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. )
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SEABOARD CORPORATION | ||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | ||
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SEABOARD CORPORATION
9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 26, 202125, 2022
Notice is hereby given that the 20212022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Seaboard Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at the Sheraton Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas, on Monday, April 26, 2021,25, 2022, commencing at 9:00 a.m., local time, or thereafter as it may from time to time be adjourned or postponed, for the following purposes:
1. | Elect |
2. | Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors of Seaboard Corporation for the year ending December 31, |
3. |
Transact such other business as properly may come before the meeting. |
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 26, 2021,28, 2022, as the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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| By order of the Board of Directors, |
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| David M. Becker, |
| Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
March 12, 202111, 2022
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS APPEARING ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING.
Special Note Regarding Possible Changes to our Annual Meeting: We are monitoring developments relating to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and how they may affect our annual meeting. If we determine that any changes to our annual meeting are necessary or appropriate, which may include changing the date and time of the meeting, including additional procedures for or limitations on meeting attendees, changing the location of the meeting or holding the meeting by remote communication, we will announce the changes, including how to participate in the meeting, in advance. Please monitor our website at www.seaboardcorp.com/investors for updated information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Stockholder Meeting to be held on April 26, 202125, 2022
This notice of annual meeting and accompanying proxy materials are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
Our Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other proxy materials
to Stockholders are available at:
https://www.seaboardcorp.com/investors
SEABOARD CORPORATION
9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 26, 202125, 2022
March 12, 202111, 2022
Date, Time and Place of the Meeting
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Seaboard Corporation (the “Company,” “Seaboard,” “us,” “our” or “we”) for use at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Monday, April 26, 2021,25, 2022, commencing at 9:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The meeting is called for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting, and will be held at the Sheraton Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas. You may obtain directions to the location of the annual meeting by calling us at (913) 676-8800.
We currently intend to hold our 2021 annual meeting in person. However, we are monitoring developments relating to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and how they may affect our annual meeting. In the event we determine it is not possible or advisable to hold our 2021 annual meeting as currently proposed, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the meeting, which may include changing the date and time of the meeting, including additional procedures or limitations on meeting attendees, holding the meeting in a different location or holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication (i.e., a virtual-only annual meeting). Please monitor our website at www.seaboardcorp.com/investors for updated information.676-8928.
Stockholders Entitled to Vote at the Meeting
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on the February 26, 202128, 2022 record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Seaboard had 1,160,779 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, outstanding and entitled to vote as of the record date. Each such share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly to come before the annual meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy were first sent or given to stockholders on or about March 12, 2021.11, 2022.
Quorum Requirement
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A majority of our outstanding shares of common stock on the record date, or 580,391 shares, will be needed to establish a quorum for the annual meeting. Votes cast at the annual meeting will be tabulated by persons duly appointed to act as inspectors of election and voting for the annual meeting. The inspectors of election and voting will treat shares represented by a properly signed and returned proxy as present at the annual meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining. Likewise, the inspectors will treat shares of stock represented by proxies reflecting one or more “broker non-votes” as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Broker non-votes are proxies with respect to shares held in record name by brokers, banks or other nominees, as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote with respect to one or more matters; (ii) the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power under applicable national securities exchange rules or the instrument under which it serves in such capacity; and (iii) the record holder has indicated on the proxy card or otherwise notified Seaboard that it does not have authority to vote such shares on such matter or matters.
1
Items of Business to be Voted on at the Annual Meeting
Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following matters at the annual meeting:
Item Number | Matter | Our Board of Directors Recommends |
1 | Elect | FOR EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE |
2 | Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditor of Seaboard for the year ending December 31, | FOR |
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We will also consider other business that properly comes before the annual meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Attending the Meeting and Voting in Person
If you plan to attend the annual meeting and vote in person, we will give you a ballot when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee (commonly referred to as being held in “street” name), proof of ownership may be required for you to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement and letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.
Voting by Proxy
The Board of Directors solicits your proxy in the form enclosed for use at the annual meeting. You may vote your shares by completing the proxy card with your vote, signature and date, and returning it by mail in the envelope provided, or you can follow the instructions on the proxy card to cast your vote via the Internet or telephone. Any stockholder giving a proxy in accordance with the enclosed form may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A stockholder may revoke his or her proxy by delivering to the Secretary of Seaboard a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. A duly completed proxy will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. Where a stockholder’s voting instructions are not specified in the completed proxy, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors as follows: “for” the election of the nominees for director listed herein; and “for” ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for 2021; and “against” the stockholder proposal described in this proxy statement.2022. The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that will be brought before the meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy, or their substitutes acting thereunder, will vote on such matter in accordance with their discretion and judgment. If your shares of common stock are held in street name, you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee that you must follow in order to have your shares voted. Seaboard will bear all expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement. After the initial mailing of this proxy statement, proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, facsimile transmission or personally by directors, officers, employees or agents of Seaboard. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners of shares held of record by them, and their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid by Seaboard.
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Vote Required
With respect to the election of directors (Item 1), you may vote “for” or “withhold” authority to vote for each of the nominees for the Board. A favorable plurality of votes cast (a number greater than those cast for any other candidates) is necessary to elect members of the Board of Directors. “Withhold” votes and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose. Accordingly, “withhold” or broker non-votes as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the candidates receiving the plurality of votes and will have no effect on the election of the nominees.
With respect to the other itemsratification of business (Items 2 and 3)our independent auditors (Item 2), you may vote “for,” “against,” or “abstain.” These proposals requireThis proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares having voting power in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. Shares represented by broker non-votes as to such matters are treated as not being present for the purposes of such matters, while abstentions as to such matters are treated as being present but not voting in the affirmative. Accordingly, the effect of broker non-votes is only to reduce the number of shares considered to be present for the consideration of such matters and will have no effect on the voting outcome of these matters, while abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the matters. Brokers, banks and other nominees may use their discretionary voting authority with respect to the ratification of our independent auditors (Item 2), so no broker non-votes are expected for this matter.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of January 29, 202131, 2022 (unless otherwise indicated below) regarding the beneficial ownership of Seaboard’s common stock by the only persons known to us to own beneficially 5 percent or more of Seaboard’s common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all beneficial ownership consists of sole voting and sole investment power.
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Name and Address | | Amount and Nature of | | Percent | | Amount and Nature of | | Percent | ||||
of Beneficial Owner | | Beneficial Ownership | | of Class | | Beneficial Ownership | | of Class | ||||
Ellen S. Bresky (1) |
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| 909,069.24 |
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| 78.3% |
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| 907,419.24 |
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| 78.2% |
c/o Seaboard Flour LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | |
6 Liberty Square, #354 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boston, MA 02109 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Seaboard Flour LLC (2) | | | 465,825.69 | | | 40.1% | | | 465,825.69 | | | 40.1% |
6 Liberty Square, #354 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boston, MA 02109 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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SFC Preferred, LLC (2) | | | 428,122.55 | | | 36.9% | | | 428,122.55 | | | 36.9% |
6 Liberty Square, #354 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boston, MA 02109 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) |
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(2) | E. Bresky, Chairwoman of the Board, and |
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information as of January 29, 202131, 2022 regarding the beneficial ownership of Seaboard’s common stock by each of our directors and director nominees, each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 89 and all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
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Name of | | Amount and Nature of | | Percent | | Amount and Nature of | | Percent | ||||
Beneficial Owner | | Beneficial Ownership | | of Class | | Beneficial Ownership | | of Class | ||||
Ellen S. Bresky |
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| 909,069.24 | (1) |
| 78.3% |
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| 907,419.24 | (1) |
| 78.2% |
David A. Adamsen | | | 20.00 | | | * | | | 20.00 | | | * |
Douglas W. Baena | | | 115.00 | | | * | | | 115.00 | | | * |
Edward I. Shifman, Jr. | | | - 0 - | | | * | ||||||
Frances B. Shifman | | | 27.00 | | | * | ||||||
Paul M. Squires | | | 4,661.00 | (2) | | * | | | 4,661.00 | (2) | | * |
Robert L. Steer | | | - 0 - | | | * | | | - 0 - | | | * |
David H. Rankin | | | - 0 - | | | * | | | - 0 - | | | * |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | | - 0 - | | | * | | | - 0 - | | | * |
David M. Dannov | | | 10.00 | | | * | | | 10.00 | | | * |
Darwin E. Sand | | | - 0 - | | | * | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (23 persons) | | | 909,216.24 | | | 78.3% | ||||||
Peter B. Brown | | | - 0 - | | | * | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (21 persons) | | | 907,593.24 | | | 78.2% |
(1) | The nature of the beneficial ownership of the shares reported is set forth in footnote (1) to the table under “Principal Stockholders” above. |
(2) | The shares of Seaboard’s common stock reported include 4,661 shares held by SJB SEB LLC, as to which P. Squires serves as the sole manager and E. Bresky serves as a co-trustee. |
* | Less than one percent. |
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ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at five. Mr. Edward I. Shifman, Jr. will not be standing for re-election. The Board has nominated the fourfive persons set forth below for election at the 20212022 annual meeting and after the election, one director seat will be vacant.meeting. Unless otherwise specified, proxies will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the following fourfive persons for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies cannot be voted for more than four nominees.
