UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to SectionPROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No.     )

 

  Filed by the Registrant  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)14A-6(E)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

SPIRE INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified Inin Its Charter)

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

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Table of contents

 

Proxy statement summary4
  
Proposal 1: Election of directors9
  
Governance14
  
Corporate governance at a glance14
Board and committee structure14
Board evaluation process15
Board committees and their membership16
ESG oversight18
Risk oversight18
Director independence1920
Corporate governance documents1920
Audit committee’s review of independent auditor2122
Other key governance policies and practices22
Shareholder nominee recommendations and nominee qualifications24
Correspondence with the Board24
Directors’ compensation2425
Beneficial ownership of Spire stock26
Stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements for non-employee directors and executive officers28
  
Proposal 2: Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers29
  
Executive compensation30
Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)30
Compensation and human resources committee report47
Executive compensation tables48
CEO pay ratio58
  
Proposal 3: Advisory vote on frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers59
Proposal 4: Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountant5960
Audit committee report5960
Fees of independent registered public accountant60
Other matters61
  
Other matters62
About the annual shareholders’shareholder meeting6162
Questions and answers about the annual meeting6162
Voting matters6364
Requirements for submission of proxy proposals, nomination of directors and other business6465
Proxy solicitation6465
Schedule A: Reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income67

 

What’s new?

Each year, we strive to improve our proxy disclosures to provide a broader and deeper understanding of Spire and how we think about governance, compensation and corporate social responsibility,sustainability, as well as other topics of importance to our shareholders. We believe these disclosures will be beneficial as you vote this year. Inside, you’ll find updates including:on the following, among other topics:

 

•   The addition of a Board skills and composition matrix;

Our enhanced 2021 Sustainability Report

•   A summary of Board and management succession planning and Board diversity policy;

•   A description of our Board’s cybersecurity oversight efforts; and

•   An update on howHow the Company, with oversight offrom the Board of Directors, continues to managemanaged the risks and impacts associated with COVID-19.COVID-19

•   Shareholder advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers

 
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Dear fellow shareholders,

We are pleased to invite you to attend our 2022 Annual Shareholder Meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time. This year’s meeting will be held virtually and employees,the accompanying proxy information outlines how to participate in the meeting and the matters that will be voted on at the meeting.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your investment in Spire. It is our privilege to serve you, and weWe appreciate the responsibility and trust you place in us to help grow and guide our Company for continued success in the future. This pastIn fiscal year has once again been one2022, our management team focused on executing our business strategy, and looking at the future of the business to ensure we continue to provide value to our shareholders.

This year presented a variety of challenges, both at Spire and change. within the energy industry. Despite these challenges, we strove to deliver value for our shareholders, achieving net economic earnings of $3.86 per share. We also increased our annual dividend by 5.1%, making this the 20th year in a row we have increased our dividend.

As a Board, we have remained focused on our oversight responsibilities, with an emphasis on identification and mitigation of material risks and the developmentfurther developing and implementationimplementing Company strategy. We are proud of company strategy, succession plans for theour diverse Board and senior management, and environmental, social and governance strategies and disclosures.

Strategy and risk oversight

Each year presents new challengesdiversity continues to the energy industry, and thebe a priority as we consider Board remains focused on short-term and long-term strategy and results, sustainable shareholder value, risk identification and mitigation, and the Company’s preparedness to grow and succeed. We believe that overseeing these aspects of Spire are at the core of our duties as directors.

Succession planning

succession planning. The Board is continuously focused on seeking to ensure thatensuring we have the right mix of diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences required to meet the Company’s evolving challenges. We areWe’re committed to ensuring that our Board is made up of directors who are independent, committed, capable, diverse, experienced and accountable to our shareholders.

 

A strong and sustainable management team is one of the keys to Spire’s success. Throughout the year, the compensation and human resources committee focuses on senior management succession planning. The committee periodically participates in in-depth conversations with our president and chief executive officer and our management team during which potential future senior leaders are identified and development plans are discussed.

 

Enhanced disclosures

Spire is committed to interacting with investors to determine what information is important to them, enhancing disclosures and making environmental, social and governance (ESG) information even more accessible. We are also, once again this year, highlighting our response to COVID-19 and how we are working to keep our employees, customers and communities safe while providing reliable natural gas service. You will also notice several additional enhanced disclosures within the pages ofIn this proxy statement, as we striveare highlighting our enhanced 2021 Sustainability Report (previously called our Corporate Social Responsibility Report), released in June 2022, where we included significant updates to share Spire’s storyour sustainability disclosures. We invite you to review that report for more effectively each year.information about these efforts.

 

Once again, on behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for your investment in Spire and for your continued support.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Edward L. Glotzbach

Chair of the Board

Spire Inc.

 

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Notice of
Annual Meeting
of Shareholders

 

January 27, 202226, 2023

8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time (CST)

 

This year’s meeting is a virtual shareholdersshareholder meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SR2021SR2022

 

Proxy voting

Your vote is important. To ensure your representation at the annual meeting, please vote your shares as promptly as possible over the internet at www.proxyvote.com or by telephone at 800-690-6903. Alternatively, you may request a paper proxy card, which you may complete, sign and return by mail. If your shares are held by a broker, bank or nominee, please follow their voting instructions for your vote to count.

 

Attending the meeting

We invite you to attend the annual meeting virtually. There will not be a physical meeting. You will be able to vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the meeting. You will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompany your proxy materials.

 

You do not need to attend the meeting online to vote if you submit your vote via proxy in advance of the meeting. A replay of the meeting will be available on virtualshareholdermeeting.com.

To the shareholders of Spire Inc.:

 

The annual meeting of shareholders of Spire Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022,26, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. CST, online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SR2021,SR2022, for the following purposes:

 

1.To elect fourthree members of the Board of Directors.
2.To provide an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.
3.To provide an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.
4.To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountant for the 20222023 fiscal year.
4.5.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement.

 

You can vote if you were a common shareholder of record on November 30, 2021.2022.

 

During this virtual meeting, you may ask questions and will be able to vote your shares electronically. The Company will respond to as many inquiries at the meeting as time allows.

 

The meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. CST. Online check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. CST.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

Ellen L. TheroffCourtney Vomund

Vice President,
Chief Governance Officer

Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

December 15, 202114, 2022


 

Spire Inc.  |  20212022 Proxy Statement    3
 
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Proxy statement summary

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

 

Who we are

 

At Spire, we believe energy exists to help people. To warm homes, grow businesses and move communities forward. Every day, we’re inspired by our vision to make the breakthroughs today that will energize tomorrow.

As the fifth-largest publicly traded natural gas company in the country, we have the privilege of serving 1.7 million homes and businesses, as well as natural gas buyers, producers and industrial customers through our gas-related businesses.

