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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

Laureate Education, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         
  (5) Total fee paid:
         

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
         
  (3) Filing Party:
         
  (4) Date Filed:
         

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LOGO

650 S. Exeter Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

April 13, 2018March 27, 2020

Dear Stockholder,

        We cordially invite you to attend the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Laureate Education, Inc. ("Laureate") to be held on Wednesday,Monday, May 23, 2018,11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,Time. This year's meeting will be a completely virtual meeting. Our virtual stockholder meeting format will use technology designed to increase stockholder access, save Laureate and our stockholders time and money, provide to our stockholders the rights and opportunities to participate in the virtual meeting similar to what they would have at an in-person meeting, and enable increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location around the AMA New York Executive Conference Center, located at 1601 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.world. In addition to online attendance, we will provide stockholders with the opportunity to hear all portions of the official meeting, submit written questions and comments during the meeting, and vote online during the open poll portion of the meeting. You may attend the meeting, vote your shares and submit questions electronically during the meeting via live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LAUR2020.

        The attached Notice of 20182020 Annual Meeting and proxy statement describe the business that we will conduct at the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast and provide information about us that you should consider when you vote your shares. As set forth in the attached proxy statement, the meeting will be held:

        Please take the time to carefully read each of the proposals in the accompanying Proxy Statement before you vote.

Your vote is extremely important regardless of the number of shares you own.

In order to To ensure that your shares are represented at the 20182020 Annual Meeting, whether you plan to virtually attend or not, please vote in accordance with the enclosed instructions. You can vote your shares by telephone, electronically via the Internet or by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form. If you vote using the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form, you must sign, date and mail the proxy card or vote instruction form in the enclosed envelope. If you decide to attend the 20182020 Annual Meeting and wish to modify your vote, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person via attendance at the 20182020 Annual Meeting.

        Thank you for your continued interest in Laureate Education, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.Laureate.

Sincerely,

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

Douglas L. BeckerKenneth W. Freeman
Chairman of the Board of Directors

        The proxy statement is dated April 13, 2018,March 27, 2020 and is first being made available to stockholders on or about April 13, 2018.March 27, 2020.


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LOGOLOGO



NOTICE OF 20182020 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS



        The 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Laureate Education, Inc., a public benefit corporation formed under the laws of Delaware, will be held onWednesday, Monday, May 23, 2018,11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,, via a virtual meeting that will be webcast live and accessed at theAMA New York Executive Conference Center, located at 1601 Broadway, New York, New York 10019www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LAUR2020 for the following purposes:

        The Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice describes each of these items in detail. The Proxy Statement contains other important information that you should read and consider before you vote.

        The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 28, 201816, 2020 as the record date for the 20182020 Annual Meeting. Only the holders of record of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast and any adjournmentadjournments thereof. A list of the holders of record of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be available at the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast and, during the 10 days prior to the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast, at the offices of our corporate headquarters located at 650 S. Exeter Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

        Laureate is furnishing proxy materials to its stockholders through the Internet as permitted under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules, many stockholders will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a paper copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, our proxy card, and our Annual Report to Stockholders. We believe that this process gives us the opportunity to serve you more efficiently by making the proxy materials available quickly online and reducing costs associated with printing and postage. Stockholders who do not receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.

        You can vote your shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock by telephone, electronically via the Internet or by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form. If you vote using the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form, you must sign, date and mail the proxy card or vote instruction form in the enclosed envelope. If you decide to attend


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the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast and wish to modify your vote, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person via attendance at the 20182020 Annual Meeting.Meeting webcast.

