UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

INFORMATION

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1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

(954) 958-1200


LOGO

1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

(954)958-1200

April 29, 202028, 2023

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

On behalf of your Board of Directors, I am pleased to invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on June 12, 20208, 2023 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432.Florida.

Enclosed you will find a notice setting forth the matters to be acted on at the meeting, which include:

 

Election of the 1112 nominees for director named in the accompanying Proxy Statement for aone-year term;Statement;

 

Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officers’ compensation;

Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020;2023; and

 

Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the meeting by submittingWe encourage you to submit your proxy over the internet or by telephone.telephone in advance of the meeting. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you can also submit your proxy by mail by using the proxy card that was mailed to you. Instructions for these convenient ways to vote are set forth on both the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and the proxy card. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, please follow the instructions to vote provided by your bank, broker or other nominee as indicated on the voting instruction card. Even if you submit your proxy prior to the meeting, you will still be able to attend the meeting and vote your shares in person, as further described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

 

Sincerely,

LOGO

LOGO

Sean P. Downes

Executive Chairman of the Board

 


UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

1110 West Commercial Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

(954) 958-1200

www.universalinsuranceholdings.com

NOTICE OF 20202023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

    

Proposals of Business

 

Date and Time

Place

Record Date

 

Friday,Thursday, June 12, 2020

8, 2023 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time

 

Boca Raton Resort & Club

501 E. Camino Real

Boca Raton, Florida

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2023 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.

  

Election of eleven12 director nominees named in the Proxy Statement to our Board of Directors for aone-year term

 

Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers

 

Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation

Ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202023 fiscal year

 

Suchother business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof

 

Place*

  

Boca Raton Resort & Club

501 E. Camino Real

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Record Date
 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2020 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.

 

*The company is actively monitoring coronavirus(COVID-19) developments and related guidance issued by public health authorities. If it is determined to be advisable or required, the company may hold a virtual-only annual meeting via live webcast. If this step is taken, the company will announce the decision to do so in advance, and details on how to participate will be posted on the company’s website and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as additional proxy materials.

Proxy Voting

 

Please vote promptly. You can vote your shares in advance of the meeting via the internet, by telephone or, if you received a
printed set of the proxy materials, by signing, dating and returning the proxy card in the postage-paid
envelope provided. Submitting your proxy now will not prevent you from voting your shares at the
meeting, as your proxy is revocable at your option as further described in the Proxy Statement.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

LOGO

Gary Lloyd Ropiecki,

Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

April 29, 2020

28, 2023

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROXY SUMMARY   2 
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS   7 

Director Nominees

   7 

Board Membership Criteria and Nominations

   913 

Corporate Governance Framework

   1115 

Committees and Committee Chairs

18
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation19
Director Compensation

   20 

Executive OfficersCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

   2021 

Director Compensation

22

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

23

Information About Our Executive Officers

23
PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS   2224 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   2224 

20192022 Engagement and New CEO Compensation Program

Compensation Committee Report

29

2022 Summary Compensation Table

30

2022 All Other Compensation Table

30

2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

   31 

2019 All Other Compensation Table2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End

   32 
2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards32
2019 Outstanding Equity Awards atYear-End34

Options Exercised and Stock Vested

   3533 

Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

   3634 

20192022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table

   3936 

Compensation Committee ReportCEO Pay Ratio

37

Pay Versus Performance

38
PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION   40 
Equity Compensation Plan Information40
CEO Pay Ratio41
PROPOSAL 3:4: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   4241 

Independent Auditor

   4241 

Policy on Audit Committee Preapproval of Audit and PermissibleNon-Audit Services

41

Accounting Fees and Services

41

Audit Committee Report

   42 
Accounting Fees and Services42
Audit Committee ReportCERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   43 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSBENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP   44 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIPOwnership of Series A Preferred Stock

44

Ownership of Common Stock

   45 
Ownership of Series A Preferred Stock45
Ownership of Common Stock46
INFORMATION ABOUT ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING PROCEDURES; SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 20212023 ANNUAL MEETING   4847 
OTHER MATTERS   51 

 

i


PROXY STATEMENT

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company,” “Universal” or “UVE”), of proxies to be voted at the 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432,Florida, on Friday,Thursday, June 12, 2020,8, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any and all postponements or adjournments thereof, for the proposals of business set forth in the accompanying Notice of 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement, Notice of 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, accompanying proxy card and our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20192022 are available athttp://www.proxyvote.com.www.proxydocs.com/UVE.

To reduce our costs and decrease the environmental impact of our proxy materials, in lieu of mailing our proxy materials, we will send a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to certain of our shareholders containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials online. If you receive a Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review the proxy materials online and on how to submit your proxy online. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions contained in the Notice to request a copy electronically or in paper form. The Notice and printed copies of our proxy materials, as applicable, are expected to bebeing mailed to shareholders on or about April 29, 2020.

We are actively monitoring coronavirus(COVID-19) developments and related guidance issued by public health authorities. The health and well-being of our employees and stockholders are paramount. If it is determined to be advisable or required, we may hold a virtual-only Annual Meeting via live webcast. If this step is taken, we will announce the decision to do so in advance, and details on how to participate will be posted on the company’s website and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as additional proxy materials.28, 2023.

 

1


PROXY SUMMARY

 

Meeting Agenda and Board Vote Recommendations

 

 

 Proposal

 Number

Meeting Agenda Proposal

Board Vote

Recommendation

Page

Reference

1Election of 11 directors named in this Proxy Statement for an annual term ending in 2021

FOR

EACH NOMINEE

7 – 21
2Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive OfficersFOR22 – 41
3Ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran, PLLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020FOR42 – 43

  Proposal

  Number

     Meeting Agenda Proposal  

Board Vote

Recommendation

  

Page

Reference

1   Election of 12 directors named in this Proxy Statement  

FOR

EACH NOMINEE

  7 – 23
2   Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers  FOR  24 – 39
3   Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation  1 YEAR  40
4    Ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran, PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023  FOR  41 – 42

 Company Overview and Business Strategy

 

Universal is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market and underwrite insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management, and distribution. Our primary insurance entities, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC” and together with UPCIC, the “Insurance Entities”), offer insurance products through both our appointed independent agent network and our online distribution channels across 1819 states (primarily in Florida), with licenses to write insurance in two additional states. The Insurance Entities seek to produce an underwriting profit (defined as earned premium less losses, loss adjustment expense, policy acquisition costs and other operating costs) over the long term; maintain a strongresilient balance sheet to prepare for years in which the Insurance Entities are not able to achieve an underwriting profit; and generate investment income exceeding short-term operating needs.

Universal’s strategic focus is on creating abest-in-class experience for our customers.customers and delivering strong shareholder returns across underwriting cycles. While weather-related volatility is an inherent part of property insurance, particularly in coastal markets such as Florida, our strategy includes generating non-risk bearing income that enhances returns in profitable underwriting periods, while serving as a buffer and potentially still allowing for consolidated profitability in challenging underwriting periods. We have more than 20 years of experience providing protection solutions. Our business strategy leveragesproperty and casualty insurance products and services. We continue to focus on disciplined underwriting in opportune markets and maintaining a resilient balance sheet that is enhanced by our differentiated capabilitiesreinsurance program. We have made substantial efforts in recent years to support the Insurance Entitiesinnovate across all aspects of the insurance value chainour service businesses, including continued development of our digital agency Clovered.com, where we have more than 20 carrier partners, and utilization of digital applications where applicable to provide our customers with a streamlined experience.adjust claims. We continue to evaluate ways in which we can improve the customer experience provide disciplined underwriting, maintain a strong balance sheet backed by our reinsurance programs and geographic diversification, and maximize earnings stability through inversely correlated or complementary high-quality earnings streams. In 2019, we rebranded certainacross all touchpoints of our subsidiaries to better serve our Insurance Entities, distinctly identify our capabilities, and position us for continued growth in the future. We have made substantial efforts in recent years to improve our claims operation, including reductions in our claim resolution times and strengthening of our reserves to position us for the future.insurance value chain.

2


 Director Nominees

 

The following table provides summary information regarding each of our Board’s nominees for election as director as well as their tenure and business experience.

 

2


      Committee Membership
 

Committee Membership

Name

 Age Director
Since
 

Principal Occupation

 Nominating
&
Governance
 Compensation Audit Investment Risk  Age  

Director

Since

  Principal Occupation  

Nominating

&

Governance

  Compensation  Audit  Investment  Risk

Stephen J. Donaghy

(CEO)

  55   2020  Chief Executive Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.     

Sean P. Downes

  53  2005  

 

Executive Chairman, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

           X   

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean P. Downes

(Executive Chairman)

  50   2005  Executive Chairman, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.    X 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shannon A. Brown

  66  2022  

 

Former Senior Vice President, FedEx Corporation

 

               

Scott P. Callahan

  66   2013  

President and Managing

Member of SPC Global RE Advisors, LLC; Former EVP of Everest Reinsurance Holdings

 Chair   X   69  2013  

President and Managing

Member of SPC Global RE Advisors, LLC; Former EVP of Everest Reinsurance Holdings

 

  Chair        X   

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly D. Campos

  42   2017  Chief Information Officer and Chief Administration Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.     X  45  2017  

 

Chief Information Officer and Chief Administration Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

              X

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen J. Donaghy

  58  2020  

 

Chief Executive Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

               

Marlene M. Gordon

  53   N/A  SVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance & Communications Officer for Del Monte Fresh Produce Company       56  2020  

 

SVP and Chief Legal Officer, Panera, LLC

 

  X            

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph J. Palmieri

  72   2014  Retired Insurance Company Executive from The Hartford Insurance Group    Chair 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francis X. McCahill, III  75  2021  

 

Founder of Homeowners Choice, Inc.

 

           X   

Richard D. Peterson

  52   2014  CFO of Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  X Chair    55  2014  

 

CFO of Turn Biotechnologies, Inc.

 

     X  Chair      

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Pietrangelo

(Lead Independent Director)

  77   2010  President and Managing Director of The Theraplex Company, LLC. X Chair   

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Pietrangelo

  80  2010  

 

Of Counsel, Pietrangelo Smith PLC

 

  X  Chair         

Ozzie A. Schindler

  51   2007  Lawyer with Greenberg Traurig LLP   X  Chair  54  2007  

 

Lawyer with Greenberg Traurig, LLP

 

        X     Chair

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon W. Springer

  50   2013  President and Chief Risk Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.    X X  53  2013  

 

Director, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

           Chair  X

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

  85   1997  Founding Member of Dermatology Associates and the Centers for Cosmetic Enhancement in Florida X X X    88  1997  

 

Founding Member of Dermatology Associates and the Centers for Cosmetic Enhancement in Florida

 

  X  X  X      

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Governance Highlights

 

 

SevenEight of our 1112 director nominees are independent.

Six of our directors have joined the Board since 2013; one new director nominee to be voted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

 

Our independent directors elect our lead independent director,Lead Independent Director, who is actively engaged and chairs regularly-scheduled executive sessions at which our independent directors discuss matters without management present, including management’s performance, succession planning and Board effectiveness.

 

We have five Board committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Investment Committee and Risk Committee, with the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee comprised exclusively of independent directors.

 

Our directors are elected annually.

 

3


We have outreach and engagementroutinely engage with our largest shareholders and have established a telephone hotline to allow shareholders to communicate any concerns to our independent directors on an anonymous basis.

 

3


The Board focuses on continuing director education for all directors and Board orientation for new directors.

 

The Board and each committee conduct an annual evaluation of their performance.

 

Within two years of joining the Board, each director is expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least $50,000.

Within five years of joining the Board, each non-employee director is expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least three times the annual cash retainer. The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are each expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least three times their respective annual base salaries.

 

Our directors may not hedge or short shares of our common stock, engage in options trading, trade on margin or pledge shares of our common stock as collateral.

 

Senior management succession planning is a top Board priority. The Board devotes significant attention to identifying and developing talented senior leaders.

 

We continue our focus on Environmental, Social and Governance practices. In 2019, we took steps to help educate and support consumers on climate-related risks; we furthered our going green initiatives including energy efficiency and reduction of paper and plastic products; we continued our social impact initiatives with philanthropy and new health and wellness initiatives for our employees; and advanced our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace by signing the 2020 CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge.

2022 Performance Highlights

 

Our 20192022 financial results reflect our execution against our strategic priorities and commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and dividends (comparisons are to 20182021 unless otherwise specified):

Grow other states and Florida:

Direct premiums written overall grew by $101.8 million, or 8.6%, to $1.3 billion.

Outside of Florida, direct premiums written grew by $49.0 million, or 27.6%, to $226.6 million.

Florida direct premiums written grew by $52.8 million, or 5.2%, to $1.1 billion.

UPCIC commenced writing homeowners policies in Illinois.

Focus on disciplined growth and earnings stability:

Direct written premiums increased 10.4% to $1.8 billion.

 

Total revenue including services businesses and investment performance, up 14.0%increased 9.0% to $939.4 million.$1.2 billion; core revenue increased 10.3% to $1.2 billion.

 

Diluted GAAP earningsloss per common share decreased 58.4% to $1.36 as a result of strengthening our reserve position.$0.72 and adjusted diluted loss per common share of $0.40, primarily reflecting Hurricane Ian.

 

During the first quarterReturn on average common equity of 2020, UPCIC(6.2)% and adjusted return on average common equity of (3.0)% primarily reflecting Hurricane Ian.

Implemented 14.9% rate increase for Florida homeowners’ insurance lines of business for Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), our main insurance company subsidiary. In addition, we filed for a 12.4% overall primaryan additional 3.7% UPCIC rate increase in Florida to strengthen rate adequacy.reflect reinsurance costs.

 

Clovered.com, our digital agency subsidiary, surpassed $47 million in placed premiums.

Maintain a resilient balance sheet:

 

Launched educational resource and multi-raterquote-to-bind digital platform, CloveredSM.Debt-to-equity ratio of 35.7% as of year-end.

 

GeneratedTop of UPCIC’s reinsurance tower for a returnFlorida first event of $3.012 billion.

Total unrestricted cash and invested assets of $1.5 billion as of year-end.

Focus on average equity (ROE) of 9.2% for 2019.customers, employees and the local community:

Maintain a strong balance sheet:

Universal has received Great Place to Work® (GPTW) Certification for three consecutive years beginning in 2021.

 

Year-over-year book value per share up 4.9% to $15.13.Silver Level sponsors of the CLEO Institute’s 2022 Climate Symposium

 

Debt-to-equity ratio of 2.0% in 2019.In 2022, Universal employees engaged with Team Rubicon to provide disaster relief to those affected by Hurricane Ian.

Over 75% of reinsurance capacity for June 1, 2020 renewals secured.

Total unrestricted cash and invested assets up 2.1% to $1.1 billion.

Return value to shareholders:

 

Declared and paid dividends per common share of $0.77, including a $0.13 special dividend in December.

 

Repurchased 2,337,825992,759 shares in 2019 at an aggregate purchase pricecost of $66.2$11.6 million.

 

Returned a record $92.3$35.6 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in 2019.dividends.

 

4


LOGO


LOGO

LOGO

* Excludes preferred stock.

** Includes interest earned on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and investment income earned on real estate investments. Net of custodial fees, investment accounting, advisory fees and expenses associated with real estate investments.

Core revenue, adjusted diluted loss per common share and adjusted return on average common equity are all non-GAAP financial metrics. For a reconciliation of these metrics to their most directly comparable GAAP measures, please see pages 58 to 60 of the Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2022.

For further details about our 20192022 performance, please see our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.2022.

 

5


Total Shareholder Return (TSR) Results(1)at End of Fiscal 2019

LOGO2022

 

LOGO

(1) TSR results reflect reinvestment of dividends. Our Florida specialty peer group for fiscal 20192022 includes HCI Group, Inc., Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. and United Insurance Holdings Corp., FedNat Holding Company, HCI Group, Inc. and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

6


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, has nominated Marlene M. Gordon and incumbent directors Shannon A. Brown, Scott P. Callahan, Kimberly D. Campos, Stephen J. Donaghy, Sean P. Downes, Ralph J. Palmieri,Marlene M. Gordon, Francis X. McCahill, III, Richard D. Peterson, Michael A. Pietrangelo, Ozzie A. Schindler, Jon W. Springer and Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. for election to the Board to serve as directors until the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until each nominee’s successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board has fixedMr. Brown was initially recommended to the number of director seats on the Board at eleven.Nominating and Governance Committee by our Lead Independent Director, Mr. Pietrangelo.

The nominees have consented to be named in this Proxy Statement as director nominees and have indicated their intent to serve ifre-elected or, in the case of Mr. Brown, elected. If any nominee becomes unavailable for any reason, or if any vacancy in the slate of directors to be elected at the meeting should occur before the election, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted for the person, if any, who is designated by the Board to replace the nominee or to fill such vacancy on the Board.

A director nominee must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at the annual meeting in order to be elected. If elected, each nominee is expected to serve for aone-year term until the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each director will hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Otherwise, if a director nominee fails to receive the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast, then he or she shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board, and the Board, taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, shall subsequently determine whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF ITS NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS.

 Director Nominees

 

The current directors of the Companydirector nominees are set forth below, each of whom is also a director nominee. Also set forth below is our new independent director nominee, Marlene M. Gordon.below. If elected, each nominee is expected to serve for aone-year term until the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each director will hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier departure.

 

Name

    

                             Age                            

 

  Position                                                                          

 Date of Joining
the Board
                         Age                         

Position at the Company

     Date of Joining        
the Board    

Shannon A. Brown

 

 

 66 

 

 Director 

 

 2022    

Scott P. Callahan

    66 

Director

 2013 

 

 69 

 

 Director 

 

 2013    

Kimberly D. Campos

    42 

Director, Chief Information Officer and Chief Administrative Officer

 2017 

 

 45 

 

 Director, Chief Information Officer and Chief Administrative Officer 

 

 2017    

Stephen J. Donaghy

    55 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 2020 

 

 58 

 

 Director and Chief Executive Officer 

 

 2020    

Sean P. Downes

    50 

Executive Chairman

 2005 

 

 53 

 

 Executive Chairman 

 

 2005    

Marlene M. Gordon

    53 

Director Nominee

 N/A 

 

 56 

 

 Director 

 

 2020    

Ralph J. Palmieri

    72 

Director

 2014

Francis X. McCahill, III

 

 

 75 

 

 Director 

 

 2021    

Richard D. Peterson

    52 

Director

 2014 

 

 55 

 

 Director 

 

 2014    

Michael A. Pietrangelo

    77 

Director

 2010 

 

 80 

 

 Director 

 

 2010    

Ozzie A. Schindler

    51 

Director

 2007 

 

 54 

 

 Director 

 

 2007    

Jon W. Springer

    50 

Director, President and Chief Risk Officer

 2013 

 

 53 

 

 Director 

 

 2013    

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

    85 

Director

 1997  88  

Director

  1997    

    

 

 

 

 

 

Scott P. Callahan

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LOGO

Shannon A. Brown became a director of the Company in 2022.In November 2022,

after a long and distinguished career, Mr. Brown retired from his position as Senior Vice President, Eastern Division U.S. Operations and Chief Diversity Officer at FedEx Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company. From 2008 to 2018, Mr. Brown served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer of FedEx; and prior to that, he held a series of leadership positions at FedEx. He is lauded as a business trailblazer and one of the Companymost iconic executives in 2013.the company’s 50-year history. Mr. Callahan has Brown brings extensive operational, human resources and diversity and inclusion expertise to the Board.

LOGO

Scott P. Callahan became a director of the Company in 2013.Mr. Callahan has

more than thirty years’ experience in the property and casualty reinsurance industry. Mr. Callahan currently serves as President and Managing Member of SPC Global RE Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in reinsurance matters, a position he has held since 2013. From 2002 to 2011, Mr. Callahan served as Executive Vice President of Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. and Everest Reinsurance Company. Mr. Callahan also served as a director of Everest Reinsurance Company from 2001 to 2011, a director of Everest International Reinsurance, Ltd. from 2003 to 2007, and director of Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd. from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Callahan’s broad knowledge of the reinsurance industry allows him to provide valuable perspective to the Board, particularly on matters related to the Company’s reinsurance program.

Kimberly D. Campos (formerly Cooper) became a director of the Company in 2017. Ms. Campos

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LOGO

Kimberly D. Campos became a director of the Company in 2017. Ms. Campos

joined the Company in 2007 and became Chief Administrative Officer in June 2015 and Chief Information Officer in February 2015. Prior to assuming these roles, Ms. Campos spent eight years in the Company’s internal audit department, serving as both IT Manager and then IT Audit Director. She managed IT general controls reviews and new application deployment

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and performed ongoing security and risk awareness training to improve operational efficiencies and ensureaddress ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements. Ms. Campos brings to the Board significant experience in information technology, risk management, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency practices.

