UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to SectionPROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) of theSecurities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Definitive Proxy Statement | |
Definitive Additional Materials | |
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
KB HOME
(Name of Registrant as Specified Inin Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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JEFFREY T. MEZGER
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENTAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
February 26 , 2021
FIVE-YEAR ANNUALIZEDTOTAL STOCKHOLDER RETURN
Together with the Board of Directors and the management team of KB Home, I am pleased to invite you to participate in our 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Due to public health restrictions related to COVID-19, and for the safety of our stockholders, the Annual MeetingThe meeting will be conducted virtually through an audio-onlyonline webcast at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, April 8, 2021.18, 2024.
At the time of my last letter to stockholders,2023 in late February 2020, we were poised for a year of growth,Review
The KB Home team delivered healthy results in 2023, as we expected to expandsuccessfully navigated fluctuating market conditions, maintaining our scale through meaningful increases in revenues and deliveries at higher levels of profitability. Within two weeks of that letter, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and we moved quickly to adapt our business to the changing conditions and related restrictions that ensued. With a focus on protecting the health and well-being oflong term. We were steadfast in our employees, customers and business partners, as well as their families, we took a decisive step in temporarily closing our sales centers and Design Studios in mid-March. Although every state in which we operate issued stay-at-home or similar orders, residential construction was deemed an essential activity in nearly all of our markets, allowing uscommitments to continue to build and deliver homes.
We shifted to using our enhanced virtual sales tools, giving customers the ability to shop for a new home from their mobile device or personal computer. We also established systems that enable customers to visit our communities and tour homes privately, unaccompanied by a KB Home employee. And we created processes for buyers to complete their Design Studio selections online. In early April, with protocols in place for operating safely, we began reopening our communities and Studios by appointment only, and we continued with this approach until more fully reopening to walk-in traffic in late May.
While our approach was conservative, closing our sales centers during the busiest time of the year — the industry’s Spring selling season — and reopening more slowly than some other homebuilders, we believe it was the right path. We took aggressive action in the interest of safety, while continuing to effectively run our business and prioritize cash preservation and liquidity, which we believe helped us successfully navigate the early months of the pandemic.
In May, as restrictions began to ease within many of our served markets, consumer optimism in those markets grew and our orders began to rebound significantly, steadily rising as the month progressed. Ultimately, what followed in the second half of the year, continuing into 2021, has been some of the strongest housing market demand that I have seen in my 40-year career as a homebuilder. The industry had already been poised for this, with Millennials, the nation’s largest adult population, in their prime household formation years, together with an underproduction of new homes over the last decade and a favorable mortgage interest rate environment. The pandemic played a significant role in propelling demand for homeownership and all the financial, health, safety, and emotional security it offers.
As a result, we had a strong finish to 2020 and believe we are well-positioned for an outstanding year in 2021. I want to thank our employees for their perseverance in taking care of our customers, duringprotecting and further building our brand, positioning the Company for profitable growth, and advancing our award-winning sustainability program.
Reflecting on 2023, I am reminded of the remarkable contrast between how the year began and ended. With the start of the year characterized by a very fluid year,continuing soft demand environment resulting primarily from higher mortgage interest rates, our initial 2023 guidance projected about $5.5 billion in housing revenues, equating to roughly 11,400 deliveries. We achieved much stronger results, closing 13,236 homes and their contributionsgenerating revenues of $6.4 billion. Two important areas of focus in 2023 were lowering our costs to build and compressing our build times——aspects of our business that had been significantly impacted by the supply chain challenges of the prior few years——and we successfully executed in both areas. In addition, we took steps to work with our buyers on affordability, as they adjusted to the solidhigher rates. Our results, we produced. As toalong with the detailsrepurchase of 11% of our 2020 performance, we generated total revenuesshares outstanding since the start of $4.2 billion andthe year, contributed to diluted earnings per share of $3.13, an increase of 10% year over year. The net order momentum that we experienced throughout the second half of the year drove our 2020 ending backlog value up by over 60% year over year to $3.0 billion, its highest level in 15 years. We continued to reinvest$7.03 and 15% growth in our Company and, despite pausing most land acquisition and development activity atbook value per share in 2023 to $50.22.
Together with expanding our scale, returning capital to stockholders has become one of our key priorities in allocating the onset of the pandemic,substantial cash that our business generates. We remain focused on striking an appropriate balance in managing these priorities. In 2023, we spent $1.7invested $1.8 billion to acquire and develop land and returned nearly $470 million in 2020, slightly higher than the previous year. We ended the year with a solid position that provides us with the lots neededcash to support the substantial rise in delivery volume anticipated for 2021,stockholders primarily through share repurchases, as well as all the lots we expect to need for further delivery growth in 2022. In addition to investing in future growth, we maintained our focus on increasing stockholder returns. We implemented another substantial increase in ourregular quarterly cash dividend in our 2020 fourth quarter, marking the second consecutive year we have meaningfully raised our dividend, which is now six times its level from two years ago. We returned $38 million of our cash to stockholderswe increased by approximately 33% in 2020, nearly doubleJuly 2023.
Building for the prior year’s level.Future
We take a balanced approach to utilizing the substantial cash flow that our business generates, with the objective of expanding our scale while increasing returns. With our return on equity rising approximately 600 basis points over the past five years, we have produced an annualized total stockholder return of more than 20% during that timeframe, well above our primary industry benchmark and the broader market, and among the highest in our peer group.
Along with the healthy and profitable growth of our Company, a key priority for us is continuing to improve the satisfaction of our customers. For us, fulfilling our customers’ needs is one of the best ways we can continue to enhance our brand, as our objectiveOur vision is to be the most customer-obsessed homebuilder in the world. A home is the largestWe partner with our customers to help them achieve their dreams of homeownership, creating a highly satisfying experience through a compelling, simple, and most meaningful purchase most of us make in our lifetimes, and we strive to make thepersonalized homebuying experience an exceptional one.process distinguished by phenomenal customer service. I am very proud ofthat in 2023, we maintained our accomplishments relative to this objective, particularly in achievingstatus as the highest customer satisfaction ratings in our history in 2020, at a time when we were managing through the challenges posed by the pandemic. We are also the highest-ranked#1 customer-ranked national homebuilder, based on buyer satisfaction surveys on TrustBuilder®, a third-party, industry-specific homeowner review site, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars, and achieving or tying for the top rankingsite. Rankings are established entirely on direct responses from homebuyers, reinforcing that our distinct homebuying experience resonates with them. Ensuring we operate our business in nearly everyalignment
with our values is one of our markets.the most impactful ways we can continue building a bigger and more profitable Company in the future.
Our commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is one more significantanother way in which we are investingbuilding for the future, and creating longer-term value. Whenit is an area in which we began this journey nearly 15 years ago, sustainability was considered a luxury in homebuilding.have led our industry for 17 years. We saw an opportunityendeavor to help protectfind ways to offer energy- and water-efficient features that conserve resources while lowering the environment while reducing the overalltotal cost of long-term homeownership for our customers through lower utility bills.homeownership. We became the firstcall it “doing well by doing good”——a philosophy that has resulted in national homebuilder to build 100% ENERGY STAR® certified new homes, and we have delivered nearly 150,000 ENERGY STAR certified new homes to date, more than any other national homebuilder. Our sustainably designed homes are estimated to have cumulatively saved our homeowners approximately $780 million in utility bills and lowered carbon emissions by approximately 5 billion pounds, the equivalent of removing nearly 490,000 cars from the road for one year.
During 2020, we were honored to be recognized once again by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the following awards, each of which represented another year of unprecedented achievement for a national homebuilder:
2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award — Our 10th consecutive award for demonstrating leadership in energy-efficient construction;
2020 ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Market Leader Awards — A record 21 awards in all, one in eachrecognition of our primary markets nationwide, recognizing excellence in energy-efficient home building;achievements. We successfully executed on several key initiatives during the last year, and
2020 WaterSense® Sustained Excellence Award — The sixth consecutive year I encourage you to learn more about what we have received this award forare doing to drive a more sustainable future by visiting our achievements in constructing water-efficient homes.
website. In addition, to energy efficiency, we also advanced our efforts in the area of renewable energy, achieving the milestone of delivering over 11,000 solar-powered homes to our customers in the past 15 years, producing an estimated total of 428 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. KB Home has been a leader in solar homebuilding and was one of the first national builders to offer it .
We have substantially expanded our view of sustainability beyond energy efficiency to encompass water conservation, waste reduction and healthier indoor environments. This last point has proven to be particularly relevant in the midst of the pandemic. Our homes include high-performance ventilation systems that regularly introduce fresh outdoor air, and, in our Design Studios, we offer options, from anti-microbial door handles to touchless faucets, that reduce the spread of germs. In 2020, we announced a groundbreaking healthy home research project in partnership with the Well Living Lab, which was founded as a collaboration between Delos® and the Mayo Clinic. It is the first lab to exclusively focus on researching how indoor environments can improve human health and well-being.
Last year also marked a year of enhanced transparency about the “social” aspect of our sustainability program. We have had long-established standards and practices to guide how we conduct ourselves as a company and in relation to our employees and business partners. In 2020, we publicly articulated some of our guiding principles, publishing a Human Rights statement, a Supplier Code of Conduct, and a policy on Responsible Marketing practices. We also reviewed and updated our Ethics Policy, as we do each year, and conducted Company-wide training on this policy, which all of our employees are required to complete annually.
As a result of our leadership in ESG, we were pleased to be the only national builder to receive two distinct honors. The first was from Newsweek®, in being named to its 2021 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for demonstrating leading environmental, social and governance practices. We were also selected by Forbes® for its 2021 list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. We are a people-driven business and this recognition, which is based on employee feedback about working at KB Home and the likelihood of recommending us as an employer, is very gratifying to our team.
Our 14th17th Annual Sustainability Report, the longest-running publication of its kind for a national homebuilder, is slated for publication in conjunction with Earth Day 2021. April.
Closing Thoughts
We encourage you to review our report and learn more about our consistent,believe the long-term approach and vision for buildingoutlook for the future.
We are offnew housing market remains favorable, driven by low existing home inventory levels, solid employment and wage growth. Demographics have been and, we expect will continue to be, a significant factor, with the largest generational cohorts, millennials and Gen Z’s, demonstrating a strong startdesire for homeownership. We have built a solidly profitable business, based upon our highly personalized, customer-oriented and differentiating Built to Order business model, with a recognized brand that consumers trust. Our talented and long-tenured management team is ready to lead our Company forward, and we have demonstrated the ability to navigate varying market conditions with a thoughtful approach focused on the long term. With a solid backlog in 2021, amid a backdrop of continuing robust market conditions. We are poised for a tremendous year asplace, we resume our growth into a larger, more profitable company, which will help drive expansion of our return on equity to an expected 17%. Whilebelieve we are mindful that we remainwell positioned to achieve our delivery target for 2024. We anticipate achieving double-digit growth in a pandemic, with the potential to disrupt our business, we are confident in the strength ofending community count this year and expect our position, which is the best it has been in over a decade. We have an experienced, dedicated team,cash generation, as well as solid balance sheet, a healthy lot position, the cash flowliquidity, will enable us to invest in community count expansion and maintain a higher quarterly cash dividend, and a business model that generates high customer satisfaction and has demonstrated appealour future growth while continuing to homebuyers.return capital to stockholders.
Our team at
I am excited about the Company’s future, as the KB Home isteam remains committed to managing our business to drive long-term stockholder value, and alongvalue. Together with our Board of Directors, we sincerely thank you for your investment and continued support.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
TABLE OF CONTENTSJEFFREY T. MEZGER
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 8, 2024
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 1 |
Table of Contents
NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSNotice
THURSDAY,APRIL8,2021of 2024 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
Thursday, April 18, 2024
9:00 a.m., Pacific Time
WebcastMeetingLocation:www.meetingcenter.io/216002295
meetnow.global/M9X547D
Items of Business | |
1. | Elect nine directors for a one-year term. |
2. | Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. |
3. | Ratify Ernst & Young LLP’s appointment as KB Home’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2024. |
Elect 12 directors, each to serve for a one-year term.
Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.
Ratify Ernst & Young LLP’s appointment as KB Home’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.
Approve the Amended Rights Agreement.
The accompanying Proxy Statement describes these items in more detail. We have not received notice of any other matters that may be properly presented at the meeting.
RECORD DATE
Record Date
You are entitled to vote at the meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting if you were a stockholder as of the close of business on February 5, 2021.26, 2024.
By order of the Board of Directors,
WILLIAMA.(TONY)RICHELIEU
VicePresident,CorporateSecretaryand
AssociateGeneralCounsel
LosAngeles,California
February 26 , 2021
March 8, 2024
VOTING
Voting
Please vote as soon as possible to ensure your shares will be represented. Holders of record may vote via the Internet, telephone or mail. Stockholders whose shares are held by an intermediate broker or financial institution, also called beneficial holders, must vote in the way their intermediary provides. Holders with a control number from our transfer agent can vote at the Annual Meeting.
meeting.
VIRTUAL MEETING FORMATVirtual Meeting Format
Due to COVID-19-related public health restrictions and for the safety and well-being of our stockholders, the Annual MeetingThe meeting will be conducted online through an audio-only webcast. The accompanying Proxy Statement contains information about participating in the Annual Meeting. Theremeeting. The meeting will behave no physical location for the Annual Meeting.location.
ANNUAL REPORTAnnual Report
Copies of ourOur Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 20202023 (“Annual Report”), including audited financial statements, areis being made available to stockholders concurrently with the accompanying Proxy Statement on or about February 26, 2021.March 8, 2024.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on April 18, 2024: Our Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.kbhome.com/investor/proxy. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 3 |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting To Be Held on April 8, 2021: Our Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.kbhome.com/investor/proxy.
Your Board is furnishing this Proxy Statement and a proxy/voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability to you to solicit your proxy for KB Home’s 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”). We anticipate these proxy materials will be made available to stockholders on or about February 26, 2021. A briefMarch 8, 2024 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the same date. Below is summary of information about the Annual Meeting is presented below.Meeting. Please review all the more detailed information in this Proxy Statement before voting.
| Location: |
Thursday, April | |
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| Audio-only Webcast Meeting at |
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meetnow.global/M9X547D |
ItemsofBusiness | BoardRecommendation | VotingStandard | |||
Election of Directors | FOReach of the | Majority of Votes Cast | |||
Advisory vote to approve named executive officer (“NEO”) compensation, also known as “Say-on-Pay” | FOR | Majority of Shares Present and Entitled to Vote | |||
Ratify Ernst & Young LLP’s appointment as | FOR | Majority of Shares Present and Entitled to Vote | |||
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PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL MEETING WEBCAST
Online access to theThe Annual Meeting webcast at www.meetingcenter.io/216002295meetnow.global/M9X547D will open at approximately 8:45 a.m., Pacific Time, on April 8, 2021.18, 2024. To access the audio-only meeting, vote and ask questions, you will need to have a valid control number from our transfer agent, Computershare and use the password: KBH2021.Computershare. Holders of record will receive their control number on the notice or proxy card Computershare distributes to them.
Questions may be submitted before or during the Annual Meeting. To submit a question in advance, visit meetnow.global/M9X547D before 8:59 p.m., Pacific Time, on April 17, 2024, and enter a valid control number. We will endeavor to answer as many stockholder questions as time permits. However, we may not respond to questions that are not pertinent to Annual Meeting matters or our business. Single responses to a group of substantially similar questions may be provided to avoid repetition. We ask attendees to help us keep the proceedings orderly by following the meeting rules of conduct.
If you are a beneficial holder, meaning an intermediate broker or financial institution holds your shares, you must register with Computershare no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 5, 202115, 2024, to participate inbe able to vote and ask questions at the Annual MeetingMeeting. . To register, please provide Computershare with proof of your KB Home stockholdings, known as a legal proxy, obtained from your intermediary,broker or financial institution, along with your name and email address. Submit theseSend the items to Computershare viaby email atto legalproxy@computershare.com (use KB Home Legal Proxy in the subject line); or by mail to: Computershare, KB Home Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001; Providence, RI 02940-3001. Computershare will send an email you confirmation of your registration.
Beneficial holders who cannot obtain a legal proxy can attend the Annual Meeting as a guest though withoutat the abilityabove-noted Internet address, but they will not be able to vote or ask questions, at the Internet address and with the password noted above.
Questions may be submitted before or during the Annual Meeting. To submit a question in advance, visit www.meetingcenter.io/216002295 before 8:59 p.m., Pacific Time, on April 7, 2021 and enter a valid control number. As many stockholder questions will be answered as time permits. However, we may not respond to questions that are not pertinent to meeting matters or our business. Single responses to a group of substantially similar questions may be provided to avoid repetition. We ask that attendees please help us keep the proceedings orderly and follow the Annual Meeting rules of conduct.questions.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 4 |
Our Values | |
We make relationships the foundation for all we do. It takes strong relationships to build a home. To build a strong relationship it takes respect, integrity, and open and honest communication. Our employees are the heart and soul of KB, and that belief in relationships defines how we behave toward each other, how we treat our customers through every step of the process, and, how we work with our suppliers, trade, and municipality partners. | |
We build homes that make lives better. Innovative design and quality construction standards are the cornerstones of our brand. Behind our continuous drive to build exceptional homes is a passion for the wellbeing of those who live in them. From architecture to construction to customer service, we care about making our buyers’ lives more comfortable, convenient, and healthy. That’s how we lead the industry in customer satisfaction, and strive to keep it that way. | |
We believe that everyone deserves a home that’s as unique as they are. Our business model is built on a simple, yet radical idea: a house becomes your home when it’s an expression of who you are. That’s why we give our customers the ability to choose — from homesite to elevation, from floor plan to design options — and a buying experience that’s personalized from end-to-end. | |
We deliver more for less. We believe that every customer deserves a home that lives up to their dreams. That’s why it’s our shared responsibility to ensure that what we build delivers great value, so that every customer gets a home — and a homebuying experience — that can exceed their expectations without exceeding their budget. It’s a disciplined and responsible approach to homebuilding that’s good for our homebuyers and our business. | |
We strive for a better shared future. From individuals, to families, to whole communities, our collective actions can have a beneficial impact on the world. We believe that every decision we make, from how we manage our workplace, to how we run our operations, has the potential to advance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. |
A key component of our focus on long-term value creation is our commitment to sustainability, which we see as encompassing our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices highlighted on the next few pages. This commitment flows from our core Built on Relationships® business philosophy. Before we build a home, we seek to build a personal connection through close partnerships with our buyers, offering a compelling, simple and personalized process distinguished by phenomenal customer service. We also endeavor to create and maintain other key relationships for our operations, including with the communities we develop, suppliers, trade contractors, land sellers and team members. While financial returns are our top priority, we believe our distinctive and deeply rooted purpose-driven, people-centric approach to doing business has been the foundation of our success over the 60+ years we have been delivering homes to and serving our customers and their communities. We strive to make the communities we develop better places to live, work and play, and encourage our teams to get involved at a local level. This includes their participation in our KB Cares program, which supports several charitable activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PRACTICES
We are proud of our nearly 15 years of leadership within the homebuilding industry in constructing communities of sustainable homes. Over their multi-decade use, our homes are designed to meaningfully conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with day-to-day living activities compared to typical new and resale homes. We believe this is the most effective way we can make a positive contribution to the global effort to address climate change. In recent years, we have expanded our sustainability portfolio to include enhancing our homes’ indoor air environment. We also maintain a human capital strategy that supports a diverse and inclusive workforce with equal opportunity and programs for training and career advancement, strong benefits, incentives, and health, safety and wellness initiatives. Our annual sustainability reports, which we have published for 13 years, contain more information about our programs, goals and achievements.
Select attributes of our approach to sustainability, which our Board oversees as part of our overall business strategy, are summarized below.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 5 |
Energy Efficiency |
| Water Efficiency |
| Impact | ||
~150,000 U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® certified homes built since 2000, more than any other homebuilder 100% ENERGY STAR certified home commitment since 2008 (only ~ 10% of all new homes built in the U.S. in 2019 were ENERGY STAR certified) 11,000+ total solar homes built 32% of homes sold were all electric (i.e., without natural gas systems) |
| 16,000+ EPA WaterSense® labeled and Water Smart homes built since 2005, more than any other homebuilder 700,000+ WaterSense labeled fixtures installed 100% WaterSense labeled fixture commitment since 2009 |
| Approximately five billion pounds cumulative CO2 emission reduction (est.) from our ENERGY STAR certified new homes, compared to typical homes without ENERGY STAR features 1.5 billion gallons of water saved annually (est.) from our new homes and fixtures, compared to typical existing homes that do not have the same water saving items | ||
Indoor Air Enhancement |
| Workforce Diversity* |
| Social Standards | ||
High-efficiency air filters are standard in our homes Only homebuilder in the Well Living Lab Alliance, a global consortium of leading companies working to improve indoor air environments |
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| Female | Minority |
| Publicly available policies include: ■
Ethics Policy ■
Human Rights statement ■
Supplier Code of Conduct ■
Responsible Marketing practices |
| Managers | 33% | 21% |
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| Overall | 42% | 33% |
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| * Data as of December 31, 2020. Please see page 11 for Board of Directors diversity. |
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Back of Contents | ||
As strong corporate governance is a key factor in driving long-term stockholder value, theThe Board has implemented a robustestablished an appropriate governance framework and leading practices to oversee the management of our business, as highlighted below and discussed in other sections of this Proxy Statement*. Further below, we detail how the Board’s approach to corporate governance aligns with the principles of the Investor Stewardship Group, which is a coalition of some of the world’s largest investors and asset managers, including several of our top stockholders.summarized below.(1)
Independence | ■ All | |
■ The Lead Independent Director position has significant responsibilities and authority, as described below. ■ Only independent directors serve on Board committees. | ■ During | |
Accountability | ■ All directors are elected on an annual basis under a majority voting standard. ■ We have one class of voting securities allowing each holder one vote for each share held, and no supermajority voting requirements (except per Delaware law, our state of incorporation). ■ We proactively engage with our stockholders year-round on our business strategy, performance and outlook. ■ Directors and senior executives are subject to significant stock ownership requirements, and they and all employees may not pledge or hedge holdings of our securities. ■ Executive officers are subject to an incentive-based compensation recovery policy, and all unvested employee equity awards require double-trigger vesting in a change in control. | |
2023 Meetings and Attendance | ■ The Board held | ■ The Audit and Compliance Committee held six meetings. ■ The Management Development and Compensation Committee held six meetings. ■ The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held five meetings. ■ Each incumbent director standing for election attended |
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Effectiveness Standards | ■ No more than one director may be an employee. ■ Non-employee directors hold an executive session without management at each regularly scheduled Board meeting. ■ Directors | must retire as of the first Annual Meeting following their 75th birthday. Our directors’ average age is 61.
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INVESTOR STEWARDSHIP GROUP PRINCIPLES ALIGNMENT
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Additional information about our corporate governance policies, processes
BOARD AND COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Jeffrey T. Mezger, our CEO, has served as Chairman of the Board since 2016. The non-employee directors of the Board have elected Mr. Mezger as Chairman based on their belief that with his fundamental understanding of our business model and effective operational leadership, and capable service as a director since 2006, and their belief that combining the roles of Chairman and CEO roles enhances our ability to achieve our long-term growth goals.strategic and operational objectives more so than separating the roles. Board governance is balanced with a strong Lead Independent Director position, which is designed to maintain the Board’s firm independent oversight. Melissa Lora has served as Lead Independent Director since 2016. In addition, all committees are led by2016 and composed solely of independent directors.
will continue to do so through her current term.
Key Lead Independent Director Key Duties
Presides at all Board meetings where the Chairman is not present and at all executive sessions and meetings of the non-employee directors, which may be called at any time and for any purpose.
Consults with the Chairman and the non-employee directors regarding meeting agendas and schedules and the content and flow of information to the Board.
■ | Presides at all Board meetings where the Chairman is not present and at all executive sessions and meetings of the non-employee directors, which may be called at any time and for any purpose. |
■ | Consults with the Chairman and the non-employee directors regarding meeting agendas and schedules, as well as the content and flow of information to the Board. |
■ | Provides Board leadership if there is (or there is perceived to be) a conflict of interest with respect to the role of the Chairman who is also the CEO. |
■ | If requested by major stockholders, being available to them for consultation and communication as appropriate. |
■ | Any additional duties set forth in our Corporate Governance Principles or By-Laws, or as the Board may determine from time to time. |
(1) | Additional information about our corporate governance policies, processes and procedures is provided in Annex 1 |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 6 |
Our Board is elected by our stockholders to oversee the management of our business and affairs and assure stockholders’ long-term interests are being served. Among other specified activities, the Board as a whole, or through its standing committees, reviews assessments of and senior management’s plans with respect to significant risks we face. As described under “Commitment to Sustainability,” the roleBoard oversees our sustainability program as part of the Chairman who is also the CEO.our overall business strategy.
If requested by major stockholders, being availableRisk Management Structure and Processes. The Board has delegated oversight of certain risks to its standing committees, as described below. The committee chairs report to the Board about such delegated risks and other matters at each Board meeting. The Board itself monitors significant enterprise-wide operational and financial risks to our business, and management’s strategies to address or mitigate them, for consultationthrough briefings our CEO, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and communicationPresident and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) provide at each Board meeting and between meetings, as appropriate. The Board also receives regulatory and legal briefings from our general counsel.
Any additional duties set forthFinancial and Operational Risk Areas. The Board reviews and approves our shelf registration statements and debt and equity offerings thereunder, in some cases delegating the pricing of such transactions to a standing or ad hoc committee of independent directors, as well as our Corporate Governance Principlesunsecured revolving credit facility and term loan agreements, and our share repurchase programs. The Board also approves land acquisitions if the purchase price or By-Laws, orthe purchase price plus expected land development exceed certain thresholds. Though no such land acquisition reviews occurred in 2023, in such cases, the proposed project, as with all our communities, will have previously been assessed through our standard local, regional and corporate review processes.
Cybersecurity Risk Review. The Board through its Audit and Compliance Committee monitors cybersecurity risks and our evolving physical, electronic and other protection strategies and initiatives. This includes engaging in periodic reviews with management covering our cybersecurity tools and resources, threat environment, incident reporting procedures and future plans. Our chief information officer conducts this review with the committee, most recently in January 2024. Our chief information officer is supported by a chief information security officer and other employees and dedicated contract personnel experienced with information technology and cybersecurity matters who are responsible for evaluating and deploying the cybersecurity measures we employ, as described in the Annual Report.
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Audit and ComplianceCommittee | Members: ■ Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan (Chair)
■ Jose M. Barra ■ Dorene C. Dominguez | ■ Kevin P. Eltife ■ Dr. Stuart A. Gabriel
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Board committees’ responsibilitiesPrincipal Responsibilities:
Oversees our corporate accounting and composition did not change in 2020, other than Messrs. Collinsreporting practices and Eltife joining theaudit process, including our Independent Auditor’s qualifications, independence, retention, compensation and performance, and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and may approve our incurring, guaranteeing or redeeming debt. Four Audit Committee in October. In January 2021, Ms. Kozlak joined, and Ms. Lora replaced Kenneth M. Jastrow, II as Chair of, the Compensation Committee; Ms. Lora and Mr. Weaver rotated off the Audit Committee; and Mr. Weaver joined the Nominating Committee. Attendance percentage figures are averages.
The Board oversees our management’s plans, policies and processes for identifying, assessing and addressing business-related risks while advancing our strategic growth goals. To monitor COVID-19’s initial impact on our business, directors held bi-monthly conference calls with management from early April through July 2020, which included presentations and discussion on the evolving risk environment for our operations and financial position. The Board has also delegated certain risk oversight responsibilities to its committees, as described below. At each Board meeting,members, including the chair, of eachare “audit committee reports on the risks their committee has discussed with management, as well as their committee’s other activities.financial experts” under SEC rules.
