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Name | Symbol | Market | Type |
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RPT Realty | NYSE:RPT-D | NYSE | Preference Share |
Price Change | % Change | Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Traded | Last Trade | |
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0.00 | 0.00% | 57.13 | 0 | 00:00:00 |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
RPT Realty
(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ No fee
required
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
19 W 44TH STREET, SUITE 1002
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
Dear Shareholder:
We invite you to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of RPT Realty (the “Trust”) virtually via the Internet or by proxy. The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. During the Annual Meeting, shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on each item of business described in the enclosed notice of the Annual Meeting and accompanying proxy statement.
Shareholders may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023 where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held solely by means of remote communication in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically. You will only be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting by using your control number, which will be included on your notice or proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials), to log on to the Annual Meeting.
We have elected to furnish proxy materials to you primarily through the Internet, which expedites your receipt of materials, lowers our expenses and conserves natural resources. On or about March 16, 2023, we mailed to our shareholders of record (other than shareholders who previously requested e-mail or paper delivery of proxy materials) a notice containing their control number, instructions on how to access our 2023 proxy statement and 2022 annual report to shareholders through the Internet and how to vote through the Internet. The notice also included instructions on how to receive such materials, at no charge, by paper delivery (along with a proxy card) or by e-mail. Beneficial owners received a similar notice from their broker, bank or other nominee. Please do not mail in the notice, as it is not intended to serve as a voting instrument. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trust may send certain shareholders of record a full set of proxy materials by paper delivery instead of the notice or in addition to sending the notice.
Your continued interest and participation in the affairs of the Trust are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Brian L. Harper
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 16, 2023
Your vote is important. Even if you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, we urge you to vote promptly to save us the expense of additional solicitation. If you personally attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you may revoke your proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying proxy statement and vote during the Annual Meeting.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 2 |
Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders APRIL 27, 2023
2023 ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION:
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 2023
TIME: 9:00 A.M., Eastern Time
The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual-only format and will be available via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023
To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials), to enter the Annual Meeting. Instructions on how to attend and participate virtually, including on how to demonstrate proof of Share ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ RPT2023.
HOW TO VOTE:
Your vote is important. You are eligible to vote if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 6, 2023.
BY INTERNET PRIOR TO MEETING www.proxyvote.com |
|
BY INTERNET DURING MEETING | |
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ RPT2023 |
|
BY PHONE As indicated on your proxy card. |
|
BY MAIL Complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy voting card. |
Your vote is important. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, we urge you to vote promptly to save us the expense of additional solicitation. If you attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you may revoke your proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying proxy statement and vote during the Annual Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on April 27, 2023: The Proxy Statement, 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Card are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
To the Shareholders of RPT Realty:
Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of RPT Realty (the “Trust”) will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. You may attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023 by using the control number included with your notice to log on to the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held solely by means of remote communication in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically. The agenda for the Annual Meeting is as follows:
(1) | Elect the seven trustees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; | |
(2) | Ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023; | |
(3) | Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers; | |
(4) | Approve, on an advisory basis, whether an advisory vote on the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years; and | |
(5) | Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The Board of Trustees of the Trust recommends a vote FOR each of the trustee nominees listed in the accompanying proxy statement, FOR the ratification of Grant Thornton LLP’s appointment, FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers, and FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation every year.
The accompanying proxy statement, which forms a part of this Notice of Annual Meeting, contains additional information for your careful review. Shareholders of record of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest at the close of business on March 6, 2023 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
Heather Ohlberg
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
March 16, 2023
Your vote is important. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, we urge you to vote promptly to save us the expense of additional solicitation. If you attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you may revoke your proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying proxy statement and vote during the Annual Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on April 27, 2023: The Proxy Statement, 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Card are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 3 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 4 |
The following summary provides an overview of the information contained in this proxy statement. Please read this entire proxy statement for more information on each topic discussed in this summary before voting.
VOTING MATTERS
Proposals |
Board Voting |
Page Reference |
|||||
Proposal 1: |
Election of Richard L. Federico, Arthur H. Goldberg, Brian L. Harper, Joanna T. Lau, David J. Nettina, Laurie M. Shahon and Andrea M. Weiss to serve as trustees until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. |
FOR each nominee |
25 |
||||
Proposal 2: |
Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as RPT Realty’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. |
FOR |
77 |
||||
Proposal 3: |
Approval, on a non-binding basis, of the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers. |
FOR |
78 |
||||
Proposal 4: |
Approval, on an advisory basis, whether an advisory vote on the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years. |
FOR every |
79 |
BOARD NOMINEES
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of RPT Realty (“Trust,” “RPT,” “we,” “our” or “us”), based on the recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board, has nominated each of the following seven nominees for election as trustees at the Annual Meeting:
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Name |
Age |
Director Since |
Audit |
Compensation and |
Nominating & Governance |
Executive |
||||||
Richard L. Federico |
68 |
2018 |
X ($) |
X |
— |
— |
||||||
Arthur H. Goldberg |
80 |
1988 |
X ($) |
Chair |
— |
X |
||||||
Brian L. Harper |
47 |
2018 |
— |
— |
— |
X |
||||||
Joanna T. Lau |
64 |
2019 |
Chair ($) |
— |
X |
— |
||||||
David J. Nettina |
70 |
2012 |
X ($) |
— |
— |
Chair |
||||||
Laurie M. Shahon |
71 |
2015 |
X ($) |
X |
Chair |
X |
||||||
Andrea M. Weiss |
67 |
2018 |
— |
X |
X |
— |
||||||
Meetings in 2022 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
($) Financial Expert
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 5 |
PURPOSE AND CORE VALUES
RPT owns and operates a national portfolio of open-air shopping destinations principally located in top U.S. markets. We aspire to create a culture that attracts and retains talented employees with a shared passion for innovation, transparency and excellence. By working with each of our stakeholders, we are realizing our corporate purpose of “Turning Commercial Ground into Common Ground.”
Our business is founded on the following core set of values which we believe will result in a long-term sustainable business model that creates value for our shareholders and equity with our stakeholders.
RPT Core Values
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 6 |
2022 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
2022 was another successful year of execution across each of our business units. Leasing volumes in 2022 increased 33% following a 49% increase in 2021, reflective of the portfolio quality improvements made over the past few years, the importance of a strong brick-and-mortar presence and the lack of quality new retail supply. Rents on new leases signed in 2022 also continued to expand, with comparable new lease spreads of 42.6% on a trailing twelve-month basis. During the year, the Trust also continued to reshape the portfolio towards higher growth and higher income markets. At the end of 2022, Boston, Miami, Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville and Austin represented 38% of our annualized base rent, with Boston now our second largest market and our three-mile average household income now $122,000. As of December 31, 2022, our shopping center portfolio consisted of 44 wholly-owned shopping centers and 13 shopping centers owned through our grocery-anchored joint venture, located in high-income suburbs within the top 40 metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) in the United States as well as 48 retail properties owned through our net lease joint venture and one net lease retail property that was held for sale by RPT.
During the past year, RPT again demonstrated its proactive balance sheet management by issuing debt and equity in early 2022 when cost of capital was low and refinancing the Trust’s unsecured credit facility ahead of the dislocation in the capital markets that occurred in the latter half of the year. At the end of 2022, the Trust had no debt maturing until 2025 and had fixed all remaining term loan debt through maturity, significantly reducing RPT’s exposure to the impact of rising interest rates. The Trust also continued to invest in productivity enhancing data initiatives that provide greater real-time business visibility in the near and medium term and in Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) initiatives that we believe will create a more sustainable business over the long term. Additionally, the Trust increased the quarterly dividend rate by 8% for the first quarter of 2022 and by another 8% for the first quarter of 2023.
The following are highlights of RPT’s financial and operating performance in 2022, which represent information as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as applicable, that provide context for the discussion of the compensation of RPT’s named executive officers (“NEOs”, and each, an “NEO”) included in this proxy statement. These include operating funds from operations (“Operating FFO”) per diluted share, same property net operating income (“NOI”) and net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures for which reconciliations and other information are set forth on pages 48–51 of RPT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and are included in Appendix A to this proxy statement, as applicable.
2022 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Although the Trust’s total shareholder return in 2022 was ahead of the broader REIT index, we were disappointed by our absolute return, which we believe did not reflect the many successes achieved across all aspects of our business in 2022, as discussed below.
2022 Total Shareholder Returns
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 7 |
2022 Selected Financial and Operational Highlights
18.7% NET INCOME PER DILUTED |
9.5% OPERATING FFO |
4.3% SAME PROPERTY |
93.8% PRO-RATA |
42.6% COMPARABLE NEW |
Unless otherwise noted, we present certain financial information on a “pro-rata” basis or including “pro-rata” adjustments. Unless otherwise specified, pro-rata financial information includes our proportionate economic ownership of each our unconsolidated joint ventures derived on an entity-by-entity basis by applying the ownership percentage interest used to arrive at our share of the net operations for the period consistent with the application of the equity method of accounting to each of our unconsolidated joint ventures.
Dividend Highlights
• |
Declared 2022 common dividends per common share of $0.52, an increase of 33% over the prior year |
|
• |
Declared a first
quarter 2023 common dividend of $0.14 per common share, an increase of 8% over the prior |
Growing and Well-Covered Dividend |
|
Quarterly Common Dividend per share | |
Operational Highlights
• |
The Trust diversified its tenant portfolio to align with the evolving retail landscape and executed 2.2 million square feet of leases for the full year 2022, an increase of 33% over 2021, which represented the highest annual leasing volume since 2014 |
|
• |
As of December 31, 2022, the Trust had $11.2 million of signed not commenced rent and recovery income representing about $0.12 per share of visible future earnings growth |
|
• |
Ended 2022 with a leased rate of 93.8% as of December 31, 2022, an increase of 70 basis points year-over-year |
|
• |
Generated comparable new lease spreads of 24.3% and 42.6% during the fourth quarter of 2022 and on a trailing twelve-month basis, respectively, reflective of the strong embedded rental rate upside in the portfolio |
|
• |
69% of ABR is derived from centers with a grocer or grocer component, including leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced, reflecting the essential nature of the Trust’s portfolio and the stability of its cash flows |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 8 |
Strong Leasing Volumes at Attractive Rents |
|
Total Leasing Volume (in millions) |
Re-leasing Spreads - New Leases - Comparable |
Balance Sheet Highlights
• | The Trust closed on the recast of an $810 million unsecured credit facility based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), increasing the commitment on the revolving line of credit by $150 million to $500 million, extending debt duration, lowering the average credit spread on the $310 million term loan facility and adding a sustainability-linked pricing component whereby the applicable interest rate margin can be reduced if the Trust meets certain sustainability performance targets | ||
• | The Trust opportunistically executed forward starting swaps covering $160 million of notional value at a fixed rate of 3.04%, fixing the rate on all outstanding term loan debt though maturity, significantly reducing the Trust’s exposure to floating interest rate volatility | ||
• | The Trust, through its joint venture platforms, closed on new secured debt totaling approximately $52.0 million at an attractive 2.88% fixed rate | ||
• | The Trust, through its joint venture platforms, closed on the recast of a $350 million, SOFR-based secured credit facility, lowering the applicable interest rate margin by 65 basis points and increasing the commitment on the revolving line of credit by $110 million | ||
• | Net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA was 6.9x as of December 31, 2022 | ||
• | As of December 31, 2022, the Trust had $465 million of unused capacity under its unsecured line of credit, subject to compliance with certain covenants, and $6 million of consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ||
• | As of December 31, 2022, the Trust has no debt maturing until 2025 and a weighted average debt maturity of 5.1 years | ||
• |
The Trust maintained an investment grade rating of BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Inc. in 2022 which was also reaffirmed in February 2023 |
Ample Liquidity and No Pending Debt Maturities |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 9 |
Investment Highlights
• |
Grew assets under management by 11% year-over-year to $3.2 billion |
|
• |
Acquired $375 million of assets from third parties through the Trust’s two joint venture platforms and on balance sheet |
• |
Acquired The Crossings and Brookline Village in the Boston market |
||
• |
Acquired Mary Brickell Village in the heart of Miami’s thriving financial district through the Trust’s grocery-anchored joint venture platform |
||
• |
Acquired seven properties through the Trust’s net lease joint venture platform |
||
• |
Increased the Trust’s exposure to the Boston market by 4.1% versus 2021 to 11.5% of pro-rata annualized base rent |
||
• |
96.5% of annualized base rent stems from top 40 MSAs as of December 31, 2022 |
• |
Sold $98 million of assets to third parties and contributed $185 million of assets into the Trust’s two joint venture platforms |
• |
Sold Rivertowne Square, Tel-Twelve and Mount Prospect Plaza |
||
• |
Contributed The Shops on Lane Avenue and Troy Marketplace to the Trust’s grocery-anchored joint venture platform, retaining a 51.5% stake in each property |
||
• |
Contributed three single-tenant properties from the Trust’s existing shopping centers into the Trust’s net lease joint venture platform, retaining a 6.4% stake in each property |
Growing Asset Base and Improving Geographic Mix |
|
Assets Under Management (in billions) |
Top 40 MSA Exposure (by annualized base rent) |
Digital and Data Highlights
• |
Automated numerous legacy data processes using multi-dimensional cube-based reporting, significantly enhancing productivity |
|
• |
Continued transition of legacy reporting into PowerBI-based dashboards, improving the visualization of and providing faster visibility into business trends |
|
• |
Automated the Trust’s proprietary Asset Scoring model that is used to manage property level risk through the entire asset life cycle from acquisition through disposition and added a climate risk score to the framework |
Environmental, Social and Governance Highlights
We continue to advance our commitment to sustainability with a focus on each of the ESG areas of sustainability. RPT’s Chief Executive Officer, who is also a trustee, is the executive sponsor of RPT’s ESG program. We believe that sustainability initiatives are a vital part of supporting our primary goal to achieve a long-term sustainable business model that maximizes value for our shareholders and integrate ESG into our overall business practices. To that end, the ESG Committee, a cross-functional and diverse committee comprised of employee representatives throughout RPT, reviews and coordinates RPT’s ESG initiatives and makes recommendations for approval by RPT’s Chief Executive Officer. In addition to the ESG Committee, RPT also has an ESG Steering Committee, which reviews the plans created by the ESG Committee with a focus on ensuring that ESG proposals are fully integrated with the Company’s overall business strategy. The Board has designated the Nominating & Governance
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 10 |
Committee to oversee our ESG-related efforts and receives periodic updates from management on ESG-related topics and provides high-level guidance to our management team on such topics. In July 2022, we published our second Corporate Sustainability Report which highlights our 2021 ESG initiatives, goals and achievements.
Environmental
We strive to become a model environmental steward by implementing measures at our properties that will substantially reduce our carbon footprint and consumption of natural resources. Our environmental sustainability initiatives aim to safeguard the environment and improve the energy efficiency of our portfolio and corporate office locations, while lowering operating costs. We continue to make meaningful progress against our established long-term targets to mitigate our environmental impact through initiatives such as our LED lighting conversions, management of smart irrigation systems and landscaping, and furthering our electric vehicle charging stations initiatives. We also partner with our tenants to achieve our sustainability goals through initiatives such as green lease provisions. We incorporate environmental and climate risk assessments as part of our capital allocation decisions and our asset scoring model for acquisitions and dispositions. Environmental highlights for 2022 include:
• |
Increased Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (“GRESB”) Real Estate Assessment score by 33% from 2021 to 2022 |
|
• |
Recognized by Green Lease Leaders as a “Gold Green Lease Leader” |
|
• |
Installed LED lighting at five shopping centers |
|
• |
Installed irrigation controls at six shopping centers |
|
• |
Aim to reduce electricity consumption in landlord-controlled areas by 25% by the end of 2026 (using 2018 as our baseline) |
|
• |
Aim to divert 35% of all landlord-controlled shopping center waste from landfills by the end of 2023(1) |
|
• |
Aim to reduce landlord-controlled scope 1 and scope 2 green-house gas emissions at our shopping centers by 25% by the end of 2026 (using 2019 as our baseline) |
|
• |
Aim to reduce common area water consumption by 20% by the end of 2024 (using 2019 as our baseline) |
Social and Human Capital Management
Our commitment to ESG principles starts with our employees. We strive to create an environment for our employees that results in high levels of employee satisfaction by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion, health and safety, well-being programs, employee development and training at all levels and equitable and competitive pay practices. Our employees are also passionate about giving back to the communities in which we operate and take part in charitable giving and volunteer opportunities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• |
RPT’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DE&I”) Committee continues its advocacy efforts focusing on the following five pillars: talent, culture, community outreach, business integration and industry |
||
• |
Diversity and inclusion practices are incorporated throughout all employment phases, including recruitment, training and development |
||
• |
In 2022, 41% of new hires were racially and/or ethnically diverse, resulting in a 5% increase in racial and/or ethnic diversity of RPT’s workforce in 2022 from 2021 |
||
• |
56% of RPT’s workforce is female and 37% of executive and senior management is female |
||
• |
24% of RPT’s workforce is racially and/or ethnically diverse |
||
• |
52% of promotions were women and 21% were racially and/or ethnically diverse employees |
||
• |
Training and educational programs, include annual unconscious bias trainings, round table discussions and lunch and learns on a variety of topics aimed to reduce cultural distance and bring awareness |
||
• |
Partnered with charitable organizations that align with its DE&I efforts |
||
• |
Annually, all employees of the Trust complete discrimination, harassment and retaliation prevention training |
||
• |
Partnered with several organizations to provide mentorships to people of diverse backgrounds |
||
(1) The waste diversion rate excludes any single-tenant properties held our net lease joint venture.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 11 |
Wellbeing | |||
• |
Comprehensive medical and wellness benefits offered that are specific to the needs of our workforce and focus on preventative measures with virtual care options |
||
• |
Work life balance emphasized through competitive time off policies, flex time, Summer Fridays, mental health days and paid family leave policies |
||
• |
Health and wellbeing programs and initiatives focused on the importance of total wellbeing which includes physical, mental, financial, and social wellness |
||
Training and Development | |||
• |
We provide ongoing training programs which underscore the Trust’s commitment to invest in the long-term success of our team members, our most important asset. Training programs are offered that target areas of leadership, enhanced skills, best practices, including annual team specific development, and training |
||
Engagement | |||
• | Participation in our 2022 annual engagement survey was 91%. Results included an 85% positive rating for overall employee satisfaction and a 98% positive rating for commitment to the company and company engagement by employees | ||
• | Town Halls are conducted by the Chief Executive Officer where teams are given the opportunity to present ongoing team-sponsored initiatives | ||
• | Companywide quarterly meetings are held by the Chief Executive Officer to discuss post-earnings call highlights | ||
• | The Trust received the following recognitions: | ||
• | 2022 Green Star by GRESB | ||
• | 2022 Top Workplaces Detroit Free Press | ||
• | 2022 Best and Brightest in Wellness | ||
• | 2022 Globe St. Real Estate Forum Best Places to Work |
Philanthropy and Communities
• |
The Trust supports philanthropic initiatives and partners with organizations that are committed to improving the overall quality of life in our communities |
|||
• |
Local events are held at our shopping centers to foster a sense of community and togetherness |
|||
• |
Various organizations are supported annually through charitable and corporate giving thorough our “Act Locally Give Globally” program |
|||
• |
Volunteerism is encouraged throughout the year and supported with paid time off. In 2022, RPT challenged its employees to commit to 550 hours of hands on volunteering in the communities where we live and work. The goal was surpassed by over fifty percent |
|||
Benefits | ||||
• |
Our compensation package includes competitive base salaries, annual bonuses, share awards and matching 401(k) contributions. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, prescription, dental and visions insurance coverage that is cost-shared and we offer life and disability insurance at no cost to employees |
|||
• |
The Company contributes to Health Savings or Flexible Savings Accounts |
|||
• |
To address the prevalent need of convenient and flexible health care, we offer an enhanced Employee Assistance Program and a concierge virtual health care platform |
|||
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 12 |
Governance “Executing with Integrity” is one of our core values. We believe that good corporate governance will yield long-term success and create a culture of uncompromising integrity in all levels of our Company’s business, relationships and transactions. Accordingly, during 2022, we: |
|||
• |
Established a Vendor Diversity and Audit Policy |
||
• |
Enhanced the Trust’s current Vendor Contractor Code of Conduct and ESG Sustainability Policy by creating a new Vendor Policy Rider for vendor contracts which outlines the ESG standards we expect from our vendors |
||
• |
Implemented an enhanced Crisis Management Plan, Crisis Communication Plan and Emergency Response Plan |
||
• | Conducted quarterly risk assessments in connection with the Trust’s Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) program with the goal of giving the Company a greater ability to manage and prioritize risks | ||
• | Established the Data Governance Council that aligns business strategy and data analytics and establishes data management and quality control standards | ||
• | We continue to enhance our robust cybersecurity program through a “Prevent, Detect and Respond” approach. Accordingly, during 2022, we: | ||
• | Conducted ongoing cybersecurity awareness training, phishing exercises and testing | ||
• | Engaged in testing and monitoring by internal employees and third parties, including cyber assessments and annual penetration testing |
We also realize the importance of having a diverse Board comprised of different skill sets, viewpoints, experiences, ages, ethnicity and gender:
• |
50% of the Trust’s independent trustees are women and 17% of the independent trustees are racially and/or ethnically diverse |
|
• |
One of only a select few real estate investment trusts with equal representation of women and men as independent trustees |
|
• |
Average trustee tenure is 9 years |
|
• |
Two (2) female committee chairs |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 13 |
Board of Trustees at a Glance
Board Average Age |
Diversity (Independent Trustees) |
Tenure of the Board |
|
Combined Skills & Experience |
||
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 14 |
Corporate Governance Profile
Board Structure |
• Diversity in trustee composition
• Gender balance
• Separate Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer positions
• 6 of 7 independent trustees
• Independent trustees regularly
engage in meetings without management
|
|
Shareholder Rights |
• Board is not staggered, with each of our trustees subject to re-election annually
• Majority voting resignation
policy for trustees
• Annual Say-on-Pay advisory
vote
• Robust shareholder outreach
program
|
|
Oversight |
• Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing conduct of trustees, officers and employees
• Annual Committee and Board Evaluations
• Structured risk oversight by
the Board and Committees
• Oversight of ESG strategy and
initiatives by the Nominating and Governance Committee
• Oversight of cybersecurity and
the ERM program by the Audit Committee
• Talent and culture is now
overseen by the Compensation and Human Capital Committee, which is a newly added oversight function for such committee
|
|
Compensation |
• Clawback policy with respect to incentive payments
• Anti-hedging and pledging
policies
• Trustee and NEO have ownership
requirements
• Annual NEO
compensation based upon corporate financial and operational results and achievement of ESG goals approved by the Compensation and Human Capital Committee at the beginning of each year
• Pay a significant percentage
of total compensation for our CEO and other named executive officers in equity
• A significant percentage of
NEO long-term incentives is based on relative shareholder return
• Engagement of independent
compensation consultant to advise the Compensation and Human Capital Committee
• No payment of dividends or
distributions on unvested equity awards
• No excise tax gross-up
provisions
• Compensation and Human Capital
Committee consisting solely of independent trustees approves NEO compensation
|
Shareholder Outreach
The Trust values the insight of shareholders and actively engages with investors in order to maintain open lines of communication. In 2022, the Trust hosted 110 engagements with 104 unique investors through calls, meetings, conferences, property tours and visits to the Trust’s headquarters.
Additionally, the Trust provides periodic governance and ESG updates and solicits feedback from its largest shareholders. In spring 2022, we reached out to shareholders representing approximately 74% of our outstanding common shares to discuss our 2022 Proxy and executive compensation plans. Our Compensation and Human Capital Committee (“Compensation and Human Capital Committee”) Chair and Head of Investor Relations participated in these calls. Shareholder feedback was shared and discussed with the Board.