Stephen J. Donaghybecame a director of the Company in 2020. Mr. Donaghy

LOGO

Stephen J. Donaghy became a director of the Company in 2020. Mr. Donaghy

became Chief Executive Officer of the Company as ofin July 15, 2019 and was previously the Chief Operating Officer of the Company from March 2016 until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer. He also served as our Secretary from February 2013 to December 2019, Chief Marketing Officer from January 2015 to March 2016, Chief Administrative Officer from February 2013 to June 2015, Chief Information Officer from 2009 to February 2015 and Executive Vice President since 2006. Before joining the Company, Mr. Donaghy held various executive positions at JM Family Enterprises, a private company, including Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Senior Information Officer. As our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Donaghy provides substantial insight on the Board regarding the operations of the Company.

Sean P. Downes became Executive Chairman in July 2019. Prior to being the

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LOGO

Sean P. Downes became Executive Chairman in July 2019. Prior to being the

Executive Chairman, Mr. Downes was Chairman of the boardBoard of directorsDirectors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 2013 to July 2019. Mr. Downes also served as President of the Company from 2013 to March 10, 2016. Prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Downes served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2005 and Chief Operating Officer of UPCIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since 2003. Mr. Downes has served as a director of the Company since 2005 and as a director of UPCIC since 2003. Prior to joining UPCIC, Mr. Downes was Chief Operating Officer of Alder Adjusting Corporation (formerly Universal Adjusting Corporation), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from 1999 to 2003. As an experienced financial and operational leader within the insurance industry, Mr. Downes brings to the Board a broad understanding of the strategic priorities and operational demands facing the Company.

Marlene M. Gordon has more than 25 years

LOGO

Marlene M. Gordon became a director of the Company in 2020. Mrs. Gordon has more than 25 years

of experience serving as legal counsel within the consumables and service industries and championing women’s leadership in the workplace. Since June 2018, Mrs. Gordon has served as SVP,Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Panera, LLC, comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels, since May 2022. Mrs. Gordon previously served as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel Corporateand Secretary and Chief Compliance & Communications Officer for Del Monte Fresh Produce Company.Company, a global producer, marketer and distributor of fruit and vegetable products, from 2020 to 2022, and she previously served as Chief Legal, Compliance & Communications Officer and Secretary at Del Monte from 2018 to 2022. Prior experience includes approximately 6six years at Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. (“Bacardi”), a spirits company, where she served most recently as VP,Vice President, General Counsel for North America, in addition to serving as the Global Chair for Bacardi’sWomen-In-Leadership Program, an initiative that was founded with the mission of unleashing the potential of current and future female leaders at Bacardi to drive sustainable top and bottom line business growth. Prior to Bacardi, Mrs. Gordon spent 14 years at Burger King Corporation, serving most recently as VP,Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Marketing &and Intellectual Property, in addition to serving as chair of the company’s Women’s Leadership Forum. Ms.Mrs. Gordon brings to the Board substantial leadership experience along with compliance and corporate governance expertise.

Ralph J. Palmieri

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LOGO

Francis X. McCahill, III became a director of the Company in 2021. Mr. McCahill

began his insurance career in 1972 with the Wall Street brokerage firm Frank B. Hall serving as junior account executive in the marine insurance department. He went on to manage the worldwide corporate risk management departments of three Fortune 500, multi-national corporations: Bristol Myers-Squibb, Norton Simon, Inc., and Harris Corporation. In 1989, he joined Johnson & Higgins, Inc. as a Vice President. From there he founded Cypress Underwriters, a regional property & casualty managing general agency. Ultimately, Mr. McCahill was a founder, President and CEO of Homeowners Choice, Inc. a Florida homeowners insurance company. Mr. McCahill’s broad knowledge of the Company in 2014. Mr. Palmieri has more than 40 yearshomeowners insurance industry and of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industries. Mr. Palmieri served in various capacities with The Hartford Insurance Group and its subsidiaries from 1976 until his retirement in 2007, including Senior Vice President, Specialty Lines, for The Hartford and President and Chief Operating Officer of The Hartford’s surplus lines subsidiary, First State Management Group (formerly known as Cameron and Colby Co.), from 1988risk management allows him to 2007. Mr. Palmieri brings an acute understanding of the insurance and reinsurance industries and executive leadership experienceprovide valuable perspectives to the Board.

Richard D. Peterson became a director of the Company in 2014. Mr. Peterson has

LOGO

Richard D. Peterson became a director of the Company in 2014. Mr. Peterson has

over 20 years of experience in the areas of executive management, finance and accounting. Since September 2022, Mr. Peterson is thehas served as Chief Financial Officer of Botanix Pharmaceutical.Turn Biotechnologies, Inc., a private biotechnology company. Mr. Peterson haspreviously served as the Chief Financial Officer of various biotech companies from 2015 to 20192021, including the publicly traded Botanix Pharmaceuticals, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Novan, Inc..Inc. Mr. Peterson served in various executive roles at Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, an NYSEa New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listed company, from 1995 to 2012, including as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Peterson has an understanding of corporate governance matters and experience with financial reporting and executive leadership that make him a valued member of our Board.

Michael A. Pietrangelo became a director of the Company in 2010. Since 1998,

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LOGO

Michael A. Pietrangelo became a director of the Company in 2010. Since 1998,

Mr. Pietrangelo has practiced law with, and has been of counselis now Of Counsel to, the firm of Pietrangelo Smith, PLC. Mr. Pietrangelo is admitted to the bars of the states of New York and Tennessee and the District of Columbia. He served on the board of directors of MRI Interventions

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Inc., a publicly traded research and development company, from 2010 to 2014.. Mr. Pietrangelo also serves as the President and Managing Director of The Theraplex Company, LLC, a privately held skin care company.2014. He brings valuable experience to the Board in corporate governance, legal and financial matters as a result of his positions as a lawyer, executive and director of privately held and public companies, as well as nonprofit organizations.

Ozzie A. Schindler became a director of the Company in 2007. Mr. Schindler has

LOGO

Ozzie A. Schindler became a director of the Company in 2007. Mr. Schindler has

been a shareholder with the law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP since 2005, specializing in all aspects of international tax planning. He is admitted to both the Florida and New York state bars. Mr. Schindler provides strong regulatory, accounting, financial, risk analysis, internal audit, compliance, corporate governance and administrative skills and experience to the Board.

Jon W. Springer

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LOGO

Jon W. Springer became a director of the Company in 2013 and was an executive

with the Company from 2006 until his retirement in 2013.January 2021. Mr. Springer becameserved as President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company as offrom March 10, 2016.2016 until his retirement on January 31, 2021. Prior to taking on such role, he served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2013. Mr. Springer was an Executive Vice President of Evolution Risk Advisors, Inc. (formerly Universal Risk Advisors, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from 2006 through 2008, and an Executive Vice President of Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Corporation (“Blue Atlantic”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from 2008 to 2013. Before joining Evolution Risk Advisors, Inc. in 2006, Mr. Springer was an Executive Vice President of Willis Re, Inc. and was responsible for managing property and casualty operations in its Minneapolis office. Mr. Springer brings to the Board extensive experience in the property and casualty insurance industry, including with respect to reinsurance arrangements.

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. became a director of the Company in 1997. Dr. Wilentz is one

LOGO

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. became a director of the Company in 1997. Dr. Wilentz is one

of the founding members of Dermatology Associates, founded in 1970, and of the Centers for Cosmetic Enhancement in Florida. He is a former member of the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of the Neurological Injury Compensation Association for the State of Florida. Dr. Wilentz is at present, a member of the Board of Governors of Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Wilentz’s general business acumen and deep understanding of the Florida business, professional and regulatory environment allow him to provide independent guidance to the Board on a wide variety of general corporate and strategic matters.

 Board Membership Criteria and Nominations

 

In selecting candidates for director, the Nominating and Governance Committee looks for individuals with strong personal attributes including:

 

 

Integrity: Directors should demonstrate high ethical standards in their personal and professional dealings.

 

 

Accountability: Directors should be willing to be accountable for their decisions as directors.

 

 

Judgment: Directors should possess the ability to provide wise and thoughtful counsel on a broad range of issues.

 

 

Responsibility: Directors should interact with each other in a manner that encourages responsible, open, challenging and inspired discussion.

 

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High Performance Standards: Directors should have a history of achievements that reflects high standards for themselves and others.

 

 

Commitment and Enthusiasm: Directors should be committed to, and enthusiastic about, their service on the Board.

 

 

Courage: Directors should possess the courage to express views openly, even in the face of opposition.

Our Board values diversity in selecting nominees to serve on our board, but maintains no formal policy regardingboard. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board membership diversity.seeks members from diverse professional backgrounds, and considers an individual’s independence, diversity, skills and experience in the context of the needs of the Board. In nominating directors, the Board considers, among other things, functional areas of experience, educational background, employment experience and leadership performance. Ms. Gordon, who is standing for election to the Board for the first time at the Annual Meeting, was recommended as a candidate for director byThree of our Chief Executive Officer. The Nominatingdirectors are racially and Governance Committee, in accordance with its customary process, duly considered the qualifications of Ms. Gordon and recommended her nomination for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting.ethnically diverse.

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The Board generally believes that the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board are best situated to identify candidates with appropriate industry and related expertise to meet the Company’s needs; however, wethe Nominating and Governance Committee will carefully consider any director nominees recommended by shareholders.shareholders in the same way that it evaluates candidates recommended by its members, other members of the Board, or other persons. If a shareholder desires to formally propose a director nominee at the annual meeting, or to put a proposal on the agenda for the annual meeting, our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure that must be complied with in order to do so.

Personal and professional attributes and skills of the nominees

Our nominees have executive experience and skills that are aligned with our business and strategy as follows:

Out of 1112 board nominees

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10

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 Corporate Governance Framework

 

The Board’s leadership structure is designed to ensureso that authority and responsibility are effectively allocated between the Board and management. In addition to our strong corporate governance practices and the key oversight roles of our lead independent directorLead Independent Director and committee chairs, each as described below, all directors share equally in their responsibilities as members of the Board and take seriously the charge of leading the Company on behalf of our shareholders. Our corporate governance framework reflects our commitment to independence, corporate responsibility and accomplishing our financial goals through responsible development and execution of corporate strategy. Our governance framework enables independent and skilled directors to provide oversight, advice and counsel to promote the interests of the Company and our shareholders. Our governance framework is established and evidenced by our Corporate Governance Guidelines (“Governance Guidelines”), Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Conduct”), Whistleblower Policy (“Whistleblower Policy”), our enterprise risk management program and our commitment to transparent financial reporting. Our Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, Whistleblower Policy and the charters of each Board committee are available at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com. The Board, along with management, regularly reviews our policies and procedures, charters, policies and practices in order to ensure that they areprovide appropriate and reflect desired standards of corporate governance.

 

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Governance Highlights

The following chart highlights our corporate governance practices and principles.

 

Board Independence

  

Seven

Eight of our 1112 director nominees are independent.

  

Messrs. Downes Donaghy and SpringerDonaghy and Ms. Campos are the members of management who serve as directors.

Mr. Springer is a former member of management.

Board Composition

  

The Nominating and Governance Committee regularly reviews Board performance, assesses gaps in skills or experience on the Board and periodically recommends new directors to add a fresh perspective to the Board while maintaining continuity and valuable historic knowledge.

  Lead Independent Director 

Six of our directors have joined the Board since 2013.

Lead Independent Director

  

Our independent directors elect our lead independent director.

Lead Independent Director.
  

Our lead independent directorLead Independent Director chairs regularly-scheduled executive sessions at which our independent directors discuss matters without management present, including management’s performance, succession planning and Board effectiveness.

Board Committees

  

We have five Board committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Investment Committee and Risk Committee.

  

Our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee are each comprised exclusively of independent directors.

  

Chairs of the Board committees shape the agenda and information presented to their committees.

Board Oversight of Risk   Management

  

The Board seeks to ensure thatfacilitate the identification and appropriate management of material risks, are identified and managed appropriately, and the Board and its committees regularly review material operational, financial, compensation, environmental, social and compliance risks with senior management.

Accountability

  

Our directors are elected annually.

  

We have outreach and engagement with our largest shareholders and have established a mechanism to allow shareholders to communicate anonymously any concerns to our independent directors.

Open Communications

  

Our committees report to the Board regularly.

  

The Board promotes open and frank discussions with management.

  

Our directors have free access to members of management and other employees and are authorized to hire outside consultants or experts at the Company’s expense.

Director Education

  

The Board focuses on continuing director education for all directors and Board orientation for new directors.

Self-Evaluations

  

The Board and each committee conduct annual evaluations of their performance.

Succession Planning

  

Senior management succession planning is a top Board priority. The Board devotes significant attention to identifying and developing talented senior leaders.

Director Stock Ownership

  

Within twofive years of joining the Board, eachnon-employee director is expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least $50,000.

three times the annual cash retainer. The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are each expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least three times their respective annual base salaries.

Clawback Policy; No Hedging   or Pledging

  

We have a compensation clawback policy designed to mitigate risk in connection with executive compensation.

  

Our directors, executive officers and senior accounting, finance and legal personnel may not hedge or short shares of our common stock, engage in options trading, trade on margin or pledge shares of our common stock as collateral for a loan or other indebtedness.

 

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Board and Committee Meetings

Meetings of the Board are held regularly each quarter and as may otherwise be required. The Board held 54 meetings during 2019.2022. We encourage directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders and expect that they will attend. All of our directors then in office were present at the 20192022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, all of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served during 2019.2022.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board believes that it is important to retain flexibility in determining the best leadership structure for the Company as our needs may change over time. Currently, our Board leadership structure consists of a Lead Independent Director, an Executive Chairman (who was our former CEO), and strong committee chairs. The Board believes that our current structure provides necessary independent leadership and engagement while maintaining the benefit of having our former CEO chair regular Board meetings as important strategic and business matters are discussed. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer, who is the individual primarily responsible for management of our Company, is also an active and engaged member of our Board. The roles of Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer may be filled by the same or different individuals, which provides the Board the flexibility to determine whether these roles should be combined or separated based on the Company’s circumstances and needs at any given time. The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company were held by the same person, Sean P. Downes, until July 15,In 2019, at which point we separated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles.roles; Sean P. Downes has assumed the role of Executive Chairman, and Stephen J. Donaghy has beenwas appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2019.Officer.

The Board believes that our shareholders are best served at this time by having Mr. Downes continue his role as Chairman of the Board, in view of his tenure and experience with the Company. As Executive Chairman, Mr. Downes continues to set agendas for, and to lead Board discussions of, strategic matters affecting our business at the time. Our Executive Chairman is appointed annually by all the directors. The Executive Chairman’s responsibilities, in addition to providing general leadership to the Board, include calling and presiding at Board and shareholder meetings and preparing meeting schedules, agendas and materials.

Independence of Our Directors

NYSE rules require that at least a majority of our directors be independent of the Company and management. The Board has determined that each of our directors, other than Messrs. Downes, Donaghy and Springer and Ms. Campos, is an “independent director,” as such term is defined by NYSE rules. In making such independence determination with regard to Mr. Ralph Palmieri, the Board considered that Mr. Palmieri’s son, Matthew J. Palmieri, is employed as President of Blue Atlantic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and has been with the Company since June 2006. Matthew Palmieri is not an executive officer of the Company. See “Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions” for additional details regarding Matthew Palmieri’s employment with Blue Atlantic. In addition, we have nominated a woman, Marlene M. Gordon, to be elected to our Board by shareholders at the 2020 Annual Meeting. If elected, Mrs. Gordon will be an independent director. This is in line with our values of diversity and independence on the Board.

Lead Independent Director; Meetings of Independent Directors

Michael A. Pietrangelo has served as the lead independent directorLead Independent Director since 2014. Our independent directors met six3 times in executive session in 2019.2022. Our lead independent directorLead Independent Director presides over all executive sessions of our independent directors, facilitates communication between management and our independent directors and is available for consultation with major shareholders and other constituencies, as appropriate. Interested parties may anonymously communicate any concerns to our independent directors, including our lead independent director,Lead Independent Director, by calling(877) 778-5463, which is the same number that employees may use to anonymously report complaints to the Audit Committee concerning accounting or auditing matters.

Board and Committee Annual Evaluations

At the direction of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board annually conducts a self-evaluation aimed at enhancing effectiveness. The Board consults with an outside law firm as an external evaluator. This evaluation process also considers individual director performance. The annual assessment process is a key governance tool used by the Nominating and Governance Committee to solicit feedback in a number of areas, including overall effectiveness, communications with management and committee structures. Each committee also performs an annual self-evaluation, which includes an assessment of its effectiveness and a review of the committee charter and other relevant governance practices and procedures. The Nominating and Governance Committee periodically reviews and assesses the evaluation process as well.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Risk is an inherent part of our business, and effective risk management is a top Board priority. Enterprise risk management and key risks identified by management are overseen by the Board and its committees. These include materialkey risks such as pricing/underwriting, strategic, reserving, and legal risks as well as operational, market, liquidity, credit market, and liquidityreputational risks. The Board and management also focus on privacy protection, cybersecurity

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and information security in an effort to mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks and to protect the

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Company’s information and that of our customers. The Board, through its committees, also oversees the Company’s dedicated Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) function, as described below.

Our Board committees also help manage risk. The Audit Committee performs a central oversight role with respect to financial and compliance risks. As part of its responsibilities, the Audit Committee discusses with management the Company’s policies and guidelines governing the process by which risk assessment and risk management are undertaken by management, including guidelines and policies to identify major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. Our Investment Committee considers risks related to the investment of the Company’s securities portfolio and the Company’s investment strategy. The Risk Committee assists in managing risk by developing and overseeing the risk management process and systems of internal controls intended to provide assurance that the Company has identified and evaluated key enterprise risks and implemented mitigating controls. The Risk Committee receives a comprehensive periodic risk report, which describes the Company’s key risk exposures using quantitative and qualitative assessments and includes information about breaches or exceptions. The Compensation Committee considers risk in connection with its design of compensation programs for our executives, including confirming that the compensation program does not encourage unnecessary risk taking, as more fully discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. The Nominating and Governance Committee assists in managing risk by regularly reviewing the Company’s governance practices and the composition of the Board and its committees, including with regard to director independence.

Enterprise Risk Management

We maintain a dedicated ERM function that is responsible for analyzing and reporting the Company’s risks; facilitating monitoring to ensure the Company’s risks remain within its appetites, limits and tolerances; and ensuring, on an ongoing basis, that our ERM objectives are met. This includes ensuring that proper risk controls are in place; risks are effectively identified, assessed, and managed; and key risks to which the Company is exposed are appropriately disclosed. The ERM function plays an important role in fostering the Company’s risk management culture and practices.

In light of the segment of the insurance industry in which we operate, we maintain a moderate to high appetite for underwriting risk, which seeks to provide profitable growth for our shareholders while managing our risk with disciplined pricing and portfolio management standards. We mitigate our underwriting risk with sound reinsurance protection, effective operational policies and procedures, and capital management strategies.

Enterprise Risk Management Framework

Our ERM framework provides a platform to assess the risk/return profiles of risks throughout the organization to enable enhanced decision-making by business leaders. A certain level of risk is inherent in the business activities of the Company. Therefore, there is a strong risk management culture and ERM framework embedded within the organization. The level of acceptable risk is memorialized in the Company’s risk appetite and tolerance statements and is based on the tradeoff of assumed risk versus the expected value of the opportunity or how much risk the Company is willing to accept in the pursuit of value. The risk appetite is articulated as the overall statement that describes the Company’s risk-reward profile while highlighting the types and level of risks assumed in pursuit of the Company’s business objectives. The tolerance statements are established for all key risk categories and are expressed as a measure of the level of variation around business objectives that the Company is willing to accept. Both the risk appetite and tolerance statements are reviewed, refreshed as necessary and approved annually to adjust with the desired level of risk exposure.

Proactive monitoring and reporting enable early detection and mitigation of emerging risks. The Risk Committee reviews the risk appetite and tolerance statements and oversees the design of the framework. The framework supports the acceptable level of risk which is the basis of the decision-making of management and ultimately the Board. The Company has devoted significant resources to developing its ERM program and expects to continue to do so in the future.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Code of Conduct is a critical component in helping us maintain high professional standards. We also provide an internal reporting hotline, through which employees can anonymously report suspected violations of the Code of Conduct or other policies. Suspected violations of the Code of Conduct are investigated by the Company and may result in disciplinary action. The Code of Conduct is publicly available on our website at

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www.universalinsuranceholdings.com. The Audit Committee annually reviews our Code of Conduct for changes, as appropriate. In the event of an amendment to the Code of Ethics,Conduct, or a waiver from a provision of the Code of EthicsConduct granted to a senior executive officer, the Company intends to post such information promptly on its website.

