
|
Vice President and President, Penford Industrial Ingredients
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The amounts reflect the dollar
amount recognized for fiscal 2007 for financial statement
reporting purposes in accordance with Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement 123R (FAS 123R),
except that no assumptions were included for estimated
forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. This
valuation method values stock options granted during fiscal 2007
and prior years. A discussion of the assumptions used in
calculating the compensation cost is set forth in Note 9 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Report on Form
10-K
for the
year ended August 31, 2007.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The amounts reflect the cash awards
paid to the named executive officers on November 14, 2007
for fiscal 2007 performance as further described in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this
Proxy Statement.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The amounts in this column reflect
the actuarial increase in the present value of the named
executive officers benefits under the Companys
qualified pension plan, determined using interest rate and
mortality rate assumptions consistent with those described in
Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
in our Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2007. These amounts also
include above-market interest on the Companys nonqualified
deferred compensation plan as follows: Mr. Malkoski, $3,481
and Mr. Randall, $978. The interest earnings are also
disclosed in the 2007 Deferred Compensation Table. Interest is
credited to a participants account at the monthly
equivalent of an annual yield that is two percentage points
higher than the annul yield of the Moodys Average
Corporate Bond Yield Index for the preceding month.
|
|
(4)
|
|
All Other Compensation consists of
the items in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
Tax
|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile
|
|
Preparation
|
|
Reimbursements
|
|
Contributions for
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Year
|
|
Expenses ($)
|
|
Fees ($)
|
|
($)
|
|
401(k) Plans ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
24,017
|
|
|
|
1,542
|
|
|
$
|
7,095
|
|
|
|
15,214
|
|
|
$
|
47,868
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
19,951
|
|
|
|
812
|
|
|
|
6,213
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,976
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
17,048
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,298
|
|
|
|
4,448
|
|
|
|
26,794
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
16,093
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,343
|
|
|
|
8,810
|
|
|
|
30,246
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
14,434
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,684
|
|
|
|
8,987
|
|
|
|
28,105
|
|
18
Grants of
Plan-Based Awards
The following table summarizes plan-based awards granted to the
Companys named executive officers during the fiscal year
ended August 31, 2007.
2007
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Date Fair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Price of
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
Threshold ($)
|
|
|
Target ($)
|
|
|
Maximum ($)
|
|
|
Options (#)(2)
|
|
|
($/Sh)(3)
|
|
|
($)(4)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,500
|
|
|
|
490,000
|
|
|
|
980,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,938
|
|
|
|
243,750
|
|
|
|
487,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
10/31/06
|
|
|
|
23,500
|
|
|
|
94,000
|
|
|
|
188,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
$
|
16.25
|
|
|
$
|
101,046
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
10/31/06
|
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
|
92,000
|
|
|
|
184,000
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
16.25
|
|
|
$
|
67,364
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Amounts reflect the payment levels
under the executive bonus plan described in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis. Bonuses paid to the named executive
officers for fiscal 2007 are shown in the 2007 Summary
Compensation Table.
|
|
(2)
|
|
These stock option awards were
granted under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The options
vest 25% each year over four years beginning with the first
anniversary of the grant. The options have a maximum term of
seven years subject to earlier termination upon cessation of
service to the Company. The exercise price of each option may be
paid in cash or in shares of common stock valued at the closing
price on the exercise date or may be paid with the proceeds from
a
same-day
sale of the purchased shares.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Exercise price is the closing price
on the date of grant.
|
|
(4)
|
|
The dollar values disclosed are
equal to the aggregate grant date fair value computed in
accordance with FAS 123R, except that no assumptions were
included for estimated forfeitures related to service-based
vesting conditions. A discussion of the assumptions used in
calculating the grant date fair value for options granted during
fiscal 2007 is set forth in Note 9 to the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companys Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2007.
|
19
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information on each named executive
officers stock option grants outstanding as of
August 31, 2007.