In fall 2022, we engaged with the stewardship teams of shareholders representing approximately 83% of our outstanding common shares to provide a business update and to discuss governance and ESG topics. Our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Investor Relations participated in these calls. Learnings and feedback from these calls were shared and discussed with the Board.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 15 |
Who we engaged |
Discussion Topics |
Results of Engagement |
||||||
Spring 2022 |
• Reached
out to shareholders representing approximately 74% of outstanding common shares
• Engaged
with shareholders representing approximately 29% of outstanding common shares
|
• 2022
Proxy
• Executive
compensation
• ISS
and Glass Lewis recommendations
|
• Feedback
shared with senior management and the Board
• Expanded
the Fall 2022 stewardship shareholder outreach program
|
|||||
Fall 2022 |
• Reached out to shareholders representing approximately 83% of outstanding common shares
• Engaged with shareholders
representing approximately 46% of outstanding common shares
|
• ESG
• Preferred ESG frameworks
• Ideas on additional
information to include in future corporate sustainability reports
• Science-based targets
• Corporate governance
• Board construction and
oversite
• Executive compensation
|
• Feedback reported to senior management and the Board
• Incorporated additional
disclosures in this proxy statement and planned for future corporate sustainability reports
|
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 16 |
19 W
44TH STREET, SUITE 1002
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
Proxy Statement
2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of RPT Realty (the “Trust,” “RPT,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is soliciting proxies for use at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Trust and any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023, on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held solely by means of remote communication in a virtual meeting format only. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically.
On or about March 16, 2023, the Trust mailed to its shareholders of record of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), other than shareholders who previously requested e-mail or paper delivery of proxy materials, a notice (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and the Trust’s 2021 annual report to shareholders through the Internet. Beneficial owners received a similar notice from their broker, bank or other nominee. In addition, on or about March 16, 2023, the Trust and brokers, banks and other nominees began mailing or e-mailing the proxy materials to shareholders of record who previously requested such delivery. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this proxy statement, the Trust may send certain shareholders of record a full set of proxy materials by paper delivery instead of the Notice or in addition to sending the Notice.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 17 |
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote on the matters outlined in the Notice, including:
• |
the election of the seven trustees named in this proxy statement to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; |
• |
the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023; and |
• |
the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers. |
• |
the approval, on an advisory basis, whether an advisory vote on the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years. |
The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the trustee nominees listed in this proxy statement, FOR the ratification of Grant Thornton’s appointment, FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, and FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of EVERY “ONE YEAR” as to the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.
We are not aware of any other matters that will be brought before the shareholders for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to your proxies to vote on such matter in their best judgment. The proxy holders named in the proxy card will vote as the Board recommends or, if the Board gives no recommendation, in their own discretion.
In addition, the Trust expects that representatives of Grant Thornton will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to questions. Such representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement.
How can I attend the Annual Meeting?
You can attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet or by proxy. The Annual Meeting will be held solely by means of remote communication in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically.
Attending and Participating Online. The Annual Meeting will take place virtually via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023. Shareholders may vote and submit questions while attending the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice or proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials), to enter the Annual Meeting via the Internet. Instructions on how to attend and participate virtually via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of Share ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023.
Attending by Proxy. Please see “How can I vote my Shares without attending the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet?” below.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only record holders of Shares at the close of business on March 6, 2023, which we refer to as the record date, are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote the Shares that they held at the close of business on the record date at the Annual Meeting. Each outstanding Share, as of the record date, is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the Annual Meeting, virtually via the Internet or by proxy, of shareholders entitled to cast, on the record date, a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. As
What is the difference between holding Shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Shareholders of Record. If your Shares are registered directly in your name with the Trust’s transfer agent, American
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 18 |
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those Shares and the applicable proxy materials are being sent directly to you by the Trust. As the shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Trust through the enclosed proxy card, through the Internet or by telephone, or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Owners. Many of the Trust’s shareholders hold their Shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. If your Shares are so held, you are considered the beneficial owner of those Shares, and the applicable proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those Shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you cannot directly vote these Shares at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee. Your broker, bank or other nominee has enclosed voting instructions for you to use in directing the broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your Shares. Please see “How can I vote my Shares at the Annual Meeting?” below.
Why did some shareholders receive a Notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials?
The Trust has elected to furnish proxy materials to you primarily through the Internet, which expedites the receipt of materials, lowers our expenses and conserves natural resources. Therefore, certain of our shareholders may receive the Notice, which was sent to shareholders on or about March 16, 2023, containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and the 2022 annual report to shareholders through the Internet. Shareholders who receive the Notice by mail will not receive a printed copy of our proxy materials unless requested in the manner described in the Notice. The Notice explains how to access and review this proxy statement and the 2022 annual report to shareholders, and how you may vote by proxy. Please do not mail in the Notice, as it is not intended to serve as a voting instrument. For more information on attending the meeting virtually via the Internet, please see “How can I attend the Annual Meeting?” above.
How can I access the Trust’s proxy materials and Annual Report on Form 10-K?
The “Investors—Financial Reports—SEC Filings” section of the Trust’s website, www.rptrealty.com, provides access, free of charge, to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports as soon as reasonably practicable after the Trust electronically files such reports with, or furnishes such reports to, the SEC, including proxy materials, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports. In addition, a copy of the Trust’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written request sent to: Investor Relations, RPT Realty, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, New York, New York 10036 or by contacting the Trust at (212) 221-1261. Further, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Trust, at www.sec.gov.
As noted above, most
shareholders will receive a Notice with instructions on how to view the proxy materials and 2022 annual report to shareholders through the Internet
(at www.proxyvote.com). The Notice includes a control number (which is the same control number as that used to attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet) that must be entered on the Internet in order to view the proxy
materials. The Notice also describes how to receive the proxy materials by paper delivery or e-mail. You can elect to receive future proxy materials by e-mail at no charge if you vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate you agree to
receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years. You may also request additional paper copies without charge by sending a written request to Investor Relations, RPT Realty, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002,
New York, New York 10036.
The references to the website addresses of the Trust and the SEC in this proxy statement are not intended to function as a hyperlink and, except as specified herein, the information contained on such websites is not part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated herein.
How can I vote my Shares at the Annual Meeting?
If you attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, the Trust encourages you to vote your Shares prior to the Annual Meeting. To vote your Shares before the Annual Meeting through the Internet or by attending the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you will need to demonstrate proof of your Share ownership pursuant to the instructions on how to do so as set forth in your Notice or proxy card, as applicable. We reserve the right to determine the validity of any purported proof of Share ownership.
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record and attend the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you can deliver your completed proxy card as discussed in the next question below or vote during the Annual Meeting by ballot in accordance with the instructions on how to participate virtually via the Internet which are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and want to vote such Shares virtually via the Internet at the Annual Meeting, you should follow the instructions at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RPT2023.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 19 |
How can I vote my Shares without attending the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet?
If you are a shareholder of record with respect to some or all of your Shares, you can vote those Shares virtually via the Internet at the Annual Meeting as described above or by proxy without attending the Annual Meeting by any of the following methods:
By Mail. If you received these proxy materials by paper delivery, you may vote your Shares by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card. Please do not mail in the Notice as it is not intended to serve as a voting instrument.
By Telephone. If you received these proxy materials by paper delivery, you may vote by telephone as indicated on your enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card.
Through the Internet. You may vote before or during the Annual Meeting through the Internet as instructed on your Notice, proxy card, voting instruction card, or e-mail notification. In order to vote through the Internet, you must enter the control number set forth in your Notice, proxy card, voting instruction card, or e-mail notification. If you do not have any of these materials and are a shareholder of record, you may contact RPT Investor Relations (telephone number: 212-221-1261) to request a proxy card (which will include your control number) to be mailed to your address on record or an e-mail with your control number to be sent to your e-mail address on record. If you do not have any of these materials and are a beneficial owner, you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to obtain your control number.
If you are the beneficial owner of some or all of your Shares you must either direct the bank, broker or other nominee as to how to vote your Shares or obtain a proxy from the bank, broker or other nominee to vote at the Annual Meeting. Please refer to the voter instruction cards used by your bank, broker or other nominee for specific instructions on methods of voting, including using the Internet or by telephone.
Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote?
Shareholders of Record. You can revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before the Shares it represents are voted by (1) filing with the Secretary of the Trust either a written notice revoking the proxy, (2) properly submitting a new proxy that is dated later than the original proxy (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) or (3) virtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting by ballot at the Annual Meeting. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote virtually whether or not you previously have given a proxy, but your virtual presence (without further action) at the Annual Meeting will not constitute revocation of a previously given proxy. Unless you have received a legal proxy to vote the Shares, if you hold your Shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, only that bank, broker or other nominee can revoke your proxy on your behalf.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you should contact such person prior to the time such voting instructions are exercised.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card?
If you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card, it means that you have multiple accounts with banks, brokers, other nominees and/or the Trust’s transfer agent. Please take action with respect to each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.
What if I do not vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?
Shareholders of Record. Proxies that are properly executed without voting instructions on certain matters will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on such matters.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee and do not provide voting instructions for any or all matters, such nominee will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote your Shares. Under applicable law and New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules and regulations, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters. If you return a signed proxy but do not provide voting instructions with regard to any non-routine proposals, your Shares will be considered “broker non-votes” because the broker will not have discretionary authority to vote thereon. Therefore, it is very important for you to vote your Shares for each proposal.
What vote
is required to approve each proposal
assuming a quorum is present?
Proposal 1—Election of Trustees
The seven trustee nominees who receive the most votes cast “FOR” at the Annual Meeting will be elected as trustees. The Board’s slate of nominees consists of Richard L. Federico, Arthur H. Goldberg, Brian L. Harper, Joanna T. Lau, David J. Nettina, Laurie M. Shahon and Andrea M. Weiss, each nominated for a one-year term ending at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Withheld votes and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Proposal 2—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. Abstentions, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 20 |
Proposal 3—Advisory Approval of the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Proposal 4—Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation.
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be deemed the shareholder recommendation as to the frequency of having an advisory vote on the compensation of our named
executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Other Matters
If any other matter is properly submitted to the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, its adoption will generally require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. The Board does not propose to conduct any business at the Annual Meeting other than as stated above.
How do I find out the voting results?
We intend to disclose the final voting results in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days of the Annual Meeting and may announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 21 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
The following table sets forth information as of March 6, 2023, except as otherwise noted, regarding the number and percentage of Shares beneficially owned by (1) each trustee, nominee for trustee and named executive officer, (2) all of our trustees and executive officers as a group and (3) to our knowledge, each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each owner has sole voting and investment powers with respect to the Shares listed below.
Trustees, Nominees for Trustee and Named Executive Officers(1) |
Number
of |
Percent of Shares |
||||||
Brian L. Harper |
752,569 |
* |
||||||
Richard L. Federico |
54,366 |
* |
||||||
Arthur H. Goldberg |
86,383(3) |
* |
||||||
Joanna T. Lau |
44,662 |
* |
||||||
David J. Nettina |
114,849(4) |
* |
||||||
Laurie M. Shahon |
65,157 |
* |
||||||
Andrea M. Weiss |
49,793 |
* |
||||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice |
205,545 |
* |
||||||
Timothy Collier |
101,236 |
* |
||||||
Raymond J. Merk |
46,868 |
* |
||||||
Heather R. Ohlberg |
60,203 |
* |
||||||
All Trustees and Executive Officers as a Group (11 Persons) |
1,581,641(5) |
1.8% |
||||||
More Than 5% Shareholders: |
||||||||
BlackRock, Inc. |
16,986,327(6) |
19.6% |
||||||
55 East 52nd Street |
||||||||
The Vanguard Group |
14,055,513(7) |
16.2% |
||||||
100 Vanguard Blvd. |
||||||||
Macquarie Group Limited |
7,476,868(8) |
8.6% |
||||||
50 Martin Place |
||||||||
CenterSquare Investment Management LLC |
7,201,460(9) |
8.3% |
||||||
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300 |
||||||||
State Street Corporation |
5,724,644(10) |
6.6% |
||||||
One Lincoln Street |
||||||||
Wellington Management Group LLP |
4,967,412(11) |
5.7% |
||||||
280 Congress Street |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 22 |
* | less than 1% of the total Shares outstanding. | |
(1) | Percentages in the table are based on 86,614,790 Shares outstanding as of March 6, 2023, plus for each person, the number of Shares that person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. | |
(2) | Number of Shares beneficially owned includes outstanding Shares and Shares which are not outstanding that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this table. Certain Shares included in this column are currently in the form of restricted Shares, all owned directly by such person, each of which represents the right to receive one Share upon vesting. During the vesting period, holders of restricted Shares have voting rights as if such restricted Shares were vested. Holdings of restricted Shares are as follows: Brian L. Harper, 490,669 Shares; Richard L. Federico, 10,112 Shares; Arthur H. Goldberg, 10,112 Shares; Joanna Lau, 10,112 Shares; David J. Nettina, 10,112 Shares; Laurie M. Shahon, 10,112 Shares; Andrea M. Weiss, 10,112 Shares; Michael P. Fitzmaurice, 144,376 Shares; Timothy Collier, 56,050 Shares; Raymond J. Merk, 22,988 Shares; and Heather R. Ohlberg, 41,459. | |
(3) | Includes 48,700 Shares owned by Mr. Goldberg’s wife and 5,000 Shares owned by a pension trust. Mr. Goldberg disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by his wife and the trust. Excludes 58,647 Shares deferred under certain of the Trust’s equity incentive plans. | |
(4) | Includes 4,555 common shares that Mr. Nettina could acquire upon conversion of 7.25% Series D Convertible Perpetual Preferred shares owned by him. | |
(5) | Includes trustees and executive officers as of March 6, 2023. | |
(6) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock Inc. (BlackRock) with the SEC on January 23, 2023. BlackRock has sole voting power with respect to 16,738,217 Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 16,986,327 Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. | |
(7) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by The Vanguard Group (Vanguard) with the SEC on February 9, 2023. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to none of the Shares, shared voting power with respect to 133,642 Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 13,838,072 Shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 217,441 Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 3, 2023. | |
(8) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A jointly filed by Macquarie Group Limited (Macquarie Group), Macquarie Management Holdings Inc. (Macquarie Management), Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and Macquarie Investment Management Australia Limited with the SEC on February 14, 2023. The principal business address of Macquarie Management and Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust is 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Macquarie Group has shared voting and/or dispositive power and sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. Each of Macquarie Management and Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust has sole voting power with respect to 7,397,598 Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 7,397,598 Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. Macquarie Investment Management Australia Limited has sole voting power with respect to 17,757 Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 17,757 Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. | |
(9) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed by CenterSquare Investment Management LLC (CenterSquare) with the SEC on February 10, 2023. CenterSquare has sole voting power with respect to none of the Shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 7,201,460 Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. | |
(10) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by State Street Corporation (State Street) with the SEC on January 31, 2023. State Street has shared voting power with respect to 4,580,239 Shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 5,724,644 Shares and sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. | |
(11) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A jointly filed by Wellington Management Group LLP (Wellington Management Group), Wellington Group Holdings LLP (Wellington Group Holdings), Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP (Wellington Investment Advisors) and Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management Company) with the SEC on February 6, 2023. Each of Wellington Management Group, Wellington Group Holdings and Wellington Investment Advisors has shared voting power with respect to 4,899,719 Shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 4,967,412 Shares and sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. Wellington Management Company has shared voting power with respect to 4,785,506 Shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 4,853,199 Shares and sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 23 |
7.25% Series D Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
The following table sets forth information as of March 6, 2023, except as otherwise noted, regarding the number and percentage of the Trust’s 7.25% Series D Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), beneficially owned by (1) each trustee, nominee for trustee and named executive officer, (2) all of our trustees and executive officers as a group and (3) to our knowledge, each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each owner has sole voting and investment powers with respect to the Preferred Shares listed below.
Trustees, Nominees for Trustee and Named Executive Officers(1) |
Number
of |
Percent
of |
||||
David J. Nettina |
1,200 |
* |
||||
All Trustees and Executive Officers as a Group (1 Person) |
1,200 |
* |
||||
More Than 5% Shareholders: |
||||||
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC |
179,545(2) |
9.7% |
||||
1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor |
* | less than 1% of the total Shares outstanding. |
(1) | Percentages in the table are based on 1,849,000 Preferred Shares outstanding as of March 6, 2023. |
(2) | Based on a Schedule 13G/A jointly filed by Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, Virtus Infra Cap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, a Series of ETFis Series Trust I (Virtus), Jay Hatfield, and InfraCap Equity Income Fund ETF, a series of Series Portfolios Trust (InfraCap Equity), with the SEC on February 14, 2023. Each of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC and Jay Hatfield has shared voting and/or dispositive power and sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Preferred Shares. Virtus has sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Preferred Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to 179,545 of such Preferred Shares. InfraCap Equity has sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to none of such Preferred Shares and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to 5,986 of such Preferred Shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership has been adjusted to reflect our actual Preferred Shares outstanding as of the close of business on March 6, 2023. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 24 |
Election of Trustees
The Board currently consists of seven trustees, each of whom has a term that expires at the Annual Meeting. Seven trustees are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify or until any such trustee’s earlier resignation, retirement or other termination of service. The seven trustee nominees who receive the most votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected as trustees. Withheld votes and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. The Board, based on the recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board (the “Nominating & Governance Committee”), has nominated each of our current trustees, Richard L. Federico, Arthur H. Goldberg, Brian L. Harper, Joanna T. Lau, David J. Nettina, Laurie M. Shahon and Andrea M. Weiss, for re-election at the Annual Meeting. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of the Board’s nominees.
Each of the seven trustee nominees has consented to serve and has consented to be named in this proxy statement. If for any reason any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election, the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In such case, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote for the Board’s substitute nominee. Alternatively, the Board may reduce the size of the Board or leave the position vacant.
The nominees for election to the Board are as follows, with ages set forth as of March 6, 2023:
Name |
Age |
Title |
||||
Richard L. Federico |
68 |
Trustee |
||||
Arthur H. Goldberg |
80 |
Trustee |
||||
Brian L. Harper |
47 |
Trustee; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust |
||||
Joanna T. Lau |
64 |
Trustee |
||||
David J. Nettina |
70 |
Chairman of the Board |
||||
Laurie M. Shahon |
71 |
Trustee |
||||
Andrea M. Weiss |
67 |
Trustee |
Trustee Background and Qualifications
As a fully integrated self-administered, publicly-traded real estate investment trust which owns and operates a national portfolio of dynamic open-air shopping destinations principally located in the top U.S. markets, the Trust’s business involves a wide range of real estate, financing, accounting, management and financial reporting matters. In light of the Trust’s business and structure, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers the experience, viewpoint, mix of skills, independence from management and other qualities of the trustees and nominees to ensure appropriate Board composition. In particular, the Nominating & Governance Committee believes that trustees and nominees with the following qualities and experiences can assist in meeting this goal:
Senior Leadership Experience |
Trustees with experience in significant leadership positions provide the Trust with perspective in analyzing, shaping and overseeing the execution of operational, organizational and strategic issues at a senior level. Further, such persons have a practical understanding of balancing operational and strategic goals and risk management. |
|||
REITs/Real Estate Experience |
An understanding of real estate issues, particularly with respect to real estate investment trusts, real estate development, community shopping centers and key tenants, brings critical industry-specific knowledge and experience to the Board. Education and experience in the real estate industry is useful in understanding the Trust’s acquisition, development, leasing and management of shopping centers and the competitive landscape of its industry. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 25 |
Retail, Consumer Products and Hospitality/Entertainment Experience |
The Board believes that our trustees with experience in the retail, consumer products and hospitality/entertainment segments can provide our management with valuable insight on the industries that are driving demand for retail shopping centers. |
|||
Senior Leadership, Business Entrepreneurship, Transactional and Strategic Planning |
Trustees who have a background in high growth companies and transactions can provide insight into developing and implementing strategies for entering into new business segments, partnering in joint ventures and/or growing via mergers and acquisitions. Further, they have a practical understanding of the importance of “fit” with the Trust’s culture and strategy, the valuation of transactions and business opportunities and management’s plans for integration with existing operations. |
|||
Financial, Accounting, Capital Markets and Investment Banking Experience |
An understanding of the financial markets, corporate finance, accounting requirements and regulations and accounting and financial reporting processes allows trustees to understand, oversee and advise management with respect to the Trust’s operating and strategic performance, capital structure, financing and investing activities and financial reporting and internal control of such activities. The Trust seeks to have a number of trustees who qualify as audit committee financial experts and expects all of the trustees to be financially knowledgeable. |
|||
Technology/Cyber Risks |
Trustees with significant experience in the technology and technology consulting industries can provide the Trust with valuable insight into technological developments and trends that are impacting the retail industry and can guide the Trust’s management in operational matters that are impacted by evolving technology cyber risks. |
|||
Public Company Board and Corporate Governance Experience |
Trustees who serve, or have served, on other public company boards can offer advice and insights with regard to the dynamics and operation of a board of trustees or directors, relationship of a board of trustees or directors to the chief executive officer and other management personnel, importance of a particular agenda or oversight matter and oversight of a changing mix of strategic, operational and compliance-related matters. |
|||
Sustainability |
Trustees with experience in sustainability issues can provide the Trust with insight related to sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder driven goals and corporate accountability in order to achieve transparency and maximize shareholder value and corporate stewardship. |
|||
Risk Oversight |
Trustees who have experience in identifying, assessing and mitigating risks can provide the Trust with insight regarding compliance matters, market conditions and overall risk profile of the Trust. |
Board Composition and Diversity
The Nominating & Governance Committee values diversity and believes that trustees with varying backgrounds bring different and fresh perspectives, can optimize the effectiveness of the Board and can best serve the Trust and shareholders. The Nominating & Governance Committee is committed to engaging in diverse and inclusive searches to better ensure that racially and/or ethnically diverse candidates and women are included in the candidate pool from which Board candidates are chosen. The Nominating & Governance Committee may review and evaluate various personal and professional attributes of each candidate including, without limitation, skillset, experiences, age, ethnicity, race, viewpoints and gender. The Nominating & Governance Committee evaluates the attributes of each Board candidate in relation to the overall composition of the existing Board members in order to ensure a diversity of backgrounds, expertise and skills. Since 2018, the Trust has replaced three of six independent Board members, resulting in significantly enhanced diversification of skills, experience, gender, ethnicity and tenure.
The following sets forth the business experience during at least the past five years of each trustee nominee. The years of trustee service indicated for each trustee nominee include service for the Trust’s predecessors. In addition, the following includes, for each trustee nominee, a brief discussion of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that such trustee nominee should serve on the Board in light of the goals set forth above. Each of the trustee nominees listed below is currently a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”).