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Governance Guidelines

Our Governance Guidelines address director independence standards, conflicts of interest, meeting and committee procedures, Board membership criteria, director qualifications and duties and succession planning, among other pertinent governance matters. Our Governance Guidelines are publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com. The Nominating and Governance Committee annually reviews the Governance Guidelines for changes, as appropriate.

Shareholder Communications

We have established a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Shareholders may anonymously communicate any concerns regarding the Company to our independent directors by calling(877) 778-5463, which is the same number that employees may use to anonymously report complaints to the Audit Committee concerning accounting or auditing matters. Upon receipt of any shareholder concerns, our independent directors have discretion whether to convey any such information to our full Board. Shareholders may send other general communications to our Company by mail to our Secretary, Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, at Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.

We proactively engage with our shareholders on a variety of topics, including governance and executive compensation matters.

Corporate Responsibility

Our shareholders, customers and other stakeholders have increasingly expressed interest in our sustainability efforts through our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices. We value being a responsible corporate citizen.citizen and engage with our investors, customers, employees, agents and brokers, rating agencies and other stakeholders on business issues and environmental, social and governance topics. We also provide robust and detailed information on the key ESG initiatives we support on our website, https://universalinsuranceholdings.com. We are continually evaluating our strategic approach to corporate responsibility and have implemented various initiatives to address ESG issues.

Sustainability

Climate

We conductedissues, including appointment of a Risk Climate Survey in 2016Director of Sustainability to identify climate change-related risks and develop a risk management plan. Last updated in August 2018, the report (i) considers a plan to assess, reduce or mitigate emissions in our operations; (ii) identifies climate change-related risks and assesses the degree that they could affect our business; and (iii) identifies steps we have taken to encourage policyholders to reduce losses caused by climate change-influenced events.

In addition, during 2018 and 2019, we developed a plan to further educate consumers how to prepare, protect, and recover to reduce potential losses by climate change-influenced and other events, which culminated with a February 2019 launch of our online consumer content resource CloveredSM. In addition, CloveredSM has partnered with a number of carriers to provide a variety of coverages to consumers in predominately coastal states that are most affected by climate. We believe this service and protection we provide to those hardest impacted by climate-related natural disasters is one of the strongest actions we can take to support the livelihood of consumers and is paramount to the sustainability and resilience of our towns and cities as well as environmental management and climate strategy.

In coastal states that are affected by natural disasters, we have strived to be a pillar of supportoversee these efforts for the communities affected. We have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in claims over the years, along with our reinsurance partners, to help our customers get back on their feet after challenging natural disasters.

Going Greenorganization.

To reduce our paper consumption and more efficiently deliver services to our customers, we revitalized our digital presence to enable our customers to submit claims and view documents electronically through our newly revamped public-facing websites.

In 2019, we launched a concerted effort to transition all 850,000 U.S. policyholders to “go paperless” delivery through mailers and email communications. The goal of this ongoing initiative is to capture all policyholders electronically, while reducing our dependency on paper correspondence.

Internally, in January of this year, we mandated that all employees go green with paperless pay statements and automatic direct deposit. Through the ADP website, employees can view and download their pay statements through the internal portal. This also provides an additional layer of security for our employees by not issuing paper checks and statements with Personal Identifiable Information (PII).

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In March of this year, we installed water fountain filtration systems in several of our buildings. Adding the filtration systems will reduce our dependency on purchasing water bottles for employees and result in a significant long-term cost savings for the company. Each filtration station informs users of the number of 20 oz.single-use water bottles saved from waste by using reusable bottles and cups. By incorporating these fountains, we ultimately plan on reducing our plastic bottle consumption by 200,000 bottles per year.

Energy Efficiency

We have reduced our energy footprint by assigning hybrid vehicles to field agents and making certain adjustments in our office buildings, such as transitioning to energy-efficient LED lighting.

The current modifications to the company’s facilities serve the goal of achieving significant energy savings for the life of the building. Various energy efficiencies are planned to include:

Replacing all exterior windows withLow-e tinted glass

Replacing roof gravel with white, reflective TPO membrane overR-20 insulation

Doubling the requiredR-5 exterior wall insulation toR-10 batts

Replacing the existing DX Air Conditioning system with anair-cooled Chilled Water system.

Social Impact

Philanthropy

We support various charitable organizations through our philanthropic giving and volunteer efforts. We partner with local and national organizations that reflect our vision and values and harness the power of our employees to engage in various charitable efforts.

We are invested in the communities in which we do business. We regularly engage with and support our communities, including through outreach efforts during major storms and organizing beach cleanup events.

We have committed to a company-wide Day of Service. This initiative will bring together the collective power of our entire workforce to have an impact in the communities where we live and work. We have established partnerships with nonprofits in every region where we have sizable operations and designated an impactful service project for our employees.

We have kicked off our Brown Bag Lunch series where we invite local nonprofits to come to our headquarters and speak directly with our employees. We hosted the Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc. to begin our series to commemorate International Women’s Day; they spoke to a group of employees about the important work they do in domestic violence. Our goal is to continue providing programming for associates to learn and hear firsthand about the work being performed in the community.

We also contribute to organizations that positively impact our communities.

Since 2017, UPCIC has generously funded 1,260 scholarships through contributions totaling $8.5 million to Step Up For Students, a nonprofit organization that helps manage the income-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Step Up is serving more than 100,400 students for the2019-20 school year. More than 1,800 private schools participate in the scholarship program statewide.

We participated in St. Baldrick’s “Brave the Shave,” a fundraising event to benefit research to fight childhood cancer. In 2019, our event and employees and company match raised the highest amount of donations in Florida and ninth nationwide.

We provide several opportunities throughout the year for employees to work with Habitat for Humanity’s South Palm Beach Chapter.

We sponsor the “Light the Way” event for The Boys and Girls Club.

We also participated in various initiatives with local organizations to donate school supplies, collect food pantry items and give holiday toys to children in need.

Health & Wellness

Our employees are a cornerstone of our operations, and we take their health and wellness seriously. We are proud to provide our employees with full healthcare premium coverage. Dental insurance, life insurance and AD&D, short-term disability insurance, employee assistance program, prescription discounts, and a matching 401(k) program are also available.

16


In 2020, we launched a partnership with ClassPass, a mobile app that provides access to different fitness classes in the cities where we operate. Additionally, for our South Florida employees, we offer free gym membership with a local center in proximity with our headquarters.

We are organizing Health Fairs for all employees biannually. Healthcare professionals are brought into our offices to provide important screenings that can be performedon-site.

COVID-19 Crisis Management

During the unprecedented changes brought about by theCOVID-19 pandemic, we have made a concerted effort to protect our workforce, customers, and our community. By deploying our standard natural disaster / crisis rapid response protocol and offering innovative solutions, we have been able to rapidly respond to consumers and maintain an active workforce. Several relief measures were implemented to continue quality service and productivity, limit business disruptions, while ensuring our key stakeholders stay safe and healthy.

We implemented key policyholder relief measures:

When applicable, we waived all penalties/fees relating to late payments and any reinstatement fees.

When requested, we are providing a30-day payment grace period from the expected cancellation effective date and offering installment payment plans.

Our Claims team is conducting virtual reviews of claims by using an internally implemented interface application in partnership with Symbility LinkTM. This eliminates the need to visit a policyholder’s house and allows for contactless review of claims.

We maintained consistent communication with our policyholders by providing them with resources to access account information through our virtual solutions like our mobile apps, updated websites, and call centers.

We implemented our Continuity of Business plan and activated our employee remote work policy. Every employee has been outfitted with necessary hardware and software to enable them to perform their duties remotely.

We developed an internalCOVID-19 page on our intranet to house all resources, information and communications shared with employees.

We performed ongoing, professional, deep cleaning of our building and facilities. Additionally, facilities staff have updated their cleaning measures and protocols to ensure that high-touch surfaces are being cleaned and sanitized on a frequent basis.

Diversity and Inclusion

We continue our support of diversity and inclusion to create an inclusive culture and deliver a sustainable talent model to enhance performance and broaden perspectives. 48% of our workforce are comprised of women and 68% are diverse. 23% of our leadership positions are held by women and 56% are held by diverse employees.

In 2020, our CEO, Stephen Donaghy, advanced our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace by signing the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge. Through this initiative, we have committed to developing a robust plan to our workforce surrounding diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

We were honored by Women Executive Leadership (“WEL”) Florida for accelerating the advancement of gender diversity in the boardrooms andC-Suites. We are proud to have been recognized as a Breakthrough Award Winner at the Corporate Salute in 2017 for naming one or more women to our board of directors. WEL is a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to increase the number of women serving on corporate boards and in the executive suite through advocating, educating and connecting accomplished leaders. Throughout 2019, we remain an Advocate-Level Partner and participated in leadership insight presentations, the Women Executive Leadership Forum—Women on Boards: Getting There and Adding Value, and the 8th Annual National Conversation Event—Advancing Gender Diversity in the Boardroom: The Business Case for Board Diversity.

We have nominated a woman, Marlene M. Gordon, to be elected to our Board by shareholders at the 2020 Annual Meeting. If elected, Mrs. Gordon will be an independent director. This is in line with our values of diversity and independence on the board.

Corporate Governance and Ethics

We are committed to promoting corporate responsibility and achievement of our financial goals through responsible development and execution of corporate strategy. The Board provides continuing oversight of our governance process.processes. With a commitment to ethics, we conduct our business in accordance with our Code of Conduct, which emphasizes treating all employees and customers with fairness, decency and good citizenship. We also conduct employee ethics training modules on an annual basis. For more information on our governance practices, see “Governance Highlights” and the accompanying discussion above.

 

1719



Conduct, which emphasizes treating all employees and customers with fairness, decency and good citizenship. We also conduct employee ethics training modules on an annual basis. For more information on our governance practices, see “Governance Highlights” and the accompanying discussion above.

 Committees and Committee Chairs

 

The Board has appointed strong committee chairs to lead each Board committee in its respective area. All committee chairs, with the exception of the Investment Committee chair, are independent and appointed annually by the Board. Committee chairs are responsible for setting meeting agendas, presiding atover committee meetings, facilitating open communications with the Board and management and working directly with management in connection with committee matters. Our committees have the authority and the resources to seek legal or other expert advice from independent sources. Each committee reports its actions and recommendations to the full Board on a regular basis.

The following table sets forth the current committee membership, chairpersons and “audit committee financial experts” for our Company:

 

        

Nominating &

Governance

Committee

  

Investment

Committee

  

Compensation

Committee

  

Audit

Committee

  

Risk

Committee

Scott P. Callahan

   Shannon A. Brown
  I  Chairperson
   Scott P. CallahanIChair  Member      

Kimberly D. Campos

            Member

Stephen J. Donaghy

            

Sean P. Downes

  C    Member      

Ralph J. Palmieri

   Marlene M. Gordon
  I  Member  Chairperson      

   Francis X. McCahill, III

IMember
Richard D. Peterson

  I, E      Member  ChairpersonChair  

Michael A. Pietrangelo

  I, LD  Member    ChairpersonChair    

Ozzie A. Schindler

  I, E        Member  ChairpersonChair

Jon W. Springer

      MemberChair      Member

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

  I  Member    Member  Member  

I—I - Independent director; C—C - Chairman of the Board; LD—LD - Lead Director; E—E - Audit Committee Financial Expert

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee provides oversight of the Company’s financial management, internal audit department and independent auditor. The Audit Committee oversees the quality and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, which provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that financial reports are properly prepared. The Audit Committee also reviews and monitors the Company’s financial reporting procedures, compliance and disclosure, including overseeing the preparation of financial statements. In performing these functions, the Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent auditor, management and internal auditors (including in private sessions) to review their work and confirm that they are properly discharging their respective responsibilities. In addition, the Audit Committee appoints and evaluates the performance of the independent auditor.

 

The Audit Committee held 5 meetings in 2019.2022.

 

The Board has determined that Messrs. Peterson and Schindler are each an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of RegulationS-K promulgated by the SEC.

The Board has determined that Messrs. Peterson and Schindler are each an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

The Audit Committee’s charter is publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

 

The Audit Committee annually reviews its charter to determine whether any changes are appropriate.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and overseeing the Company’s executive compensation philosophy and principles, reviewing and recommending for approval by the independent directors the compensation for and employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, approving the compensation for and employment agreements with certain other executive officers, establishing and evaluating performance-based goals related to compensation, overseeing the design and administration of the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as

18


amended from time to time (“2009 Plan”) and the Company’s 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “2021 Plan”), and reviewing, and recommending for approval by the full Board, the compensation for our independent directors.

 

The Compensation Committee held 34 meetings in 2019.2022.

 

20


The Compensation Committee’s charter is publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

 

The Compensation Committee annually reviews its charter to determine whether any changes are appropriate.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee exercises general oversight with respect to the governance of the Board. It assists the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become directors and recommends to the Board nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders and to fill vacancies in membership of the Board as they occur; recommends to the Board nominees for each committee of the Board; and considers matters relating to corporate governance generally, including assessing the adequacy of our corporate governance policies and procedures and making recommendations to the Board, as appropriate, regarding modifications to such policies and procedures, including our Governance Guidelines and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The Nominating and Governance Committee also oversees the director self-evaluation process and is responsible for maintaining orientation and continuing education programs for all directors.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee held 34 meetings in 2019.2022.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee’s charter is publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee annually reviews its charter to determine whether any changes are appropriate.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee’s responsibilities include monitoring whether the Company has adopted and adheres to a rational and prudent investment strategy; monitoring whether investment actions are consistent with the Company’s investment strategy, financial objectives and business goals; monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to investment and capital management; and assessing the competence and performance of the Company’s third-party investment advisors. The Investment Committee does not make operating decisions about market timing, sector rotation or security selection, which are the responsibilities of management and the Company’s third-party investment advisors.

 

The Investment Committee held 56 meetings in 2019.2022.

 

The Investment Committee’s charter is publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

 

The Investment Committee annually reviews its charter to determine whether any changes are appropriate.

Risk Committee

The Risk Committee’s responsibilities include designing, implementing and maintaining an effective risk management framework; evaluating and addressing risk management and capital management matters affecting the Company related to the design and implementation of the Company’s risk management framework; assessing the Company’s ERM capabilities; maintaining a risk-aware corporate culture; and developing risk tolerance protocols and procedures. The Risk Committee annually reviews the Company’s risk tolerance levels, risk appetite statements and risk management policy.

 

The Risk Committee held 4 meetings in 2019.2022.

 

The Risk Committee’s charter is publicly available on our website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

 

The Risk Committee annually reviews its charter to determine whether any changes are appropriate.

 Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

Richard D. Peterson, Michael A. Pietrangelo and Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. served as members of the Compensation Committee during 2019.2022. There are no Compensation Committee interlocks, meaning that none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or boardBoard of directorsDirectors of another entity for which any of our directors served as an executive officer at any time during 2019.2022.

 

19

21


No compensation committeeCompensation Committee member is or was an employee or officer of the Company or has any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure as a related party transaction.

 Director Compensation

 

Each independent director currently receives an annual cash retainer of $85,000. In light of the workload and broad responsibilities of their positions, the Chairschairs of our Board committeesCompensation Committee, Investment Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Risk Committee each receive an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000. The independent directors are$15,000, while the chair of our Audit Committee and our Lead Independent Director each receive an additional cash retainer of $20,000, effective as of June 2022.

In addition, also entitledin June 2022, the Board adopted a non-employee director compensation policy pursuant to receive discretionary grantswhich, on the date ofnon-qualified each annual meeting of shareholders, each continuing non-employee director shall be granted shares of restricted stock optionsor restricted stock units with a grant date fair market value of $65,000, under our 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

In 2022, Messrs. Downes and Donaghy Springer and Ms. Campos arewere employees of the Company and dodid not receive additional compensation for their Board service.

Director Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the compensation paid to our independent directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.2022.

 

Name

 Fees Paid in Cash
($)
 Stock Awards (1) (2)
($)
             Total            
($)
     

Fees Paid in Cash

($)

     

Stock Awards

($) (1)

     

Total

($)

 

Shannon A. Brown (2)

  

$

13,694

 

  

$

 

  

$

13,694

 

Scott P. Callahan

 $100,000  $198,037  $298,037   

$

100,000

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

165,005

 

Ralph J. Palmieri

 $100,000  $198,037  $298,037 

Marlene M. Gordon (3)

  

$

85,000

 

  

$

129,505

 

  

$

214,505

 

Francis X. McCahill, III (3)

  

$

85,000

 

  

$

                129,505

 

  

$

                214,505

 

Richard D. Peterson

 $100,000  $198,037  $298,037   

$

                102,774

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

167,779

 

Michael A. Pietrangelo

 $100,000  $198,037  $298,037 

Michael A. Pietrangelo (4)

  

$

111,096

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

176,101

 

Ozzie A. Schindler

 $100,000  $198,037  $298,037   

$

100,000

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

165,005

 

Jon W. Springer

  

$

100,000

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

165,005

 

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

 $85,000  $198,037  $283,037   

$

85,000

 

  

$

65,005

 

  

$

150,005

 

 

 (1)

Represents restricted stock awards to acquire in the aggregate, 52,696 shares of common stock. The independent directors were granted stock options, each with adollar value represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”) without regard to forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Dividends, if any, on unvested restricted stock accumulate and are paid on or about the time that the shares of $9.90,common stock underlying the restricted stock are delivered. The restricted stock awards granted in June 2022 vest 100% on March 14, 2019.the earlier of one year following the grant date, or the next annual meeting of stockholders, with the exception of those awards described in note (3) below.

 

 (2)

AsMr. Brown joined the Board in November 2022.

(3)

To recognize their contributions and service as directors since 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Board awarded each of December 31, 2019,Ms. Gordon and Mr. McCahill $64,500 of restricted stock awards in May 2022 which vest 100% one year following the numbergrant date. Along with the other non-employee directors, they also received restricted stock awards on the date of equity awards (in the form2022 Annual Meeting of stock options) that were outstanding for each independent director wasShareholders, as follows: Mr. Callahan 50,000, Mr. Palmieri 40,000, Mr. Peterson 39,200,described in note (1).

(4)

In addition to the annual cash retainer of $85,000, Mr. Pietrangelo 40,000, Mr. Schindler 40,000receives $15,000 for his role as chair of the Compensation Committee, and, Mr. Wilentz 40,000.effective June 2022, $20,000 for his role as Lead Independent Director.

Stock Ownership Guidelines; No Hedging or Pledging Shares

We believe that our directors should be personally invested in the Company alongside our shareholders. It is expected that, within twoWithin five years of joining the Board, each non-employeedirector willis expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least $50,000.three times the annual cash retainer. The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are

22


each expected to own shares of our common stock having a value of at least three times their respective annual base salaries. Additionally, our directors may not hedge or short shares of our common stock, engage in options trading, trade on margin or pledge shares of our common stock as collateral for a loan or other indebtedness.

Each independent director is currently Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires our directors, officers as defined in complianceRule 16a-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with these guidelines.the SEC. Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

Based solely on a review of copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 provided to us and written representations by the Reporting Persons, we believe that, for the year ended December 31, 2022, all of the Reporting Persons timely filed the required reports under Section 16(a), except for one Form 4 for each of Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos with respect to one transaction each, and for one Form 3 and three Forms 4 for Gary L. Ropiecki, who was appointed the Company’s principal accounting officer in March 2022. His reports were late due to a misunderstanding about whether he was considered to be an “officer” for reporting purposes pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, since the Company determined that he was not an “executive officer” for reporting purposes pursuant to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K.

 Information About Our Executive Officers

 

Our executive officers are elected annually by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board. The current executive officers of the Company are as follows:

 

   NameAgePosition

   Name

Age

  Position

Stephen J. Donaghy

 55

58

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Sean P. Downes

 50

53

  

Executive Chairman

Jon W. Springer

50

President, Chief Risk Officer and Director

Frank C. Wilcox

 54  

57

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly D. Campos

 42  

45

Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Information Officer and Director

Our executive officers are collectively referred to in this Proxy Statement as our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs.” Biographical information about our Named Executive Officers is as follows.

Stephen J. Donaghy.For biographical information on Stephen J. Donaghy, see “Director Nominees.”

20


Sean P. Downes. For biographical information on Sean P. Downes, see “Director Nominees.”

Jon W. Springer. For biographical information on Jon W. Springer, see “Director Nominees.”