Delegated Risk Oversight:
■ | ||
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■ | The assessment follows the COSO Enterprise Risk Management Integrated Framework and is a component of how our executive team sets business strategies and objectives and manages operations, including our sustainability initiatives. | |
■ | This assessment’s outcome drives our internal audit department’s activities for the subsequent 12 months, which are based on a committee-approved annual audit plan. The internal audit department’s performance against the approved audit plan, along with the department’s audit findings, are reported and discussed at the committee’s quarterly meetings and on request. |
■ | Evaluates our management of matters in which we have or may have material liability exposure. |
■ | Per its Charter, discusses with management our policies and |
■ | Receives and discusses reports |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 7 |
Management Development and CompensationCommittee (“Compensation Committee”) | Members: ■ Melissa Lora (Chair) ■ Arthur R. Collins ■ Jodeen A. Kozlak |
■ Brian R. Niccol ■ James C. Weaver |
Principal Responsibilities:
Evaluates and recommends our CEO’s compensation; determines compensation for the CEO’s direct reports; evaluates and recommends non-employee director compensation; and oversees our policies and programs relating to significant human resource matters, including leadership development and continuity, non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity policies, and initiatives designed to foster the diversity and inclusion of talents, backgrounds and perspectives within, and to support the health and safety of, our workforce. Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FWC”) assists the committee with executive and non-employee director compensation as its outside compensation consultant.
Delegated Risk Oversight:
■ |
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■ | Annually reviews our compliance with our equity-based award grant policy, and our human capital development and management succession planning (both short- and long-term) for all levels of our organization, which, among other things, assesses executive bench readiness and diversity within our workforce. |
■ | Reviews and, as appropriate, approves the compensation arrangements our senior human resources personnel develop. |
■ | Based on this oversight approach, including the results of our most recent annual employee compensation risk assessment, we do not believe that risks arising from our present employee compensation policies and programs, including those applicable to senior executives, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | Members: ■ James C. Weaver (Chair) ■ Arthur R. Collins ■ Dorene C. Dominguez |
■ Kevin P. Eltife ■ Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan |
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Principal Responsibilities:
Oversees our corporate governance policies and practices; and as further discussed in Annex 1, reviews “related party transactions;” identifies, evaluates and recommends qualified director candidates to the Board; and administers the annual Board evaluation process.
Delegated Risk Oversight:
■ | Oversees corporate governance-related risks, including assessing potential related party transactions, and evaluating the mix of director skills and experience with that of potential director candidates and the Board’s needs. |
■ | Reviews proposed updates to our core |
■ | Monitors on an annual basis our political contributions and participation in industry trade associations. |
Governance Documents Availability
Our Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Corporate Governance Principles, Board-approved charters for each standing committee and Ethics Policy serve as the foundation of our corporate governance. Each document, along with each of our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, is available online for viewing, printing or downloading at www.investor.kbhome.com/corporate-governance. These documents are also available in print upon request. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not form a part of this Proxy Statement.
Board Committee memberships changed on April 20, 2023, as follows:
■ | Timothy W. Finchem, who served on the Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, retired from the Board. |
■ | Mr. Barra joined the Audit Committee upon his election to the Board. |
■ | Mr. Collins rotated off the Audit Committee and joined the Nominating Committee. |
Communicating with the Board
Any interested party may writeThere were no other changes to the Board the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Independent Director or any other directorCommittees’ composition in care of our Corporate Secretary at KB Home, 10990 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024.2023.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 8 |
Back of Contents | ||
We have a balanced and well-diversifieddiverse Board composed of actively engaged directors possessing skill sets in a range of sectors relevant to our business, aswhose members bring key skills and expertise, including those summarized in the charts below. In addition, our directors have executive management or other experience that enables them to effectively contribute business acumen, strategic insight, risk management sensibility, financial comprehension, informed counsel and practical knowledge across the operating dimensionsbelow, for overseeing management’s execution of our enterprise. Below is a summary of somestrategic and operational objectives. Our directors are also financially literate and highly engaged, with strong leadership backgrounds, and academic, professional and personal experiences, which make them well-qualified to serve. The data below reflect the directors serving as of the Board’s attributes.date of this Proxy Statement.
Corporate Governance: Experience with public or large private company governance. | |||
| Enterprise Leadership: Experience as a chief executive or top manager for a commercial or academic organization, including responsibility for implementing business plans and managing results. | ||
Environmental: Experience or expertise with managing or advising on operational environmental matters, or possesses a relevant academic/research background. | |||
Finance/Investing: Professional or academic expertise or experience in preparing, auditing or evaluating financial statements, or in managing commercial investments. | |||
Government: Experience serving as a public official or in another public position, or working with or advising on regulatory, legislative or policy matters. | |||
Homebuilding: Experience or expertise in residential land development or home construction activities. | |||
Human Capital Management: Experience in talent management, professional development and/or succession planning. | |||
Real Estate: Professional experience in acquiring, managing or selling real estate assets. | |||
Retailing: Experience operating or managing retail businesses or operations similar to our design studios. | |||
Strategic Risk Management: Experience identifying, assessing and managing critical risks to enterprise wide or business unit strategic plans and achieving strategic objectives. | |||
Technological Innovation: Experience with or management of technology applications, advanced products or organizations that develop them. One director has cybersecurity management experience. |
Director Tenure*
Average 7.8 years
*percentages may not total 100% due to Contentsrounding
Director Ages*
Average Age 61
*percentages may not total 100% due to rounding
Director Demographics
Board Diversity Considerations |
The Board considers diversity for directors and director candidates as encompassing race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, geographic residency, educational and professional history, community or public service, expertise or knowledge base and/or other tangible and intangible aspects of an individual. Beyond their diverse perspectives, skills and demographic characteristics, 45% of our directors are women or ethnic minorities. Our Board members are situated in regional locations generally in proportion to our business. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 9 |
The Compensation Committee periodically evaluates, with FWC’s assistance, and makes recommendations to the Board regarding compensation and benefits for non-employee directors, with attention to maintaining competitive positioning relative to peer public homebuilders and similarly situated companies. Non-employee director compensation was last adjusted in July 2019. Directors, other than Mr. Mezger, who is not paid for his Board service, are compensated as described below. We also pay directors’ travel-related expenses for Board meetings and Board activities. Our director compensation program is shown in the table below. Directors elected to the Board other than at an annual meeting receive prorated compensation.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION*
Board Retainer: | $100,000 |
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Equity Grant (grant date fair value): | $162,500 |
Lead Independent Director Retainer: | $40,000 |
Committee Chair Retainers: | $27,500 (Audit Committee)
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Committee Member Retainers: | $12,500 (Audit Committee)
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Meeting Fees: | $1,500 (per applicable meeting, as described below) |
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Retainers
Each director may elect to receive retainers in equal quarterly cash installments, in unrestricted shares of our common stock or in deferred common stock awards (“stock units”). Equity-based grants are made as described below.
EachEquity Grants
Except as noted below, each director may generally elect to receive their equity grant in common stock or stock units. Grants are made on election to the Board, with the rounded number of shares/units based on our common stock’s grant date closing price. Directors receive a share of our common stock for each stock unit they hold on the earlier of a change in control or leaving the Board. Directors receive cash dividends on their common stock holdings and cash dividend equivalent payments on their stock units. Stock units have no voting rights. If a director has not satisfied their stock ownership requirement (see under “Stock Ownership Requirements”), they can receive only stock units for their equity grant and must hold all shares of common stock until they satisfy the requirement or leave the Board.
Meeting Fees
Directors receive fees for each non-regularly scheduled Board or committee meeting they attend if they have also attended all the same body’s prior meetings in a specified 12-month period. No meeting fees were paid in 2020.during the applicable Director Year, which is the period between our annual meetings.
Indemnification Agreements
We have agreements with our directors, which were updated in January 2024, that provide them with indemnification and advancement of expenses to supplement what our Certificate of Incorporation and insurance policies provide, subject to certain limitations.
Directors’ Legacy Program
From 1995 to 2007, we maintained a Directors’ Legacy Program. Mr. Finchem and Ms. Lora areis the only current directorsdirector who are participants, as is Director Emeritus Kenneth M. Jastrow, II.a participant. Under the program, after a participant’s death, we will make a donation on each participant’stheir behalf of up to $1.0 million directly to up to five participant-designated qualifying charitable institutions or organizations in 10 equal annual installments. Program participants are fully vested in their donation amount; however, neither they nor their families receive any proceeds, compensation or tax savings associated with the program. We maintain life insurance policies to help fund program donations. In 2020,2023, no premium payments were required to be made on policies associated with current directors. The total amount payable under the program at November 30, 20202023 was $14.5$13.9 million.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 10 |
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(a) | Stock Awards ($)(b) | All Other Compensation ($)(c) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Mr. Barra | $ | 112,500 | $ | 162,500 | $ | — | $ | 275,000 | ||||||||
Mr. Collins | 120,000 | 162,500 | 1,500 | 284,000 | ||||||||||||
Ms. Dominguez | 100,000 | 185,000 | — | 285,000 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Eltife | 122,500 | 162,500 | — | 285,000 | ||||||||||||
Dr. Gabriel | 112,500 | 162,500 | — | 275,000 | ||||||||||||
Dr. Gilligan | 137,500 | 162,500 | — | 300,000 | ||||||||||||
Ms. Kozlak | 100,000 | 172,500 | 1,500 | 274,000 | ||||||||||||
Ms. Lora | 140,000 | 183,500 | 1,500 | 325,000 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Niccol | — | 272,500 | 1,500 | 274,000 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Weaver | 30,000 | 262,500 | — | 292,500 |
(a) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash. These amounts generally represent cash retainers paid to directors per their individual elections. The amount for Ms. Lora includes her Lead Independent Director retainer. |
Stock Awards. These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the shares of our common stock or stock units granted to our directors in 2023 based on their individual elections with regard to their retainers and type of equity grant (i.e., shares or stock units). The grant date fair value of each such award is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. All grants were made on April 20, 2023. The table below shows the respective grants to our directors in 2023. |
Name | | (#) | 2023 Stock Unit Grants (#) | |
Mr. Barra | 3,914 | — | ||
Mr. Collins | 3,914 | — | ||
Ms. Dominguez | 4,456 | — | ||
Mr. Eltife | 3,914 | — | ||
Dr. Gabriel | 3,914 | — | ||
Dr. Gilligan | 3,914 | — | ||
Ms. Kozlak | — | 4,154 | ||
Ms. Lora | 4,419 | — | ||
Mr. Niccol | — | 6,563 | ||
Mr. Weaver | — | 6,323 |
Back to ContentsThe aggregate number of outstanding equity awards held by our non-employee directors at the end of our 2023 fiscal year are shown under “Ownership of KB Home Securities,” exclusive of 2,043 shares of our common stock Ms. Lora holds in a family trust.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020
(c) | All Other Compensation. These amounts are additional meeting fees paid in 2023 for a Compensation Committee meeting during the 2022-2023 Director Year. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 11 |
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(a) |
| Stock Awards ($)(b) |
| All Other Compensation ($) |
| Total ($) | ||||
Mr. Collins | $ | 28,125 |
| $ | 81,250 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 109,375 |
Ms. Dominguez |
| 122,500 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 285,000 |
Mr. Eltife |
| 28,125 |
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| 81,250 |
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| — |
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| 109,375 |
Mr. Finchem |
| 120,000 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 282,500 |
Dr. Gabriel |
| 112,500 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 275,000 |
Dr. Gilligan |
| 137,500 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 300,000 |
Mr. Jastrow (c) |
| 121,000 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 283,500 |
Mr. Johnson |
| 100,000 |
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| 192,500 |
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| — |
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| 292,500 |
Ms. Lora |
| 162,500 |
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| 162,500 |
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| — |
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| 325,000 |
Mr. Weaver |
| 100,000 |
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| 185,000 |
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| — |
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| 285,000 |
Mr. Wood |
| 100,000 |
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| 185,000 |
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| — |
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| 285,000 |
(a) Fees Earned or Paid in Cash. These amounts generally represent cash retainers paid to directors per their individual elections. The amount for Ms. Lora includes her Lead Independent Director retainer. The amounts for Messrs. Collins and Eltife reflect their election to the Board in October 2020. (b) Stock Awards. These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the shares of our common stock or stock units granted to our directors in 2020 based on their individual elections with regard to their retainers and type of equity grant (i.e., shares or stock units). The grant date fair value of each such award is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. All grants were made on April 9, 2020, except those for Messrs. Collins and Eltife were made on October 8, 2020, the date they were elected to the Board. Ms. Kozlak received a grant of 986 shares of our common stock upon her election to the Board on January 21, 2021. The table below shows the respective grants to our directors in 2020. The aggregate number of outstanding stock awards and option awards held by our non-employee directors at the end of our 2020 fiscal year are shown under “Ownership of KB Home Securities,” exclusive of 2,043 shares of our common stock Ms. Lora holds in a family trust.
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| Name |
| 2020 Common Stock Grants (#) | 2020 Stock Unit Grants (#) |
| Mr. Collins |
| 2,028 | — |
| Ms. Dominguez |
| 7,199 | — |
| Mr. Eltife |
| 2,028 | — |
| Mr. Finchem |
| 7,199 | — |
| Dr. Gabriel |
| 7,199 | — |
| Dr. Gilligan |
| 7,199 | — |
| Mr. Jastrow |
| — | 7,199 |
| Mr. Johnson |
| 8,528 | — |
| Ms. Lora |
| — | 7,199 |
| Mr. Weaver |
| — | 8,195 |
| Mr. Wood |
| 996 | 7,199 |
Mr. Jastrow served as a director throughout 2020. On January 21, 2021, Mr. Jastrow resigned as a director in conjunction with the Board appointing him as Director Emeritus. For his Director Emeritus service, Mr. Jastrow will receive as compensation the current Board cash retainer, plus the fair value of the standard equity grant, all payable in cash quarterly for each quarterly period of service, as well as reimbursement for service-related expenses.
Back of Contents | ||
The Board will present as nominees at the Annual Meeting, and recommends our stockholders elect to the Board, each of the individuals named below for a one-year term ending at the election of directors at our 20222025 annual meeting. Each nominee is standing for re-election and has consented to being nominated and agreed to serve as a director if elected. Other thanAfter 20 years of service, Ms. Kozlak,Lora has decided not to stand for election at the Annual Meeting and will step down from the Board when her term ends as of the election of directors at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Niccol, who was elected tojoined the Board in January 2021, has also decided not to stand for election at the Annual Meeting and Messrs. Collins and Eltife, who were each elected towill step down from the Board in October 2020, each nominee is standing for re-election.when his term ends as of the election of directors at the Annual Meeting.
Should any of the nominees become unable to serve as a director prior to the Annual Meeting, the named proxies, unless otherwise directed, may vote for the election of another person as the Board may recommend. If the Board’s nominees below are elected at the Annual Meeting, the Board will have 12nine directors.
To be elected, each nominee must receive a majority of votes cast in favor (i.e., the votes cast for a nominee’s election must exceed the votes cast against their election).
FOR | Board recommendation: |
DIRECTOR SUCCESSION AND REFRESHMENT
Although there are no term limits for directors, a director must retire from the Board as of the first annual meeting following their 75th birthday. With several long-standing directors approaching this retirement age over the next few years, the Board proactively developed and implemented in 2020 and early 2021 aspects of a plan to refresh its membership. It elected three new, highly qualified directors — Ms. Kozlak and Messrs. Collins and Eltife — who enhance its diversity and range of skills and expertise. In addition, at his suggestion to enable the Board to elect Ms. Kozlak, and to facilitate an orderly succession process where it can continue to benefit from his insight and experience from 20 years of service as a director, the Board appointed Mr. Jastrow in January 2021 to the newly created position of Director Emeritus for a one-year term. Mr. Jastrow resigned as a director in conjunction with this appointment and therefore will not be standing for election at the Annual Meeting.
Our Corporate Governance Principles provide that a director nominee who fails to win election to the Board in an uncontested election is expected to tender his or her resignation from the Board (or to have previously submitted a conditional tender). An “uncontested election” is one in which there is no director nominee that has been nominated by a stockholder in accordance with our By-Laws. This election is an uncontested election. If an incumbent director fails to receive the required vote for election in an uncontested election, the Nominating Committee will act promptly to determine whether to accept the director’s resignation and will submit its recommendation for the Board’s consideration. The Board expects the director whose resignation is under consideration to abstain from participating in any decision on that resignation. The Nominating Committee and the Board may consider any relevant factors in deciding whether to accept a director’s resignation.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 12 |
Age: 54 Senior Vice President, | |
Jose M. Barra is Senior Vice President, Merchandising Décor at The Home Depot, Inc., the world’s largest home improvement retailer. Mr. Barra has served in this role since 2018, responsible for the strategic direction and financial performance of Home Depot’s flooring, paint, kitchen, bath, appliances, lighting, and window coverings. Mr. Barra joined The Home Depot in 2017 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Merchandising Services, where he led a team of more than 26,000 associates and was responsible for the company’s in-store environment, field merchandising and merchandising execution team efforts. Before joining Home Depot, Mr. Barra served as an Executive Vice President of Optum Inc., a diversified health and well-being company and subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, a managed healthcare and insurance company. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of merchandising, essentials and hardlines at Target Corporation, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., where he was responsible for the strategic direction and financial performance of 10 divisions that generated more than 60% of total company revenues. Earlier in his career, Mr. Barra also held positions with McKinsey & Company and served as managing director of the real estate and new business development arm of the largest retail conglomerate in Ecuador. In addition to his proven leadership skills, Mr. Barra is a highly respected retail executive who brings significant experience, expertise and insight into home design, the customer experience and consumer trends, and a presence in the Southeast United States, a significant region for KB Home. Current Public Company Directorships: n KB Home Other Professional Experience: n Board Member, The Home Depot Foundation (2022 – Present) n Senior Vice President, Merchandising Services, The Home Depot, Inc. (2017 – 2018) n Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Consumer Solutions Group, Optum, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (2016 – 2017; Executive Vice President, 2015 – 2016) n Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Target Corporation (2014 – 2015) |
Age:
Founder and Chairman, theGROUP | ||
Arthur R. Collins is the founder and
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home n Aflac Incorporated nRLJ Lodging Trust
Other Professional Experience:
(2022 – Present) nChairman, Morehouse School of Medicine Board of Trustees (2008 – Present) n Vice Chair, Brookings Institution Board of Trustees (2014 – 2023) nMember, Meridian International Center Board of Trustees (2011 – 2017) nChairman, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees | ||
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 13 |
Age: 61 Chairwoman and Chief | Dorene C. Dominguez | |
Dorene C. Dominguez has served since 2004 as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of the Vanir Group of Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries Vanir Construction Management, Inc. and Vanir Development Company, Inc., which provide a wide range of program, project and construction management services for clients in the healthcare, education, justice, water/wastewater, public buildings, transportation and energy markets throughout the United States. Ms. Dominguez also serves as Chair of The Dominguez Dream, a nonprofit organization that provides academic enrichment programs in math, science, language arts and engineering to elementary schools in underserved communities. Ms. Dominguez has extensive experience in executive management, finance, and civic engagement, as well as significant expertise in project and asset management and real estate development. She also has a substantial presence and is well-regarded in California, an important market for us.
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home n Douglas Emmett, Inc. nCIT Group (2017 – 2022)
Other Professional Experience: n Advisory Board Member, Aspen Institute Latinos and Society (AILAS) Program (2020 – Present) nBoard of Trustees Member, University of Notre Dame (2018 – Present)
nBoard Member, Pride Industries, nonprofit employer of individuals with disabilities n Board Member, CIT Bank, N.A. (2017 – 2022) n Member, The Coca-Cola Company Hispanic Advisory Council (2016 – 2022) |
Age: 64 Founder and Owner, | Kevin P. |
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Kevin P. Eltife has been the founder and owner of Eltife Properties, Ltd., a commercial real estate investment firm, since 1996. He also has served since 2018 as the Chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents, following his initial appointment to that board in 2017. Previously, Mr. Eltife served as a Texas State Senator and as the Mayor of Tyler, Texas. Mr. Eltife has
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home Other Professional Experience:
nChairman, The University of Texas System Board of Regents 2017 – Present) n Director, Citizens 1st Bank (2002 – Present) nTexas State Senator (2004-2016; President pro tempore, 2015 – 2016)
nMayor, Tyler, Texas |
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KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 14 |
Age: 70 Director, Richard S. Distinguished Professor | Dr. Stuart A. Gabriel | |
Dr. Gabriel has been since 2007 the
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home
nKBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. n KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (2007 – 2023) nKBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (2005 – 2018)
Other Professional Experience: nDirector and Lusk Chair, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate (1997 – 2007) nAssociate Professor/Professor, Finance and Business Economics, USC Marshall School of Business (1990 – 1997) nEconomics Staff Member, Federal Reserve Board |
Age: 69 Emeritus Director and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution on | Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan | |
Dr. Gilligan is
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home nSouthwest Airlines Co. Other Professional Experience:
nDirector, Hoover Institution (2015 – 2020) nDean, McCombs School of Business (2008 – 2015) nInterim Dean, USC Marshall School of Business 1987 – 2006) nAssistant Professor, California Institute of Technology (1984 – 1987) nStaff Economist, White House Council of Economic Advisors (1983-1984) |
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Founder and | Jodeen A. Kozlak | |
| Jodeen A. Kozlak is the founder and CEO of Kozlak Capital Partners, LLC, a private consulting firm. Ms. Kozlak previously served as the Global Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Alibaba Group, a multinational conglomerate. Ms. Kozlak also previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Target Corporation, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., and held other senior roles in her 15-year career at the company. Prior to joining Target, Ms. Kozlak was a partner in a private law practice. Ms. Kozlak has significant experience and insight into human capital management, talent development and executive compensation across a variety of organizational structures, as well as a strong background in executive leadership. In addition, she is well-known and highly respected in California, which is a
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home nC.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. n MGIC investment Corporation nLeslie’s, Inc. (2020 – 2023)
Other Professional Experience:
nGlobal Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Alibaba Group (2016 – 2017) nExecutive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Target Corporation |
Age: 68 Chairman Service Since: 2016 Chairman and | Jeffrey T. | |
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| Jeffrey T. Mezger,
Public Company Directorships:
Other Professional Experience:
nPolicy Advisory Board Member, Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (2010 – present) n Policy Advisory Board Member, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (2004 – present; Board Chair 2015 – 2016) nFounding Chairman, Leading Builders of America (2009-2013; Executive Committee member until 2016)
nExecutive Board Member, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate |
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KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 16 |
Age: 48 Chief Executive Officer | James C. Weaver | |
James C. “Rad” Weaver is CEO and Chairman of CW Interests, LLC, an investment management firm in San Antonio, Texas. He oversees the implementation of the company’s investment strategies, including management of direct investments in private operating businesses. Mr. Weaver is the former CEO of McCombs Partners. He also serves as a director of several private companies including Cox Enterprises, Inc., Circuit of the Americas, Jonah Energy and Milestone Brands. In 2017, he was appointed to the University of Texas System Board of Regents. Mr. Weaver has considerable experience in executive leadership, business strategy and execution, financial planning and analysis, and asset/investment management across a broad range of industries
Public Company Directorships:
nKB Home Other Professional Experience:
n Board Member, The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (Chairman 2022 – Present; Vice Chair 2017 – 2022) nMember, The University of Texas System Board of Regents (2017 – Present)
nMember, The McCombs School of Business Advisory Council (2014 – Present) nSan Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (Member 2016 – 2017) nMcCombs Partners (2000-2020; Chief Executive Officer |
2006 – 2020) |
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KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 17 |
OWNERSHIP OFOwnership of KB
Home SecuritiesHOME SECURITIES
The table below shows the amount and nature of our non-employee directors’ and NEOs’ respective beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 16, 2021.26, 2024. Except as otherwise indicated below, the beneficial ownership is direct and each owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to the reported securities holdings.
Non-Employee Directors | Total Ownership(a) | Stock Options(b) | ||
Jose M. Barra | 3,914 | — | ||
Arthur R. Collins | 9,098 | — | ||
Dorene C. Dominguez* | 21,267 | — | ||
Kevin P. Eltife | 14,598 | — | ||
Dr. Stuart A. Gabriel | 35,292 | — | ||
Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan | 49,442 | — | ||
Jodeen A. Kozlak | 19,653 | — | ||
Melissa Lora | 180,619 | — | ||
Brian R. Niccol | 18,470 | — | ||
James C. Weaver | 39,285 | — | ||
Named Executive Officers | ||||
Jeffrey T. Mezger | 1,766,250 | 274,952 | ||
Jeff J. Kaminski | 120,872 | 82,486 | ||
Robert V. McGibney | 60,629 | 34,621 | ||
Albert Z. Praw | 135,512 | — | ||
Brian J. Woram | 156,119 | — | ||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15 people) | 2,663,548 | 392,059 |
* | Ms. Dominguez's beneficial ownership reported in our 2023 Proxy Statement overstated her total securities holdings by 12,867 shares as a result of a March 2022 transaction that was not reported until December 2023, as described below. |
(a) | The total ownership amount includes the stock option holdings shown on the table. No non-employee director or NEO owns more than 1% of our outstanding common stock, except for Mr. Mezger, who owns 2.1%. All non-employee directors and executive officers as a group own 3.2% of our outstanding common stock. The total ownership amount reported for each non-employee director includes all equity-based compensation awarded to them for their service on the Board, encompassing shares of common stock and stock units. Included in Messrs. Mezger’s and Woram’s reported total ownership are 67,807 and 4,255 time-vesting restricted shares of our common stock, respectively. Dr. Gabriel, Ms. Lora and Mr. Kaminski each hold their respective vested shares of our common stock in family trusts over which they have shared voting and investment control with their respective spouses. |
(b) | The reported stock option amounts are the shares of our common stock that can be acquired within 60 days of February 26, 2024. We have not granted stock options as an element of director and employee compensation since 2016. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 18 |
Non-Employee Directors* | Total Ownership(a) | Stock Options(b) |
Arthur R. Collins | 2,028 | — |
Dorene C. Dominguez | 21,022 | — |
Kevin P. Eltife | 2,028 | — |
Timothy W. Finchem | 181,092 | — |
Dr. Stuart A. Gabriel | 35,222 | — |
Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan | 83,460 | 26,889 |
Robert L. Johnson | 166,002 | 70,849 |
Jodeen A. Kozlak | 986 | — |
Melissa Lora | 221,269 | 44,076 |
James C. Weaver | 23,885 | — |
Michael M. Wood | 56,418 | — |
Named Executive Officers |
|
|
Jeffrey T. Mezger | 2,265,742 | 1,278,252 |
Jeff J. Kaminski | 439,587 | 355,882 |
Matthew W. Mandino | 82,187 | 59,980 |
Albert Z. Praw | 120,651 | — |
Brian J. Woram | 331,899 | 172,642 |
All directors and executive officers as a group (16 people) | 4,033,478 | 2,008,570 |
(a) No non-employee director or NEO owns more than 1% of our outstanding common stock, except for Mr. Mezger, who owns 2.3%. All non-employee directors and executive officers as a group own 4.0% of our outstanding common stock. The total ownership amount reported for each non-employee director includes all equity-based compensation awarded to them for their service on the Board, encompassing shares of common stock, stock units and stock options. Dr. Gabriel, Ms. Lora, Mr. Wood and Mr. Kaminski each hold their respective vested shares of our common stock in family trusts over which they have shared voting and investment control with their respective spouses. (b) The reported stock option amounts are the shares of our common stock that can be acquired within 60 days of February 16, 2021. Non-employee director stock options were last granted in April 2014, as they ceased being a component of director compensation after that date. Some non-employee director stock options held by Mr. Johnson (37,993) and Ms. Lora (11,220) have 15-year terms. The remainder have 10-year terms. For non-employee directors who leave the Board due to retirement or disability (in each case as determined by the Compensation Committee), or death, their stock options will be exercisable for the options’ respective remaining terms. Otherwise, non-employee director stock options must be exercised by the earlier of their respective terms or the first anniversary of a director’s leaving the Board (for 15-year stock options), or the third anniversary of leaving the Board (for 10-year stock options). Based on the non-employee directors’ respective elections, each non-employee director stock option represents a right to receive shares of our common stock equal in value to the positive difference between the option’s stated exercise price and the fair market value of our common stock on an exercise date, and are therefore settled in a manner similar to stock appreciation rights. None held by current directors have been so settled.