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Name | | Age | | Principal Occupations and Positions and Specific | | Director | | Age | | Principal Occupations and Positions and Specific | | Director |
Ellen S. Bresky | | 67 | | Director and Chairwoman, Seaboard Corporation. Prior to her appointment as Chairwoman, Ms. Bresky served on the Boards of Directors of the Wally Foundation, the Bresky Foundation and the Seaboard Foundation. Her vested interest in Seaboard on the basis of her beneficial stock ownership position makes her qualified as a Director and Chairwoman for Seaboard. | | 2020 | | 68 | | Director and Chairwoman, Seaboard Corporation. Prior to her appointment as Chairwoman, Ms. Bresky served on the Boards of Directors of the Wally Foundation, the Bresky Foundation and the Seaboard Foundation. Her vested interest in Seaboard on the basis of her beneficial stock ownership position makes her qualified as a Director and Chairwoman for Seaboard. | | 2020 |
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David A. Adamsen | | 69 | | Director and Member of Audit Committee, Seaboard Corporation; former Vice President – Wholesale Sales (January 2009-2010), C&S Wholesale Grocers (wholesale food distribution company). Mr. Adamsen worked for more than 35 years in the food, food distribution, and food manufacturing businesses. His experience and knowledge make him qualified as a Director for Seaboard. | | 1995 | | 70 | | Director and Member of Audit Committee, Seaboard Corporation; former Vice President – Wholesale Sales (January 2009-2010), C&S Wholesale Grocers (wholesale food distribution company). Mr. Adamsen worked for more than 35 years in the food, food distribution, and food manufacturing businesses. His experience and knowledge make him qualified as a Director for Seaboard. | | 1995 |
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Douglas W. Baena | | 78 | | Lead Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee, Seaboard Corporation; self-employed (since 1997), engaging in facilitation of equipment lease financings and consulting, doing business as CreditAmerica Corporation. Mr. Baena has an educational background in accounting and has experience working as a Certified Public Accountant. He also has experience arranging lease financing transactions for companies. This accounting and finance background provides experience and attributes which are desirable for a Seaboard Director. | | 2001 | | 79 | | Lead Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee, Seaboard Corporation; self-employed (since 1997), engaging in facilitation of equipment lease financings and consulting, doing business as CreditAmerica Corporation. Mr. Baena has an educational background in accounting and has experience working as a Certified Public Accountant. He also has experience arranging lease financing transactions for companies. His accounting and finance background provides experience and attributes which are desirable for a Seaboard Director. | | 2001 |
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Paul M. Squires | | 66 | | Director, Seaboard Corporation; Chief Operating Officer, Seaboard Flour LLC (since 2006); Controller, Seaboard Flour LLC (2003-2004). In his position as Chief Operating Officer of Seaboard Flour LLC, Mr. Squires reports to E. Bresky, who is the Manager of Seaboard Flour LLC. Seaboard Flour LLC owns 40.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Seaboard. Mr. Squires graduated with an accounting degree in 1977 and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1980. His accounting background and management experience at Seaboard Flour are attributes which are desirable for a Seaboard Director. | | 2016 | | 67 | | Director, Seaboard Corporation; Chief Operating Officer, Seaboard Flour LLC (since 2006); Controller, Seaboard Flour LLC (2003-2004). In his position as Chief Operating Officer of Seaboard Flour LLC, Mr. Squires reports to E. Bresky, who is the Manager of Seaboard Flour LLC. Seaboard Flour LLC owns 40.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Seaboard. Mr. Squires graduated with an accounting degree in 1977 and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1980. His accounting background and management experience at Seaboard Flour are attributes which are desirable for a Seaboard Director. | | 2016 |
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Frances B. Shifman | | 71 | | Director and Member of Audit Committee, Seaboard Corporation. Ms. Shifman is currently a director/trustee for a number of non-profit organizations with no relationship to Seaboard Corporation. She has nine years of experience as Chief Operating Officer of NAIOP, MA, widely recognized as one of the premier business organizations in Massachusetts. She has effectively promoted commercial real estate interests, including lobbying, public affairs, education, research and informational programs. She has been named Executive of the Year by the national Organization of NAIOP in recognition of her accomplishments. She also has more than 25 years of experience in the field of property management and real estate in executive positions. Her experience and knowledge make her qualified as a Director for Seaboard. | | 2021 |
Frances B. Shifman is a first cousin of Ellen S. Bresky by marriage.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which such nominee was nominated.
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Each of the fourfive nominees has consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. In case any person or persons named herein for election as directors are not available for election at the annual meeting, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees (unless the authority to vote for all nominees or for the particular nominee who has ceased to be a candidate has been withheld), as well as for the balance of those named herein. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees for the election as director will be unavailable.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election as directors of the persons listed above.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION
Meetings of the Board
The Board of Directors held eighttwelve meetings in fiscal year 2020, seven2021, eleven of which were telephonic meetings.meetings, one which was in-person. Other actions of the Board of Directors were taken by unanimous written consent, as needed. Each director attended more than 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of Directors held while in office and of the meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served during 20202021 (or portion of 20202021 during which he or she served as a director or committee member).
Seaboard does not have any policy requiring directors to attend Seaboard’s annual meeting of stockholders, although generally the directors have attended Seaboard’s annual stockholders’ meetings. All directors then in office attended the 20202021 annual meeting in person or telephonically.
Controlled Company
Seaboard is a “controlled company,” as defined in the rules of the NYSE American, because more than 50 percent of the voting power of Seaboard is owned by the Seaboard Flour Entities. As such, Seaboard is exempted from many of the requirements regarding Board of Director committees and independence. The members of our Board of Directors who are independent within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards are David A. Adamsen, Douglas W. Baena and Edward I. Shifman, Jr. (who is not standing for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting).Frances B. Shifman. The remaining members of the Board of Directors are not independent within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards and, therefore, they would not qualify as independent directors for purposes of serving on a compensation, nominating committee or audit committee under applicable NYSE American committee independence requirements. The independent directors meet on a regular basis as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, including at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent directors and management.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Until Steven J. Bresky’s passing in July 2020, he served as Seaboard’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. To fill the vacancies previously held by Mr. Bresky, Robert L. Steer former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was appointed to the office ofserves as Seaboard’s principal executive officer, andofficer. Ellen S. Bresky Mr. Bresky’s widow, was appointedserves as a director and Chairwoman of the Board. Ellen S. BreskyBoard and is also now the beneficial owner of approximately 78.378.2 percent of Seaboard. In connection with Ms. Bresky’s appointment to Chairwoman in July 2020, the Board also appointed Douglas W. Baena, a member of the Board since 2001, as Seaboard’s lead independent director. The duties of Mr. Baena as lead independent director include the following: (i) preside at all executive sessions of the independent directors, (ii) serve as a liaison between the Chairwoman and the non-employee directors, (iii) serve as a liaison among the non-employee directors, (iv) provide input to the Chairwoman on the preparation of Board meeting agendas, and (v) in conjunction with the Chairwoman, have the authority to approve certain transactions.
Seaboard believes that Ms. Bresky has a sufficient vested interest in Seaboard on the basis of her beneficial stock ownership position and that Mr. Steer, who has been with Seaboard for more than 36 years, including 9 years in his former role as Executive Vice President and CFO, has the experience necessary to lead Seaboard as the principal executive officer. The Board of Directors believes that the separation of the positions of Chairwoman of the Board and principal executive officer, combined with the appointment of a lead independent director, is the appropriate leadership structure for Seaboard at this time. This structure recognizes the nature of Seaboard as a “controlled company,” and;and, therefore, provides the Bresky family with appropriate influence over the Company, while the appointment of a lead independent director ensures effective independent oversight of the Company and management.
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The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides risk oversight of Seaboard with respect to the audit of Seaboard’s financial statements, Seaboard’s internal audit function and any financial matters reported to Seaboard’s Senior Vice President, Audit Services or other Seaboard representative. The Audit Committee administers this oversight function through Audit Committee meetings and periodic meetings in private with Seaboard’s auditors, KPMG LLP, and Seaboard’s Senior Vice President, Audit Services. The Board of Directors does not have any other significant oversight function, aside from performance of the Board of Director general oversight function through periodic meetings. The Board of Directors does not believe that its role in risk oversight of Seaboard has any significant effect on the Board’s leadership structure.
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Committees of the Board
Seaboard’s Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee. There currently are no other standing executive, compensation, nominating or other committeesAs a “controlled company,” as defined in the rules of the NYSE American, Seaboard is not required to have, and Seaboard’s Board of Directors has not established, a nominating or committeescompensation committee or any other committee of the Board performing similar functions of the Board.functions.
Audit Committee. Seaboard’s Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors. The members of the Audit Committee are David A. Adamsen, Douglas W. Baena and Edward I. Shifman, Jr. (who is not standing for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting).Frances B. Shifman. Mr. Baena is Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee selects and retains independent auditors and assists the Board in its oversight of the integrity of Seaboard’s financial statements, including the performance of our independent auditors in their audit of our annual financial statements. The Audit Committee meets with management and the independent auditors, as may be required. The independent auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, without the presence of management. The Board of Directors has determined that Douglas W. Baena is an “audit committee financial expert” and is “independent,” within the meaning of the listing standards of NYSE American. The Audit Committee held four meetings in fiscal year 2020, three2021, all of which were telephonic meetings.