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 26 |
Richard L. Federico |
|
Richard L. Federico has been a trustee since 2018 and is an independent trustee. Mr. Federico served as Non-Executive Chairman of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc., a casual dining restaurant chain (“P.F. Chang’s”), from February 2016 to March 2019. He previously served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or Co-Chief Executive Officer of P.F. Chang’s, as applicable, from September 1997 to March 2015 and as Executive Chairman from March 2015 to February 2016. Mr. Federico joined P.F. Chang’s as President in 1996, when he also began his service on its board of directors. Prior to joining P.F. Chang’s, Mr. Federico held a number of leadership positions in the restaurant industry including roles at Steak and Ale, Orville Beans and Bennigan’s restaurants as well as Grady’s Goodtimes and Brinker International Restaurants. Mr. Federico has served on the board of directors of Domino’s Pizza, Inc., a NYSE-listed company, since February 2011, and Tastemaker Acquisition Corp., a Nasdaq-listed company, since January 2021. He also sits on the boards of directors of several private companies in the food industry and was previously the chairman of the board of directors of Jamba, Inc. Mr. Federico is a Founding Director of Chances for Children. Mr. Federico’s extensive knowledge of the hospitality and food service industries, senior leadership experience and experience as a director of other publicly-traded companies led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude Mr. Federico should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
Arthur H. Goldberg |
|
Arthur H. Goldberg has been a trustee since 1988 and is an independent trustee. Mr. Goldberg is currently the Chairman of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Mr. Goldberg was a Managing Director of Corporate Solutions Group, LLC, an investment banking and advisory firm, from 2002 to 2015. Mr. Goldberg served as President of Manhattan Associates, LLC, a merchant and investment banking firm, from 1994 to 2002 and as Chairman of Reich & Company, Inc. (formerly Vantage Securities, Inc.), a securities and investment brokerage firm, from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Goldberg also has extensive experience serving on the board of directors of public companies, including Avantair, Inc., North Shore Acquisition Corp. and Atlantic Realty Trust. Mr. Goldberg’s significant investment banking experience, relationships and familiarity with public equity offerings and transactional matters, as well as his knowledge of the Trust based on his 30 plus years of service, led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude Mr. Goldberg should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
Brian L. Harper |
|
Brian L. Harper has been a trustee since 2018 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust since June 2018. Prior to joining the Trust, Mr. Harper served as Chief Executive Officer of Rouse Properties, a real estate investment company, where he also served as the Chief Operating Officer from April 2015 to July 2016 and served as Executive Vice President of Leasing and Marketing as well as Executive Vice President of Leasing and Acquisitions from January 2012 to April 2015. Mr. Harper was previously the Senior Vice President of Leasing for General Growth Properties, a publicly-traded retail real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Mr. Harper has over 20 years of experience in the retail real estate industry, and brings significant expertise in real estate operations, redevelopment and site densification as well as strong relationships with leading retailers. He has won several awards, including Chain Store Age’s 10 Under 40 in Real Estate. Mr. Harper is Chairman of the board at Autism Speaks. Mr. Harper’s knowledge of and experience in the retail real estate industry and his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude that Mr. Harper should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 27 |
Joanna T. Lau |
|
Joanna T. Lau has been a trustee since 2019 and is an independent trustee. Ms. Lau served as the Chief Executive Officer of Lau Acquisition Corporation d/b/a Lau Technologies, an executive consulting and investment company focused on providing debt and equity financing and consulting to mid-range companies. Ms. Lau has served in this role since she founded Lau Acquisition Corporation in 1990. Ms. Lau held leadership positions with Digital Equipment Corporation and General Electric before founding Lau Acquisition Corporation. Ms. Lau has served as a member of the board of directors of Designer Brands Inc., an NYSE-listed North American footwear and accessories designer, since 2008. Ms. Lau’s previous public board experience also includes serving on the board of directors of INSO Corporation, ITT Educational Services, Inc., FSI International, Inc., BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. and TD Banknorth Inc. Ms. Lau has also earned the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight developed by NACD, Ridge Global and Carnegie Mellon University’s CERT division. Ms. Lau’s extensive board experience, strong technological background and retail industry expertise led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude that Ms. Lau should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
David J. Nettina |
|
David J. Nettina has served as Chairman of the Board since 2019 and as a trustee since 2012 and is an independent trustee. Mr. Nettina has served as the Managing Principal of Briarwood Capital Group, LLC, since 2001, through which he develops residential and commercial real estate. Mr. Nettina served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Career Management, LLC from 2009 to 2013 and has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2013. Prior to 2009, Mr. Nettina served as the President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Real Estate Officer of American Financial Realty Trust (“AFRT”), a publicly-traded net lease real estate investment trust, from March 2005 to April 2008. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Nettina served as President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of SL Green Realty Corp., a publicly-traded real estate investment trust which owns and operates Manhattan commercial office real estate. Prior to joining SL Green Realty Corp., Mr. Nettina held various executive management positions for more than 11 years with The Pyramid Companies, a developer, owner and operator of 20 regional malls in the Northeast, including serving as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his service at The Pyramid Companies, Mr. Nettina served in a number of roles in the consumer banking division of Citicorp. Mr. Nettina also formerly served as the chairman of the board of directors of Mastrioanni Bros., Inc., a privately held commercial banking company in Albany, New York and as a member of the board of directors of Frontera Investment, Inc. Mr. Nettina’s 34 years of extensive knowledge of the real estate industry and experience as a leader of publicly-traded real estate investment trusts, as well as the other attributes noted above, including with respect to corporate finance, accounting and capital markets, led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude Mr. Nettina should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
Laurie M. Shahon |
|
Laurie M. Shahon has been a trustee since 2015 and is an independent trustee. Ms. Shahon is the President of Wilton Capital Group, a private direct investment firm she founded in 1994 that makes principal investments in later-stage ventures and medium-sized buyouts. She previously held investment banking positions with Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers. Ms. Shahon was a director of KCG Holdings, Inc. (and its predecessor) from 2006 until its sale in 2017. She is currently a director of Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Life Insurance Company of Boston and New York. Ms. Shahon has been an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School. Ms. Shahon has served on the boards of more than ten public companies over the past 25 plus years, including The Bombay Company, Inc., Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc. and Kitty Hawk Inc. Ms. Shahon’s significant experience in the financial services, retail and securities industries, as the founder of a private direct investment firm, as a director of other publicly-traded companies as well as her extensive finance and accounting knowledge, combined with the attributes noted above, led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude Ms. Shahon should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 28 |
Andrea M. Weiss
|
|
Andrea M. Weiss has been a trustee since 2018 and is an independent trustee. Ms. Weiss has extensive specialty retail experience having served in several senior executive positions with dELIA*s Inc., The Limited, Inc., Intimate Brands, Inc., Guess, Inc. and Ann Taylor Stores, Inc. She is the Founder and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Consulting, Inc., a retail consulting firm, and has served as its President and Chief Executive Officer since its formation in October 2002. Ms. Weiss is also the Co-Founder and current Managing Member of The O Alliance LLC, a new branch of Retail Consulting, Inc. Ms. Weiss has served on the board of directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. since 2003, Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. since May 2019 and O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. since May 2019. Ms. Weiss also serves on several private advisory boards, including Kalera, and on the boards of private companies such as Extend and The Fisher Company. Previously, Ms. Weiss served on the boards of directors of Chico’s FAS, Inc., NutriSystem Inc., GSI Commerce, Inc., Ediets.com, Inc., The Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack, Grupo Cortefiel and Brookstone, Inc. In 2016, Ms. Weiss was named by the NACD as one of America’s Top 100 Directors and in 2017, Ms. Weiss achieved NACD Leadership Board Fellowship status, the highest credential awarded for independent board members. Ms. Weiss is also NACD Directorship Certified. Ms. Weiss’s significant experience in the specialty retail field, business entrepreneurship experience and service as a director of other publicly-traded companies led the Nominating & Governance Committee to conclude Ms. Weiss should continue to serve as a member of the Board. |
The chart below summarizes and highlights characteristics and skills of our trustees that we believe are integral to the long-term success of the Trust, which have been gained by such trustee through his or her current or previous positions. The characteristics below are taken into account by the Nominating & Governance Committee in conjunction with all other nominee qualifications, but are not deciding factors.
Experience/Skills |
Federico |
Goldberg |
Harper |
Lau |
Nettina |
Shahon |
Weiss |
|||||||||
Senior Leadership, Business Entrepreneurship, Transactional and Strategic Planning |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||
Risk Oversight |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||
REITs/Real Estate |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||||
Asset Management |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||||||
Capital Markets/Investment Banking |
X |
X |
X |
X |
||||||||||||
Financial /Accounting |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||
Technology/Cyber risks |
X |
X |
||||||||||||||
Public Company Board and Corporate Governance |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||
Sustainability |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|||||||||
Retail Consumer Products and Hospitality/Entertainment |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
||||||||||
Human Capital/Talent Management |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 29 |
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a majority of our trustees must qualify as independent for purposes of the NYSE listing standards and the applicable rules promulgated by the SEC. The NYSE listing standards set forth objective requirements for a trustee to satisfy, at a minimum, in order to be determined independent by the Board. In addition, the NYSE listing standards require the Board to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the trustee’s commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships, among others, in making such a determination. The Board has affirmatively determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, including all applicable relationships of which the Board had knowledge, that each of Messrs. Federico, Goldberg, and Nettina and each of Mses. Lau, Shahon and Weiss are independent trustees under the requirements of the NYSE listing standards. In determining that each of Mses. Lau and Weiss qualified as an independent trustee, our Board considered that (1) each serves as a non-employee director for a company which is a tenant at the Trust’s properties, (2) neither Ms. Lau nor Ms. Weiss, as applicable, receives any benefit, directly or indirectly, with regard to payments made by the tenants to the Trust, and (3) the transactions between each of the tenants and the Trust were arms-length transactions undertaken in the ordinary course of business.
The Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”), Compensation and Human Capital Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee are composed entirely of independent trustees.
Majority Voting Resignation Policy
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a policy approved by the Board to be followed if any trustee nominee in an uncontested election receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election. In such event, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the applicable trustee shall tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Nominating & Governance Committee. The Nominating & Governance Committee will recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to such resignation. The Board will disclose its decision with respect to the resignation within 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 30 |
General
The Board has general oversight responsibility of the Trust’s affairs and the trustees, in exercising their fiduciary duties, represent and act on behalf of the shareholders. Although the Board does not have responsibility for the Trust’s day-to-day management, it stays regularly informed about the Trust’s business and provides guidance to management through periodic meetings and other informal communications. The Board is significantly involved in, among other things, the Trust’s strategic and financial planning process, leadership development, as well as other functions carried out through the Board committees as described below. The Board, led by the Nominating & Governance Committee, also performs an annual performance review of the Board.
Board Leadership
The Board does not have a specific policy on whether the Chairman should be a non-employee Trustee or if the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate. In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairman is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, then one of the independent members of the Board will be named as Lead Trustee. The Board believes either circumstance provides sufficient checks and balances and is appropriate to further the interests of shareholders of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Nettina, an independent trustee, is the Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since June 2019.
The Board believes that its independent trustees are deeply engaged and provide significant independent leadership and direction given their executive and Board experience. See “Proposal 1—Election of Trustees—Trustee Background and Qualifications”. The independent trustees are the sole members of the Audit, Compensation and Human Capital and Nominating & Governance Committees, which oversee critical matters of the Trust such as the integrity of the Trust’s financial statements, the compensation of executive management, the nomination and evaluation of trustees and the development and implementation of the Trust’s corporate governance policies and structures. The independent trustees also meet regularly in executive session without management participation at Board and committee meetings and have access to independent advisors as they deem appropriate. The executive sessions are chaired by our Chairman who is an independent trustee. Management supports this oversight role through its tone-at-the-top and open communication.
Oversight of Risk Management
The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s risk management including identifying, assessing and mitigating the most significant risks facing the Trust. To this end, the Board and its committees consult with management to evaluate strategic risk management. This general risk oversight is administered by the Board and its committees. The Trust has an ERM program which is sponsored and overseen by the Audit Committee and executive management team, and which includes an internal risk committee that governs the Trust’s operational, financial and legal risk. ERM is embedded in the fabric of the Trust’s culture, allowing risk to be considered openly and enabling the Trust’s employees and business units to work horizontally to manage risk. Management, including finance, legal, information technology, and internal audit functions provide periodic reports to the Audit Committee regarding the Trust’s material risks and efforts and policies to mitigate such risks. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses such risks and mitigation efforts with the Board. In addition, the Board receives periodic detailed financial and operational updates from management.
Board
• |
provides general oversight of risk, mitigation of risk and risk management strategies; |
• |
reviews and approval of management’s annual business plan and long-term strategic plan; |
• |
conducts quarterly reviews (or more often as necessary), including the review and discussion of regular; |
• |
periodic reports to the Board and its committees, of business developments, strategic plans; |
• |
implementation, liquidity, debt maturities and financial results and the risks related thereto, market conditions, leasing activity, cybersecurity, potential legal claims and various other matters related to our business; |
• |
oversight of succession planning; |
• |
oversight of capital spending and financings; |
• |
required to approve (or a designated committee of the Board) certain transactions and investments, including among others, acquisitions, dispositions and developments pursuant to our formal internal investment policy; and |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 31 |
• |
reviews regular periodic reports from our auditors and other outside consultants regarding various areas of potential risk, including, among others, those relating to our qualification as a real estate investment trust. |
Audit Committee |
Nominating & Governance Committee |
Compensation and Human Capital Committee |
||||
Assists the Board in overseeing the • financial and accounting risk exposures; • financial reporting; • internal controls; • cybersecurity and data security; • enterprise and operational risk, including the Trust’s ERM program ; and • legal and regulatory compliance. |
Oversees risk management associated with: • corporate governance; • business code of ethics; • Board composition; • Board and committee evaluation; and • ESG policies and strategy. |
Oversees risk management associated with: • Trust’s compensation program,
policies • non-employee Trustee and executive officer compensation; and • talent and culture. |
The Board also relies on management to bring significant matters affecting the Trust to its attention. Given its role in the risk oversight of the Trust, the Board believes that any leadership structure that it adopts must allow it to effectively oversee the management of the risks relating to the Trust’s operations. Although there are different leadership structures that could allow the Board to effectively oversee the management of such risks, and while the Board believes its current leadership structure enables it to effectively manage such risks, it was not the primary reason the Board selected its current leadership structure over other potential alternatives.
See the discussion under the heading “—Board Leadership” above for a discussion of why the Board has determined that its current leadership structure is appropriate and for an additional discussion regarding oversight of risk management.
Cybersecurity
We are committed to cybersecurity and protecting the Trust’s resources and information from unauthorized access. The Trust has implemented a strategic approach to cybersecurity and performs annual cybersecurity penetration tests and formal cyber security maturity assessments via a third party to ensure that we are consistent with current security best practices. The Trust’s cybersecurity approach incorporates a layered portfolio of technology products and tools, documented policies, end-user training, and dedicated resources to manage and monitor the evolving threat landscape. We employ members from the information technology department who focus on preventing, identifying, and detecting cybersecurity risks. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing cybersecurity risks, and management provides the Audit Committee with periodic reports on the Trust’s cybersecurity and data security programs, initiatives and policies designed to address, monitor and mitigate cybersecurity and data security risks. Our cybersecurity personnel regularly evaluate risks and opportunities to improve our cybersecurity program. We also have a Security Incident and Response Plan in place in order to evaluate, address and mitigate cyber incidences.
The Board and management are committed to responsible corporate governance to ensure that the Trust is managed for the benefit of its shareholders. To that end, the Board and management periodically review and update the Trust’s corporate governance policies and practices as appropriate or required by applicable law, the NYSE listing standards or SEC regulations.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Guidelines on Corporate Governance
The Trust has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which sets forth basic principles to guide the conduct of trustees and the Trust’s employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons serving similar functions. The code covers numerous topics including illegal or unethical behavior, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, accounting and financial reporting practices, harassment, corporate opportunities and confidentiality. A copy of the Trust’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Trust’s website under “Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” at www.rptrealty.com. Any waiver or material amendment that relates to the trustees or certain executive officers of the Trust will be publicly disclosed in such subsection on the Trust’s website within four business days of such action.
The Trust has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which address, among other things, a trustee’s responsibilities, qualifications (including independence), compensation and access to management and advisors. The Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing these guidelines and recommending any changes to the
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 32 |
Board. A copy of the Trust’s Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on the Trust’s website under “Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” at www.rptrealty.com.
A copy of the Trust’s committee charters, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written request sent to the Trust’s executive offices: Investor Relations, RPT Realty, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, New York, New York 10036.
Diversity and Board Composition
The Board values diversity and believes that trustees with varying backgrounds bring different and fresh perspectives, can optimize the effectiveness of the Board and can best serve the Trust and shareholders. As a result, the Nominating & Governance Committee is committed to considering various personal and professional attributes of potential Board candidates, including, without limitation, skillset, experiences, age, ethnicity, race, viewpoints and gender. Since 2018, we have elected three new trustees, two of whom are women, reducing the average trustee tenure to 9 years and significantly enhancing the depth and breadth of experience of existing trustees. Currently, 50% of RPT’s independent trustees are women and 17% are racially and/or ethnically diverse. In addition, two (2) committee chairs are women.
Board Evaluations and Assessment
The Board conducts annual evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the Board and its committees. The Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for leading the evaluation process. During the evaluation process, the Board reviews achievements of the Board and identifies potential areas for Board and/or committee improvement.
Meetings
In 2022, the Board held nine (9) meetings. Independent trustees generally hold scheduled executive sessions in which independent trustees meet without the presence of management. These executive sessions generally occur around regularly scheduled meetings of the Board.
Trustees are expected to regularly attend Board and the appropriate Board committee meetings. Each trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of our Board in 2022 held during the period for which he or she has been a trustee and (2) the total number of meetings in 2022 of all committees of our Board on which the Trustee served during the periods that he or she served. We do not have a policy with regard to Board members’ attendance at annual shareholder meetings. All of the trustees attended the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Board has delegated various responsibilities and authority to Board committees and each committee regularly reports on its activities to the Board. Each committee, except the Executive Committee, has regularly scheduled meetings and is comprised exclusively of independent trustees, in accordance with the NYSE listing standards. The Audit, Compensation and Human Capital and Nominating & Governance Committees operate under written charters approved by the Board, which are reviewed annually by the respective committees and the Board and are available on the Trust’s website under “Investors—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” at www.rptrealty.com. From time to time, the Board also may create additional committees for such purposes as the Board may determine. The table below sets forth the current membership and 2022 meeting information for the four standing committees of the Board:
Name |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating
& |
Executive |
||||||
Richard L. Federico |
X |
X |
– |
– |
||||||
Arthur H. Goldberg |
X |
Chair |
– |
X |
||||||
Brian L. Harper |
– |
– |
– |
X |
||||||
Joanna T. Lau |
Chair |
– |
X |
– |
||||||
David J. Nettina |
X |
– |
– |
Chair |
||||||
Laurie M. Shahon |
X |
X |
Chair |
X |
||||||
Andrea M. Weiss |
– |
X |
X |
– |
||||||
Meetings in 2022 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 33 |
Audit Committee
We have adopted an Audit Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Audit Committee, including oversight related to:
• |
the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting process; |
• |
the integrity of the Trust’s financial statements; |
• |
the Trust’s system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; |
• |
the performance of the Trust’s internal audit function; |
• |
the Trust’s ERM program; |
• |
the Trust’s cyber and data security programs; |
• |
the Trust’s compliance with financial, legal and regulatory requirements; and |
• |
the Trust’s overall risk assessment and management. |
The Audit Committee is also responsible for engaging an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including all audit and non-audit services, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also prepares the Audit Committee Report required by SEC regulations to be included in this proxy statement. See “Audit Committee Disclosure” and “Report of the Audit Committee” for additional information on the responsibilities and activities of the Audit Committee.
The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Federico, Goldberg and Nettina and Mses. Lau and Shahon qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in the rules of the SEC based on the relevant experience of each set forth under “Proposal 1—Election of Trustees—Trustee Background and Qualifications.” The qualification as an “audit committee financial expert” does not impose upon such person any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than are generally imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board, and such designation does not affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board.
Compensation and Human Capital Committee
We have adopted a Compensation and Human Capital Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee, including:
• |
reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the performance of the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer in light of these goals and objectives and determining and approving the compensation of the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation; |
• |
reviewing with management certain initiatives, policies and programs related to the corporate culture and talent management; |
• |
determining and approving the compensation of all executive officers of the Trust; |
• |
approving all compensation and all compensation arrangements and benefits for non-employee Trustees; |
• |
reviewing, periodically reassessing and, where appropriate, recommending changes to the Trust’s processes and procedures for considering and determining non-employee Trustee and executive officer compensation; |
• |
reviewing, implementing and administering the Trust’s equity-based and incentive plans; |
• |
reviewing the Trust’s executive compensation policies and plans; |
• |
assisting
management in complying with the Trust’s proxy statement and annual report disclosure |
• |
producing a report on executive compensation to be included in the Trust’s annual proxy statement; and |
• |
recommending changes, if appropriate, to the compensation of non-employee directors. |
See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation and Human Capital Committee Report” for additional information on the responsibilities and activities of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee.
Nominating & Governance Committee
We have adopted a Nominating & Governance Committee charter, which details the principal functions of the Nominating & Governance Committee, including:
• |
identifying and recommending to the Board qualified candidates for election as trustees and recommending nominees for election as trustees at the annual shareholders meeting; |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 34 |
• |
overseeing the evaluation of the Board; |
• |
serving in an advisory capacity to the Board and Chairman of the Board on matters of organizational and governance structure of the Trust and the conduct of the Board; |
• |
developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance guidelines and fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to it under such guidelines; |
• |
annually reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding revisions to the Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
• |
reviewing and overseeing the Trust’s ESG strategy, practices, objectives and policies; and |
• |
developing and recommending to the Board a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. |
Identification of Trustee Candidates
The Nominating & Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board and recommends that the Board select the nominees for the Board for the annual shareholders meeting. The Nominating & Governance Committee establishes criteria for the selection of new Board members, including specific minimum qualifications that the Nominating & Governance Committee believes must be met by recommended nominees, and any specific qualities or skills that the Nominating & Governance Committee believes are necessary for one or more of the Board members to possess. See “Proposal 1—Election of Trustees—Trustee Background and Qualifications” for a discussion of the experience, mix of skills, independence from management and other qualities of the trustees and nominees that the Nominating & Governance Committee considers, in light of the Trust’s business and structure, to ensure appropriate Board composition.
The Nominating & Governance Committee does not solicit trustee nominations but will consider nominee recommendations by shareholders with respect to elections to be held at an annual meeting, so long as such recommendations are timely made and otherwise in accordance with the Trust’s Bylaws and applicable law. The Nominating & Governance Committee will apply the same standards in considering candidates submitted by shareholders as it does in evaluating candidates submitted by members of the Board. Any recommendations by shareholders are to follow the procedures outlined under “Additional Information—Presentation of Shareholder Proposals and Nominations at 2024 Annual Meeting” in this proxy statement and should provide the reasons supporting a candidate’s recommendation, the candidate’s qualifications and the candidate’s written consent to being considered as a trustee nominee.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is permitted to exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board, except as limited by applicable law and the Bylaws.
The Compensation and Human Capital Committee and Board believe that trustees should receive a mix of cash and equity. Compensation paid to the non-employee trustees is intended to provide incentives to such persons to continue to serve on the Board, to further align the interests of the Board and shareholders and to attract new trustees with outstanding qualifications. Trustees who are employees or officers of the Trust or any of its subsidiaries do not receive any compensation for serving on the Board or any committees thereof; therefore, Mr. Harper is excluded from the trustee compensation table below.
2022 Non-Employee Trustee Annual Cash Retainer and Meeting Fees
In 2021, the Board, after taking into consideration the Compensation and Human Capital Committee’s recommendation following a survey of other public REITs director compensation programs and the additional oversight work conducted by the committees, including with respect to ESG, DE&I, employee talent and culture and cybersecurity matters, increased the annual committee member fees payable to (i) each trustee, (ii) the Chair of the Audit Committee and (iii) the Chair of the Trust, effective January 1, 2022. Each non-employee trustee received an annual cash retainer equal to approximately $75,000 and an annual equity retainer, consisting of a grant of restricted Shares, valued at approximately $100,008 (or 10,112 restricted Shares). The restricted Shares were granted on July 1, 2022 and vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. The chair of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Human Capital Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee received additional cash retainers of $35,000, $15,000 and $15,000, respectively. Mr. Nettina, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board, also received an additional annual cash retainer of $125,000. The cash retainers are payable in quarterly installments and are prorated to reflect service on the Board and in the applicable role. The Trust also reimburses all trustees for expenses incurred in connection with attending any meetings or performing their duties as trustees. There were no additional fees paid per meeting attended.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 35 |
Our Compensation and Human Capital Committee annually reviews and periodically recommends updates to the trustee compensation program to our Board for approval. The Compensation and Human Capital Committee’s recommendation takes into account our trustee compensation philosophy, changes in market practices, and consultation with the Compensation and Human Capital Committee’s independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners. No changes were made to the form or amount of director compensation as part of the 2022 review.