Frank C. Wilcoxbecame the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Company and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company’s wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries in 2013. Mr. Wilcox served as the Company’s Vice President – Finance from 2011 to 2013.2013 and as the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer from 2013 to 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wilcox held senior corporate accounting positions with Burger King Corporation (2006 to 2011) and BankUnited (2000 to 2006), as well as various auditing, finance, accounting and SEC reporting positions from 1989 to 2000 at Coopers & Lybrand, The Blackstone Group, Dean Witter, CSFBCredit Suisse First Boston and American Express.Express Financial Advisors. Mr. Wilcox has been licensed as a certified public accountant in New York since 1996.

Kimberly D. Campos. For biographical information on Kimberly D. Campos, see “Director Nominees.”

 

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PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking shareholders to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (the “Say on Pay Vote”), as disclosed in this Proxy Statement on pages 22-41 (the “Say on Pay Vote”). 24-39. Although the voting results are not binding, we value continuing and constructive feedback from our shareholders on compensation and other important matters, and the Compensation Committee will consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.

As evidenced by 2019’sIn view of the Say on Pay Vote at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, in which 42% of the shares cast voted to approve the Say on Pay Vote, we revised our executive compensation program significantly in 2022, which we discussed in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. As a result, 93% of the shares cast voted to approve the Say on Pay Vote weat the 2022 Annual Meeting. We believe that our executive compensation program, aligns the interests of the Company’s executives and other key employees with those of the Company and its shareholders. The program is intended toas revised, will attract, retain and motivate high caliber executive talent to enable the Company to maximize operational efficiency and long-term profitability.profitability, while also better aligning compensation with shareholders.

We ask for your advisory approval of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders hereby approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.’s Named Executive Officers, as described in this Proxy Statement on pages22-41. 24-39.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

We believe that the compensation provided to the Named Executive Officers for 20192022 is aligned with ourpay-for-performance philosophy and our overall business performance as evidenced by the key financial and operational milestones presented on pages4-6 and23-25 of this Proxy Statement.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides an overview of the Company’s executive compensation program and compensation principles. The Compensation Committee oversees our compensation program for our Named Executive Officers and the equity compensation program for the Company’s employees generally. All of our executive officers are Named Executive Officers.

The Compensation Committee designs our executive compensation program to:

 

attract, retain and reward high-performing executives who will work well as a team to drive Company growth and profitability;

 

increase long-term value for shareholders;

 

balance both short- and long-term focus;

 

manage the Company in a prudent and responsible manner; and

 

maintain and enhance the Company’s reputation for operational excellence.

In making its decisions, the Compensation Committee takes into account, among other things:

 

the Company’s performance;

 

shareholder alignment;

 

the voting results of the annual say on pay resolution;

 

individual performance;

 

the Company’s executive retention needs;

 

24


the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer;Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation);

 

the terms of applicable employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers; and

 

22


the advice of the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and outside legal counsel.

 Performance HighlightsNew Compensation Structure

 

Our 2019 financial results reflectIn 2022, we meaningfully amended our execution against our strategic prioritiesCEO’s compensation program, including a 40% reduction to his target cash incentive and commitmenta 44% reduction to returning valuehis overall target compensation. Additionally, for both the CEO and Executive Chairman, we transitioned their short-term cash incentive and long-term equity incentive compensation from discretionary to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends (comparisons are to 2018 unless otherwise specified):performance-based. Specifically, we:

Grow other states and Florida:

Direct premiums written overall grew by $101.8 million, or 8.6%, to 1.3 billion.

Outside of Florida, direct premiums written grew by $49.0 million, or 27.6%, to $226.6 million.

Florida direct premiums written grew by $52.8 million, or 5.2%, to $1.1 billion.

UPCIC commenced writing homeowners policies in Illinois.

Focus on disciplined growth and earnings stability:

Total revenue including services businesses and investment performance up 14.0% to $939.4 million.

Diluted GAAP earnings per share decreased 58.4% to $1.36 as a result of strengthening our reserve position.

During the first quarter of 2020, UPCIC filed for a 12.4% overall primary rate increase in Florida to strengthen rate adequacy.

 

  

Launched educational resourceRestructured the cash incentive criteria to reflect pre-set quantitative performance metrics (vs. discretionary criteria previously), with threshold, target and multi-raterquote-to-bind digital platform, CloveredSM.maximum levels; and

 

Generated a ROAE of 9.2% for 2019.Restructured the long-term equity incentive compensation such that:

Maintain a strong balance sheet:

Year-over-year book value per share up 4.9% to $15.13.

Debt-to-equity ratio of 2.0% in 2019.

Over 75% of reinsurance capacity for June 1, 2020 renewals secured.

Total unrestricted cash and invested assets up 2.1% to $1.1 billion.

Return value to shareholders:

Declared and paid dividends per common share of $0.77, including a $0.13 special dividend in December.

Repurchased 2,337,825 shares in 2019 at an aggregate purchase price of $66.2 million.

Returned a record $92.3 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in 2019.

23


LOGO

LOGO

* Excludes preferred stock

** Includes interest earned on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and investment income earned on real estate investments. Net of custodial fees, investment accounting, advisory fees and expenses associated with real estate investments.

For further details about our 2019 performance, please see our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

24


Total Shareholder Return (TSR) Results(1)at End of Fiscal 2019

LOGO

(1) TSR results reflect reinvestment of dividends. Our Florida specialty peer group for fiscal 2019 includes United Insurance Holdings Corp., FedNat Holding Company, HCI Group, Inc. and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

25


 Recent Developments

2019 was a year of transition for the Company, in terms of both executive compensation and corporate governance.

2019 Employment Agreement for Mr. Downes

In February 2019, the Company entered into a newone-year employment agreement with Mr. Downes (the “2019 Employment Agreement”), which is materially different than his prior employment agreement and was intended to be responsive to the shareholder feedback received by the Company and by the Compensation Committee with respect to his prior employment agreement. The following table compares the key provisions of both agreements:

 

2016 Employment Agreement2019 Employment Agreement

Term

3 years

1 year

Base Salary

$2,217,500

$1 million

AnnualNon-Equity

Incentive Award/Bonus

Calculated as 3% of CompensationPre-Tax Income(1) if equal to or less than $125 million or 4% if more than $125 million, subject to the Company’s attainment of at least 85%50% of the average CompensationPre-Tax Income forequity incentive that the last five years.

Determined based upon the achievement of certain financialCEO and operational objectives determined by the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee has already decided that, regardlessExecutive Chairman are eligible to receive is performance-based (vs. only a minority of the Company’s operationalequity incentive previously); and financial performance in 2019 and Mr. Downes’s performance in 2019, in no event will the amount of the 2019 annual bonus be greater than $3 million.

Performance Share Unit Grant

Annual grant of PSUs having a grant-date value of $3 million.

Grant of 50,000 PSUs.(2)

Restricted Stock Unit Grant

None

Grant of 25,000 RSUs.(3)

Option Grant

Annual grant of stock options having a grant date value of $4.4 million.

Grant of stock options having a grant date value of $1 million.

 

 (1)

“CompensationPre-Tax Income”Performance-based equity compensation is now subject to a three-year measurement period (vs. only one year previously), with threshold, target and maximum levels.

While both our CEO and Executive Chairman received stock options as a component of their equity compensation in 2022, these grants were made pursuant to their legacy compensation arrangements. Beginning with fiscal 2023, they will no longer receive stock options and their equity compensation will consist solely of performance stock units (PSUs) and restricted stock units (RSUs), with PSUs representing at least 50% of their overall equity compensation.

Restructured CEO Compensation Program:

  Restructured CEO Compensation Program Compared to Prior Program

 
       

New

      

Prior

      

Change

 

  Salary

   

$

1,000,000

 

   

$

1,000,000

 

   

 

0

  Cash incentive target

   

$

1,500,000

 

   

$

2,500,000

 

   

 

-40

  Equity incentive target

   

$

1,750,000

 

   

$

4,116,250

 

   

 

-57

  Total target compensation opportunity

   

$

4,250,000

 

   

$

7,616,250

 

   

 

-44

  Target cash incentive criteria

   

 

Performance-based

 

   

 

Discretionary

 

   

  Performance-based equity incentive as % of total target equity incentive

   

 

50

   

 

30

   

 

65

  Performance-based equity measurement period

      

 

3 years

 

      

 

1 year

 

      

 

N/A

 

Short-term Cash Incentive and Long-Term Equity Incentive Criteria (CEO and Executive Chairman):

  Cash Incentive Award Criteria (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)
Weighting    Criteria        Threshold              Target             Max    

50%

   

Net operating ratio*

   

 

100%

 

   

 

95%

 

   

90%

30%

   

GPW** growth

   

 

4%

 

   

 

8%

 

   

15%

20%

    

Qualitative

    

 

Qualitative

*

Net operating ratio’s numerator is calculated as the Company’spre-taxsum of losses & LAE, policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses, less net investment income, without taking into accountcommission revenue, policy fees and other revenues, while the executive bonuses for Mr. Downes, Mr. Springer and Mr. Donaghy.denominator reflects net premiums earned.

 

 (2)**

Grant date fair valueGPW means gross premiums written.

  Long-Term Performance Equity Vesting Criteria (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)

 

  Criteria

     

    Threshold    

      

    Target    

      

    Max    

 

  3-year adjusted* book value per share growth

      

 

5

      

 

10

      

 

25

*

Excludes cumulative dividends declared and accumulated other comprehensive income.

25


Summary of Compensation Opportunity for CEO and Executive Chairman

Although we did not amend the Executive Chairman’s employment agreement in 2022, the Compensation Committee determined that it would follow the structure of the CEO’s new compensation program as a model when making compensation decisions for the Executive Chairman. Here is a summary of the restructured compensation opportunity for both the CEO and the Executive Chairman:

  Restructured CEO Compensation Opportunity (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)

                   

  Salary

               

$

1,000,000

 

         
       

    Threshold      

      

    Target        

      

    Max        

 

  Annual cash incentive

   

$

750,000

 

   

$

1,500,000

 

   

$

3,000,000

 

  Time-based equity eligibility

   

$

875,000

 

   

$

875,000

 

   

$

875,000

 

  Performance-based equity eligibility

   

$

437,500

 

   

$

875,000

 

   

$

1,750,000

 

  Total compensation opportunity*

      

$

3,062,500

 

      

$

4,250,000

 

      

$

6,625,000

 

*

Total compensation opportunity assumes $875,000 of $1,567,000, based ontime-based equity is issued in threshold, target and maximum scenarios, but the closing stock priceCompensation Committee may award less time-based equity or no time-based equity. At least 50% of $31.34 onexecutive’s equity compensation must consist of PSUs.

  Restructured Executive Chairman Compensation Opportunity (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)*

                   

  Salary

               

$

1,000,000

 

         
       

    Threshold      

      

    Target        

      

    Max        

 

  Annual cash incentive

   

$

500,000

 

   

$

1,000,000

 

   

$

2,000,000

 

  Time-based equity eligibility

   

$

500,000

 

   

$

500,000

 

   

$

500,000

 

  Performance-based equity eligibility

   

$

250,000

 

   

$

500,000

 

   

$

1,000,000

 

  Total compensation opportunity*

      

$

2,250,000

 

      

$

3,000,000

 

      

$

4,500,000

 

*

Total compensation opportunity assumes $500,000 of time-based equity is issued in threshold, target and maximum scenarios, but the dateCompensation Committee may award less time-based equity or no time-based equity. At least 50% of grant, March 8, 2019. The performance share units (“PSUs”) have both performance-basedexecutive’s equity compensation must consists of PSUs.

 2022 Compensation Components

Base Salary

Base salaries for each Named Executive Officer are set forth in their respective employment agreements, which are summarized below. In general, base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are set after considering a number of factors, including the size, scope and impact of their role, the market value associated with their role, leadership skills and values, length of service, and individual performance and contributions. The objective in setting base salaries is to provide an appropriate level of fixed compensation that will promote executive recruitment and retention.

Annual Cash Incentive Award

For 2022, Messrs. Donaghy and Downes were each eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award based on three metrics – net operating ratio, gross premiums written, and a qualitative assessment of job performance – and weighted as reflected in the table below, with pro rata amounts to be earned between levels of achievement. In addition, the cash incentive award cannot pay out at greater than the “target” level, unless the Company’s total shareholder return for the year ranks in the top third of the Russell 3000.

Cash Incentive Award Criteria (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)
Weighting    Criteria        Threshold            Target            Max    

50%

   

Net operating ratio*

   

100%

   

95%

   

90%

30%

   

GPW** growth

   

    4%

   

  8%

   

15%

20%

    

Qualitative

    

Qualitative

*

Net operating ratio’s numerator is calculated as the sum of losses & LAE, policy acquisition costs and time-based vesting conditions. The performance condition is to grownon-Florida premium in 2019 by 25% as compared tonon-Florida premium in 2018; if this condition is met, thenother operating expenses, less net investment income, commission revenue, policy fees and other revenues, while the PSUs will vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on the grant date.denominator reflects net premiums earned.

 

 (3)**

GPW means gross premiums written.

26


In 2022, due primarily to the estimated $111 million net loss and LAE from Hurricane Ian, the net operating ratio for the year was greater than 100%. As a result, this component of the cash incentive award did not pay out. The Company’s gross premiums written growth was 10.4% in 2022, which is higher than the “target” level of 8%, but because the Company’s total shareholder return in 2022 was not in the top third of the Russell 3000, this component paid out only at the target level. Finally, the Compensation Committee determined that Messrs. Donaghy and Downes fully met the Committee’s expectations on the qualitative criteria of the award. Accordingly, the annual cash incentive award paid out at the 50% level. As Mr. Donaghy’s target cash incentive amount was $1,500,000, Mr. Donaghy received $750,000 for his 2022 cash incentive award. As Mr. Downes’s target cash incentive amount was $1,000,000, Mr. Downes received $500,000 for his 2022 cash incentive award.

Annual Cash Bonus

For Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos, based on Mr. Donaghy’s recommendation, the Compensation Committee awarded discretionary bonuses in the amounts of $300,000 and $100,000, respectively. Mr. Donaghy’s recommendation was based primarily on Mr. Wilcox’s leadership of the Company’s finance and accounting functions and on Ms. Campos’s continued leadership in the areas of information technology and risk management. In approving Mr. Wilcox’s bonus, the Compensation Committee also took into account input from the Audit Committee.

Equity Incentive Compensation

In general, the Company uses equity awards to align executives’ interests with shareholders’ interests, to focus executives on delivering long-term value to shareholders and to retain executives. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are settled in common stock upon vesting and are subject to time-based vesting requirements. Performance stock units (“PSUs”) are also settled in common stock upon vesting and are subject to both time-based and performance-based vesting requirements. For Messrs Donaghy and Downes, at least 50% of their equity awards will be performance-based. Dividend equivalents are accrued on both RSUs and the PSUs and are paid out in cash at the time that the award vests and shares are delivered to the executive in settlement of the award.

In 2022, Mr. Downes received 41,017 RSUs, which vest ratably over a three-year period; and Messrs. Donaghy and Downes received 61,526 and 41,017 PSUs, respectively, which will vest following the conclusion of the three-year performance period that runs through the end of fiscal 2024, but only to the extent that the performance criteria in the table below are met, with no vesting for performance below threshold:

  Long-Term Performance Equity Vesting Criteria (effective beginning with fiscal 2022)

  Criteria

     

    Threshold    

    

    Target    

    

    Max    

  3-year adjusted* book value per share growth

      

5%

    

10%

    

25%

*

Excludes cumulative dividends declared and accumulated other comprehensive income.

These PSUs will vest at 50% for threshold performance, 100% for target performance and 200% for maximum performance, with pro rata amounts to be earned between levels of achievement.

In 2022, the Company discontinued granting stock options to its executives, although Messrs. Donaghy and Downes both received stock option grants prior to the Compensation Committee’s decision in April 2022 to discontinue this practice. Stock options have value only to the extent that the price of Company stock on the date of exercise exceeds the stock price on the grant date. Stock options vest in three annual equal installments subject to continued employment by the Company on the applicable vesting date.

Under Mr. Donaghy’s prior employment agreement, he was eligible to receive $1 million in stock options for 2022; under his new employment agreement, he is eligible to receive $1.75 million in PSUs and RSUs. Because he had already received 250,000 stock options with a grant date fair value of $307,827 in early March 2022, the Compensation Committee determined to pay out the balance of his stock option grant in cash – that is, $692,173, which is reported in the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table – and to grant him $750,000 worth of PSUs, for a total of $1.75 million. As discussed above, beginning in 2023, Mr. Donaghy will no longer receive options and his equity compensation will solely consist of PSUs and RSUs, with PSUs accounting for at least 50% of the total equity granted to him.

Under Mr. Downes’s employment agreement, he was eligible to receive $850,000 in stock options for 2022. In April, he received 250,000 stock options with a grant date fair value of $511,222. At the same June meeting in which the Compensation Committee “trued” up Mr. Donaghy’s equity awards for 2022 to total $1.75 million

27


(including the cash payment to satisfy the balance of the stock option grant), the Committee determined to grant Mr. Downes $1 million in PSUs and RSUs, with PSUs comprising 50% of the award. Similar to Mr. Donaghy, beginning in 2023, Mr. Downes will no longer receive options and his equity compensation will solely consist of PSUs and RSUs, with PSUs accounting for at least 50% of the total equity granted to him.

Our other Named Executive Officers received the following equity awards in 2022: Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos received a grant of 10,000 RSUs and 5,000 RSUs respectively, which are subject to annual vesting over a three-year period and will vest immediately upon termination without cause or for good reason and upon a change in control.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

In 2022, the Company provided the following benefits to each of the Named Executive Officers: (1) Company-paid medical, dental, disability and other insurance premiums and (2) an annual automobile allowance. The Company also provided Company-paid premiums for term life insurance and long-term care for certain Named Executive Officers.

Other than as discussed herein, our Named Executive Officers participate in our corporate-wide benefit programs, which includes participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. In addition, the Company believes that executives should be able to provide for their retirement needs from the total annual compensation and thus the Company does not provide its Named Executive Officers with any tax-qualified or nonqualified defined benefit pension plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, deferred compensation plans or other forms of retirement compensation beyond the Company’s 401(k) plan.

Compensation Clawback Policy

Our clawback policy is designed to mitigate risk in connection with executive compensation. The clawback policy seeks to recover certain compensation awarded under our equity plans. Specifically, the clawback policy provides that if the Board determines that:

we are required to restate our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the law, whether or not such noncompliance is the result of misconduct, or

the prior determination of the level of achievement of any performance goal used under the Company’s equity plan is materially incorrect and that such determination caused the award of cash or shares in an amount greater than what should have been paid or delivered had such determination been correct, then the employee must reimburse the Company for the amount of overpayment with respect to an award under the equity plan, as well as to the extent required by and otherwise in accordance with applicable law and our policies as may be adopted from time to time.

No Hedging or Pledging Shares

Our directors, executive officers and senior accounting, finance and legal personnel may not hedge or short shares of our common stock, engage in options trading, trade on margin or pledge shares of our common stock as collateral for a loan or other indebtedness. Other Company employees are not subject to these restrictions.

Compensation Risk Assessment

Our employee compensation programs are intended to address, among other things, whether the program pays for performance and whether the program encourages unnecessary or excessive risk taking. We do not believe that our current compensation programs create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company for the following reasons:

a significant portion of total compensation is linked to the Company’s long-term performance, which encourages the creation of shareholder value and achievement of key operational and business development goals; and

our clawback policy provides additional assurance that risks associated with our compensation plans and policies are further mitigated.

28


 Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Michael A. Pietrangelo, Chair

Richard D. Peterson

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect as of the year ended December 31, 2022. The only equity compensation plans in effect on December 31, 2022 were the 2009 and 2021 plans.

    (a)    (b)    (c) 
 Plan Category   

Number of

Securities

to Be Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights (1)

    

Weighted-
Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights (2)

    

Number of Securities
Remaining

Available for Future

Issuance Under

Equity Compensation

Plans (Excluding

Securities Reflected

in Column(a))

 

 Equity compensation plans approved by security holders—2009 Plan 

   2,831,591   $23.44     

 Equity compensation plans approved by security holders—2021 Plan 

   1,063,394   $12.50    687,910 

 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

            

 Total

   3,894,985        687,910 

(1)

This column reflects all stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance share units (assuming achievement of target performance) granted under the 2009 Omnibus Plan and 2021 Omnibus Plan that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022.

(2)

This column reflects the weighted-average exercise price of stock options granted under the 2009 and 2021 plan that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and performance share units reflected in column (a) are not reflected in this column as they do not have an exercise price.