2007
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-end Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options (#)(1)
|
|
|
Option Exercise
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Price ($)
|
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.61
|
|
|
|
1/3/12
|
|
|
|
1/3/02
|
|
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.95
|
|
|
|
2/28/12
|
|
|
|
2/28/02
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.95
|
|
|
|
10/30/12
|
|
|
|
10/30/02
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.79
|
|
|
|
8/22/13
|
|
|
|
8/22/03
|
|
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
|
16.34
|
|
|
|
11/3/14
|
|
|
|
11/3/04
|
|
|
|
|
8,750
|
|
|
|
26,250
|
|
|
|
13.32
|
|
|
|
10/28/15
|
|
|
|
10/28/05
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
15.92
|
|
|
|
4/21/13
|
|
|
|
4/21/06
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.50
|
|
|
|
7/15/12
|
|
|
|
7/15/02
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.95
|
|
|
|
10/30/12
|
|
|
|
10/30/02
|
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.79
|
|
|
|
8/22/13
|
|
|
|
8/22/03
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
16.34
|
|
|
|
11/3/14
|
|
|
|
11/3/04
|
|
|
|
|
6,250
|
|
|
|
18,750
|
|
|
|
13.32
|
|
|
|
10/28/15
|
|
|
|
10/28/05
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
|
|
15.92
|
|
|
|
4/21/13
|
|
|
|
4/21/06
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.59
|
|
|
|
2/17/13
|
|
|
|
2/17/03
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
16.34
|
|
|
|
11/3/14
|
|
|
|
11/3/04
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15.92
|
|
|
|
4/21/13
|
|
|
|
4/21/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
16.25
|
|
|
|
10/31/13
|
|
|
|
10/31/06
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15.12
|
|
|
|
4/22/15
|
|
|
|
4/22/05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
16.25
|
|
|
|
10/31/13
|
|
|
|
10/31/06
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
16.34
|
|
|
|
11/3/14
|
|
|
|
11/3/04
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
13.93
|
|
|
|
8/18/15
|
|
|
|
8/18/05
|
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
|
13.32
|
|
|
|
10/28/15
|
|
|
|
10/28/05
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
|
|
15.92
|
|
|
|
4/21/13
|
|
|
|
4/21/06
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Options vest 25% each year on the
anniversary of the grant date. Options granted prior to
January 24, 2006 were granted under the 1994 Stock Option
Plan. All other grants of stock options were granted under the
2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
Options
Exercised
The following table provides information with respect to option
exercises during the last fiscal year for each of the named
executive officers.
2007
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired
|
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
|
Shares Acquired
|
|
|
Value Realized
|
|
Name
|
|
on Exercise (#)
|
|
|
on Exercise ($)(1)
|
|
|
on Exercise (#)
|
|
|
on Exercise ($)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
623,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The value realized on exercise was
determined by calculating the difference between the price at
which the executive sold the shares of Company common stock upon
exercise and the exercise price of the options.
|
20
Retirement
Plan
The Company has a defined benefit retirement plan (the
Retirement Plan) for salaried employees. Prior to
January 1, 2005, all North American-based active employees
who were not members of the collective bargaining unit were
eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan. The Retirement
Plan was closed to new entrants as of January 1, 2005.
Under the Retirement Plan, the normal retirement age is 65;
however, participants may continue to work beyond age 65.
Retirement benefits are calculated based on actual years of
service up to a maximum of 30 years and actual earnings to
the date of retirement. The retirement benefit is calculated as
follows: (1) the sum of (a) 1% of the Final
Average Monthly Earnings, defined as the average monthly
earnings during the five consecutive calendar years in which an
employees compensation was the highest, plus (b) 0.5%
of the Final Average Monthly Earnings in excess of the monthly
Social Security Covered Compensation, defined as the maximum
salary on which social security taxes are paid during a year,
(2) multiplied by an employees years of credited
service up to 30 years. Employees may retire at age 55
if they have completed 20 years of service. The early
retirement benefit is computed in the same manner as the normal
retirement calculation described above except that the employee
would receive a percentage of the normal retirement benefit
ranging from 56% at age 55 to 98% at age 64.
Compensation covered by the Retirement Plan includes salaries
and bonuses as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table,
subject to the Internal Revenue Code
limitations.
The following table shows the years of credited
service and the present value of accumulated benefits for each
of the named executive officers.