* Director Emeritus Mr. Kenneth M. Jastrow, II has a total ownership of 148,560, encompassing shares of common stock and stock units. |
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of each stockholder known to us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock. Except for the Grantor Stock Ownership Trust (“GSOT”), the below information (including footnotes) is based solely on the stockholders’ respective Schedule 13G or Schedule 13G/A filings with the SEC and reflect their respective determinations of their and/or their respective affiliates’ and subsidiaries’reporting such ownership as of December 29, 2023, December 31, 2020.2023 and January 31, 2024, as applicable. Some percentage ownership figures below have been rounded.
Stockholder(a) | Total Ownership | Percent of Class |
BlackRock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055 | 11,151,919 | 12.3% |
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355 | 7,865,327 | 8.7% |
KB Home Grantor Stock Ownership Trust(b) Wells Fargo Retirement and Trust Executive Benefits, One West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | 7,124,317 | 7.2% |
FMR LLC 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 | 4,864,262 | 5.4% |
Stockholder(a) | Total Ownership | Percent of Class | ||
BlackRock, Inc. 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 | 10,694,328 | 13.5% | ||
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355 | 7,784,840 | 10.3% | ||
KB Home Grantor Stock Ownership Trust(b) Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Company dba Principal Trust Company Wilmington, DE 19805-1265 | 6,705,247 | 8.1% | ||
FMR LLC 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 | 5,007,432 | 6.3% |
(a) | The stockholders’ respective voting and dispositive power with respect to their reported ownership is presented below, excluding the GSOT. |
|
| Blackrock, Inc.(i) | The Vanguard Group, Inc.(ii) | FMR LLC(iii) |
Sole voting power | 10,947,747 | — | 1,373,343 | |
Shared voting power | — | 107,612 | — | |
Sole dispositive power | 11,151,919 | 7,684,442 | 4,864,262 | |
Shared dispositive power | — | 180,885 | — | |
(i) Blackrock, Inc. is a parent holding company. A BlackRock, Inc. subsidiary, BlackRock Fund Advisors, beneficially owned five percent or more of Blackrock, Inc.’s reported total beneficial ownership. (ii) The Vanguard Group, Inc. is an investment adviser to various investment companies. (iii) FMR LLC is a parent holding company predominantly owned by a family that includes Abigail P. Johnson, a director and the chairman and chief executive officer of FMR LLC. Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, an FMR LLC subsidiary and an investment advisor, beneficially owned five percent or more of FMR LLC’s reported total beneficial ownership. |
Blackrock, Inc.(i) | The Vanguard Group, Inc.(ii) | FMR LLC(iii) | ||||
Sole voting power | 10,459,742 | — | 5,001,948 | |||
Shared voting power | — | 62,247 | — | |||
Sole dispositive power | 10,694,328 | 7,638,638 | 5,007,432 | |||
Shared dispositive power | — | 146,202 | — |
(i) | Blackrock, Inc. is a parent holding company. A BlackRock, Inc. subsidiary, BlackRock Fund Advisors, beneficially owned five percent or more of Blackrock, Inc.’s reported total beneficial ownership. |
(ii) | The Vanguard Group, Inc. is an investment adviser to various investment companies. |
(iii) | FMR LLC is a parent holding company. A wholly-owned FMR LLC subsidiary, Fidelity Management & Research Company, an investment adviser to various investment companies (“Fidelity Funds”), beneficially owned five percent or more of FMR LLC’s reported total beneficial ownership and votes the shares of our common stock held by the Fidelity Funds. |
(b) | The GSOT’s percent of class figure is relative to the total number of shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The GSOT holds these shares pursuant to a trust agreement with |
STOCK OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTSStock Ownership Requirements
Our non-employee directors and senior executives are subject to stock ownership requirements to better align their interests with those of our stockholders. Our Corporate Governance Principles require each of our non-employee directors to own at least five times the Board retainer (which currently equates to $500,000) in value of our common stock or common stock equivalents by the fifth anniversary of joining the Board. The executive stock ownership policy requires designatedapplicable senior executives, including our NEOs, to own a certain number of shares within a specified period. The policy is discussed under “Equity Stock Ownership Policy.” Each of our non-employee directors and NEOs is in compliance with their respective policy requirements.
DELINQUENT SECTIONDelinquent Section 16(a) REPORTSReports
Under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), our directors, executive officers and any persons holding more than 10% of our common stock are required to report to the SEC initial ownership of our common stock and any subsequent changes in ownership. The SEC has established specific filing due dates, and we are required to disclose any failure to file required ownership reports by these dates. Based solely uponon a review of forms filed with the SEC and the written representations of such persons, we are aware of no late Section 16(a) filings other than Ms. Dominguez not reporting a lateMarch 1, 2022 stock sale until a Form 5 filing made on December 22, 2023, and a Form 4 filed by Matthew W. Mandino reporting thefiling made on November 2, 2023 to report Mr. McGibney’s October 25, 2023 disposition of sharescommon stock to us solely to cover tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of a previous grant of restricted stock award in October 2020 due to our administrative oversight.shares.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 19 |
Back of Contents | ||
In 2023, as discussed in the Annual Report, we generated solid financial results, as we remained focused on balancing pace, price and production levels at every community to Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISoptimize our return on each inventory asset within its local market context amid a mixed operating environment over the course of the year.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
The COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental control measures severely disrupted global and national economies,We began the U.S.year navigating weak housing market conditions, stemming from higher mortgage interest rates, persistent inflationary pressures and an uncertain economic outlook, which significantly depressed housing demand during the 2022 second half and into the 2023 first quarter. Reflecting the difficult operating context, and our business duringbusiness’ considerable cyclicality, in the 2022 fourth quarter, when the measures and goals for the long-term incentive awards tied to 2023-2025 performance were established and planning began for the 2023 annual incentive program, our 2020 second quarter. Withgross orders and net orders were down 47% and 80%, respectively, compared to the easingprior year. Moreover, through the first five weeks of fiscal 2023, just prior to varying degrees of restrictive public health orders in our served markets beginning in May,the Compensation Committee’s approving the 2023 annual incentive program goals, our net orders beganwere 72% lower than the corresponding year-earlier period. We also forecasted, relative to rebound significantly following a low point in April as housing demand fueled by the combination of historically low mortgage interest rates, a limited supply of resale inventory and consumers’ increasing desire to own a single-family home drovecorresponding 2022 periods, that our third- and fourth-quarter2023 first quarter net orders to 15-year highs. Though this sharp rise in net orders in the second half of 2020 generated a substantial expansion in backlog,would be down between 50% and positioned us for considerable top-line and bottom-line growth in 2021,60%, our deliveries and revenues for our full 20202023 fiscal year reflected the negative effects from the early stages of the pandemic.revenues would be approximately 20% lower and our profit margins would be compressed.
ThoughDemand began to improve in the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on our business, we made no changes to our executive compensation programs in 20202023 second quarter and remained relatively healthy for the balance of the year due to, the pandemic. Specifically:among other things, constrained resale home inventory, favorable demographic trends, buyer interest in homes at our price points and our selective implementation of targeted sales strategies to help drive order activity and minimize cancellations. In addition, a significant factor in our success in 2023 was a meaningful improvement in our average construction cycle time, resulting in higher-than-expected home deliveries and revenues.
Annual and long-term incentive plans and goalsAltogether, in 2023, we set before the pandemic were not adjusted in any way.
No special awards, bonuses or benefits were granted to our NEOs.
No NEO received a base salary increase.
Even with the challenges we faced in 2020, we increased our quarterly cash dividenddelivered more than 66% and had another year13,200 homes (compared to an initial projection of strong performance, including the following (comparisons are to the prior year):
Revenues totaled $4.18roughly 11,400 homes), driving revenues of $6.4 billion, down approximately 8%, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions during our fiscal second quarter.
Pretax income of $364.0 million, up 5%.
Net income rose to $296.2 million from $268.8 million, a 10% increase.
Diluted earnings per share grew 10% to $3.13.
Debt to capital ratio improved 270 basis points to 39.6%.
Stockholders’ equity increased 12% to $2.67 billion.
Year-end backlog value grew 63% to $2.96 billion.
Over the 2018 – 2020 period, we significantly improved our business in a number of areas, including the following:
Increased pretax income by 26%.
Generated net income growth of 64% and diluted earnings of $7.03 per shareshare. Our top-line, together with an operating margin above 11%, and the repurchase of shares during the year equal to 11% of our shares outstanding at the beginning of 2023, contributed to a 15% growth of 69%.
Debt to capital ratio improved significantly to 39.6% from 54.7%.
Bookin our book value per share increased 31% to $29.09.$50.22. In addition to our outperformance across several metrics for the year relative to our initial expectations, we continued to build our brand in 2023. We also further advanced our industry leadership in sustainability, earning recognition from several organizations for our accomplishments and contributions, including in the broader communities in which we operate.
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER RETURNNotable 2023 Annual Results and Long-Term Growth and Returns
For the five-year period concluding in 2020, we achieved exceptional
We produced a one-year total stockholder return (“TSR”) results (including reinvestment of dividends)approximately 68%, ranking at the 88th64th percentile of our peer group, and exceedingstrong results across several key measures during 2023. In addition, the returnsfollowing are five-year (2018-2023) result comparisons, except as noted:
■ | Homebuilding revenues grew to $6.38 billion from $4.53 billion, a 41% increase. |
■ | Pretax income rose to $771.3 million from $368.0 million, up 110%. |
■ | Net income grew to $590.2 million from $170.4 million, a 246% improvement. |
■ | Diluted earnings per share rose to $7.03 from $1.71, up 311%. |
■ | Book value per share improved nearly 90%, from $26.60 to $50.22. |
■ | Return on equity increased to 15.7% from 14.4%. |
■ | Debt to capital ratio improved significantly to 30.7% from 49.7%. |
■ | In July 2023, the Board increased our quarterly cash dividend by approximately 33% to $.20 per share. |
■ | In 2023, we generated approximately $1.1 billion in operating cash flow and returned nearly $470 million of cash to our stockholders through share repurchases and cash dividends. |
We achieved strong homebuilding revenues, net income, and diluted earnings per share results between 2019 and 2023 as shown in the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index.charts below.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 20 |
|
| 2015 |
| 2016 |
| 2017 |
| 2018 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
KB Home | $ | 100 | $ | 113 | $ | 225 | $ | 152 | $ | 254 | $ | 262 |
S&P 500 Index |
| 100 |
| 108 |
| 133 |
| 141 |
| 164 |
| 192 |
Dow Jones US Home Construction Index |
| 100 |
| 88 |
| 158 |
| 113 |
| 164 |
| 201 |
Our five-year TSR results placed us second in our peer group, and our three-year annualized TSR ranks at the median of our peer group. With the volatility that we faced during 2020, and in the context of our business and its typical investment, development and product delivery cycle, we consider these longer-term measurement periods of TSR as generally more indicative of our performance than shorter measurement periods.
Recent Recognition
We have been recognized by the following organizations, among others, for our sustainability and human capital initiatives and practices:
■ | Forbes’ 2021, 2022 and 2024 lists of America’s Best Midsize Employers, including being listed among the top 20% of recognized companies in 2024. |
■ | Newsweek’s 2021, |
■ | |
■ | USA TODAY’s inaugural 2023 list of America’s Climate Leaders for leading efforts to produce less greenhouse gas emissions, the highest-ranked homebuilder listed. |
PAY FOR PERFORMANCEPay For Performance —
2020 FISCAL YEAR2023 Fiscal Year CEO COMPENSATION
More than 90% of our CEO’s 2020 total direct compensation (i.e., value of base salary and annual and long-term incentive awards) was performance-based and his base salary remained the same as in the prior three years.
Our CEO’s annual incentive award of $6.52 million for 2020 was approximately 7% above the prior year’s award, reflecting our performance on the relevant metrics.
100% of our CEO’s long-term incentives were performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and the 2020 target award grant value approximated the median long-term incentive award value granted to chief executive officers in our peer group over the past two years.
Our CEO earned his three-year 2017 PSU award at 140% of target (as discussed under “2017 PSU Awards”), based on our achieving maximum results for two of the three performance measures.
■ | Approximately 93% of our CEO’s 2023 total direct compensation was performance-based, and his base salary has remained the same since 2017. |
■ | The payouts under the 2023 annual incentive program were down year over year. While this reduction was proportionately smaller than the applicable pretax income performance measure’s year-over-year reduction, the Compensation Committee did not make any adjustments to the formula-driven payouts, taking into consideration, among other things, the program participants’ strong individual performance in a challenging operating environment and our one-year total stockholder return of 68%, which was above our peer group median. |
■ | To better align cash and equity incentives and enhance retention and stockholder value creation, a portion of our CEO’s annual incentive was paid out in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. The $7,280,000 cash payout was less than the prior year, and the $1,678,644 restricted stock portion, which was also less than the prior year, vests over three years. |
■ | Our CEO’s October 2023 long-term incentive award was solely performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”), with the 2023 target award grant value up approximately 10% from the value granted in each of the previous four years, an increase based on peer group and market data analysis. |
■ | Our CEO earned his three-year 2020 PSU award at 200% of target (as discussed under “2020 PSU Awards”), reflecting our strong performance on the three applicable measures over the three-year performance period that ran from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023. |
■ | Taken together, the above actions resulted in overall CEO reported compensation that is lower year over year. |
The following table below compares our CEO’s total direct compensation for 20202023 and 2019,2022 and reflects the more than $627,000 reduction in his annual incentive compensation payout and a market-based increase to his long-term incentive grant, which increased approximately 3.6%was comprised entirely of PSUs that will not fully vest until after our 2026 fiscal year over year:concludes.
Total Compensation* | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |||||||||
Base Salary | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | — | ||||||
Annual Incentive Plan Compensation(a) | 8,958,644 | 9,585,872 | (627,228 | ) | ||||||||
Long-Term Incentive Awards(b) | 5,500,020 | 5,000,010 | 500,010 | |||||||||
Other | 80,391 | 78,909 | 1,482 | |||||||||
TOTAL | $ | 15,689,055 | $ | 15,814,791 | $ | (125,736 | ) |
* | This table includes all aspects of compensation that are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, with the “Other” category above consisting of the sum of amounts in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column and the All Other Compensation column. |
(a) | Reflects our CEO’s entire annual incentive for each year, including both the portion paid out in cash and the portion paid out in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. |
(b) | Reflects our CEO’s long-term incentive award grants for each year, consisting solely of PSUs. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 21 |
Total Direct Compensation* |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Change | ||||||
Base Salary | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | — | ||||||
Annual Incentive Award |
| 6,523,927 |
| 6,081,611 |
| 442,316 | ||||||
Long-Term Incentive Award (PSU grant value) |
| 5,000,009 |
| 4,999,987 |
| 22 | ||||||
TOTAL | $ | 12,673,936 | $ | 12,231,598 | $ | 442,338 | ||||||
* This table does not include certain amounts that are in the Summary Compensation Table. In particular, it excludes the change in our CEO’s pension value shown for both years, which is a required reporting item and represents only the actuarial increase in our CEO’s pension benefits based on interest rate fluctuations. It does not reflect any new benefits, cash or other compensation granted to or received by our CEO. This benefit has been frozen with no additional benefit accruals since 2004 (other than the same cost-of-living adjustments applied to federal social security benefits). |
Back of Contents | ||
Direct engagement with our stockholders is an integral part of managing our business to Contentsdrive long-term value and aligns with our core value of building strong and collaborative relationships.
Why We Engage
To Interact: We seek to understand the issues that are important to our stockholders through an ongoing, two-way dialogue in which we can respectfully discuss their priorities.
To Inform: We are committed to providing transparency into our strategy, performance, outlook and sustainability-related practices.
To Improve: We use feedback from stockholders to enhance our public disclosures and consider it in our decision-making.
How We Engage
We conduct extensive stockholder outreach throughout the year, typically engaging with the investment management teams of our largest stockholders, as well as their governance representatives. Our stockholder conversations involve our senior management, investor relations, human resources and legal executives. Matters raised in these engagements are actively discussed with directors as relevant.
In 2020,2023, we continued our longstanding practice of reaching out to our stockholders, including alleach of our 25 largest stockholders, in advance of our annual meeting and we directly engaged with holders representing over 50% of our outstanding shares ahead of our 2020 annual meeting.through written communications, phone calls and virtual meetings. We conducted additional post-meeting proactive outreach in the fall and winter to approximately one-thirdwith some of our 25 largest stockholders and we engaged in telephonic meetings with several of them to discuss our approach to dealing withthroughout the challengesbalance of the COVID-19 pandemic as well asyear. During the course of these meetings, we discussed and received constructive feedback on a broad range of topics, including our practicescompany strategy and their views regardingperformance, executive compensation, board tenure and composition, environmental and social sustainability initiatives and governance matters.
We also provide stockholders with opportunities throughout the year to engage with us. We participate in formal events, including sell-side analyst hosted conferences, non-deal roadshows, and investor visits to our communities. In addition, we speak with stockholders more informally during the year, particularly following the announcement of our conversations, stockholders expressed general support for our compensationquarterly earnings results.
Actions Taken Following 2022 and ESG programs and policies and provided feedback that we have incorporated or are considering incorporating into our programs or public disclosures. 2023 Stockholder Engagements
We value our stockholders’ opinions and are responsive to them. At our 2023 annual meeting, stockholder support for our proposal on named executive compensation was 80%, an improvement from the prior year. The feedback we received in part based on discussions with them,2022 and 2023 through our stockholder engagement efforts shaped the Compensation Committee over the past few years established tighter changefollowing changes in control vesting provisions in our equity award agreements and adopted an executive officer incentive compensation claw-back policy. In evaluating our executive compensation programs, during 2020,which we believe have helped strengthen the Compensation Committee considered the strong support stockholders have expressed throughconnection between our annual NEO compensation advisory votes over the past few years for our approach toperformance and executive compensation, including a 92% level of support at our 2020 annual meeting. As a result, for 2020,as shown in the Compensation Committee decidedprior section:
■ | Developed with the Compensation Committee and FWC a structured scorecard methodology to guide annual incentive payout determinations. |
■ | Implemented a limit on the cash payouts for annual incentives to our NEOs. |
■ | Further reduced the cash payout of the CEO’s annual incentive below the program limit by allocating a higher portion of his total annual incentive to time-vesting equity in lieu of cash to, among other things, additionally balance his cash and equity compensation and enhance alignment with stockholder value creation. |
■ | Increased in 2022 the asset efficiency hurdle rate under the annual incentive program. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 22 |
The adjustments to retain the core components of our executive compensation programs and to applycomplemented the same general principles and philosophy as in the prior fiscal year in its executive compensation decisions.following elements, which we have maintained for several years:
Compensation Governance |
What We Do | What We Don’t Do | |||
Engage with and consider stockholder input in designing our executive pay programs. | No re-pricing or cash-out of underwater stock options without stockholder approval. | |||
Link annual NEO incentive pay to objective, | We prohibit our NEOs (and our other employees and non-employee directors) from hedging or pledging their holdings of our securities. | |||
| No new executive officer severance arrangements above a certain amount without stockholder approval (see under “Severance Arrangements”). | |||
Include in | No new excise tax “gross-ups” for any officer or employee. | |||
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| |||
Subject our executive officers to an | No payments of dividends or dividend equivalents on performance-based equity awards before they vest. | |||
Perform, under Compensation Committee oversight, annual risk assessments to determine that our employee compensation policies and programs are not likely to have a material adverse effect on us. | Avoid excessive perquisites. Perquisites are generally limited to market-competitive medical benefits and the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. | |||
Engage, at the sole direction of the Compensation Committee, an independent compensation consultant. | ||||
| ||||
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Consider our sustainability-related programs’ progress in annual incentive plan IPF assessments. | | |||
Maintain a relevant industry peer group. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 23 |
The table below sets forth the components of, and rationale for, each element of our executive compensation program.
Compensation Type |
| Description | Rationale | |
Base Salary | ■ Fixed compensation delivered in cash on | ■ A market-aligned component of the overall pay package to provide a baseline level of pay; key to attracting and retaining highly qualified executives. | ||
Annual Incentive | ■ Our NEOs’ ■ The 2023 annual incentives had cash payout limits, with the balance of any earned award paid out in restricted stock | ■ Motivates achievement of core strategic short-term financial | ||
Long-Term Incentive | ■ PSUs constituted ■
| ■ Focuses executives on achievement of long-term results and encourages retention. ■ Establishes strong alignment with long-term stockholder interests through | ||
Retirement Programs | ■ A 401(k) plan in which all eligible employees may participate; market-competitive medical, dental and vision benefits; and opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. ■ Legacy executive retirement and death benefit plans have been closed to new participants for | ■ Programs are aligned with market practices. ■ Focuses executives on earning rewards through performance pay elements, not |
As outlined above, we place a significant emphasis on at-risk, performance-based pay. As shown below, in 2020,2023, approximately 93% of our CEO received over 90% of hisCEO’s total direct compensation inconsisted of performance-based and/or at-risk vehicles. For our other NEOs, such vehicles, on average, approximated 80%82% of their total direct compensation.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 24 |
The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves the base salaries of our CEOCEO’s and our other NEOs.NEOs’ base salaries. The Compensation Committee approves NEO base salaries after considering several factors, including an NEO’s experience, specific responsibilities, capabilities, individual performance and expected future contributions; our current and expected financial and operational results; and market pay levels and trends to ensure competitiveness. During 2020,
In July 2023, based on an evaluation of these factors, our business trajectory and challenges, and our CEO’s recommendations, the Compensation Committee electedapproved base salary increases for each NEO other than our CEO, who last received an increase in 2017, his only increase since 2007. Effective February 1, 2024, Mr. McGibney received an additional annual base salary increase in conjunction with his promotion to hold base salaries flat with their 2019 levels for all NEOs.President and Chief Operating Officer.
2020 ANNUAL INCENTIVES2023 Annual Incentives
Our CEO’s annual incentive award of $6.52 million was performance-driven, determined pursuant to a formula-based plan typical of several of our peers. As a result, reflecting our performance on the relevant metrics, our CEO’s 2020 annual incentive award was approximately 7% above the prior year’s award.
Our CEO’s performance-driven annual incentive award of $8.96 million was determined pursuant to a largely formula-based plan typical of several peers. Reflecting our performance in 2023, our CEO’s annual incentive award decreased approximately $627,000, or 6.5%, from the prior year. Taking stockholder feedback into account, the cash payout of the CEO’s 2023 annual incentive was limited to $7.28 million, approximately $200,000 less than the prior year’s cash incentive award, with the remainder paid out in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. The restricted stock vests ratably over the next three years, further aligning, along with the below-described performance-based long-term incentive awards, our CEO’s compensation with stockholder value creation. |
Our annual incentive program is structureddesigned to drive performance within a single fiscal year period. Asperiod, with pay outcomes tied to our 2016 – 2019 programs, the 2020 program’s formula-driven funding would be determined basedperformance on two components: (a) total adjusted pretax income (“API”) performance relative to. The program is based on two components. First, threshold and target API goals are set relative to then-expected market andbased on our internal operational objectives established near the beginning of each year, which take into account expected business conditions in 2020; and (b) API performance relative to an asset efficiency measure.for the year. API is our total pretax income excluding certain compensation expense and certain inventory-related charges. Payouts under this first component are capped at 100% of the participants’ respective target level. Second, for the participants to earn any above-target payouts, API must exceed a hurdle based on a pre-set minimum asset efficiency objective. If the hurdle is met, an asset efficiency performance pool is funded for every dollar of API over the hurdle. The funded pool is then allocated based on the participants’ individual performance and contributions as measured under a structured scorecard methodology, which is outlined below, and such allocations are further limited by the individual maximum payout amounts approved under the plan.
We view API as a comprehensive short-term measure of our senior officers’ performance, as it reflects their ability to generateproduce profits by growinggenerating revenues, managing expenses and controlling fixed costs. The combination ofIn addition, with the homebuilding industry’s significant cyclicality and its volatility in recent years, using API as a primary measure intrinsically scales senior officer pay outcomes (down or up) to a degree relative to the API generated in a one-year period. Combining the API and asset efficiency measures was designedis intended to motivate our senior officers to generate profitable growth in alignmentaligned with our strategic goals.
In 2022, based on stockholder feedback and FWC’s recommendations, the Compensation Committee refined the annual incentive program to further align it with our strategic focus on expanding our scale and to incorporate features to enhance its rigor, including the following, which were maintained in the 2023 program:
■ | limiting each participating officer’s cash payouts to no more than 80% of their respective maximum opportunity, with the balance of any earned award above that level paid out in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. As discussed below, the Compensation Committee further limited the CEO’s cash payout under the 2023 program, as it did under the 2022 program; |
■ | applying a detailed, structured scorecard methodology to determine the annual incentive awards’ asset efficiency component; and |
■ | increasing the asset efficiency component’s pool funding threshold to 3% of a return on inventory measure, up from 1% three years ago. |
The 20202023 target payout opportunities remained the same as for 2022 and were set at 150%225% of base salary for our CEO, 120%175% for our Chief Operating OfficerCOO and 100%140% for the remainder of our other NEOs. As outlinedshown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal Year 20202023 table, maximum payoutspayout opportunities were limited to a multiple of target. The target and maximum annual incentive opportunities were designed to generate payout levels that, if achieved, would appropriately reward strong performance for 2020,2023, and together with base salary and long-term incentives, provide competitive total direct compensation.
2020 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM COMPONENT DETERMINATIONS2023 Annual Incentive Program Component Determinations
With our 2020 API performance, our
Our NEOs became eligible to receivereceived annual incentive payouts under the 2020 program.2023 program as described below.