Share Ownership Guidelines
The Trust’s Share ownership guidelines for non-employee trustees require such persons to hold directly a number of Shares (including unvested restricted Shares) having a market value no less than five times the then current annual Share grant denominated in Shares for all trustees. New trustees have a five-year period to comply with the guidelines. The Compensation and Human Capital Committee reviews the minimum equity holding level and other market trends and practices on a periodic basis. The Compensation and Human Capital Committee has confirmed that all trustees currently satisfy the guidelines or are within the time period to become compliant.
Deferred Fee Plan
The Trust maintains a Deferred Fee Plan for trustees. A trustee may elect to defer the annual retainer (including any fees paid to a trustee for serving as chairman of a committee or the Board) earned for services provided during a subsequent calendar year (“Deferral Year”) by completing and filing a proper deferred fee agreement with the Secretary of the Trust no later than December 31 of the year prior to the Deferral Year. Any Shares deferred will be credited to a deferred share account and will be entitled to receive distributions, which at the Trustee’s election will either be paid in cash or will be reinvested in Shares. A trustee may modify or revoke his or her existing fee deferral election only on a prospective basis, only for fees to be earned in a subsequent calendar year and only if such trustee executes a new deferred fee agreement or revokes his or her existing deferred fee agreement in writing by December 31 of the year preceding the calendar year for which such modification or revocation is to be effective. The trustee must elect the end of the deferral period at the time of such election and, except for limited circumstances, no trustee shall have any right to make any early withdrawals from the trustee’s deferred fee accounts.
2022 Trustee Compensation Table
Name |
Fees Earned or |
Stock Awards |
Total |
||||
Richard L. Federico |
75,000 |
100,008 |
175,008 |
||||
Arthur H. Goldberg |
90,000 |
100,008 |
190,008 |
||||
Joanna T. Lau |
110,000 |
100,008 |
210,008 |
||||
David J. Nettina |
200,000 |
100,008 |
300,008 |
||||
Laurie M. Shahon |
90,000 |
100,008 |
190,008 |
||||
Andrea M. Weiss |
75,000 |
100,008 |
175,008 |
(1) |
Represents amounts earned in 2022 with respect to the cash retainers. |
(2) |
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted Share awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2022, calculated as the closing price per Share on the NYSE on July 1, 2022 (i.e., $9.89) multiplied by the number of Shares granted. As of December 31, 2022, each of the non-employee trustees held 10,112 unvested restricted Shares or deferred Shares, as applicable, that had been granted by us as trustee compensation. As of December 31, 2022, none of the non-employee trustees held any unexercised options. |
Any shareholder or interested party who desires to communicate with the Board or any specific trustee(s) can write to the Board at the following address: Board of Trustees, c/o Secretary, RPT Realty, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, New York, NY 10036. All communications received by the Trust’s Secretary which are addressed to the Board or a Board committee will be forwarded directly to the members of the Board.
Shareholders, Trust employees, officers, trustees or any other interested persons who have concerns or complaints regarding accounting or auditing matters of the Trust are encouraged to contact, anonymously or otherwise, the Chair of the Audit Committee (or any trustee who is a member of the Audit Committee) at the address above. Such submissions will be treated confidentially.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 36 |
The executive officers of the Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board. The executive officers of the Trust as of the record date are as follows:
Brian L. Harper Age: 47 Title: Trustee; President and Chief |
See “Proposal 1—Election of Trustees—Trustee Background and Qualifications” for biographical and other information regarding Mr. Harper.
Michael P. Fitzmaurice Age: 44 Title: Executive Vice President and Chief |
Michael P. Fitzmaurice has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since June 2018. Mr. Fitzmaurice was employed with Retail Properties of America, Inc., an NYSE-listed retail shopping center REIT, as Senior Vice President of Finance from September 2017 to June 2018, Vice President of Capital Markets & Investor Relations from January 2017 to September 2017 and Vice President of Finance from August 2012 to January 2017. Prior to Retail Properties of America, Inc., Mr. Fitzmaurice spent 11 years at General Growth Properties, a publicly-traded retail REIT that was taken private in 2018, in various finance, capital markets and accounting roles. In addition, Mr. Fitzmaurice spent two years with Equity Office Properties as a Manager with the Investments/Due Diligence team. Mr. Fitzmaurice received his B.S. in finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Timothy Collier Age: 49 Title: Executive Vice President, Leasing |
Timothy Collier has served as Executive Vice President of Leasing since August 2018. Mr. Collier has over 21 years of experience in the real estate industry and was formerly with Acadia Realty Trust, a NYSE-listed equity REIT, serving most recently as their Senior Vice President of Leasing from January 2016 to August 2018, Vice President of Leasing from January 2013 to December 2015, and Director of Leasing from May 2011 to December 2012. Mr. Collier has also worked at Kimco Realty and Pyramid Management Group in various leasing roles. Mr. Collier received his B.A. from State University of New York at Oswego, is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a member of the ICSC.
Heather R. Ohlberg Age: 43 Title: Executive Vice President, |
Heather R. Ohlberg has served as Executive Vice President General Counsel and Secretary of the Trust since May 2020. From February 2019 until May 2020, Ms. Ohlberg was Senior Vice President Legal Counsel and Secretary of the Trust. Prior to joining RPT, Ms. Ohlberg served as Senior Vice President, Legal Leasing & Real Estate for Brookfield Properties’ retail division (formerly Rouse Properties) from February 2017 to September 2018. Ms. Ohlberg previously spent six years as an Associate and Counsel at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP in the Real Estate, Retail and Construction Departments and was Co-Chair of the Hospitality and Restaurant Group. Ms. Ohlberg is a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and received her B.A from the State University of New York at Albany.
Raymond J. Merk Age: 63 Title: Senior Vice President and Chief |
Raymond J. Merk served as the Trust’s acting principal financial officer from April 2018 to June 2018 and has served as the Trust’s Chief Accounting Officer since March 2017, having joined the Trust, originally on an interim basis, in September 2016. From April 2010 through April 2013, Mr. Merk was the vice president of finance for DynaVox Systems, LLC. Mr. Merk served as Chief Financial Officer and corporate secretary of DynaVox Systems, LLC from May 2013 through May 2015. In addition, Mr. Merk served as the Chief Financial Officer and corporate secretary of DynaVox Inc., DynaVox Systems Holdings, LLC and DynaVox Intermediate LLC, the holding company parents of DynaVox Systems, LLC, from May 2013 through March 2014. DynaVox Inc., DynaVox Systems Holdings, LLC, and DynaVox Intermediate LLC filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in April 2014. Mr. Merk holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio Northern University. Mr. Merk is a Certified Public Accountant.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 37 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF OUR COMPENSATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
On behalf of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee and the entire Board of Trustees of RPT Realty, I am pleased to present our Compensation Discussion & Analysis for 2022. This section of our proxy statement provides insights into our compensation program, including the decisions made by the Compensation and Human Capital Committee throughout the year.
2022 Business and Performance Highlights
The Trust’s 2022 fiscal year was marked by accomplishments tempered by a challenging economic environment. Soaring inflation, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability and other factors impacted not only the entire U.S. real estate sector but also the global economy as a whole, leading to disappointing absolute total shareholder returns. Despite these headwinds, our executive team continued to execute the Trust’s strategic vision, delivering historically strong leasing results, judicious deployment of capital, continued diversification of our portfolio into higher growth markets, and incisive strengthening of the Trust’s balance sheet. The Trust also continued to advance its Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) initiatives which represent the core values of the Trust and are fundamental to its success. Our success across the business has resulted in strong top-line and bottom-line growth over the last two years with same property NOI growth increasing at 4.3% in 2022 and 6.3% in 2021, while 2022 Operating FFO increased 9.5% in 2022 and 21.8% in 2021.(1)
Thanks to the sum of all these efforts, we believe that the Trust is well positioned to capitalize on current and evolving market conditions, and to continue to deliver strong results from the Trust’s improved portfolio, transformed operating platform and strong company culture.
Pay and Performance for 2022
The Compensation and Human Capital Committee is focused on aligning the interests of the Trust’s executive team with the interests of the Trust’s shareholders through the design of a compensation program that is performance based and focuses on achieving rigorous financial, strategic and operational goals. We strive to implement the right balance of meaningful incentives to motivate our executive team in both the short- and long-term, as well as retaining industry leading talent. This mission is an enduring one that is rooted in the alignment of the economic interests of management with not only the creation of value for our shareholders but also the values of all our stakeholders. The results of this philosophy are reflected in 2022’s executive compensation results as follows:
• | Annual Incentive Award paid out at 142.5% of target, a significant reduction relative to 2021 performance. While we believe our overall performance was strong, the year-over-year decrease is reflective of the challenging economic environment. | |
• | 2020 Performance Share Units, based on relative Total Shareholder Return for the three-year period ending December 31, 2022, fell below our threshold requirement. These awards lapsed in their entirety reinforcing our commitment to rewarding our executive team when our shareholders also benefit. |
Shareholder Engagement
The Trust and the Compensation and Human Capital Committee engaged with shareholders through our robust shareholder outreach program to design a program that we believe harmonizes these various interests for 2022 and beyond. During 2022, we reached out to holders representing over 80% of the Trust’s outstanding shares and engaged with all of those who expressed an interest in providing feedback. Shareholder feedback supported a compensation program structured in a manner substantially consistent with the Trust’s pre-pandemic programs. As a result, we modeled our 2022 compensation program after our 2021 compensation program, which was based upon the Trust’s pre-pandemic program, and received strong support from shareholders during our shareholder outreach and through the say-on-pay advisory vote at last year’s annual meeting. As described below, we also made enhancements to the 2022 compensation program.
(1) Same Property NOI and Operating FFO are non-GAAP financial measures for which reconciliations and other information are set forth on 48-51 of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and Appendix A of this proxy statement.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 38 |
Overview of our Compensation Program
We believe the compensation program represents a thoughtful mix of base salary, formulaic annual cash bonus and annual long-term equity incentive awards. The program is heavily weighted towards both long-term equity and linked significantly to at-risk and performance-based compensation, particularly for our CEO but also for the Trust’s other named executive officers. We have long had a pay for performance philosophy and this year’s compensation program is representative of that philosophy.
After an extensive assessment and discussion of our 2021 compensation program, consideration of market practices and significant shareholder outreach, we identified areas to enhance our 2022 compensation program, which we proactively disclosed in the proxy statement for last year:
• | First, we modified the 2022 performance-based equity awards to increase the alignment of management with our shareholders by: |
o | adopting a tiered one-, two- and three-year performance measurement approach to align management incentives to the near, medium and long-term stock performance of the Trust, which appropriately reflects our shareholder base and their desired investment timeframes, and all earned awards vest following the conclusion of the three-year period. | |
o | increasing the target performance hurdle from the 50th percentile to 55th percentile relative to a broader peer set, which increased the overall rigor of these awards; and | |
o | Utilizing a broader performance peer set based on our market capitalization. |
• | Second, in order to reflect our ongoing focus on ESG, we expanded the role of ESG objectives to form a larger, separate key component of the annual bonus opportunity for the Trust’s named executive officers in 2022. |
We are committed to the highest standards of corporate governance including transparency in compensation, disclosure, and a robust shareholder engagement program; the feedback from which guides our compensation decisions. Because we disclosed these changes in last year’s proxy statement, we have already benefited from additional discussions with shareholders. Based on the upon the positive responses we received to the structure of our 2022 compensation program, the structure of our 2023 compensation program will remain unchanged from the 2022 compensation program.
I and the rest of the Board would like to thank you very much for your interest in the Trust. We continue to believe in the fundamental integrity of our compensation program, the rigor of the process through which compensation decisions are made and are committed to implementing a pay for performance philosophy that aligns with shareholders while motivating and retaining executive management to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals.
On behalf of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee and the Board of Trustees, thank you again for your feedback and respectfully ask for your continued support at our 2023 annual meeting.
Sincerely,
Arthur H. Goldberg
Compensation and Human Capital Committee Chair and Trustee
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 39 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section of the proxy statement explains how the Trust’s compensation programs are designed and operated in practice with respect to our named executive officers. In this “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we refer to our President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian L. Harper, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Michael P. Fitzmaurice, our Executive Vice President-Leasing, Timothy Collier, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Heather R. Ohlberg and our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, Raymond J. Merk, collectively, as our named executive officers, and we refer to our Compensation and Human Capital Committee as the “Committee.”
Key Highlights
2022 Operational and Financial Highlights(1) | ||
Leases Signed | Pro-Rata Leased Rate(2) | Comparable New Re-leasing Spread(2) |
2.2 Million Square Feet, a 33% increase in year-over-year activity | 93.8%, an increase of 70 basis points year-over-year |
42.6%, a 10% increase versus 2021 |
Operating FFO per Share(3) | Same Property NOI Growth(3) | Dividend per Share |
$1.04, a 9.5% year-over-year increase and at the high end of the initial guidance range of $1.00-$1.05 | 4.3%, above the initial expectation of 2.0% to 4.0% |
$0.52 per share, a 33% increase compared to 2021 |
(1) | As of December 31, 2022. |
(2) | For comparable new leases. Financial information presented on a “pro-rata” basis includes our proportionate economic ownership interest of each of our unconsolidated joint ventures derived on an entity-by-entity basis. |
(3) | Operating FFO and Same Property NOI are non-GAAP financial measures for which reconciliations and other information are set forth on 48-51 of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and Appendix A of this proxy statement. |
The following are key highlights of our 2022 compensation program for our named executive officers.
Executing our Strategy: The Trust had another strong year across all business units.
Leasing: Following a 49% increase in leasing activity in 2021, the Trust completed 2.2 million square feet of activity in 2022, a 33% increase over 2021 and the highest annual level since 2014. These elevated leasing levels are reflective of the high quality of the Trust’s portfolio, the importance to retailers of a strong bricks and mortar presence and the lack of quality new supply. Rents on comparable new leases signed also continued to expand, finishing the year at over 42%. We continue to invest in our properties through our active value-enhancing redevelopment, merchandising, and outlot expansion pipeline. We ended 2022 with a total pipeline of $45 million, up from $30 million in 2021.
Portfolio Capital Recycling: During the year, the Trust also continued to reshape the portfolio towards higher growth and higher income markets. Our three-mile average household income increased by 19% to $122,000 over the past two years. The Trust also continued to expand its presence in markets like Boston and Miami, with Boston now the Trust’s second largest market following additional acquisitions in 2022. Our successful portfolio recycling program was facilitated by the complementary nature of our three investment platforms that allowed us to opportunistically acquire $375 million of assets in 2022 and $921 million over the past two years. We also closed on dispositions and contributions into our two strategic joint venture platforms totaling $283 million in 2022 and $529 million over the past two years.
Digital and Data Innovation: We continued to integrate advanced digital tools and data analytics into our business to monitor operations, drive decision-making and refine long-term strategy during 2022. We automated numerous legacy data processes using multi-dimensional cube-based reporting, significantly enhancing productivity and analysis, and continued to transition legacy manually generated reports into automated live dashboards that improve visualization and insight into business trends. We also added a climate risk score to the Trust’s proprietary asset scoring model and fully automated the model, which is used extensively in the Trust’s investment underwriting process and manages property level risk from acquisition through disposition.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 40 |
Managing our Balance Sheet: In 2022, the Trust again demonstrated its proactive balance sheet management by issuing debt and equity in early 2022 when cost of capital was relatively low and refinancing the Trust’s unsecured credit facility ahead of the dislocation in the capital markets that occurred in the fall. Over the course of the year, we maintained leverage, enhanced liquidity, eliminated near term maturities, fixed rates on all of our term loans through maturity, gained operational and covenant flexibility in our note purchase agreements, and maintained our investment grade credit rating. At the end of 2022, the Trust had no debt maturing until 2025, significantly reducing exposure to the impact of rising interest rates.
(1) | As of December 31, 2022. All data includes the Trust’s pro-rata share of unconsolidated joint venture amounts. |
(2) | Represents the Trust’s annualized adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio. Net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation and other information are included in Appendix A of this proxy statement. |
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”): We continued to advance our commitment to ESG, with a focus on each of the Environmental, Social and Governance areas of sustainability. We believe that these initiatives are a vital part of supporting our primary goal to achieve a long-term sustainable business model that maximizes value for our shareholders and integrates ESG into our overall business practices.
(1) | As of December 31, 2022. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 41 |
2022 Performance Summary Annual Cash Bonus Program. Due to our strong operating FFO performance, the component of our annual cash bonus program linked to this performance measure was achieved at 137.5% for each of our named executive officers. Our named executive officers successfully executed our 2022 strategy and advanced numerous ESG initiatives, positioning the Trust for future success. As a result, each of our named executive officers achieved 200% for the strategy performance component of our annual cash bonus program and 125% for the ESG performance component. The total payout ratio for the 2022 annual cash bonus program was 142.5%. 2020 Long-Term Equity Awards. The performance-based restricted share units granted to our named executive officers for 2020 were forfeited in full due to our three-year relative total shareholder return for the period ending on December 31, 2022 falling below threshold performance. 2022 Long-Term Equity Awards (Tranche One). Our named executive officers earned 108% of the one-third portion of the performance-based restricted share units granted to our named executive officers for 2022 that could be earned based on the Trust’s relative shareholder return over a one-year performance period ending on December 31, 2022. The earned awards remain subject to time-based vesting conditions until March 1, 2025, subject to continued employment through such date. The remaining two-thirds of the 2022 Long-Term Equity Awards (Tranche Two and Tranche Three) remain at-risk and are subject to continuing performance- and time-based vesting conditions. |
Shareholder Engagement
The Trust values the insight of shareholders and actively engages with investors in order to maintain open lines of communication. In 2022, the Trust hosted 110 engagements with 104 unique investors through calls, conferences, property tours and headquarters visits.
Additionally, the Trust provides periodic governance and ESG updates and solicits feedback from its largest shareholders. In spring 2022, we reached out to shareholders representing 74% of our outstanding shares to discuss our 2022 Proxy and executive compensation plans. Our Compensation and Human Capital Committee Chair and Head of Investor Relations participated in these calls. Shareholder feedback was shared and discussed with the Board of Trustees.
In fall 2022, we engaged with the stewardship teams of shareholders representing 83% of our outstanding shares to provide a business update and to discuss governance and ESG topics. Our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Investor Relations participated in these calls. Learning and feedback from these calls were shared and discussed with the Board of Trustees.
Who we engaged | Discussion Topics | Results of Engagement | ||||
Spring 2022 |
• Reached out to shareholders representing 74% of outstanding shares • Engaged with shareholders representing 29% of shares |
• 2022 Proxy • Executive compensation • ISS and Glass Lewis recommendations |
• Feedback shared with senior management and the Board • Expanded the Fall 2022 stewardship shareholder outreach program |
|||
Fall 2022 |
• Reached out to shareholders representing 83% of outstanding shares • Engaged with shareholders representing 46% of shares |
• Preferred ESG frameworks • Ideas on additional information to include in future corporate sustainability reports • Science-based targets • Corporate governance • Board construction and oversite • Executive compensation |
• Feedback reported to senior management and the Board • Incorporated additional disclosures in this proxy statement and planned for future corporate sustainability reports |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 42 |
✔ | Pay for performance and create alignment with shareholders |
✔ | Include rigorous hurdles in our incentive plans |
✔ | Deliver the majority of target compensation in the form of “at-risk” pay with capped incentive opportunities |
✔ | Pay a significant percentage of total compensation for our CEO and other named executive officers in equity |
✔ | Annual named executive officer compensation based upon corporate financial and operational results and achievement of ESG goals established by the Committee at the beginning of each year |
✔ | Significant percentage of named executive officer long-term incentives is based upon relative shareholder return |
✔ | Follow best practices related to equity ownership guidelines for our trustees and named executive officers |
✔ | Incentive payments are subject to our clawback policy |
✔ | Require a double trigger for cash severance and vesting of equity awards in connection with a change in control |
X | No dividends or distributions paid on unvested or unearned equity awards |
X | No excise tax gross-up provisions |
X | No single trigger cash severance or accelerated vesting of equity awards in connection with a change in control |
X | Don’t allow trustees or officers to hedge or pledge our securities |
X | Do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking |
Overview of the 2022 Compensation Program
The following table sets forth each material element of target compensation in the 2022 executive compensation program and describes how each is intended to satisfy one or more of the Trust’s compensation objectives, as well as key features of the compensation elements that address such objectives.
Element of Compensation | Compensation Objectives | Key Features | ||
Base Salary |
• Provide a minimum, fixed level of cash compensation • Important factor in retaining and attracting key employees in a competitive marketplace • Preserve an employee’s commitment during downturns in the general economy, the REIT industry and/or equity markets |
• Changes based on an evaluation of the individual’s experience, current performance, potential for advancement and comparison to peer groups • 16.7% of CEO target compensation and 30.3% - 44.4% of other NEO target compensation |
||
Annual Cash Bonus Program |
• Incentive for the achievement of short-term Trust performance • The bonus plan enhances “pay-for-performance” compensation and ensures greater transparency for the most significant executives • Assist in retaining, attracting and motivating employees in the near term |
• Our named executive officers are eligible for bonuses upon the achievement of specified targets; target bonuses range from 50-125% of base salary • All of our named executive officers received formulaic bonuses in 2022 • 20.9% of CEO target compensation and 22.2% - 24.5% of other NEO target compensation |
||
Annual Long-Term Share-Based Incentive Awards |
• Provide incentive for employees to focus on a balance of near-term value creation and long-term fundamentals and thereby create shareholder value across multiple timeframes • Enhance shareholder-management alignment |
• 50% of target award amount consists of performance-based restricted share units, with potential to earn 0% - 200% of target based on relative total shareholder return compared to peer companies over one-, two- and three-year performance periods • 50% of target award amount consists of service-based restricted shares vesting over three years • 62.3% of CEO target compensation and 33.3% - 45.4% of other NEO target compensation |
||
Change in Control/ Severance Benefits |
• Retain and attract employees in a competitive market • Encourage appropriate risk taking • Mitigate disincentives to pursuit of shareholder friendly change in control transactions that may result in job loss • Ensure continued dedication of employees in case of personal uncertainties or risk of job loss |
• Double trigger (change in control and actual or constructive termination of employment) required for cash severance • Reasonable cash severance multiples - 1-2x annual base salary and annual cash bonus. • See “—Employment Agreements and Severance and Change in Control Arrangements” for a description of the material terms of such agreements. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 43 |
2022 Target Annual Compensation
The following table sets forth the target annual compensation amounts for the Trust’s named executive officers in 2022:
Name | Annual Base Salary ($) |
Target Annual Cash Bonus ($) |
Target Long-Term Incentive Award (Performance- Based Rest. Share Units) ($) |
Long-Term Incentive Award- (Service Based Rest. Stock) ($) |
Target Annual Compensation 2022 ($) |
Target Performance- Based Compensation (% of Target Comp.)(1) |
||||||
Brian L. Harper | 806,000 | 1,007,500 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 | 4,813,500 | 52.1% | ||||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 494,000 | 395,200 | 370,000 | 370,000 | 1,629,200 | 47.0% | ||||||
Timothy Collier | 428,480 | 321,360 | 299,936 | 299,936 | 1,345,712 | 46.0% | ||||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 416,000 | 270,400 | 208,000 | 208,000 | 1,102,400 | 43.4% | ||||||
Raymond J. Merk | 300,000 | 150,000 | 112,500 | 112,500 | 675,000 | 38.9% |
(1) | Represents Target Annual Cash Bonus plus Target Long-Term Incentive Award (Performance-Based Restricted Share Units), divided by Target Annual Compensation 2022. |
2022 Results and Earned Compensation
Annual Cash Bonus
2022 STIP. Pursuant to the Trust’s cash bonus program (the “2022 STIP”), all of our named executive officers received bonuses calculated by reference to the objective and subjective performance goals established for the 2022 STIP, and, as a result, were eligible to earn bonuses either at, above or below pre-established target bonus amounts.
The table below sets forth the 2022 STIP goals and the relative weight given to each goal, and the performance of the Trust and the named executive officers relative to such goals.