2007
Pension Benefits Table(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Present Value of
|
|
|
Payments During
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credited
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Last Fiscal Year
|
|
Name
|
|
Plan Name
|
|
Service (#)
|
|
|
Benefit ($)(3)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
Penford Corporation Retirement Plan
|
|
|
5.7
|
|
|
|
71,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
Penford Corporation Retirement Plan
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
72,031
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
Penford Corporation Retirement Plan
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
125,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
Penford Corporation Retirement Plan
|
|
|
8.3
|
|
|
|
30,428
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Pension benefits vest after five
years of employment. Benefits are paid as an annuity and may not
be paid in a lump-sum.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Mr. Lawlor was hired
subsequent to the closure of the pension plan to new hires and,
therefore, does not participate in the Plan.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The assumptions used for
determining present values are consistent with those used for
year end financial reporting as discussed in Note 10 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2007. In accordance with SEC
guidance, assumptions incorporated into these calculations
include commencement of benefits at the earliest unreduced
retirement age and no pre-retirement decrements.
|
Deferred
Compensation
The Company maintains the Penford Corporation Deferred
Compensation Plan, which is a nonqualified, unfunded deferred
compensation plan that provides the Companys directors,
officers and certain key employees with the opportunity to defer
a portion of their fees, salaries and bonuses on a tax-deferred
basis. All of the named executive officers are eligible to
participate in the plan. Interest is credited and compounded
monthly based on the monthly equivalent of the annual yield on
Moodys Average Corporate Long-Term Bond Yield Index. The
Company has established a so-called rabbi trust by
entering into a trust agreement with a trustee in order to
assist the Company in meeting its obligations to make deferred
compensation payments to plan participants.
21
The following table provides information regarding executive
contributions, earnings and account balances for each of the
named executive officers in the Deferred Compensation Plan. No
executive officer made any withdrawals or received any
distributions during fiscal 2007.
2007
Nonqualified deferred Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
|
|
|
Registrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Contributions in
|
|
|
Contributions in
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
Balance at Last
|
|
|
|
Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
Earnings in Last
|
|
|
Withdrawals
|
|
|
Fiscal Year-End
|
|
Name
|
|
($)(1)
|
|
|
($)(2)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year ($)(3)
|
|
|
/Distributions ($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
$
|
6,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
18,377
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
252,814
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,124
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,247
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
|
53,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,912
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,072
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Contributions in this column are
included in the Salary column of the Summary
Compensation Table, except for a deferral of $50,000 by
Mr. Kortemeyer of non-equity incentive compensation paid
during fiscal 2007 for fiscal 2006. Participants in the Deferred
Compensation Plan may elect to defer receipt of up to 25% of his
or her base annual salary and up to 50% of any bonus payable.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The Deferred Compensation Plan does
not provide for contributions by the Company.
|
|
(3)
|
|
These amounts include above-market
interest of $3,481 and $978 for Messrs. Malkoski and
Randall, respectively. Above market interest is included in the
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Earnings column of the Summary Compensation
Table.
|
Change-in-Control
Arrangements
The Company has change of control agreements with each of the
named executive officers. These agreements are intended to
provide for continuity of management in the event of a change of
control of the Company. Pursuant to each agreement, Penford
agrees to provide certain benefits to the participants if they
are terminated in connection with a Change in
Control, as defined in the agreements and summarized
below. Each of these agreements continues until Penford
terminates the agreement upon twelve months prior written
notice, provided that if a Change in Control occurs prior to the
termination date of the agreement, the agreement will remain in
effect with respect to all rights accruing as a result of the
occurrence of the Change in Control.
To receive the payments and benefits for a termination in
connection with a Change in Control under an agreement,
participants must execute a waiver and release in favor of
Penford. Participants must also agree to noncompetition and
nonsolicitation provisions for a period extending beyond their
termination of employment, as well as to nondisparagement and
confidentiality provisions.
Under these agreements, participants, regardless of whether
their employment is terminated in connection with a Change in
Control, are entitled to vesting immediately prior to a Change
in Control of all options and other equity-based rights and
interests outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control.