Director Nominations
The Board of Directors believes it is not necessary to have a separate nominating committee because of the low turnover of Board of Director seats and because the entire Board of Directors participates in the consideration of director nominees. There currently is no charter that establishes procedures for the Board’s consideration of director nominees. The Board believes that it should be comprised of directors with varied, complementary backgrounds, and that directors should, at a minimum, have expertise that may be useful to Seaboard. Directors should also possess the highest personal and professional ethics, and should be willing and able to devote the required amount of time to Seaboard’s business. In determining whether a director should be retained and stand for re-election, the Board also considers that member’s performance and contribution to the Board during his or her tenure with the Board. Seaboard’s policy is to consider nominees who are submitted by stockholders on a case-by-case basis. All nominees, including those submitted by stockholders, will be evaluated using generally the same methods and criteria, although those methods and criteria are not standardized and may vary from time to time. The Board does not have any policy with respect to diversity and does not consider diversity in identifying nominees for Director.
Communication with the Board
The Board of Directors does not provide a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board because it believes that the process available under applicable federal securities laws for stockholders to submit proposals for consideration at the annual meeting is adequate.
Compensation of Directors
The following table shows the compensation received by each member of our Board of Directors (other than those who are Named Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table on page 8) for service on the Board in 2020.
Director Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fees Earned | | All Other | | | | ||||
| | or Paid in Cash | | Compensation | | | Total | ||||
Ellen S. Bresky (1) | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | - 0 - |
Douglas W. Baena |
| $ | 123,000 |
|
| $ | - 0 - |
|
| $ | 123,000 |
David A. Adamsen | | $ | 88,000 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 88,000 |
Edward I. Shifman, Jr. | | $ | 88,000 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 88,000 |
Paul M. Squires | | $ | 78,000 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 78,000 |
In the fiscal year 2020, the Company provided the following compensation to non-employee directors for their service as director. All director compensation represents fees paid in cash only.
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Compensation of Directors
In the fiscal year 2021, the Company provided the following cash compensation to directors for their service as director:
● | $20,000 quarterly |
● | Additional $12,500 quarterly retainer for the lead independent |
● | Additional $2,500 per quarter for the Chairman of the Audit Committee; and |
● | Additional $2,500 per quarter for service on the Audit Committee of the Board. |
(1) Ms.E. Bresky does not receive cash compensation for her servicesservice as a director, and Chairwoman of the Board. Ms. Bresky wasbut she is given the right to use Seaboard’s airplane for up to 25 hours of flight time per year for personal use as long as she continues to serve in such role. She didThe Company does not use Seaboard’s airplaneprovide any equity compensation to its directors.
The following table shows the compensation received by each member of our Board of Directors for personal useservice on the Board in 2020.2021.
Director Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fees Earned | | All Other | | | | ||||
| | or Paid in Cash | | Compensation | | | Total | ||||
Ellen S. Bresky (1) | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 47,468 | | | $ | 47,468 |
Douglas W. Baena |
| $ | 150,000 |
|
| $ | - 0 - |
|
| $ | 150,000 |
David A. Adamsen | | $ | 90,000 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 90,000 |
Edward I. Shifman, Jr. (2) | | $ | 22,500 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 22,500 |
Frances B. Shifman (3) | | $ | 67,500 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 67,500 |
Paul M. Squires | | $ | 80,000 | | | $ | - 0 - | | | $ | 80,000 |
(1) | Ms. Bresky’s compensation consisted of personal use of Seaboard’s airplane (valuing this benefit based on the number of miles flown and the Standard Industry Fare Level published by the Department of Transportation). She used 16 hours of Seaboard’s airplane for personal use in 2021. |
(2) | Mr. Shifman elected not to stand for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting. He received director fees until his seat became vacant at the 2021 annual meeting. |
(3) | Ms. Shifman was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2021 by the Board. Her director fees for fiscal year 2021 were prorated based on her date of appointment. |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following table shows all compensation earned, during the fiscal years indicated, by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other highest paid executive officers of Seaboard (the “Named Executive Officers”) for such period in all capacities in which they have served:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change in | | | | | | | | | | | | | Change in | | | | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | Pension Value | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pension Value | | | | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | and Non-Qualified | | | | | | | | | | | | | and Non-Qualified | | | | | | ||||
Name | | | | | | | | Deferred | | | | | | | | | | | | | Deferred | | | | | | ||||
and | | | | | | | | Compensation | All Other | | | | | | | | | | Compensation | All Other | | | ||||||||
Principal | | | | Salary (1) | | Bonus (2) | | Earnings (3) | Compensation (4) | | Total | | | | Salary (1) | | Bonus (2) | | Earnings (3) | Compensation (4) | | Total | ||||||||
Position | | Year | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | ($) | | ($) | | Year | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | ($) | | ($) | ||||||||
Robert L. Steer (5) | | 2020 | | 956,824 | | 1,794,500 | | | 1,199,183 | | | 153,628 | | | 4,104,135 | | 2021 | | 1,000,000 | | 3,000,000 | | | 1,447,513 | | 206,373 | | | 5,653,886 | |
President, | | 2019 | | 834,300 | | 1,300,000 | | | 2,114,750 | | | 156,495 | | | 4,405,545 | | 2020 | | 956,824 | | 1,794,500 | | | 1,199,183 | | 153,628 | | | 4,104,135 | |
Chief Executive Officer | | 2018 | | 810,000 | | 1,150,000 | | | 781,640 | | | 133,395 | | | 2,875,035 | | 2019 | | 834,300 | | 1,300,000 | | | 2,114,750 | | 156,495 | | | 4,405,545 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Steven J. Bresky (6) |
| 2020 | | 567,419 | | 729,000 | | | 1,711,634 | | | 226,247 | | | 3,234,300 | |||||||||||||||
Former President, | | 2019 | | 988,800 | | 1,350,000 | | | 6,227,489 | | | 240,357 | | | 8,806,646 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | | 2018 | | 960,000 | | 1,300,000 | | | 301,904 | | | 100,477 | | | 2,662,381 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
David H. Rankin (7) | | 2020 | | 318,978 | | 425,000 | | | 626,158 | | | 57,499 | | | 1,427,635 | |||||||||||||||
David H. Rankin (6) | | 2021 | | 425,491 | | 700,000 | | | 1,412,349 | | 70,881 | | | 2,608,721 | ||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2020 | | 318,978 | | 425,000 | | | 626,158 | | 57,499 | | | 1,427,635 | |
Chief Financial Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | 2020 | | 562,154 | | 900,000 | | | 1,739,171 | | | 99,004 | | | 3,300,329 | | 2021 | | 556,209 | | 1,500,000 | | | 655,208 | | 112,598 | | | 2,824,015 | |
President, | | 2019 | | 524,712 | | 800,000 | | | 1,894,922 | | | 127,914 | | | 3,347,548 | | 2020 | | 562,154 | | 900,000 | | | 1,739,171 | | 99,004 | | | 3,300,329 | |
Seaboard Marine Ltd. | | 2018 | | 510,000 | | 850,000 | | | 309,452 | | | 86,309 | | | 1,755,761 | | 2019 | | 524,712 | | 800,000 | | | 1,894,922 | | 127,914 | | | 3,347,548 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
David M. Dannov | | 2020 | | 561,566 | | 950,000 | | | 1,471,253 | | | 112,242 | | | 3,095,061 | | 2021 | | 556,209 | | 950,000 | | | 368,438 | | 112,936 | | | 1,987,583 | |
President, | | 2019 | | 525,300 | | 850,000 | | | (820,626) | | | 98,507 | | | 653,181 | | 2020 | | 561,566 | | 950,000 | | | 1,471,253 | | 112,242 | | | 3,095,061 | |
Seaboard Overseas Trading Group | | 2018 | | 510,000 | | 825,000 | | | 652,794 | | | 100,095 | | | 2,087,889 | | 2019 | | 525,300 | | 850,000 | | | (820,626) | | 98,507 | | | 653,181 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Darwin E. Sand (8) | | 2020 | | 611,116 | | 700,000 | | | 764,354 | | | 2,037,566 | | | 4,113,036 | |||||||||||||||
Former President, | | 2019 | | 571,650 | | 650,000 | | | 1,013,682 | | | 114,571 | | | 2,349,903 | |||||||||||||||
Peter B. Brown (7) | | 2021 | | 550,000 | | 1,050,000 | | | - 0 - | | 116,868 | | | 1,716,868 | ||||||||||||||||
President, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Seaboard Foods LLC | | 2018 | | 523,013 | | 850,000 | | | 299,282 | | | 85,196 | | | 1,757,491 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Salary includes amounts deferred at the election of the Named Executive Officers under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and the Seaboard Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, such plans being described below under “Benefit Plans.” |
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(2) | Reflects bonus earned, and includes amounts deferred under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and the Seaboard Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans described below under “Benefit Plans.” |
(3) | Reflects the actuarial increase (decrease) in the present value of the Named Executive Officer’s benefits under all retirement plans, for which information is provided in the Pension Benefits table on page |
(4) | Included in All Other Compensation are Seaboard matching contributions under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans or Seaboard Marine Ltd. 401(k) Plan, such plans being described below under “Benefit Plans.” |
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These amounts for |
Also included in All Other Compensation are the amounts earned for unused paid time off. These amounts for 2020 are as follows: R. Steer, $0; S. Bresky, $72,370; D. Rankin $0; E. Gonzalez, $17,307; D. Dannov, $0; and D. Sand, $16,985.