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

 

 

SIG

Baltimore, Maryland
April 13, 2018March 27, 2020

 

Victoria E. Silbey
Senior Vice President, Secretary, Chief Legal Officer and Chief LegalEthics & Compliance Officer

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LOGOLOGO

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
2018

2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date and Time: May 23, 201811, 2020
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time

Place:

 

AMA New York Executive Conference Center,
1601 Broadway, New York, New York 10019Virtual Meeting via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LAUR2020

Record Date:

 

March 28, 201816, 2020


Voting Matters and Board Recommendation

 
 Proposal Description Board Vote
Recommendation
 Page Number
with More
Information
 









Proposal 1 Election of 1311 Directors "FOR" all nominees  67 

Proposal 2

 

Advisory vote to approve NEOon executive compensation

 

"FOR"

 

 

6460

 

Proposal 3

 

RatifyRatification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Laureate's independent registered public accounting firm

 

"FOR"

 

 

65


Proposal 4


Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation


"1 YEAR"



6761

 

        This Proxy Statement Summary contains highlights of certain information in this Proxy Statement. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before voting. Please review the complete Proxy Statement and Laureate's Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.


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LOGOLOGO

650 S. Exeter Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202



PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.
20182020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 201811, 2020



        This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the holders of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Laureate Education, Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation ("Laureate"), in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Laureate (the "2018"2020 Annual Meeting") to be held onWednesday, Monday, May 23, 2018,11, 2020, at10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,, via a virtual meeting that will be webcast live and accessed at theAMA New York Executive Conference Center, located at 1601 Broadway, New York, New York 10019,www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ LAUR2020, or at any adjournment of the 2018 Annual Meeting,adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of 20182020 Annual Meeting. The principal executive offices of Laureate are located at 650 S. Exeter Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

        TheOn or about March 27, 2020, our proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, is firstas applicable, are being mailed, and this Proxy Statement and the other proxy materials are first being made available via the Internet free of charge atwww.proxyvote.com, on or about April 13, 2018 to all stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 20182020 Annual Meeting.Meeting webcast. At the close of business on March 28, 2018,16, 2020, the record date for the 20182020 Annual Meeting, there were 55,111,486118,822,074 shares of Class A common stock and 132,384,10690,813,257 shares of Class B common stock, respectively, outstanding and entitled to notice of and to vote at the 20182020 Annual Meeting.Meeting webcast.Only the holders of record of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast and any adjournmentadjournments thereof. We also will begin mailing paper copies of our proxy materials to stockholders who requested them on or about April 13, 2018.

        If a stockholder executes and returns the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form or submits vote instructions to us by telephone or via the Internet, the stockholder may nevertheless revoke the proxy at any time prior to its use by filing with the Secretary of Laureate a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by submitting revised vote instructions to us by telephone or via the Internet prior to 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday,Sunday, May 22, 2018,10, 2020, in accordance with the instructions on the accompanying proxy card or vote instruction form. A stockholder who attends the 20182020 Annual Meeting in personvia webcast may revoke his or her proxy at that time and vote in person via attendance at the virtual meeting if so desired.

        Unless revoked or unless contrary instructions are given, each proxy that is properly signed, dated and returned or authorized by telephone or via the Internet in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form prior to the start of the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast will be voted as indicated on the proxy card or vote instruction form or via telephone or the Internet and if no indication is made, each such proxy will be deemed to grant authority to vote, as applicable:


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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED UNDER PROPOSAL 1, "FOR" THE ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION UNDER PROPOSAL 2, AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS UNDER PROPOSAL 3, AND "1 YEAR" FOR THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION UNDER PROPOSAL 4.3.


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 i

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 20182020 ANNUAL MEETING

 1

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 67

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

 7

Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors

 7

Corporate Governance

11

Directors Designated by Certain of the Wengen Investors under the Wengen Securityholders Agreement

11

Director Independence

11

Controlled Company Exception

12

Board Leadership Structure

12

Board Attendance

13

Board Committees

 1213

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

14

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 1314

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceBoard Oversight of Risk Management

 1314

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

15

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 1416

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 1416

Corporate 2017 AIPCompensation Committee Report

 2831

Tax and Accounting ImplicationsExecutive Compensation Tables

 32

Summary Compensation Table

 32

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2017

 34

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Year EndFiscal Year-End

 36

Option Exercises and Restricted Stock Vested During Fiscal 2017

 37

2017 Pension Benefits

38

2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 38

Potential Payments Uponupon Termination or Change in Control

 3942

CEO Pay Ratio

44

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 47

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS

50

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

51

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

5146

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 5249

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 6057

Wengen Securityholders Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement

57

Management Stockholder's Agreements

57

Series A Preferred Stock

58

Transactions between Laureate and Affiliates, Wengen and Directors

58

Conflicts of Interest Policy

58

Information Regarding the Laureate Board

59

PROPOSAL 2: NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ("SAY-ON-PAY")