29


 2022 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to or earned by the Named Executive Officers during each of the last three years.

Name and

Principal Position

    Year     Salary     Bonus     Stock
Awards
(1)
     Options
Awards
(2)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
     All Other
Compensation
(3)
     Total 

Stephen J. Donaghy,

Chief Executive Officer
and Director

  

 

2022

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

750,002

 

  

$

307,827

 

  

$

        750,000

 

  

$

770,564

 

  

$

3,578,393

 

  

 

2021

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

1,468,000

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

        72,457

 

  

$

3,540,457

 

  

 

2020

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

1,269,000

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

53,914

 

  

$

3,322,914

 

Sean P. Downes,
Executive Chairman

  

 

2022

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

999,994

 

  

$

511,222

 

  

$

500,000

 

  

$

74,984

 

  

$

3,086,200

 

  

 

2021

 

  

$

1,000,000

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

72,143

 

  

$

1,072,143

 

  

 

2020

 

  

$

1,567,813

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

850,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

69,274

 

  

$

2,487,087

 

Frank C. Wilcox,

Chief Financial Officer

  

 

2022

 

  

$

500,000

 

  

$

300,000

 

  

$

95,800

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

48,864

 

  

$

944,664

 

  

 

2021

 

  

$

462,500

 

  

$

325,000

 

  

$

169,100

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

63,280

 

  

$

1,019,880

 

  

 

2020

 

  

$

462,500

 

  

$

300,000

 

  

 

 

  

$

399,998

 

  

 

 

  

$

47,974

 

  

$

1,210,472

 

Kimberly D. Campos,
Chief Admin. Officer,
Chief Information Officer
and Director

  

 

2022

 

  

$

315,000

 

  

$

100,000

 

  

$

47,900

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

27,294

 

  

$

490,194

 

  

 

2021

 

  

$

300,000

 

  

$

100,000

 

  

$

84,550

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

34,352

 

  

$

518,902

 

     

 

2020

 

     

$

300,000

 

     

$

100,000

 

     

$

29,286

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

$

21,332

 

     

$

450,618

 

(1)

The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value related to (a) the PSUs granted to Messrs. Donaghy and Downes, based on target level performance and (b) the RSUs granted to Messrs. Downes and Wilcox and Ms. Campos (see the “2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below for further details regarding the PSUs and RSUs granted). Grant date fair value is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 without regard to forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. With respect to the PSUs, assuming the maximum level of $783,500,performance, their grant date fair values would be $1,500,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, for Messrs. Donaghy and Downes.

(2)

The amounts reported in this column for 2022 represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock option awards granted to Messrs. Donaghy and Downes. The amounts disclosed for option awards represent the weighted-average grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, which was $1.64, and are estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions on a weighted average basis: weighted-average volatility, 29.8%; dividend yield, 6.9%; weighted-average risk-free interest rate, 2.21%; and expected term in years, 5.74. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts. Beginning with 2023, executives will no longer receive options and equity compensation will consist solely of RSUs and PSUs.

(3)

For further details regarding all other compensation contained in this column, see the “2022 All Other Compensation” table below.

 2022 All Other Compensation Table

The following table sets forth amounts included in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2022 Summary Compensation Table.

      Insurance Premiums                             

Name

     

Medical/

Dental

      

Life/

Disability/

Other

      

Long-Term

Care

      

401(k)

Match

      

Auto Allowance

and

Related Expenses

      Substitution
Payment (1)
      Total 

Stephen J. Donaghy

   

$

    20,949

 

   

$

    17,154

 

   

$

            17,538

 

   

$

        15,250

 

   

$

                            7,500

 

   

$

692,173

 

   

$

770,564

 

Sean P. Downes

   

$

30,306

 

   

$

23,428

 

   

 

 

   

$

15,250

 

   

$

6,000

 

   

 

                —

 

   

$

        74,984

 

Frank C. Wilcox

   

$

14,602

 

   

$

11,812

 

   

 

 

   

$

15,250

 

   

$

7,200

 

   

 

 

   

$

48,864

 

Kimberly D. Campos

   

$

14,602

 

   

$

7,896

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

$

4,796

 

   

 

 

   

$

27,294

 

(1)

Under his 2020 employment agreement, Mr. Donaghy was entitled to receive $1 million in stock options. On March 2, 2022, he received 250,000 stock options, with a grant date fair value of $307,827. Due to the transition to his new agreement, Mr. Donaghy received the balance of the intended stock option award in cash, which was $692,173.

30


 2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of executive compensation plan-based awards to the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Name

    

Grant

Date

     Estimated Future
Payouts
under
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
     Estimated Future
Payouts
under
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
     

All Other

Stock

Awards:

Number
of

Shares
of Stock
or Units

(#)

     

All Other

Option

Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options

(#) (3)

     

Exercise

or

Base

Price of

Option

Awards

     

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Stock

and

Option

Awards

(4)

 
 

Threshold

($)

  

Target

($)

     

Maximum

($)

  

Threshold

(#)

  

Target

(#)

     

Maximum

(#)

 

Stephen J. Donaghy

  

 

3/2/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

  

 

250,000

 

  

$

11.80

 

  

$

307,827

 

  

 

4/7/2022

 

  

$

750,000

 

 

$

1,500,000

 

  

$

3,000,000

 

             
  

 

6/14/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

30,763

 

 

 

61,526

 (1) 

  

 

123,052

 

      

 

 

  

$

750,002

 

Sean P. Downes

  

 

4/7/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

250,000

 

  

$

13.19

 

  

$

511,222

 

  

 

6/8/2022

 

  

$

500,000

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

  

$

2,000,000

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

6/14/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

20,509

 

 

 

41,017

 (1) 

  

 

82,034

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

6/14/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

41,017

 (2) 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Frank C. Wilcox

  

 

12/16/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

10,000

 (2) 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

95,800

 

Kimberly D. Campos

  

 

12/16/2022

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

5,000

 (2) 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

$

47,900

 

(1)

With respect to the PSUs granted to Messrs. Donaghy and Downes on June 14, 2022: vesting is based upon the level of achievement of pre-established annual company performance objectives during a three-year performance award cycle, with 50% vesting for threshold performance, 100% vesting for target performance and 200% vesting for maximum performance. See note (1) of the 2022 Summary Compensation Table for additional information about these awards.

(2)

With respect to the RSUs granted to Mr. Downes on June 14, 2022: the RSUs vest ratably on December 15, 2022, 2023 and 2024. With respect to RSUs granted to Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos on December 16, 2022: the RSUs vest ratably on December 16, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

(3)

See note (2) of the 2022 Summary Compensation Table for additional information about these awards.

(4)

The amounts shown in this column are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See notes (1) and (2) of the 2022 Summary Compensation Table above for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.

31


 2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End

The following table sets forth certain information regarding unexercised options and stock, RSUs or PSUs held by the Named Executive Officers that had not vested as of December 31, 2022.

    Options Awards    Stock Awards 

Name

   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(Exercisable)

     

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(Unexercisable)

            

Option

Exercise

Price

     

Option

Expiration

Date

    

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested

            

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of

Stock
That

Have Not

Vested (12)

 

Stephen J. Donaghy

 

 

 

 

190,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

 

 

 

 

 

$

16.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/7/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

125,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

 

 

 

 

 

$

14.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/1/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

 

 

 

 

 

$

11.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/2/2032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

 

 

 

 

 

$

264,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7

 

 

 

 

 

$

169,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

 

 

 

 

 

$

651,560

 

Sean P. Downes

 

 

 

 

66,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

19.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/28/2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

19.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/28/2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

433,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

27.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/20/2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

463,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

32.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/19/2028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

31.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/14/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

147,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

 

 

 

 

 

$

18.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/30/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

 

 

 

 

 

$

13.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/7/2032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

 

 

 

 

 

$

434,370

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

 

 

 

 

 

$

289,573

 

Frank C. Wilcox

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

31.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/14/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

 

 

 

 

 

$

18.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/30/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

 

 

 

 

 

$

70,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

 

 

 

 

 

$

105,900

 

Kimberly D. Campos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

 

 

 

 

 

$

35,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

 

 

 

 

 

$

52,950

 

(1)

The options held by Mr. Donaghy with an exercise price of $16.92 vested on April 7, 2023.

(2)

The options held by Mr. Donaghy with an exercise price of $14.75 ratably vest on March 1, 2023 and 2024.

(3)

The options held by Mr. Donaghy with an exercise price of $11.80 ratably vest on March 2, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

(4)

The options held by Messrs. Downes and Wilcox with an exercise price of $18.23 vest on April 30, 2023.

(5)

The options held by Mr. Downes with an exercise price of $13.19 ratably vest on April 7, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

(6)

The RSUs held by Mr. Donaghy are subject to time-based vesting conditions. The time condition was satisfied and vested on January 3, 2023 (the first business day after December 31, 2022).

(7)

The PSUs held by Mr. Donaghy are subject to time-based vesting conditions. The time condition was satisfied and vested on January 3, 2023 (the first business day after December 31, 2022).

(8)

The 2022 PSUs granted to Messrs. Donaghy and Downes. on June 14, 2022: The performance-based component of their equity incentive opportunity is based upon the level of achievement of pre-established annual company performance objectives during a three-year performance award cycle, with 50% of the performance shares vesting for threshold performance, 100% vesting for target performance and 200% vesting for maximum performance.

(9)

The RSUs held by Mr. Downes are subject to time-based vesting conditions and ratably vest on December 15, 2023 and 2024.

(10)

The RSUs held by Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos are subject to time-based vesting conditions and ratably vest on December 17, 2023, 2024.

32


(11)

The RSUs held by Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos are subject to time-based vesting conditions and ratably vest on December 16, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

(12)

Calculated based on closing stock price of $31.34$10.59 on the date of grant, March 8, 2019. Half of the restricted stock units (“RSUs”) vested on the grant date, and the remaining RSUs vest ratably on June 1 and December 1, 2019.31, 2022.

At Options Exercised and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information regarding stock awards held by the timeNamed Executive Officers that vested during the Company discussed Mr. Downes’s 2019year ended December 31, 2022. No Named Executive Officers exercised any stock options during 2022.

      Stock Awards 
  Name     

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Vesting

     

Value

Realized on

Vesting

 
  Stephen J. Donaghy 

 

 

 

   17,000  

 

  $        198,900 
  Sean P. Downes 

 

 

 

   29,673  

 

  $319,281 
  Frank C. Wilcox 

 

 

 

   3,334  

 

  $33,340 
  Kimberly D. Campos 

 

 

 

   1,667  

 

  $16,670 

33


  Employment AgreementAgreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following summaries describe the 2019 proxy statement, the Company projected that his total 2019 annual compensation would be approximately $7.4 million, which means that the Compensation Committee would have reduced Mr. Downes’s total annual compensation in 2019 by at least 59% as compared to 2018.

As it happens, this amount overstated Mr. Downes’s compensation. For 2019, his total compensation as reported in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table is $5,406,060, which is a reduction of $12,517,319, or70%, as compared to 2018.

2019 Say on Pay Vote

At the 2019 meeting, shareholders overwhelmingly supported this change in thematerial terms of Mr. Downes’s compensation, as 93% of shares cast voted to approve the Company’s Say on Pay Vote.each Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement in effect in 2022.

2019 CEO Transition

In July 2019, for familyAmended and personal reasons, Mr. Downes stepped down from his role as CEO after 6 years as Chairman and CEO, and assumed his new role as Executive Chairman. He was succeeded by Mr. Donaghy.

26


2020Restated Donaghy Employment Agreement

On February 12, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into anMr. Donaghy’s employment agreement with Mr. Donaghy, which provides that he will serve as the CEO of the Company for awas amended and restated effective April 7, 2022. The term beginningcommenced on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2022, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms (the “Term”). Thiswill continue until the termination of such employment.

Base Salary: Mr. Donaghy’s amended and restated employment agreement was amended on April 20, 2020. Pursuant to his agreement, as amended: Mr. Donaghy will receiveprovides for a $1 million base salary, of $1 million, which will not be increased or decreased during the Term. He is eligible to receiveterm.

Annual Short-Term Cash Incentive Award: Mr. Donaghy’s amended and restated employment agreement provides for an annual cash incentive for each calendar year with a discretionary bonusthreshold opportunity of $2.5 million for75% of base salary, a target performanceopportunity of 150% of base salary and $3.5 million for superior performance, with the actual bonus payable to be determineda maximum opportunity of 300% of base salary, based on factors the Committee determineslevel of achievement of annual company and individual performance-based objectives for such calendar year.

Annual Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards: Pursuant to be appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Company’s financialMr. Donaghy’s amended and operational performance objectives as well as local, national and/or global conditions that directly or indirectly affect the Company.

On the Effective Date and during the first quarter of each subsequent calendar year during the Term, Mr. Donaghyrestated employment agreement, he is eligible to receive an annual grant of 50,000 PSUs, which will be subject to time-vesting and performance-vesting conditions. He will also be eligible to receive aone-time grant of 75,000 RSUs, which will be subject to time-vesting conditions. The Compensation Committee will consider additional grants of restricted share units during the Term following calendar year 2020. He is also eligible to receive an annual grant of stock options, with a grant date fairtarget value of $1 million.$1,750,000, at least 50% of which must be performance-based and no more than 50% of which may be time-based. The performance-based component of his equity incentive opportunity is based upon the level of achievement of pre-established annual company performance objectives during a three-year performance award cycle, with 50% of performance shares vesting for threshold performance, 100% vesting for target performance and 200% vesting for maximum performance. The time-based component of his equity incentive opportunity will vest ratably over three years.

If Mr. Donaghy is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, (as such terms are defined in the agreement), he would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 12 months’ base salary and 12 months of COBRA coverage, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. He would also be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. Any stock options and PSUs that would have vested had he been continuously employed through the end of theone-year period following the termination date, and any unvested RSUs, will fully vest as of the termination date and the stock options shall remain exercisable for one year. The PSUs will be paid based on actual performance for the full performance year, determined after the end of the performance year.

In the event of a change in control (as defined in the agreement) and Mr. Donaghy is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 24 months after such change in control, Mr. Donaghy would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 24 months’ base salary, plus two times any bonus paid for the calendar year prior to the change in control, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. All stock options would immediately vest and all PSUs and RSUs would immediately vest and become payable within 30 days following their regularly scheduled vesting. The PSUs will be paid based on extrapolated performance for the full performance year based on actual performance through the termination date. All such change in control payments would be reduced to the extent they would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, if such reduction would result in Mr. Donaghy receiving a higher netafter-tax amount.

If Mr. Donaghy becomes disabled, during the Term, then the Company would be entitled to suspend his officership, but Mr. Donaghy would be entitled to remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and benefits for the lesser of (i) one year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the date on which he is first eligible for long-term disability payments under the Company’s long-term disability plan. If Mr. Donaghy is terminated due to disability or dies, during the Term, he or his estate, respectively, would be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. In addition, such termination will be treated as a termination without cause for the purpose of determining the Company’s obligation with respect to stock options held by Mr. Donaghy.

Mr. Donaghy is subject to anon-compete provision under the agreement that prohibits him from engaging in certain competitive activities during the Term and for a period of three years following his termination. In the event he and the Company have not entered into a new agreement or renewed this agreement on or prior to December 31, 2022, thenon-compete period will be two years. The agreement also contains nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

2020 Downes Employment Agreement

On April 20, 2020,As discussed above, the Company entered intoCompensation Committee took certain compensation actions with respect to Mr. Downes’s annual incentive and equity awards in 2022 — and will be doing so in 2023 — that are based on the CEO’s compensation program, and not on Mr. Downes’s agreement. This includes transitioning his short-term cash incentive and long-term equity incentive compensation from discretionary to performance-based and subjecting performance-based equity compensation to a newthree-year measurement period.

34


Mr. Downes’s employment agreement with Mr. Downes for servingprovides that he will serve as the Executive Chairman of the Board. There is no specified term of the agreement. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Downes willis entitled to receive $1.0$1 million in annual base salary and a discretionary bonus of 100% of base salary for target performance and 200% of base salary for superior performance, with the actual bonus payable to be determined based on factors the Committee determines to be appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial and operational performance objectives as well as local, national and/or global conditions that directly or indirectly affect the Company. He willis also entitled to receive aone-time grant of stock options with a target grant date fair value of $850,000, which will be subject to three-year annual vesting. He will not receive any other equity grants.

27


If Mr. Downes is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, (as such terms are defined in the agreement), he would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 12 months’ base salary and 12 months of COBRA coverage, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. He would also be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. Any stock options that would have vested had he been continuously employed through the end of theone-year period following the termination date will fully vest as of the termination date and shall remain exercisable for one year.

In the event of a change in control (as defined in the agreement) and Mr. Downes is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 24 months after such change in control, Mr. Downes would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 24 months’ base salary, plus two times any bonus paid for the calendar year prior to the change in control, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. All stock options would immediately vest and remain outstanding for one year following termination. All such change in control payments would be reduced to the extent they would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, if such reduction would result in Mr. Downes receiving a higher net after-tax amount.

If Mr. Downes becomes disabled, during the term of the agreement, then the Company would be entitled to suspend his status as Executive Chairman of the Board, but Mr. Downes would be entitled to remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and benefits for the lesser of (i) one year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the date on which he is first eligible for long-term disability payments under the Company’s long-term disability plan. If Mr. Downes is terminated due to disability or dies, during the term of the agreement, he or his estate, respectively, would be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. In addition, such termination will be treated as a termination without cause for the purpose of determining the Company’s obligation with respect to stock optionsequity awards held by Mr. Downes.

Mr. Downes is subject to anon-compete provision under the agreement that prohibits him from engaging in certain competitive activities during the term of the agreement and for a period of three years following his termination. The agreement also contains nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

2019 Compensation ComponentsWilcox Employment Agreement

The compensation for the Named Executive Officers in 2019 was determined by the terms of theMr. Wilcox’s employment agreement in place for each such officerprovides that he will continue to serve as well as by the Compensation Committee’s discretionary decisions to grant certain equity awards to the Named Executive Officers.

Base Salary

Base salaries for each Named Executive Officer are set forth in their respective employment agreements, which are summarized below. In general, base salaries for our Named Executive Officers depend on a number of factors, including the size, scope and impact of their role, the market value associated with their role, leadership skills and values, length of service, and individual performance and contributions. The objective in setting base salaries is to provide an appropriate level of fixed compensation that will promote executive recruitment and retention.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation/Bonus

Pursuant to his 2019 Employment Agreement, Mr. Downes was entitled to receive an annual incentive award based on the achievement of certain financial and operational objectives as determined by the Compensation Committee. At the beginning of the year, the Compensation Committee had already determined that any such award would not be greater than $3.0 million. Given that his tenure as CEO ended in July 2019, the Compensation Committee did not evaluate Mr. Downes’s performance against any financial and operational objectives; rather, the Committee exercised its discretion to give Mr. Downes a bonus in the amount of $1.0 million, in view of the Company’s overall performance in 2019.

Pursuant to his employment agreement in effectChief Financial Officer for 2019, Mr. Donaghy was entitled to receive an annual incentive award equal to 1.5% of the Company’s compensation net income, which includes the effects of Messrs. Downes’sa term beginning on January 1, 2022 and Springer’s annual incentive awards and estimated tax payments using the Company’s statutory rate, but not Mr. Donaghy’s annual incentive award (as calculated, the “Compensation Net Income”). For 2019, the Company’s Compensation Net Income was $45.0 million. The Compensation Committee therefore approved an annual incentive award for 2019 of $675,535 for Mr. Donaghy.

Historically, Compensation Net Income and another measure basedending onpre-tax income were used to determine annual incentive compensation for certain of our executive officers because management must focus on these performance measures to manage and operate the Company profitably and to grow the Company’s business. For 2019, the Compensation Committee discontinued calculating Mr. Downes’s incentive compensation as a percentage ofpre-tax income, and for 2020, the Compensation Committee did the same for Mr. Donaghy with respect to Compensation Net Income when it negotiated Mr. Donaghy’s new employment agreement in February 2020. As a result, for 2020

28


and in the future, no executive officers will be compensated based on a percentage of these historical financial measures.

Pursuant to his employment agreement in effect for 2019, Mr. Springer’s annual incentive award had a target value of $3.25 million that was determined December 31, 2023, unless earlier terminated in accordance with a formula based on the Company’s ROAE, calculated on a basis that does not reflect the accrual of the annual incentive awards to Messrs. Downes, Springer and Donaghy. In order for Mr. Springer to earn any portion of the award, the Company must have achieved a ROAE of at least 10%. Because the Company did not meet this minimum target in 2019, Mr. Springer did not receive an annualnon-equity incentive award in 2019.

For Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos, their annual incentive compensationits terms. He is not subject to a formulaic calculation. Based on Mr. Donaghy’s recommendation, the Compensation Committee awarded discretionary bonuses in the amounts of $400,000 for Mr. Wilcox and $125,000 for Ms. Campos. Mr. Donaghy’s recommendation was based primarily on Mr. Wilcox’s leadership of the Company’s finance and accounting functions and on Ms. Campos’s continued leadership in the areas of information technology and risk management. In approving Mr. Wilcox’s bonus, the Compensation Committee also took into account input from Mr. Peterson, the Chair of the Audit Committee.

Equity Incentive Compensation

Pursuant to their respective employment agreements, in 2019, Mr. Downes received a grant of 50,000 PSUs and Mr. Springer received a grant of PSUs with a target value of $1.0 million. The PSUs are subject to both performance vesting and time vesting conditions. For 2019, the Compensation Committee established a performance objective that was set at a target level intended to be challenging yet attainable. No portion of a PSU award shall be earned, and the entire amount will be forfeited, if the target level is not met. In the event the target level is met at the end of the year,two-thirds of the PSU grant will vest, and the remainingone-third will vest ratably over the following two years. The unvested PSUs (i.e., theone-third that will vest based on continued service) will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, which amounts will be subject to the same time-based vesting conditions as the PSUs; no dividends or dividend equivalents were paid on thetwo-thirds of the PSU grant that vested upon completion of the performance year.

For 2019, the performance objective and target level was to increase the aggregate amount ofin-force rate adequate premiums from states other than Florida by at least 25% as compared to 2018. The Company met and exceeded this target level, increasingin-force rate adequate premiums from states other than Florida by approximately 28% as compared to 2018. Growth innon-Florida premiums is used to incentivize Messrs. Downes and Springer to execute on the Company’s strategy to increase the Company’s policiesin-force outside of Florida in order to grow profitability and diversify revenue and risk.

Further, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Downes received stock options, subject to three-year annual vesting, with a grant date fair value of $1.0 million as well as 25,000 RSUs, 50% of which vested on the grant date and 25% on each of June 1, 2019 and December 1, 2019. Mr. Springer was entitled to receive a stock option grant as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. In lieu of stock options, the Compensation Committee determined to grant Mr. Springer 25,000 RSUs, which vested on December 31, 2019. In addition, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Wilcox 25,000 stock options, which are subject to annual vesting over a three-year period and will vest immediately upon a change in control.

In general, the Company uses grants of stock options to focus executives on delivering long-term value to shareholders because options have value only to the extent that the price of Company stock on the date of exercise exceeds the stock price on the grant date, as well as to retain executives. Stock options are subject to three-year annual vesting and continued employment by the Company on the applicable vesting date.

Mr. Donaghy received 50,000 shares of restricted stock units, which are subject to annual vesting over atwo-year period, in connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

In 2019, the Company provided the following benefits to each of the Named Executive Officers: (1) Company-paid medical, dental, disability and other insurance premiums and (2) annual automobile allowance. The Company also provided Company-paid premiums for term life insurance and long-term care for certain Named Executive Officers.

Other than as discussed herein, our Named Executive Officers participate in our corporate-wide benefit programs, which includes participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. In addition, the Company believes that executives should be able to provide for their retirement needs from the total annual compensation and thus the Company does not provide its Named Executive Officers with anytax-qualified or nonqualified defined benefit pension plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, deferred compensation plans or other forms of compensation for retirement.

29


Compensation Clawback Policy

Our clawback policy is designed to mitigate risk in connection with executive compensation. The clawback policy seeks to recover certain compensation awarded under our Omnibus Plan. Specifically, the clawback policy provides that if the Board determines that:

we are required to restate our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the law, whether or not such noncompliance is the result of misconduct, or

the prior determination of the level of achievement of any performance goal used under the Omnibus Plan is materially incorrect and that such determination caused the award of cash or shares in an amount greater than what should have been paid or delivered had such determination been correct,

then the employee must reimburse the Company for the amount of overpayment with respect to an award under the Omnibus Plan, as well as to the extent required by and otherwise in accordance with applicable law and our policies as may be adopted from time to time.

No Hedging or Pledging Shares

Our directors, executive officers and senior accounting, finance and legal personnel may not hedge or short shares of our common stock, engage in options trading, trade on margin or pledge shares of our common stock as collateral for a loan or other indebtedness.

Compensation Risk Assessment

Our executive compensation program is intended to address, among other things, whether the program pays our executives for performance and whether the program encourages unnecessary or excessive risk taking. We do not believe that our current compensation program creates risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company for the following reasons:

a significant portion of total compensation is linked to the Company’s long-term performance, which encourages the creation of shareholder value and achievement of key operational and business development goals; and

our clawback policy provides additional assurance that risks associated with our compensation plans and policies are further mitigated.

30


2019 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to or earned by the Named Executive Officers during each of the last three years.

  Name and

  Principal Position

 Year    Salary      Bonus          Stock      
Awards (1)
      Options    
Awards (2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(3)
  All other
Compensation
(4)
        Total         

Stephen J. Donaghy,

Chief Executive

Officer and Director

  2019  $804,375     $1,323,500     $675,535  $38,484  $2,841,894 
  2018  $804,375           $1,762,150  $56,809  $2,623,334 
  2017  $804,375           $1,600,381  $65,469  $2,470,225 

Sean P. Downes,

Executive Chairman

  2019  $998,846  $  1,000,000  $2,350,500  $999,999     $56,715  $5,406,060 
  2018  $  2,217,499     $3,604,392  $5,433,862  $6,606,463  $61,163  $17,923,379 
  2017  $2,217,499     $2,999,997  $6,613,750  $7,361,883  $59,768  $19,252,897 

Jon W. Springer,

President, Chief Risk

Officer and Director

  2019  $1,000,000     $1,752,990        $24,662  $2,777,652 
  2018  $1,340,625     $1,923,999     $3,919,500  $29,124  $7,213,248 
  2017  $1,340,625     $1,000,008  $1,499,999  $4,601,177  $28,012  $8,469,821 

Frank C. Wilcox,

Chief Financial

Officer

  2019  $412,500  $400,000     $247,547     $46,319  $1,106,366 
  2018  $412,500  $300,000  $1,542,500        $51,222  $2,306,222 
  2017  $390,144  $275,000           $16,408  $681,552 

Kimberly D. Campos,

Chief Admin. Officer,

Chief Information

Officer and Director

  2019  $269,901  $125,000           $19,693  $414,594 
  2018  $298,077  $125,000           $22,296  $445,373 
  

 

2017

 

 

 

 $200,000  $100,000           $18,300  $318,300 

(1)

The amounts reported in this column for 2019 represent the aggregate grant date fair value related to (a) the PSUs and RSUs granted to Mr. Downes in connection with his 2019 Employment Agreement, (b) the RSUs granted to Mr. Donaghy in connection with his appointment to serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15, 2019 and (c) the PSUs granted to Mr. Springer pursuant to his 2019 Employment Agreement and the grant of 25,000 RSUs in April 2019. Grant date fair value is computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”) without regard to forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.

(2)

The amounts reported in this column for 2019 represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock option awards granted to (a) Mr. Downes pursuant to his 2019 Employment Agreement and (b) Mr. Wilcox in March 2019. The amounts disclosed for option awards represent the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, which was $9.90, and are estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions on a weighted average basis: weighted-average volatility, 38.1%; dividend yield, 2.4%; weighted-average risk free interest rate, 2.44%; and expected term in years, 6.00. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.

(3)

The amounts reported in this column for 2019 represent the annual incentive compensation payable to certain of our Named Executive Officers pursuant to the employment agreements that were in effect in 2019 and the Omnibus Plan. Mr. Donaghy was entitled to an annual incentive award equal to 1.5% of the Company’s Compensation Net Income as per his employment agreement. For further details, see “2019 Compensation Components” above.

(4)

For further details regarding all other compensation contained in this column, see the “2019 All Other Compensation” table below.

31


2019 All Other Compensation Table

The following table sets forth amounts related to the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table for the year ended December 31, 2019.

   Insurance Premiums             

  Name

      Medical/    
Dental
   Life/
    Disability/    
Other
     Long-Term  
Care
   401(k)
    Match    
   Auto Allowance
and
Related Expenses
         Total       

Stephen J. Donaghy

   1,449    3,072   $13,963   $14,000   $6,000   $38,484 

Sean P. Downes

   22,695    11,406   $2,614   $14,000   $6,000   $56,715 

Jon W. Springer

   1,220    2,242       $14,000   $7,200   $24,662 

Frank C. Wilcox

   1,449    657   $23,013   $14,000   $7,200   $46,319 

Kimberly D. Campos

   833    657       $13,957   $4,246   $19,693 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of executive compensation plan-based awards to the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2019.

  Name Grant
Date
  Estimated  Future
Payouts
under
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
(4)
  Estimated
Future
Payouts
under
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of

Shares of
Stock or
Units

(#)
 All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
  Exercise
or
Base
Price of
Option
  Awards  
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
(5)
 
 Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Target
(#)
 

Stephen J. Donaghy

  8/5/2019      (6            50,000  (2)        $    1,323,500 

Sean P. Downes

  3/8/2019             50,000   (1            $1,567,000 
  3/8/2019                 25,000  (2)        $783,500 
  3/14/2019                     100,991   (3)   $      31.64   $999,999 
  2/27/2019         $  3,000,000                   

Jon W. Springer

  1/2/2019             26,702   (1            $999,990 
  4/9/2019                 25,000  (2)         $753,000 
  1/1/2019  $    812,500   $  3,250,000  $  4,225,000                   

Frank C. Wilcox

  3/14/2019                     25,000   (3 $31.64  $247,547 

Kimberly D. Campos

                               

(1)

PSUs granted to Mr. Downes and Mr. Springer pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements. These PSUs are subject to both performance-based and time-based vesting conditions.

(2)

The amounts reported in this column for 2019 represent (a) the restricted stock units granted to Mr. Donaghy in August 2019 in connection with his appointment to serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective on July 15, 2019, (b) the restricted stock units granted to Mr. Downes in March 2019 in connection with the entry into his 2019 Employment Agreement, and (c) the restricted stock units granted to Mr. Springer in April 2019. The restricted stock units are subject to time-based vesting conditions.

(3)

Stock options granted to Mr. Downes pursuant to the terms of the 2019 Employment Agreement and the stock options granted to Mr. Wilcox in March 2019 were at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. See note (2) of the 2019 Summary Compensation Table for additional information about these awards.

32


(4)

For Mr. Downes, this amount represents the annual incentive award he would receive based on achievement of financial and operational performance objectives, as determined by the Compensation Committee. At the outset, the Compensation Committee determined that the maximum amount of this award would be $3,000,000. With respect to Mr. Springer, the threshold amount represents the annual incentive award he would receive if the Company’s Compensation ROAE was 10% in 2019. If so, then Mr. Springer would receive a threshold amount of 25% of the target bonus of $3.25 million. The target amount represents the annual incentive award Mr. Springer would receive if the Company’s Compensation ROAE was 25% which would entitle him to 100% of the target bonus of $3.25 million. The maximum amount represents the annual incentive award Mr. Springer would receive if the Company’s Compensation ROAE was 35%, which would entitle him to 130% of the target bonus of $3.25 million.

(5)

The amounts shown in this column are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See notes (1) and (2) of the 2019 Summary Compensation Table above for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.

(6)

Mr. Donaghy is entitled to receive an annual incentive award of 1.5% of the Company’s Compensation Net Income, whatever that amount happens to be. Accordingly, there is no threshold amount of this award.

33


2019 Outstanding Equity Awards atYear-End

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Named Executive Officers with regard to unexercised options; stock, RSUs or PSUs that have not vested; and equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

  Options Awards   Stock Awards 

  Name

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Exercisable)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Unexercisable)
  Option
      Exercise      
Price
  Option
      Expiration      
Date
         Number of      
Shares or
Units of
Stock  That
Have Not
Vested
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
        Have Not        
Vested (9)
 

Stephen J. Donaghy

        $       25,000   (7 $699,750 

Sean P. Downes

  50,000      $24.18   6/15/2022         
  66,666      $19.52   2/28/2026         
  150,000      $19.52   2/28/2026         
  216,667                 216,667   (1 $27.20   1/20/2027        �� 
                  154,349   308,698   (2 $32.80   3/19/2028         
   100,991   (3 $31.64   3/14/2029     
                18,383   (4 $514,540 
                36,630   (5 $1,025,274 
                50,000   (6 $1,399,500 

Jon W. Springer

  22,334      $19.52   2/28/2026         
  82,509      $19.52   2/28/2026         
  49,140   49,140   (1 $27.20   1/20/2027         
                6,128   (4 $171,523 
                10,582   (5 $296,189 
                26,702   (6 $747,389 

Frank C. Wilcox

  25,000      $24.58   3/13/2020         
     25,000   (3 $31.64   3/14/2022         
                16,667   (8 $466,509 

Kimberly D. Campos

  3,967      $24.58   3/13/2020         

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

The options held by Messrs. Downes and Springer with an exercise price of $27.20 vested on January 20, 2020.

(2)

The options held by Mr. Downes with an exercise price of $32.80 ratably vest on January 15, 2020 and 2021.

(3)

The options held by Messrs. Downes and Wilcox with an exercise price of $31.64 ratably vest on March 14, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

(4)

The PSUs held by Messrs. Downes and Springer that are subject to time-based vesting conditions vested on January 20, 2020.

34


(5)

The PSUs held by Messrs. Downes and Springer that are subject to time-based vesting conditions will ratably vest on January 1, 2020, and 2021.

(6)

The PSUs held by Messrs. Downes and Springer are subject to both performance-based and time-based vesting conditions. Assuming the performance condition is satisfied,(a) two-thirds of Mr. Downes’s PSUs vested on March 1, 2020 andone-sixth of the PSUs will vest on each of March 1, 2021 and 2022; and(b) two-thirds of Mr. Springer’s PSUs vested on January 2, 2020 andone-sixth of the PSUs vested on each of January 2, 2021 and 2022.

(7)

The restricted stock units held by Mr. Donaghy is subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest on September 1, 2020.

(8)

The restricted stock award held by Mr. Wilcox is subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest on December 31, 2020.

(9)

Calculated based on closing stock price of $27.99 on December 31, 2019.

Options Exercised and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Named Executive Officers concerning options exercised and stock vested during the year ended December 31, 2019.

  Option Awards  Stock Awards 

  Name

 Number of
Shares
    Acquired on    
Exercise
  Value
    Realized on    
Exercise
  Number of
Shares
    Acquired on    
Vesting
  Value
    Realized on    
Vesting
 

Stephen J. Donaghy

        25,000  $657,250 

Sean P. Downes

        138,213  $4,981,309 

Jon W. Springer

        84,481  $2,702,995 

Frank C. Wilcox

        16,667  $466,509 

Kimberly D. Campos

  6,700  $37,118       

35


 Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following summaries describe the material terms of each Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement in effect in 2019.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Donaghy

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Donaghy was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $804,375, with any subsequent increases at$500,000, which may be subject to adjustment by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, and an annual cash incentive award equalChief Executive Officer, subject to 1.5%his continued employment through the payment date of the Company’s Compensation Net Income.bonus.

In the eventPursuant to his agreement, Mr. Wilcox also received a grant of 10,000 RSUs in December 2022, subject to vesting ratably over a change in control andthree-year period.

If Mr. DonaghyWilcox is terminated without cause, or resigns for good reason within 24 months after such change in control, Mr. Donaghy would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 24 months’ base salary, and all stock options would immediately vest and become exercisable. All such change in control payments would be reduced to the extent they would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

If Mr. Donaghy was terminated without cause or resigned for good reason, he would beis entitled to receive alump-sum cash amount equal to his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement, which expired on December 31, 2019, and a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company.

Mr. Donaghy’s agreement also contained noncompete, nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

2019 Employment Agreement with Mr. Downes

Pursuant to his 2019 Employment Agreement, Mr. Downes was entitled to receive a base salary of $1 million in 2019. He was also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon the Company’s achievement of certain financial and operational objectives determined by the Compensation Committee. He was also eligible to receive a grant of 50,000 performance share units, a grant of 25,000 restricted share units and a grant of stock options with a grant date fair value of $1 million, all payable under and subject to the Omnibus Plan. The PSU Grant was subject to time-vesting and performance-vesting conditions set forth in the Agreement. The RSU Grant and the stock options were subject to time-vesting conditions.

If Mr. Downes was terminated without cause or resigned for good reason (as such terms are defined in the Agreement), he would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 12 months’ base salary and 12 months of COBRA coverage, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. He would also be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. Any stock options and PSUs that would have vested had he been continuously employed through the end of theone-year period following the termination date, and any unvested RSUs, would fully vest as of the termination date, and the stock options would remain exercisable for one year. The PSUs would be paid based on actual performance for the full performance period, determined after the end of the performance period.

In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Agreement) and Mr. Downes was terminated without cause or resigned for good reason within 24 months after such change in control, Mr. Downes would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 48 months’ base salary, plus two times any bonus paid for the calendar year prior to the change in control, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. All stock options would immediately vest and all PSUs and RSUs would immediately vest and become payable within 30 days following their regularly scheduled vesting. The PSUs would be paid based on extrapolated performance for the full performance period based on actual performance through the termination date. All such change in control payments would be reduced to the extent they would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, if such reduction would result in Mr. Downes receiving a higher netafter-tax amount.

If Mr. Downes became disabled during the term of the agreement, then the Company would be entitled to suspend his officership, but Mr. Downes would be entitled to remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and benefits for the lesser of (i) one year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the date on which he is first eligible for long-term disability payments under the Company’s long-term disability plan. If Mr. Downes was terminated due to

36


disability or died during the term of the Agreement, he or his estate, respectively, would be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. In addition, such termination would be treated as a termination without cause for the purpose of determining the Company’s obligation with respect to stock options, PSUs and RSUs held by Mr. Downes.

Mr. Downes was subject tonon-compete provision under the agreement that prohibits him from engaging in certain competitive activities during the term of the agreement and for a period of three years following his termination. The agreement also contains nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Springer

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Springer is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $1.0 million, which amount will not be increased or decreased during theone-year term of the agreement. He is entitled to receive a grant of PSUs with a grant date fair value of $1.0 million. He is also entitled to receive an annual cash incentive award in 2019 with a target value of $3.25 million. The amount of the award earned by Mr. Springer will be determined with reference to the Company’s ROAE as set forth on the following chart:

  CROAE  % of Target 

10%

   25.0% 

15%

   57.5% 

20%

   90.0% 

25%

   100.0% 

30%

   120.0% 

35%

   130.0% 

For ROAE between two thresholds, the applicable percentage of the target will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the applicable thresholds.

In the event of a change in control and Mr. Springer is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 24 months after such change in control, Mr. Springer would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 48 months’ base salary, plus two times any bonus paid for the preceding fiscal year, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. All stock options and PSUs would immediately vest and become exercisable and payable, respectively. All such change in control payments would be reduced to the extent they would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, if such reduction would result in Mr. Springer receiving a higher netafter-tax amount.

If Mr. Springer is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, he would be entitled to alump-sum cash amount equal to 12 months’ base salary and 12 months of COBRA coverage, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. He would also be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year. Any stock options that would have vested had he been continuously employed through the end of theone-year period following the termination date will fully vest as of the termination date and shall remain exercisable for one year. In addition, any PSUs that would have vested had he been continuously employed through the end of theone-year period following the termination date will vest based on actual performance for the full performance year, determined after the end of the performance year.

If Mr. Springer becomes disabled during the term of his agreement, then the Company would be entitled to suspend his officership, but Mr. Springer would be entitled to remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and benefits for the lesser of (i) one year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the date on which he is first eligible for long-term disability payments under the Company’s long-term disability plan. If Mr. Springer is terminated due to disability or dies during the term of his agreement, he or his estate, respectively, would be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year.

Mr. Springer’s agreement also contains noncompete, nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Wilcox

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Wilcox was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $412,500, with any subsequent increases to be determined by the Compensation Committee based on a recommendation by the Chief Executive Officer, and an annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.

Mr. Wilcox also received a grant of 50,000 shares of stock, which vested ratably over a three-year period.

37


If Mr. Wilcox was terminated without cause, he would be entitled to receive alump-sum cash amount equal to his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement, which expired on December 31, 2019, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company.