As the fifth-largest publicly traded natural gas company in the country, we are committed This commitment to growing our business, leading our industry and redefining what it means to serve our customers. This commitment is reflected in our mission to answer every challenge, advance every community and enrich every life through the strength of our energy. To live this mission, we hold strongly to our threefour values:

 

DriveSafetyInclusionIntegrity
  InclusionIntegrity
Whether at a desk or inWe lean into change, showing the field, safety is fundamental at Spire. We strive for exceptional safety, going beyond regulatory standardscourage and grit to achieve our own standard of excellence. Our promise is that we will work tirelessly tomake it happen.We keep our co-workers,people, company, customers and communities safe.We embrace and celebrate our differences to better understand each other and the world around us.We celebrate differences, embracing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and families, and we look for common ground with an inclusive spirit. We treat everyone with respect and care, and we champion new insights and ideas.We believe in doingdo what’s right, every time. Keeping that promise is not always easy but, because it’s our way of life, we don’t stop until we get it right.

 

COVID-19 response

 

As the pandemic continued throughoutextended into fiscal 2021,year 2022, we continued to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities. Our cross-functional incident support team led the Company through the changing landscape of the pandemic and implemented a range of measures, including:

Following strict safety protocols for all entry into customer premises to ensure that we could continue to provide service safely to all customers
Allowing employees to work from home if their job duties could be performed remotely
Restricting non-essential travel and participation in large events and gatherings
Developing gradual return-to-work plans for our workforce that has been working remotely
Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evolve our safety protocols over the course of the pandemic
Providing paid leave to employees who needed to quarantine or take care of a family member due to COVID-19
Encouraging employees to be vaccinated and facilitating employee vaccinations with paid time off and other incentives

The Board has maintained oversight over Spire’s continued response to the pandemic through regular reporting from management.

 

During the first two quarters of the fiscal year, we experienced a significant spike of COVID-19 cases in our workforce and we exerted significant efforts to prepare for compliance with various government mandates related to vaccination and testing. As we entered the second half of the fiscal year, we implemented a flexible work policy to initiate our return-to-work plans for the portion of our workforce that had been working remotely. We continued to follow strict safety protocols for all entry into customers’ homes and businesses to ensure we could continue to provide service safely and reliably to all customers.

Consistent with fiscal years 2020 and 2021, we did not furlough or lay off any employees in fiscal 2021.year 2022. In addition, management did not recommend, nor did the Board approve, any changes to our executive compensation metrics or program in connection with the pandemic. See the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section herein for more information.

 

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Spire’s fiscal year 20212022 corporate performance

 

The following table provides information on the Company’s performance in the last two fiscal years, which was a critical consideration in the Company’s determination of appropriate executive compensation. During severe winter weather in fiscal 2021, we were successful in providing safe, reliable service for our utility service areas in addition to driving value from storage investments we made at Spire Marketing. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021,2022, when weather was warmer in its operating territories, the Company reported consolidated net income of $220.8 million ($3.95 per diluted share), compared with $271.7 million ($4.96 per diluted share), compared with $88.6 million ($1.44 per diluted share) in fiscal 2020. The prior year amount reflects the impact of the third quarter 2020 impairment charge of $148.6 million ($117.3 million after tax). Excluding this charge, net2021. Net income increased $65.8decreased $50.9 million, driven by increasesdecreases of $37.8$38.6 million and $23.6$9.2 million in the Gas MarketingUtility and Gas UtilityMarketing segments, respectively, combined with a $4.4 million improvement in results from Other. The Gas Marketing and Gas Utility results reflect the positive effects of optimizing market conditions in February due to extreme weather as a result of Winter Storm Uri.respectively. Net income and earnings per share are determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Management also uses the non-GAAP measures of net economic earnings (“NEE”) and NEE per share when internally evaluating and reporting results of operations, as discussed on pages 32-3331 and 32 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended

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September 30, 20212022 (the “2021“2022 10-K”). NEE for fiscal 20212022 was $216.3 million ($3.86 per diluted share), down from $266.3 million ($4.86 per diluted share), up from $207.8 million ($3.76 per diluted share) for fiscal 2020.2021. The $58.5$50.0 million growthdecline includes a $37.9$27.9 million increasedecrease for Gas Marketing and a $17.2 million increase in the Gas Utility segment as well as improvementsand a $20.0 million decrease in Other.Gas Marketing. The results are discussed further beginning on page 3432 of the 20212022 10-K.

 

In millions, except per share amounts Gas Utility      Gas Marketing      Other      Consolidated      Per diluted
share**
  Gas Utility        Gas Marketing        Other        Consolidated        Per diluted
share**
 
Year ended September 30, 2022           
Net income (loss) [GAAP]        $198.6                 $35.6   $(13.4)            $220.8       $3.95 
Adjustments, pre-tax:               
Fair value and timing adjustments     (11.4)     (11.4)  (0.22)
Income tax effect of adjustments*  4.1   2.8      6.9   0.13 
Net economic earnings (loss) [non-GAAP] $202.7  $27.0  $(13.4) $216.3  $3.86 
Year ended September 30, 2021                                                                              
Net income (loss) [GAAP] $237.2  $44.8  $(10.3) $271.7  $4.96  $237.2  $44.8  $(10.3) $271.7  $4.96 
Adjustments, pre-tax:                              
Missouri regulatory adjustments  (9.0)        (9.0)  (0.17)  (9.0)        (9.0)  (0.17)
Fair value and timing adjustments  0.3   3.0      3.3   0.06   0.3   3.0      3.3   0.06 
Acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities        (1.3)  (1.3)  (0.02)        (1.3)  (1.3)  (0.02)
Income tax effect of adjustments*  2.1   (0.8)  0.3   1.6   0.03   2.1   (0.8)  0.3   1.6   0.03 
Net economic earnings (loss) [non-GAAP] $230.6  $47.0  $(11.3) $266.3  $4.86  $230.6  $47.0  $(11.3) $266.3  $4.86 
Year ended September 30, 2020               
Net income (loss) [GAAP] $213.6  $7.0  $(132.0) $88.6  $1.44 
Adjustments, pre-tax:               
Impairments        148.6   148.6   2.89 
Fair value and timing adjustments  (0.3)  2.8      2.5   0.05 
Income tax effect of adjustments*  0.1   (0.7)  (31.3)  (31.9)  (0.62)
Net economic earnings (loss) [non-GAAP] $213.4  $9.1  $(14.7) $207.8  $3.76 
*Income tax effect is calculated by applying federal, state and local income tax rates applicable to ordinary income to the amounts of the pre-tax reconciling items and then adding any estimated effects of enacted state or local income tax laws for periods before the related effective date.
date and, in the case of fiscal 2022, includes a Spire Missouri regulatory adjustment.
**Net economic earnings per share is calculated by replacing consolidated net income with consolidated net economic earnings in the GAAP diluted earnings per share calculation, which includes reductions for cumulative preferred dividends and participating shares.