Also included in All Other Compensation are Seaboard’s contributions to its 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on behalf of the Named Executive Officers, amounts paid for disability and life insurance and individual perquisites, including amounts paid as an automobile allowance (valuing this benefit on an average fair market value based on the IRS lease guidelines using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price less 8 percent), fuel card usage, personal usage of Seaboard’s airplane (valuing this benefit based on the number of miles flown and the Standard Industry Fare Level published by the Department of Transaction)Transportation), relocation benefits (as applicable), and a gross-up for related taxes. With respect to the above-stated items, All Other Compensation includes the following amounts for 2021: (a) an automobile allowance of $30,000 for each of the Named Executive Officers, (b) an airplane benefit of $42,242 for R. Steer and (c) a relocation benefit of $49,573 for P. Brown. Reimbursement for taxes owed on the above-stated items total as follows for each of the Named Executive Officers for 2020:2021: R. Steer, $33,480; S. Bresky, $29,769;$50,471; D. Rankin, $15,295;$18,224; E. Gonzalez, $14,905;$25,159; D. Dannov, $28,385;$26,900; and D. Sand, $24,521.
Also included in All Other Compensation for D. Sand is a cash payment from Seaboard of $1,896,000 as a separation benefit in connection with his retirement effective January 1, 2021 as reported below in Employment Arrangements with Named Executive Officers.P. Brown, $37,907.
(5) | Upon the passing of S. Bresky, R. Steer was appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer on July 20, 2020. Prior to Mr. Steer’s appointment, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and remained in his role as Chief Financial Officer until D. Rankin was appointed as his successor on December 2, 2020. Upon the effectiveness of R. Steer’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, his annual base salary increased from $680,000 to $1,000,000. |
(6) |
D. Rankin was appointed to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on December 2, 2020. |
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PAY RATIO
Pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, set forth below for 20202021 is a comparison of (i) the annualized total compensation of R. Steer, Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), assuming he was in such position for the entire year of 2020;; and (ii) the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than R. Steer). The median of the annual total compensation and the pay ratio described below are reasonable estimates calculated by Seaboard in a manner consistent with applicable SEC regulations.
Seaboard estimates that in 2020,In 2021, the annual total compensation of R. Steer was $4,185,773$5,653,886 and the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than R. Steer) was $37,426,$32,219, and thus the ratio of the annual total compensation of R. Steer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of Seaboard’s employees was 112175 to 1. Seaboard’s “median employee” worked at Seaboard’s pork processing plant in Oklahoma.
Seaboard has elected to identify its median employee every three years unless a significant change in employee population or employee compensation arrangements has occurred. Seaboard previously identified its median employee in 2020.
To determine the median of the annual total compensation of all of Seaboard’s employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of Seaboard’s “median employee” and Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer, Seaboard used the following methodology and made the following material assumptions, adjustments and estimates:
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EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Each Named Executive Officer is or was previously, a party to an Employment Agreement with Seaboard.
The Employment Agreements for R. Steer, D. Rankin, and D. Dannov and P. Brown have a term of one year and extend annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. The Employment Agreement for E. Gonzalez has a term of three years, and extends annually for a three-year termterms through December 31, 2021, and thenbeginning on December 31, 2024, extends annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. The Employment Agreement for S. Bresky, which automatically terminated upon his passing, had a term of one year and extended annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. D. Sand’s Employment Agreement was terminated on November 23, 2020 in connection with his retirement and was replaced with a Retirement Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Sand continued to be employed by Seaboard until his retirement on January 1, 2021.
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The current Employment Agreements provide for payment of the following initial Base Salary and minimum Annual Bonus for each Named Executive Officer:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Initial Base Salary | | Minimum Annual Bonus | | Initial Base Salary | ||||||
Robert L. Steer | | $ | 1,000,000 | | | $ | 1,740,000 | | | $ | 1,000,000 | |
David H. Rankin | | $ | 425,000 | | | $ | 300,000 | | | $ | 425,000 | |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | $ | 420,000 | | | $ | 400,000 | | | $ | 420,000 | |
David M. Dannov | | $ | 420,000 | | | $ | None | | | $ | 420,000 | |
Peter B. Brown | | $ | 550,000 | |
The Employment Agreement for R Steer provides that his annual bonus will be a minimum of $2,275,000. The Employment Agreement for P. Brown provides for a maximum annual bonus of $1,100,000, with 50% based on financial performance and 50% based on meeting personal objectives. The Employment Agreement for D. Sand retired fromRankin provides for a target annual bonus of 131.25% of his base salary, and a maximum annual bonus of 175% of his base salary, with a minimum annual bonus of $300,000. The Employment Agreement for E. Gonzalez provides for a minimum annual bonus of $400,000. The Employment Agreement for D. Dannov does not provide for a minimum annual bonus.
Pursuant to the Employment Agreement of R. Steer, the Company effective January 1, 2021. In connection withmay elect to contribute the portion of the annual bonus payable to him in excess of $1,000,000 to his account under the Seaboard Corporation Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Pursuant to the Employment Agreements of P. Brown and D. Sand's retirement,Rankin, the Company and D. Sand entered into a Retirement Agreement pursuantmay elect to contribute any portion of the annual bonuses payable to them which the Company paid D. Sand $1,896,000 (the “Severance Amount”) and the amount of his 2020 accrued bonus ($700,000), less deductions required by law, on or before December 31, 2020. The Severance Amount and accrued bonus amount were paid in lieu of any payments that otherwise would be payable under D. Sand’s Employment Agreement. The Retirement Agreement superseded D. Sand's existing Employment Agreement, except that D. Sand continuescause their respective compensation to be obligatedin excess of $1,000,000 and thus non-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) (“Code Section 162(m)”) to comply with certain non-compete and non-solicitation restrictive covenants contained intheir respective accounts under the Employment Agreement.Seaboard Corporation Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
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Payments Upon Certain Events
The current Employment Agreements each continue to provide for the payment of severance upon the termination of employment in certain circumstances. Following is a summary of the amounts which would be paid by Seaboard to each Named Executive Officer (other than S. Bresky and D. Sand) if, on December 31, 2020,2021, his employment was involuntarily terminated without “Cause,” or if he resigned for “Good Reason,” as those terms are defined in the Employment Agreement for each such Named Executive Officer.
Pursuant to the Employment Agreements, “Cause” means (i) a material breach by Named Executive Officer of any provision of the Employment Agreement; (ii) a material violation by Named Executive Officer of any Company policy resulting in material injury to the Company; (iii) Named Executive Officer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the business, reputation or prospects of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iv) Named Executive Officer’s material fraud or misappropriation of funds; or (v) the commission by Named Executive Officer of a felony involving moral turpitude; and “Good Reason” means a resignation by Named Executive Officer from his employment with the Company within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of any one or more of the following events: (i) a material diminution in the Named Executive Officer’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material change in the geographic location where Named Executive Officer primarily performs his services; or (iii) any other material breach by the Company of any material provision of the Employment Agreement.
Employment Agreement Table
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
| | Accrued Bonus | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| | through 12/31/20 | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| | – Payable | | Severance | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| | 30 Days After | | Payable in | | Lump Sum | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
| | Termination Date | | Installments(1) | | Severance(2) | | | Total | | Accrued Bonus through 12/31/21 | | Severance Payable in Installments(1) | | Lump Sum Severance(2) | | | Total | ||||||||||||
| | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | | ($) | ||||||||||||
Robert L. Steer | | | 1,300,000 | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 1,300,000 | | | | 3,600,000 | | | 1,794,500 | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 1,300,000 | | | | 4,094,500 |
David H. Rankin | | | 325,000 | | | | 425,000 | | | | 325,000 | | | | 1,075,000 | | | 425,000 | | | | 425,000 | | | | 425,000 | | | | 1,275,000 |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | | 800,000 | | | | 562,154 | | | | 3,449,424 | | | | 4,811,578 | | | 900,000 | | | | 556,209 | | | | 3,812,418 | | | | 5,268,627 |
David M. Dannov | | | 850,000 | | | | 561,566 | | | | 850,000 | | | | 2,261,566 | | | 950,000 | | | | 556,209 | | | | 950,000 | | | | 2,456,209 |
Peter B. Brown | | | - 0 - | | | | 550,000 | | | | - 0 - | | | | 550,000 |
(1) |
(2) |
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S. Bresky passed away in July 2020 and, in connection therewith, S. Bresky received a prorated bonus for 2020 in the amount of $729,000. The Company’s Employment Agreement with D. Sand was terminated in November 2020 and the Company and D. Sand entered into a Retirement Agreement under which D. Sand received the amounts discussed above.
The Board of Directors has approved for each of the Named Executive Officers the right to use Seaboard’s airplane for personal use. S. Bresky, during his employment, wasR. Steer has been allotted 25 hours of flight time for personal use in 2020. Upon R. Steer’s appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer, his flight time allotment was increased to 20 hoursper year for personal use. Each of the other Named Executive Officers washas been allotted 10 hours of flight time per year for personal use for each of 2020 and 2021 as long as they continue to serve in such roles, provided, however, that D. Rankin’s flight time allotment went into effect in 2021.use. Seaboard will also paypays each of the Named Executive Officers for the incidental fees and expenses incurred related to the flights, including ground transportation, and a “tax gross-up” of the estimated federal and state income taxes each will incur as a consequence of this benefit.