Under these agreements, participants are entitled to certain
benefits if they are terminated within 24 months after a
Change in Control. Participants will not be considered
terminated for purposes of these agreements if they
die, become disabled or are terminated for cause. They will,
however, be considered terminated if they
voluntarily leave Penfords employ for certain good reasons
(defined as Good Reason in the agreements and
summarized below) and, in the case of Mr. Malkoski and
Mr. Cordier, if they voluntarily terminate employment
during the
30-day
period beginning on the first anniversary of a Change in Control.
Upon a termination in connection with a Change in Control,
participants will be eligible to receive 50% of the compensation
payable to them under the agreement (referred to as the
CIC Amount) within 30 days after their
termination of employment and 50% in equal monthly installments
over the compensation period, which for Messrs Malkoski, Cordier
and Randall is 30 months and for Messrs. Kortemeyer
and Lawlor is 24 months. The CIC Amount is the product of
(a) base salary plus the participants Average Target
Attainment Bonus (as defined in the agreements) over a specified
period, times (b) 2.5 for Messrs. Malkoski, Cordier
and Randall and 2.0 for Messrs
22
Kortemeyer and Lawlor. In addition, participants receive a
prorated target bonus for the year of termination and Penford
will pay the cost of outplacement services for a period, which
in the case of Mr. Malkoski and Mr. Cordier would be
12 months and for the other participants would be
6 months. Participants will also be entitled to
continuation of certain medical, life and other benefits during
the compensation period. Mr. Malkoski and Mr. Cordier
are also entitled to an additional payment, if necessary, to
make them whole as a result of excise and related taxes imposed
by the Internal Revenue Code on change of control benefits. If
such excise taxes would otherwise be applicable to other
participants, such other participants would have the payments
under the agreement reduced such that the aggregate present
value of the payments under the agreement would not exceed one
hundred dollars less than three times the participants
base amount (generally average compensation from Penford for the
preceding five years) under the Internal Revenue Code.
A general summary of certain definitions used in the agreements
follows:
Change of Control generally means any of the
following events: (i) The Company is merged, consolidated
or reorganized (Reorganization) with another entity
and as a result of which less than 50% of the outstanding voting
interests or securities of the surviving or resulting entity
immediately after the Reorganization are owned in the aggregate
by the former shareholders of the Company, in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership before such Reorganization;
(ii) The Company sells all or substantially all of the
Companys assets to another entity; (iii) Any person
acquires more than 40% of the outstanding voting securities of
the Company; or (iv) During any 24 month period,
individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
at the beginning of such period cease to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or nomination for
election by the Companys shareholders, of each new
director was approved (other than in connection with an actual
or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by another) by
the vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
office who were directors of the Company at the beginning of
such period.
Good Reason generally exists (if, after written
notice by the executive to the Company and a thirty
(30) day opportunity by the Company to cure during which
the Company does not cure the condition): (i) The
executives most significant duties, responsibilities or
authority are reduced or diminished in other than an immaterial
manner; (ii) Either (A) the executives base
salary or target bonus are reduced by the Company, or
(B) the executives benefits are denied or modified in
a manner different than changes applicable to other executive
officers, and (C) the aggregate effect of all such
reductions, denials and modifications (including any increases
in compensation, bonuses, or benefits) represents more than an
immaterial reduction to the executives overall
compensation package; (iii) The Company violates the
material terms of the agreement; (iv) The executive is
required to relocate his principal place of employment more than
50 miles from both his principal place of employment and
his principal residence; or (v) There is a liquidation,
dissolution, consolidation or merger of the Company or transfer
or sale of all or a substantially all of its assets, unless a
successor (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to which all
or substantially all of its assets have been transferred or sold
has assumed all duties and obligations of the Company under the
agreement.
23
The following table quantifies the payments and benefits that
each named executive officer would receive under the
Companys compensation programs upon various scenarios for
termination of employment or a
change-in-control
of the Company.