 

Our 20212022 results

 

Net Income Net Economic Earnings     Diluted Earnings
per Share
 Basic Net Economic
Earnings per Share
 Diluted NEE
per Share
     Dividends Declared per
Common Share
$271.7M $266.3M  $4.96 $4.87 $4.86  $2.60
             

GAAP

Up from
$88.6 million
for FY20

 

NON-GAAP

Up from
$207.8 million
for FY20

  

GAAP

Up from
$1.44 for FY20

 

NON-GAAP

Up from
$3.77 for FY20

 

NON-GAAP

Up from
$3.76 for FY20

  Up from
$2.49 for FY20
Net Income   Net Economic Earnings        Diluted Earnings
per Share
   Basic Net Economic
Earnings per Share
   Diluted NEE
per Share
        Dividends Declared per
Common Share
$220.8M $216.3M  $3.95 $3.87 $3.86  $2.74
       

GAAP

Down from
$271.7 million
for FY21

 

NON-GAAP

Down from
$266.3 million
for FY21

  

GAAP

Down from
$4.96 for FY21

 

NON-GAAP

Down from
$4.87 for FY21

 

NON-GAAP

Down from
$4.86 for FY21

  Up from
$2.60 for FY21

 

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Executive compensation

 

The Company is committed to its pay-for-performance philosophy. Basic net economic earnings per shareAdjusted operating income is the key metric used to determine funding under our Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) beginning in 2021.2022. The Company also emphasizes pay-for-performance by placing most of the executives’ target total direct compensation (“TTDC”) at risk through the annual and long-term incentive plans. TTDC includes the current base salary, the 20212022 target AIP opportunity and the fair market value of the equity awards made during fiscal year 2021.2022. Further, the value of the equity incentive award, the largest portion of incentive pay, is based on long-term performance.

 

Sustainability

 

We have issued our fourth annual Sustainability Report (previously called our Corporate Social Responsibility Report) in June 2022. In this report, we expanded our sustainability focus and increased our related disclosures on environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics. We also included reporting under the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the first time in May duringfiscal year 2022, and we began providing disclosures

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aligned with the past three years. We planTask Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. In addition, we held our first investor sustainability call to issuediscuss highlights from the report and give investors the opportunity to ask questions about our next report in May 2022.sustainability efforts. We remain committed to enhancing and expanding our disclosures each year to create an even more fully describe the work we are doing to make Spire more sustainable. We are working toward Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) reporting in calendar year 2022,robust and we are currently evaluating the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.transparent view of our overall sustainability strategy and plans.

 

In fiscal 2021,year 2022, the various committees of the Board of Directors assumedcontinued formal oversight of management’s sustainability efforts in the areas of environmental; diversity, equity and inclusion; supplier diversity; and governance.governance to ensure progress is being made on our ESG commitments. The corporate governance committee remains responsible for overseeing and approving the report, which we plan to rename to be our Sustainability report.Report. The current Corporate Social Responsibility reportSustainability Report can be found on our website at SpireEnergy.com/CSR.Sustainability.

 

Annual meeting of shareholders

 

  
Time and date Place Record date
8:30 a.m. CST
on Thursday, January 27, 202226, 2023
Check-in beginning 8:15 a.m. CST
 Virtually at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SR2021SR2022
 November 30, 20212022

 

How to vote

 

Shareholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the proposals.

 

   
By internet By telephone By mail At the meeting

www.proxyvote.com

 
www.proxyvote.com

800-690-6903

 Mark your proxy card or
voting instruction card, date
and sign it, and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided.
 If you decide to attend the virtual
meeting, you will need your 16-digit
control number and follow the
instructions on the screen.

 

Voting matters

 

Proposal Board vote
recommendation
 Page reference
(for more detail)
Election of fourthree directors FOR  9
Provide advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers  FOR  29
Provide advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers ONE YEAR59
Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent registered public accounting firmaccountant for fiscal year 20222023 FOR  5960

 

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Nominees for election (page 9)

 

The following chart includes summary bios and key aspects of our Board of Directors, including directors who are nominees this year. We believe the competencies currently possessed by our directors represent a solid mix of backgrounds and experiences for the Company.

 

   
       

Mark A. Borer

Maria V. FogartyEdward L. GlotzbachCarrie J. Hightman

Retired Chief Executive
Officer and Board
Member

DCP
Midstream Partners LP

Age: 6768

Director since: 2014

Committees:

 

Maria V. Fogarty

Retired Senior
Vice President,
Internal Audit and
Compliance

NextEra Energy, Inc.

Age: 6263

Director since: 2014

Committees:

 

Edward L. Glotzbach

Nominee

Retired Vice Chairman,
Mergers and Acquisitions

Information Services
Group

Age: 7374

Director since: 2005

Committees:

 

Carrie J. Hightman

Nominee

Retired Executive
Vice President and
Chief Legal Officer

NiSource Inc.

Age: 6465

Director since: 2021

Committees: TBD

       
    
       

Rob L. Jones

Brenda D. NewberryStephen S. Schwartz
Nominee

Retired Co-Head

Bank of America
Merrill Lynch
Commodities, Inc.

Age: 6364

Director since: 2016

Committees:

 

 

Brenda D. Newberry

Nominee

Retired Chairman
of the Board

The Newberry Group

Age: 6869

Director since: 2007

Committees:

 

Stephen S. Schwartz

President and

Chief Executive Officer
Brooks Automation,

Azenta, Inc.

Age: 6263

Director since: 2018

Committees:

 

  
       
     
       

Suzanne Sitherwood

Nominee

John P. Stupp Jr.Mary Ann Van Lokeren*

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Spire Inc.

Age: 6162

Director since: 2011

Committees:

 

John P. Stupp Jr.

Nominee

Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer

Stupp Bros., Inc.

Age: 7172

Director since: 2005

Committees:

 

Mary Ann Van Lokeren

Nominee

Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer

Krey Distributing Co.

Age: 7475

Director since: 2000

Committees:

 

 

 Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources  Corporate Governance     Strategy

*In accordance with our director retirement policy set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Ms. Van Lokeren, who is 75, is expected to tender her resignation at the 2022 annual meeting.


 

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Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (page 29)

 

As we do every year, we are again seeking shareholder advisory approval of the Company’s compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Although the vote on this proposal is advisory and nonbinding, the compensation and human resources committee and Board will review the results of the vote and consider the collective views of our shareholders in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program.