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BENEFIT PLANS
409A Executive Retirement Plan and Cash Balance Retirement Plan
The Seaboard Corporation 409A Executive Retirement Plan (the “Executive Retirement Plan”) provides retirement benefits for a select group of the officers and managers, including the Named Executive Officers, other than E. Gonzalez.Gonzalez and P. Brown. The Executive Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2013. The Executive Retirement Plan gives credit for all years of service with Seaboard, both before and after becoming a participant. For years of service before becoming a participant (pre-participation service), the benefit is equal to 0.65 percent of the final average remuneration (salary plus bonus) of the participant, plus 0.50 percent of final average remuneration of the participant in excess of Social Security Covered Compensation, all multiplied by the participant’s pre-participation service. For years of service after becoming a participant (post-participation service), the benefit is equal to 2.5 percent of the final average remuneration of the participant, multiplied by the participant’s years of post-participation service. The amendment to the Executive Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2013 limits, and in some circumstances establishes, the final average remuneration and limits the years of post-participation service eligible to calculate the benefit. The benefit amount determined by the formula is reduced by the following: (i) the amount such participant has accrued under the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan (described below); and (ii) the benefit earned under the Executive Retirement Plan from 1994 through 1996 that resulted in cash payments from the plan that were based on the cost to purchase such benefit. Benefits under the Executive Retirement Plan are currently unfunded. As of December 31, 2020,2021, all of the participating Named Executive Officers were fully vested, as defined in the Executive Retirement Plan. For the accrued benefit as of December 31, 2012 (the “Pre-2013 Benefit”), the ordinary form of payment of the benefit is pursuant to a “Single Lump Sum Payment,” which is equivalent in value to the benefit described above, payable in “Single Life Annuity” form. Under certain circumstances, the Executive Retirement Plan allows for optional forms of payment of the Pre-2013 Benefit. If the Pre-2013 Benefit will be paid pursuant to a lump sum, then payment will be made upon the earlier of: (i) the seventh month following separation from service; (ii) any change of control of Seaboard; or (iii) death or disability. If the Pre-2013 Benefit will be paid pursuant to an annuity, payment will begin in the seventh month following the month in which the participant has a separation from service, or at age 62, if later; or pursuant to a lump sum, in the event of the death or disability of the participant, or any change of control of Seaboard. The portion of the benefit which accrues after December 31, 2012 (“Post-2012 Benefit”) will be calculated as a lump sum on a date specified in the plan, and for the participating Named Executive Officers other than R. Steer, this balance will be increased or decreased based on the return of certain investments selected by the participant and paid upon the earlier of: (i) the participant’s separation from service; (ii) a change of control; or (iii) the death or disability of the participant. For participants who are not covered employees under IRC §Code Section 162(m), the Post-2012 Benefit will be paid as a lump sum on the earlier of: (i) the date specified in the plan; (ii) the seventh month following separation of service; (iii) any change of control of Seaboard; or (iv) death or disability. The Post-2012 Benefit for R. Steer was paid in 2017. The table in the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan section below sets forth estimates of the present value as of December 31, 20202021 of the accumulated benefits that would be payable to the Named Executive Officers under the Executive Retirement Plan at the earliest unreduced age (i.e., age 62), which estimates are calculated based on the assumptions described in Footnote 109 of Seaboard’s 20202021 financial statements contained in its Annual Report.
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The Seaboard Corporation Cash Balance Executive Retirement Plan (the “Cash Balance Retirement Plan”) provides retirement benefits for a select group of the officers of Seaboard’s subsidiary, Seaboard Marine Ltd., including E. Gonzalez. The Cash Balance Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective August 1, 2020 and dated September 22, 2020. The Cash Balance Retirement Plan provides an alternative benefit in lieu of the Executive Retirement Plan because of a change in tax law which provided for adverse tax consequences to the employees of certain foreign subsidiaries. The benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan is structured to approximate the benefit which would have been payable to the participant had he remained a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan; provided, however, pursuant to the Cash Balance Retirement Plan, each participant must recognize income equal to the annual increase in the accrued benefit under the plan, and Seaboard makes a cash distribution under the plan in an amount equal to the estimated amount of taxes which will be incurred by the participant based on the income recognized, which cash distribution is deducted from the amount of the accrued benefit. In conjunction with the adoption of the plan, each participant agreed that the accrued vested benefit under the Executive Retirement Plan would be paid pursuant to the provisions of the Cash Balance Retirement Plan. The accrued benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan will be paid upon the earlier of: (i) the date specified in the Cash Balance Retirement Plan, which, for E. Gonzalez, is July 1, 2023; (ii) a separation of service; (iii) a change in control of Seaboard; or (iv) death or disability. Payment of all or a portion of the benefit may be delayed by up to six months in accordance with the then applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan is currently unfunded. The table in the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan section below sets forth an estimate of the present value as of December 31, 20202021 of the accumulated benefit that would be payable to E. Gonzalez under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan at the earliest unreduced age (i.e., age 62), not considering the distributions paid to each such participant prior to age 62 in an amount equal to the estimated income taxes required to be paid as a consequence of the plan for years prior to payment of the lump sum benefit, which estimate is calculated based on the same assumptions described in Footnote 109 of Seaboard’s financial statements contained in its Annual Report. Note that E. Gonzalez became a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan on January 1, 2005; however, he has been awarded three additional years of service, such that he is deemed to have joined the plan effective January 1, 2002. Such service is credited under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan.
Seaboard Corporation Pension PlanPlans
Seaboard provides defined benefits for its domestic salaried and clerical employees who began employment on or before December 31, 2013 upon retirement through the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan (the “Corporation Plan”) or the Seaboard Defined BenefitMarine Pension Plan (the “Defined Benefit“Marine Plan”) (collectively the “Plans”). Beginning in fiscal 1997, each of the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table participated in the Corporation Plan. Effective January 1, 2010, the Defined Benefit Plan was established, receiving assets from and assuming liabilities of the Corporation Plan. Effective January 1, 2017, the Plans were merged. Prior to January 1, 2017, theThe Named Executive Officers, other than E. Gonzalez participatedand P. Brown, participate in the Corporation Plan, and E. Gonzalez participatedparticipates in the Defined BenefitMarine Plan. The benefits under the Corporation Plan and the Defined BenefitMarine Plan are the same. Benefits under the Plans generally are based upon the number of years of service and a percentage of final average remuneration (salary plus bonus), subject to limitations under applicable federal law. As of December 31, 2020,2021, all of the participating Named Executive Officers were fully vested, as defined in the Plans. Under the Plans, the benefit payment for a married participant is pursuant to a “50 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity.” This means the participant will receive a monthly annuity benefit for his/her lifetime, and an eligible surviving spouse will receive a lifetime annuity equal to 50 percent of the participant’s benefit. The payment of the benefit for an unmarried participant is pursuant to a “Single Life Annuity.” The Plans allow for optional forms of payment under certain circumstances. The normal retirement age under the Plans is age 65. However, unreduced benefits are available at age 62 with five years of service. The Pension Benefits table below shows the present value of the accumulated benefits that would be payable under the Plans at the earliest unreduced commencement age (i.e., age 62). Effective January 1, 2021, Seaboard transferred assets and liabilities for employees of certain Seaboard subsidiaries into a successor plan.
Each of the participating Named Executive Officers (other than D. Rankin and D. Sand)Rankin) is 100 percent vested under a particular defined benefit (“Benefit”) that was frozen at December 31, 1993 as part of the Plans. A definitive actuarial determination of the benefit amounts was made in 1995. The annual amounts payable upon retirement after attaining age 62 under this Benefit are as follows: R. Steer, $15,490; E. Gonzalez, $2,643; and D. Dannov, $8,346. Under the Plans, the payment of this benefit is pursuant to a “Ten-Year Certain and Continuous Annuity.” This means the participant would receive a monthly annuity benefit for his/her lifetime and, if the participant dies while in the ten-year certain period, the balance of the ten-year benefit would be paid to his/her designated beneficiary. If the participant dies while employed by Seaboard or after retirement, but before the commencement of benefits, monthly payments would be made to the participant’s beneficiary in the form of a 100 percent joint and survivor benefit. On account of the death of S. Bresky while employed,
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his widow is receiving a monthly annuity of $6,810 for her life. The Plans allow for optional forms of payment under certain circumstances.
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The following table sets forth the Years of Credited Service, the Present Value of the Accumulated Benefit and the Payments During the Last Fiscal Year, pursuant to the specified Plans for each of the Named Executive Officers.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Present | | Payments | | | | | | | | Present | | Payments | ||||||||
| | | | Years of | | Value of | | During | | | | Years of | | Value of | | During | ||||||||||||
| | | | Credited | | Accumulated | | Last Fiscal | | | | Credited | | Accumulated | | Last Fiscal | ||||||||||||
| | | | Service | | Benefit | | Year | | | | Service | | Benefit | | Year | ||||||||||||
Name | | Plan Name | | (#) | | ($) | | ($) | | Plan Name | | (#) | | ($) | | ($) | ||||||||||||
Robert L. Steer | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 33 | | | | | | | | | | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 33 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 15,566,286 | | | | - 0 - | | ||||||||||||||
| | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | ||||||||||||||
| | Pension Plan | | | 33 | | | | 1,317,520 | | | | - 0 - | | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Steven J. Bresky | | Executive Retirement Plan |
|
| 34 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| | | ||||||||||||||
| | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | 30,074,246 | | | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 16,978,660 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | 2,177,444 | | | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Pension Plan | | | 37.58 | | | | 1,260,506 | | | | 40,864 | | | Pension Plan | | | 34 | | | | 1,352,659 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
David H. Rankin | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 22 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 389,099 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 393,889 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | 1,737,235 | | | | - 0 - | | | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | 3,130,020 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Pension Plan | | | 21 | | | | 665,472 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pension Plan | | | 22 | | | | 680,246 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | Cash Balance Retirement Plan | | | 31 | | | | 8,771,095 | | | | - 0 - | | | Cash Balance Retirement Plan | | | 32 | | | | 9,388,578 | (1) | | | - 0 - | |
| | Pension Plan | | | 31 | | | | 1,044,816 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pension Plan | | | 32 | | | | 1,082,541 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
David M. Dannov | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 31.52 | | | | | | | | | | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 31.52 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 9,247,458 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 9,555,610 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | 2,160,226 | | | | - 0 - | | | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | 2,160,730 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Pension Plan | | | 30 | | | | 1,139,592 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pension Plan | | | 31 | | | | 1,189,327 | | | | - 0 - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Darwin E. Sand | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | 24.78 | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Peter B. Brown | | Executive Retirement Plan | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
| | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | 1,248,430 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pre-2013 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | 2,953,218 | | | | - 0 - | | | Post-2012 Benefit | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | |
| | Pension Plan | | | 24.78 | | | | 956,719 | | | | - 0 - | | | Pension Plan | | | | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | |
(1) | The “Present Value of Accumulated Benefit” with respect to the Cash Balance Retirement Plan does not include any reduction for distributions made to him pursuant to the provisions of such plan. |
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans
In 2005, Seaboard adopted the Seaboard Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which gives a select group of management or highly-compensated employees the right to defer salary and bonus to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations. No income taxes are payable by the participants on amounts deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan until they are paid to the participant. The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for a Company contribution (the “Company 401k Contributions”) to be credited to participants in an amount equal to Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan matching percentage of each participant’s deferral pursuant to the Plan, and of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. The amount of such limitation for Seaboard was $285,000 in 2021; $280,000 in 2020; and $275,000 in 2019; and $270,000 in 2018.2019.