2007
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Table(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
Termination After
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement
|
|
|
Control, Death
|
|
|
Change in Control($)
|
|
Name
|
|
Benefit
|
|
($)
|
|
|
or Disability ($)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
Thomas D. Malkoski
|
|
Change in Control Amount(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,290,342
|
|
|
|
Tax Gross Up(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,198,395
|
|
|
|
Prorated Target Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
490,000
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options(4)
|
|
|
908,775
|
|
|
|
1,490,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit coverage continuation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
|
Outplacement services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
908,775
|
|
|
|
1,490,175
|
|
|
|
4,039,737
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven O. Cordier
|
|
Change in Control Amount(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,364,278
|
|
|
|
Tax Gross Up(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
753,455
|
|
|
|
Prorated Target Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,750
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options(4)
|
|
|
696,525
|
|
|
|
1,132,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit coverage continuation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
|
Outplacement services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
696,525
|
|
|
|
1,132,575
|
|
|
|
2,422,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Randall
|
|
Change in Control Amount(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
868,292
|
|
|
|
Prorated Target Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,000
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options(4)
|
|
|
94,800
|
|
|
|
671,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit coverage continuation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,640
|
|
|
|
Outplacement services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,800
|
|
|
|
671,250
|
|
|
|
1,000,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher L. Lawlor
|
|
Change in Control Amount(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,182
|
|
|
|
Prorated Target Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,000
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options(4)
|
|
|
302,700
|
|
|
|
493,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit coverage continuation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
Outplacement services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
302,700
|
|
|
|
493,200
|
|
|
|
760,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy M. Kortemeyer
|
|
Change in Control Amount(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
604,097
|
|
|
|
Prorated Target Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options(4)
|
|
|
227,195
|
|
|
|
663,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit coverage continuation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
Outplacement services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
227,195
|
|
|
|
663,245
|
|
|
|
737,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Assumes termination or change of
control occurred on August 31, 2007.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The Change in Control Amount is the
product of (a) base salary plus the participants
Average Target Attainment Bonus (as defined in the agreements)
over a specified period, times (b) 2.5 for the named
executive officers other than Messrs. Lawlor and Kortemeyer
and 2.0 for Messrs. Lawlor and Kortemeyer.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The Company will make additional
payments to Messrs. Malkoski and Cordier if an excise tax
arises under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code
(Code) as a result of the Internal Revenue Service
treating any payment or acceleration right as contingent upon a
change
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
of control pursuant to
Section 280G of the Code. The net result of these payments
will be to place the executive in the same after-tax position as
if the excise tax had not been imposed.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Vesting for stock options granted
pursuant to the 2006 Long-term Incentive Plan does not
accelerate upon retirement. Amounts in the
Retirement column reflect the acceleration of
vesting for stock options granted pursuant to the 1994 Stock
Option Plan. Amounts in the Change in Control, Death or
Disability and Termination After Change in
Control column reflect the acceleration of vesting for
stock options granted pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan and
the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Amounts are computed as the
spread between the option exercise price and the closing market
price of Penford common stock on August 31, 2007 times the
number of unexercisable options at August 31, 2007.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Amounts in the column
Termination after Change in Control reflect amounts
payable to the named executive officers if terminated within two
years after a change in control. Note that the acceleration of
stock options occurs upon a Change in Control regardless of
whether employment is terminated and such acceleration is shown
in the column Change in Control, Death or Disability.
|
Director
Compensation
The following table provides compensation information for fiscal
2007 for each of the Companys non-employee directors.
2007 Director
Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or
|
|
|
Stock Awards ($)
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Paid in Cash ($)(1)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
Earnings ($)(3)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
William E. Buchholz
|
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,000
|
|
Jeffrey T. Cook
|
|
|
49,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
R. Randolph Devening
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,000
|
|
Paul H. Hatfield
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,000
|
|
John C. Hunter III
|
|
|
54,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
|
60,690
|
|
Sally G. Narodick
|
|
|
52,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
4,226
|
|
|
|
62,226
|
|
James E. Warjone
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes retainer fees and meeting
fees. Non-employee directors may elect to receive their fees in
cash or defer a portion in the Deferred Compensation Plan. No
director deferred compensation in fiscal 2007.