Percentage Earned(1) | ||||||||||||
2022 STIP Goal | 50% | 100% | 200% | Weight | Actual Performance |
Percentage of Target Bonus Earned |
||||||
Operating FFO Per Share(2) | $0.99 | $1.03 | $1.11 | 80% | $1.06 | 137.5% | ||||||
Environmental, Social and Governance(3) | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 10% | Above Target(3) |
125.0% | ||||||
Strategy(4) | Threshold | Target | Maximum | 10% | Maximum(4) | 200.0% | ||||||
142.5% |
(1) | Subject to linear interpolation for amounts between levels. |
(2) | Represents Operating FFO per diluted share for 2022 as publicly reported, excluding bonus expense for above target performance. |
(3) | Represents the contribution of each named executive officer to advancing a range of environmental, social and governance initiatives during 2022 that are described in more detail above in “—Executive Summary—Key Highlights,” including (i) completion of LED lighting, smart irrigation and waste management projects, (ii) improving the culture of wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, equity and philanthropy of the Trust and (iii) working with vendors and tenants to align the policies of these stakeholders with the values of the Trust. The Committee evaluated the performance of the named executive officers individually and as a group against these goals and determined that all of the named executive officers achieved performance above target level. |
(4) | Represents the performance of each named executive officer relative to the long-term and short-term strategic goals of the Trust, both internal and external, including an assessment of the contributions of the named executive officers to the Trust’s operational, financial and other achievements for 2022 that are described in more detail above in “—Executive Summary—Key Highlights.” The Committee evaluated the performance of the named executive officers individually and as a group against these goals and determined that all of the named executive officers achieved maximum performance. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 44 |
The table below sets forth the target annual cash bonuses for 2022 and the annual cash bonuses actually earned in 2022 by each of the Trust’s named executive officers under the 2022 STIP:
Name | 2022 Base Salary ($) |
2022 Target Bonus Percentage of Base Salary |
Target Annual Cash Bonus 2022 ($) |
Earned Annual Cash Bonus 2022 ($) |
||||
Brian L. Harper | 806,000 | 125% | 1,007,500 | 1,435,688 | ||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 494,000 | 80% | 395,200 | 563,160 | ||||
Timothy Collier | 428,480 | 75% | 321,360 | 457,938 | ||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 416,000 | 65% | 270,400 | 385,320 | ||||
Raymond J. Merk | 300,000 | 50% | 150,000 | 213,750 |
Performance-Based Restricted Share Units (“PSU”)
We have granted annual performance-based restricted share units to our named executive officers with performance criteria relating to the percentile rank of our relative total shareholder return, or TSR, during the performance period compared to peer companies. During 2020, we also made one-time grants of performance-based restricted share units to our named executive officers with performance criteria relating to the increase in our share price.
The table below provides a summary of the status of the earning of these performance-based restricted share units, as well as outstanding performance-based restricted share units granted in 2018 as inducement awards, based on our performance through December 31, 2022:
Status at December 31, 2022 |
||||||||
Awards | Performance Period(s) | Performance Criteria | Percentile Rank | Projected / Actual Earned |
||||
2018 PSU (Annual) | Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2024(1) |
Earned based on relative TSR during the performance period as set forth below: - Below 33rd percentile: 0% earned - 33rd - 50th percentile: 50%-100% earned - 50th - 90th percentile: 100%-200% earned |
42nd | 75% - Projected | ||||
2018 PSU (Inducement) | Grant dates in 2018 – Dec. 2024(1) | 50th | 100% - Projected | |||||
2020 PSU (Annual) | Jan. 2020 – Dec. 2022 | 21st | 0% - Earned | |||||
2021 PSU (Annual) | Jan. 2021 – Dec. 2023 | 50th | 100% - Projected | |||||
2022 PSU (Annual – One-Year Period) | Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2022 |
Earned based on relative TSR during the performance period as set forth below: - Below 30th percentile: 0% earned - 30th - 55th percentile: 50%-100% earned - 55th - 80th percentile: 100%-200% earned |
57th | 108% - Earned | ||||
2022 PSU (Annual – Two-Year Period) | Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2023 | 57th | 108% - Projected | |||||
2022 PSU (Annual – Three-Year Period) | Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2024 | 57th | 108% - Projected | |||||
2020 Absolute PSU | Oct. 2020 – Dec. 2024 |
Earned based on absolute share price increases during the performance period as set forth below:(2) - >25% (but < than 50%): 50% earned - >50% (but < than 75%): 100% earned - >75% (but < than 100%): 150% earned - 100% (or more): 200% earned |
N/A | 200%(3) |
(1) | The end date of the performance period for these awards was extended from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2024. |
(2) | Each hurdle will be deemed to be achieved if, during any consecutive twenty-day trading period during the performance period, the average closing price of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest exceeds such hurdle. |
(3) | During 2021, the highest average closing price of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest for a twenty-day trading period represented an increase in the Trust’s share price of greater than 100% from the consecutive twenty-day trading period ending on the grant date for the awards. As a result, these awards were earned at maximum (200%). Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment through such date. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 45 |
Based on the Committee’s determination in February 2023 of the Trust’s performance set forth above for the “2022 PSU (Annual One-Year Period)” awards, our named executives earned the following restricted share units for the one-year period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, which remain subject to vesting through March 1, 2025: Mr. Harper—42,486, Mr. Fitzmaurice—10,494, Mr. Collier—8,495, Ms. Ohlberg—5,891, Mr. Merk—3,186.
2022 Compensation Determinations — Discussion
Base Salary
For 2022, as set forth in the table below, we increased the annual base salaries of all of our named executives officers. The base salary increases for Messrs. Harper, Fitzmaurice and Collier and Ms. Ohlberg reflect moderate cost of living increases consistent with those generally provided to all of our officers across our organization who were in good standing, while Mr. Merk’s base salary was further increased to align compensation paid by the Trust with competitive market rates.
Name | 2021 Annual Base Salary ($) | 2022 Annual Base Salary ($) | Percentage Increase | |||
Brian L. Harper | 775,000 | 806,000 | 4.0% | |||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 475,000 | 494,000 | 4.0% | |||
Timothy Collier | 412,000 | 428,480 | 4.0% | |||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 400,000 | 416,000 | 4.0% | |||
Raymond J. Merk | 275,000 | 300,000 | 9.1% |
Annual Cash Bonus
2022 STIP. Pursuant to the 2022 STIP, all of our named executive officers received bonuses calculated by reference to the performance goals established for the 2022 STIP, and, as a result, were eligible to earn bonuses either at, above or below pre-established target bonus amounts based on the Trust’s achievement of the 2022 STIP goals. The criteria selected as performance goals for the 2022 STIP were selected because they were expected to be key shareholder value drivers of the Trust. The following outlines the reasons why the Committee selected such criteria for consideration in connection within the 2022 STIP:
• | Operating FFO per share. Funds from operations (“FFO”) is a widely-used non-GAAP measure of financial performance for REITs to assist investors and analysts in comparing results of real estate companies because it excludes the effect of real estate depreciation and amortization and net gain on sales, which are based on historical costs and implicitly assume that the value of real estate diminishes predictably over time, rather than fluctuating based on existing market conditions. Operating funds from operations (“Operating FFO”) is an alternative measure of financial performance used by us because it adjusts FFO for certain items that we believe enhance the comparability of our Operating FFO from period to period. Further details regarding the calculation of Operating FFO may be obtained from the detailed reconciliations included in our quarterly earnings releases posted on our website. | |
• | Environmental, Social and Governance. ESG matters have become more and more important to the Trust and all its stakeholders, including the Board of the Trust, our employees, our tenants, the communities in which we operate and our shareholders. We believe that advancement of these initiatives and values has become inseparable from the value of the trust, and that achieving these goals will help us attract and retain vital employees, compete for premium tenants and ultimately enhance the value of our operating platform. The specific goals related to the following categories of ESG objectives: |
• | Environmental |
• | Install LED lighting to advance the goal of reducing common area electricity consumption by 25% by the end of 2026. | |
• | Install smart irrigation projects to advance the goal of reducing common area water consumption by 20% by the end of 2024. | |
• | Execute new trash hauler contracts to divert 35% of common area generated waste from landfills by 2022 and advance goal of diverting 35% of waste generated by program-compliant tenants by the end of 2023. |
• | Social |
• | Continue to implement comprehensive and affordable health benefits and a robust wellness program that focuses on physical, mental and financial wellbeing as well as employee focused policies including policies focusing on health and safety and flexible work arrangements. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 46 |
• | Execute strategic initiatives focusing on diversity and inclusion throughout the company and relationships with ethnic, racial and gender diverse vendors and suppliers. | |
• | Continue to support charitable partners who align with the Trust’s purpose of Turning Commercial Ground into Common Ground. |
• | Governance |
• | Enhance the Trust’s vendor policy program by creating a new vendor policy rider for the Trust’s Vendor Code of Conduct and ESG Sustainability Policy governing vendor conduct and including the new rider in 50% of contracts executed in 2022. | |
• | Enhance the vendor policy program by auditing vendor compliance with the Trust’s vendor policy. | |
• | Work with tenants to improve environmental conditions at shopping centers by including Green Lease language in 20% of shop leases executed in 2022. |
• | Strategy. This measure reflects the Committee’s overall assessment of the Trust’s internal and external strategic performance, including the use of innovation to drive the business in an evolving landscape in order to achieve growth. The development and deployment of creative, novel solutions in a rapidly changing operating environment, like the one we have faced over the last few years, to enhance and evolve our platform are vital to the Trust’s success and is therefore an important component of our 2022 STIP. |
The principal achievements of the Trust that the Committee considered in relation to these executive performance goals are discussed above in “—Executive Summary—Key Highlights.”
The Committee established target bonus amounts as a percentage of annual base salary for each of our named executive officers under the 2022 STIP with no changes from the percentages of annual base salary that were used in 2021, except for Mr. Collier whose target bonus percentage increased from 65% of his base salary to 75% of his base salary.
Under the 2022 STIP, the Committee had also established bonus payout levels for each named executive officer at threshold (50% of target incentive), target (100% of target incentive) or maximum (200% of target incentive) for certain objective and subjective goals, with linear interpolation between such levels for the objective goal, but not the subjective goals. The 2022 STIP goals, the relative weight given to each goal, the specific hurdles and the target and actual bonus amounts are set forth above under “—2022 Results and Earned Compensation.”
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Following an extensive review of our compensation program, we modified the structure of our performance-based share unit awards for 2022 as set forth in the table below. These changes were intended to increase alignment of management with our shareholders, and to increase the overall rigor of these awards.
Prior Awards (2021 and earlier) | Current Awards (2022) | Rationale for Change | ||
Performance Period. The awards had a single three-year performance period, with all earned awards vesting following the conclusion of such period. | Performance Period. The awards have three equally weighted performance periods of one-year, two-years and three-years, with all earned awards vesting following the conclusion the full three-year period. | The one-, two- and three-year measurement approach aligns management incentives with our near, medium and long-term stock performance, which appropriately reflects our shareholder base and their desired investment timeframes, and all earned awards only vest following the conclusion of the full three-year performance period. | ||
Peer Group. The Trust’s performance is based on its percentile rank relative to a small group of direct peer companies. | Peer Group. The Trust’s performance is based on its percentile rank relative to 72 companies across all real estate sectors with equity market capitalizations of $5 billion or less that are constituents of the MSCI Equity REIT Index. | Utilizing a broader peer set reduces short-term volatility and addresses the diminishing number of direct peer companies in our sector. | ||
Performance Hurdles. Awards are earned based on TSR relative to the peer group during the performance period as set forth below: - Below 33rd percentile: 0% earned - 33rd - 50th percentile: 50%-100% earned - 50th - 90th percentile: 100%-200% earned |
Performance Hurdles. Awards are earned based on TSR relative to the peer group during the performance period as set forth below: - Below 30th percentile: 0% earned - 30th - 55th percentile: 50%-100% earned - 55th - 80th percentile: 100%-200% earned |
Increasing the target performance hurdle from the 50th percentile to the 55th percentile increases the overall rigor of the awards, and ensures that above-target payouts are only achieved as a result of above-median performance. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 47 |
Annual Grants. In February 2022, the Committee approved long-term incentive compensation awards to the named executive officers in the amounts set forth below:
Name | Long-Term Incentive Plan Award ($) |
Target Restricted Share Units (Performance-Based) (#) |
Restricted Shares (Service-Based) (#) |
|||
Brian L. Harper | 3,000,000 | 118,017 | 118,017 | |||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 741,000 | 29,150 | 29,150 | |||
Timothy Collier | 599,872 | 23,598 | 23,598 | |||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 416,000 | 16,365 | 16,365 | |||
Raymond J. Merk | 225,000 | 8,851 | 8,851 |
For 2022, consistent with 2021, the target amount of the long-term incentive compensation awards made to Mr. Harper equaled the contractual minimum amount set forth in the employment agreement he entered into with the Trust in 2020. The target amounts of the long-term incentive compensation awards made to the remaining named executive officers were established as a percentage of each executive’s base salary based on a review of competitive market data as follows: Mr. Fitzmaurice—150%; Mr. Collier—140%; Ms. Ohlberg: 100%; and Mr. Merk—75%.
The long-term incentive awards consisted one-half of grants of service-based restricted shares and one-half of performance-based restricted share units based on the amounts that could be earned based on target performance.
The service-based restricted shares vest in three equal installments on the anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued employment. For these and future grants under the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Trust will retain all dividends that otherwise would have been paid on unvested restricted shares and those amounts will only be paid if and when the shares vest.
One-third of the performance-based restricted share units may be earned based on the percentile rank of our relative total shareholder return over the one-year period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, the two-year period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 and the three-year period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024 compared to a group of peer companies, as set forth in the following table, with linear interpolation between the performance levels up to a maximum of 200%.
Performance Level | Comparative Total Shareholder Return | Percentage of Target Number of Shares | ||
Threshold | 30th | 50% | ||
Target | 55th | 100% | ||
Maximum | 80th | 200% |
None of the restricted share units will be earned if our TSR is below the 30th percentile.
The peer companies utilized for purposes of these performance-based restricted share units are the following publicly traded REITs, representing the Trust’s compensation peers and the constituents of the MSCI US REIT Index that, as of December 31, 2021, had a market capitalization of less than $5 billion: Acadia Realty Trust, Agree Realty Corporation, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Alexander’s Inc., American Assets Trust, Inc., American Finance Trust, Inc., Apartment Investment and Management Company, Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc., Brandywine Realty Trust, CareTrust REIT, Inc., Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., Centerspace, Chatham Lodging Trust, City Office REIT, Inc., Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated, CoreCivic, Inc., Corporate Office Properties Trust, DiamondRock Hospitality Company, DigitalBridge Group, Inc., Diversified Healthcare Trust, Easterly Government Properties, Inc., Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., EPR Properties, Equity Commonwealth, Essential Properties Trust, Inc., Four Corners Property Trust, Inc., Franklin Street Properties Corp., Getty Realty Corp., Gladstone Commercial Corporation, Global Medical REIT Inc., Global Net Lease, Inc., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, Highwoods Properties, Inc., Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, iStar Inc., JBG SMITH Properties, Kite Realty Group Trust, LTC Properties, Inc., LXP Industrial Trust, Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, National Health Investors, Inc., NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc., Office Properties Income Trust, One Liberty Properties, Inc., Paramount Group, Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Physicians Realty Trust, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., RLJ Lodging Trust, Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc., Safehold Inc. Saul Centers, Inc., Seritage Growth Properties,
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 48 |
Service Properties Trust, SITE Centers Corp., SL Green Realty Corp., Summit Hotel Properties, Inc., Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc., Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., The GEO Group, Inc., The Macerich Company, UMH Properties, Inc., Universal Health Realty Income Trust, Urban Edge Properties, Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., Veris Residential, Inc., Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
The Trust’s performance relative to this group of peer companies for the one-year period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 and the number of restricted share units earned by our named executive officers are set forth above under “—2022 Results and Earned Compensation.” All of the performance-based restricted share units, whether or not earned as of December 31, 2022, are also subject to service-based vesting, based on continued employment through March 1, 2025.
Upon satisfaction of both the specified performance measures and service-based vesting, any performance-based restricted share units earned will be settled in the form of unrestricted shares. On the settlement date, the Trust will pay, in cash, an amount equal to the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the earned shares if such shares had been outstanding for the period from the grant date of the performance-based restricted share units to the settlement date.
Executive Compensation and Related Policies and Considerations
Severance Arrangements
The Trust has employment agreements with Messrs. Harper and Fitzmaurice and offer letters with Messrs. Collier and Merk and Ms. Ohlberg that provide for specified severance benefits, including termination upon a change in control. The Trust also has a Change in Control Policy applicable to executive officers of the Trust, which applies to Messrs. Collier and Merk and Ms. Ohlberg. In addition, our performance-based restricted share units provide for acceleration of vesting and/or earning in connection with a change in control or termination of employment in certain circumstances. See “—Employment Agreements and Severance and Change in Control Arrangements” below for a summary of these arrangements.
We believe that providing predetermined severance benefits for all of our executives in the event they are terminated without cause or terminate their employment for good reason following a change in control helps to further align the interests of our executives and our shareholders in the event of a potentially attractive proposed change in control transaction following which one or more of our executives may be expected to be terminated. We also believe that providing predetermined severance benefits for our executives in the event they are terminated without cause encourages these executives to engage in appropriate risk-taking activities and, because the severance level is determined up front, makes it easier for us to terminate these executives without the need for protracted negotiations over severance. Additionally, many of our competitors have severance and change in control arrangements with named executive officers and having such arrangements are critical for the attraction and retention of talented, well qualified executives.
Share Ownership Guidelines
The Trust’s share ownership guidelines for executive officers require our executive officers to hold directly a number of shares (including unvested restricted shares) having a market value equal to a multiple of their then current base salary; the Chief Executive Officer’s multiple is six and all other executive officers’ multiple is five. The Committee reviews the minimum equity holding level and other market trends and practices on a periodic basis. The Committee has confirmed that all executive officers currently satisfy the guidelines or are within the time period to become compliant.
Clawback Policy
The Trust has a clawback policy that allows the Trust to recoup cash and equity incentive compensation paid to, earned by or granted to our executive officers during the three-year period preceding either a restatement of the Trust’s financial statements or the determination by the Committee that a material miscalculation of a performance metric occurred that resulted from fraud or any other intentional misconduct by any of our executive officers. In such circumstances, the Trust may recoup the amount of cash and equity incentive compensation that was paid, earned or granted as a result of either the incorrectly reported financial results of the Trust that were the subject of the restatement or the material miscalculation that would not have been paid, earned or granted, as applicable, if determined based on correctly reported financial results or the correct calculation of the performance metric. Our clawback policy applies to all cash and equity performance-based incentive compensation with a performance period beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and may be updated from time to time to comply with applicable laws, regulations and listing standards.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 49 |
Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging
The Trust has adopted an anti-hedging and pledging policy that prohibits its trustees and executive officers from (1) purchasing any financial instrument or entering into any transaction that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the shares or other equity securities, and (2) pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering shares or other equity securities as collateral for indebtedness, including holding such shares in a margin account. The Trust does not have any practices or policies regarding the ability of any other employees to purchase financial instruments or otherwise engage in transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of the Trust’s equity securities.
Timing and Pricing of Share-Based Grants
The Trust does not coordinate the timing of share-based grants with the release of material non-public information. Annual equity grants for executive officers and other employees are generally made at the first Committee meeting each year with a grant date as of such approval or shortly thereafter. Further, awards that are subject to performance measures are generally granted at the first Committee meeting of the year following satisfaction of such performance measures. The Committee generally establishes dates for regularly scheduled meetings at least a year in advance.
Trading Limitations
In addition to the restrictions set forth in SEC regulations, the Trust has an insider trading policy, which among other things, prohibits Trustees, executive officers and other employees from engaging in short sales, trading in options or participating in any other speculative investments relating to the Trust’s shares.
Change in Control Payments
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) disallows a company’s tax deduction for “excess parachute payments,” generally defined as payments to specified persons that are contingent upon a change in control in an amount equal to or greater than three times the person’s base amount (the five-year average of Form W-2 compensation). Additionally, Section 4999 of the Code imposes a 20% excise tax on any person who receives such excess parachute payments.
The Trust’s share-based plans entitle participants to payments in connection with a change in control that may result in excess parachute payments. Further, the employment agreements of Messrs. Harper and Fitzmaurice, the offer letters of Messrs. Collier and Merk, as well as the Change in Control Policy for the benefit of executive officers, entitle our named executive officers to payments upon termination of employment following a change in control that may constitute excess parachute payments. In the event that any payment or benefit constitutes an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code subject to an excise tax, the executive will not be entitled to a tax gross-up payment; however, the executive’s payments and benefits would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise taxes, but only if such a reduction of pay or benefits would result in a greater after-tax benefit to the executive.
Compensation Philosophy and Benchmarking
The Trust’s compensation program for named executive officers is designed to:
• | establish and reinforce the Trust’s pay-for-performance philosophy; | |
• | motivate and reward the achievement of specific annual and long-term financial and strategic goals of the Trust; | |
• | link actual compensation earned to the relative performance of the Trust’s total shareholder return as compared against the peer companies; | |
• | attract, retain and motivate key executives critical to the Trust’s operations and strategies; and | |
• | be competitive relative to peer companies. |
The Committee recognizes that a compensation program must be flexible to address all of its objectives.
The Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners LLC (“Meridian”), a nationally recognized third-party compensation consulting firm, to assist the Committee in determining our executive compensation for 2022. Among other things, Meridian provided the Committee with competitive market data from a peer group developed by the Committee with the assistance of our Chief Executive Officer and Meridian. Our peer group, along with other market data, used for benchmarking our executive compensation program for fiscal year 2022 was the same as our peer group for 2021, minus Retail Properties of America, Inc. and Weingarten Realty Investors, which were acquired by Kite Realty Group Trust and Kimco Realty Corporation, respectively, and minus Washington Prime Group Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in 2021.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 50 |
Our 2022 peer group, which represented companies with similar businesses and annual revenues and market capitalization comparable to ours, included the following companies:
Acadia Realty Trust | Saul Centers, Inc. |
Agree Realty Corporation | Seritage Growth Properties |
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.(1) | Urban Edge Properties |
Kite Realty Group Trust | Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. |
Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. |
(1) Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust in August 2022 and ceased to be a publicly traded company.
The 2022 peer group data presented to the Committee included information regarding base salary, annual cash bonus, total annual compensation and long-term incentive compensation. For each of these categories, Meridian presented information comparing our compensation to the compensation paid by these companies at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles for comparable positions. For purposes of 2022 compensation, the Committee used this peer group data to gain a greater understanding of market practices in connection with establishing base salaries, target annual cash bonus amounts and target values for annual long-term incentive compensation, all of which were established in early 2022. The Committee did not target a single percentile or range of percentiles to be used consistently for all of our executives, but rather used this information in connection with a number of factors, including, among others, the individual experience and skills of, and expected contributions from, our executives, the difficulty that we would have in replacing each of our executives and current economic conditions.
In October 2022, the Committee evaluated and updated its peer group to address the reduction in size of its existing peer group resulting from recent industry consolidation, and to provide the Trust with a robust set of peers when setting compensation. The expanded peer group will be used for compensation decisions beginning in 2023.