 

Advisory vote on frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (page 59)

Independent

Every six years, we are required to seek a shareholder advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. We continue to recommend that this vote occur annually. Although the vote on this proposal is advisory and nonbinding, the compensation and human resources committee and Board will review the results of the vote and consider the collective views of our shareholders on the frequency of this vote. The Board recommends the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executives be held every year, but you are free to vote one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: “One Year,” “Two Years,” “Three Years,” or “Abstain.”

Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountant (page 59)

60)

 

We are asking shareholders to ratify the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accountant for fiscal year 2022.2023. The table contains summary information with respect to Deloitte’s fees for services provided in fiscal years 20212022 and 2020.2021.

 

 2021  2020  2022  2021 
Audit fees $2,425,000        $2,495,000  $2,500,000  $2,425,000 
Audit-related fees  163,200   330,000   243,000   163,200 
Tax fees  34,350   30,800   37,654   34,350 
All other fees  1,895   1,895   1,895   1,895 
Total $2,624,445  $2,857,695  $2,782,549  $2,624,445 

 

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Proposal 1: Election of directors

 

The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Directors Hightman, Newberry, SitherwoodGlotzbach, Jones and Van Lokeren,Stupp, whose terms will expire upon the election of directors at the meeting on January 27, 2022,26, 2023, have been nominated to stand for reelection. Directors Hightman, Newberry and Sitherwood are nominatedreelection for terms expiring upon the election of their successors in January 20252026 or their earlier removal or resignation from office. Director Van LokerenMr. Glotzbach is nominated for a term expiringexpected to tender his resignation in January 2023 at which time she will retire2024 due to Spire’s mandatory director retirement

rules. The persons named as proxies intend to vote FOR the election of the fourthree nominees.

 

If any nominee becomes unavailable to serve for any reason before the meeting, which is not anticipated, the proxies will vote the shares indicated for that nominee for a person to be selected by our Board of Directors.

 

Information about the nominees and directors

 

Nominee

Nominees for term expiring in 2023

Mary Ann Van Lokeren

Age: 74

Director since: 2000

Independent

Committees:

Ms. Van Lokeren retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Krey Distributing Co., an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, in October 2006. She had served in that capacity since December 1986.

Skills relevant to Spire:

With her prior experience as CEO of one of the largest Anheuser-Busch wholesalers in Missouri, Ms. Van Lokeren has business and leadership expertise that assists the Board as it evaluates the Company’s financial and operational risks, controls and strategy. Her prior experience on other public company boards provides insight as to the Board’s role in oversight of management as well as corporate governance.

Other public directorships: Retired from the board of Masco Corporation in May 2018.

Nominees for terms expiring in 2025

Carrie J. Hightman

Age: 64

Director since: 2021

Independent

Committees: TBD

Ms. Hightman retired in January 2021 after having served as executive vice president and chief legal officer of NiSource Inc., which is a $9B market cap, $5B revenue gas and electric utility holding company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. She also served as president and chief executive officer of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, the commonwealth’s largest natural gas utility, until its sale by NiSource in October 2020. Prior to joining NiSource in 2007, Ms. Hightman served as president of AT&T Illinois and led the Energy, Telecommunications and Public Utilities practice group at Schiff Hardin LLP, a national law firm.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Hightman’s broad range of experience during her more than three-decades-long business career, including gas operations, regulatory strategy, federal government affairs, ethics, corporate communications, environmental, safety, data privacy and human resources, adds depth and breadth to the Board. Her specific focus on regulated industries, crisis management and ESG and her experience as a lawyer add a new dimension and fresh perspectives to the Board.

Other public directorships: None

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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Brenda D. Newberry

Age: 68

Director since: 2007

Independent

Committees:

Ms. Newberry retired in May 2010 as chairman of the board of The Newberry Group, a provider of information technology consulting services on a global basis, specializing in information systems, technology infrastructure, data and network security, and project management services. Ms. Newberry founded The Newberry Group in 1996.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Newberry provides insight into the Company’s information technology strategy and related risks and exposures. Her experience in creating and building her own businesses assists the Company as it considers growth opportunities, and her government contractor experience provides insight into conducting business in a highly regulated industry.

Other public directorships: None

Suzanne Sitherwood

Age: 61

Director since: 2011

Management

Committees:

Ms. Sitherwood has served as the Company’s president since September 1, 2011 and chief executive officer since February 1, 2012.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Sitherwood has more than 40 years of experience in the natural gas industry and has overseen significant growth at the Company. During the course of her career, Ms. Sitherwood has gained extensive management and operational experience and has demonstrated a strong track record of leadership, strategic vision and business acumen. In her capacity as CEO and member of the Board, she is utilizing her knowledge of the energy markets in overseeing the development of the Company’s long-term strategy.

Other public directorships: Ms. Sitherwood has been a director at Alcoa Corporation (“Alcoa”) since 2016, where she serves on the audit committee and the compensation and benefits committee. Ms. Sitherwood has notified Alcoa that she does not intend to stand for re-election to the Alcoa board of directors at Alcoa’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders.

Other directorships: Ms. Sitherwood has been a director at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis since 2016, where she serves as chair of the board.

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” election of the above nominees as directors.

Directors with terms expiring in 2023

2026

 

Edward L. Glotzbach

Age: 7374

Directorsince: 2005

Director since: 2005

Independent

Committees:

 

Mr. Glotzbach served as vice chairman, mergers and acquisitions, of Information Services Group from November 2007, when it acquired Technology Partners International, Inc., until his retirement in March 2012. From December 2004 to November 2007, he served as president and chief executive officer of Technology Partners International, Inc., an organization that assists clients with the evaluation, negotiation, implementation and management of information technology and business process sourcing initiatives. From October 2003 to December 2004, he served as vice president and chief financial officer of the firm. From 1970 to September 2003, he served in many positions with SBC Communications, with his most recent position there being executive vice president and chief information officer for six years.

Mr. Glotzbach, who will be 75 years old prior to the 2023 annual meeting, is expected to tender his resignation at the 2023 annual meeting in accordance with the director retirement policy set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. At such time, the Board may, pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, fill the vacancy for the unexpired term resulting from Mr. Glotzbach’s retirement or decrease the size of the Board.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Mr. Glotzbach brings to the Board business and leadership experience as an executive of a public company, regulated utility experience as a former executive of a telephone utility regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission, financial expertise having served as a chief financial officer at other companies, and information technology expertise given his experience at Information Services Group and his chief information officer experience at a major telephone company. He also provides insight to the Company as to potential exposures and risks in those areas.