|
|
(2)
|
|
On September 1, 2005, the
non-employee directors were granted 1,242 shares of
restricted stock pursuant to the terms of the 1993 Non-Employee
Director Restricted Stock Plan. One-third of the shares vest on
each anniversary of the date of the restricted stock award. The
fair value on the date of grant of the restricted stock award to
each director was $18,000. Compensation is recognized ratably
over the vesting period. The amounts in this column reflect the
dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes in fiscal 2007 in accordance with FAS 123R, and
include amounts from awards issued prior to fiscal 2007. At
August 31, 2007, each non-employee director had 414
unvested restricted shares of Penford common stock.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Under the Penford Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan, non-employee directors may elect to
defer, with interest, all or part of their director
compensation. In fiscal year 2007, none of the directors elected
to defer any portion of their cash compensation. Amounts reflect
above-market interest on the Companys nonqualified
deferred compensation plan. Interest is credited to a
participants account at the monthly equivalent of an
annual yield that is two percentage points higher than the
annual yield of the Moodys Average Corporate Bond Yield
Index for the preceding month.
|
25
As reflected in the 2007 Director Compensation Table above,
non-employee directors received compensation during the
Companys fiscal year 2007 according to the following
schedule:
|
|
|
|
|
Base annual retainer as a director
|
|
$
|
23,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chair of the Audit Committee
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chair of any other standing
committee, except Executive Committee
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
Fee for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
Fee for Chair and member of each standing committee for each
meeting attended
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Fee in lieu of director stock options
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
In September 2007, the Companys Governance Committee
retained a consultant, Towers Perrin, to perform a competitive
analysis of compensation for the services of the Companys
non-employee directors. Subsequently, the Governance Committee,
following its review of the Towers Perrin analysis, recommended
to the Board of Directors changes to the compensation schedule
for non-employee directors. In October 2007, the Board approved
the following revised director compensation schedule effective
with fiscal year 2008:
Cash
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
Base annual retainer as a director
|
|
$
|
72,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chair of the Audit Committee
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
Additional annual retainer for Chair of any other standing
committee, except Executive Committee
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
Additional meeting
fee
(1)
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
Fee for Chair and member of each standing committee for each
meeting attended
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Fee in lieu of director stock options
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Additional meetings fee to be paid for each Board of Directors
meeting attended in excess of six meetings per fiscal year and
each Committee meeting attended in excess of six meetings per
fiscal year.
|
Equity
Compensation
An annual restricted stock grant valued at $20,000 is to be made
on January 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 2008,
based on the last reported sale price of the Companys
stock on the last preceding trading day, in accordance with the
Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Restrictions lapse
on the first anniversary date of the award.
The Board terminated the 1993 Non-Employee Director Restricted
Stock Plan at the time that it approved the new compensation
schedule.
The independent members of the Board have concluded that there
may be instances where it will be in the best interest of the
Company to ask individual directors to perform Board or Board
committee services which exceed the normal expectation of
service generally expected of directors and committee members.
The Board has concluded that in such instances that it will be
equitable and in the best interests of the Company to compensate
a director at the same per diem rate then payable to directors
for participation in a meeting of the Board of Directors. It is
specifically intended that such compensation shall not represent
any consulting, advisory, or other fee and is only intended as
payment for extraordinary Board service. Accordingly, payments
shall be made for such service only under the following
conditions: (i) the director who is asked to perform such
services does not publicly hold himself out as a consultant or
advisor in the area of service being requested or regularly
perform such services for compensation for entities that he or
she is not affiliated with as an officer, director or owner;
(ii) the special assignment relates to a matter that is
under review by the Board or a committee or if pursued will
require such review; (iii) the special assignment shall not
involve the preparation of financial statements or work directly
related
26
to such preparation other than the review and oversight normally
undertaken by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors;
(iv) the total fees paid for such services shall not exceed
$60,000 in any fiscal year; and (v) the special assignment
must be approved by a majority of the independent members of the
Board of Directors who shall affirmatively determine that the
assignment will not adversely affect the directors
independence. Any special assignment shall be reviewed no less
often than annually by the Governance Committee, provided that
any member of that committee shall recuse himself or herself
from any review of a special assignment in which they are
engaged.
TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
Pursuant to its charter, the Companys Audit Committee
reviews all transactions with related persons (as defined in
Item 404 of
Regulation S-K
as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and
resolves issues of conflict of interest. If any member of the
Audit Committee is also an officer, director or an interested
party of or in a corporation or other entity with which a
conflict arises, that member will not participate in the
deliberations or vote on any matter involving that corporation
or other entity. The Audit Committee reviews each related person
transaction that comes to its attention on a
case-by-case
basis, either in advance or when the Audit Committee becomes
aware of a related person transaction that was not reviewed and
approved in advance.