Mr. Wilcox’s agreement also containedcontains noncompete, nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

Campos Employment Agreement with

Ms. Campos

Pursuant to herCampos’s employment agreement Ms. Campos was entitledprovides that she will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Information Officer for a term beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2023. She will receive an annual base salary of $300,000, with any subsequent increases$315,000, which may be subject to be determinedadjustment by

35


the Compensation Committee based on athe recommendation byof the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, andOfficer. She is also eligible to receive an annual bonus as determined by the Compensation CommitteeCompany in its sole discretion.discretion and taking into account the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, subject to her continued employment through the payment date of the bonus.

Pursuant to her agreement, Ms. Campos also received a grant of 5,000 RSUs in December 2022, subject to vesting ratably over a three-year period.

If Ms. Campos wasis terminated without cause, she would be entitled towill also receive alump-sum cash amountpayment equal to her base salary for the remaining term of the agreement, which expired on December 31, 2019, subject to her execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company.

Ms. Campos’s agreement also contained noncompete,contains non-compete, nondisparagement, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.

 

38


 20192022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table(1)

 

The following table presents the potential payments to which our Named Executive Officers would have been entitled assuming a termination or change in control had occurred as of December 31, 2019.2022.

 

Name

 

Benefit

 Termination
Without Cause
or for Good
Reason(2)
   Upon
Change in
Control(3)
 Upon Death (4) Upon
Disability (4)
   Benefit (1)       

Termination

Without Cause

or for Good
Reason (2)

        

Upon

Change in
Control (3)

   Upon Death (4)   

Upon

Disability (4)

    Upon
Retirement
 

Stephen J. Donaghy

 Base Salary     $1,608,750         Base Salary    $        1,000,000     $      2,000,000           
  Annual Incentive Award    $750,000     $1,500,000   $750,000   $750,000   
  Equity Compensation  (5  $1,085,750     $1,085,750   $651,560   $651,560   (7
 Annual Incentive Award $675,535             Other Post-Employment Obligations        (6              
 Equity Compensation     $699,750       

Sean P. Downes

 Base Salary $1,000,000   $4,000,000         Base Salary    $1,000,000     $2,000,000           
 Annual Incentive Award $1,000,000   $13,212,926  $1,000,000  $1,000,000 
 Equity Compensation $1,674,174   $2,939,314  $171,167  $171,167   Annual Incentive Award    $500,000     $1,000,000   $500,000   $500,000   
 Other Post-Employment Obligations    (6         

Jon W. Springer

 Base Salary $1,000,000   $4,000,000       
  Equity Compensation  (5  $723,943     $723,943   $        723,943   $        723,943   (7
 Annual Incentive Award     $7,839,000       
 Equity Compensation(5) $856,716   $1,253,922  $38,821  $38,821   Other Post-Employment Obligations        (6              
 Other Post-Employment Obligations    (6         

Frank C. Wilcox

 Base Salary $412,500             Base Salary    $500,000                 
  Equity Compensation  (5  $176,493     $176,493           

Kimberly D. Campos

 Base Salary $300,000             Base Salary    $315,000                 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  Equity Compensation  (5  $88,246      $88,246             

 

(1)

If the payments and benefits to a Named Executive Officer under his or her respective agreement or another plan, arrangement or agreement would subject the Named Executive Officer to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such payments will be reduced by the minimum amount necessary to avoid such excise tax, if such reduction would result in the Named Executive Officer receiving a higher netafter-tax amount. The amounts reflected in this table do not reflect the application of any reduction in compensation or benefits pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements.

 

(2)

TheFor each of Messrs. Donaghy and Downes, the amounts in this column assume a termination of employment without “cause” or for “good reason” on December 31, 2019,2022, and no prior change in control. For Mr. Downes, these amounts represent:control, and represent (i) alump-sum cash paymentamount equal to one times the amount of his then-current annual rate of12 months’ base salary and 12 months of COBRA coverage (which amount is not included here), subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, (ii) his pro rata portion of his annual incentive award for the year of termination, calculated on the basis of the Company’s actual performance for such year, and (iii) the value of any stock options and PSUs that would have vested had he been continuously employed by the Company through the end of theone-year period following the termination date, as well asand the value of any unvested RSUs. For Mr. Donaghy, these amounts represent (i) alump-sum cash payment equal to his base salary for a period equal toRSUs, which will fully vest as of the remaining termtermination date. The PSUs will be deemed earned at the target level and will fully vest as of his 2018 employment agreement, which expired December 31, 2019, and (ii) his pro rata portion of his 2019 annual incentive award. For Mr. Springer, these amounts represent: (i) alump-sum cash payment equal to one times the amount of his then-current annual rate of base salary, (ii) his pro rata portion of his 2019 annual incentive award, and (iii) equity compensation (stock options and PSUs) that would have vested had he been continuously employed by the Company through the end of theone-year period following the termination date. For Mr. Wilcox and Ms. Campos, the amounts in this amount representscolumn assume a termination of employment without “cause” and represent a lump-sum cash payment equal to his or her base salary for a period equal to the remaining term of his or her 20182022 Employment Agreement, which expires on December 31, 2019.2023.

 

(3)

The amounts in this column assume a termination of employment without “cause” or for “good reason” on December 31, 2019,2022, within 24 months after a change in control. With respect to Mr.each of Messrs. Donaghy and Downes, and Mr. Springer, the amounts represent (i) four times their then-annual rate of base salary, (ii) two times their 2018 annual incentive award, and (iii) all equity compensation (stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and PSUs) held by Mr. Downes and Mr. Springer would immediately vest and/or become exercisable, as applicable. With respect to Mr. Donaghy, the amounts represent (i) two times his then-annual rate of base salary, (ii) two times any bonus paid for the calendar year prior to the change in control, subject to his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, and (ii)(iii) all equity compensation (stock options, RSUs and PSUs) held by Mr. Donaghyhim would immediately vest (the PSUs would vest at the target level) and/or become exercisable and become exercisable.remain outstanding for one year following termination.

 

36


(4)

The amounts in these columns represent Mr. Downes’s pro rata portion of his 2019the annual incentive award.award and outstanding PSUs.

 

(5)

Includes the “intrinsic value” as of December 31, 201930, 2022 (that is, the value based upon the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2019, $27.99,30, 2022, $10.59, and in the case of options, minus the exercise price) of equity awards that would become exercisable or vested in the event of a termination of employment andchange-in-control assuming the awards are not assumed or substituted. For all outstanding equity awards owned by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2019,30, 2022, see the 20192022 Outstanding Equity Awards atYear-End table above.

 

(6)

Mr.Messrs. Donaghy and Downes and Mr. Springer are also entitled to up to 12 months of COBRA payments in the event of termination without cause or for good reason.reason (which amount is not included here).

 

(7)

The stock options awarded to Mr. Wilcox in 2019For Messrs. Donaghy and Downes, if they retire at age 59.5 or later with at least 15 years of service with the Company, then upon retirement, all of their RSUs will vest in full upon a change in control.and their PSUs will vest at the target level of performance.

 

39


 Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Michael A. Pietrangelo, Chair

Richard D. Peterson

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

 Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect as of the year ended December 31, 2019.

  Plan Category

 Number of
Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
  Number of Securities
Remaining
Available for Future
Issuance Under
Equity  Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected
in First Column)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

                                  1,050,817  $                            24.07                           2,352,920 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

         
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  1,050,817  $24.07   2,352,920 

(1)

Plans previously approved by the shareholders include the Omnibus Plan.

40


CEO Pay Ratio

 

For 2019:2022:

 

the medianannual total compensation of the annual total compensationmedian compensated of all employees of our Company (other than our CEO) was $76,822;$87,237; and

 

the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement, was $2,841,894.$3,578,393.

Based on this information, for 2019,2022, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Donaghy, our Chief Executive Officer, to the median of the annual total compensation of the median compensated all Company employees (other than Mr. Donaghy), calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of RegulationS-K, was 3741 to 1.

To identify the median employee, we reviewed our employee population as of December 31, 20192022 and compensation for the period of January through December 31, 20192022 as reported to the Internal Revenue Service on FormW-2 in Box 1, which we determined reasonably reflects the compensation of our employees. Once we identified our median employee, we combined all of the elements of such employee’s compensation for the full 20192022 year in accordance with the requirements of Item 402 of RegulationS-K. Because Mr. Donaghy was our Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2019, we are using his annual total compensation for purposes of calculating the CEO pay ratio for 2019, even though he did not serve in that role for the entire year.

SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to use various methodologies and assumptions. As a result, the pay ratio reported by the Company may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies.

 

41

37


 Pay Versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid to our
Named Executive Officers
and certain financial performance of the Company. For further information concerning the Company’s variable
pay-for-performance
philosophy and how the Company aligns executive compensation with the Company’s performance, refer to “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
“Compensation actually paid” does not represent the value of cash and shares of the company’s common stock received by
Named Executive Officers
during the year, but rather is an amount calculated under
SEC
rules and includes, among other things, year-over-year changes in the value of unvested equity-based awards. As a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, “Compensation actually paid” amounts below differ from compensation actually received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in
the
“Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
2022 Pay Versus Performance Table
                 
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-CEO

NEOs
     
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to
Non-CEO

NEOs
     
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based on:
             
Year
    
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
CEO
     
Compensation
Actually Paid
to CEO
           
    Company    
TSR
     
Peer
    Group    
TSR
     
Net Income
(Loss)
     
Net
Operating
Ratio
 
     (1)     (2)     (1)     (2)     (3)     (3)           (4) 
2022  $        3,578,393   $        1,648,924   $        1,507,019   $        986,044   $        44.47   $        124.27   $(22,257,000   100.7
2021   3,540,457    3,119,081    870,308    (90,247   66.89    119.69    20,407,000    97.4
2020   3,322,914    2,251,197    1,382,726    (573,059   56.50    97.21    19,105,000    104.2
(1)
The
CEO for each year reported was Stephen J. Donaghy. The other Named Executive Officers, or NEOs, for each year reported are Messrs. Downes and Wilcox and Ms. Campos.
(2)
SEC
rules require certain adjustments be made to the “Summary Compensation Table” totals to determine “compensation actually paid” as reported in the “Pay versus performance table” above. The following table outlines the applicable adjustments that were made to determine “compensation actually paid” (all amounts are averages for the Named Executive Officers other than the CEO):
Equity Incentive Plan Compensation Adjustments
                   
Year
    
Executives
    
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
     
Deduct
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Equity
Awards
     
Add
Year-End

Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Year
     
Change in
Value of
Unvested
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior Years
     
Change
in Value
of Equity
Awards
Granted
and
Vested in
Year
     
Change in
Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior
Years
which
Vested in
Year
     
Deduct the
Fair Value
for Equity
Awards
Granted in
the Prior
Year not
Meeting
Vesting
Conditions
     
Add
Dividends
 
2022     CEO     $        3,578,393      $  (1,057,829)      $965,552      $(953,206     $      2,055      $    (51,850)      $    (850,000)      $    15,810 
      Other NEOs      1,507,019       (551,639)       380,711       (140,344      (105,838      (116,266)       —        12,401 
2021     CEO      3,540,457       (2,468,000)             2,069,381       (30,757      38,250       (45,500)       —        15,250 
      Other NEOs      870,308       (126,825)       127,500       (396,319             (606,206)       —        41,295 
2020     CEO      3,322,914       (2,269,000)       1,418,283              (45,250      (195,000)       —        19,250 
      Other NEOs      1,382,726       (426,428)       377,021       (1,658,092             (271,428)        —       28,081 
(3)
TSR is determined based on the value of an initial fixed investment of $100 on December 31, 2019. The peer group TSR represents TSR of the S&P Insurance Select Industry Index.
(4)
Refer to 2022 performance measures below for an understanding of how this metric is calculated.
38

Relationship between “compensation actually paid” and performance measures
As described in “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we believe that the compensation provided to the Named Executive Officers for 2022 is aligned with our
pay-for-performance
philosophy and our overall business performance. In terms of the relationship between “compensation actually paid” and financial performance: for our CEO and for our Executive Chairman, 50% of their annual
non-equity
incentive awards in 2022 was tied to net operating ratio, which is one of our most important performance measures. Because this ratio was above 100% due to losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to Hurricane Ian, this component of the award did not pay out at all. Also, a majority of our executives’ variable pay is delivered as equity-based awards. As a result, our CEO’s and our other NEOs’ “compensation actually paid” each year generally correlates with our TSR performance. In addition, the PSUs granted to our CEO and Executive Chairman will vest only if book value per share over a three-year period increases by at least 5%; their “compensation actually paid” will be negatively impacted if the Company’s net asset value does not increase by at
least
5% over a three-year period.
2022 performance measures
For performance year 2022, the performance measures listed below were the most important ones used by the Compensation Committee to link
Named Executive Officers’
2022 compensation actually paid to Company performance.
Performance Measures
Net operating ratioNumerator of this ratio is calculated as the sum of losses & LAE, policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses, less net investment income, commission revenue, policy fees and other revenues, while the denominator reflects net premiums earned.
GPW growthGrowth in gross premiums written
.
3-year
adjusted book value per share growth
Excludes cumulative dividends declared and accumulated other comprehensive income.
39


PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking shareholders to vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation. We last asked our shareholders to vote on the frequency with which they believe advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation should occur at our 2017 Annual Meeting. At that time, our shareholders voted in favor of the submission of the Company’s executive compensation to our shareholders for approval on a non-binding basis every year. Our Board adopted this approach and the Company has since had say on pay votes every year. Accordingly, unless the Board modifies its policy on the frequency of future say-on-pay advisory votes after taking into consideration the shareholders’ vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay advisory votes, the next say-on-pay vote after the Annual Meeting will be held at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting. Shareholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: one year, two years, three years or abstain. This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation is non-binding on the Board, and the option that receives the greatest number of votes cast by our shareholders will be considered when determining the frequency of future advisory votes on our Named Executive Officers’ compensation.

We have been holding annual “say-on-pay” votes since 2018, and we believe that these votes have provided the Board with timely and useful feedback on our executive compensation program. For this reason, the Board recommends that shareholders vote to recommend advisory votes on Named Executive Officers’ compensation to be held every 1 YEAR.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR CONDUCTING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION EVERY 1 YEAR.

40


PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We are asking our shareholders to ratify the selection of Plante & Moran, PLLC (“Plante & Moran”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020.2023. The Audit Committee has approved the selection of Plante & Moran as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020,2023, and Plante & Moran is currently our independent registered public accounting firm.

Although the Company is not required to seek shareholder approval of this appointment, the Board believes that doing so is consistent with good corporate governance practices. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will explore the reasons for shareholder rejection and whether it is appropriate to select another independent auditor.

Representatives of Plante & Moran are expected to be available at the annual meeting, by telephone, to respond to appropriate questions, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so choose.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTEFOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PLANTE & MORAN, PLLC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020.2023.

 Independent Auditor

 

The Audit Committee retained Plante & Moran to audit our consolidated and combined financial statements for 2019.2022. In addition, the Audit Committee retained Plante & Moran to provide tax services in 2019.2022. We understand the need for Plante & Moran to maintain objectivity and independence in its audit of our financial statements. To minimize relationships that could appear to impair the objectivity of Plante & Moran, our Audit Committee has restricted thenon-audit services that Plante & Moran may provide to us to tax services.

 Policy on Audit Committee Preapproval of Audit and PermissibleNon-Audit Services

 

All audit andnon-audit services must be preapproved by the Audit Committee. In 2019,2022, the Audit Committee approved Plante & Moran’s provision of audit and audit-related services as well as tax services, based on its conclusion that the provision of suchtax services was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.

 Accounting Fees and Services

 

The following table presents fees paid for the audit of our annual financial statements and all other professional services rendered by Plante & Moran for the years ended December 31, 20192022 and 2018.2021.

 

   

For the Years Ended

December 31,

  For the Years Ended
December 31,
    2022     2021

  2019 2018 

Audit fees

  $                                                                                          768,000  $                                                                                      748,988  

 

  $816,700   

 

  $791,500 

Audit-related fees

   114,237  91,760  

 

  $104,756   

 

  $100,040 

Tax fees

   94,750  97,950  

 

  $102,100   

 

  $95,700 

All other fees

        

 

  —   

 

  — 

  

 

  

 

 

Total fees

  $976,987  $938,698  

 

  $                                                                            1,023,556   

 

  $                                                                            987,240 

  

 

  

 

 

In the table above, in accordance with SEC rules, “Audit” fees“Audit fees” are fees that we paid to Plante & Moran for (i) the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form10-K and review of financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of the

41


applicable year, and (ii) services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. “Tax”“Audit-related fees” are fees that we paid to Plante & Moran for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees.” “Tax fees” are fees that we paid to Plante & Moran for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

42


Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the reliability and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the adequacy of its system of internal controls and processes to assure compliance with the Company’s policies and procedures, Code of Conduct and applicable laws and regulations. The Audit Committee annually recommends the Company’s independent auditor for appointment by the Board and ratification by the shareholders and evaluates the independence, qualifications and performance of the Company’s independent auditor. The Audit Committee discusses with management the Company’s policies regarding risk assessment and risk management, evaluation of the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and manage such exposures within the Company’s risk tolerance. The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s internal audit function. It establishes procedures for and oversees receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal control or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by the Company’s employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

This report of the Audit Committee is with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2022, which include the balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 20192022 and 2018,2021, and the related statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20182022, 2021 and 20172020 and the notes thereto (collectively, “Audited Financial Statements”).

The Audit Committee of the Board is comprised of the three directors named below. Each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence requirements under the applicable rules of the SEC and NYSE.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s Audited Financial Statements with management. The Audit Committee discussed with Plante & Moran, our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019,2022, the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC, and matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Audited Financial Statements.

The Audit Committee received written disclosures and the letter from Plante & Moran required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Plante & Moran’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and discussed with Plante & Moran its independence from the Company.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s Audited Financial Statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.2022, for filing with the SEC.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Richard D. Peterson, Chair

Ozzie A. Schindler

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.

 

4342


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Our Code of Conduct addresses related party transactions, including transactions between the Company and our directors or executive officers, or their respective family members. Pursuant to the Code of Conduct, directors, officers and employees must notify the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Executive Chairman of the Board in writing of the existence of any relationship or transaction that may pose an actual or potential conflict of interest. Transactions betweenAny waivers of this policy as to an officer or director may only be approved by the Company and any of our executive officers or directors, and their respective family members, require the approval of a majority of disinterested directors.Board. With respect to all other employees, outside legal counsel, acting independently, or the Board may determine whether a conflict exists. Any waivers of this policy as to an officer or director may only be approved by the Board. There are no family relationships among our current executive officers or directors.

The following discussion sets forth the relationships and transactions since January 1, 2019,2022, which are known by management to involve the Company or its subsidiaries and our directors or executive officers, or their respective family members, or the beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our outstanding stock. In each case, pursuant to the Code of Conduct, these relationships and transactions have been disclosed to the Board and a disinterested majority of the Board has approved the transaction or, in the case of an ongoing relationship that was presented to the Board, permitted the continuation and renewal of such relationship.

Dennis J. Downes, the father of Sean P. Downes, our Executive Chairman of the Board, became an employee ofjoined the Company as ofin November 30, 2013. As Senior Vice President of Claims, Mr. Dennis Downes is entitled to an annual base salary of $250,000 and an annual performance bonus. Mr. Dennis Downes received $350,000$250,000 in salary and bonus in 2019.2022.

Matthew J. Palmieri isSean McCahill, the son of Ralph J. Palmieri, aFrancis X. McCahill, III, an independent director of the Company. Matthew PalmieriCompany who was elected to the Board on August 2, 2021, is thea Vice President of Blue Atlantic,Clovered, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; heCompany. He joined the Company in June 2006.May 2016. As Vice President, Mr. Ralph Palmieri was first appointed to the Board in 2014. In 2019, pursuant to an employment agreement with Blue Atlantic, Mr. Matthew Palmieri wasSean McCahill is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $450,000 and$235,000, an annual performance bonus at the discretion of Blue Atlantic.management and certain benefits, including an automobile allowance and life insurance benefits. Mr. PalmieriSean McCahill is entitled to participate in benefit plans generally available to Blue Atlantic employees in similar positions and in equity incentive plans available to Blue Atlantic employees, including the Omnibus Plan. Mr. Palmieri is also entitled to receive an automobile allowance and life insurance benefits. In 2019, Mr. PalmieriSean McCahill received $750,000$330,700 in salary, bonus and bonus.benefits in 2022.

Ryan Donaghy, the son of Stephen J. Donaghy, our Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, is a Senior Software Developer at Evolution Risk Advisors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; he joined the Company in August 2004. As Senior Software Developer, Mr. R.Ryan Donaghy is entitled to an annual base salary of $150,000,$162,240, an annual performance bonus at the discretion of management and certain benefits, including an automobile allowance and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. Mr. R.Ryan Donaghy received $187,500$201,400 in salary, bonus and benefits in 2019.2022.