14
Through 2018, each of the Named Executive Officers (other than E. Gonzalez)Gonzalez and P. Brown) was a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Effective January 1, 2019, the plan was frozen such that no additional contributions, whether in the form of employee elective deferrals or company contributions, relating to compensation earned after December 31, 2018 will be made to the plan; however, amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2019 remained subject to the plan.
15
Following are amounts deferred and all company contributions credited to the Named Executive Officers relating to compensation earned prior to January 1, 2019.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | | | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | |
| | | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | ||||
| | | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | ||||||||
| | | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | ||||||||
| | | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | ||||||||
Name | | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ||||||||
Robert L. Steer | | | | 238,417 | | | | - 0 - | | | 1,571,340 | | | | 288,772 | | | | - 0 - | | | 1,860,112 | |
Steven J. Bresky | |
|
| 1,386,238 |
|
|
| 30,284,820 |
|
| - 0 - | | |||||||||||
David H. Rankin | | | | (3,124) | | | | 46,734 | | | 48,344 | | | | 6,517 | | | | 13,818 | | | 41,043 | |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | |
David M. Dannov | | | | 7,196 | | | | - 0 - | | | 1,840,092 | | | | 485 | | | | - 0 - | | | 1,840,577 | |
Darwin E. Sand | | | | 265 | | | | - 0 - | | | 69,564 | | |||||||||||
Peter B. Brown | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | |
Effective as of January 1, 2019, Seaboard amended the Deferred Compensation Plan to “freeze” the plan such that no additional contributions, whether in the form of employee elective deferrals or employer contributions (i.e., “Company Contributions” under the plan), and relating to compensation earned after December 31, 2018, will be made to the Deferred Compensation Plan. To the extent a participant deferral or Company Contribution relating to compensation earned before January 1, 2019, was not made by December 31, 2018 (e.g., 2018 performance bonuses), such contribution (in the form of a credit to the applicable participant’s plan account) was made to the plan in 2019. All plan accounts in the Deferred Compensation Plan existing as of December 31, 2019, will continue to experience an investment return and be distributed in accordance with the plan and any participant investment or deferral election as in effect on December 31, 2019.
Effective January 1, 2019, Seaboard also adopted the Seaboard Corporation Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan”), which gives a select group of management or highly-compensated employees either the right to defer salary and bonus amounts paid after December 31, 2018, or the right to receive certain company contributions made by Seaboard, to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations. No income taxes are payable by the participants on amounts deferred or contributed by Seaboard pursuant to the Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan until they are paid to the participant. The Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for a Company contribution to be credited to participants in an amount equal to (i) the Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan employer matching contribution percentage, 3 percent for 2020,2021, of each participant’s deferral contributions pursuant to the Plan; and (ii) a percentage of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
Elective contributions by participants and Company contributions to the Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan, and the earnings thereon, are generally payable on the future date selected by the participant, or if earlier, upon the participant’s retirement; however, with respect to the Named Executive Officers and any other “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code Section 162(m)”), payment of such amounts will be deferred until the earlier of (i) the first taxable year that Seaboard anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the amount were distributed during such year, the deduction of such payment would not be barred by application of Code Section 162(m); or (ii) as soon as administratively feasible after the beginning of the sixth anniversary of the Participant’s Separation from Service (regardless of such payment’s non-deductibility). In no event will a deferred amount be paid earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the month of the Participant’s Separation from Service.
1516
Following are amounts deferred and all company contributions credited to the Named Executive Officers relating to compensation earned after January 1, 2019. These amounts are included in the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | |
| | Executive | | Registrant | | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | | Executive | | Registrant | | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | ||||||||||||
| | Contributions | | Contributions | | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | | Contributions | | Contributions | | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | ||||||||||||||||
| | in Last | | in Last | | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | | in Last | | in Last | | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | ||||||||||||||||
| | Fiscal Year (1) | | Fiscal Year (2) | | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | | Fiscal Year (1) | | Fiscal Year (2) | | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | ||||||||||||||||
Name | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ||||||||||||||||
Robert L. Steer | | | 1,347,371 | | | 59,327 | | | | 380,641 | | | - 0 - | | | 2,162,535 | | | | 794,500 | | | | 43,681 | | | | 403,579 | | | | - 0 - | | | 3,404,295 | | ||
Steven J. Bresky |
|
| 2,032,822 |
|
| 77,820 |
|
|
| 454,947 |
|
| - 0 - |
|
| 2,726,184 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
David H. Rankin | | | - 0 - | | | 9,730 | | | | 1,823 | | | - 0 - | | | 11,553 | | | | - 0 - | | | | 10,943 | | | | 2,143 | | | | - 0 - | | | 24,639 | | ||
Edward A. Gonzalez | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | ||
David M. Dannov | | | 462,520 | | | 22,490 | | | | 1,235 | | | - 0 - | | | 754,221 | | | | 572,100 | | | | 37,234 | | | | 356 | | | | - 0 - | | | 1,363,911 | | ||
Darwin E. Sand | | | 271,245 | | | 38,489 | | | | 1,073 | | | - 0 - | | | 468,415 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Peter B. Brown | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | |
(1) | Includes compensation earned in |
(2) | Represents the |
Seaboard Marine Ltd. 401(k) Excess Plan
Effective January 1, 2009, Seaboard adopted the Seaboard Marine Ltd. 401(k) Excess Plan (the “401(k) Excess Plan”), which provides a benefit for certain employees of Seaboard Marine Ltd., including E. Gonzalez. Pursuant to the 401(k) Excess Plan, participants are paid an amount equal to Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan matching percentage, which for 2020,2021, equaled 3 percent of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. The amount of such limitation was $285,000 in 2021; $280,000 in 2020; and $275,000 in 2019 and $270,000 in 2018. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2018 and paid to him in 2019 was $7,290.2019. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2019 and paid to him in 2020 was $33,580. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan in 2020 and paid to him in 2021was $33,560. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2021 of $33,560$35,136 will be paid to him in 2021,2022, and is included in the Summary Compensation Table above.
1617
Seaboard Corporation Investment Option Plan
For the years 2001-2004, Seaboard established the Seaboard Corporation Investment Option Plan, which allowed executives to reduce their compensation, and Seaboard to make contributions, in exchange for an option to acquire interests measured by reference to three alternative investments. The exercise price for each investment option was established based upon the fair market value of the underlying investment on the date of grant. The options expire not later than 20 years after the date the option was granted. Contributions are no longer permitted under this Plan.
Investment Option Plan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Net |
| | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | | | | Aggregate | | | | | | | | | | Aggregate | | | | Aggregate | ||||
| | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | Exercise | | Balance | | Aggregate | | | | | | Balance | | Exercise | | Balance | ||||||||
| | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | Price | | at Last | | Earnings | | Aggregate | | at Last | | Price | | at Last | ||||||||||||
| | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | for | | Fiscal | | in Last | | Withdrawals/ | | Fiscal | | for | | Fiscal | ||||||||||||
| | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | Option | | Year End | | Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Year End | | Option | | Year End | ||||||||||||
Name | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | ||||||||||||
Robert L. Steer | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |||
Steven J. Bresky |
|
| 1,399,560 |
|
| - 0 - |
|
| 10,364,211 |
| 783,838 |
| 9,580,373 | |||||||||||||||||||
David H. Rankin | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |||
Edward A. Gonzalez | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |||
David M. Dannov | | | 39,025 | | | - 0 - | | | 288,995 | | 21,629 | | 267,366 | | | 42,036 | | | | - 0 - | | | | 331,031 | | | 21,629 | | 309,402 | |||
Darwin E. Sand | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | | - 0 - | |||||||||||||||||||
Peter B. Brown | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | | - 0 - | | | - 0 - | | - 0 - |
Retiree Medical Benefit Plan
The Seaboard Corporation Retiree Medical Benefit Plan provides family medical insurance to certain members of management, including each Named Executive Officer (other than P. Brown) upon his retirement in the event he has attained age 50, and has completed at least 15 years of service. This benefit is also furnished in the event the participating Named Executive Officer’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than if the Named Executive Officer unlawfully converted a material amount of funds), or in the event of a change of control of Seaboard.