Our 2023 peer group represents companies of similar size, portfolio type, geographic footprint, pay strategy and that compete for the same type of talent, and includes the eight companies (which excludes Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.) set forth above plus the additional following companies:
Brixmor Property Group Inc. |
SITE Centers Corp. |
Getty Realty Corp. |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. |
NETSREIT Corp. |
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.(1) |
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust |
(1) Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust in August 2022 and ceased to be a publicly traded company.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 51 |
Compensation and Human Capital Committee Report
The Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) in this proxy statement with management. Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation and Human Capital Committee recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in the Trust’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Compensation and Human Capital Committee
Arthur Goldberg (Chair)
Richard L. Federico
Laurie M. Shahon
Andrea M. Weiss
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 52 |
We reviewed our compensation policies and practices for employees to determine whether they encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. Due to the greater emphasis placed on incentive compensation at higher levels of our organization, and the fact that these individuals are more likely to make decisions that impact corporate performance and could have a material adverse effect on us, the review focused primarily on our executive compensation policies and practices. Based on this review, we concluded that risks arising from our policies and practices for compensating employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. Our conclusion was based primarily on the following findings:
• | vesting schedules for restricted shares and restricted share units cause management to have a significant amount of unvested awards at any given time; | |
• | our executive compensation program has a significant focus on long-term equity compensation; | |
• | the goals for our long-term incentive compensation program are based on overlapping performance periods and relative TSR performance, reducing the impact of short-term volatility and aligning management with our long-term success; | |
• | incentive compensation opportunities are capped and therefore do not incentivize employees to maximize short-term performance at the expense of long-term performance; | |
• | we have a clawback policy that will allow us to recoup incentive compensation in the event of a restatement or material miscalculation that resulted from fraud or any other intentional misconduct by one of our executive officers; | |
• | our compensation levels and opportunities are in keeping with appropriate competitive practice; and | |
• | our executives and trustees are expected to maintain an ownership interest in our Trust, which aligns their interests with those of shareholders. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 53 |
Executive and Trustee Compensation Process
The Committee typically meets several times each year in connection with the consideration and determination of executive compensation. As the timing of many compensation decisions follows a predictable annual schedule, regular meetings and general agenda topics are scheduled well in advance by the Committee. Special meetings are scheduled as needed by the Committee, and specific meeting agendas are prepared at the direction of the chair of the Committee and our Chief Executive Officer. In certain circumstances, the Committee may also take actions by written consent to address compensation matters that have been previously discussed and/or are summarized by our Chief Executive Officer, a consultant engaged by the Committee or other advisor to the Trust or the Committee.
The Committee of our Board has the authority to determine all compensation payable to our executive officers. In 2018, the Committee engaged Meridian to conduct a competitive review of our executive compensation program, including a written report providing competitive analysis of compensation levels for our executives and Meridian’s recommendations with respect to the mix of our executive compensation and the structure of our cash and equity incentive programs, which the Committee utilized in connection with negotiating employment arrangements with Messrs. Harper, Fitzmaurice and Collier during 2018. This report was subsequently used as the basis for structuring 2022 compensation, which was substantially consistent with 2021 compensation. The Committee and the chair of the Committee consulted with Meridian during early 2022 in connection with the finalization of 2022 compensation decisions regarding base salaries and the target amounts for, and the structure of, our cash and equity incentive programs for 2022. For 2022, each executive’s target annual cash bonus was linked in a formulaic manner to the achievement of specific, objectively measurable goals and certain subjective short-term and long-term goals that were communicated to each executive in February 2022.
For 2022, the Committee considered the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer regarding the design and implementation of the executive compensation program because he has significant involvement in, and knowledge of, the Trust’s business goals, strategies and performance, the overall effectiveness of the executive officers and each person’s individual contribution to the Trust’s performance. For each named executive officer, the Committee was provided a compensation recommendation as well as information regarding historical earned compensation, the individual’s experience, current performance, potential for advancement and other subjective factors. The Committee ultimately made all determinations regarding compensation payable to our executive officers.
In October 2021, the Committee engaged Meridian to evaluate the overall structure of the Trust’s non-employee trustee compensation and to conduct an extensive review. Following this review, in consultation with Meridian, the Committee approved changes to better align our trustee compensation with market practice and to ensure the attraction and retention of qualified trustees. Effective January 1, 2022, the Trust increased annual cash compensation for non-employee trustee compensation, increased the annual retainer for serving as the Chair of the Trust’s Audit committee and increased the annual compensation for serving as Chair of the Trust.
In compliance with the SEC and the NYSE requirements regarding independent of compensation consultants, Meridian provided the Committee with a letter addressing each of the six independence factors. Their responses affirm the independence of Meridian and the partners, consultants and employees who service the Committee on executive compensation matters.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 54 |
Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables
The table below sets forth information regarding the total compensation paid to or earned by the named executive officers in 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($)(1) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total ($) |
|||||||
Brian L. Harper | 2022 | 806,000 | — | 3,431,934 | 1,435,688 | 3,200 | 5,676,822 | |||||||
President and CEO | 2021 | 789,904 | — | 3,531,108 | 1,937,500 | 3,200 | 6,261,712 | |||||||
2020 | 678,029 | 823,438 | 6,544,214 | — | 3,200 | 8,048,881 | ||||||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 2022 | 494,000 | — | 847,683 | 563,160 | 4,000 | 1,908,843 | |||||||
Executive VP and CFO | 2021 | 484,135 | — | 838,639 | 760,000 | 3,200 | 2,085,974 | |||||||
2020 | 445,265 | 323,000 | 1,501,894 | — | 3,200 | 2,273,359 | ||||||||
Timothy Collier | 2022 | 428,480 | — | 686,230 | 457,938 | 4,000 | 1,576,648 | |||||||
Executive VP, Leasing | 2021 | 419,923 | — | 678,911 | 618,000 | 3,200 | 1,720,034 | |||||||
2020 | 386,227 | 227,630 | 646,711 | — | 3,200 | 1,263,768 | ||||||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 2022 | 416,000 | — | 475,894 | 385,320 | 3,200 | 1,280,414 | |||||||
Executive VP, General Counsel and Secretary |
2021 | 407,692 | 100,000 | 470,820 | 520,000 | 3,200 | 1,501,712 | |||||||
2020 | 374,750 | 221,000 | 327,530 | — | 3,200 | 926,480 | ||||||||
Raymond J. Merk | 2022 | 300,000 | — | 257,387 | 213,750 | 36,545 | 807,682 | |||||||
Senior VP and Chief Accounting Officer |
2021 | 280,288 | — | 242,753 | 275,000 | 7,434 | 805,475 | |||||||
2020 | 257,548 | 93,500 | 267,386 | — | 50,579 | 669,013 |
(1) | For 2020, the amounts reported reflect the base salaries approved for our named executive officers in February 2020, less amounts voluntarily forgone for no value but including amounts forgone in exchange for restricted shares pursuant to our salary reduction and exchange program, and, as a result, do not reflect the amounts actually paid to Messrs. Harper, Fitzmaurice and Collier and Ms. Ohlberg. The actual amounts of base salary paid to these named executives in cash during 2020 were as follows: Mr. Harper—$581,058; Mr. Fitzmaurice—$415,529; Mr. Collier—$360,454; and Ms. Ohlberg—$349,500. For 2021, the amounts reported reflect the base salaries for our named executive officers, plus the cash value of excess accrued vacation time paid to each named executive officer during 2021 as follows: Mr. Harper—$14,904; Mr. Fitzmaurice—$9,135; Mr. Collier—$7,923; Ms. Ohlberg—$7,692; and Mr. Merk—$5,288. |
(2) | The amounts reported reflect the grant date fair value (excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures). The awards in the Stock Awards column for 2022, 2021 and 2020 relate to service-based restricted shares and performance-based restricted share units granted in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, but do not include the restricted shares our named executive officers received in exchange for base salary in 2020 pursuant to our salary reduction and exchange program, which are included in the Salary column. The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of each share of service-based restricted shares granted is calculated as the closing price of the shares as of the grant date. The grant date fair values of the performance-based restricted share units are based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions on the grant date for financial statement reporting purposes under FASB ASC Topic 718 and consistent with the estimate of aggregate compensation cost to be recognized over the service period determined as of the grant date under FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated or actual forfeitures. |
The valuations of the annual performance-based restricted share units granted in 2022 based on relative TSR assume a risk free interest rate of 1.4% and share price volatility level of 58.5%. Assuming that maximum performance is achieved under these performance-based restricted share units granted in 2022, the value at the grant date of these relative performance-based restricted share units would have been as follows: Mr. Harper—$2,999,992; Mr. Fitzmaurice—$740,993; Mr. Collier—$599,861; Ms. Ohlberg—$415,998; and Mr. Merk—$224,992. The grant date fair value of awards granted to our named executive officers in 2022 is reflected in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2022” table. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 55 |
(3) | For 2022, the following named executive officers received payments and/or benefits included under “All Other Compensation”: |
a. | Mr. Harper—$3,000 in 401(k) plan company match and $200 gift card; | |
b. | Mr. Fitzmaurice—$3,000 in 401(k) plan company match, $200 gift card and $800 HSA employer funding; | |
c. | Mr. Collier—$3,000 in 401(k) plan company match, $200 gift card and $800 HSA employer funding; | |
d. | Ms. Ohlberg—$3,000 in 401(k) plan company match and $200 gift card; and | |
e. | Mr. Merk—$32,745 for housing and travel reimbursements, which amount includes $15,010 for the tax gross up paid in connection with these reimbursement, pursuant to Mr. Merk’s offer letter, $3,000 in 401(k) plan company match, $200 gift card and $600 HSA funding. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2022
The following table provides information about plan-based awards granted to the named executive officers in 2022.
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(3) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(4) |
|||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date |
Approval Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
||||||||||||
Brian L. Harper | 03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | 59,009 | 118,017 | 236,034 | — | 1,931,938 | ||||||||||
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 118,017 | 1,499,996 | |||||||||||
— | 503,750 | 1,007,500 | 2,015,000 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice |
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | 14,575 | 29,150 | 58,300 | — | 477,186 | ||||||||||
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29,150 | 370,497 | |||||||||||
— | 197,600 | 395,200 | 790,400 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Timothy Collier | 03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | 11,799 | 23,598 | 47,196 | — | 386,299 | ||||||||||
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23,598 | 299,931 | |||||||||||
— | 160,680 | 321,360 | 642,720 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Heather R. Ohlberg |
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | 8,183 | 16,365 | 32,730 | — | 267,895 | ||||||||||
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16,365 | 207,999 | |||||||||||
— | 135,200 | 270,400 | 540,800 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Raymond J. Merk |
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | 4,426 | 8,851 | 17,702 | — | 144,891 | ||||||||||
03/01/22 | 02/28/22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8,851 | 112,496 | |||||||||||
— | 75,000 | 150,000 | 300,000 | — | — | — | — |
(1) | Represents cash payouts that were possible pursuant to the 2022 STIP. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—2022 Compensation Determinations—Discussion—Annual Cash Bonus—2022 STIP” for a description of these awards. |
(2) | All awards in this column relate to shares of performance-based restricted shares under our Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—2022 Compensation Determinations—Discussion—Long-Term Incentive Compensation” for a description of these amendments and awards. |
(3) | All awards in this column relate to shares of service-based restricted shares under the 2019 Plan. |
(4) | The amounts reported reflect the fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for the service-based restricted shares and performance-based restricted share units awarded in 2022 under the 2019 Plan. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 56 |
Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables
Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to which the compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and the 2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table was paid or awarded, are described above under “— Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
In 2022, we granted restricted share awards and performance-based restricted share units to each of our named executive officers under the 2019 Plan, as described in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2022 table. The vesting of each award is subject to acceleration in connection with certain termination triggering events as described below under “—Employment Agreements and Severance and Change in Control Arrangements—Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards.”
For service-based awards made in 2022 under the 2019 Plan, we will retain all dividends that otherwise would have been paid on unvested restricted shares and those amounts will only be paid if and when the shares vest. With respect to the annual performance-based restricted share units, holders are entitled to the accumulated value of dividends during the performance period. Once the performance-period for such annual performance-based restricted share units ends, earned performance-based restricted share units will be settled in an equal number of shares. On the settlement date, the Trust will pay, in cash, an amount equal to the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the earned shares if such shares had been outstanding for the period from the grant date of the performance-based restricted share units to the settlement date.
The terms of the employment agreements, offer letters and other agreements that we have entered into with our named executive officers are described below under “—Employment Agreements and Severance and Change in Control Arrangements.”
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2022
The following table provides information on the holdings of equity awards by the named executive officers as of
December 31, 2022.
Stock Awards | ||||||||
Name | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(3) |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
||||
Brian L. Harper | 1,053,236 | 10,574,489 | 1,236,117 | 12,410,610 | ||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 223,177 | 2,240,697 | 171,798 | 1,724,847 | ||||
Timothy Collier | 106,392 | 1,068,176 | 129,890 | 1,304,096 | ||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 53,706 | 539,208 | 65,637 | 658,990 | ||||
Raymond J. Merk | 40,187 | 403,477 | 35,477 | 356,189 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 57 |
(1) | Includes the following: |
Name | 2020 Extension Awards |
2022 Awards(c) |
2021 Awards(d) |
2020 Awards(e) |
2018 Awards(f) |
2020 Absolute Share Price Awards(g) |
Earned 2022 Performance Awards(h) |
|||||||
Brian L. Harper | 215,208(a) | 118,017 | 95,694 | 31,831 | — | 550,000 | 42,486 | |||||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 71,736(b) | 29,150 | 22,726 | 9,071 | — | 80,000 | 10,494 | |||||||
Timothy Collier | — | 23,598 | 18,398 | 5,901 | — | 50,000 | 8,495 | |||||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | — | 16,365 | 12,758 | 3,692 | — | 15,000 | 5,891 | |||||||
Raymond J. Merk | — | 8,851 | 6,578 | 2,626 | 946 | 18,000 | 3,186 |
(a) | Represents restricted shares granted as an extension award in connection with Mr. Harper’s employment agreement, which will vest on June 30, 2025, subject to continued employment through such date. | |
(b) | Represents restricted shares granted as an extension award in connection with Mr. Fitzmaurice’s employment agreement, which will vest on June 30, 2024, subject to continued employment through such date. | |
(c) | Represents unvested restricted share awards granted for 2022, with one-third scheduled to vest on each of March 1, 2023, 2024 and 2025, subject to continued employment through such dates. | |
(d) | Represents unvested restricted share awards granted for 2021, with one-third having vested on February 11, 2022 and one-third scheduled to vest on each of February 11, 2023 and 2024, subject to continued employment through such dates. | |
(e) | Represents unvested restricted share awards granted for 2020, with one-third having vested on each of March 1, 2021 and 2022 and one-third scheduled to vest on March 1, 2023, subject to continued employment through such date. | |
(f) | Represents unvested restricted share unit awards granted for 2018, with one-fifth having vested on each of March 1, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and one-fifth scheduled to vest on each of March 1, 2023, subject to continued employment through such date. | |
(g) | Represents unvested performance-based restricted share units granted in 2020. Based on increases in the Trust’s absolute share price during the performance period, the restricted share units were earned at maximum performance level. The earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment through such date. | |
(h) | Represents unvested performance-based restricted share units granted in 2022 that were earned based on the Trust’s performance relative to a group of peer companies during the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. These restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on March 1, 2025, subject to continued employment through such date. |
(2) | Based upon the $10.04 closing price of the Trust’s shares on the NYSE on December 30, 2022, the last business day of the fiscal year. |
(3) | Reflects performance-based restricted share units that were outstanding and for which the performance period had not ended as of December 31, 2022. The number of these performance-based units that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022, which equals the target amount that could be earned, is set forth in the table below. In accordance with SEC rules, the number of units set forth in the table above includes the threshold, target or maximum amount, as applicable, of the performance-based restricted share units that may be earned based on the Trust’s performance during the applicable performance period as of December 31, 2022. |
Name | 2022 Performance- Based Awards(a) |
2021 Performance- Based Awards(b) |
2020 Performance- Based Awards(c) |
2018 Performance- Based Inducement Awards |
2018 Performance- Based Restricted Share Unit Awards(g) |
|||||
Brian L. Harper | 78,678 | 143,541 | 95,493 | 371,966(d) | — | |||||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 19,433 | 34,091 | 27,215 | 25,571(e) | — | |||||
Timothy Collier | 15,732 | 27,598 | 17,704 | 17,189(f) | — | |||||
Heather R. Ohlberg | 10,910 | 19,139 | 11,077 | — | — | |||||
Raymond J. Merk | 5,901 | 9,868 | 7,878 | — | 4,731 |
(a) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2022. Each award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the one-, two- and three-year performance periods from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024 based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on March 1, 2025, subject to continued employment. Based on our performance for the one-year performance period ending December 31, 2022, we earned 108% of the restricted share units, which are described in the table in footnote one, above. Assuming our relative performance for the two-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023, the restricted share units would have been earned at a level between target and maximum performance. Assuming our relative performance for the three-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, the restricted share units would have been earned at a level between target and maximum performance. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 58 |
(b) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2021. Each award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the three-year performance period from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on February 11, 2024, subject to continued employment. Assuming our relative performance for the three-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, the restricted share units would have been earned at target performance. | |
(c) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2020. Each award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the three-year performance period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Based on our relative performance for the three-year performance period through December 31, 2022, the number of restricted share units that would have been earned at threshold performance is shown in the table above, though none of the restricted share units were ultimately earned. All of the restricted share units were forfeited upon the Committee’s determination of the Trust’s performance in February 2023. | |
(d) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2018. The award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the performance period from June 15, 2018 through December 31, 2024, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment. Assuming our relative performance for the multi-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, the restricted share units would have been earned at target performance. | |
(e) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2018. The award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the performance period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2024, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment. Assuming our relative performance for the multi-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, the restricted share units would have been earned at target performance. | |
(f) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2018. The award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the performance period from August 6, 2018 through December 31, 2024, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment. Assuming our relative performance for the multi-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, the restricted share units would have been earned at target performance. | |
(g) | Represents performance-based restricted share units granted in 2018. The award provides the opportunity to earn and receive shares equal to between 50% and 200% of the number of restricted share units subject to the award after the end of the three-year performance period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024, based on total shareholder return compared to a group of peer companies. Earned restricted share units will be settled in restricted shares that will vest on December 31, 2024, subject to continued employment. Assuming our relative performance for the multi-year performance period continues to be the same as we experienced from the beginning of the performance period through December 31, 2022, the restricted share units would have been earned at a level between threshold and target performance. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested In 2022
The following table provides information on restricted share awards held by each named executive officer that vested in 2022. No options were exercised by named executive officers in 2022.
Stock Awards | ||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1) |
Brian L. Harper | 112,870 | 1,428,190 |
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | 28,733 | 363,778 |
Timothy Collier | 21,324 | 269,762 |
Heather R. Ohlberg | 11,753 | 147,870 |
Raymond J. Merk | 10,342 | 131,846 |
(1) | Amounts reflect the market value of the Trust’s shares on the vesting date. |
Employment Agreements and Severance and Change in Control Arrangements
The following section describes the employment agreements and offer letters that we have with the named executive officers as well as other severance or change in control agreements, arrangements or policies, including applicable terms of the equity awards, pursuant to which we have agreed to make payments or provide benefits to our named executive officers in connection with a termination of employment or change in control. The Trust, in its discretion, may also decide to provide payments or benefits that are not specifically required pursuant to these agreements, arrangements or policies in connection with any particular termination or change in control.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 59 |
Brian L. Harper’s Employment Agreement
The Trust entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Harper on June 11, 2020, which superseded the employment agreement the Trust entered into with Mr. Harper in April 2018. The term of Mr. Harper’s employment under the employment agreement is through June 30, 2025, and will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Harper is entitled to (1) receive an annual base salary of no less than $775,000, which will be reviewed annually, (2) participate in the Trust’s short-term incentive program (i.e., annual cash bonus program), with a target award each year equal to 125% of annual base salary and (3) participate in the Trust’s long-term incentive program, with a target award that is not less than $3,000,000.
The employment agreement also entitled Mr. Harper to receive an extension equity award consisting of restricted shares valued at $1,500,000 based on the closing price of the Trust’s common shares on June 11, 2020, which equity award will vest in full on June 30, 2025. Mr. Harper’s employment agreement provides for other benefits, such as paid vacation, and health and insurance benefits, that are generally consistent with both Mr. Harper’s prior employment agreement and with the benefits provided to the Trust’s other executive officers.
If Mr. Harper’s employment is terminated by the Trust during the term without cause or by Mr. Harper for good reason, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, Mr. Harper will be entitled to receive the following:
• | an amount equal to 1.5 times (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, 2.0 times) the sum of Mr. Harper’s annual base salary and annual short-term incentive program award (calculated based on the average award for Mr. Harper’s previous two most recently completed bonus years for which bonus determinations have already been communicated or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, the target award amount), each for the calendar year in which the termination occurs and payable in equal monthly installments for a period of 18 months (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, 24 months) following the date of termination; | |
• | any earned but not yet paid incentive awards for already completed years or award cycles, payable pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and award agreements; provided, that any short-term incentive program payment for a calendar year completed prior to the date of termination will be paid irrespective of whether Mr. Harper is employed by the Trust on the payment date; | |
• | the pro rata portion of the short-term incentive program award for the year of termination, based on actual performance; | |
• | continued health benefits for a period of up to 18 months; and | |
• | with respect to equity awards held by Mr. Harper, the following treatment: (1) immediate vesting of the extension award granted in connection with Mr. Harper’s new employment agreement and (2) with respect to all other outstanding equity awards, treatment in accordance with the terms set forth in the award agreements evidencing such equity awards. |
In the event that a change in control occurs and any payment or benefit constitutes an excess “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the IRC, subject to an excise tax, Mr. Harper will not be entitled to a tax gross-up payment; however, his payments and benefits would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise taxes, but only if such a reduction of pay or benefits would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Harper. Additionally, in the event that a change in control occurs within 24 months prior to the scheduled expiration of the term, Mr. Harper may extend the term until the date that is 24 months after the change in control to ensure that the severance protections provided by the Harper Agreement apply for the full negotiated period following a change in control.
If Mr. Harper’s employment is terminated during the term because of his death or disability, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, Mr. Harper, or his estate, will be entitled to the same payments and benefits as he would have received upon a termination by the Trust without cause or by Mr. Harper for good reason, except that (1) the performance-based restricted share units granted as an inducement equity award pursuant to Mr. Harper’s prior agreement will remain outstanding and vest based on actual performance through the end of the performance period and (2) a pro rata portion of the extension award granted in connection with Mr. Harper’s current employment agreement will vest based on the portion of the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025 that has elapsed.
During employment and thereafter, Mr. Harper is subject to confidentiality and non-disparagement requirements. During employment and for 12 months after the termination of employment, Mr. Harper is subject to non-competition requirements. During employment and for 24 months after the termination of employment, Mr. Harper is subject to non-solicitation requirements.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 60 |
Michael P. Fitzmaurice’s Employment Agreement
The Trust entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Fitzmaurice on June 11, 2020, which superseded the employment agreement the Trust entered into with Mr. Fitzmaurice in June 2018. The term of Mr. Fitzmaurice’s employment under the employment
agreement is through June 30, 2024, and will automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Fitzmaurice is entitled to (1) receive an annual base
salary of no less than $475,000, which will be reviewed annually, (2) participate in the Trust’s short-term incentive program (i.e., annual cash bonus program), with a target award each year equal to 80% of annual base salary and (3) participate in
the Trust’s long-term incentive program, with a target award that is not less than $712,500.
The employment agreement also entitled Mr. Fitzmaurice to receive an extension equity award consisting of restricted common shares of beneficial interest in the Trust valued at $500,000 based on the closing price of the Trust’s common shares on June 11, 2020, which equity award will vest in full on June 30, 2024 (the “Fitzmaurice Extension Award”). Mr. Fitzmaurice’s employment agreement provides for other benefits, such as paid vacation, and health and insurance benefits, that are generally consistent with both Mr. Fitzmaurice’s prior employment agreement and the benefits provided to the Trust’s other executive officers.