API Performance Relative to Goals Component
The Compensation Committee set an API performance target of $440.0$500.0 million, an increase of 14% overa 44% decrease compared to our 20192022 target API performance goal, of $385.0 million, and approximately 4% over56% below our 20192022 actual API performance. The 20202023 performance target was determined prior toset early in the declaration of the COVID-19 global pandemicyear amid a highly uncertain operating environment and was based on then current and expected depressed housing market conditions. Despite incredible volatility during 2020,conditions, such as our forecast at the time that our 2023 first quarter net orders would be down between 50% and 60% year over year. Notwithstanding the challenging operating environment we expected and experienced in 2023, due to our executives’ strong performance, as described above and in the Annual Report, we achieved API of $442.7$858.6 million, a 4% increase fromapproximately 27% lower than our actual 20192022 API result of $424.3 million.$1.18 billion. Although our actual 20202023 API exceeded the target performance level, payouts were limited to 100% of each NEO’s individual target amount under this component of the program to each NEO’s individual target amount.
program. As explained above and shown in the table below, this performance led to strictly formula-based payouts of 100% of target to our NEOs under the API performance component.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 25 |
20202023 API PERFORMANCE LEVELS AND PAYOUT SUMMARY
| Threshold | Target | Actual Result |
API Performance Levels | $330.0 million | $440.0 million | $442.7 million |
API Performance Levels Relative to Target | 75% | 100% | 101% |
Payout Level Ratios | 50% | 100% | 100% |
Threshold | Target | Actual Result | |
API Performance Levels | $375.0 million | $500.0 million | $858.6 million |
API Performance Levels Relative to Target | 75% | 100% | 172% |
Payout Level Ratios | 50% | 100% | 100% |
Our NEOs could earn annual incentive payouts above their respective individual target payout levels (but limited to each such officer’s respective maximum payout level) only if and to the extent our API performance exceeded a minimum asset efficiency objective, as described below.
API Performance Relative to Asset Efficiency Component
Under this component, (a) two and one quarter percent of each dollar of API over our minimum asset efficiency objective of up to 110% of the API target, and (b) three and one quarter percent of each dollar of API above the level of 110% of thatour 2023 API target, funded an additional annual incentive pool to be allocated among the participating officers. The Compensation Committee set the 2020 minimum asset efficiency objective at a onethree percent return on inventory for 2020, which was2023, consistent with the prior year. Therefore, the 2023 minimum asset efficiency objective increased to $160.2 million, up approximately $38.0 million, a 4.3% increase over our 20193% from the 2022 objective for this measure ($36.4 million).of $155.2 million. With the difference between our API and the minimum asset efficiency objective equal to about $404.7$698.4 million, the asset efficiency performance pool wascould be funded atup to a total level of approximately $9.1$18.8 million.
Annual Incentive Compensation Scorecard and Individual Performance Factor (or “IPF”)
The Compensation Committee determined the allocation of the asset efficiency performance poolpool’s allocation to the participating officers guided by a detailed scorecard methodology through which their individual 2023 performance and contributions were assessed across four key dimensions: financial results, leadership, strategic planning and execution. Within the scorecard structure, each participating officer received points in each dimension based on our CEO’s assessment of their performance, and on the Compensation Committee’s assessment, with FWC’s assistance, of our CEO’s performance. The respective cumulative points a participating officer achieved corresponded to an IPF range with upper and lower limits of potential payouts to the officer of the total available asset efficiency performance pool. These pre-established potentialIPF-based payout ranges, (0% — 60% for our CEO; 0% — 15% for our other NEOs) thatoutlined below, took into consideration each participating officer’s 20202023 annual incentive payout opportunities at threshold, target and maximum levels; historical relative annual incentive payouts by functional role; additional individual accomplishments and competitive market pay information. In determining allocations of the pool to our NEOs,
2023 Annual Incentive Compensation Scorecard
Dimension | Financial Results (0-8 pts.) | Leadership (0-4 pts.) | Strategic Planning (0-4 pts.) | Execution (0-4 pts.) | |||||||
Goals and Objectives | Meet or exceed FY23 goals for: ■ Homebuilding revenues ■ Homebuilding operating income as a percentage of total revenues ■ Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of homebuilding revenues ■ Cash flow ■ Return on equity ■ Diluted earnings per share | ■ Attract, retain and develop critical talent to drive current and future results ■ Enhance culture of customer obsession, driving best in class results in homebuyer satisfaction ■ Strive to achieve | ■ Build forecasts and business plans to reflect current and expected future market conditions ■ Establish future community count pipeline through 2025 in response to current market conditions and community needs ■ Develop long-term objectives supported by concrete action plans for sustainability-related goals, such as average HERS score and workforce diversity, wellness and safety | ■ Optimize performance of each community by balancing pricing, sales pace and return on investment ■ Drive construction cycle times down by 10% or more from 2022 levels ■ Achieve a minimum 90% customer satisfaction rating in the majority of served markets, per an outside firm ■ Enhance supply chain to ensure ability to support the business with qualified partners that have committed to our Supplier Code of Conduct ■ Analyze workplace practices, including as to pay, to ensure equitable outcomes |
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Maximum Potential IPF per Cumulative Scorecard Points
Cumulative Scorecard Points | Mr. Mezger | Mr. Kaminski | Mr. McGibney | Mr. Praw | Mr. Woram |
18-20 | 36.00% | 6.00% | 10.00% | 4.75% | 4.25% |
15-17 | 31.00% | 5.00% | 8.00% | 3.75% | 3.25% |
11-14 | 26.00% | 4.00% | 6.00% | 2.75% | 2.25% |
0-10 | 22.00% | 3.25% | 4.50% | 2.00% | 1.50% |
Based on their respective cumulative scorecard assessment points, the Compensation Committee also considereddetermined each NEO’s individual performance contributions, which, other than for our CEO, were informed by our CEO’s assessment of their performance, and established a corresponding individual performance factor (“IPF”)IPF, as shown in the table below, within the above-described ranges. The Compensation Committee determined our CEO’s award by also consideringcorresponding lower and upper IPF limits indicated on the CEO’s leadership of our strategy and his significant contribution to our performance in 2020. above table.
Named Executive Officer | 2023 Cumulative Scorecard Points | 2023 IPF |
Mr. Mezger | 19.00 | 33.90% |
Mr. Kaminski | 18.00 | 5.10% |
Mr. McGibney | 19.00 | 9.10% |
Mr. Praw | 18.00 | 3.90% |
Mr. Woram | 18.00 | 3.30% |
The table below summarizes our NEOs’ individual performance contributions.contributions that informed their IPF assessments under the scorecard.
NEO |
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Mr. Mezger |
Drove our strong financial results, including exceeding our goals for homebuilding revenues, homebuilding operating income, cash flow from operations, return on equity and ■ Directed a balanced capital allocation strategy, resulting in our returning nearly $470 million of cash to our stockholders through share repurchases and cash dividends, including an approximately ■ Continued to enhance our culture of customer obsession, with a #1 ranking in customer satisfaction on the TrustBuilder® review site ■ Progressed our sustainability leadership, which is broadly recognized by third-parties, including Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek and ■ Led, in ■ Navigated challenging current conditions and established realistic land investment goals while balancing the need to optimize current assets and generate strong cash flows from |
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| Mr. Kaminski | ■ Drove solid performance on key financial metrics, including deliveries, gross margins, selling, general and administrative expenses, and inventory efficiency ■ Built a three-year strategic plan, reflecting anticipated financial results and a capital structure strategy that considered expected market challenges ■ Effectively managed our capital structure ■ Supported workforce development and diversity initiatives by mentoring key staff members for their future growth and succession |
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NEO | 2023 NEO Individual Performance Contributions | |
Mr. McGibney | ■ Led our field teams to exceed our homes delivered, revenues and profitability forecasts in ■ Partnered with ■ Drove significant improvement in our |
Ended 2023 with a #1 ranking in customer satisfaction from third-party sources despite challenging market conditions ■ Heads our internal Sustainability Leadership Team and leads our National Advisory Board, both of which inform our future goals regarding sustainability-related initiatives ■ Restructured and mentored regional and division leadership while expanding diversity in key roles, including the promotion of three diverse candidates to Division President roles, to strengthen operational focus and succession planning |
Mr. | ■ Strategically managed company-wide land acquisitions by pivoting toward a growth-oriented pipeline amid changing market conditions in 2023 ■ Led the process to recalibrate community growth targets for 2024 and 2025, including the reevaluation and optimization of land development phasing to accelerate community openings and align with just-in-time operational needs ■ Established and fostered existing relationships with land sellers, developers and potential capital resources to maximize both growth opportunities and returns on capital employed. ■ Aided in mentoring division land team members through interacting in regular strategic land pipeline meetings | |
Mr. | ■ Successfully led litigation management, insurance recoveries and ■ Skillful support of |
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The Total Payout in the table below represents a cash payment to Contentseach officer other than Messrs. Mezger and Woram. Under the 2023 program terms, cash payouts were limited to 80% of a participating officer’s respective maximum payout opportunity, with any earned award balance above the cash maximum paid in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. As an annual incentive payout, this stock grant is not part of our separate long-term incentive program described below. Mr. Mezger’s total payout included $7,280,000 in cash, which was $1.0 million less than his cash maximum under the 2023 program terms, as the Compensation Committee decided to further reduce the cash payout under the plan by allocating the $1.0 million into time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash to additionally balance his overall cash and equity compensation and increase its alignment with stockholder value creation. As a result, Mr. Mezger was granted a total of $1,678,644 in time-vesting restricted stock. Per the 2023 program, Mr. Woram’s total payout included $1,545,600 in cash and $31,383 in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash.
2020
2023 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM COMPONENT AND TOTAL PAYOUT LEVELS AND ACTUAL PAYOUTS(a)
NEO | API Performance Component Payout | Asset Efficiency Component Payout | Total Payout(b) | |||
Mr. Mezger | $ | 2,587,500 | $ | 6,371,144 | $ | 8,958,644 |
Mr. Kaminski | 1,162,000 | 960,653 | 2,122,653 | |||
Mr. McGibney | 1,487,500 | 1,705,113 | 3,192,613 | |||
Mr. Praw | 966,000 | 735,060 | 1,701,060 | |||
Mr. Woram | 966,000 | 610,983 | 1,576,983 |
(a) | Annex 2 to this Proxy Statement contains a reconciliation of our pretax income calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to the non-GAAP financial measure of API. |
(b) | As discussed above, and as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, Messrs. Mezger’s and Woram’s respective total payouts are comprised of cash and time-vesting restricted stock. The total payouts for Messrs. Kaminski, McGibney and Praw comprised only cash. |
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NEO | API Performance Component Payout | Asset Efficiency Component Payout | Total Payout | |||
Mr. Mezger | $ | 1,725,000 | $ | 4,798,927 | $ | 6,523,927 |
Mr. Kaminski | 745,000 | 910,612 | 1,655,612 | |||
Mr. Mandino | 924,000 | 1,240,254 | 2,164,254 | |||
Mr. Praw | 620,000 | 707,546 | 1,327,546 | |||
Mr. Woram | 620,000 | 606,468 | 1,226,468 | |||
(a) Annex 2 to this Proxy Statement contains a reconciliation of our pretax income calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to the non-GAAP financial measure of API. |
2024 Annual Incentive Program
The 20212024 annual incentive program will be similar to our 20202023 program, including a primarily formula-driven funding structure determinedestablished by API and asset efficiency performance measures.measures with payout levels determined by our outcomes on these measures and individual performance against key scorecard objectives. The pre-established 20212024 annual incentive program’s API target performance goal is higher than our 2020 actual result and is based onwill reflect, among other things, the Compensation Committee’s consideration of expected market and business conditions for the current year. In addition, the asset efficiency objective will be increased for 2021.
In October 2020, for the fourth consecutive year,2023, the Compensation Committee approved long-term incentive awards to our NEOs consisting solely of PSUs to reinforce the alignment of pay with our performance and stockholder value creation. The target values of these awards were set at the same values as the October 2019 awards, and were again based on peer group and market data analysis. In order to maintain commensurate pay arrangements intended to reward strong long-term performance and help retain key talent, the following awards were made to our NEOs:
NEO LONG-TERM INCENTIVES GRANTED IN 20202023
| PSUs # |
| PSUs $ |
Mr. Mezger | 124,813 | $ | 5,000,009 |
Mr. Kaminski | 34,948 |
| 1,400,017 |
Mr. Mandino | 49,925 |
| 1,999,996 |
Mr. Praw | 22,466 |
| 899,988 |
Mr. Woram | 21,218 |
| 849,993 |
PSUs # | PSUs $ | ||
Mr. Mezger | 124,717 | $ | 5,500,020 |
Mr. Kaminski | 34,014 | 1,500,017 | |
Mr. McGibney | 51,020 | 2,249,982 | |
Mr. Praw | 21,542 | 950,002 | |
Mr. Woram | 20,408 | 899,993 |
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
We have granted PSUs to our executive officers each year since 2012. As with prior PSU grants, the PSUs granted in 20202023 are designed to focus our executive officers on achieving important long-term financial objectives over a three-year period. The 20202023 PSU measures described below are a combination of absolute and relative metrics that should generate positive outcomes for our business, and, if achieved, are expected to be strong drivers of stockholder value creation.
PSU Measures | Weight | Purpose | ||
■ | Cumulative Adjusted Earnings Per Share (“AEPS”) | 40% | Measures profitability trajectory over the period | |
■ | Average Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (“AROIC”) | 35% | Measures profitability relative to capital deployed | |
■ | Revenue Growth Rank Versus Peers | 25% | Measures top-line growth relative to peers |
The 20202023 PSU amounts shown in the table above reflect a target award of shares of our common stock and their grant date fair value. Each 20202023 PSU entitles a recipient to a grant of 0% to 200% of his target award depending on our performance relative to the above-noted performance measures over the three-year period of December 1, 20202023 to November 30, 2023.2026. The AEPS and AROIC measures’ performance will be determined on a tax-effected basis that excludes only pre-specified categories of compensation expense; certain inventory-related charges; and other extraordinary items approved by the Compensation Committee. Upon vesting, each 20202023 PSU recipient is
entitled to receive a proportionate amount of credited cash dividends that are paid in respect of one share of our common stock with a record date between the grant date and the date the Compensation Committee determines the applicable performance achievements, if any. Except for death, disability or certain retirement circumstances, a recipient will forfeit any rights to a 20202023 PSU payout if the recipient terminates service before the date the Compensation Committee determines the applicable performance achievements.
The following tables present our goals with respect to the 20172020 – 20202023 absolute PSU performance measures. As shown below, the goals for both the AEPS and AROIC measures havegenerally increased year over year at boththreshold, target and maximum performance level,levels, reflecting the consistent improvement in our performance in the prior-year periods and stockholder feedback. Specifically, comparing the respective corresponding 2018 – 2020 PSUs target goalsAs it relates to those for the 2017 PSUs, the AEPS measure is up 60%, 71% and 76%, and the AROIC measure is 100, 220 and 290 basis points higher. Due to the continuing uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic at the time 2020 PSU goals were determined,fiscal 2022, when the Compensation Committee established thresholdthe PSU measures and goals in the fourth quarter of that year, homebuyer demand had turned sharply lower, stemming from higher mortgage interest rates, persistent inflationary pressures and an uncertain economic outlook, as discussed above. Given this environment, the Compensation Committee established 2022 PSU goals for both AEPS and AROIC that were lower than the threshold goals for the same measures under the 2019 PSUs along with lower threshold payout2021 PSUs. With market conditions relatively improved in our 2023 fourth quarter, the Compensation Committee established both AEPS and AROIC goals at levels higher than those prior-year PSUs.for all prior years. These goals reflect our expectations regarding performance against the measures at the times that the goals were set.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 29 |
Performance Measure | PSU Grant Year | Threshold Goal | Target Goal | Maximum Goal |
AEPS | 2017 | $4.13 | $5.16 | $6.19 |
2018 | $6.60 | $8.25 | $9.90 | |
2019 | $7.06 | $8.82 | $10.58 | |
2020 | $6.36 | $9.09 | $10.91 | |
AROIC | 2017 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 4.6% |
2018 | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.8% | |
2019 | 4.8% | 6.0% | 7.2% | |
2020 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 8.0% |
Performance Measure | PSU Grant Year | Performance Period | Threshold Goal | Target Goal | Maximum Goal |
AEPS | 2020 | 2021-2023 | $6.36 | $9.09 | $10.91 |
2021 | 2022-2024 | $7.22 | $10.32 | $13.42 | |
2022 | 2023-2025 | $5.43 | $7.75 | $10.08 | |
2023 | 2024-2026 | $7.35 | $10.50 | $13.65 | |
AROIC | 2020 | 2021-2023 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 8.0% |
2021 | 2022-2024 | 6.2% | 8.9% | 11.6% | |
2022 | 2023-2025 | 4.3% | 6.1% | 7.9% | |
2023 | 2024-2026 | 6.3% | 9.0% | 11.7% |
The relative revenue growth performance ranking scale shown below applies only to the 2017 PSU grants.
Relative Revenue Growth (2017 PSUs) | Performance (Rank) | Target Award Multiplier |
(Adjustments to ranking levels and multipliers will be made if there are changes in the peer group composition over time, per the terms of the PSUs) | 1 or 2 | 200% |
3 | 178% | |
4 | 156% | |
5 | 134% | |
6 | 113% | |
7 | 90% | |
8 | 67% | |
9 | 44% | |
10 | 21% | |
11 or 12 | 0% | |
|
For our 2018, 2019 and 2020 PSU grants, we adoptedWe utilize a percentile rank approach to determine the target award multiplier for the relative revenue growth measure as outlined in the table below. Payouts for performance between the levels shown below are determined by straight-line interpolation.
Relative Revenue Growth | Performance (Rank) | Target Award Multiplier |
| 200% | |
| 100% | |
| 25% | |
Below | 0% |
As with our annual incentive program, the Compensation Committee intends the threshold performance levels outlined above to be reasonably achievable, yet uncertain to be met under expected market and business conditions at the time of grant. Target performance levels are designed to require significant management effort to achieve, and maximum performance levels are designed to be measurably more difficult to achieve than target
performance levels. Each of these performance levels directly scale to threshold, target and maximum payout opportunities. As vesting for the PSUs granted in 20182021 – 20202023 will not be determined until after their respective performance periods end, we cannot predict the extent to which any shares under these awards will ultimately vest.
2020 PSU AWARDSAwards
The PSUs granted to our executive officers in 20172020 entitled recipients to a grant of 0% to 200% of a target award of shares of our common stock based on our AEPS performance, AROIC performance, and relative revenue growth performance (with the respective rankings and multipliers as shown in the above table) over the three-year period of December 1, 20172020 to November 30, 2020.2023. The applicable AEPS and AROIC performance measures and goals are set forth below.
2017 PSU Performance Measure | 2017 PSU Performance Goals | 2017 PSU Target Award Multiplier |
AEPS | $6.19 and above | 200% |
$5.16 | 100% | |
$4.13 | 50% | |
Below $4.13 | 0% | |
AROIC | 4.6% and above | 200% |
3.8% | 100% | |
3.3% | 50% | |
Below 3.3% | 0% |
2020 PSU Performance Measure | 2020 PSU Performance Goals | 2020 PSU Target Award Multiplier |
AEPS | $10.91 and above | 200% |
$9.09 | 100% | |
$6.36 | 25% | |
Below $6.36 | 0% | |
AROIC | 8.0% and above | 200% |
6.7% | 100% | |
4.7% | 25% | |
Below 4.7% | 0% |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 30 |
20172020 PSU AWARD DETERMINATIONS
Performance Measure | Average Annual Performance | Aggregate Total Performance | Target Award Multiplier |
AEPS | N/A | $ | 200% |
AROIC |
| N/A | 200% |
Relative Revenue Growth | N/A |
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Annex 2 to this Proxy Statement contains a reconciliation of our net income and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share used in computing AEPS and AROIC.
The cumulative AEPS performance result for the 20172020 PSUs exceeded the challenging $6.19$10.91 maximum goal level set at the time of grant and reflected our emphasis on and success at growing our diluted earnings per share by 69% during the performance period even125% amid a volatile housing market conditions during 2020. Strong, consistentthe entire performance period. Historically strong profitability and cumulative adjusted net income of approximately $735 million, as well as our substantial reduction of nearly $578 million in notes payable over this period,$2.01 billion contributed to a significant increase in our adjusted return on invested capital, exceeding our maximum goal for this measure. The relative revenue ranking for the 20172020 PSUs reflected our robust revenue growth performance over the applicable period and placedput us 11thin a strong 2nd place within the peer group. Our rankingBased on the relative revenue scale outlined in the above table, reflects our positionperformance placed us approximately at the end91st percentile of the performance period among the applicableour peer group, consistent with the 2017 PSUs’ terms and based on the relative revenue growth performance rank-to-target award multiplier table.resulting in a payment of 200% for this measure. All of these outcomes were uncertain at the time the 20172020 PSUs were granted, and the Compensation Committee determined that they required significant management effort to achieve and sustain through the entirety of the performance period.
On February 18, 2021,28, 2024, the Compensation Committee certified the performance we achieved for the period ended November 30, 20202023 and approved share grants with respect to the 20172020 PSUs as set forth in the table below. Mr. MandinoMcGibney was not a participant in the 20172020 PSU program because he was not an eligible executive officer at the time the 20172020 PSUs were granted.
NEO | Target Award(#) | Actual Award(#) |
Mr. Mezger | 156,006 | 218,408 |
Mr. Kaminski | 46,802 | 65,523 |
Mr. Praw | 32,176 | 45,046 |
Mr. Woram | 30,226 | 42,316 |
NEO | Target Award(#) | Actual Award(#) |
Mr. Mezger | 124,813 | 249,626 |
Mr. Kaminski | 34,948 | 69,896 |
Mr. Praw | 22,466 | 44,932 |
Mr. Woram | 21,218 | 42,436 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AND POLICIES
Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee oversees the decision-making process for our executive compensation and benefits policies and programs. In making executive compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors and data, most importantly our performance and individual executives’ performance, and the totality of compensation that may be paid. Among the dataData the Compensation Committee considers areincludes our financial and operational performance, metrics for us, including comparisons to prior years’ performance, and our current business plans and to our peer group; surveys and forecasts of comparative general industry and peer group compensation and benefits practices; and, at least annually, management-prepared tally sheets for senior executives with up to six years of compensation data.
ROLE OF OUR MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION CONSULTANTS
Our CEO, senior human resources and legal department executives, and FWC provide information and recommendations to assist the Compensation Committee’s decision-making and also advise on compliance and disclosure requirements. The Compensation Committee does not delegate its decision-making authority to management, except for establishing certain performance goals under our performance cash program for participating division-level personnel and certain administrative actions under our current equity compensation plan, but only to the extent consistent with our equity-based award grant policy and applicable law. FWC, which the Compensation Committee directly retains, attends Compensation Committee meetings as needed.needed, communicates between meetings with the Compensation Committee chair and other committee members, advises the Compensation Committee as to the CEO’s and other executive officers’ compensation, and assists the Compensation Committee with the annual employee compensation risk assessment, as discussed under “Management Development and Compensation Committee—Delegated Risk Oversight.” To maintain its independence and avoid any conflicts of interest, FWC may not work directly for our management unless the Compensation Committee pre-approves the work, including fees. During 2020,2023, FWC did not provide any services that would have required such pre-approval. Based on its consideration of factors under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards, the Compensation Committee determined that FWC’s work did not raise any conflicts of interest, and therefore considered FWC to be independent.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 31 |
Our peer group is composed solely of U.S. public companies that, like us, are engaged in high production homebuilding as their primary business. We compete with all of these companies for both homebuyers and management talent. The competition with these companies for human resourcestalent reflects our, and their, need to attract and retain high caliber management and other personnel with strong high production homebuilding expertise and experience to execute business activities nationally as well as in specific local markets. Therefore, a principal focus in designingof our compensation and benefits programs is to meet this critical competitive need. The Compensation Committee, in consultation with FWC and our management, periodically reviews and considers changes to our peer group. The Compensation Committee principally considers the competitive factors described above, as well as relative total revenues and market capitalization among the peer group companies. The Compensation Committee which considers the composition of our peer group at least annually, last adjustedand the group’s members which are shown below,were last adjusted during 2016.2018. As of their most recently filed proxy statements before the date of this Proxy Statement, each member of our peer group included us in its own peer group.
OUR PEER GROUP
■ Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
■Lennar Corporation
■NVR, Inc.
■Toll Brothers, Inc. | ■ D.R. Horton, Inc.
■M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
■PulteGroup, Inc.
■Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. | ■ Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
■Meritage Homes Corporation
■Taylor Morrison Home Corporation |
As of December 31, 2020,2023, the reported total revenues (on a trailing 12-month basis) of the companies in our peer group were within a range of approximately 0.50.3 to 5.45.5 times our total revenues, and our total revenues of $4.18$6.41 billion placed us inat the middle-third46th percentile of the peer group. Also, as of December 31, 2020,2023, the market capitalization of our peer group was within a range of approximately 0.10.2 to 8.310.2 times our market capitalization, and our market capitalization of $3.04$4.95 billion was approximately 6% belowin the mediansecond quartile of the peer group of $3.24 billion.group.
Our longstanding executive stock ownership policy is intended to encourage, and has encouraged, our executives to increase their ownership of our common stock over time and to align their interests with our stockholders’ interests. Under the policy, designated senior executives are expected to achieve specific levels of common stock ownership within five years of joining us or being promoted to a position with a higher ownership guideline and, once achieved, maintain such ownership throughout their employment with us. The targeted common stock ownership levels for our NEOs are as follows:
Executive | Ownership Guideline |
CEO | 6.0 times base salary |
COO | 3.0 times base salary |
Other NEOs | 2.0 times base salary |
Common stock ownership includes shares directly owned by the NEO, and shares are valued at the greater of the most recent closing price on a valuation date and the closing price on the date shares are acquired. Designated executives are required to hold all vested net (after-tax) shares of time-vesting and performance-vesting restricted stock and up to 100% of net shares acquired through stock option exercises until their applicable stock ownership guideline is met, absent a hardship or other qualified exception. Each of our NEOs is in compliance with the requirements of the policy.
PROHIBITION ON HEDGING/PLEDGING OF OUR SECURITIES
To further align their interests with those of our stockholders, our employees and non-employee directors cannot engage in short sales of our securities and cannot buy or sell puts, calls or any other financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset decreases or increases in the value of our securities (including derivatives, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds).securities. They also cannot hold our securities in a margin account or otherwise pledge our securities as collateral for any loan.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 32 |
Our equity-based award grant policy governs the timing and establishes certain internal controls over the grant of equity-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock and PSUs. The policy requires that the Compensation Committee (or the Board) approve all grants of equity-based awards and their terms and does not permit delegation of this authority to our management. Per the policy, the exercise or grant price of any relevant equity-based award cannot be less than the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.
The Board adopted ain November 2023 an updated incentive-based compensation recovery policy in 2018 to recoup compensation if our financial statements must be restated due to an executive officer’s intentional misconduct or grossly negligent conduct.per the applicable NYSE listing standard. Under the policy, if we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, we will be entitled to recover in accordance with the listing standard the amount of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation an executive officer received. This policy replaced in its entirety a compensation recoupment policy the Board (or a designated committee) can, to the extent permitted by applicable law (including California law), require an officer to reimburse or forfeit to us the excess bonus or incentive compensation (whether cash- or equity-based) such officer received during the three fiscal years preceding the year the restatement is determined to be required relative to an applicable restated performance measure or target.adopted in 2018. In addition, under our CEO mustCEO’s employment agreement, we may require him to repay certain bonus and incentive- or equity-based compensation he receives as well as any profits realized from the sale of certain securities if we are required to restate our financial statements as a result of his misconduct, consistent with Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We will also recoup incentive-based compensation from our NEOs to the extent required under the Dodd-Frank Act and any rules issued under that Act.
TAX IMPLICATIONS OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
In past years, we have generally designed our incentive compensation plans in orderDue to maintain federal tax deductibility for executive compensation under Section 162(m) ofchanges to the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and the Compensation Committee considered the potential Section 162(m) impact when approving the enacted in 2017, specifically repealing an exemption for performance-based compensation, paidwe are generally not able to our NEOs. Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), Section 162(m) generally disallowed a tax deduction fordeduct compensation over $1.0 million paid to certain executive officers unless it qualified as performance-based compensation. The TCJA effectively repealed the exemption for performance-based
compensation with respect to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, other than for arrangements in place on November 2, 2017 that are not later modified in any material respect. As such, with respect to our 2020 fiscal year, we will not be able to deduct compensation above $1.0 million awarded to certain of our executive officers. While we intend for our PSU grants made prior to November 2, 2017 to qualify for deductibility under Section 162(m), we cannot guarantee that any compensation intended to be deductible under Section 162(m) will qualify as such. In addition, theThe Compensation Committee will approve compensation that may not be deductible under Section 162(m)the Code where it believes it is in our and our stockholders’ best interests to do so.