Other public directorships: None

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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Rob L. Jones

Age: 6364

Directorsince: 2016

Director since: 2016

Independent

Committees:

 

 

Mr. Jones served as co-head of Bank of America Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. (MLC) from 2007 until his retirement in March 2012. MLC is a global commodities trading business and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America. Prior to taking leadership of MLC, he served as head of Merrill Lynch’s Global Energy and Power Investment Banking Group. An investment banker with Merrill Lynch and The First Boston Corporation for over 20 years, Mr. Jones worked extensively with a variety of energy and power clients, with a particular focus on the natural gas and utility sectors. Mr. JonesHe has also served as an Executive in Residence at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on energy finance.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Mr. Jones’ experience in financial roles in the energy banking industry, with a particular focus on the natural gas and utility sectors, as well as his experience as a lead independent director of a publicly traded partnership, add a unique dimension to the Board and provide insight into the capital markets and financial risks and strategies.

Other public directorships: Since 2014, he has served on the board of directors of Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, which is the general partner of Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. He also chairs its audit committee and serves on itsthe conflicts committee.

 

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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John P. Stupp Jr.

Age: 7172

Directorsince: 2005

Director since: 2005

Independent

Committees:

 

Mr. Stupp has been president of Stupp Bros., Inc. since March 2004, and chairman and chief executive officer since March 2014 and chief executive officer of Stupp Corporation since August 1995. Through its subsidiaries, Stupp Bros., Inc. fabricates steel highway and railroad bridges, produces pipe for natural gas and oil transmission pipelines, and offers general, steel and industrial construction services. Mr. Stupp serves as a director of Stupp Bros., Inc.

Skills relevant to Spire:

As chairman, CEO and president of Stupp Bros., Inc., one of the Company’s largest shareholders with a long-term investment relationship with the Company, Mr. Stupp has historic institutional knowledge of the Company and directly represents shareholder interests. Further, his experience with the various subsidiaries and investments of Stupp Bros., Inc. provides insight as tointo the pipeline and other infrastructure industries on a national basis as well as insight into the regional economy.

Other public directorships: Mr. Stupp joined the Atrion Corp. board in 1985, where he serves on the compensation committee and chairs the audit committee.

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” election of the above nominees as directors.

 

Directors with terms expiring in 2024

 

Mark A. Borer

Age: 6768

Director since: 2014

Independent

Committees:

 

Mr. Borer served as chief executive officer as well as a member of the board of directors of DCP Midstream Partners LP from November 2006 through his retirement in December 2012. DCP Midstream Partners LP is a public midstream master limited partnership that is engaged in all stages of the midstream business for both natural gas and natural gas liquids.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Mr. Borer’s experience in the midstream natural gas business gives him hands-on knowledge of the industry. His service as a CEO and member of the board of a public entity that grew significantly under his leadership provides him with experience in the operations of an energy company and the capital markets, and he possesses business and leadership expertise that assists the Board as it evaluates the Company’s financial and operational risks and strategy.

Other public directorships: SinceFrom 2017 to 2022, Mr. Borer has served on the board of Altus Midstream Company, where he servesserved on the audit committee and conflicts committee. His service on the Altus Midstream board ended in February 2022.

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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Maria V. Fogarty

Age: 6263

Director since: 2014

Independent

Committees:

 

Ms. Fogarty served as the senior vice president of internal audit and compliance at NextEra Energy, Inc. from 2011 through her retirement in June 2014. She previously served as vice president of internal audit at that company from 2005 to 2010 and director of internal audit from April 1993 through 2004. NextEra Energy, Inc. is a leading clean energy company and the parent company of Florida Power & Light, the largest rate-regulated electric utility in Florida.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Fogarty’s prior experience leading the audit function at a public energy company provides her knowledge of the audit and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements facing public companies today. Her industry experience at a company that grew significantly during her tenure benefits the Board, as she can provide insights into the risks, opportunities and challenges created by growth.

Other public directorships: None

 

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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Stephen S. Schwartz

Age: 6263

Directorsince: 2018

Director since: 2018

Independent

Committees:

 

Dr. Schwartz joined Brooks Automation, Inc. in April 2010 as president and continued to serve in that role until August 2013. He was re-appointed president in May 2016. On2016, and on October 1, 2010, he became chief executive officer. In 2022, Brooks Automation, Inc. separated its business into two different public companies, and Dr. Schwartz continues as president and chief executive officer and continues to serve in that role.

of one of those companies, Azenta, Inc.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Dr. Schwartz has extensive leadership, operational, strategic and financial management and reporting experience as chief executive officer of a successful public company and brings to the Board a unique perspective with regard to innovation and technology based on his experience in the automation manufacturing space.

Other public directorships: Since 2010, Dr. Schwartz has served on the board of Brooks Automation, Inc. After the company split in 2022, Dr. Schwartz no longer serves on the board of Brooks Automation, Inc. and instead serves on the board of Azenta, Inc.

Directors with terms expiring in 2025

Carrie J. Hightman

Age: 65

Directorsince: 2021

Independent

Committees:

Ms. Hightman retired in January 2021 after having served as executive vice president and chief legal officer of NiSource Inc., which is a $9B market cap, $5B revenue gas and electric utility holding company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. She also served as president and chief executive officer of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, the commonwealth’s largest natural gas utility, until its sale by NiSource Inc. in October 2020. Prior to joining NiSource in 2007, Ms. Hightman served as president of AT&T Illinois and led the Energy, Telecommunications and Public Utilities practice group at Schiff Hardin LLP, a national law firm.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Hightman’s broad range of experience during her more than three-decades-long business career, including gas operations, regulatory strategy, federal government affairs, ethics, corporate communications, environmental, safety, data privacy and human resources, adds depth and breadth to the Board. Her specific focus on regulated industries, crisis management and ESG, as well as her experience as a lawyer, add a new dimension and fresh perspectives to the Board.

Other public directorships: None

Brenda D. Newberry

Age: 69

Directorsince: 2007

Independent

Committees:

Ms. Newberry retired in May 2010 as chairman of the board of The Newberry Group, a provider of information technology consulting services on a global basis, specializing in information systems, technology infrastructure, data and network security, and project management services. Ms. Newberry founded The Newberry Group in 1996.

Skills relevant to Spire:
Ms. Newberry provides insight into the Company’s information technology strategy and related risks and exposures. Her experience in creating and building her own businesses assists the Company as it considers growth opportunities, and her government contractor experience provides insight into conducting business in a highly regulated industry. She has obtained the NACD Directorship Certification, as well as the CERT Certificate in Cyber-Risk Oversight.

Other public directorships: None

 

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

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Suzanne Sitherwood

Age: 62

Directorsince: 2011

Management

Committee:

Ms. Sitherwood has served as the Company’s president since September 1, 2011 and chief executive officer since February 1, 2012.

Skills relevant to Spire:

Ms. Sitherwood has more than 40 years of experience in the natural gas industry and has overseen significant growth at the Company. During the course of her career, Ms. Sitherwood has gained extensive management and operational experience and has demonstrated a strong track record of leadership, strategic vision and business acumen. In her capacity as CEO and member of the Board, she utilizes her knowledge of the energy markets in overseeing the development of the Company’s long-term strategy.