If Mr. Fitzmaurice’s employment is terminated by the Trust during the term without cause or by Mr. Fitzmaurice for good reason, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, Mr. Fitzmaurice will be entitled to receive the following:
• | an amount equal to 1.0 times (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, 2.0 times) the sum of Mr. Fitzmaurice’s annual base salary and target annual short-term incentive program award, each for the calendar year in which the termination occurs and payable in equal monthly installments for a period of 12 months (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, 24 months) following the date of termination; | |
• | any earned but not yet paid incentive awards for already completed years or award cycles, payable pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and award agreements; provided, that any short-term incentive program payment for a calendar year completed prior to the date of termination will be paid irrespective of whether Mr. Fitzmaurice is employed by the Trust on the payment date; | |
• | the pro rata portion of the short-term incentive program award for the year of termination, based on actual performance (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, at target); | |
• | continued health benefits for a period of up to 12 months (or, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control, 18 months); and | |
• | with respect to equity awards held by Mr. Fitzmaurice, the following treatment: (1) immediate vesting of the extension award granted in connection with Mr. Fitzmaurice’s new employment agreement and (2) with respect to all other outstanding equity awards, treatment in accordance with the terms set forth in the award agreements evidencing such equity awards. |
In the event that a change in control occurs and any payment or benefit constitutes an excess “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the IRC, subject to an excise tax, Mr. Fitzmaurice will not be entitled to a tax gross-up payment; however, his payments and benefits would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise taxes, but only if such a reduction of pay or benefits would result in a greater after-tax benefit to Mr. Fitzmaurice. In addition, in the event that a change in control occurs within 24 months prior to the scheduled expiration of the term, Mr. Fitzmaurice may extend the term until the date that is 24 months after the change in control to ensure that the severance protections provided by the Fitzmaurice Agreement apply for the full negotiated period following a change in control.
If Mr. Fitzmaurice’s employment is terminated during the term because of his death or disability, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, Mr. Fitzmaurice, or his estate, will be entitled to the same payments and benefits as he would have received upon a termination by the Trust without cause or by Mr. Fitzmaurice for good reason, except that a pro rata portion of the extension award granted in connection with Mr. Fitzmaurice’s new employment agreement will vest based on the portion of the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024 that has elapsed.
During employment and thereafter, Mr. Fitzmaurice is subject to confidentiality and non-disparagement requirements. During employment and for 12 months after the termination of employment, Mr. Fitzmaurice is subject to non-competition requirements. During employment and for 24 months after the termination of employment, Mr. Fitzmaurice is subject to non-solicitation requirements.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 61 |
Timothy Collier’s Offer Letter
The Trust entered into an offer letter with Mr. Collier on June 25, 2018. Under the offer letter, Mr. Collier is entitled to (1) an annual base salary of $400,000, (2) an annual bonus target equal to 65% of annual base salary, with a maximum equal
to 150% of target and (3) participate in the Trust’s long-term incentive program, with a target award equal to $450,000.
The offer letter also entitled Mr. Collier to receive inducement equity awards consisting of (1) restricted shares valued at $225,000 based on the closing price on the day prior to Mr. Collier’s start date, vesting ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and (2) performance-based restricted share units, with a number of units at target equal to $225,000 based on the closing price on the day prior to Mr. Collier’s start date, entitling Mr. Collier to earn up to 200% of the target amount based on the Trust’s relative TSR during a performance period from the grant date to December 31, 2020 as compared to peer companies, which performance period has been extended to now conclude on December 31, 2024. Mr. Collier’s employment agreement provides for other benefits, such as paid vacation, and health and insurance benefits, generally consistent with those provided to the Trust’s executive officers.
Pursuant to the offer letter, if Mr. Collier’s employment is terminated without cause, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, he will be entitled to receive the following:
• | an amount equal to one times (or, if the termination occurs in connection with a change in control, 1.5 times) the sum of Mr. Collier’s annual base salary and his target bonus; | |
• | the pro rata portion of his annual bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance; | |
• | a lump sum reimbursement for health benefits for one year of coverage; and | |
• | accelerated vesting in full and payout at target, if the performance period had not already ended, of Mr. Collier’s inducement equity awards. |
Heather R. Ohlberg’s Offer Letter
The Trust entered into an offer letter with Ms. Ohlberg on October 5, 2018. Under the offer letter, Ms. Ohlberg is entitled to (1) an annual base salary of $270,000, (2) an annual bonus target equal to 50% of annual base salary and (3) participate
in the Trust’s long-term incentive program, with a target award equal to 45% of base compensation.
Pursuant to the offer letter, if Ms. Ohlberg’s employment is terminated without cause, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, she will be entitled to receive the following:
• | an amount equal to one times the sum of Ms. Ohlberg’s annual base salary, plus a prorated annual bonus based on actual performance for the year of termination following the date of termination; and | |
• | a lump sum reimbursement for health benefits for one year of coverage. |
Raymond J. Merk’s Offer Letter
The Trust entered into an offer letter with Mr. Merk on July 9, 2019. Under the offer letter, Mr. Merk is entitled to (1) an annual base salary of $250,000, (2) an annual bonus target equal to 40% of annual base salary, (3) participate in the
Trust’s long-term incentive program, with a target award equal to $187,500 and (4) monthly housing reimbursement equal to $2,000, with annual increases commensurate with annual rent increases and a tax gross up.
Pursuant to the offer letter, if Mr. Merk’s employment is terminated without cause, subject to the execution and non-revocation of a general release and waiver, he will be entitled to receive the following:
• | an amount equal to one times the sum of Mr. Merk’s annual base salary, plus a prorated annual bonus based on actual performance for the year of termination following the date of termination; | |
• | a lump sum reimbursement for health benefits for one year of coverage; and | |
• | reimbursement for any remaining term of Mr. Merk’s apartment lease. |
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
Pursuant to the terms of the 2012 Plan and the 2019 Plan, and the applicable employment agreements and award agreements entered into with our named executive officers, upon a termination due to death or disability of an executive, the executive’s
outstanding unvested service-based restricted shares will generally fully vest. Outstanding unvested performance-based restricted share units granted as annual performance-based awards in 2020, 2021 and 2022 under the 2019 Plan will not be
forfeited and will be earned, in full, based on actual performance through the end of the performance period. Performance-based awards granted in 2018, including those granted under the Trust’s Inducement Incentive Plan and under the 2012 Plan,
as well as the one-time absolute share price awards granted in 2020 under the 2019 Plan, will be earned based on performance achieved as of the date of termination and the full amount of restricted share units earned will vest as of such date.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 62 |
In the event of a change in control, as defined in the applicable equity plan, any outstanding awards granted under the 2012 Plan and 2019 Plan that are not honored, assumed or substituted by the successor of the Trust (or one of its affiliates) or the Trust, if it is the surviving entity, will vest, with performance-based awards generally vesting at target levels for the annual performance-based awards granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 under the 2019 Plan. To the extent outstanding awards are honored, assumed or substituted, no accelerated vesting will occur, but performance-based awards will be converted into service-based awards at the greater of actual performance or target levels for the annual performance-based awards granted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 under the 2019 Plan. In addition, in such event, performance-based awards granted in 2018, including those granted under the Trust’s Inducement Incentive Plan and under the 2012 Plan, as well as the one-time absolute share price awards granted in 2020 under the 2019 Plan, will convert into service-based awards based on actual performance. In the event of a termination of an executive’s service by the surviving entity without cause or by the executive for good reason within a specified period following such change in control, all of such honored, assumed or substituted outstanding unvested awards will vest. The 2012 Plan and the 2019 Plan also provide that awards may only be treated as honored, assumed or substituted if they are based on shares which are traded on an established securities market and otherwise have substantially equivalent or better economic value and other rights and entitlements, including vesting and payment terms.
In connection with any other termination of an executive, except as set forth in an employment agreement (as summarized above) with respect to certain awards, the awards granted under the 2012 Plan and 2019 Plan to our named executive officers generally provide that all unvested restricted shares or restricted share units (whether service-based or performance-based) will be forfeited unless the Committee decides otherwise. In addition, the performance-based awards granted in 2018, including those granted under our Inducement Incentive Plan, as well as the one-time absolute share price awards granted in 2020 under the 2019 Plan, will vest upon a termination of the executive without cause or by the executive for good reason, subject to proration in the case of such performance-based awards based on actual performance and the portion of the performance period that had elapsed.
In 2018, in connection with the hiring of Messrs. Harper, Fitzmaurice and Collier, we granted each of these executives equity awards under our Inducement Incentive Plan. The treatment of the performance-based restricted share units granted as inducement awards for each of these executives is generally set forth above.
The 2012 Plan, the 2019 Plan and the Inducement Incentive Plan all also include terms providing that vesting, payments or other benefits for an executive that would constitute excess “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the IRC, subject to an excise tax will not be received if such a reduction would result in the executive receiving a greater after-tax amount.
Change in Control Policy
The Trust maintains a Change in Control Policy for the benefit of the executive officers of the Trust except the executive officers with employment agreements that supersede the Change in Control Policy. Under the Change in Control Policy, if an
executive’s employment is terminated by the Trust without cause or by the executive for good reason within one year following a change in control, the executive is entitled to an amount equal to two times (or 2.99 times for the Chief Executive
Officer, to the extent applicable) the sum of the executive’s annual base salary and target annual bonus, each for the calendar year in which the termination occurs; provided that, other than for the Chief Executive Officer, such payment, plus all
other compensation amounts considered to be contingent on the change in control for purposes Section 280G of the Code shall not exceed 2.99 times the executive’s base amount for purposes of Section 280G.
The Change in Control Policy does not limit the provisions of any employment agreements with executives, but the payment due will be reduced by the amount of any severance or other separation payments (other than accelerated vesting of equity awards) provided for in any employment agreements or other arrangements. During the term of the employment agreements with Messrs. Harper and Fitzmaurice, the Change in Control Policy is superseded for those executives by the terms of their employment agreements.
The Change in Control Policy may be terminated by the Trust; provided that it will remain in effect with respect to any change in control that occurs prior to or within one year following such termination.
Change in Control/Severance Payment Table as of December 31, 2022
The following table estimates the potential payments and benefits to the named executive officers upon termination of employment or a change in control, assuming such event occurs on December 31, 2022, based on the terms of agreements, arrangements
and policies in effect on such date and assuming that no additional discretionary payments or benefits are made. These estimates do not reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to such persons, which would only be known at the time that they
become eligible for payment and would only be payable if the specified event occurs.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 63 |
Change in Control and Severance Payments as of December 31, 2022
Death or Disability ($) |
Change in Control ($)(3) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason ($)(11) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason Following Change in Control ($) |
||||
Brian L. Harper | |||||||
Cash severance | 3,279,704 | (4) | — | 3,279,704 | (4) | 3,627,000 | (5) |
2022 pro rata bonus | 1,435,688 | — | 1,435,688 | 1,435,688 | |||
Acceleration of service-based awards (1) | 3,546,178 | — | 2,160,688 | 4,625,930 | |||
Acceleration of performance-based awards (1) | 9,256,539 | (10) | — | 4,745,797 | 12,936,121 | ||
Benefits continuation (2) | 45,812 | — | 45,812 | 45,812 | |||
Total | 17,563,920 | — | 11,667,689 | 22,670,550 | |||
Michael P. Fitzmaurice | |||||||
Cash severance | 889,200 | (6) | — | 889,200 | (6) | 1,778,400 | (4) |
2022 pro rata bonus | 563,160 | — | 563,160 | 563,160 | |||
Acceleration of service-based awards (1) | 1,062,298 | — | 720,229 | 1,332,137 | |||
Acceleration of performance-based awards (1) | 1,059,933 | — | 547,061 | 1,894,593 | |||
Benefits continuation (2) | 25,870 | — | 25,870 | 51,740 | |||
Total | 3,600,461 | — | 2,745,521 | 5,620,031 | |||
Timothy Collier | |||||||
Cash severance | — | — | 775,710 | (7) | 1,150,630 | (8) | |
2022 pro rata bonus | — | — | 457,938 | 457,938 | |||
Acceleration of service-based awards (1) | 480,886 | — | — | 480,886 | |||
Acceleration of performance-based awards (1) | 674,578 | (10) | — | 347,973 | 1,385,285 | ||
Benefits continuation (2) | — | — | — | — | |||
Total | 1,155,463 | — | 1,581,621 | 3,474,739 | |||
Heather R. Ohlberg | |||||||
Cash severance | — | — | 440,071 | (7) | 1,372,800 | (9) | |
2022 pro rata bonus | — | — | 385,320 | — | |||
Acceleration of service-based awards (1) | 329,463 | — | — | 329,463 | |||
Acceleration of performance-based awards (1) | 150,600 | (10) | — | 78,505 | 631,414 | ||
Benefits continuation (2) | — | — | — | — | |||
Total | 480,063 | — | 903,896 | 2,333,676 | |||
Raymond J. Merk | |||||||
Cash severance | — | — | 320,334 | (7) | 900,000 | (9) | |
2022 pro rata bonus | — | — | 213,750 | — | |||
Acceleration of service-based awards (1) | 190,770 | — | — | 190,770 | |||
Acceleration of performance-based awards (1) | 216,344 | (10) | — | 112,019 | 490,487 | ||
Benefits continuation (2) | — | — | — | — | |||
Total | 407,114 | — | 646,102 | 1,581,257 |
(1) | Represents the number of service-based and performance-based restricted shares and restricted share units, as applicable, that would have vested upon the occurrence of the applicable event multiplied by $10.04, which is the closing price of one of the Trust’s common shares on the NYSE on December 30, 2022, the last business day of 2022. |
(2) | Benefits continuation amounts are based on the actual expense for financial reporting purposes for covering an employee under the medical plan elected by such named executive officer as of December 31, 2022 for the duration of their severance period. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 64 |
(3) | Does not include equity awards that by their terms only vest to the extent outstanding awards are not honored, assumed or substituted in the manner permitted pursuant to the 2012 Plan and the 2019 Plan in connection with the change in control or performance-based awards granted under the Inducement Incentive Plan and the 2019 Plan that convert, pursuant to their terms, into service-based awards upon a change in control. As of December 31, 2022, additional service-based and performance-based equity awards having the following aggregate values would have vested upon a change in control of the Trust if such awards were not honored, assumed or substituted in the manner permitted pursuant to the 2012 Plan and the 2019 Plan in connection with the change in control based on a share value of $10.04, the closing price of one share on the NYSE on December 30, 2022, the last business day of 2022, for each unvested restricted share or restricted share unit: Mr. Harper —$8,305,512; Mr. Fitzmaurice—$2,166,798; Mr. Collier—$1,191,593; Ms. Ohlberg—$810,276; and Mr. Merk—$464,913. In addition, under the 2019 Plan and the Inducement Incentive Plan, the following numbers of unvested performance-based restricted share units would have been converted into an equal number of service-based awards in connection with a change in control on December 31, 2022: Mr. Harper—921,966; Mr. Fitzmaurice—105,571; Mr. Collier—67,189; Ms. Ohlberg—15,000; and Mr. Merk—21,548. |
(4) | Represents eighteen months of base salary and one and one-half times the average of the annual cash bonus for the two most recently completed years for which annual cash bonus was determined as of December 31, 2022. |
(5) | Represents two years of base salary and target annual cash bonus as of December 31, 2022. |
(6) | Represents twelve months of base salary and target annual cash bonus as of December 31, 2022. |
(7) | Represents a lump sum payment equal to twelve months of base salary, including an estimated amount to provide for continuing benefits for a period of twelve months. For Mr. Collier, includes target annual cash bonus as of December 31, 2022. |
(8) | Represents a lump sum payment equal to eighteen months of base salary and one and one-half times target annual cash bonus as of December 31, 2022, including an estimated amount to provide for continuing benefits for a period of twelve months. |
(9) | Represents two years of base salary and target annual cash bonus as of December 31, 2022. |
(10) | Does not include certain performance-based restricted share units that vest upon death or disability, but the payout, if any, will occur at the end of the performance period based on actual results pursuant to the terms of the award. Information regarding the value of unvested performance-based restricted share units that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022 is set forth above in “Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables—Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2022.” |
(11) | For Messrs. Collier and Merk, payments and benefits are only provided in connection with a termination by the Trust without cause. |
Items Not Reflected in Table
Items not reflected in the table set forth below include but are not limited to:
• | Accrued salary and vacation. | |
• | Life insurance proceeds in the event of death. | |
• | Disability insurance payouts in the event of disability. | |
• | Welfare benefits provided to all salaried employees having substantially the same value. | |
• | Amounts outstanding under the Trust’s 401(k) plan. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2022.
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of
securities remaining available for future issuances under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
|||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | ||||||
2019 Plan | 1,884,141(1) | $—(2) | 2,062,318(3) | |||
2012 Plan | 49,210(4) | —(5) | — | |||
Subtotal | 1,933,351 | — | 2,062,318 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(6) | 829,452 | — | — | |||
Total | 2,762,803 | $— | 2,062,318 |
(1) | Includes (i) 1,862,162 shares issuable pursuant to performance-based restricted share units outstanding as of December 31, 2022 at the maximum level of performance and (ii) 21,979 deferred shares. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 65 |
(2) | Because there is no exercise price associated with the performance-based restricted share units or the deferred shares, such units and shares are not included in the weighted average exercise price. |
(3) | Represents shares remaining available for issuance under the 2019 Plan. We adopted the 2019 Plan on April 29, 2019 and will not make future grants or awards under the 2012 Plan. |
(4) | Includes (i) 3,080 shares issuable under restricted share units subject to service-based vesting, (ii) 9,462 shares issuable pursuant to performance-based restricted share units outstanding as of December 31, 2022 at the maximum level of performance and (iii) 36,668 deferred shares. |
(5) | Because there is no exercise price associated with the performance-based restricted share units or the deferred shares, such units and shares are not included in the weighted average exercise price. |
(6) | Includes shares issuable pursuant to performance-based restricted share units outstanding as of December 31, 2022 at the maximum level of performance. Because there is no exercise price associated with the performance-based restricted share units, such units are not included in the weighted average exercise price. |
Inducement Incentive Plan
For a description of the Inducement Incentive Plan refer to Note 15 of the notes to the Trust’s consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on
February 17, 2023.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 66 |
Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio
The Trust’s chief executive officer to median employee pay ratio was calculated in accordance with SEC requirements. However, due to the flexibility afforded by Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K in calculating the pay ratio, the ratio presented herein is a reasonable estimate and may not be comparable to the pay ratio presented by other companies.
The Trust identified the median employee by examining 2022 compensation for all employees of the Trust excluding the President and Chief Executive Officer. As permitted by SEC rules, employee compensation for full fiscal 2022 as reported in the Trust’s internal 401(k) reports was used as the compensation measure to identify the Trust’s median employee. The Trust believes that the use of this compensation measure is reasonable since it includes all cash components of the Trust’s employee compensation: annual base salary, overtime pay, target short-term cash incentive compensation and employer benefit costs.
The employee population used to identify the Trust’s median employee included all employees of the Trust, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis, as of December 26, 2022. The compensation measure described above was consistently applied to this entire employee population. The Trust did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to the employee population or the compensation measure and did not annualize the compensation for any employees that were not employed by the Trust for all of 2022. After identifying the median employee based on the compensation measure described above, the Trust calculated annual total compensation for the median employee using the same methodology used for our named executive officers as set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” herein.
As illustrated in the table below, in 2022, the Trust’s President and Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation was 55 times that of the Trust’s median employee.
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Median Employee | |
2022 Annual Total Compensation | $5,676,822 | $103,720 |
Total Annual Compensation Pay Ratio | 55 | 1 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 67 |
The information below presents the relationship between the compensation of the Trust’s named executive officer and certain performance measures in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. For a discussion of the Trust’s compensation programs and pay for performance philosophy, please refer to the section captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” above.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Value of
Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: |
||||||||||||||||||
Year | Summary Compensation on Table Total for PEO ($) |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)(1) |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(2) |
Total Shareholder Return ($)(3) |
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return ($)(4) |
Net Income (in thousands) ($) |
Operating FFO Per Share ($)(5) |
||||||||||
2022 | 5,676,822 | (2,342,951) | 1,393,147 | (6) | 638,332 | (6) | 75.16 | 86.95 | 85,657 | 1.04 | ||||||||
2021 | 6,261,712 | 13,497,055 | 1,528,299 | (6) | 1,992,899 |
(6) | 95.23 | 99.95 | 70,264 | 0.95 | ||||||||
2020 | 8,048,881 | 3,616,588 | 1,283,155 | (6) | 1,016,975 | (6) | 59.71 | 71.36 | (10,474) | 0.78 | ||||||||
(1) | Represents amounts of “compensation actually paid” as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, not the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Harper during each year. The table below reflects the adjustments made from the amounts reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table for each year to calculate the amounts set forth in “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” column in the table above. |
Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) |
Less Summary Compensation Table Value of Equity Awards ($)(a) |
Fair Value of Equity Award Adjustments ($)(b) |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($) |
||||
2022 | 5,676,822 | (3,431,934) | (4,587,839) | (2,342,951) | ||||
2021 | 6,261,712 | (3,531,108) | 10,766,451 | 13,497,055 | ||||
2020 | 8,048,881 | (6,544,214) | 2,111,921 | 3,616,588 |
(a) | Represents the sum of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. | |
(b) | The equity award adjustments for each fiscal year include the following: (i) the addition of the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) for any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the fiscal year, the addition (or subtraction, if applicable) of the change in fair value of between the end of the prior fiscal year the end of the applicable fiscal year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in the same fiscal year, the addition of the fair value of such awards as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest during the fiscal year, the addition (or subtraction, if applicable) of the change in fair value between the end of the prior fiscal year and the vesting date of such awards; (v) for awards granted in prior years that fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the fiscal year, the subtraction of the fair value of such awards at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on such awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows: |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 68 |
Year | Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year and Unvested ($) |
Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards ($) |
Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year ($) |
Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year ($) |
Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year ($) |
Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Awards ($) |
Total Equity Award Adjustments ($)(i) |
|||||||
2022 | 2,596,374 | (7,154,132) | - | (72,142) | - | 42,061 | (4,587,839) | |||||||
2021 | 4,557,427 | 5,743,301 | - | 445,354 | - | 20,369 | 10,766,451 | |||||||
2020 | 8,377,338 | (5,824,746) | - | (528,864) | - | 88,193 | 2,111,921 |
(i) | The fair values of time-based equity awards are based on the closing price of the Trust’s common shares as reported on the NYSE on the relevant valuation date. Performance-based restricted share units were valued on the relevant valuation date using a Monte Carlo simulation model in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718 using the following ranges of assumptions: (A) for valuations on December 31, 2019, a risk free interest rate of 1.59% and share price volatility of 20.1%, (B) for valuations on December 31, 2020, a risk free interest rate of 0.13% to 0.27% and share price volatility of 49.9% to 66.3%, (C) for valuations on December 31, 2021, a risk free interest rate of 0.39% to 0.97% and share price volatility of 31.4% to 68.4% and (D) for valuations on December 31, 2022, a risk free interest rate of 4.41% to 4.73% and share price volatility of 33.0% to 34.4%. |
(2) | Represents amounts of average “compensation actually paid” as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, not the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the Trust’s named executive officers other than Mr. Harper as a group. The table below reflects the adjustments made from the amounts reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table for the named executive officers as a group (excluding Mr. Harper) each year to calculate the amounts set forth in “Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs” column in the table above, using the same methodology as set forth in footnote 1(b), above. |
Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
Less Average Summary Compensation Table Value of Equity Awards ($)(a) |
Average Fair Value of Equity Award Adjustments ($)(b) |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) |
||||
2022 | 1,393,147 | (566,799) | (188,016) | 638,332 | ||||
2021 | 1,528,299 | (557,881) | 1,022,481 | 1,992,899 | ||||
2020 | 1,283,155 | (685,880) | 419,700 | 1,016,975 |
(a) | Represents the sum of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. |
(b) | The equity award adjustments for each fiscal year reflect the same methodology set forth in footnote 1, above. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows: |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 69 |
Year(i) | Average Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Year and Unvested ($) |
Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards ($) |
Average Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year ($) |
Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year ($) |
Average Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year ($) |
Average Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Awards ($) |
Total Equity Award Adjustments ($) |
|||||||
2022 | 428,802 | (612,475) | - | (11,294) | - | 6,951 | (188,016) | |||||||
2021 | 719,900 | 259,887 | - | 39,784 | - | 2,910 | 1,022,481 | |||||||
2020 | 807,930 | (355,530) | - | (41,613) | - | 8,913 | 419,700 |
(i) | The fair values of time-based equity awards are based on the closing price of RPT’s common shares as reported on the NYSE on the relevant valuation date. Performance-based restricted share units were valued on the relevant valuation date using a Monte Carlo simulation model in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718 using the following ranges of assumptions: (A) for valuations on December 31, 2019, a risk free interest rate of 1.58% to 1.59% and share price volatility of 20.1% to 22.6%, (B) for valuations on December 31, 2020, a risk free interest rate of 0.1% to 0.3% and share price volatility of 49.9% to 91.5%, (C) for valuations on December 31, 2021, a risk free interest rate of 0.4% to 1.0% and share price volatility of 31.4% to 68.4% and (D) for valuations on December 31, 2022, a risk free interest rate of 4.4% to 4.7% and share price volatility of 33.0% to 34.4%. |
(3) | TSR is calculated assuming a $100 investment in the Trust and the peer group on December 31, 2019, and assuming the reinvestment of any dividends during the applicable measurement period, calculated through the end of the year shown based on share prices or index values, as applicable. |
(4) | Represents the TSR for the 2022 benchmarking peer group described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” which includes the following peer companies: Acadia Realty Trust, Agree Realty Corporation, Kite Realty Group, Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., Saul Centers, Inc., Seritage Growth Properties, Urban Edge Properties and Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., but excludes Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust in August 2022 and ceased to be a publicly traded company. |
(5) | Represents diluted Operating FFO per share as publicly reported by the Trust for the periods presented. |
(6) | Non-PEO named executive officers for 2020, 2021 and 2022 includes Messrs. Fitzmaurice, Collier and Merk and Ms. Ohlberg. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 70 |
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance
The following graphs illustrate the relationship across the Trust’s last three completed fiscal years between the amounts disclosed in the Pay Versus Performance Table, above, as “Compensation Actually Paid” to the Trust’s PEO and the “Average Compensation Actually Paid” to the Trust’s non-PEO named executive officers and TSR, Peer Group TSR, Net Income and Operating FFO per share.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 71 |
Tabular List of Performance Measures
The following table lists the performance measures that the Trust considers to be the most important performance measures used by the Trust to link compensation actually paid to its named executive officers for the most recently completed fiscal year to performance of the Trust.