 

4443


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

The following tables set forth certain information as of April 13, 202010, 2023 relating to the beneficial ownership of our preferred stock and common stock by (i) all persons that we know beneficially own more than 5% of any class of the Company’s outstanding stock, (ii) each of our Named Executive Officers and directors and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. In certain instances, knowledge of the beneficial ownership of common stock is drawn from statements filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act. Except as otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, each shareholder listed in the tables below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the shareholder.

 Ownership of Series A Preferred Stock

 

As of April 13, 2020,10, 2023, the following table sets forth information regarding the number and percentage of shares of preferred stock held by the person who is known by the Company to beneficially own the outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock. This holder is neither a director nor an executive officer. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,shareholders, including the election of directors.

 

Name and Address (1)

  Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
   Percent
of Class
    

Amount and Nature
of

Beneficial

Ownership

    

Percent

of Class

 

Phylis R. Meier

                               9,975                                100%                                   9,975                100% 

  

 

   

 

 

 

 (1)

The mailing address of Ms. Meier is c/o Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.

 

4544


 Ownership of Common Stock

 

As of April 13, 2020,10, 2023, the following table sets forth information regarding the number and percentage of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by our directors and Named Executive Officers individually, our directors and executive officers as a group, and all persons who are known by the Company to beneficially own or exercise voting or dispositive control of more than 5% of our common stock:

 

  Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

 Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership (2)
  Percent
of Class (3)
 

Beneficial Owners of More than 5% of Our Common Stock

  

BlackRock, Inc.(4)

  4,780,532   14.8% 

The Vanguard Group(5)

  3,210,136   9.9% 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(6)

  1,743,380   5.4% 

Named Executive Officers and Directors

  

Scott P. Callahan(7)

  58,536   * 

Kimberly D. Campos

  2,667   * 

Stephen J. Donaghy

  555,184   1.7% 

Sean P. Downes(8)

  2,537,043   7.8% 

Marlene M. Gordon

      

Ralph J. Palmieri(9)

  47,898   * 

Richard D. Peterson(10)

  49,374   * 

Michael A. Pietrangelo(11)

  130,583   * 

Ozzie A. Schindler(12)

  71,519   * 

Jon W. Springer(13)

  686,387   2.1% 

Frank C. Wilcox(14)

  114,072   * 

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D.(15)

  282,348   * 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Executive officers and directors as a group (12 people)(16)

                            4,535,611                                   14.0% 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)    

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (2)

 

 

      

Percent

of Class (3)

 

 

Beneficial Owners of More than 5% of Our Common Stock

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc. (4)

 

 

 

 

   4,478,524  

 

 

 

     14.7

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (5)

 

 

 

 

   1,921,187  

 

 

 

     6.3

The Vanguard Group (6)

 

 

 

 

   1,889,704  

 

 

 

     6.2

Named Executive Officers and Directors

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shannon A. Brown

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

      

Scott P. Callahan (7)

 

 

 

 

   36,373  

 

 

 

     * 

Kimberly D. Campos

 

 

 

 

   4,404  

 

 

 

     * 

Stephen J. Donaghy (8)

 

 

 

 

   1,272,707  

 

 

 

     4.2

Sean P. Downes (9)

 

 

 

 

   2,775,776  

 

 

 

     9.1

Marlene M. Gordon (10)

 

 

 

 

   12,337  

 

 

 

     * 

Francis X. McCahill III (11)

 

 

 

 

   13,337  

 

 

 

     * 

Richard D. Peterson (12)

 

 

 

 

   36,586  

 

 

 

     * 

Michael A. Pietrangelo (13)

 

 

 

 

   123,420  

 

 

 

     * 

Ozzie A. Schindler (14)

 

 

 

 

   56,856  

 

 

 

     * 

Jon W. Springer (15)

 

 

 

 

   523,672  

 

 

 

     1.7

Frank C. Wilcox (16)

 

 

 

 

   252,302  

 

 

 

     * 

Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. (17)

 

 

 

 

   271,885  

 

 

 

     * 

 

Executive officers and directors as a group (13 people) (18)

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

5,379,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

17.7

 

 

 

 (1)

Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each shareholder is c/o Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.

 

 (2)

A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of common stock that can be acquired by such person within 60 days from April 13, 2020,10, 2023, upon the exercise of stock options, time-vested restricted stock awards, or conversion of preferred stock. Except as otherwise specified, each beneficial owner’s percentage ownership is determined by assuming that stock options and time-vested restricted stock awards preferred stock that are held by such person (but not those held by any other person) and that are exercisable, vested or convertible within 60 days from April 13, 2020,10, 2023, have been exercised or converted.

 

 (3)

Asterisks represent percentage holdings below 1.0%.

 

 (4)

Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2020January 24, 2023 by BlackRock, Inc. At that time, BlackRock, Inc. reported sole voting power as to 4,704,4104,425,834 shares and sole dispositive power as to 4,780,5324,478,524 shares. The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

 

 (5)

Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by Vanguard Group Inc. At that time, The Vanguard Group reported sole voting power as to 41,441 shares, shared voting power as to 5,243 shares, sole dispositive power as to 3,168,316 shares and shared dispositive power as to 41,820 shares. The address of Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355.

(6)

Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 202010, 2023 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. At that time, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reported sole voting power as to 1,646,9881,878,743 shares and sole dispositive power as to 1,743,3801,921,187 shares. The address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746.

 

 (7)(6)

Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2023 by Vanguard Group Inc. At that time, The Vanguard Group reported shared voting power as to 39,875 shares, sole dispositive power as to 1,828,710 shares and shared dispositive power as to 60,994 shares. The address of Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355.

(7)

Includes options held by Mr. Callahan to purchase an aggregate of 50,00020,000 shares of common stock.stock and 5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards.

 

 (8)

Includes options held by Mr. Donaghy to convert and purchase an aggregate of 619,575 shares of common stock.

(9)

Includes options held by Mr. Downes to convert and purchase an aggregate of 1,042,3611,444,901 shares of common stock.

 

 (9)(10)

Includes options10,337 time-vested restricted stock awards held by Ms. Gordon.

45


(11)

Includes 10,337 time-vested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Palmieri to purchase an aggregate of 40,000 shares of common stock.McCahill.

 

 (10)(12)

Includes options held by Mr. Peterson to purchase an aggregate of 39,20020,000 shares of common stock.stock and 5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards.

 

 (11)(13)

Includes options held by Mr. Pietrangelo to purchase an aggregate of 40,00020,000 shares of common stock.stock.and 5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards.

 

 (12)(14)

Includes options held by Mr. Schindler to purchase an aggregate of 40,00020,000 shares of common stock.

46


(13)

Includes options held by Mr. Springer to convertstock and purchase an aggregate of 203,123 shares of common stock.5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards.

 

 (14)(15)

Includes 5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Springer.

(16)

Includes options held by Mr. Wilcox to purchase an aggregate of 8,333129,138 shares of common stock.

 

 (15)(17)

Includes options held by Dr. Wilentz to purchase an aggregate of 40,00020,000 shares of common stock.stock and 5,337 time-vested restricted stock awards.

 

 (16)(18)

See footnotesnotes (2) and (7) – (14)(17) above.

 

4746


INFORMATION ABOUT ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING PROCEDURES; SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2021

2023 ANNUAL MEETING

General Information

A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote the stock you own. We have designated Frank C. Wilcox, our Chief Financial Officer, and Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, our Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer, as the lawful proxies for our shareholders at the meeting.

Attendance at the Meeting

You need to bring a photo ID to gain admission to the meeting. Only shareholders and invited guests may attend the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner, you will need to bring your most recent brokerage statement with you to the meeting. We will use your brokerage statement to verify your ownership of shares and admit you to the meeting; however, you will not be able to vote your shares at the meeting without a legal proxy, as described under “How to Vote” in this section of the Proxy Statement.

How to Vote

If your shares are registered directly in your name with our registrar and transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered a shareholder “of record” with respect to those shares. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or with a bank, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares.

Shareholders of Record. Shareholders of record can vote in any one of four ways:

 

  

Via the internet: Go to the website listed on your proxy card or on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote via the internet. You will need to follow the instructions on the website.

 

  

By telephone:telephone: Call the telephone number on your proxy card to vote by telephone. You will need to follow the instructions given by the voice prompts.

 

  

By mail: Sign, date and return the proxy card you received from the Company in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

 

  

In person: Attend the meeting in person. See “Attendance at the Meeting” in this section of the Proxy Statement.

Beneficial Owners. If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record (sometimes referred to as holding shares “in street name”), you will receive instructions from the holder of record in the form of a Voting Instruction Form that you must fill out in order for your shares to be voted. If you wish to vote in person at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the bank, broker or other holder of record that holds your shares, and bring it, or other evidence of stock ownership, with you to the meeting. See “Attendance at the Meeting” in this section of the Proxy Statement. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under certain securities exchange rules, the organization that holds your shares is not permitted to vote on certain matters, including the election of directors, and may determine not to vote your shares at all. In order to ensure that your shares are voted on all matters presented at the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to provide voting instructions in advance of the meeting, regardless of whether you intend to attend the Annual Meeting.

Shareholders Entitled to Vote

The record date for the meeting is April 13, 2020.10, 2023. Only owners of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments of the meeting.

The securities to be voted at the meeting consist of shares of our common stock, with each share entitling its record owner to one vote, and shares of our Series A preferred stock, with each share entitling its record owner to one vote.

47


The table below sets forth the number and classes of Company stock entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

  Class of Voting Stock

 Number of Record
Holders as of
the Record Date
     Number of Shares
Outstanding
and Entitled to
Vote as of
the Record Date
 

Common Stock

                                  39   *                           32,403,137 

Series A Preferred Stock

  1    9,975 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 
*

A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers, and other financial institutions.

Class of Voting Stock   

Number of Record    

Holders as of    

the Record Date    

    

Number of Shares

Outstanding

and Entitled to

Vote as of

the Record Date

 

Common Stock

  55    30,431,776 

Series A Preferred Stock

  1    9,975

48


Quorum Requirements

The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock and preferred stock, taken together, is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. If a quorum is not present at the meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may vote to adjourn the meeting without further notice.

Revoking a Proxy

After you have submitted a proxy, you may revoke such proxy prior to the completion of voting at the meeting by the following means:

 

sending written notice to Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309;

 

delivering a later-dated proxy; or

 

appearing at the meeting and giving the Secretary notice of your intention to vote in person (unless you are a beneficial owner without a legal proxy, as described under “How to Vote” in this section of the Proxy Statement).

Tabulation of Voting Results

An independent inspector will certify the results of the vote regarding the election of directors.

Voting Options for Each Proposal at the Annual Meeting

With respect to Proposal 1, the Election of Directors, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” each nominee or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting.

With respect to ProposalProposals 2 and 3,4, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” such proposals or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting.

With respect to Proposal 3, you may vote every “1 YEAR”, “2 YEARS” or “3 YEARS” or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting.

Votes Required to Pass Each Proposal

Each matter submitted to the shareholders requiresProposals 1, 2, and 4 require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

Board Voting Recommendations for Each Proposal

The Board recommends that you vote your shares:

 

“FOR” the election of each of the director nominees to the Board (Proposal 1)

“FOR” the approval of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 2)

“1 YEAR” frequency for the “Say-on-Pay” vote (Proposal 3)

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202023 fiscal year (Proposal 3)4)

If you sign and return your proxy card, but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board above.

48


Abstentions and Broker“Non-Votes”

Abstentions and brokernon-votes are considered as shares represented for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

If you submit a proxy but select “ABSTAIN” from voting on a proposal, your shares will be represented at the meeting but will not have any impact on the voting results of a proposal. Abstentions are not considered “votes cast” on eacha proposal.

A brokernon-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner (i.e., a broker) does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power for that particular matter and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Under NYSE rules, ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202023 fiscal year (Proposal 3)4) is considered a routine matter on which brokers will be permitted to vote in their discretion, even if the beneficial owners do not provide voting instructions. However, each of the other proposals is not considered to be a routine matter under NYSE rules, and brokers will not be permitted to vote on Proposals 1 or 2 if the beneficial owners fail to provide voting instructions. Brokernon-votes will not have any impact on the voting results of a proposal.

49


Costs for Proxy Solicitations

We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. Officers and regular employees of the CompanyWe may solicit proxies by a further mailing or personal conversations or viae-mail, telephone or facsimile, provided that they do not receive compensation for doing so.facsimile.

Cameras and Recording Equipment Prohibited

Please note that cameras and sound or video recording equipment will not be permitted in the meeting room.

Householding

As permitted by the federal securities laws, only one copy of this Proxy Statement, the Annual Report and the Notice of 20202023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is being delivered to shareholders residing at the same address, unless the shareholders have notified us of their desire to receive multiple copies. This is known as householding. We will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of these materials to any shareholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Requests for additional copies for the current year should be directed to Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 or(954) 958-1200.

Shareholders of record residing at the same address and currently receiving multiple copies of Proxy Statements may contact our registrar and transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, to request that only a single copy of the Proxy Statement be mailed in the future. Please contact the transfer agent by phone at(212) 509-4000 or by mail at 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004. Beneficial owners, as described above, should contact their broker or bank.

Where You Can Find More Information/Availability of Proxy Materials

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read any reports, statements or other information we file with the SEC at the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov.

THE NOTICE OF 20202023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019,2022, ARE FIRST EXPECTED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE ATHTTP://WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM ON APRIL 29, 2020.28, 2023.

We will promptly send a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to you without charge upon written request by mail to Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 or (954) 958-1200.

Shareholder Proposal Deadline for 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Proposals that shareholders intend to present at the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and be included the proxy materials for such meeting pursuant to Rule14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by the Company no later than December 30, 2020.2023.

49


In addition, a shareholder may wish to have a proposal presented at the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (including director nominations), but not to have such proposal included in our proxy materials relating to that meeting. Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to our bylaws, a shareholder proposal or nomination intended to be brought before the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be delivered to the Company between March 14, 202110, 2024 and April 13, 2021.9, 2024. In addition to satisfying the deadlines under the advance notice procedures of our bylaws, a shareholder who intends to solicit proxies pursuant to Rule 14a-19 in support of nominees submitted under these advance notice provisions of the bylaws must provide notice to the Secretary of the Company regarding such intent no later than April 9, 2024.

All proposals or nominations a shareholder wishes to submit at the meeting should be directed to Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.

 

50


OTHER MATTERS

The Company knows of no business that will be presented for action at the annual meeting other than those matters referred to herein. If other matters do come before the annual meeting, the persons named as proxies will act and vote according to their best judgment on behalf of the shareholders they represent.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

LOGO

Gary Lloyd Ropiecki, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer

April 29, 202028, 2023

 

51


LOGO


LOGO

ANNUAL MEETING OF UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC. Annual Meeting of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Date: June 12, 2020 to be held on Friday, June 12, 2020 Time: 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) for Holders of Record as of April 13, 2020 Place: Boca Raton Resort & Club 501 E. Camino Real This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors Boca Raton, FL 33432 VOTEDP.O. BOX 8016, CARY, NC 27512-9903 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE VOTE BY: Please make your marks like this:                Use dark black pencil or pen only INTERNET TELEPHONE Call Go To (844)926-2197 Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR each nominee in Proposal 1 provided.To: www.proxypush.com/UVE and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. Cast your vote online. •online Have your Proxy Card ready Follow the simple instructions to record your vote PHONE Call 1-844-926-2197 Use any touch-tone telephone. • OR View Meeting •telephone Have your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form ready. 1: Election of eleven directors for an annual term ending in 2021. • Documents. •Card ready Follow the simple recorded instructions. Directors envelopeinstructions MAIL Nominees For Against Abstain Recommend the OR • Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. 1a. Scott P. Callahan For in • DetachCard Fold and return your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. 1b. Kimberly D. Campos For • Return your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction FormCard in the postage-paid envelope provided. 1c. Stephen J. Donaghy For portion 1d. Sean P. Downes For this The undersigned hereby appoints Frank C. Wilcox and Gary L. Ropiecki, and each of them, with full power of 1e. Marlene M. Gordon For substitution, as the lawful proxies of the undersigned and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote as just designated below all shares of common stock and Series A preferred stock ofprovided Universal Insurance Holdings, 1f. Ralph J. Palmieri For Inc. (“Company”) that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of 1g. Richard D. PetersonShareholders For Shareholders of the Company to be held atrecord as of April 10, 2023 TIME: Thursday, June 8, 2023 9:00 a.m.,AM, Eastern Time on Friday, June 12, 2020 atPLACE: Boca Raton Resort return & Club 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 and at any adjournment thereof. Holders of common stock and 1h. Michael A. Pietrangelo For Series A preferred stock are entitled to one vote per share. 1i. Ozzie A. Schindler Forand THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS 1j. Jon W. Springer For GIVEN, SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR 1k. Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. For PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. For Against Abstain perforation 2: Advisory vote to approve the compensation    For the paid to the Company’s named executive    at PROXY TABULATOR FOR officers. 3: Ratification of appointment of Plante &    For UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. Moran, PLLC as the independent registered    carefully P.O. BOX 8035 public accounting firm of the Company for the    CARY, NC 27512-9903 fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. To consider and act upon any other matters separate which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please Authorized Signatures—This section must be completed for your Instructions to be executed. EVENT #    Please Sign Here Please Date Above CLIENT # Please Sign Here Please Date Above Please sign exactly as your name(s) appearsproxy is being solicited on your stock certificate. If held in joint tenancy, all OFFICE # 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.


LOGO

Proxy — Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.    Annual Meeting of Shareholders    June 12, 2020, 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)    This Proxy is Solicited on Behalfbehalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned hereby appoints Frank C. Wilcox and Gary L. Ropiecki (the “Named Proxies”), and each of them with full power of substitution, as the lawful proxies of the undersigned, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote as designated below all shares of common stock and Series A preferredcapital stock of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“Company”(the “Company”) thatwhich the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at 9:00 a.m.,AM, Eastern Time, on Friday,Thursday, June 12, 20208, 2023 at Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 and at any Please adjournment thereof. Holders of common stock and Series A preferred stock are entitled to one vote per share. separate The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to take action on the following: 1. Proposal 1: Election of eleven directors for an annual term ending in 2021. carefully 2. Proposal 2: Advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to the at Company’s named executive officers; and the    3. Proposal 3: Ratification of appointment of Plante & Moran, PLLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. perforation Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual and Meeting or any adjournment or postponement ofthereof, including, without limitation, to vote for the Annual Meeting. return The Board of Directors of the Company recommends a vote “FOR” all nominees justelection for director and “FOR” each proposal. this This proxy, when properly executed, will be votedsuch substitute nominee(s) for Director as such Named Proxies may select in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be votedevent that any nominee(s) named become(s) unable to serve. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR each nominee in ProposalON THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR ON PROPOSALS 2 AND 4, and FOR Proposals 2 and1 YEAR ON PROPOSAL 3. In their discretion, the Named portion Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly in come before the Annual Meetingmeeting or any adjournment or postponement the thereof. You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box envelope (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation. The Named provided Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this card. . To attendPLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY CARD AND MARK ON THE REVERSE SIDE


LOGO

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders Please make your marks like this: X THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE: FOR ON PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 4 and 1 YEAR ON PROPOSAL 3. PROPOSAL YOUR VOTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS 1. Election of twelve directors. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1.01 Shannon A. Brown [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.02 Scott P. Callahan [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.03 Kimberly D. Campos [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.04 Stephen J. Donaghy [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.05 Sean P. Downes [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.06 Marlene M. Gordon[    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.07 Francis X. McCahill, III [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.08 Richard D. Peterson [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.09 Michael A. Pietrangelo [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.10 Ozzie A. Schindler [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.11 Jon W. Springer [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 1.12 Joel M. Wilentz, M.D. [    ] [    ] [    ] FOR 2. Advisory vote to approve the meetingcompensation of the Company’s named executive officers. FOR [    ] AGAINST [    ] ABSTAIN [    ] FOR 3. Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officers’ compensation. 1YR [    ] 2YR [    ] 3YR [    ] ABSTAIN [    ] 1 YEAR 4. Ratification of the appointment of Plante & Moran, PLLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. FOR [    ] AGAINST [    ] ABSTAIN [    ] FOR Authorized Signatures - Must be completed for your instructions to be executed. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your account. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and vote your shares in person, please mark this box.authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy/Vote Form. Signature (and Title if applicable) Date Signature (if held jointly) Date