Other public directorships: Ms. Sitherwood was a director at Alcoa Corporation (“Alcoa”) from 2016 until her board service ended in July 2022.

Other directorships: Ms. Sitherwood was a director at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, where she served as chair of the board from 2016 until her board service ended in December 2021.

Director with term expiring in 2023

Mary Ann Van Lokeren

Age: 75

Directorsince: 2000

Independent

Committees:

Ms. Van Lokeren retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Krey Distributing Co., an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, in October 2006. She had served in that capacity since December 1986. In accordance with the director retirement policy set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Ms. Van Lokeren, who is 75, is expected to tender her resignation at the 2022 annual meeting. At this time, the Board does not plan to fill the vacancy created by her resignation and intends to pass a resolution to decrease the size of the board from 10 to nine directors.

Skills relevant to Spire:

With her prior experience as CEO of one of the largest Anheuser-Busch wholesalers in Missouri, Ms. Van Lokeren has business and leadership expertise that assists the Board as it evaluates the Company’s financial and operational risks, controls and strategy. Her prior experience on other public company boards provides insight as to the Board’s role in oversight of management as well as corporate governance.

Other public directorships: Ms. Van Lokeren retired from the board of Masco Corporation in May 2018.

Chair   Audit   Compensation and Human Resources   Corporate Governance   Strategy

 

Qualifications required of all directors

 

The Board requires that each director be a person of high integrity with a proven record of success in his or her field and have the ability to devote the time and effort necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the Company. Generally, the Board looks for persons who evidencepossess characteristics of the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; an inquiring and independent mind, practical wisdom and mature judgment; and expertise that is useful to the Company and complementary to the background and experience of other Board members.

 

In addition, the Board conducts interviews of potential director candidates to assess intangible qualities, including the individual’s ability to ask difficult questions and to work collegially and collaboratively. The Board considers diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experience in evaluating candidates for Board membership. Diversity is important because the Board believes that a variety of points of viewperspectives contribute to a more effective decision-making process.

 

When recommending director nominees for election by shareholders, the Board and the corporate governance committee focus on how the experience and skill set of each director nominee complements those of fellow directors to create a balanced Board with diverse viewpoints and deep expertise.

 

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Board skills and composition matrix

 

The following matrix sets forth, for each director, the skills they bring to the Board; their age and Board tenure; the number of other public company boards on which they serve; their independence; and other qualities and experiences that contribute to a diverse perspectives.Board of Directors.

 

Director Skills* Age Tenure # of other
public
company
boards
 Independent Racially/
Ethnically
diverse
 Gender
diverse
 Veteran
status
 Skills* Age Tenure # of other
public
company
boards
 Independent Racially/
Ethnically
diverse
 Gender
diverse
 Veteran
status
Borer  67 8 1         68 9 0       
Fogarty  62 8 0  (1) (2)   63 9 0  (1)  (2)  
Glotzbach  73 17 0    74 18 0  
Hightman  64 0 0   (2)   65 1 0   (2)  
Jones  63 6 1    64 7 1  
Newberry  68 15 0  (3) (2)   69 16 0  (3)  (2)  
Schwartz  62 3 1    63 4 1  
Sitherwood  61 11 1 CEO  (2)   62 12 0 CEO  (2)  
Stupp  71 17 1    72 18 1  
Van Lokeren  74 22 0   (2) 
Van Lokeren**  75 23 0   (2)  

*Skills are based on information provided by the individual directors and represent the number of our directors with considerable or extensive experience in areas that are critical to Spire’s operations.
 (1) Hispanic
 (2) Female
 (3) African American
**In accordance with the director retirement policy set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Ms. Van Lokeren, who is 75, is expected to tender her resignation at the annual meeting.

 

  Finance     Strategy/M&A    Audit/Risk management    Regulatory/Government    Regulated utility    Commodity marketing

 

  Public company operating    Legal/Governance/Compliance    Cybersecurity    Environmental    Human resources/DEI  

 

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Governance

 

Corporate governance at a glance

 

Board independence 

•  Our Board chair is independent

•  Nine out of our 10 directors are independentindependent*

•  Our CEO is the only non-independent director

•  Among other duties, our chair leads quarterly executive sessions of the independent directors to discuss certain matters without management present

Board composition and diversity 

•  The Board consists of 10 directorsdirectors*

•  The Board includes five women and five men;men*; two of our directors are racially diverse

•  The Board regularly assesses its performance through Board and committee self-evaluations, as well as peer reviews of individual directors

•  The corporate governance committee regularly leads the full Board in considering Board competencies and refreshment to alignalignment with Company strategy; a new, diverse director was added to the Board in November 2021

•  The Board is actively engaged in Board succession planning and has adopted the Board of Directors Succession Planning and Diversity Policy

•  Directors are required to retire from the Board at the annual meeting after reaching age 75

Board committees 

•  We have four Board committees—audit, compensation and human resources, corporate governance and strategy; audit and corporate governance committees are chaired by female directors

•  All committees (except for the strategy committee on which our CEO serves) are composed entirely of independent directors

•  The Board periodically rotates committee chairs and members

Leadership structure 

•  Our Board chair is independent

•  The Board members elect our chair annually

Risk oversight 

•  Our full Board is responsible for risk oversight and has designated specific committees to lead the oversight efforts with regard to certain key risks

•  Our Board oversees management as it fulfills its responsibilities for the assessment and management of risks

Open communication 

•  We encourage open communication and strong working relationships among the chair, the CEO and the other directors

•  Our directors have access to management and employees

Director stock ownership 

•  Our directors are required to own shares of our common stock equal in value to at least six times their annual cash retainer, or $570,000;$600,000; they may not dispose of shares until they reach this level

Accountability to shareholders 

•  We use majority voting in director elections (plurality voting in contested elections)

•  We actively reach out to our shareholders through our engagement program

•  Shareholders can contact our Board, Board chair or management by regular mail

Management succession planning 

•  The Board actively monitors our succession planning and personnel development and receives regular updates on employee engagement matters

ESG oversight

•  The Board has assumed formal oversight of ESG issues, and has assigned specific oversight duties to the Board committees (environmental and supplier diversity are overseen by the strategy committee; diversity, equity and inclusion is overseen by the compensation and human resources committee; and governance is overseen by the corporate governance committee)

*This information does not reflect the anticipated resignation of Ms. Van Lokeren at the 2022 annual meeting in accordance with our director retirement policy.

 

Board and committee structure

 

Our Board currently consists of 10 directors, nine of whom are independent. As discussed above, Ms. Van Lokeren is expected to resign from the Board at the 2022 annual meeting in accordance with our director retirement policy. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the chair may be an officer or may be an independent member of the Board, at the discretion of the Board. The Board believes it should be free to use its business judgment to determine what is best for the Company in light of all the circumstances. Mr. Glotzbach is currently chair of the Board. As Mr. Glotzbach is expected to retire from the Board in 2024 due to reaching the mandatory director retirement age, succession planning for the chair of the Board will be a focus in 2023.