We have entered into agreements with each NEO and certain other senior executives, which were updated in January 2024, that provide them with indemnification and advancement of expenses to supplement what our Certificate of Incorporation and insurance policies provide, subject to certain limitations.
SEVERANCE, CHANGE IN CONTROL AND POST-TERMINATION ARRANGEMENTS
SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTSSeverance Arrangements
Mr. Mezger’s Employment Agreement and our Executive Severance Plan, in which all of our NEOs participate, provide certain severance benefits, as discussed under “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control.” In considering our stockholders’ approval of an advisory proposal, in 2008 we adopted a policy under which we will obtain stockholder approval before paying severance benefits to an executive officer under a future severance arrangement in excess of 2.99 times the sum of the executive officer’s then-current base salary and target bonus. Future severance arrangements do not include arrangements existing when we adopted the policy or that we assume or acquire unless, in each case, any such arrangement is changed in a manner that materially increases its severance benefits.
CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTSChange in Control Arrangements
Since 2001, we have maintained without modification the terms of a Change in Control Severance Plan (“CIC Plan”) that provides participants with certain benefits, as discussed under “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control.” The CIC Plan is intended to enable and encourage our management to focus its attention on obtaining the best possible result for our stockholders in a change in control, to promote management continuity, and to provide income protection if there is an involuntary loss of employment. All unvested employee equity awards require double-trigger vesting in a change in control.
DEATH BENEFITSDeath Benefits
Our Death Benefit Only Plan (“DBO Plan”), in which Messrs. Mezger and Praw participate, provides a $1.0 million death benefit to a participant’s designated beneficiary (plus an additional tax restoration amount sufficient to pay taxes on the benefit and the additional amount). We closed the plan to new participants beginning in 2006. Since then, only term life insurance, with a $750,000 benefit level, has been made available to incoming eligible executives, including Messrs. Kaminski, MandinoMcGibney and Woram. We also maintain a $400,000 life insurance death benefit for designated beneficiaries of Mr. Mezger.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 33 |
The majorityMost of our health and welfare benefits are made available to all full-time employees, including our NEOs. During 2020,2023, as in prior years, our NEOs were eligible to participate in a supplemental plan that reimburses them for qualified out-of-pocket expenses that exceed amounts payable under our standard medical, dental and vision plans. Certain of our NEOs, and other employees, also participate in our unfunded nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”), which is described below. These market-competitive benefits are offered to attract and retain key executive talent.
RETIREMENT PROGRAMSRetirement Programs
The KB Home 401(k) Savings Plan (“401(k) Plan”), a qualified defined contribution plan, is the only post-employment benefit program we offer to all full-time employees. We provide a dollar-for-dollar match of 401(k) Plan and DCP contributions up to an aggregate of 6% of a participant’s base salary. Matching contributions generally vest after five years of service.
The DCP allows participants to make pretax contributions of up to 75% of their base salary and 75% of their annual incentive compensation, and to select from one or more investment options in which their deferred compensation is deemed to be invested. As we do not provide a guaranteed rate of return under the DCP, a participant’s credited earnings depend on their investment elections. Deferred amounts together with any credited investment returns
under the DCP are paid out to participants in a lump sum or in installments, commencing either at a participant-specified date during employment or upon termination of employment, subject to certain limitations. NEO deferrals under the DCP are shown in the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal Year 20202023 table.
We also maintain a supplemental non-qualified, unfunded retirement plan (“Retirement Plan”) for certain executives, including Mr. Mezger, whose participation is shown in the Pension Benefits During Fiscal Year 20202023 table. The Retirement Plan, closed to new participants since 2004 with no additional benefit accruals to participants (other than the same cost-of-living adjustments applied to federal social securitySocial Security benefits), provides each participant with specific annual payments for 20 years that begin upon the later of reaching age 55, the tenth anniversary of a participation commencement date or the termination of employment with us. Mr. Mezger’s original annual benefit amount under the Retirement Plan was $450,000. The change in our CEO’s pension value shown in the Summary Compensation Table for 20202021 is a required reporting item and represents only the actuarial increase in our CEO’s Retirement Plan benefits based on interest rate fluctuations. It does not reflect any new plan benefits, cash or other compensation granted to or received by our CEO in 2020.that year.
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the above “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with KB Home management. Based on this review and discussion, the Management Development and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Proxy Statement.
Management Development and Compensation Committee
Melissa Lora, ChairTimothy W. FinchemRobert L. Johnson
Arthur R. Collins
Jodeen A. Kozlak
Brian R. Niccol
James C. Weaver
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 34 |
Fiscal Year | Salary ($)(a) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(b) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(c) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(d) | All Other Compensation ($)(e) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||
Jeffrey T. Mezger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | — | $ | 7,178,664 | $ | 7,280,000 | $ | — | $ | 80,391 | $ | 15,689,055 | |||||||
2022 | 1,150,000 | — | 7,105,882 | 7,480,000 | — | 78,909 | 15,814,791 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 1,150,000 | — | 4,999,996 | 7,995,919 | 142,560 | 78,043 | 14,366,518 | ||||||||||||||
Jeff J. Kaminski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 812,500 | — | 1,500,017 | 2,122,653 | — | 61,841 | 4,497,011 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 785,417 | — | 1,400,008 | 2,272,201 | — | 60,234 | 4,517,860 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 757,500 | — | 1,399,986 | 2,029,530 | — | 58,593 | 4,245,609 | ||||||||||||||
Robert V. McGibney, President and Chief Operating Officer | |||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 820,833 | — | 2,249,982 | 3,723,971 | — | 62,281 | 6,857,067 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 770,833 | — | 1,999,998 | 3,656,299 | — | 59,308 | 6,486,438 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 557,500 | — | 2,000,014 | 2,685,311 | — | 58,934 | 5,301,759 | ||||||||||||||
Albert Z. Praw, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Business Development | |||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 675,417 | — | 950,002 | 1,701,060 | — | 53,148 | 3,379,627 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 650,417 | — | 899,986 | 1,821,451 | — | 51,666 | 3,423,520 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 628,333 | — | 900,002 | 1,626,214 | — | 63,806 | 3,218,355 | ||||||||||||||
Brian J. Woram, Executive Vice President and General Counsel | |||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 675,417 | — | 931,376 | 1,545,600 | — | 47,866 | 3,200,259 | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 650,417 | — | 1,045,327 | 1,489,600 | — | 52,134 | 3,237,478 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | 628,333 | — | 850,000 | 1,503,741 | — | 50,843 | 3,032,917 |
(a) | Salary. As discussed under “Base Salaries,” except for Mr. Mezger, NEO annual base salary levels were increased in July 2023 to the following amounts: Mr. Kaminski $830,000; Mr. McGibney $850,000; Mr. Praw $690,000; and Mr. Woram $690,000. Mr. McGibney’s annual base salary was increased to $900,000 in February 2024 in conjunction with his promotion to President and Chief Operating Officer. |
(c) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. For Mr. McGibney, the amount reflects the sum of his annual incentive and a three-year performance cash award of $531,358 in 2023, $402,758 in 2022 and $275,011 in 2021, |
(d) |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 35 |
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($)(a) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(b) | Option Awards ($)(b) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(c) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(d) | All Other Compensation ($)(e) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Jeffrey T. Mezger Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | 2020 | $ | 1,150,000 | $ | — | $ | 5,000,009 | $ | — | $ | 6,523,927 | $ | 1,145,487 | $ | 79,922 | $ | 13,899,345 |
2019 |
| 1,150,000 |
| — |
| 4,999,987 |
| — |
| 6,081,611 |
| 1,060,833 |
| 78,945 |
| 13,371,376 | |
2018 |
| 1,150,000 |
| — |
| 4,000,005 |
| — |
| 6,443,082 |
| — |
| 79,810 |
| 11,672,897 | |
Jeff J. Kaminski Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2020 |
| 745,000 |
| — |
| 1,400,017 |
| — |
| 1,655,612 |
| — |
| 60,022 |
| 3,860,651 |
2019 |
| 733,333 |
| — |
| 1,399,998 |
| — |
| 1,542,547 |
| — |
| 58,920 |
| 3,734,798 | |
2018 |
| 710,417 |
| — |
| 1,200,006 |
| — |
| 1,634,658 |
| — |
| 58,242 |
| 3,603,323 | |
Mathew W. Mandino Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 2020 |
| 770,000 |
| — |
| 1,999,996 |
| — |
| 2,501,893 |
| — |
| 57,612 |
| 5,329,501 |
2019 |
| 758,333 |
| — |
| 2,000,001 |
| — |
| 2,236,440 |
| — |
| 118,420 |
| 5,113,194 | |
2018 |
| 580,000 |
| — |
| 1,750,002 |
| — |
| 2,216,001 |
| — |
| 491,976 |
| 5,037,979 | |
Albert Z. Praw Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Business Development | 2020 |
| 620,000 |
| — |
| 899,988 |
| — |
| 1,327,546 |
| — |
| 51,859 |
| 2,899,393 |
2019 |
| 611,250 |
| — |
| 899,989 |
| — |
| 1,237,381 |
| — |
| 51,274 |
| 2,799,894 | |
2018 |
| 593,333 |
| — |
| 825,006 |
| — |
| 1,310,557 |
| — |
| 50,644 |
| 2,779,540 | |
Brian J. Woram Executive Vice President and General Counsel | 2020 |
| 620,000 |
| — |
| 849,993 |
| — |
| 1,226,468 |
| — |
| 52,537 |
| 2,748,998 |
2019 |
| 611,250 |
| — |
| 850,008 |
| — |
| 1,142,638 |
| — |
| 51,260 |
| 2,655,156 | |
2018 |
| 593,333 |
| — |
| 775,010 |
| — |
| 1,209,958 |
| — |
| 51,567 |
| 2,629,868 | |
(a) Salary. As discussed under “Base Salaries,” there have been no changes to NEO annual base salary levels since July 2019. (b) Stock Awards and Option Awards. These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards (consisting of only PSUs) computed as described in Note 21 — Employee Benefit and Stock Plans in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report, except that estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions have been disregarded. They do not represent realized compensation. The 2020 stock awards represent the grant date fair value of the probable award of shares of our common stock underlying the PSUs granted. The grant date fair value of the PSUs if maximum performance is achieved is as follows: Mr. Mezger $10,000,018; Mr. Kaminski $2,800,034; Mr. Mandino $3,999,992; Mr. Praw $1,799,976; and Mr. Woram $1,699,986. (c) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. For Mr. Mandino, the amounts reflect the sum of his annual incentives, and payouts of performance cash awards of $337,639 in 2020, $392,193 in 2019 and $261,625 in 2018, granted to him prior to his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in 2018. For all other NEOs, the amounts reflect only their annual incentive payouts. (d) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings. These amounts (as applicable) reflect the increase in the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits under our Retirement Plan. These changes are tied to interest rate fluctuations and do not reflect any cash or other compensation received by Mr. Mezger. The amounts attributed to the change in actuarial present value in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $1,145,487, $1,060,833 and $(516,726), respectively. (e) All Other Compensation. The amounts shown consist of minimal incremental costs associated with spousal travel expenses in connection with a business-related event for each NEO and the following items: ■ 401(k) Plan and DCP Matching Contributions. The respective aggregate 2020, 2019 and 2018 401(k) Plan and DCP matching contributions we made to our NEOs were as follows: Mr. Mezger $63,100, $62,800 and $62,500; Mr. Kaminski $44,700, $44,000 and $42,625; Mr. Mandino $42,350, $16,800 and $15,883; Mr. Praw $37,200, $36,675 and $35,600; and Mr. Woram $37,200, $36,675 and $35,600. ■ Premium Payments. The respective aggregate premiums we paid for our NEOs in 2020, 2019 and 2018 for a supplemental medical expense reimbursement plan and life insurance policies, as described under “Other Benefits,” were as follows: Mr. Mezger $14,652, $14,652 and $14,651; Mr. Kaminski $13,152, $13,152 and $13,101; Mr. Mandino $13,092, $13,092 and $13,091; Mr. Praw $12,684, $12,684 and $12,683; and Mr. Woram $13,097, $13,092 and $13,091. ■ Relocation Assistance. In our 2019 fiscal year, Mr. Mandino received $86,754 in relocation-related payments or reimbursements to cover various moving expenses, temporary housing and any personal tax liability associated therewith in connection with his promotion to Chief Operating Officer and move from Colorado to California. In our 2018 fiscal year, Mr. Mandino received $460,441 in such payments or reimbursements. Mr. Mandino received no such assistance in our 2020 fiscal year. |
(e) | All Other Compensation. The amounts shown consist of payouts of unused vacation balances in 2021 (Mr. McGibney $12,398 and Mr. Praw $13,431); and the following items: | ||
■ | 401(k) Plan and DCP Matching Contributions. The respective aggregate 2023, 2022 and 2021 401(k) Plan and DCP matching contributions we made to our NEOs were as follows: Mr. Mezger $65,800, $64,300 and $63,400; Mr. Kaminski $48,750, $47,125 and $45,450; Mr. McGibney $49,250, $46,250 and $33,450; Mr. Praw $40,525, $39,025 and $37,700; and Mr. Woram $34,775, $39,025 and $37,700. | ||
Premium Payments. The respective aggregate premiums we paid for our NEOs in 2023, 2022 and 2021 |
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020
Name | Grant Date(a) |
| Type of Award | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(b) |
| Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(c) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(d) | ||||||||
Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | ||||||||||
Mr. Mezger | 2/20/2020 |
| Annual Incentive | $ | 862,500 | $ | 1,725,000 | $ | 6,900,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/8/2020 |
| PSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 31,203 | 124,813 | 249,626 | $ | 5,000,009 | |
Mr. Kaminski | 2/20/2020 |
| Annual Incentive |
| 372,500 |
| 745,000 |
| 2,235,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/8/2020 |
| PSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8,737 | 34,948 | 69,896 |
| 1,400,017 | |
Mr. Mandino | 2/20/2020 |
| Annual Incentive |
| 462,000 |
| 924,000 |
| 2,772,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/8/2020 |
| PSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 12,481 | 49,925 | 99,850 |
| 1,999,996 | |
Mr. Praw | 2/20/2020 |
| Annual Incentive |
| 310,000 |
| 620,000 |
| 1,860,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/8/2020 |
| PSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,617 | 22,466 | 44,932 |
| 899,988 | |
Mr. Woram | 2/20/2020 |
| Annual Incentive |
| 310,000 |
| 620,000 |
| 1,240,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/8/2020 |
| PSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,305 | 21,218 | 42,436 |
| 849,993 | |
(a) Grant Date. The date the Compensation Committee approved each award. (b) Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards. The 2020 target payouts were set at 150% of base salary for our CEO and at 100% — 120% of base salary for each of our other NEOs. Maximum payouts were limited to a multiple of target, with our CEO at four times, each of our EVP and Chief Financial Officer, EVP and Chief Operating Officer and EVP, Real Estate and Business Development at three times, and our EVP and General Counsel at two times. “Threshold” represents the lowest possible payout if threshold performance is achieved for each performance measure. The performance measures are described under “2020 Annual Incentives.” (c) Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards. If there is a payout of the PSUs, “Threshold” represents the lowest possible payout (25% of the target award of shares granted) if threshold performance is achieved for each performance measure, and “Maximum” reflects the highest possible payout (200% of the target award of shares granted). The performance measures are described under “Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.” If threshold performance is not achieved on all three measures, the NEOs will not receive any payout of the PSUs. (d) Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards. The grant date fair value for each award is computed as described in footnote (b) to the Summary Compensation Table. The 2020 stock awards represent the grant date fair value of the probable award of shares of our common stock underlying the PSUs granted as of the grant date. |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(b) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(c) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(d) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date(a) | Type of Award | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | ||||||||||||||
Mr. Mezger | 2/24/2023 | Annual Incentive | $ | 1,293,750 | $ | 2,587,500 | $ | 8,280,000 | ||||||||||||||
10/05/2023 | PSUs | 31,179 | 124,717 | 249,434 | $ | 5,500,020 | ||||||||||||||||
1/18/2024 | Restricted Stock | 27,465 | 1,678,644 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Kaminski | 2/24/2023 | Annual Incentive | 581,000 | 1,162,000 | 2,788,800 | |||||||||||||||||
10/05/2023 | PSUs | 8,504 | 34,014 | 68,028 | 1,500,017 | |||||||||||||||||
Mr. McGibney | 2/24/2023 | Annual Incentive | 743,750 | 1,487,500 | 3,570,000 | |||||||||||||||||
10/05/2023 | PSUs | 12,755 | 51,020 | 102,040 | 2.249,982 | |||||||||||||||||
Mr. Praw | 2/24/2023 | Annual Incentive | 483,000 | 966,000 | 2,318,400 | |||||||||||||||||
10/05/2023 | PSUs | 5,386 | 21,542 | 43,084 | 950,002 | |||||||||||||||||
Mr. Woram | 2/24/2023 | Annual Incentive | 483,000 | 966,000 | 1,545,600 | |||||||||||||||||
10/05/2023 | PSUs | 5,102 | 20,408 | 40,816 | 899,993 | |||||||||||||||||
1/18/2024 | Restricted Stock | 513 | 31,383 |
(a) | Grant Date. The date the Compensation Committee approved each award. The January 18, 2024 restricted stock grants represent each applicable recipient’s portion of their ultimate 2023 fiscal year annual incentive award, as discussed under “2023 Annual Incentives.” These awards vest in three equal annual installments beginning January 18, 2025. |
(b) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards. The 2023 target payouts were set at 225% of base salary for our CEO and at 140% — 175% of base salary for each of our other NEOs with the maximum incentive set at a multiple of four times target for our CEO, three times target for Messrs. Kaminski, McGibney, and Praw, and two times target for Mr. Woram. Notwithstanding these potential maximum incentive calculations, “Maximum” in the above table represents each officer’s maximum cash payout, which, as described under “2023 Annual Incentives,” was limited to no more than 80% of a participant’s respective maximum opportunity. “Threshold” represents the lowest possible payout if threshold performance is achieved for each performance measure. The performance measures are described under “2023 Annual Incentives.” |
(c) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards. If there is a payout of the PSUs, “Threshold” represents the lowest possible payout (25% of the target award of shares granted) if threshold performance is achieved for each performance measure, and “Maximum” reflects the highest possible payout (200% of the target award of shares granted). The performance measures are described under “Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.” If threshold performance is not achieved on all three measures, the NEOs will not receive any payout of the PSUs. |
(d) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards. The grant date fair value for each award is computed as described in footnote (b) to the Summary Compensation Table. The 2023 PSUs represent the grant date fair value of the probable award of shares of our common stock underlying the PSUs granted as of the grant date. The restricted stock amounts for Messrs. Mezger and Woram are the value of the respective grant each received on January 18, 2024, as discussed under “2023 Annual Incentives.” |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 36 |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)(a) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(b) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(c) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(d) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(d) | ||||||||||||
Mr. Mezger | 10/8/2015 | 333,000 | $ | 14.92 | 10/8/2025 | |||||||||||||||
10/6/2016 | 274,952 | 16.21 | 10/6/2026 | |||||||||||||||||
10/8/2020 | 249,626 | $ | 13,005,515 | |||||||||||||||||
10/7/2021 | 127,194 | $ | 6,626,807 | |||||||||||||||||
11/14/2022 | 166,003 | 8,648,756 | ||||||||||||||||||
1/19/2023 | 60,514 | 3,152,779 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/5/2023 | 124,717 | 6,497,756 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Kaminski | 10/8/2015 | 115,000 | 14.92 | 10/8/2025 | ||||||||||||||||
10/6/2016 | 82,486 | 16.21 | 10/6/2026 | |||||||||||||||||
10/8/2020 | 69,896 | 3,641,582 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/7/2021 | 35,614 | 1,855,489 | ||||||||||||||||||
11/14/2022 | 46,481 | 2,421,660 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/5/2023 | 34,014 | 1,772,129 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. McGibney | 10/9/2014 | 14,781 | 14.62 | 10/9/2024 | ||||||||||||||||
10/8/2015 | 14,000 | 14.92 | 10/8/2025 | |||||||||||||||||
10/6/2016 | 20,621 | 16.21 | 10/6/2026 | |||||||||||||||||
10/7/2021 | 50,878 | 2,650,744 | ||||||||||||||||||
11/14/2022 | 66,401 | 3,459,492 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/5/2023 | 51,020 | 2,658,142 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mr. Praw | 10/8/2020 | 44,932 | 2,340,957 | |||||||||||||||||
10/7/2021 | 22,895 | 1,192,830 | ||||||||||||||||||
11/14/2022 | 29,880 | 1,556,748 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/5/2023 | 21,542 | 1,122,338 |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2020
Name | Grant Date | Option Awards |
| Stock Awards | ||||||||
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(a) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(b) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(c) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(c) | ||||||
Mr. Mezger | 10/10/2013 | 150,000 |
| $ 16.63 | 10/10/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/9/2014 | 520,300 |
| 14.62 | 10/9/2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/8/2015 | 333,000 |
| 14.92 | 10/8/2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/6/2016 | 274,952 |
| 16.21 | 10/6/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/5/2017 |
|
|
|
|
| 218,408 |
| $ 7,687,962 |
|
|
| |
10/4/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 173,536 | $ | 6,108,467 | |
10/3/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 151,057 |
| 5,317,206 | |
10/8/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 124,813 |
| 4,393,418 | |
Mr. Kaminski | 10/10/2013 | 50,000 |
| 16.63 | 10/10/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/9/2014 | 108,396 |
| 14.62 | 10/9/2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/8/2015 | 115,000 |
| 14.92 | 10/8/2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/6/2016 | 82,486 |
| 16.21 | 10/6/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/5/2017 |
|
|
|
|
| 65,523 |
| 2,306,410 |
|
|
| |
10/4/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 52,061 |
| 1,832,547 | |
10/3/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 42,296 |
| 1,488,819 | |
10/8/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 34,948 |
| 1,230,170 | |
Mr. Mandino | 10/10/2013 | 8,000 |
| 16.63 | 10/10/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/9/2014 | 14,781 |
| 14.62 | 10/9/2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/8/2015 | 14,000 |
| 14.92 | 10/8/2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/6/2016 | 23,199 |
| 16.21 | 10/6/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/4/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 75,922 |
| 2,672,454 | |
10/3/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 60,423 |
| 2,126,890 | |
10/8/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 49,925 |
| 1,757,360 | |
Mr. Praw | 10/5/2017 |
|
|
|
|
| 45,046 |
| 1,585,619 |
|
|
|
10/4/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 35,792 |
| 1,259,878 | |
10/3/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 27,190 |
| 957,088 | |
10/8/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 22,466 |
| 790,803 |
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)(a) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(b) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(c) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(d) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(d) | ||||||||||||
Mr. Woram | 10/8/2015 | 40,000 | $ | 14.92 | 10/8/2025 | |||||||||||||||
10/6/2016 | 53,272 | 16.21 | 10/6/2026 | |||||||||||||||||
10/8/2020 | 42,436 | $ | 2,210,916 | |||||||||||||||||
10/7/2021 | 21,623 | $ | 1,126,558 | |||||||||||||||||
11/14/2022 | 28,220 | 1,470,262 | ||||||||||||||||||
1/19/2023 | 5,613 | 292,437 | ||||||||||||||||||
10/5/2023 | 20,408 | 1,063,257 |
(a) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable. Subsequent to our 2023 fiscal year end, Mr. Mezger exercised all 333,000 stock options granted to him on October 8, 2015; Mr. Kaminski exercised all 115,000 stock options granted to him on October 8, 2015; Mr. McGibney exercised all 14,781 stock options granted to him on October 9, 2014; and Mr. Woram exercised all stock options granted to him on October 8, 2015 and October 6, 2016. | |
Name | Grant Date | Option Awards |
| Stock Awards | ||||||||
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(a) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(b) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(c) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(c) | ||||||
Mr. Woram | 10/10/2013 | 39,000 | $ | 16.63 | 10/10/2023(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/9/2014 | 76,370 |
| 14.62 | 10/9/2024(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/8/2015 | 80,000 |
| 14.92 | 10/8/2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/6/2016 | 53,272 |
| 16.21 | 10/6/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
10/5/2017 |
|
|
|
|
| 42,316 |
| $ 1,489,523 |
|
|
| |
10/4/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 33,623 | $ | 1,183,530 | |
10/3/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 25,680 |
| 903,936 | |
10/8/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21,218 |
| 746,874 | |
(a) Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested. The numbers and values reflect the shares of our common stock that the Compensation Committee approved for grant on February 18, 2021 pursuant to the 2017 PSUs based on our performance through the performance period, as described under “2017 PSU Awards.” Upon the shares being approved for grant to the recipients, the earned 2017 PSU-related shares became fully vested, with no restrictions on transferability or otherwise. (b) Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested. The market value shown is based on the closing price of our common stock on November 30, 2020, which was $35.20. (c) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number and Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested. The awards shown are the PSUs granted to our NEOs in 2018, 2019 and 2020, reflecting target award amounts as of November 30, 2020 and the closing price of our common stock on November 30, 2020, which was $35.20. These PSUs will vest based on our achievement of certain performance measures over an applicable three-year performance period and subject to the recipients being employed through the date that the Compensation Committee determines the number of shares that were earned pursuant to the PSUs. (d) On February 11, 2021, Mr. Woram exercised all 39,000 of the stock options granted to him on October 10, 2013, and 37,000 of the stock options granted to him on October 9, 2014. |
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020
Name | Option Awards |
| Stock Awards | ||||
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($)(a) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(b) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(c) | ||||
Mr. Mezger | 924,951 | $ | 27,065,449 |
| 218,408 | $ | 9,091,233 |
Mr. Kaminski | — |
| — |
| 65,523 |
| 2,727,395 |
Mr. Mandino | 15,000 |
| 465,405 |
| 2,925 |
| 110,039 |
Mr. Praw | 18,903 |
| 457,330 |
| 45,046 |
| 1,875,040 |
Mr. Woram | — |
| — |
| 42,316 |
| 1,761,404 |
(a) The value realized on exercise is the difference between the closing price of our common stock at exercise and the exercise price of each award. (b) The shares reported are the total number of shares each NEO acquired upon the following vesting events with respect to 2020: |
| Name |
| 2017 PSUs |
|
| Restricted Stock |
| Total Shares | ||
| Granted (October 5, 2017) | Vested (February 18, 2021) | Granted (October 5, 2017) | Vested (October 25, 2020) | ||||||
| Mr. Mezger |
| 156,006 | 218,408 |
|
| — | — |
| 218,408 |
| Mr. Kaminski |
| 46,802 | 65,523 |
|
| — | — |
| 65,523 |
| Mr. Mandino |
| — | — |
|
| 8,775 | 2,925 |
| 2,925 |
| Mr. Praw |
| 32,176 | 45,046 |
|
| — | — |
| 45,046 |
| Mr. Woram |
| 30,226 | 42,316 |
|
| — | — |
| 42,316 |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested. The October 8, 2020 shares represent the shares of our common stock the Compensation Committee approved for grant on February 28, 2024 pursuant to the 2020 PSUs based on our performance through the performance period, as described under “2020 PSU Awards.” Upon this approval, the earned 2020 PSU-related shares became fully vested and unrestricted. The January 19, 2023 shares for Messrs. Mezger and Woram represent the portion of their earned 2022 fiscal year annual incentive that exceeded their cash payout limits under the program; these shares vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 19, 2024. The table does not include the 27,465 and 513 restricted stock awards granted on January 18, 2024 to Messrs. Mezger and Woram, respectively, representing the portion of their earned 2023 fiscal year annual incentive that exceeded their cash payout limit under the program, as discussed under “2023 Annual Incentives.” These shares vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 18, 2025. | ||
(d) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number and Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested. The awards shown are the PSUs granted to our NEOs in 2021, |
Name | Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(a) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(b) | ||||
Mr. Mezger | 150,000 | $ | 4,293,840 | 249,626 | $ | 15,966,079 | |
Mr. Kaminski | 108,396 | 3,960,051 | 69,896 | 4,470,548 | |||
Mr. McGibney | — | — | 2,288 | 96,920 | |||
Mr. Praw | — | — | 44,932 | 2,873,851 | |||
Mr. Woram | 40,000 | 1,515,356 | 42,436 | 2,714,207 |
(a) | The shares reported are the total each NEO acquired from the vesting of their 2020 PSU awards, as discussed under “Long-Term Incentives,” except for Mr. McGibney, who acquired his reported shares through the vesting of a restricted stock award granted to him in 2020. |
(b) | The amount shown is the total gross dollar value realized upon the vesting of the PSUs and the restricted stock, based on the closing price of our common stock on the vesting dates, and the applicable Dividend Equivalents paid on the earned PSUs. The restricted stock vested on October 25, 2023 with a closing price of $42.36 and the PSUs vested on February 28, 2024 with a closing price of $63.96. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 38 |
Name* | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#)(a) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(b) | Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) | ||||
Mr. Mezger | Retirement Plan | 30 | $ | 10,997,651 | $ | — |
* | Messrs. Kaminski, McGibney, Praw and Woram are not participants in the Retirement Plan, as the plan was open for a limited period and closed to new participants in 2004. |
(a) | Number of Years of Credited Service. This is as of the valuation date. As of November 30, 2023, Mr. Mezger is fully vested in his Retirement Plan benefit. |
(b) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit. This amount represents the actuarial present value of the total retirement benefit that would be payable to Mr. Mezger under the Retirement Plan as of November 30, 2023. The payment of Retirement Plan benefits is described under “Retirement Programs.” The following key actuarial assumptions and methodologies were used to calculate this present value: the base benefit is assumed to begin as of the earliest possible date (generally the later of age 55 or the 10th anniversary of the commencement of participation); the base benefit is adjusted by past and future cost of living adjustments including a 3.2% increase for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2024 and an assumed 2.25% annual increase thereafter, until the last benefits are paid. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the accumulated benefit shown in the table was 5.15%. Mr. Mezger is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the actuarial value (as specified under the Retirement Plan) of his plan benefits in the event of a change in control or death. If any such event occurred on November 30, 2023, the payment to Mr. Mezger would be $11,306,529, using a 4.83% Applicable Federal Rate discount rate, as specified under the Retirement Plan. |
Name | Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(a) | Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(b) | Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($)(c) | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) | Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End ($)(d) | |||||
Mr. Mezger | $ | 46,000 | $ | 46,000 | $ | 420,104 | $ | — | $ | 4,241,469 |
Mr. Kaminski | 48,750 | 28,950 | 94,570 | — | 1,268,585 | |||||
Mr. McGibney | 99,250 | 29,450 | 42,421 | — | 679,934 | |||||
Mr. Praw | 40,525 | 20,725 | 32,541 | (238,777) | 650,163 | |||||
Mr. Woram | 28,679 | 14,975 | 55,070 | — | 850,450 |
(a) | Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts reflect compensation the NEOs earned in 2023 that they have voluntarily deferred. The amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(b) | Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts are matching contributions we made to the NEOs’ voluntary contributions to our DCP and are included in the Summary Compensation Table. The DCP is discussed under “Retirement Programs.” |
(c) | Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts do not include any above-market or preferential earnings. Accordingly, these amounts are not reported in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(d) | Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End. These amounts reflect compensation the NEOs earned in 2023 or in prior years, but which they voluntarily elected to defer receipt, adjusted for changes in the value of their investments and distributions, if any. All the NEOs are fully vested in their respective balances. A portion of these amounts was previously reported as deferred compensation in the Summary Compensation Tables in our proxy statements for our 2020 annual meeting. |
The following table presents information as required under Item 402(v) of SEC Regulation S-K regarding the relationship for the three most recently completed fiscal years between the compensation of our NEOs – as reported in the Summary Compensation Table and adjusted to reflect “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) as defined under SEC rules – and our performance relative to the identified metrics. Our compensation philosophy and how we align executive compensation with our performance is described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The CAP amounts disclosed do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned, realized, or received by our NEOs during the applicable fiscal year. The Compensation Committee did not consider the information provided in this section in making its compensation decisions for the years shown.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 39 |
PENSION BENEFITS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020
Name* | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#)(a) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(b) |
| Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) | ||
Mr. Mezger | Retirement Plan | 27 | $ | 12,280,453 |
| $ | — |
(a) Number of Years of Credited Service. This is as of the valuation date. As of November 30, 2020, Mr. Mezger is fully vested in his Retirement Plan benefit. (b) Present Value of Accumulated Benefit. This amount represents the actuarial present value of the total retirement benefit that would be payable to Mr. Mezger under the Retirement Plan as of November 30, 2020. The payment of Retirement Plan benefits is described under “Retirement Programs.” The following key actuarial assumptions and methodologies were used to calculate this present value: the base benefit is assumed to begin as of the earliest possible date (generally the later of age 55 or the 10th anniversary of the commencement of participation); the base benefit is adjusted by past and future cost of living adjustments including a 1.3% increase for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021 and an assumed 2.0% increase thereafter, until the last benefits are paid. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the accumulated benefit shown in table was 1.84%. Mr. Mezger is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the actuarial value (as specified under the Retirement Plan) of his plan benefits in the event of a change in control or death. If any such event occurred on November 30, 2020, the payment to Mr. Mezger would be $13,129,380, using a 1.17% Applicable Federal Rate discount rate, as specified under the Retirement Plan.