 6460

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

60

PROPOSAL 3: FOR RATIFICATION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 6561

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

 6561

AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS

61

Audit Committee Report

61

Audit Fees and All Other Fees

 6562

Audit Committee Pre-approval of Service of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 66

PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ("SAY-ON-FREQUENCY")

6763

ANNUAL REPORT

 6863

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 6863

DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20192021 ANNUAL MEETING

 6864

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

 6864

OTHER MATTERS

 6965

i


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 20182020 ANNUAL MEETING

Q:
Why did I receive these materials?

A:
We are making this Proxy Statement available to you on or around April 13, 2018March 27, 2020 because the Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 20182020 Annual Meeting to be held onWednesday, Monday, May 23, 2018,11, 2020, at10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,, via a virtual meeting that will be webcast live and accessed at theAMA New York Executive Conference Center, located at 1601 Broadway, New York, New York 10019,www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LAUR2020, or at any adjournmentadjournments thereof. The information provided in this Proxy Statement is for your use in deciding how to vote on the proposals described below.

Q:
Who is entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?

A:
You can attend and vote at the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast if, as of the close of business on March 28, 2018,16, 2020, the record date for the 20182020 Annual Meeting, you were a stockholder of record of Laureate's Class A common stock or Class B common stock. As of the record date, there were 55,111,486118,822,074 shares of our Class A common stock and 132,384,10690,813,257 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding.
Q:
What is the difference between being aregistered stockholder and holding shares instreet name?

A:
Aregistered stockholder holds shares in his or her name. Shares held instreet name means that shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee on the holder's behalf.

Q:
What do I do if my shares are held instreet name?

A:
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held instreet name. The Notice and Access Card or the proxy materials, if you elected to receive a hard copy, has been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by following their instructions for voting. Please refer to information from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to submit your voting instructions.

Q:
What are the voting rights of each class of stock?

A:
For each proposal, stockholders are entitled to cast one vote for each share of Class A common stock held as of the record date and 10 votes for each share of Class B common stock held as of the record date. There are no cumulative voting rights.

Q:
How do I gain admission toattend and vote at the Annual Meeting?

A:
IfWe will be hosting the 2020 Annual Meeting live via audio webcast. Any stockholder can attend the 2020 Annual Meeting live online by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LAUR2020. You will need to obtain your own Internet access if you are aregistered stockholder, you must bring with youchoose to virtually attend the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and a government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license or passport) to gain admission to the 20182020 Annual Meeting. If you did not receivewere a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, please call our Investor Relations Department at (410) 843-6100 to request admission to the meeting.

If you hold your shares instreet name and want to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting, you must bring your government-issued photo identification, together with:

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received from your bank, broker or other nominee; or

A letter from your bank, broker, or other nominee indicating that you were the beneficial owner of Laureate stockstockholder as of the record date;Record Date, or

Your most recent account statement indicating that you were the beneficial owner of Laureate stock as of the record date.

All packages and bags are subject to inspection.

Q:
What is the difference between a registered stockholder and a stockholder who owns stock in street name?

A:
If you hold shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock directly in your name, you are aregistered stockholder. If you own your Laureate shares indirectly through a bank, broker, or other nominee, those shares are held instreet name.valid proxy for the 2020

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Q:
What if during the check-in time or during the 2020 Annual Meeting webcast I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the virtual meeting website?

A:
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties that you may have accessing the virtual meeting website. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting website during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the 2020 Annual Meeting login page.

Q:
Can I vote my shares before the Annual Meeting?

A:
Yes. If you are aregistered stockholder, there are three ways to vote your shares before the 20182020 Annual Meeting:Meeting webcast:

By Internet (www.proxyvote.com)—Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 22, 2018.10, 2020. Have your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card available and follow the instructions on the website to vote your shares.