 

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As chair, Mr. Glotzbach leads the Board in the performance of its duties by working with the chief executive officer to establish meeting agendas and content, engaging with the leadership team between meetings and providing overall guidance as to the Board’s views and perspective.

 

Ms. Sitherwood, as chief executive officer, focuses on setting the strategy for the Company, overseeing daily operations, developing our leaders and promoting employee engagement throughout the Company.

 

During the 2021 fiscal year 2022, there were 10nine meetings of our Board of Directors. All directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and applicable committee meetings (other than Ms. Hightman, who did not join any committees until January 2022), and all directors attended the last annual meeting of shareholders.

 

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The standing committees of the Board of Directors include the audit, compensation and human resources, corporate governance and strategy committees. During fiscal year 2021, the Board delegated authority and responsibility for oversight of environmental, social and governance issues to the compensation and human resources, corporate governance and strategy committees as follows:

 

Compensation and human resources committee

Oversees the Company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and progress toward established targets related to such initiatives; and employee recruitment, retention, development and succession planning efforts that support such targets.
Receives periodic updates and provides guidance to management on human resources matters, including special initiatives; employee development, engagement and wellbeing; and the annual culture survey.

Corporate governance committee

Oversees the corporate governance practices of the Board and the Company, and recommends to the Board such changes as the committee deems appropriate.

Management assists with this effort by timely keeping the committee apprised of the corporate governance practices of the Board and Company that are not consistent with leading practice.

Strategy committee

Oversees the Company’s strategy, plan and efforts to be carbon neutral by midcentury, as well as other related environmental initiatives, and progress toward established targets in these areas.
Oversees the results of the Company’s safety and reliability initiatives.
Receives periodic updates regarding the development and implementation of a supplier diversity program.

Board evaluation process

 

How we evaluate our Board, committee and individual director performance

 

ConversationsFeedback shared Feedback incorporated
Mr. Glotzbach, the Board chair, conducted individual conference calls with each director during which they discussed the performance of: (1) the Board, (2) each committee on which the director serves, and (3) each of the other individual directors. Mr. Glotzbach and each director also discussed what skills and attributes the Board should seek in future directors.Mr. Glotzbach compiled and summarized the results of the conversations. He shared feedback with each committee chair regarding the performance of the respective committees, and he met with each director privately to discuss the input he received regarding their individual performance. The entire Board, including Ms. Sitherwood, discussed the feedback regarding the Board and the committees.The corporate governance committee used the feedback about each director as a starting point for its conversation regarding which directors to nominate for reelection at the annual meeting. The directors agreed that this evaluation process allowed them to share their thoughts and input directly and completely.

 

How we determine whether the Board has the right skills and experience

 

The corporate governance committee supports the Board in its development and maintenance of the Board succession plan. Each year, the corporate governance committee leads the Board in discussions regarding whether the Board possesses the appropriate mix of experiences, skills, attributes and tenure that it needs to provide oversight and direction in light of ourthe Company’s current and future business environment and strategic direction, all with the objective of recommending a group of directors that can best continue our success and represent our shareholders’ interests. As part of this discussion, the committee seeks specific input from directors regarding the individual directors whose terms expire at the next annual meeting. The corporate governance committee and Board are committed to developing a diverse pool of potential candidates for future Board service and maintaining a diverse and well-rounded Board.

 

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Director onboarding and continuing education

 

In an effort to ensure that the directors possess the necessary and appropriate skills and knowledge, all incoming directors participate in the Company’s orientation for new directors, and the corporate governance committee identifies educational programs on topics appropriate for public-companypublic company board members, which the directors are encouraged to attend. Additionally, management arranges for speakers during Board and committee meetings to address timely topics, such as audit, compensationnew legal and governance.regulatory requirements that apply to the Company and industry updates. During the Board’s annual strategy session,sessions, directors hear presentations from, and engage in discussions with, speakers on numerous strategic and educational topics.

 

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The Board, under the guidance of Mr. Glotzbach, is currently in the process of documentinghas continued to develop a long-term Board succession plan that encompasses Board structure, mandatory and potential director and senior officer retirements, the evolving strategy of the Company, and the current and future skills and attributes required for the Board to effectively perform its oversight role.

 

Board committees and their membership

 

The following chart shows the fiscal year 20212022 membership of our Board committees, committee meetings and committee member attendance while serving on the committee.

 

 Audit Compensation and
human resources
     Corporate
governance
 Strategy Audit Compensation and human
 resources
 Corporate
 governance
 Strategy
Number of meetings held 4 6 4 4  4 5  4 3
Borer  100%  100%  100%  100%
Fogarty 100%  100%  100%  100% 
Glotzbach 100% 100%  100% 100% 100%  100%
Hightman* 75%   66%
Jones 100%   100% 100%   100%
Newberry 100%  100%  100%  100% 
Schwartz   100% 100%   100% 100%
Sitherwood    100%    100%
Stupp  100% 100%   100% 100% 
Van Lokeren  100% 100%   100% 100% 
*Ms. Hightman was elected to the Board in November 2021, but was not appointed to any committees until January 2022. Accordingly, she did not attend any committee meetings in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, but she did attend 100% of the meetings that occurred during the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

Our Board has delegated certain of its responsibilities to committees to provide for more efficient Board operations and allow directors to engage in deeper analysis and oversight in specific areas. The members and committee chairs are appointed by the Board on recommendations from the corporate governance committee. The chair of each committee helps develop the agenda for that committee and updates the Board after each regular committee meeting and otherwise as appropriate. Each committee reviews its charter annually. The primary responsibilities and membership of each committee are below:below.

 

Audit committee

Audit committee

Members:

Ms. Fogarty (Chair)

Mr. Glotzbach

Ms. Hightman

Mr. Jones
Ms. Newberry

Meetings in fiscal 2021:2022: 4

 

Key responsibilities:

The audit committee assistscommittee:

•  Assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibilities with respect to the quality and integrity of the financial statements, financial reporting process and systems of internal controls. The audit committee also assistscontrols;

•  Assists the Board in monitoring the independence and performance of the independent registered public accountant and the internal audit departmentdepartment; and

•  Assists the Board in overseeing the operation of the Company’s ethics and compliance programs.

 

All audit committee members were determined by the Board to be independent and financially literate in accordance with New York Stock Exchange requirements. Ms. Fogarty has been determined to be the financial expert for the audit committee.

The audit committee report is included on page 59.60.