* Messrs. Kaminski, Mandino, Praw and Woram are not participants in the Retirement Plan, as the plan was open for a limited period and closed to new participants in 2004. |
Fiscal Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)(a) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Other NEOs ($)(b) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Other NEOs ($)(a)(b) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: | Net Income ($000s)(e) | AEPS ($)(f) | |||||||||||
Total Shareholder Return ($)(c) | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return ($)(d) | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | $ | 15,689,055 | $ | 43,713,700 | $ | 4,483,491 | $ | 10,469,248 | $ | 155.12 | $ | 176.92 | $ | 590,177 | $ | 7.18 | ||
2022 | 15,814,791 | 12,168,706 | 4,416,324 | 4,273,279 | 92.08 | 112.90 | 816,666 | 9.36 | ||||||||||
2021 | 14,366,518 | 25,125,414 | 4,556,264 | 7,144,468 | 115.18 | 133.37 | 564,746 | 6.14 |
(a) | To calculate CAP per SEC rules, adjustments were made to the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. A reconciliation of the adjustments for the PEO and for the average of the other NEOs is set forth below. |
(b) | Mr. Mezger served as our PEO for each fiscal year shown. Our other NEOs were as follows: Messrs. Kaminski, McGibney, Praw and Woram for the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years; and Messrs. Kaminski, McGibney and Praw, and Matthew W. Mandino for the 2021 fiscal year. |
(c) | The amounts reported reflect the cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) on our common stock for each of the last three fiscal years ended November 30, 2023, assuming an investment of $100 on November 30, 2020, and the reinvestment of dividends. |
(d) | The peer group used in this disclosure is the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index, which is the same index we used in the Stock Performance Graph in our Annual Report. The amounts reported reflect the cumulative TSR of the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index for each of the last three fiscal years ended November 30, 2023, assuming an investment of $100 on November 30, 2020, and the reinvestment of dividends. |
(e) | Represents net income reported in our audited consolidated financial statements for each of the applicable fiscal years. |
(f) | Annex 2 to this Proxy Statement contains a reconciliation of our diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measure of AEPS. We included AEPS as our company-selected financial measure as this metric has the largest weighting in determining our NEO’s long-term incentive compensation, a significant component of their overall compensation. |
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020
Name | Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(a) | Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(b) | Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($)(c) | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) | Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End ($)(d) | |||||
Mr. Mezger | $ | 46,000 | $ | 46,000 | $ | 423,569 | $ | — | $ | 3,253,465 |
Mr. Kaminski |
| 44,700 |
| 27,600 |
| 145,142 |
| — |
| 829,382 |
Mr. Mandino |
| 42,350 |
| 25,250 |
| 24 |
| — |
| 67,624 |
Mr. Praw |
| 37,200 |
| 20,100 |
| 85,021 |
| — |
| 598,281 |
Mr. Woram |
| 37,200 |
| 20,100 |
| 62,798 |
| 184,627 |
| 586,278 |
(a) Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts reflect compensation the NEOs earned in 2020 that they have voluntarily deferred. The amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table. (b) Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts are matching contributions we made to the NEOs’ voluntary contributions to our DCP and are included in the Summary Compensation Table. The DCP is discussed under “Retirement Programs.” (c) Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts do not include any above-market or preferential earnings. Accordingly, these amounts are not reported in the Summary Compensation Table. (d) Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End. These amounts reflect compensation the NEOs earned in 2020 or in prior years, but which they voluntarily elected to defer receipt, adjusted for changes in the value of their investments and distributions, if any. All the NEOs are fully vested in their respective balances. A portion of these amounts was previously reported as deferred compensation in the Summary Compensation Tables in our proxy statements for our 2018 and 2019 annual meetings.
|
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
PEO | Average Other NEOs | PEO | Average Other NEOs | PEO | Average Other NEOs | ||||||||||
Summary Compensation Table Total | $ | 15,689,055 | $ | 4,483,491 | $ | 15,814,791 | $ | 4,416,324 | $ | 14,366,518 | $ | 4,556,264 | |||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Grant date fair value of stock awards from Summary Compensation Table | (7,178,664) | (1,407,844) | (7,105,882) | (1,336,330) | (4,999,996) | (1,575,004) | |||||||||
Fair value of equity awards granted in the year and unvested as of year end(1) | 14,848,740 | 3,050,249 | 9,171,068 | 2,361,535 | 8,901,354 | 2,803,936 | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in fair value from prior year end of outstanding and unvested awards granted in prior years(2) | 18,435,361 | 4,092,993 | (5,939,248) | (1,127,786) | 5,205,965 | 1,168,011 | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in fair value from prior year end of vested awards granted in prior years(3) | 1,035,950 | 169,437 | (569,805) | (112,753) | 1,201,244 | 163,721 | |||||||||
Dividends paid on awards during the year before vesting | 548,099 | 80,922 | 408,026 | 72,289 | 202,027 | 27,540 | |||||||||
“Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings” from Summary Compensation Table | - | - | - | - | (142,560) | - | |||||||||
Service cost for pension plans | 335,159 | - | 389,756 | - | 390,862 | - | |||||||||
CAP (as calculated per SEC rules) | $ | 43,713,700 | $ | 10,469,248 | $ | 12,168,706 | $ | 4,273,279 | $ | 25,125,414 | $ | 7,144,468 |
(1) | Represents the aggregate fair value as of the indicated fiscal year-end of outstanding and unvested stock awards granted during such fiscal year, calculated using the same methodology used for financial statement reporting purposes. | |
(2) | Represents the aggregate change in fair value during the indicated fiscal year of the outstanding and unvested stock awards and option awards held, as of the last day of the indicated fiscal year, calculated using the same methodology used for financial statement reporting purposes. For awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions, the fair value is based on the probable outcome of such performance-based vesting conditions as of the last day of the fiscal year. | |
(3) | Represents the aggregate change in fair value, measured from the prior fiscal year-end to the vesting date, of each stock award and option award, that was granted in a prior fiscal year and which vested during the indicated fiscal year, calculated using the same methodology used for financial statement reporting purposes. |
(c) | The amounts reported reflect the cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) on our common stock for each of the last three fiscal years ended November 30, 2023, assuming an investment of $100 on November 30, 2020, and the reinvestment of dividends. |
(d) | The peer group used in this disclosure is the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index, which is the same index we used in the Stock Performance Graph in our Annual Report. The amounts reported reflect the cumulative TSR of the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index for each of the last three fiscal years ended November 30, 2023, assuming an investment of $100 on November 30, 2020, and the reinvestment of dividends. |
(e) | Represents net income reported in our audited consolidated financial statements for each of the applicable fiscal years. |
(f) | Annex 2 to this Proxy Statement contains a reconciliation of our diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measure of AEPS. We included AEPS as our company-selected financial measure as this metric has the largest weighting in determining our NEO’s long-term incentive compensation, a significant component of their overall compensation. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 40 |
The graphs below illustrate the relationships between CAP for the PEO and the average CAP for our other NEOs, with (i) the cumulative TSR of our common stock, (ii) our net income, and (iii) our AEPS, each as set forth in the Pay Versus Performance table above, as well as the relationship between the cumulative TSR of our common stock and of the Dow Jones US Home Construction Index.
Below is a list of the most important financial performance measures we used to Contents
Forlink CAP for our NEOs to our performance for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2020,2023. Our use of these measures is discussed under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
■ | AEPS (the company-selected measure); |
■ | AROIC; |
■ | Adjusted pretax income; |
■ | Revenue growth, relative to our peer group; |
■ | Strategic measures, to the extent they incorporate or reflect financial performance metrics. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 41 |
For our last completed fiscal year:
The annual total compensation of our median employee (excluding Mr. Mezger) calculated per SEC rules in a manner consistent with that used to determine our NEOs’ total compensation as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table was $99,859.
Mr. Mezger’s annual total compensation, as reported in the Total column of the 2020 Summary Compensation Table, was $13,899,345.
Based on this information, the ratio of Mr. Mezger’s annual total compensation to that of our identified median employee is 139 to 1.
In determining the ratio, we used W-2 compensation for all employees, other than Mr. Mezger, paid in the 12-month periodyear ended November 30, 2020. 2023:
■ | The annual total compensation of our median employee (excluding Mr. Mezger), based on W-2 compensation paid in the 12-month period ended November 30, 2023, and calculated consistent with how NEO total compensation is calculated for the Summary Compensation Table, was $119,068. |
■ | Mr. Mezger’s annual total compensation, as reported in the 2023 Summary Compensation Table, was $15,689,055. |
■ | Based on this information, the ratio of Mr. Mezger’s annual total compensation to our identified median employee’s is 132 to 1. |
As of that date,November 30, 2023, we had approximately 1,7522,211 full-time and part-time employees. In identifying the median employee, we excluded our CEO and six employees excluding four employees onwho did not have regular earnings in the fiscal year due to extended leaves of absence who did not work duringor being hired at the period.end of November 2023. As the exact median employee compensation value fell between two employees whose W-2 compensation differed by approximately $65, we selected the individual with the longest tenure.
Because the SEC’s rules governing the identification ofcompanies are allowed to identify the median compensated employee and thedetermine a CEO pay ratio calculation based on that compensation allow companies to use a variety ofusing various methodologies, to apply certain exclusions and to make estimates and assumptions forapplicable to their particularown employee populations, compensation practices and other circumstances, the pay ratio reported by other companies —report – including those in our peer group —– may not be comparable to the foregoing pay ratio. For instance, other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Based on the terms of certain of our employee benefit plans —– primarily our Executive Severance Plan and our CIC Plan —– our NEOs are entitled to certain payments and other benefits if their employment is terminated under certain circumstances and/or if we experience a change in control.
Mr. Mezger is also entitled to certain payments and other benefits in such circumstances under the terms of his Employment Agreement. Per Section 409A of the Code, certain payments to our NEOs would not commence for six months following a termination of employment.
If we terminate Mr. Mezger without cause or he resigns for good reason (each as defined in his Employment Agreement), or if we terminate any of the other NEOs without cause (as defined in the Executive Severance Plan), each is entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to a multiple of base salary and average bonus. For Mr. Mezger, the severance amount is 2.0 times the sum of his annual salary plus average annual bonus earned for the prior three years, with the total payment capped at $6.0 million. Under certain circumstances, Mr. Mezger would alsoadditionally receive a prorated bonus for the year in which his employment terminates. For Messrs. Kaminski, Mandino, Praw and Woram,our other NEOs, the severance amount is 2.0 times the sum of their respective annual base salary in effect at the time of termination and average bonus. The applicable average bonus is the lesser of (a) the average of the annual cash bonuses, if any, paid to them for the three most recent completed fiscal years prior to termination; or (b) 3.0 times their annual base salary. In addition to a severance payment, eachEach NEO is also entitled to a continuation of health coverage for up to two years. In each case, the foregoing benefits are subject to an affected NEO’s executing a release and post-termination non-solicitation (for two years), non-disparagement and confidentiality obligations.
For equity awards granted to Mr. Mezger on and after the effective date of his Employment Agreement, he is entitled to (a) two years of additional service credited to compute equity vesting plus full vesting for any equity issued to him in lieu of cash bonuses; (b) the earlier of 36 months and the original term duration of each equity grant to exercise any such outstanding equity; and (c) performance shares paid as if the performance period closed on the termination date if the performance period would otherwise close in the next 24 months. Outstanding equity awards granted to Mr. Mezger before the effective date of the Employment Agreement are governed by their respective terms and conditions with respect to his termination of employment.
If Mr. Mezger’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason in connection with a change in control (generally, per his Employment Agreement, during the period starting three months before and ending 12 months after a change in control), he is entitled, subject to the same conditions described under “Termination of Employment,” to (a) a severance payment as described above, except the
applicable multiple iswith a 3.0 times multiple rather than 2.0 times and the total payment is capped at $12.0 million; and under certain circumstances, a prorated bonus for the year in which his employment terminates; (b) a continuation of health coverage continuation for up to two years; (c) full vesting and lump sum cash payment of deferred compensation, retirement or other employee benefits per the relevant arrangements, provided thatwith any lump sum payments subject to Section 409A of the Code are permitted only as provided by the specific terms of those arrangements; and (d) an additional amount to compensate for any excise taxes under Section 280G of the Code (“Section 280G”). Mr. Mezger’s change in control benefits are subject to the same conditions described under “Termination of Employment”.
If a change of control occurs, each of our other NEOs is entitled to receive, subject toupon executing a release and if in the following 18-month period following a change in control his employment is terminated other than for cause or disability, or he terminates his employment for good reasoncause (in each case, as defined in the CIC Plan), a severance benefit of 2.0 times the sum of his average base salary and average actual annual cash bonus for the three fiscal years prior to the year in which the change in control occurs. While Mr. Mezger is a participant in the CIC Plan participant, he is entitledcan receive only to CIC Plan benefits that do not duplicate those provided under his Employment Agreement, benefits in a change in control, and his total CIC Plan severance benefit under the CIC Plan is capped at $12.0 million.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 42 |
Per the terms of each recipient’s award agreement, the vesting of our NEOs’ outstanding equity awards will not accelerate upon a change in control unless the recipient is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 18 months of the change in control event.months. Generally, if such a termination occurs (a) within onethe first year of the award’s performance period, the recipient will receive a target payout of the award;payout; (b) after the first year of the award’s performance period, the recipient will receive a payout of the award determined using prorated calculations of the applicable performance measures; and (c) before the award’s performance period begins, the recipient will receive no payout of the award.
In addition, under the CIC Plan, only Mr. Mezger and fivefour other senior executives can potentially receive an additional tax restoration amount to compensate for any excise taxes imposed on them under Section 280G and for any taxes on the additional amount. Pursuant to a Board policy, since April 7, 2011, we have not extended this tax restoration benefit to any other officer or employee, including all the other NEOs, even though they are CIC Plan participants.
The individualOur restricted stock award agreements governing outstanding restricted stock awards provide for accelerated vesting upon the recipient’s death or disability. The individualOur PSU award agreements governing outstanding PSU awards provide for pro-ratapro rata vesting if the recipient retires under certain circumstances, and for accelerated vesting upon the recipient’s death or disability; provided that any payout if any, is delayed until the performance period is completed. In addition, different provisions govern theThe time a recipient has tocan exercise a common stock option after termination of employment dependingdepends on the reason for termination. For example, the exercise periodthey may be limited tohave only five days if a termination is for cause; while for retirement, death or disability, the exercise periodthey may behave the common stock option’s original term. For these purposes, the relevant terms are defined under the applicable agreement.
Our DCP provides for full vesting of benefits if there is a change in control or disability, as those terms are defined under the plan, or death. OurUnder our Retirement Plan, provides that a participant will immediately receive a lump sum payment of the actuarial value (as specified under the Retirement Plan)plan) of the participant’s plan benefits if there is a change in control or death. Our Death Benefit OnlyDBO Plan provides for (a) distribution of an insurance contract to a participant sufficient to pay the death benefit (if the participant diesdeath occurs before age 100); and (b) an additional tax restoration amount sufficient to pay specified taxes caused thereby, if there is a change in control as defined in the plan. We also maintain term life insurance policies that pay benefits to the beneficiaries ofupon certain of our NEOs upon theirNEOs’ deaths, as described under “Death Benefits.”
The tables below show payments our NEOs may receive assuming various employment termination and change in control scenarios occurred on November 30, 2020; accordingly,2023, with equity awards are valued usingat the $52.10 closing price of our common stock on that date, which was $35.20.date. The tables reflect that references to “bonuses” in Mr. Mezger’s Employment Agreement, the Executive Severance Plan or the CIC Plan include the amounts in the Summary Compensation Table’s “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. The amounts shown do not include the value of unexercised stock options reported in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 20202023 table, accrued Retirement Plan and DCP amounts reported in the Pension Benefits During Fiscal Year 20202023 table and the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal Year 20202023 table (and associated footnotes), respectively, term life insurance benefits or generally available employee benefits. In none of the change in control scenarios below would our NEOs receive a tax restoration benefit under the CIC Plan, nor would our CEO receive a tax restoration benefit under his Employment Agreement.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | ||
43 |
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS — MR. MEZGER
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 11,634,373 | $ | — | $ | 17,634,373 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs |
| 13,993,232 |
| — |
| 19,477,092 |
| — |
| 19,477,092 |
| 24,499,457 |
| 24,499,457 |
Death Benefit Only Plan(b) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,312,403 |
| 1,312,403 |
| 2,012,072 |
| — |
Health Benefits(c) |
| — |
| — |
| 72,960 |
| — |
| 72,960 |
| — |
| — |
Credited Vacation(d) |
| 88,462 |
| 88,462 |
| 88,462 |
| — |
| 88,462 |
| 88,462 |
| 88,462 |
TOTAL | $ | 14,081,694 | $ | 88,462 | $ | 31,272,887 | $ | 1,312,403 | $ | 38,585,290 | $ | 26,599,991 | $ | 24,587,919 |
(a) Assumes for the applicable scenarios that Mr. Mezger’s 2017 PSUs pay out at 140% of the target value and other outstanding PSU grants pay out at 100% of the target or prorated target values. Except for the death and disability scenarios, assumes that (i) Mr. Mezger’s 2020 PSUs would have no value as the performance period would not have started by November 30, 2020; and (ii) Mr. Mezger’s termination would be considered a retirement under the applicable award agreements. Therefore, in the voluntary termination scenario, Mr. Mezger would receive full payout of his 2017 PSUs (at 140% of target), two-thirds of his 2018 PSUs and one-third of his 2019 PSUs. (b) Mr. Mezger’s designated beneficiaries would be entitled to receive an estimated death benefit of $2,012,072 ($1,000,000 benefit plus an income tax restoration payment of $1,012,072) upon his death. The present value of the benefit as of November 30, 2020 is approximately $1,245,232 based on a 2.42% discount factor and the PRI-2012 Top Quartile Employee and Healthy Annuitant Table (M/F), with the MP-2020 generational projection scales for life expectancy (consistent with mortality tables and rates used for Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 715, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”) valuations). For the change in control scenarios, the amounts shown are the cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance policy as of November 30, 2020 of $621,423 and an estimated tax restoration payment of $690,980. (c) Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $3,040 per month. (d) Assumes payout of 160 hours of vacation benefits as Mr. Mezger is credited with this number of vacation hours during his employment with us, regardless of actual vacation time taken.