The Companys written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
provides that directors and employees are expected to avoid
situations and relationships that involve actual or potential
conflicts of interest and to fully disclose to the Company those
conflicts of interest that cannot be avoided. The Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics notes that a conflict of
interest exists when private interest interferes in any
way with the interests of the Company or makes it difficult for
the director or employee to perform work for the Company
objectively and effectively. Directors and employees are
required to avoid any personal activity, investment or
association with the Companys competitors, customers,
suppliers and other third parties that could appear to interfere
with the directors or employees judgment concerning
the Companys best interests and they must never exploit
their position or relationship with the Company for personal
gain.
The Company has not adopted a separate written policy or
procedures governing its approval of transactions with related
persons, beyond that which is set forth in the Audit Committee
charter and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
The Company is not aware of any transaction since the beginning
of the Companys last fiscal year, or any currently
proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is to be a
participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in
which any of the Companys officers, directors or nominees
or any holder of 5% of the Companys common stock or their
immediate family members had or will have a direct or indirect
material interest.
SECTION 16(a)
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The federal securities laws require the Companys directors
and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten
percent (10%) of the Companys common stock, to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of any securities
of the Company.
Based solely on its review of copies of such reports received by
it and written representations from certain persons that no
other reports were required for those persons, the Company
believes that all filing requirements applicable to its
officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders were
complied with for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.
Shareholder proposals that are (a) intended for inclusion
in next years proxy statement, or (b) to be presented
at next years Annual Meeting of Shareholders without
inclusion in the Companys proxy materials, must be
directed to the Corporate Secretary at Penford Corporation, 7094
South Revere Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112, and must be received
by August 30, 2008. Any shareholder proposal for next
years Annual Meeting submitted after August 30, 2008
will not be considered filed on a timely basis with the Company.
For proposals that are timely filed, the Company retains
discretion to vote proxies it receives provided (1) the
Company includes in its proxy statement
27
advice on the nature of the proposal and how it intends to
exercise its voting discretion; and (2) the proponent does
not deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to the
Companys shareholders pursuant to the procedures specified
under the applicable rules and regulations.
The proxy card accompanying this proxy statement is solicited by
the Board of Directors. Proxies may be solicited by officers,
directors, and other employees of the Company, none of whom will
receive any additional compensation for their services.
Representatives of Mellon Investor Services LLC also may solicit
proxies as a part of the services they provide for the Company
and the Company is paying approximately $6,000 for these
solicitation services. Solicitations of proxies may be made
personally, or by mail, telephone, telegraph, facsimile, or
messenger. The Company will pay persons holding shares of common
stock in their names or in the names of nominees, but not owning
such shares beneficially, such as brokerage houses, banks and
other fiduciaries, for the expense of forwarding soliciting
materials to their principals. All costs of soliciting proxies
will be paid by the Company.
Votes
Required
Under the Washington Business Corporation Act, the
Companys directors are elected by a plurality of the votes
represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. The candidates
for directors who are elected are those candidates receiving the
largest number of affirmative (for) votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election, up to the number of directors
to be elected. The proposal to ratify the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm will be approved if it
receives the affirmative (for) vote of a majority of the total
votes cast on the proposal. Votes cast by proxy or in person at
the meeting will be tabulated by Mellon Investor Services LLC,
the stock transfer agent designated by the Company. A majority
of the shares eligible to vote must be present in person at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders or represented by proxy to
provide a quorum so that action may be taken.
Effect
of an Abstention and Broker Non-Votes
A shareholder who returns a proxy but abstains from voting on
any or all proposals and broker non-votes (shares held by
brokers or nominees that are represented at a meeting, but with
respect to which the broker or nominee is not empowered to vote
on a particular proposal) will be included in the number of
shareholders present at the meeting for the purpose of
determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will not be counted either in favor of or against the
election of the nominees.