By telephone (1-800-579-1639)(1-800-690-6903)—Submit your vote by telephone until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 22, 2018.10, 2020. Have your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card available and follow the instructions provided by the recorded message to vote your shares.

By mail—If you received a paper copy of the proxy materials, you can vote by mail by filling out the proxy card enclosed with those materials and returning it using the instructions on the card. To be valid, proxy cards must be received before the start of the 20182020 Annual Meeting.
Meeting webcast.

Q:

Can I vote in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting insteadTable of by proxy?

A:
If you are aregistered stockholder, you can vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting any shares that were registered in your name as the stockholder of record as of the record date.

If your shares are held instreet name, you cannot vote those shares at the 2018 Annual Meeting unless you have a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee. If you plan to attend and vote your street-name shares at the 2018 Annual Meeting, you should request a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and bring it with you to the 2018 Annual Meeting.Contents

Whether or not you plan to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting, we strongly encourage you to vote your shares by proxy before the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Q:
Can I revoke my proxy or change my voting instructions once submitted?

A:
If you are aregistered stockholder, you can revoke your proxy and change your vote before the 20182020 Annual Meeting webcast by:

Sending a written notice of revocation to our executive offices to the attention of our Secretary (the notification must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 22, 2018)10, 2020). The notice should be addressed as follows:

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Q:
What will happen if I submit my proxy but do not vote on a proposal?

A:
If you submit a valid proxy but fail to provide instructions on how you want your shares to be voted, properly submitted proxies will be voted:

"FOR" the election of Douglas L. Becker, Brian F. Carroll, Andrew B. Cohen, William L. Cornog, Pedro del Corro, Michael J. Durham, Kenneth W. Freeman, George Muñoz, Dr. Judith Rodin, Eilif Serck-Hanssen, Ian K. Snow, and Steven M. Taslitz, and Quentin Van Doosselaere, each of whom shall hold office for a term of one year, expiring at the annual meeting in 2019,2021, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal;

"FOR" the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; and

"FOR" ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Laureate's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018; and

2020.
"1 YEAR" on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.
Q:
What will happen if I neither submit my proxy nor vote my shares in person at the 20182020 Annual Meeting?

A:
If you are aregistered stockholder, your shares will not be voted.

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Q:
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of materials?

A:
You probably have multiple accounts with us and/or banks, brokers or other nominees. You should vote all of the shares represented by the proxy cards and/or voting instruction forms. Certain banks, brokers or other nominees have procedures in place to discontinue duplicate mailings upon a stockholder's request. You should contact your bank, broker or other nominee for more information.


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Q:
How many shares must be present to conduct business at the 20182020 Annual Meeting?

A:
To carry on the business of the 20182020 Annual Meeting, holders of a majority of the voting power of Class A common stock and Class B common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date must be present in person via attendance at the virtual meeting or represented by proxy.

Q:
What vote is required to approve each proposal?

A:
For Proposal 1, unless otherwise provided in the Wengen Securityholders Agreement (as herein defined), directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock (voting together as a single class) present in person via attendance at the virtual meeting or represented by proxy at the 20182020 Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present, which means that the 1311 nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.
Q:
Are abstentions and broker non-votes counted in the vote totals?

A:
A broker non-vote occurs when shares held by a bank, broker or other nominee are not voted with respect to a particular proposal because the bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter and has not received voting instructions from its clients. If your bank, broker or other nominee holds your shares in its name and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, your bank, broker or other nominee will only have discretion to vote your shares on "routine" matters. Where a proposal is not "routine," a bank, broker or other nominee who has received no instructions from its clients does not have discretion to vote its clients' uninstructed shares on that proposal. At our 20182020 Annual Meeting, only Proposal 3 (ratifying the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm) is considered a routine matter. Your bank, broker or other nominee will therefore not have discretion to vote on the election of directors or the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, or the advisory vote proposing a once per year advisory vote on executive compensation as these are "non-routine" matters.

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