Performance Measure | |
Operating FFO Per Share | |
Relative TSR | |
Ratio of Net Debt to EBITDA | |
Same Property NOI | |
Achievement of ESG Goals at Corporate and Asset Level | |
Advancement of Strategic Goals |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 72 |
Policies and Procedures
The Trust has a Related Person Transaction Approval Policy for the review, approval or ratification of any related person transaction. This written policy provides that all related person transactions must be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee or a majority of the disinterested trustees on the Board reasonably in advance of the Trust or any of its subsidiaries entering into the transaction. Disinterested trustees are trustees that do not have a personal financial interest in the transaction that is adverse to the financial interest of the Trust or its shareholders. The term “related person transaction” refers to a transaction required to be disclosed by the Trust pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K (or any successor provision) promulgated by the SEC. This policy is in addition to, and not in substitution of, any other policy of the Trust relating to approval of conflict of interest transactions.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 73 |
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Trust’s consolidated financial statements, the Trust’s system of internal controls, the Trust’s risk management system, the qualifications, performance and independence of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of the Trust’s internal audit function and the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee also has the sole authority and responsibility to appoint, determine the compensation of, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and for the report on the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. The Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Trust’s annual consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and for attesting to management’s report on the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to oversee and review the financial reporting process and to review and discuss management’s report on the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee is not, however, professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and does not provide any expert or other special assurance as to such financial statements concerning compliance with laws, regulations or generally accepted accounting principles or as to auditor independence. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to it and on the representations made by the Trust’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee reviews and approves in advance the terms of and compensation for both audit and non-audit services. As stated in our Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) to be provided to the Trust by its independent auditors). The pre-approval requirement may be waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services for the Trust if the “de minimis” provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve all non-auditing services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, provided all decisions to pre-approve an activity are required to be presented to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.
The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the fees described below and none of the services described above were approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(c) of Regulation S-X, which relates to circumstances where the Audit Committee pre-approval requirement is waived.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in 2022 and 2021
The following information sets forth the fees for 2022 and 2021 for audit and other services provided by Grant Thornton, our independent registered public accounting firm during such periods. The Audit Committee, based on its review and discussions with management and Grant Thornton, determined that the provision of these services was compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton’s independence. All of such services were approved in conformity with the pre-approval policies and procedures described above.
2022 | 2021 | |||
Audit Fees | $906,002 | $891,221 | ||
Audit-Related Fees | – | – | ||
Tax Fees | – | – | ||
All Other Fees | – | – | ||
Total Fees | $906,002 | $891,221 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 74 |
Audit Fees. Audit services consist of professional services rendered by Grant Thornton for the audits of the Trust’s annual financial statements and the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting, review of the financial statements included in the Trust’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, services associated with SEC registration statements and other documents issued in connection with the Trust’s equity offerings and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with these filings and other filings. These amounts include reimbursable expenses of $66,002 and $51,221 in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 75 |
In connection with the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and the financial statements to be included therein, the Audit Committee has:
• | reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; | |
• | discussed with Grant Thornton, the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC; and | |
• | received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Grant Thornton’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Grant Thornton its independence with respect to the Trust. |
Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Trust’s audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC.
Members of the Audit Committee
Joanna T. Lau (Chair)
Richard L. Federico
Arthur H. Goldberg
David J. Nettina
Laurie M. Shahon
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 76 |
Ratification of Appointment of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has appointed Grant Thornton LLP, or Grant Thornton, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the calendar year 2023. The Board recommends that the shareholders ratify the Trust’s selection of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm. Although shareholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law or by our Bylaws and is not binding on the Trust, the Board believes that the submission of its selection to shareholders is a matter of good corporate governance. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will take that act into consideration, together with such other factors it deems relevant, in determining its next selection of independent auditors. See “Audit Committee Disclosure” for a description of fees and other matters related to Grant Thornton’s provision of services to the Trust.
The Trust expects that one or more representatives of Grant Thornton will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Such representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.
The Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of Grant Thornton as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Grant Thornton as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. Abstentions, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 77 |
Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer
Compensation
Our Board proposes that shareholders provide advisory (non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal). We recognize the interest our shareholders have in the compensation of our executives and we are providing this advisory proposal in recognition of that interest and as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act.
In a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay proposal held at our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders voted in favor of holding say-on-pay votes annually. In light of this result and other factors considered by the Board, the Board determined that the Trust will hold advisory say-on-pay votes on an annual basis until the next required advisory vote on such frequency. In Proposal 4 included in this proxy statement, the Board is seeking a new shareholders’ advisory vote on whether they would prefer holding a say-on-pay vote every one, two or three years.
As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our named executive officer compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success, and ensure alignment of such persons with shareholders. Under this program, our named executive officers are rewarded for their service to the Trust, the achievement of specific performance goals and the realization of increased shareholder value. We believe our executive officer compensation programs also are structured appropriately to support our Trust and business objectives, as well as to support our culture. The Compensation and Human Capital Committee regularly reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure the fulfillment of our compensation philosophy and goals.
Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” beginning on page 38, and the “Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables”, beginning on page 55, for additional details about our named executive officer compensation program, including information about the target and earned compensation of our named executive officers in 2022.
We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we will ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Trust’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Trust’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Trust, the Compensation and Human Capital Committee or our Board. We value the opinions of our shareholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our shareholders’ concerns and the Compensation and Human Capital Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
The Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 78 |
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation
Section 14A(a)(2) of the Exchange Act enables our shareholders to vote on an advisory (non-binding) basis on how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules, such as Proposal 3 included in this proxy statement. By voting on this Proposal 4, shareholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote be held on named executive officer compensation once every one, two, or three years.
After careful consideration of this Proposal, the Board has determined that an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for the Trust, and therefore our Board recommends that you vote for a one-year interval for the advisory vote on named executive officer compensation. An annual advisory vote on named executive officer compensation will allow our shareholders to provide us with their direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year. We understand that our shareholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for the Trust, and we look forward to hearing from our shareholders on this Proposal.
You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting.
This vote is advisory and not binding on the Board or the Trust in any way, and therefore the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our shareholders and the Trust to hold an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our shareholders.
The Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of EVERY “ONE YEAR” as to the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.
Vote Required
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by shareholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on named executive officer compensation that has been selected by shareholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast at the Annual Meeting and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 79 |
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement and all other costs in connection with this solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting will be paid by the Trust. The Trust will request banks, brokers and other nominees to send the proxy materials to, and to obtain proxies from, the beneficial owners and will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so. In addition, the trustees, officers and other employees of the Trust may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, electronically or in person, but they will not receive any additional compensation for such work.
Presentation of Shareholder Proposals and Nominations at 2024 Annual Meeting
Any shareholder proposal intended to be included in the Trust’s proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2024 annual meeting (pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) must be received by the Trust at RPT Realty, Attention: Secretary, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, New York, New York 10036 by the close of business on November 17, 2023 and must otherwise be in compliance with the requirements of the SEC’s proxy rules.
Any Trustee nomination or shareholder proposal of other business intended to be presented for consideration at the 2024 annual meeting, but not intended to be considered for inclusion in the Trust’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting (pursuant to the Bylaws), must be received by the Trust at the address stated above between January 26, 2024 and the close of business on February 27, 2024 to be considered timely. However, if the 2024 annual meeting occurs more than 30 days before or 60 days after April 27, 2024, the Trust must receive nominations or proposals (1) not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to the date of the 2024 annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is made by the Trust of the date of the 2024 annual meeting and (2) not earlier than the 90th day prior to the 2024 annual meeting. Such nominations or proposals must also be in compliance with the Bylaws. In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Trust’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than February 27, 2024.
The Trust may elect to send a single copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or its 2022 annual report and this proxy statement, as applicable, to any household at which two or more shareholders reside, unless one of the shareholders at such address notifies the Trust that he or she desires to receive individual copies. This “householding” practice reduces the Trust’s printing and postage costs. Shareholders may request to discontinue or re-start householding, or to request a separate copy of the 2022 annual report or 2023 proxy statement, as follows:
(1) | Shareholders owning Shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record should contact such record holder directly; and | |
(2) | Shareholders of record should contact the Trust at (212) 221-1261 or at Investor Relations, RPT Realty, 19 W 44th Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1002, New York, New York 10036. The Trust will promptly deliver such materials upon request. |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | 80 |
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Funds From Operations (FFO)
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $59,609 | $(10,572) | $(5,867) | $85,657 | $70,264 | $(10,474) | ||||||
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling partner interest | (1,105) | 218 | 135 | (1,607) | (1,625) | 241 | ||||||
Preferred share dividends | (1,675) | (1,675) | (1,675) | (6,701) | (6,701) | (6,701) | ||||||
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | 56,829 | (12,029) | (7,407) | 77,349 | 61,938 | (16,934) | ||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
Rental property depreciation and amortization expense | 21,479 | 18,640 | 20,061 | 78,845 | 71,655 | 76,649 | ||||||
Pro-rata share of real estate depreciation from unconsolidated joint ventures(1) | 4,879 | 3,331 | 2,146 | 19,414 | 8,144 | 7,044 | ||||||
Gain on sale of income producing real estate | (62,183) | (13,278) | — | (88,163) | (88,693) | — | ||||||
Provision for impairment on income producing real estate | — | 17,196 | — | — | 17,201 | — | ||||||
FFO available to common shareholders | 21,004 | 13,860 | 14,800 | 87,445 | 70,245 | 66,759 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership(2) | — | (218) | (135) | 1,607 | — | (241) | ||||||
Preferred share dividends (assuming conversion)(3) | 1,675 | — | — | 6,701 | — | — | ||||||
FFO available to common shareholders and dilutive securities | $22,679 | $13,642 | $14,665 | $95,753 | $70,245 | $66,518 | ||||||
Gain on sale of land | (521) | (222) | (318) | (775) | (222) | (318) | ||||||
Provision for impairment on land available for development | — | — | 598 | — | — | 598 | ||||||
Transaction costs(4) | 56 | 218 | — | 4,937 | 607 | 186 | ||||||
Severance expense(5) | — | 33 | 290 | — | 62 | 506 | ||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 8,294 | — | 121 | 8,294 | — | ||||||
Insured expenses, net | — | — | — | — | — | (2,745) | ||||||
Above and below market lease intangible write-offs | — | (65) | — | (2,022) | (562) | (256) | ||||||
Pro-rata share of transaction costs from unconsolidated joint ventures(1) | 1 | — | — | 9 | — | 407 | ||||||
Pro-rata share of above and below market lease intangible write-offs from unconsolidated joint ventures(1) | (24) | (1) | (120) | (1,008) | (41) | (626) | ||||||
Pro-rata share of loss on extinguishment of debt from unconsolidated joint ventures(1) | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | ||||||
Payment of loan amendment fees(5) | 23 | — | — | 981 | — | 184 | ||||||
Insurance proceeds, net(6) | — | — | — | (136) | — | — | ||||||
Bond interest proceeds(6) | — | — | — | — | — | (213) | ||||||
Operating FFO available to common shareholders and dilutive securities | $22,214 | $21,899 | $15,115 | $97,880 | $78,383 | $64,241 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | A-1 |
Weighted average common shares | 84,522 | 83,618 | 80,055 | 84,231 | 81,083 | 79,988 | ||||||
Shares issuable upon conversion of Operating Partnership Units (“OP Units”)(2) | — | 1,812 | 1,909 | 1,666 | — | 1,909 | ||||||
Dilutive effect of restricted stock | 1,121 | 1,322 | 410 | 1,243 | 1,215 | 496 | ||||||
Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred shares(3) | 7,017 | — | — | 7,017 | — | — | ||||||
Weighted average equivalent shares outstanding, diluted | 92,660 | 86,752 | 82,374 | 94,157 | 82,298 | 82,403 | ||||||
FFO available to common shareholders and dilutive securities per share, diluted | $0.24 | $0.16 | $0.18 | $1.02 | $0.85 | $0.81 | ||||||
Operating FFO available to common shareholders and dilutive securities per share, diluted | $0.24 | $0.25 | $0.18 | $1.04 | $0.95 | $0.78 |
(1) | Amounts noted are included in Earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures. |
(2) | The total noncontrolling interest reflects OP Units convertible on a one-of-one basis into common shares. The Company’s net income for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 (largely driven by gain on sale of real estate), resulted in an income allocation to OP Units which drove an OP Unit ratio of $0.69 and $0.87, respectively (based on 1,607 weighted average OP Units outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 1,876 weighted average OP Units outstanding for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, respectively). In instances when the OP Unit ratio exceeds basic FFO, the OP Units are considered anti-dilutive, and as a result are not included in the calculation of fully diluted FFO and Operating FFO for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. |
(3) | 7.25% Series D Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (“Series D Preferred Shares”), are paid annual dividends of $6.7 million and are currently convertible into approximately 7.0 million shares of common shares of the Company. They are dilutive only when earnings or FFO exceed approximately $0.24 per diluted share per quarter and $0.96 per diluted share per year. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment based upon a number of factors, and such adjustment could affect the dilutive impact of the Series D Preferred Shares on FFO and earning per share in future periods. |
(4) | For 2022, primarily comprised of fees paid by the Company associated with early termination of an existing tenant which did not qualify for capitalization as an initial direct cost in accordance with ASC 842. For 2021, primarily costs associated with terminated acquisitions. |
(5) | Amounts noted are included in General and administrative expense. |
(6) | Amounts noted are included in Other income (expense), net. |
Operating FFO available to common shareholders and dilutive securities is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of the components of Operating FFO available to common shareholder and dilutive securities to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is set forth above. We present this metric because we believe it is useful for reviewing our comparative operating and financial performance between periods or to compare our performance to different REITs, though our computation Operating FFO may differ from the computation utilized by other real estate companies, and therefore, may not be comparable.
Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI)
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
Reconciliation of net income (loss) available to common shareholders to Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI)
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | $56,829 | $(12,029) | $77,349 | $61,938 | ||||
Preferred share dividends | 1,675 | 1,675 | 6,701 | 6,701 | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling partner interest | 1,105 | (218) | 1,607 | 1,625 | ||||
Income tax (benefit) provision | (22) | (41) | 120 | (88) | ||||
Interest expense | 8,939 | 9,017 | 35,589 | 37,025 | ||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 8,294 | 121 | 8,294 | ||||
Earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures | (692) | (1,048) | (1,159) | (3,995) | ||||
Gain on sale of real estate | (62,704) | (13,500) | (88,938) | (88,915) |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | A-2 |
Other (income) expense, net | (635) | 13 | (1,530) | 236 | ||||
Management and other fee income | (1,277) | (714) | (4,125) | (1,986) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 21,631 | 18,791 | 79,456 | 72,254 | ||||
Transaction costs | 56 | 218 | 4,937 | 607 | ||||
General and administrative expenses | 10,303 | 10,030 | 36,697 | 32,328 | ||||
Provision for impairment | — | 17,196 | — | 17,201 | ||||
Pro-rata share of NOI from R2G Venture LLC(1) | 5,992 | 4,372 | 20,581 | 11,858 | ||||
Pro-rata share of NOI from RGMZ Venture REIT LLC(2) | 291 | 144 | 1,048 | 308 | ||||
Lease termination fees | (131) | (264) | (285) | (845) | ||||
Amortization of lease inducements | 181 | 214 | 799 | 848 | ||||
Amortization of acquired above and below market lease intangibles, net | (426) | (523) | (4,192) | (2,662) | ||||
Straight-line ground rent expense | 76 | 76 | 306 | 306 | ||||
Straight-line rental income | (1,034) | (410) | (2,185) | (2,412) | ||||
NOI at Pro-Rata | 40,157 | 41,293 | 162,897 | 150,626 | ||||
NOI from Other Investments | (8,724) | (9,955) | (38,234) | (29,425) | ||||
Non-RPT NOI from RGMZ Venture REIT LLC(3) | 1,027 | 762 | 3,876 | 2,001 | ||||
Same Property NOI | $32,460 | $32,100 | $128,539 | $123,202 |
(1) | Represents 51.5% of the NOI from the properties owned by R2G Venture LLC for all periods presented. |
(2) | Represents 6.4% of the NOI from the properties owned by RGMZ Venture REIT LLC after March 4, 2021. |
(3) | Represents 93.6% of the properties owned by RGMZ Venture REIT LLC after March 4, 2021. |
Same property NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of the components of Same property NOI to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is set forth above. We present this metric because it is considered by management to be a relevant performance measure of our operations as it includes only the NOI of comparable operating properties for the reporting period.
Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI)
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income available to common shareholders to Same Property Net Operating Income (NOI)
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders | $(12,029) | $(7,407) | $61,938 | $(16,934) | ||||
Preferred share dividends | 1,675 | 1,675 | 6,701 | 6,701 | ||||
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling partner interest | (218) | (135) | 1,625 | (241) | ||||
Income (benefit) tax provision | (41) | 12 | (88) | (25) | ||||
Interest expense | 9,017 | 9,826 | 37,025 | 39,317 | ||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 8,294 | — | 8,294 | — | ||||
Earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures | (1,048) | (76) | (3,995) | (1,590) | ||||
Gain on sale of real estate | (13,500) | (318) | (88,915) | (318) | ||||
Insured expenses, net | — | — | — | (2,745) | ||||
Other expense (income), net | 13 | 108 | 236 | (214) | ||||
Management and other fee income | (714) | (478) | (1,986) | (1,395) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 18,791 | 20,210 | 72,254 | 77,213 |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | A-3 |
Transaction costs | 218 | — | 607 | 186 | ||||
General and administrative expenses | 10,030 | 6,822 | 32,328 | 25,801 | ||||
Provision for impairment | 17,196 | 598 | 17,201 | 598 | ||||
Pro-rata share of NOI from R2G Venture LLC(1) | 4,372 | 1,999 | 11,876 | 8,155 | ||||
Pro-rata share of NOI from RGMZ Venture REIT LLC(2) | 144 | — | 308 | — | ||||
Lease termination fees | (264) | (183) | (845) | (368) | ||||
Amortization of lease inducements | 214 | 212 | 848 | 766 | ||||
Amortization of acquired above and below market lease intangibles, net | (523) | (655) | (2,662) | (2,903) | ||||
Straight-line ground rent expense | 76 | 76 | 306 | 306 | ||||
Straight-line rental income | (410) | 8 | (2,412) | 2,026 | ||||
NOI at Pro-Rata | 41,293 | 32,294 | 150,644 | 134,336 | ||||
NOI from Other Investments | (9,955) | 1,338 | (29,425) | 2,635 | ||||
Non-RPT NOI from RGMZ Venture REIT LLC(3) | 762 | — | 2,001 | — | ||||
Same Property NOI | $32,100 | $33,632 | $123,202 | $136,971 |
(1) | Represents 51.5% of the NOI from the properties owned by R2G Venture LLC for all periods presented. |
(2) | Represents 6.4% of the NOI from the properties owned by RGMZ Venture REIT LLC after March 4, 2021. |
(3) | Represents 93.6% of the properties owned by RGMZ Venture REIT LLC after March 4, 2021. |
Same property NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of the components of Same property NOI to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is set forth above. We present this metric because it is considered by management to be a relevant performance measure of our operations as it includes only the NOI of comparable operating properties for the reporting period.
Net Debt to Annualized Adjusted EBITDA
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended | December 31, | |||
2022 | 2021 | |||
Reconciliation of net income to annualized proforma adjusted EBITDA | ||||
Net income (loss) | $59,609 | $(10,572) | ||
Interest expense | 8,939 | 9,017 | ||
Income tax benefit | (22) | (41) | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 21,631 | 18,791 | ||
Gain on sale of income producing real estate | (62,183) | (13,278) | ||
Provision for impairment on income producing real estate | — | 17,196 | ||
Pro-rata share of interest expense from unconsolidated entities | 540 | 108 | ||
Pro-rata share of depreciation and amortization from unconsolidated entities | 4,879 | 3,331 | ||
EBITDAre | 33,393 | 24,552 | ||
Severance expense | — | 33 | ||
Above and below market lease intangible write-offs | — | (65) | ||
Transaction costs | 56 | 218 | ||
Pro-rata share of transaction costs from unconsolidated entities | 1 | — | ||
Gain on sale of land | (521) | (222) | ||
Pro-rata share of above and below market lease intangible write-offs from unconsolidated entities | (24) | (1) |
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | A-4 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 8,294 | ||
Payment of loan amendment fees | 23 | — | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | 32,928 | 32,809 | ||
Annualized adjusted EBITDA | $131,712 | $131,236 | ||
Annualized gross rent from leases signed but not yet commenced | 11,153 | 10,221 | ||
Annualized adjusted EBITDA including the impact of signed but not commenced leases | $142,865 | $141,457 | ||
Reconciliation of Notes Payable, net to Net Debt | ||||
Notes payable, net | $854,596 | $884,185 | ||
Unamortized premium | (77) | (153) | ||
Deferred financing costs, net | 5,271 | 4,165 | ||
Consolidated notional debt | 859,790 | 888,197 | ||
Pro-rata share of debt from unconsolidated joint venture | 53,691 | 23,307 | ||
Finance lease obligation | 763 | 821 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (5,875) | (14,033) | ||
Pro-rata share of unconsolidated entities cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (4,906) | (3,088) | ||
Net debt | $903,463 | $895,204 | ||
Net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA | 6.9x | 6.8x | ||
Net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA including the impact of signed but not commenced leases | 6.3x | 6.3x |
Net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of the components of net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is set forth above. We present this ratio because it provides management investors and others with additional means of evaluating our overall financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.
RPT REALTY 2023 PROXY STATEMENT | A-5 |
1 Year RPT Realty Chart |
1 Month RPT Realty Chart |
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