|
POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS — MR. KAMINSKI
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,590,381 | $ | — | $ | 4,521,770 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs |
| 4,160,664 |
| — |
| 4,160,664 |
| — |
| 5,735,261 |
| 7,144,795 |
| 7,144,795 |
Health Benefits(b) |
| — |
| — |
| 55,353 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
TOTAL | $ | 4,160,664 | $ | — | $ | 8,806,398 | $ | — | $ | 10,257,031 | $ | 7,144,795 | $ | 7,144,795 |
(a) Assumes for the applicable scenarios that Mr. Kaminski’s 2017 PSUs pay out at 140% of the target value and other outstanding PSU grants pay out at 100% of the target or prorated target values. Except for the death and disability scenarios, assumes that (i) Mr. Kaminski’s 2020 PSUs would have no value as the performance period would not have started by November 30, 2020; and (ii) Mr. Kaminski’s termination would be considered a retirement under the applicable award agreements. Therefore, in the voluntary termination scenario, Mr. Kaminski would receive full payout of his 2017 PSUs (at 140% of target), two-thirds of his 2018 PSUs and one-third of his 2019 PSUs. (b) Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,306 per month. |
POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS — MR. MANDINO
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,691,082 | $ | — | $ | 4,306,915 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs |
| 2,600,188 |
| — |
| 2,600,188 |
| — |
| 4,881,407 |
| 6,882,122 |
| 6,882,122 |
Performance Cash |
| 337,639 |
| — |
| 337,639 |
| — |
| 337,639 |
| 337,639 |
| 337,639 |
Health Benefits(b) |
| — |
| — |
| 66,855 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
TOTAL | $ | 2,937,827 | $ | — | $ | 7,695,764 | $ | — | $ | 9,525,961 | $ | 7,219,761 | $ | 7,219,761 |
(a) Assumes for the applicable scenarios that Mr. Mandino’s 2018 and 2019 PSUs pay out at 100% of the target value. Except for the death and disability scenarios, assumes that Mr. Mandino’s 2020 PSUs would have no value as the performance period would not have started by November 30, 2020; and (ii) Mr. Mandino’s termination would be considered a retirement under the applicable PSU award agreements. Therefore, in the voluntary termination scenario, Mr. Mandino would receive two-thirds of his 2018 PSUs and one-third of his 2019 PSUs. Also presumes that Mr. Mandino or his beneficiaries would be entitled to received payments for his 2017 performance cash award at 150% of target in the event of retirement, death or disability; assumes Mr. Mandino’s termination would be considered a retirement under the applicable performance cash award agreement. (b) Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,786 per month. |
POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS — MR. PRAW
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,718,589 | $ | — | $ | 3,663,867 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs |
| 2,837,110 |
| — |
| 2,837,110 |
| — |
| 3,875,537 |
| 4,783,826 |
| 4,783,826 |
Death Benefit Only Plan(b) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,526,638 |
| 1,526,638 |
| 2,012,072 |
| — |
Health Benefits(c) |
| — |
| — |
| 55,353 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
TOTAL | $ | 2,837,110 | $ | — | $ | 6,611,052 | $ | 1,526,638 | $ | 9,066,042 | $ | 6,795,898 | $ | 4,783,826 |
(a) Assumes for the applicable scenarios that Mr. Praw’s 2017 PSUs pay out at 140% of the target value and other outstanding PSU grants pay out at 100% of the target or prorated target values. Except for the death and disability scenarios, assumes that (i) Mr. Praw’s 2020 PSUs would have no value as the performance period would not have started by November 30, 2020; and (ii) Mr. Praw’s termination would be considered a retirement under the applicable award agreements. Therefore, in the voluntary termination scenario, Mr. Praw would receive full payout of his 2017 PSUs (at 140% of target), two-thirds of his 2018 PSUs and one-third of his 2019 PSUs. (b) Mr. Praw’s designated beneficiaries would be entitled to receive an estimated death benefit of $2,012,072 ($1,000,000 benefit plus an income tax restoration payment of $1,012,072) upon his death. The present value of the benefit as of November 30, 2020 is approximately $1,424,075 based on the factors described in footnote (b) of Mr. Mezger’s table. For the change in control scenarios, the amounts shown are the cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance policy as of November 30, 2020 of $722,863 and an estimated tax restoration payment of $803,775. (c) Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,306 per month. |
POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS — MR. WORAM
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,588,361 | $ | — | $ | 3,535,584 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSUs |
| 2,666,875 |
| — |
| 2,666,875 |
| — |
| 3,645,590 |
| 4,503,255 |
| 4,503,255 |
Health Benefits(b) |
| — |
| — |
| 55,353 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
TOTAL | $ | 2,666,875 |
| — | $ | 6,310,589 | $ | — | $ | 7,181,174 | $ | 4,503,255 | $ | 4,503,255 |
Post-Employment Payments — Mr. Mezger
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14,035,244 | $ | — | $ | 20,035,244 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) | ||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock | — | — | 2,101,870 | — | 3,152,779 | 3,152,779 | 3,152,779 | |||||||
PSUs | 21,214,050 | — | 21,214,050 | — | 29,093,445 | 36,416,333 | 36,416,333 | |||||||
DBO Plan(b) | — | — | — | 989,764 | 989,764 | 1,652,893 | — | |||||||
Health Benefits(c) | — | — | 80,495 | — | 80,495 | — | — | |||||||
Credited Vacation(d) | 88,462 | 88,462 | 88,462 | — | 88,462 | 88,462 | 88,462 | |||||||
TOTAL | $ | 21,302,512 | $ | 88,462 | $ | 37,520,421 | $ | 989,764 | $ | 53,440,189 | $ | 41,310,467 | $ | 39,657,574 |
(a) | Assumes Mr. Mezger's restricted stock awards would immediately vest upon death, disability, and as a result of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control. In an involuntary termination without cause or termination for good reason, he would vest in the restricted stock awards scheduled to vest in the 24 months following his termination. |
(b) | Mr. Mezger’s designated beneficiaries would be entitled to receive an estimated death benefit of $1,652,893 ($1,000,000 benefit plus an income tax restoration payment of $652,893) upon his death. The present value of the benefit as of November 30, 2023 is approximately $687,405 based on a 5.32% discount factor and the PRI-2012 Top Quartile Employee and Healthy Annuitant Table (M/F), with the MP-2021 generational projection scales for life expectancy (consistent with mortality tables and rates used for Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 715, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”) valuations). For the change in control scenarios, the amounts shown are the cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance policy as of November 30, 2023 of $575,548 and an estimated tax restoration payment of $414,216. |
(c) | Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately |
(d) | Assumes payout of 160 hours of vacation benefits, which Mr. Mezger is credited with during his employment, regardless of actual vacation time taken. |
Post-Employment Payments — Mr. Kaminski
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,631,562 | $ | — | $ | 5,496,840 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) | ||||||||||||||
PSUs | 5,939,964 | — | 5,939,964 | — | 8,146,195 | 10,146,823 | 10,146,823 | |||||||
Health Benefits(b) | — | — | 61,074 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
TOTAL | $ | 5,939,964 | $ | — | $ | 11,632,600 | $ | — | $ | 13,643,035 | $ | 10,146,823 | $ | 10,146,823 |
(a) | The values for Mr. Kaminski’s PSU award-related payouts reflect the same assumptions as described in footnote (a) of Mr. Mezger’s table. |
(b) | Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,545 per month. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 44 |
Post-Employment Payments — Mr. McGibney
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,619,227 | $ | — | $ | 6,084,783 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) | ||||||||||||||
PSUs | — | — | — | — | 6,230,490 | 9,201,888 | 9,201,888 | |||||||
Performance Cash | — | — | — | — | — | 531,358 | 531,358 | |||||||
Health Benefits(b) | — | — | 74,768 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
TOTAL | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,693,995 | $ | — | $ | 12,315,273 | $ | 9,733,246 | $ | 9,733,246 |
(a) | The values for Mr. McGibney's 2021, 2022 and 2023 PSU award related payouts reflect the same assumptions as described in footnote (a) of Mr. Mezger's table, except that Mr. McGibney is not currently eligible to retire under the terms of the applicable award agreements. Upon death or disability, he or his beneficiaries would be entitled to receive performance cash payments as if he had remained employed through the determination date; the 2020 performance cash award is assumed to pay out at 193.22% of the award. |
(b) | Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $3,115 per month. |
Post-Employment Payments — Mr. Praw
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,563,474 | $ | — | $ | 4,449,307 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) | ||||||||||||||
PSUs | 3,818,485 | — | 3,818,485 | — | 5,236,759 | 6,505,080 | 6,505,080 | |||||||
DBO Plan(b) | — | — | — | 1,360,455 | 1,360,455 | 2,012,072 | — | |||||||
Health Benefits(c) | — | — | 61,074 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
TOTAL | $ | 3,818,485 | $ | — | $ | 8,443,033 | $ | 1,360,455 | $ | 11,046,521 | $ | 8,517,152 | $ | 6,505,080 |
(a) | The values for Mr. Praw’s PSU award-related payouts reflect the same assumptions as described in footnote (a) of Mr. Mezger’s table. |
(b) | Mr. Praw’s designated beneficiaries would be entitled to receive an estimated death benefit of $2,012,072 ($1,000,000 benefit plus an income tax restoration payment of $1,012,072) upon his death. The present value of the benefit as of November 30, 2023 is approximately $1,095,355 based on the factors described in footnote (b) of Mr. Mezger’s table. For the change in control scenarios, the amounts shown are the cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance policy as of November 30, 2023 of $644,176 and an estimated tax restoration payment of $716,278. |
(c) | Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,545 per month. |
Post-Employment Payments — Mr. Woram
Executive Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control | Voluntary Termination | Involuntary Termination for Cause | Involuntary Termination Without Cause/ Termination for Good Reason | Change in Control Without Termination | Change in Control With Termination for Good Reason or Without Cause | Death | Disability | |||||||
Severance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,323,428 | $ | — | $ | 4,209,261 | $ | — | $ | — |
Long-term Incentives(a) | ||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock | — | — | — | — | 292,437 | 292,437 | 292,437 | |||||||
PSUs | 3,606,357 | — | 3,606,357 | — | 4,945,837 | 6,147,142 | 6,147,142 | |||||||
Health Benefits(b) | — | — | 61,074 | — | — | — | — | |||||||
TOTAL | $ | 3,606,357 | $ | — | $ | 7,990,859 | $ | — | $ | 9,447,535 | $ | 6,439,579 | $ | 6,439,579 |
(a) | The values for Mr. Woram’s PSU award-related payouts reflect the same assumptions as described in footnote (a) of Mr. Mezger’s table. Mr. Woram's restricted stock awards would immediately vest upon death, disability and as a result of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control. |
(b) | Assumes we make 24 months of contributions for health benefits of approximately $2,545 per month. |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 45 |
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are seeking an advisory vote from our stockholders on the following resolution to approve our NEOs’ 2020 fiscal year compensation:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of KB Home approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to its named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and the related narrative discussion set forth in this Proxy Statement.
We believe that our CEO’s and our other NEOs’ 20202023 fiscal year compensation was well-aligned with our performance and stockholders’ interests, as detailed under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,Analysis.” and as shown below. We also believe that the design and implementation of our executive compensation programs reflect our longstanding significant outreach to our stockholders. In turn, our stockholders have generally expressed strong support through our annual NEO compensation advisory votes,votes. At the 2023 annual meeting, the advisory vote received approximately 80% support, an improvement from the prior year.
As a result, and in accordance with regulations under Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are seeking an advisory vote from our stockholders to approve our NEOs’ 2023 fiscal year compensation as follows:
RESOLVED, that KB Home stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to its named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including a 92% level of supportthe Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and the related narrative discussion.
The advisory vote result at our 2022 and 2023 annual meetings and the feedback we received in 2020 forthose years through our approach to linkingstockholder engagement efforts shaped the following changes in our executive compensation toprograms, which we believe have helped strengthen the connection between our strategicperformance and operational goalsexecutive compensation, as welldescribed below:
■ | Developed with the Compensation Committee and Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. a structured scorecard methodology to guide annual incentive payout determinations. |
■ | Implemented a limit on the cash payouts for annual incentives to our NEOs. |
■ | Further reduced the cash payout of the CEO’s annual incentive below the program limit by allocating a higher portion of his total annual incentive to time-vesting equity in lieu of cash to, among other things, additionally balance his cash and equity compensation and enhance alignment with stockholder value creation. |
■ | Increased in 2022 the asset efficiency hurdle rate under the annual incentive program. |
We achieved strong homebuilding revenues, net income, and diluted earnings per share results between 2018 and 2023 as to stockholder value creation.shown in the charts below.
We
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 46 |
■ | Approximately 93% of our CEO’s 2023 total direct compensation was performance-based, and his base salary has remained the same since 2017. |
■ | The payouts under the 2023 annual incentive program were down year over year. While this reduction was proportionately smaller than the year-over-year reduction in the applicable pretax income performance measure, the Compensation Committee did not make any adjustments to the formula-driven annual incentive payouts, taking into consideration, among other things, the program participants’ strong individual performance in a challenging operating environment and our one-year total stockholder return of 68%, which was above our peer group median. |
■ | To better align cash and equity incentives and enhance retention and stockholder value creation, a portion of our CEO’s annual incentive was paid out in time-vesting restricted stock in lieu of cash. The $7,280,000 cash payout was less than the prior year, and the $1,678,644 restricted stock portion, which was also less than the prior year, vests over three years. |
■ | Our CEO’s October 2023 long-term incentive award was solely PSUs, with the 2023 target award grant value up approximately 10% from the value granted in each of the previous four years, an increase based on peer group and market data analysis. |
■ | Our CEO earned his three-year 2020 PSU award at 200% of target (as discussed under “2020 PSU Awards”), reflecting our strong performance on the three applicable measures over the three-year performance period that ran from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023. |
■ | Taken together, the above actions resulted in overall CEO reported compensation that is lower year over year. |
Reflecting the nearly 94% support stockholders expressed at our 2023 Annual Meeting for an annual frequency, we intend to offer this non-binding Say-on-Pay vote at each of our annual meetings. We and the Board welcome our stockholders’ views on our NEOs’ compensation and, as in past years, will carefully consider the outcome of this advisory vote consistent with the best interests of all stockholders. As an advisory vote, it is not intended to have any use or effect for or on behalf of KB Home or its stockholders outside of this Annual Meeting except as permitted by the Board.
This non-binding advisory resolution will be considered approved based upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented, and entitled to vote thereon, at the Annual Meeting.
FOR | Board recommendation: |
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE — 2020 FISCAL YEAR CEO COMPENSATION
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 47 |
More than 90% of our CEO’s 2020 total direct compensation was performance-based and his base salary remained the same as in the prior three years.
Our CEO’s annual incentive award of $6.52 million for 2020 was approximately 7% above the prior year’s award, reflecting our performance on the relevant metrics.
100% of our CEO’s long-term incentives were PSUs.
Our CEO earned his three-year 2017 PSU award at 140% of target (as discussed under “2017 PSU Awards”), based on our achieving maximum results for two of the three performance measures.
APPROVE THE AMENDED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
We have significant deferred tax assets comprised primarily of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), temporary book-to-tax differences and tax credits. Under applicable law, we can use our NOLs, tax credits and deferred tax assets to offset our future income tax liability. However, this benefit could be significantly impaired if we experience an “ownership change,” as discussed below. To help protect against an “ownership change,” our stockholders approved a Rights Agreement at our 2009 Annual Meeting, and approved our Amended and Restated Rights Agreement at our 2018 Annual Meeting with a term expiring on April 30, 2021. Because we expect to have substantial deferred tax assets beyond April 30, 2021, the Board approved, subject to stockholder approval, an Amended Rights Agreement (with substantively the same terms) effective as of this Annual Meeting and continuing until April 30, 2024. Therefore, we are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended Rights Agreement.
The Amended Rights Agreement will be considered approved based upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented, and entitled to vote thereon, at the Annual Meeting.
During the housing downturn that generally began in mid-2006, we generated significant NOLs and other deferred tax assets. NOLs generated during those years can be used to offset income tax on our future taxable income for up to 20 years after the tax year in which the loss occurred. Applicable state tax laws are similar, though the allowed carryforward period for some states may be shorter than 20 years.
At November 30, 2020, we had deferred tax assets of approximately $231.1 million (net of an $18.0 million valuation allowance), constituting 4.3% of our total assets. Depending on their applicable statutory period, state NOL carryforwards of $80.0 million, if not utilized, will begin to expire between 2021 and 2040. In addition, we had $70.8 million of certain tax credits that, if not utilized, will begin to expire in 2034 through 2040.
In our 2020 fiscal year, we produced approximately $364.0 million of pretax income, and utilized approximately $133.0 million of deferred tax assets to offset income tax obligations. As of November 30, 2020, we could offset approximately $900.0 million of pretax income in future periods before 2040 with our deferred tax assets.
Given their ability to potentially offset income tax liability on this amount of income, we consider our NOLs and other deferred tax assets to be very valuable. However, the benefits of our NOLs and tax credits could be reduced or eliminated, and our use of our NOLs and tax credits could be substantially delayed or negated, if we experience an “ownership change,” as determined under Section 382 of the Code. A Section 382 “ownership change” occurs if a stockholder or a group of stockholders who are deemed to own at least 5% of our common stock (each, a “5-percent stockholder”) increase or decrease their ownership percentage by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. If an “ownership change” occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of our NOLs we can use to offset income tax equal to the product of the total value of our outstanding equity immediately prior to the “ownership change” (reduced by certain items specified in Section 382) and the federal long-term tax-exempt interest rate in effect for the month of the “ownership change.” A number of special rules apply to calculating this annual limit that are beyond the scope of this discussion. We believe that if an “ownership change” were to occur, in addition to potentially increasing the cash taxes we would need to pay in the near term following such an “ownership change,” the annual limitations Section 382 imposes could result in a material amount of our NOLs expiring unused, and/or delaying our ability to use them, thereby significantly reducing their value. While the complexity of Section 382’s provisions and the limited knowledge any public company has about the ownership of its publicly traded stock make it difficult to determine whether an “ownership change” has occurred, we currently believe that no “ownership change” has occurred.
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PROTECTING OUR DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
In order to help protect against the risk of a Section 382 “ownership change,” in 2009, the Board recommended, and our stockholders approved, both the adoption of a protective amendment to our certificate of incorporation (now Article Ninth in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation), which is designed to block transfers of our common stock that could result in an “ownership change,” and the Rights Agreement. In 2018, the Board recommended, and our stockholders approved, the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement. We believe these measures have together been effective in preventing an “ownership change” from occurring, and the Board plans to keep Article Ninth in effect. However, neither measure offers a complete solution, and an “ownership change” may occur even with Article Ninth’s provisions and the Rights Agreement in place. There are limitations on the enforceability of Article Ninth that may allow an “ownership change” to occur, and the Rights Agreement may deter, but ultimately cannot block, transfers of our common stock that might result in an “ownership change.” Because of their individual limitations, the Board believes that both measures are needed to help prevent an “ownership change” that could reduce or eliminate the significant long-term potential benefits of our NOLs, and substantially delay or negate our use of our NOLs. Accordingly, the Board strongly recommends that stockholders approve the Amended Rights Agreement to keep such protections in place for up to an additional three years.
DESCRIPTION OF THE AMENDED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
We are seeking approval of the Amended Rights Agreement. Except for the applicable expiration date, where April 30, 2024 would replace April 30, 2021, as noted below, and conforming date changes in certain other sections of the document, the Amended Rights Agreement’s terms are substantively the same as those of our current Amended and Restated Rights Agreement. ThefollowingdescriptionoftheAmendedRightsAgreementisqualifiedinitsentiretybyreferencetothetextthereof,whichcanbefoundattheaccompanyingAnnex3.Thediscussionbelowisonlyasummary.
General. The Amended Rights Agreement is intended to act as a deterrent to any person or group acquiring 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock (an “Acquiring Person”) without the approval of the Board. Stockholders who owned 4.9% or more of our common stock as of the close of business on March 5, 2009 will not trigger the Amended Rights Agreement so long as they do not (i) acquire any additional shares of our common stock or (ii) fall under 4.9% ownership of our common stock and then re-acquire 4.9% or more of our common stock. The Amended Rights Agreement does not exempt any acquisitions of our common stock after March 5, 2009 by such persons. Any rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may not be exercised. The Board may, in its sole discretion, exempt any person or group from being deemed an Acquiring Person, and since the Rights Agreement was approved by our stockholders in 2009, the Board has granted exemptions to certain stockholders whose holdings of our common stock were deemed not to jeopardize or endanger the availability to KB Home of any tax benefits arising from its deferred tax assets so long as each such stockholder complied with certain restrictions regarding its ownership of our common stock. If such stockholders adhere to their respective ownership restrictions, their ownership of more than 4.9% of our common stock will not trigger the Amended Rights Agreement while it is in effect.
TheRights. The Board authorized the issuance of one right per each outstanding share of our common stock payable to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2009. Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Amended Rights Agreement, if these rights become exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $85.00 (“Purchase Price”). If issued, each fractional share of preferred stock would generally give its holder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of our common stock. However, prior to exercise, a right does not give its holder any rights as a stockholder, including without limitation any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.
Exercisability. The rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (i) ten calendar days after a public announcement by us that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person and (ii) ten business days after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a person or group if upon consummation of the offer the person or group would beneficially own 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock. In this Proxy Statement, we refer to the date on which the rights become exercisable as the “Distribution Date.” Until the Distribution Date, common stock certificates and/or book-entry shares will evidence the rights and may contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of shares of our common stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated rights. After the Distribution Date, the rights may be transferred other than in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of
our common stock. If there is an Acquiring Person on the Distribution Date or a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person after the Distribution Date, each holder of a right, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a right and payment of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of our common stock having essentially a market value of two times the Purchase Price.
Exchange. After the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person has become such, the Board may exchange the rights, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right, subject to adjustment.
Redemption. At any time prior to the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board may redeem all the then-outstanding rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per right, subject to adjustment (“Redemption Price”). The redemption will be effective immediately upon the Board action, unless the action provides that such redemption will be effective at a subsequent time or upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more specified events, in which case the redemption will be effective in accordance with the provisions of the action. Immediately upon the effectiveness of the redemption of the rights, the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the Redemption Price, with interest thereon.
Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Purchase Price of the preferred shares, the number of preferred shares issuable and the number of outstanding rights are subject to adjustment to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including among others, a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the preferred shares or common stock. No adjustments to the Purchase Price of less than 1% will be made.
Amendments. Prior to the time the rights cease to be redeemable, the Board may amend or supplement the Amended Rights Agreement without the consent of the holders of the rights. From and after the time the rights cease to be redeemable, the Board may amend or supplement the Amended Rights Agreement only to cure an ambiguity, to correct or supplement inconsistent provisions, to alter time period provisions, or to make any other changes to the Amended Rights Agreement, but only to the extent that those changes do not impair or adversely affect any rights holder as such (other than an Acquiring Person), and no amendment may cause the rights to become redeemable or amendable other than in accordance with this sentence.
Expiration. If approved by stockholders, as recommended, the rights governed by the Amended Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of (i) the close of business on April 30, 2024, (ii) the time at which the rights are redeemed, (iii) the time at which the rights are exchanged, (iv) the time at which the Board determines that Article Ninth is no longer necessary, and (v) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year for us to which the Board determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward.
If stockholders do not approve the Amended Rights Agreement, the Rights Agreement’s provisions would not change and its expiration date would remain the close of business on April 30, 2021, unless the Board takes action prior to such time to extend the term of the Rights Agreement.
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE AMENDED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The Board believes that approving the Amended Rights Agreement to protect the tax benefits of our NOLs and other deferred tax assets as described above is in our and our stockholders’ best interests. However, we cannot eliminate the possibility that an “ownership change” will occur even if the term extension is approved. Please consider the points below in voting on this item.
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could challenge the amount of our remaining tax credits or claim we experienced an “ownership change,” which could reduce the amount of our tax credits that we can use or eliminate our ability to use them altogether. The IRS has not audited or otherwise validated the amount of our remaining tax credits. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not claim that we experienced an “ownership change” and attempt to reduce or eliminate the benefit of our remaining tax credits even if Article Ninth and the Amended Rights Agreement are in place through to April 30, 2024.
ContinuedRiskof“OwnershipChange.” Although Article Ninth and the Amended Rights Agreement are intended to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change,” we cannot assure you that they would prevent all transfers of our common stock that could result in such an “ownership change.” In particular, absent a court determination, we cannot assure you that Article Ninth’s restrictions on acquisition of our common stock will be enforceable against all our stockholders, and they may be subject to challenge on equitable grounds.
DelawareLawandOtherFactorsPotentiallyAffectingBusinessCombinations. Stockholders should be aware that we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which provides, in general, that a transaction constituting a “business combination” within the meaning of Section 203 involving a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (referred to as an “interested stockholder”), cannot be completed for a period of three years after the date on which the person became an interested stockholder unless (i) the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder prior to such business combination or transaction, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, that person owned at least 85% of our outstanding voting stock (excluding shares owned by persons who are both directors and officers of KB Home and shares owned by certain of our employee benefit plans), or (iii) the business combination was approved by the Board and by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of our outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. In addition, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-laws contain the following provisions that may be deemed to have a potential “anti-takeover” effect:
Cumulative voting is not permitted in the election of directors
Stockholders may not call or request special meetings of stockholders
Stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders
Stockholders have no preemptive right to acquire our securities
The Board may fix the designation, rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each series of our preferred stock
While Article Ninth and the Amended Rights Agreement are intended to preserve the long-term value of our NOLs, each could be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect because, among other things, Article Ninth is designed to restrict the ability of a person, entity or group to accumulate more than 5% of our common stock and the ability of persons, entities or groups now owning more than 5% of our common stock from acquiring additional shares of our common stock without the approval of the Board to waive the provisions of Article Ninth and the Amended Rights Agreement in its business judgment. Although the Amended Rights Agreement is not intended to prevent a takeover, because an Acquiring Person may be diluted upon the occurrence of a triggering event, it does have a potential anti-takeover effect. Accordingly, the overall effects of Article Ninth and the Amended Rights Agreement may be to render more difficult, or discourage, a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or assumption of control by a substantial holder of our securities. Maintaining the protections of Article Ninth and proposing the approval of the Amended Rights Agreement are not part of a plan by us to adopt a series of anti-takeover measures, and we do not presently intend to propose or adopt any other anti-takeover measures.
RATIFY ERNST & YOUNG LLP’S APPOINTMENT AS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
In January 2021, after considering
In January 2024, the Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.2024. This appointment was based on Ernst & Young LLP’s effective performance in 2023 and audit efficiencies from its 33 years of service as our Independent Auditor, as well as the results of the Audit Committee’s five-year in-depth review conducted in July 2023, which is further described in its report on the next page. The Audit Committee believes this appointment is in our and our stockholders’ best interests. We are seeking stockholder ratification of this appointment.
The Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP will be considered ratified based upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented, and entitled to vote thereon, at the Annual Meeting.
FOR |
|
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if they desire, make a statement. If Ernst & Young LLP’s appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP, but still may retain the firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines it would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests to do so.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR SERVICES AND FEES
Below are the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP and related fees in each of our last two fiscal years. In 20202023 and 2019,2022, Ernst & Young LLP’s audit fees included an annual consolidated financial statement audit, audits of our financial services subsidiary, procedures related to our continuing implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system, other information technology systems testing, consents relating to financing transactions in 2022, and an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. Audit-related fees in both years included 401(k) Plan audits and access to certain accounting resources.
Fiscal Year Ended ($000s) | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||
Audit Fees | $ | 1,453 | $ | 1,525 |
Audit-Related Fees | 54 | 51 | ||
Tax Fees | — | — | ||
All Other Fees | — | — | ||
TOTAL FEES | $ | 1,507 | $ | 1,576 |
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 48 |
| Fiscal Year Ended ($000s) | |||
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Audit Fees | $ | 1,071 | $ | 1,355 |
Audit-Related Fees |
| 45 |
| 44 |
Tax Fees |
| — |
| — |
All Other Fees |
| — |
| — |
TOTAL FEES | $ | 1,116 | $ | 1,399 |
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The Audit Committee acts under a written charter. Under its charter the Audit Committee assiststo assist the Board in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibilities relating to,overseeing, among other things, KB Home’s corporate accounting and reporting practices, including the quality and integrity of its financial statements and reports, and its internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.practices. All Audit Committee members are independent, and determined to befour members are considered SEC “audit committee financial experts” under SEC rules.
experts.” In its role, the Audit Committee, among other activities:
■ | conducts at most meetings separate executive sessions with KB Home’s chief financial officer; chief accounting officer; chief legal officer; internal audit head; and Independent Auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, to discuss matters relevant to their respective duties and roles. |
■ | oversees management’s performance of an annual enterprise risk management assessment and discusses with management identified significant business and operations risks, along with corresponding mitigating factors. |
■ | periodically reviews with management KB Home’s cybersecurity tools and resources, threat environment, incident reporting procedures, and future plans, with the most recent review conducted in January 2024. |
■ | annually reviews and approves the internal audit department’s audit plan, which is based on the top risks identified in the annual enterprise risk management assessment, and receives at least quarterly plan status updates. |
■ | reviews and discusses with management quarterly and annual periodic reports before they are filed with the SEC. |
■ | receives and discusses quarterly management reports on the structure and testing of KB Home’s system of internal control over financial reporting, and management’s assessment of the system’s effectiveness. |
■ | receives and discusses reports from the chief legal officer and senior compliance executives on material legal, compliance and ethics matters, and the Independent Auditor on its audit and internal control evaluation activities. |
conducts at most meetings separate executive sessions with KB Home’s chief financial officer; chief accounting officer; chief legal officer; internal audit head; and Independent Auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, to discuss matters relevant to their respective duties and roles.
annually reviews and approves the internal audit department’s audit plan and receives at least quarterly updates on its performance and results.
oversees management’s performance of an annual enterprise risk management assessment and discusses with management identified significant business and operations risks, including cybersecurity risks, along with corresponding mitigating factors.
reviews and discusses with management quarterly and annual periodic reports before they are filed with the SEC.
receives and discusses quarterly management reports on the structure and testing of KB Home’s system of internal control over financial reporting, and management’s assessment of the system’s effectiveness.
receives and discusses regular reports from the chief legal officer and senior compliance executives on material legal, compliance and ethics matters, and from the Independent Auditor on the results of its audit and internal control evaluation activities.
Management is primarily responsible for KB Home’s financial statements, financial reporting process and the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting. The Independent Auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit of KB Home’ssuch financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The Independent Auditor is also responsible forreporting, and expressing an opinion on the conformity of KB Home’s audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States and the adequacy of KB Home’s internal control over financial reporting.thereon.