Following is a summary of the present value cost to Seaboard of this benefit for each participating Named Executive Officer, (excluding S. Bresky), assuming that this benefit was triggered and said medical insurance began to be furnished on December 31, 2020.2021.
| | | | |
| | Present Value of | ||
| | Retiree Medical Benefit (1) | ||
Name | | ($) | ||
Robert L. Steer | | |
| |
David H. Rankin | | |
| |
Edward A. Gonzalez | | |
| |
David M. Dannov | | |
| |
| | |
| |
(1) | To calculate the present value of this benefit, the assumptions for claims costs, health care trend, aging on claims, mortality and interest rate are the same as were used to accrue a liability on Seaboard’s balance sheet. |
1718
Executive Long-Term Disability Plan
The Seaboard Corporation Executive Long-Term Disability Plan provides disability pay continuation to certain members of management, including R. Steer, D. Rankin, E. Gonzalez, D. Dannov and D. SandDannov upon a long-term illness or injury that prevents the participant from being able to perform his duties. Benefits are payable following a 90 day elimination or waiting period. In conjunction with the Seaboard Corporation Group Long-Term Disability Plan, benefits payable are equal to 70 percent of participant’s salary and bonus, up to $23,000 per month for R. Steer, and up to $18,000 per month for D. Rankin, E. Gonzalez, D. Dannov and D. Sand.
Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan
Until December 31, 2018, Seaboard had in effect the Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) which was terminated effective December 31, 2018. The Incentive Plan was to provide both a framework for the Company’s executive incentive programs and secure the deductibility for Federal tax purposes of incentive compensation payable to certain of the Company’s executive officers.P. Brown.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview of Compensation Program
The Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence with Seaboard’s compensation philosophy. The Board ensures that the total compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers is fair, reasonable and competitive.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Seaboard maintains the philosophy that the compensation for its executive officers should reflect that these officers are responsible for implementing Seaboard’s long-term strategic objectives. The compensation of the executive officers is designed to ensure that Seaboard maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions, and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to compensation paid to similarly situated executives of our peer companies. Seaboard does not maintain any equity compensation plans, such as stock grants or stock options, unlike most of Seaboard’s peer companies. As a result, Seaboard does not maintain any policies or practices regarding hedging in Seaboard securities.
At the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company provided stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation. The stockholders voted to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in the Company’s 2020 annual meeting proxy statement. The Board viewed the vote as a strong expression of the stockholders’ general satisfaction with the Company’s current executive compensation programs. At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company provided stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation. Consistent with the stockholders’ preference expressed in voting at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s executive officers will be conducted every three years. A stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation will take place at the 2023 Annual Meeting. The next stockholder vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation will also take place at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Setting Executive Compensation
Based on the foregoing objectives, the Board of Directors establishes the salaries for the Named Executive Officers. The Board of Directors establishes the bonuses for the Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of Seaboard’s Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and President and a subjective review of Company performance and individual performance.
A significant factor in determining total compensation is that Seaboard does not provide any long-term incentive compensation, such as stock grants or stock options.
1819
20202021 Executive Compensation Components
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2021, the principal components of compensation for the Named Executive Officers were:
● | Base salary; |
● | Bonus or incentive award; |
● | Retirement and other benefits; and |
● | Perquisites and other personal benefits. |
Salaries. The salaries for the Named Executive Officers generally are established by the Board of Directors each year based on the salary in effect for the immediately preceding year, adjusted for the estimated increase in the cost of living. For 2020,2021, the Board of Directors determined the salaries for the Named Executive Officers (except for R. Steer) by increasing the 20192020 salaries by a cost of living adjustment. R. Steer’s 20192020 salary was not increased pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement.
Bonuses and Incentive Awards. The Board of Directors established the 20202021 bonuses for the Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of Seaboard’s Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and President and based upon a subjective determination, primarily considering:
● | Individual review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other officers; |
● | Individual performance of the executive; and |
● | Seaboard’s operating results. |
Retirement and Other Benefits. Each of the Named Executive Officers (other than P. Brown) is a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan or the Cash Balance Retirement Plan. The benefit under these plans is generally equal to 2.5 percent of the final average remuneration (salary plus bonus) of the participant, multiplied by the participant’s years of service in the plan after January 1, 1997, subject to a limitation in the number of years of service and final average remuneration. The exact amount of the benefits, the offsets thereto and the benefit for years of service prior to January 1, 1997 are set forth in more detail on page 1415 of this proxy statement.
Seaboard also maintains a tax-qualified retirement savings plan, to which all U.S.-based employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are able to contribute their annual compensation, up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. For 2020,2021, Seaboard matched 50 percent of the first 6 percent of compensation contributed to the plan. All matching contributions vest fully after completing 5 years of service.
The Named Executive Officers, in addition to certain other executives, are entitled to participate in the Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan, which gives participants (other than E. Gonzalez) the right to defer salary and bonus to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations.
Seaboard also maintains for each of the Named Executive Officers (other than P. Brown) and certain other executives the Seaboard Corporation Retiree Medical Benefit Plan, which provides family medical insurance to each participant upon his retirement: (i) in the event he has attained age 50, and has at least 15 years of service; or (ii) in the event the participant’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than if the participant unlawfully converted a material amount of funds); or (iii) in the event of a change of control of Seaboard.
The Board believes that Seaboard’s retirement and other benefits are consistent with the philosophy of Seaboard to provide security and stability of employment to the Named Executive Officers as a mechanism to attract and retain these employees.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits. Seaboard provides the Named Executive Officers with perquisites and other benefits that the Board believes are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable Seaboard to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. These include an automobile allowance, fuel card usage, life insurance, disability insurance, personal use of Seaboard’s airplane up to a specified number of hours, and paid time off.
1920
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in December 2017, any compensation Seaboard pays in 2018 and later to the Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million$1,000,000 will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transitional relief applicable to certain binding, written compensation arrangements that were in place as of November 2, 2017. Seaboard may in certain instances elect to defer compensation of the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. To the extent Seaboard does not elect the deferral and compensation to any Named Executive Officer is in excess of $1 million,$1,000,000, Seaboard may lose the deduction.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The entire Board of Directors (in the absence of a compensation committee) has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with management, and based on this review and discussions, has determined that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Seaboard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and this proxy statement.
The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers. To assist the Board of Directors in determining 20202021 bonuses and 20212022 salaries for each of the Named Executive Officers, Seaboard’s Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and President discussed and recommended the 20202021 bonuses and 20212022 salaries, considering Seaboard’s performance and each Named Executive Officer’s performance during 2020.2021. The 20202021 bonuses and 20212022 salaries for the Named Executive Officers were subsequently approved by the Board of Directors.
The members of the Board of Directors reviewing and discussing the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis are as follows:
| |
Ellen S. Bresky | David A. Adamsen |
Douglas W. Baena |
|
Paul M. Squires | |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Board of Directors does not have a compensation committee. It is the view of the Board of Directors that Seaboard need not have a compensation committee because Seaboard is controlled by the Seaboard Flour Entities, and because the full Board of Directors is able to perform the functions relative to executive compensation. The full Board of Directors participated in the consideration of executive and director compensation. Prior to his death, S. Bresky was a member of the Board of Directors of Seaboard and participated in decisions by the Board regarding executive compensation, other than his own compensation.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS PROCEDURES
Seaboard has no formal policy or procedure that must be followed prior to any transaction, arrangement or relationship with a related person, as defined by SEC regulations (e.g., directors, executive officers, any 5 percent shareholder, or immediate family member of any of the foregoing).
Seaboard has a written conflict of interest policy, which requires directors, officers and employees to conduct their non-work activities in a manner that does not conflict with the best interests of Seaboard. Annually, all officers and salaried employees are required to complete a form disclosing all known conflicts of interest. Seaboard’s Vice President of Human Resources and Seaboard’s General Counsel review and approve any disclosed conflicts of interest. In the event any of the executive officers disclosed any conflict of interest, Seaboard’s General Counsel would discuss the conflict with Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer. In the event the conflict involved Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer and was otherwise material, the conflict would be reviewed and approved by Seaboard’s Board of Directors.
2021
In addition to the procedures to review conflicts of interest, annually, Seaboard requires each director, nominee for a director and officer of Seaboard to complete a questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transaction or loan exceeding $120,000 between Seaboard and such person or any member of such person’s immediate family. Any such matters which were disclosed would be reviewed by Seaboard’s General Counsel and discussed with Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and/or Seaboard’s Board of Directors, depending on the materiality of the matter. There were no such related party transactions in excess of $120,000 since the beginning of fiscal year 2020.2021.
The standards applied pursuant to the above-described procedures are to provide comfort that any conflict of interest or related party transaction is on an arms-length basis which is fair to Seaboard. This is principally accomplished by ensuring that the Seaboard person entering into or approving the transaction on behalf of Seaboard is independent of the person with the conflict of interest or engaging in the related party transaction with Seaboard.
ITEM 2: SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the independent registered public accounting firm of KPMG LLP as Seaboard’s independent auditors to audit the books, records and accounts of Seaboard for the year ending December 31, 2021.2022. Stockholders will have an opportunity to vote at the annual meeting on whether to ratify the Audit Committee’s decision in this regard. Seaboard has been advised by KPMG LLP that neither it nor any member or associate has any relationship with Seaboard or with any of its affiliates other than as independent accountants and auditors.