Under the rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, brokers holding stock for the accounts of their clients
who have not been given specific voting instructions as to
certain routine matters, such as the election of directors and
the ratification of the selection of the independent registered
public accounting firm, by their clients may vote their
clients shares in their own discretion. Banks and brokers
that have not received voting instructions from their clients
cannot vote on their clients behalf on non-routine
proposals. In the event that a broker, bank, custodian, nominee
or other record holder of Penford Corporation common stock
indicates on a proxy that it does not have discretionary
authority to vote certain shares on a particular matter,
referred to as a broker non-vote, then those shares
will not be voted with respect to that matter.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON
FORM 10-K
The Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the most
recent fiscal year is included in the Companys Annual
Report to Shareholders that accompanies this proxy statement.
The Company will furnish without charge, upon the written
request of any person who is a shareholder or a beneficial owner
of shares of common stock, a copy of the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its most
recent fiscal year, including financial statement schedules but
not including
28
exhibits. Requests should be directed to the Corporate Secretary
at Penford Corporation, 7094 South Revere Parkway, Centennial,
CO 80112.
Intermediaries such as brokers are permitted to satisfy delivery
requirements for proxy materials with respect to multiple
shareholders that share the same last name and address by
delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those
shareholders. This process is known as householding.
Shareholders who do not wish to participate in householding and
would prefer to receive separate proxy material, or shareholders
who receive multiple copies of the proxy material and wish to
receive only one, should notify their broker. The Company does
not household proxy material for shareholders of record. If a
shareholder of record wishes to participate in householding,
contact Investor Relations, Penford Corporation,
7094 S. Revere Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112.
The Company is not aware of any other business to be acted upon
at the meeting. If other business requiring a vote of the
shareholders should come before the meeting, the holders of the
proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
December 28, 2007
29
|
|
|
|
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
PENFORD CORPORATION
|
|
|
The undersigned hereby appoints Thomas D. Malkoski, Steven O. Cordier and Christopher L. Lawlor,
and each of them, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies
and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other
side, all the shares of Penford Corporation Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote,
and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may property come before the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held January 30, 2008, or any adjournment thereof,
with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting.
|
|
|
|
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE PROPOSALS.
|
|
|
|
(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address
Change/Comments
(Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can now access your Penford Corporation account online.
Access
your Penford Corporation shareholder account online via Investor ServiceDirect
®
(ISD).
Mellon Investor Services LLC, Transfer Agent for Penford Corporation, now makes it easy and
convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
View account status
|
|
|
|
View payment history for dividends
|
|
|
View certificate history
|
|
|
|
Make address changes
|
|
|
View book-entry information
|
|
|
|
Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Establish/change your PIN
|
Visit us on the web at http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner
For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time
****TRY IT OUT****
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd
Investor ServiceDirect
®
Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-370-1163
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1
AND FOR ITEM 2.
|
|
|
Mark Here for Address Change or Comments
|
|
o
|
PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE
|
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR all Nominees listed in Item 1 and FOR Item 2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote FOR
|
|
Vote WITHHELD
|
|
|
|
|
all nominees
|
|
from all
|
|
|
Nominees:
|
|
|
|
nominees
|
|
|
01 William E. Buchholz
02 John C. Hunter III
03 James E. Warjone
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the
name of the nominee on the line below
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
2.
|
|
Proposal to ratify the appointment
of Ernst & Young LLP as the
companys independent registered
public accounting firm.
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote
upon such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
|
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of said
Annual Meeting and the accompanying Proxy Statement and Annual
Report.
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign.
Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide
full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing a proxy
5
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
5
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTERNET OR TELEPHONE VOTING,
BOTH ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
Internet and Telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.
Your Internet or Telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTERNET
http://www.proxyvoting.com/penx
Use the internet to vote your proxy.
Have your proxy card in hand
when you access the web site.
|
|
OR
|
|
TELEPHONE
1-866-540-5760
Use any touch-tone telephone to
vote your proxy. Have your proxy
card in hand when you call.
|
|
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your
proxy card.
To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Choose
MLink
SM
for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your future
proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to
Investor
ServiceDirect
®
at
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd
where
step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment.
You can view the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
on the internet at www.penx.com/investor