Per its charter, the
The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment (with consideration given to stockholder ratification), compensation, engagement terms (including fees), retention (or termination) and oversight of the Independent Auditor’s work. The Audit Committee also:
annually evaluates the Independent Auditor’s qualifications, independence and effectiveness. In January 2021, the Audit Committee presented an evaluationAs to the Board and appointed Ernst & Young LLP as KB Home’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.
reviews and discusses with the Independent Auditor, the scope and plan of its independent financial statement and internal control over financial reporting audits.Audit Committee also:
receives direct reports from the Independent Auditor, which describe, among other things, the critical accounting policies and practices in the firm’s audits.
■ | annually evaluates the Independent Auditor’s qualifications, independence and effectiveness and conducts an in-depth review every five years, or more frequently as conditions warrant, to determine whether to retain the Independent Auditor or undertake a request-for-proposal process with other accounting firms. Based on an in-depth review conducted in July 2023 (the immediately prior such review occurred in 2018), and a confirmatory evaluation in January 2024 at the firm’s completion of its 2023 fiscal year financial audit, the Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as KB Home’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2024. |
■ | In the July 2023 review, and in the January 2024 confirmatory evaluation, the Audit Committee, as well as management, favorably considered Ernst & Young LLP’s experience and homebuilding industry expertise; technical competence, internal human and technology resources and capabilities; quality, timeliness and candor of communications; cost competitiveness; independence and integrity; objectivity and professional skepticism, as well as the firm’s tenure and associated audit efficiencies. The Audit Committee presented the results of the July 2023 review and January 2024 confirmatory evaluation to the Board. |
■ | reviews and discusses with the Independent Auditor the scope and plan of its financial statement and internal control over financial reporting audits; the critical accounting policies and practices in the firm’s audits; and any critical audit matter that is identified in KB Home’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K. |
reviewed and discussed with the Independent Auditor the critical audit matters it identified in KB Home’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In this context, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed KB Home’s audited financial statements with management and Ernst & Young LLP KB Home’s audited financial statements.LLP. It also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.
In addition,SEC require, including the Audit Committee received therequired disclosures and letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Boardfirm concerning its independence, and discussed the firm’s independence from KB Home and KB Home’s management.
In reliance on the reviews, reports, activities and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, that the inclusion of KB Home’s audited financial statements be included in KB Home’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 20202023 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee respectfully submits this report.
Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan, ChairArthur R. Collins
Jose M. Barra
Dorene C. Dominguez
Kevin P. Eltife
Dr. Stuart A. GabrielMelissa LoraJames C. WeaverMichael M. Wood
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 49 |
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ANNUAL MEETING VOTING MATTERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
Holders of record of the 91,726,40875,643,726 shares of our common stock that were outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the February 26, 2024 record date of February 5, 2021 are entitled to one vote for each share held. The GSOT trustee will vote the 7,124,3176,705,247 shares of our common stock that the GSOT held on the record date based on the instructions received from eligible employees who hold unexercised common stock options under our employee equity compensation plans, as discussed under “Ownership of KB Home Securities.” Therefore, a total of 98,850,72582,348,973 shares are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
For stockholders to take action at the Annual Meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date must be present or represented at the meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are counted for this purpose. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker or financial institution does not receive instructions from a beneficial holder and does not have the discretionary authority to vote on an item of business, which will apply for all Annual Meeting matters other than ratifying the appointment of our Independent Auditor.Auditor’s appointment. Therefore, if you are a beneficial owner, you must instruct your broker or financial institution on how you want your shares to be voted on the other items of business in order for your shares to be counted for those items.
Stockholders can vote via the Internet, telephone or mail or in person at the Annual Meeting, as described under “Voting Procedures.” There are no dissenters’ rights or rights of appraisal as to any item to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. There is no right to cumulative voting.
The Annual Meeting named proxies for the Annual Meeting — Jeffrey T. Mezger and Brian J. Woram, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel (or their duly authorized designees) — will follow submitted proxy voting instructions. They will vote as the Board recommends as tofor any such submitted instructions that do not direct how to vote on anyan item and will vote on any other matters properly presented at the Annual Meeting in their discretion, including upon anya motion to adjourn or postpone all or anya portion of the Annual Meeting. We have engaged our transfer agent, Computershare, to count the votes and to act as an independent inspector of election. William A. (Tony) Richelieu, our Corporate Secretary, will also act as an inspector of election.
You will find the voting standard for each item of business at the Annual Meeting on the first page on which it is discussed in this Proxy Statement. Approval of any other matter properly presented at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented and entitled to vote thereon. Shares that are not present or represented at the Annual Meeting and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome for any items of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not affect the outcome of the election of directors but will have the effect of an against vote for any other items of business.
Holders of Record | Beneficial Holders | Plan Participant Holders | ||||
How to Vote | If your shares are registered directly with our transfer agent, Computershare, vote via the Internet, telephone or mail following the instructions on your mailed or electronic proxy form. | If your shares are held by an intermediary broker or financial institution, vote via the Internet, telephone or mail following the instructions on your mailed or electronic voting instruction form. | If you can vote any shares under the | |||
Voting Deadlines | Internet and telephone voting is available until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on April | Your broker/other holder of record sets the voting deadlines. | Internet and telephone voting is available until, and mailed proxy forms must be received by, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on April | |||
Changing Your Vote | You may revoke voting instructions by submitting a later vote in person before polls close, or via the Internet, telephone or mail before the above-noted deadlines. | You must contact your broker/ other holder of record to revoke any prior voting instructions. | You may revoke voting instructions by submitting a later vote in person before polls close, or via the Internet, telephone or mail before the above-noted deadline. |
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We will pay the cost to solicit proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to this Proxy Statement, our officers, directors and other employees may solicit proxies personally, in writing or by telephone, facsimile, email or other means for no additional compensation. We will, if requested, reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and certain fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in providing proxy materials to their principals. We have hired Georgeson LLC, a professional soliciting organization, to assist us in soliciting proxies and distributing proxy materials for a fee of $9,500,$10,500, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Annual Meeting proxy materials for the Annual Meeting are being made available primarily via the Internet at www.kbhome.com/investor/proxy in order to speed their delivery to our stockholders, to contain costs and to reduce the impact on the environment. In addition, beginning February 26, 2021,March 8, 2024, we mailed the Notice of Internet Availability to stockholders, which provides instructions on how to access and view the proxy materials, and to vote via the Internet or telephone. To request a printed copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions on the notice. Stockholders who previously elected to receive proxy materials electronically will continue to receive them and a notice by e-mail, unless we are told otherwise. Please note that you cannot vote your shares by marking and returning a notice.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR OUR 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for our 20222025 annual meeting, we must receive any proposal of a stockholder intended to be presented at that meeting no later than October 29, 2021. Further,November 8, 2024. Any such proposal must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. In addition, per our By-Laws, the Board-designated proxies for that meeting will use their discretionary voting authority with respect to any proposal presented at the meeting by a stockholder who does notwishes to nominate a director candidate or bring any other business for consideration at the 2025 annual meeting must provide notice to us no earlier than December 19, 2024 and no later than January 18, 2025. In addition to complying with written noticethe terms of the proposal between December 19, 2021By-Laws and January 8, 2022.applicable law, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the company’s nominees must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act.
Governance Documents and Public Filings Availability Our Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Corporate Governance Principles, Board-approved charters for each standing committee and Ethics Policy serve as the foundation of our corporate governance. Each document may be viewed, printed or downloaded at https://investor.kbhome.com/environmental-social-and-governance-esg/governance/default.asp. These documents are also available in print at no charge upon request. The information on our website, including the investor relations section and our annual sustainability reports, is not incorporated by reference into and does not form a part of this Proxy Statement. Our SEC filings are available on our website at https://investor.kbhome.com/financial-information/sec-filings/. |
Communicating with the Board Any interested party may write to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Independent Director or any other director in care of our Corporate Secretary at KB Home, 10990 Wilshire Boulevard, 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024. |
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Since 2007, we have been a sustainability leader in the homebuilding industry. As a natural extension of our highly customer-centric operating philosophy, our sustainability efforts are focused on benefiting our customers, primarily through helping them lower their long-term costs of homeownership. In doing so, we believe these efforts also distinguish us in important ways from other new home builders and from resale homes, and enable us to contribute positively to the environment and communities in our served markets.
Our Annual Report, and our annual sustainability reports and investor relations website, which are not incorporated in this Proxy Statement or any other SEC filing we make, provide more details on our sustainability programs and objectives. These include our commitment to building energy-efficient homes, and our making available to our buyers renewable solar energy systems, high water efficiency and indoor air environments that support personal wellness. They also include information on our human capital priorities to develop and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and our broader social contributions. Our most recent sustainability report, published in May 2023, provides more information, including data presented in line with voluntary reporting frameworks. We plan to publish our next sustainability report - our 17th consecutive and longest-running publication of its kind in the homebuilding industry - on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.
Sustainability Governance
Our Board oversees our sustainability efforts as part of our overall business strategy. The Board’s Audit and Compliance Committee assesses environmental sustainability, and its Management Development and Compensation Committee evaluates workforce matters. Two directors, Mr. Collins and Ms. Dominguez are the Board’s liaisons to management on sustainability-related matters. For the past 16 years, our National Advisory Board, a panel of external advisors, has helped shape our sustainability priorities and reporting, as well as our stakeholder engagement approach. Internally, our sustainability initiatives and external stakeholder interactions are directed primarily through two cross-functional teams, one led by our COO and the other by our Senior Vice President, Investor Relations.
Sustainability Focus Areas
In our business, we acquire land, develop communities on the land and sell homes in the communities. We engage independent contractors to perform land development and home construction work. We do not operate manufacturing facilities or a vehicle fleet, or package our products. Various local utilities, and their power sources, supply the energy used in community development. Once all homes in a community are delivered, development work ceases and residents use their homes, typically over decades.
Within the foregoing operational context, and as a home’s energy consumption mostly occurs after it is delivered to a customer, we have focused on maximizing our homes’ energy efficiency to the extent possible using advanced, cost-effective products and technology. This direction aligns with our core first-time homebuyers’ long-term affordability needs through potentially lower utility bills. It also helps to minimize our homes’ impact on the environment.
We assess our progress in this area using the RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS®) Index, as each HERS Index score point reduction equates to a 1% improvement in energy efficiency relative to a standard new home. We have a target to lower our national average HERS Index score by five points, from 50 for 2020 to 45 for 2025. For comparison, a typical resale home today has a HERS Index score of 130. For 2023, our national average HERS Index score was 46, improving from 48 for 2022. As each HERS Index score point reduction also potentially creates less greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 0.1 metric tons (as calculated based on the states in which we operate), if we achieve our HERS Index score goal by the end of 2025, our homes built in that year would, on average, produce 0.5 metric tons less in such emissions per year than our average home built in 2020, an 8% reduction.
Our homes also include several water-saving features to help mitigate strain on water resources. To advance this priority, every home built in our new communities in Arizona, California and Nevada since July 2022 has been RESNET HERS H2O® rated to ensure they meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense labeled home requirements, helping homeowners use less water and lower their utility bills in these severely drought-affected areas.
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ANNEX1:CORPORATEGOVERNANCEPROCESSESANDPROCEDURES
This Annex provides additional information about KB Home’s corporate governance.
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE DETERMINATIONS
We believe that a substantial majority of our directors should be independent. To be independent, the Board must affirmatively determine that a director does not have any direct or indirect material commercial or charitable relationship with us based on all relevant facts and circumstances. The Board makes independence determinations from information supplied by directors, director nominees and other sources, the Nominating Committee’s prior review and recommendation, and certain categorical standards contained in our Corporate Governance Principles that are consistent with NYSE listing standards.
The Board determined that all directors who served in 20202023 and all director nominees are independent, other than Mr. Mezger.
In making its independence determinations, the Board found that Ms. Dominguez’sthe following directors’ independence was not impaired by, and sheeach did not have a direct or indirect material interest in, onethe following: Mr. Barra with respect to purchases we made in our 2023 fiscal year at standard prices at Home Depot retail stores of certain appliances, equipment, supplies and other items for use in our division office’s leasingbusiness, totaling less than $1.0 million; Ms. Dominguez with respect to our corporate office lease with a few copiers from CIT Group,subsidiary of Douglas Emmett, Inc., where she serves as a non-employee director.director, or by our making a $25,000 donation to The Dominguez Dream, a nonprofit organization for which Ms. Dominguez serves as Chairwoman; and Mr. Weaver with respect to certain of our divisions’ payments to Cox Communications, a division of Cox Enterprises, Inc., where he serves as a non-employee director, for standard Internet and telephone service where Cox is the provider in the relevant local area, or our receiving certain marketing-related payments from Cox.
The Board also determined that each Compensation Committee member is a “non-employee director” under SEC rules and an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
The Nominating Committee reviews any transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we participate and in which a director, director nominee, executive officer or beneficial owner of five percent or more of our common stock (or, in each case, an immediate family member) had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (a “Related Party Transaction”). Covered individuals and stockholders are expected to inform our Corporate Secretary of any Related Party Transactions, and we collect information from our directors, director nominees and executive officers so that we can review our records for any such transactions. During 2023, there were no such Related Party Transactions.
Per the policies and procedures set forth in its Charter, the Nominating Committee will approve or ratify a Related Party Transaction if, based on a review of all material facts and feasible alternatives, it deems the transaction to be in our and our stockholders’ best interests. In addition, specified categories of transactions set forth in the Nominating Committee’s Charter are deemed pre-approved/ratified,pre-approved, including those in which the total amount involved is less than or equal to $120,000; and those that would not (a) need to be reported under federal securities laws, (b) be deemed to impair a director’s independence or (c) be deemed to be a conflict of interest.
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS
The Nominating Committee evaluates and recommends individuals for election to the Board at regular or specialits meetings and at any point during the year, takingyear. Current directors may nominate individuals, and the Nominating Committee has retained professional search firms from time to time to assist with director recruitment. Among other factors, the Nominating Committee takes into consideration among other factors, the attributes listed in our Corporate Governance Principles and diversity as described under “Board Experience and Skills.” There is no formal policy as to how diversity is applied, and an individual’s background and experience, while important, do not necessarily outweigh any other factors. Individuals may be nominated by current directors, and the Nominating Committee has retained professional search firms from time to time to assist with director recruitment.
Current directors recommended Messrs. Collins and Eltife and Ms. Kozlak as candidates prior to their respective elections to the Board in 2020 and 2021.
Security holders may propose director nominees by following the procedures set forth in our By-Laws, which require, among other things, timely advance written notice to our Corporate Secretary of any potential nominee that contains specified information about the nominee and the nominating security holder. Director nominees proposed by security holders in accordance with the procedures in our By-Laws are considered in the same manner as any other potential nominees.
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In October 2020,2023, the Board and each committee conducted an annual evaluation of their respective performance as part of their regular fourth quarter meetings. Their discussions were guided by a set of subjects the Nominating Committee approved in July 2020.2023. The subjects included, among others,others: Board/committee structure, composition, diversity, skills, meeting processes, interaction with management, and the performance of the Board Chairman/committee chair and the Lead Independent Director. Each committee reported on the results of its own assessment to the Board.
AUDIT FEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICY; AUDIT COMMITTEE DESIGNATION
The Audit Committee has established a policy that requires it to pre-approve all services our Independent Auditor provides to us, including audit, audit-related, tax and other permitted non-audit services. In certain circumstances under the policy, our chief accounting officer (or a functional equivalent) can authorize the firm to perform services, and the Audit Committee Chair can pre-approve services up to a specific per-engagement fee limit. The Audit Committee Chair must report to the Audit Committee any such pre-approvals granted.
The Audit Committee approved all services Ernst & Young LLP provided in 20202023 and 20192022 and the corresponding fees (as shown in the table under “Independent Auditor Services and Fees”) in accordance with this policy.
The Audit Committee is a separately designated standing audit committee as defined in Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.Act.
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ANNEX2:RECONCILIATIONOFNON-GAAPFINANCIALMEASURES
This Proxy Statement contains information regarding Adjusted Pretax Income, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share, all of which are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are relevant and useful for purposes of this Proxy Statement to understand our 20202023 fiscal year performance generally and in relation to the annual incentive payouts the Compensation Committee approved for our NEOs, as described under “2020“2023 Annual Incentives,” and how the 20172020 PSU performance measures of AEPS and AROIC were determined, as described under “Long-Term Incentives.” However, because Adjusted Pretax Income, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, these financial measures may not be completely comparable to other companies in the homebuilding industry and, thus, should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures prescribed by GAAP. Also, we do not necessarily use these specific financial measures to make business decisions or in other investor communications about our results of operations. Rather, these financial measures should be used to supplement the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in order to provide a greater understanding of our performance solely with respect to the 20202023 fiscal year annual incentives and 20172020 PSU payouts to our NEOs.
The table below reconciles our total pretax income calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP measure of Adjusted Pretax Income used in the computation of the 20202023 fiscal year annual incentives (in thousands):
| For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2020 | For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2023 | ||||
Total pretax income | $ | 364,043 | $ | 771,277 | ||
Add: Incentive compensation expense |
| 56,747 | ||||
Add: Incentive and variable compensation expense | 75,850 | |||||
Add: Inventory-related charges related to land purchased or optioned prior to January 1, 2008 |
| 21,937 | 11,424 | |||
ADJUSTED PRETAX INCOME | $ | 442,727 | $ | 858,551 |
Adjusted Pretax Income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is calculated as our total pretax income excluding incentive and variable compensation expense and inventory-related charges related to land purchased or optioned prior to January 1, 2008. For Adjusted Pretax Income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is pretax income.
The tables below reconcile our net income and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP measures of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share used in the computation of the AEPS and AROIC performance measures for the 20172020 PSU payouts to our NEOs ($ in thousands, except per share amounts):
For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
Total pretax income | $ | 771,277 | $ | 1,072,066 | $ | 695,346 | |||||
Income tax expense | (181,100) | (255,400) | (130,600) | ||||||||
NET INCOME | $ | 590,177 | $ | 816,666 | $ | 564,746 | |||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 7.03 | $ | 9.09 | $ | 6.01 |
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| For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Total pretax income | $ | 364,043 |
| $ | 348,175 |
| $ | 367,965 |
Income tax expense |
| (67,800) |
|
| (79,400) |
|
| (197,600) |
NET INCOME | $ | 296,243 |
| $ | 268,775 |
| $ | 170,365 |
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 3.13 |
| $ | 2.85 |
| $ | 1.71 |
For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 590,177 | $ | 816,666 | $ | 564,746 | |||||
Adjustments: Inventory-related charges related to land purchased or optioned prior to January 1, 2008 | 11,424 | 25,542 | 11,953 | ||||||||
Variable compensation expense | — | — | — | ||||||||
Income tax impact* | (2,700) | (6,100) | (2,200) | ||||||||
ADJUSTED NET INCOME | $ | 598,901 | $ | 836,108 | $ | 574,499 | |||||
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (AEPS) | $ | 7.18 | $ | 9.36 | $ | 6.14 |
| For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 296,243 |
| $ | 268,775 |
| $ | 170,365 |
Adjustments: Inventory-related charges related to land purchased or optioned prior to January 1, 2008 |
|
21,937 |
|
|
17,291 |
|
|
26,894 |
Variable compensation expense |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Income tax impact* |
| (4,100) |
|
| (3,900) |
|
| 106,300 |
ADJUSTED NET INCOME | $ | 314,080 |
| $ | 282,166 |
| $ | 303,559 |
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (AEPS) | $ | 3.34 |
| $ | 3.01 |
| $ | 3.03 |
* Represents the total adjustments to net income multiplied by our effective tax rate, which was 18.6% for 2020, 22.8% for 2019 and 23.1% for 2018 (excluding the TCJA-related impact). The income tax impact for 2018 also reflects the reversal of the $112.5 million TCJA-related charge taken during that year. |
| For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | For the Fiscal Years Ended November 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
ADJUSTED NET INCOME | $ | 314,080 |
| $ | 282,166 |
| $ | 303,559 | $ | 598,901 | $ | 836,108 | $ | 574,499 | |||||
Average notes payable | $ | 1,747,961 |
| $ | 1,904,505 |
| $ | 2,192,554 | $ | 1,764,205 | $ | 1,761,769 | $ | 1,716,101 | |||||
Average stockholders’ equity |
| 2,524,446 |
| 2,235,311 |
| 2,006,906 | 3,735,468 | 3,340,135 | 2,842,622 | ||||||||||
AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL | $ | 4,272,407 |
| $ | 4,139,816 |
| $ | 4,199,460 | $ | 5,499,673 | $ | 5,101,904 | $ | 4,558,723 | |||||
ADJUSTED RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (AROIC) |
| 7.4% |
| 6.8% |
| 7.2% | 10.9% | 16.4% | 12.6% | ||||||||||
|
Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is calculated as our net income excluding inventory-related charges related to land purchased or optioned prior to January 1, 2008, variable compensation expense, and the applicable income tax impact of these items for the period. Adjusted Net Income also excludes the impact of the TCJA-related charge for the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets in 2018. AEPS is calculated based on Adjusted Net Income. AROIC is calculated as Adjusted Net Income divided by average invested capital (average notes payable and stockholders’ equity for the beginning and end of the applicable year). For Adjusted Net Income and AEPS, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are net income and diluted earnings per share, respectively.
KB Home ■ 2024 Proxy Statement | 56 |
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ANNEX3:FIRSTAMENDMENTTOAMENDEDANDRESTATEDRIGHTSAGREEMENTFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The full textCertain statements contained in this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT,Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Act”). Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “hope,” and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements concerning our future financial or operating performance (including without limitation future revenues, community count, homes delivered, net orders, selling prices, sales pace per new community, expenses, expense ratios, housing gross profits, housing gross profit margins, earnings or earnings per share, book value per share, or growth or growth rates); future market conditions; future mortgage or other than as amended below, is available at Exhibit 4.1interest rates and other economic conditions; our ongoing business strategies or prospects, including those relating to our Amended Registration Statementsustainability-related programs and goals or targets; our executive compensation program; future dividends and changes in dividend levels; our cash generation and liquidity; the value of our backlog (including amounts that we expect to realize upon delivery of homes included in our backlog and the timing of those deliveries); the value of our net orders; future share issuances or repurchases; whether and to what extent we return capital to stockholders, if at all; future debt issuances, repurchases or redemptions; and other possible future actions in these or other areas of our business are also forward-looking statements under the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on Form 8-A/A filed withour expectations and projections about future events at the SEC on April 13, 2018.
This FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT (“First Amendment”) effective as of April 8, 2021, istime made and entered into byare subject to risks, uncertainties, and between KB Home, a Delaware corporation (“Company”),assumptions about our operations, economic and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation, as rights agent (“Rights Agent”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in that certain Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated effective as of April 12, 2018, made by and between the Companymarket factors, and the Rights Agent (“Rights Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the Companyhomebuilding industry, among other things, including events outside our control. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes, and the Rights Agent are partieswe have no specific policy or intention to the Rights Agreement;update these statements. If we update or revise any such statement(s), no assumption should be made that we will further update or review that statement(s) or update or revise any other such statement(s). In addition, forward-looking and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, the Company and the Rights Agent desire to amend the Rights Agreement as set forth other statements in this First Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE,Proxy Statement and accompanying materials may be based in considerationwhole or in part on general observations of the promises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ExpirationDate.The definition of Expiration Date in Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“”Expiration Date” means the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on April 30, 2024, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23, (iii) the time at which all exercisable Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24, (iv) the Close of Business on the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 of the Codeour management, limited or anecdotal evidence and/or business or industry experience without in-depth or any successor provisionparticular empirical investigation, inquiry or replacement provision if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that this Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of Tax Benefits,analysis. Actual events and (v) the Close of Business on the first day ofresults may differ materially from those expressed, forecasted or implied in forward-looking statements due to a taxable year of the Company to which the Board of Directors of the Company determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward.”
RightsCertificateLegend. The indented language in Section 3(b) of the Rights Agreement pertaining to the suggested legend on Rights Certificates is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“This Certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in that certain Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, by and between KB Home and Computershare Inc. (or any successor Rights Agent), dated effective as of April 12, 2018, as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of KB Home. The Rights are not exercisable prior to the occurrence of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may be exchanged, may expire, may be amended, or may be evidenced by separate certificates and no longer be evidenced by this Certificate. KB Home will mail to the holder of this Certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) may become null and void.”
AmendmentofExhibitA(FormofRightCertificate).The introductory paragraph of ExhibitA to the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER APRIL 30, 2024 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED, EXCHANGED OR AMENDED, OR IN CERTAIN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, EXCHANGE AND AMENDMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS THAT ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR AN ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR A TRANSFEREE THEREOF MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.”
AmendmentofExhibitA(FormofRightCertificate). The second paragraph of ExhibitA to the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“This certifies that _______________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subjectfactors, including, without limitation, economic and business conditions; our ability to the terms, provisions,successfully implement our current and conditions of the Amendedplanned strategies and Restated Rights Agreement, dated effective as of April 12, 2018, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated effective as of April 8, 2021 (collectively, the “RightsAgreement”), by and between KB Home, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Computershare Inc.(the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Expiration Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, one one-hundredth of a fully paid nonassessable share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $85.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase andinitiatives related Certificate duly executed. If this Right Certificate is exercised in part, the holder will be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of the date of the Rights Agreement, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.”
AmendmentofExhibitB(SummaryofRightstoPurchasePreferredStock). The first paragraph of ExhibitB to the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“On January 22, 2009, the Board of Directors of KB Home adopted a rights plan and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of KB Home’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share. The dividend was payable on March 5, 2009 to our stockholders of record on that date. On April 12, 2018, the rights plan was amendedproduct, geographic and restated. On April 8, 2021, such rights plan was amended. The terms of the rightsmarket positioning; and the rights plan are set forth in that certain Amendedif we can successfully implement our business and Restated Rights Agreement, dated effective as of April 12, 2018, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amendedcapital allocation strategies and Restated Rights Agreement, dated effective as of April 8, 2021, byachieve any associated financial and between KB Homeoperational objectives. Please see our periodic reports and Computershare Inc., as rights agent.”
AmendmentofExhibitB(SummaryofRightstoPurchasePreferredStock). The fourth paragraph of ExhibitB to the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“This summary of rights provides a general description of the rights plan. Because it is only a summary, this description should be read together with the entire rights plan, which we incorporate in this summary by reference. We have filed an amendment to the rights planother filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibitfor a further discussion of the risks, uncertainties and other factors applicable to our registration statement on Form 8-A/A filed on April 8, 2021. Upon written request, we will provide a copy of the rights plan free of charge to any stockholder.”business.
AmendmentofExhibitB(SummaryofRightstoPurchasePreferredStock). The 11th paragraph of ExhibitB to the Rights Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
“Expiration. The rights will expire on the earliest of (i) April 30, 2024, (ii) the time at which the rights are redeemed, (iii) the time at which the rights are exchanged, (iv) the effective time of the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines that the rights plan is no longer necessary for the preservation of our tax assets, and (v) the first day of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines that no NOLs or other tax assets may be carried forward.”
AgreementasAmended. The term “Agreement” as used in the Rights Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby. Except as expressly set forth herein, the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and otherwise shall be unaffected hereby, and each of the Company and the Rights Agent shall continue to be subject to its terms and conditions.
GoverningLaw. This First Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.
Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this First Amendment transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect and enforceability as an original signature.
DescriptiveHeadings. Descriptive headings of the several sections of this First Amendment are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.