Submission of the selection of the independent auditors to the stockholders for ratification will not limit the authority of the Audit Committee to appoint another independent certified public accounting firm to serve as independent auditors if the present auditors resign or their engagement otherwise is terminated. Submission to the stockholders of the selection of independent auditors is not required by Seaboard’s bylaws.
It is anticipated that a representative of KPMG LLP will participate at the annual meeting, and will have an opportunity to make a statement or respond to questions.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” ratifying the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors of Seaboard for the year ending December 31, 2021.2022.
Independent Auditors’ Fees
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit of Seaboard’s annual financial statements for 20202021 and 2019,2020, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP during such years.
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Type of Fee | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 |
Audit Fees (1) |
| $ | 2,899,866 | | $ | 2,770,052 |
| $ | 3,316,315 | | $ | 2,899,866 |
Audit-Related Fees (2) | | $ | 112,900 | | $ | 144,986 | | $ | 6,600 | | $ | 112,900 |
Tax Fees (3) | | $ | 172,903 | | $ | 320,127 | | $ | 230,360 | | $ | 172,903 |
All Other Fees | | $ | - 0 - | | $ | - 0 - | | $ | - 0 - | | $ | - 0 - |
(1) | Audit Fees, including those for statutory audits, include the aggregate fees paid by us during |
(2) | Audit-Related Fees include the aggregate fees paid by us during |
(3) | Tax Fees include the aggregate fees paid by us during |
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ITEM 3: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REQUESTING THAT SEABOARD CONFIRM THAT THE COMPANY WILL COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 12 AND THAT IT FACES NO MATERIAL LOSSES AS A RESULT
In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a stockholder proposal, along with the supporting statement of the stockholder proponent. The stockholder proposal and the supporting statement are included exactly as submitted to us by the stockholder proponent. The Company is not responsible for any inaccuracies they may contain. The stockholder proposal is required to be voted on at our annual meeting only if properly presented.
Stockholder Proposal:
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 450, Washington, D.C., which owns at least $2,000 in market value of our Company’s common stock, proposes the adoption of the following resolution, and has furnished the following statement in support of its proposal:
RESOLVED: shareholders request that Seaboard Corporation confirm that the company will comply with Proposition 12 and that it faces no material losses as a result. If the company cannot so confirm, then shareholders request a risk analysis of any decision to comply or not to comply with Proposition 12, including the risks inherent in the company's failure to have disclosed such risks in its 10-K and 10-Q reports. These disclosures should be made within three months of the 2021 annual meeting, at reasonable cost, and omit proprietary information.
Supporting Statement:
In 2018, California passed a law (“Proposition 12”) requiring specific animal welfare standards for some pork produced or sold statewide.
In 2019, several Seaboard competitors filed declarations with the United States District Court for the Central District of California (“the declarations”) testifying that they may not be able to comply with Proposition 12 and that Proposition 12’s implementation poses risks to their companies-including significant costs, added infrastructure complexities, and the possibility of exiting the California pork market. Full and correct copies of the declarations are available from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in case number 2:19-cv-08569-CAS (FFMx).
Unlike its competitors, Seaboard has not publicly claimed that Proposition 12 will negatively impact the company. None of Seaboard's 10-K or 10-Q reports mention Proposition 12 or disclose it as a risk to the company or its shareholders. Similarly, in those reports and on earnings calls, Seaboard states that it has no supply-side issues with supplying pork to the markets in which it operates. This necessarily means that the company does not face material losses attributable to compliance or noncompliance with Proposition 12. After all, if the company did face the risks and losses stated in its competitors' declarations, shareholders would have been entitled, under United States securities law, to a full risk disclosure from management.
Seaboard Position:
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “AGAINST” the adoption of this Stockholder Proposal.
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Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services. Prior to the engagement of the independent auditors, the Audit Committee pre-approves the services by category of service. Fees are estimated and the Audit Committee requires the independent auditors and management to report actual fees, as compared to budgeted fees by category of service. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Audit Committee Chairman for engagements of less than $25,000. For informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions made by the Audit Committee Chairman are reported at the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting. The percentage of audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees that were approved by the Audit Committee for fiscal 20202021 was 100 percent of the total fees incurred.
Audit Committee Report to Stockholders
The Audit Committee of Seaboard is comprised of three directors who are “independent,” as defined by the NYSE American listing standards, and operates under a written charter. The Audit Committee Charter is available on Seaboard’s website at www.seaboardcorp.com.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements for fiscal year 20202021 and discussed them with management and with the independent auditors, KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards and SEC requirements.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditors their independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent auditors currently meet applicable independence standards.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the independent auditors’ fees for audit and non-audit services for fiscal year 2020.2021. The Audit Committee considered whether such non-audit services are compatible with maintaining independent auditor independence and has concluded that they are compatible at this time.
Based on its review of the audited financial statements and the other materials referred to above and the various discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Seaboard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021.
The foregoing has been furnished by the Audit Committee:
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Douglas W. Baena (Chair) | David A. Adamsen |
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OTHER MATTERS
The notice of meeting provides for the election of directors, the selection of independent auditors a stockholder proposal and for the transaction of such other business, as may properly come before the meeting. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any other business, and it has not been informed of any business intended to be presented by others. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will take action and vote proxies, in accordance with their judgment of such matters.
Action may be taken on the business to be transacted at the meeting on the date specified in the notice of meeting or on any date or dates to which such meeting may be adjourned.
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DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Based solely on a review of the copies of reports furnished to Seaboard and written representations that no other reports were required, Seaboard believes that during fiscal 2020,2021, all reports of ownership required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for directors and executive officers of Seaboard and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of Seaboard’s common stock have been timely filed other than the below.
Ellen S. Bresky was late in filing a report on Form 3 in 2020 to report the transfer of the Bresky family’s ownership of Seaboard common stock from her late husband to her. James T. HublerEmma A. Vacas Jacques was late in filing a report on Form 3 to report hisher appointment as an officer of Seaboard in April 2019.
January 2021.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
It is anticipated that the 20222023 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on April 25, 2022.24, 2023. Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 20222023 annual meeting must deliver the proposal to Seaboard at 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202, Attention: David M. Becker by the applicable deadline below:
● | If the stockholder proposal is intended for inclusion in Seaboard’s proxy materials for that meeting, Seaboard must receive the proposal no later than November |
● | If the stockholder proposal is to be presented without inclusion in Seaboard’s proxy materials for that meeting, Seaboard must receive the proposal no earlier than December |
Proxies solicited in connection with the 20222023 annual meeting of stockholders will confer on the appointed proxies’ discretionary voting authority to vote on stockholder proposals that are not presented for inclusion in the proxy materials, unless the proposing stockholder notifies Seaboard by January 26, 202225, 2023 that such proposal will be made at the meeting.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements of Seaboard for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2021, together with corresponding consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2020, are contained in the Annual Report which is mailed to stockholders with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Any stockholder desiring additional information about Seaboard and its operations may, upon written request, obtain a copy of Seaboard’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K without charge. Requests should be directed to Shareholder Relations, Seaboard Corporation, 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202. Seaboard’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K is also available on Seaboard’s website at www.seaboardcorp.com.
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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (including brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements, annual reports and notices of internet availability of proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single package of these materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
We have adopted a “householding” procedure that you may wish to follow. If you are receiving multiple sets of proxy materials and wish to have your accounts householded, call Shareholder Relations at (913) 676-8800676-8928 or send written instructions to Shareholder Relations, Seaboard Corporation, 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202. If you no longer wish to participate in householding (and instead wish that each stockholder sharing the same address with you receives a complete set of proxy materials), you must provide written notification to Shareholder Relations to withhold your consent for householding. We will act in accordance with your wishes within 30 days after receiving such notification.
Many brokerage firms participate in householding as well. If you have a householding request for your brokerage account, please contact your broker.
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SEABOARD | Shareowner Services |
CORPORATION | P.O. Box 64945 |
| St. Paul, MN 55164-0945 |
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| | 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week |
| | Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named |
| INTERNET/MOBILE – www.proxypush.com/seb Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on April | |
| PHONE – 1-866-883-3382 Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on April | |
| MAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. | |
| | If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card. |
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Item 2 and AGAINST Item 3.2.
1. Election of directors: | 01 Ellen S. Bresky | 04 Paul M. Squires | ◻ Vote FOR | ◻ Vote WITHHELD |
| 02 David A. Adamsen | 05 Frances B. Shifman | all nominees | from all nominees |
| 03 Douglas W. Baena | | (except as marked) | |
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)
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2. Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors of the Company: | ◻ For | ◻ Against | ◻ Abstain |
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Note: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. | | | |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS THE BOARD RECOMMENDS.
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Address Change? Mark box, sign and indicate changes below: ◻ | Date | |
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| Signature(s) in Box |
| Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy. |
SEABOARD CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Monday, April 26, 202125, 2022
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SEABOARD CORPORATION | PROXY |
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – APRIL 26, 202125, 2022
The undersigned hereby appoints Ellen S. Bresky, Robert L. Steer and David M. Becker and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote as designated below, on behalf of the undersigned all shares of stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Seaboard Corporation (the “Company”) on April 26, 2021,25, 2022, and any adjournments or postponements thereof, with all power that the undersigned would possess if personally present. In their discretion, the proxies are hereby authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. This proxy revokes all prior proxies given by the undersigned.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE DIRECTORS AND “FOR” ITEM 2 AND “AGAINST” ITEM 3.2.
See reverse for voting instructions.