 

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Compensation and human resources committee

Compensation and human resources committee

Members:

Mr. Borer (Chair)

Mr. Glotzbach

Mr. Stupp

Ms. Van Lokeren

Meetings in fiscal 2021:2022: 65

 

Key responsibilities:

The compensation and human resources committee assistscommittee:

•  Assists the Board in the discharge of its responsibilities relative to the compensation of the Company’s executives, reviewsexecutives;

•  Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board relative to the Company’s incentive compensation and equity-based plans, reviewsplans;

•  Reviews management’s risk assessment of the Company’s compensation practices and programs, assistsprograms;

•  Assists the Board in the oversight of succession planning for executive officers and overseesofficers;

•  Oversees the Company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives andinitiatives;

•  Oversees the investments of the qualified defined benefit pension plans. The committee also reviewsplans; and

•  Reviews and provides feedback to management on key aspects of the Company’s human resources policies and programs, including employee recruitment, retention and development.

 

All compensation and human resources committee members were determined by the Board to be independent in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange requirements. The committee engaged Semler Brossy Consulting Group LLC (“Semler Brossy”) as its independent compensation consultant for fiscal year 2021.2022.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation: There are no compensation and human resources committee interlocks and no insiders are members of the committee.

The compensation and human resources committee report is included on page 47.

 

Corporate governance committee

Corporate governance committee

Members:

Ms. Newberry (Chair)

Ms. Fogarty

Dr. Schwartz

Mr. Stupp

Ms. Van Lokeren

Meetings in fiscal 2021:2022: 4

 

Key responsibilities:

The corporate governance committee:

•  Considers and makes recommendations to the Board relative to corporate governance and its Corporate Governance Guidelines;

•  Assists the Board in annually assessing what skills would be beneficial to the Company for the Board to possess and whether those skills are represented sufficiently by the existing members and identifying individuals qualified to become Board members;

•  With input from Total Rewards Strategies, makesMakes recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation;compensation, with input from Semler Brossy;

•  Assists the Board in identifying appropriate educational opportunities for Board members and encouraging periodic attendance;

•  Periodically arranges for Board education sessions addressing timely governance topics;

•  Reviews and approves any related-party transactions;

•  Recommends committee chair and member appointments to the full Board;

•  Oversees periodic outreach to institutional shareholders regarding governance topics to assist the Board in staying informed; and

•  Oversees the development of the CSR report.Sustainability Report.

 

All corporate governance committee members were determined by the Board to be independent in accordance with New York Stock Exchange requirements.

 

Strategy committee

Strategy committee

Members:

Mr. Jones (Chair)

Mr. Borer

Mr. Glotzbach

Ms. Hightman

Dr. Schwartz

Ms. Sitherwood

Meetings in fiscal 2021:2022: 43

 

Key responsibilities:

The strategy committee overseescommittee:

•  Oversees the development of the Company’s corporate strategy, including the Company’s long-range strategic plan and advanced strategy, as well as itsstrategy;

•  Oversees the Company’s strategy in the areas of innovation; investment;innovation, investment, acquisitions and development opportunities;opportunities, and public affairs. affairs; and

•  Oversees the plan and efforts to be a carbon neutral company by midcentury, as well as other related environmental and supplier diversity initiatives.

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ESG oversight

The Board has delegated authority and responsibility for oversight of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues to the compensation and human resources, corporate governance and strategy committees as follows:

Compensation and human
resources committee also oversees
Corporate governance
committee
Strategy
committee

  Oversees the Company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and progress toward established targets related to such initiatives; and employee recruitment, retention, development and succession planning efforts that support such targets.

  Receives periodic updates and provides guidance to management on human resources matters, including special initiatives; employee development, engagement and wellbeing; and the annual culture survey.

  Oversees executive succession planning structure and efforts to ensure the Company is ready for retirements and unplanned vacancies.

  Oversees the corporate governance practices of the Board and the Company, and recommends to the Board such changes as the committee deems appropriate.

    –  Management assists with this effort by timely keeping the committee apprised of the corporate governance practices of the Board and Company that are not consistent with leading practice.

  Oversees the development of the Sustainability Report.

  Oversees the Company’s strategy, plan and efforts to be carbon neutral by midcentury, as well as other related environmental initiatives, and progress toward established targets in these areas.

  Oversees the results of the Company’s safety and reliability initiatives.

  Receives periodic updates regarding the development and implementation of the Company’s supplier diversity.diversity program.

 

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Risk oversight

 

Management is responsible for assessing and managing risk exposures on a day-to-day basis, and the Board is responsible for overseeing the Company’s risk management. In its oversight role, the Board and its committees ensure that the Company promotes a risk-aware culture and decision-making process. More specifically, the Board has oversight responsibility for the Company’s overall business risk management process, which includes the identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of key business risks on a companywide basis. The Board has delegated certain risk oversight responsibilities to its committees.committees:

 

Audit
committee
 Compensation and human
resources committee
 StrategyCorporate governance
committee
 Corporate governanceStrategy
committee
The audit committee oversees

Oversees risks associated with financial and accounting matters, including complianceincluding:

  Compliance with all legal and regulatory requirementsrequirements; and internal

  Internal control over financial reporting.

 

The compensation and human resources committee overseesOversees risks associated with:

  The Company’s compensation policies and practices, and ensures that the incentive and other forms of pay do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking;

  Executive officer succession planning;

  Pension plan funding; and

  Company culture and workforce composition.

 

Oversees risks associated with corporate governance, including:

  Board leadership structure;

  Director succession planning; and

The strategy committee oversees theSustainability Report.

Oversees risks associated with the Company’s:

  Long-range plan, investment strategies, capital structure and financial needs;

  Growth strategies; and

  Plan and efforts to be a carbon neutral company by midcentury, as well as other related environmental initiatives.

The corporate governance committee oversees risks associated with corporate governance, including Board leadership structure and director succession planning, and the Corporate Social Responsibility report.

 

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At the management level, the Company has an officer charged with overseeing the implementation of the enterprise risk management process at the Company. The officer’s efforts are supported by the Board of Directors, Leadership Councilexecutive leadership and several other leaders across the Company who guide the effort to develop, document and maintain risk mitigation plans. The officer also leads aA risk committee thatalso meets throughout the year to assist in identifying, prioritizing and monitoring risks.

Because of the use of commodity-based derivatives by three of the Company’s subsidiaries, there is also a risk committee that focuses on the risks and exposures in the commodity-based derivatives markets. The senior leaders of the Company receive periodic updates on the activities of the risk committees, as well as prompt notice of events that may require immediate action by senior leaders.

 

Cybersecurity

 

Cybersecurity is a priority that is regularly addressed by the full Board at every regular Board meeting with the relevant functional leaders of the Company, including in-person reports of the chief information officer and the managing director of information security at Board meetings.security. The full Board receives and discusses these reports, which focus on the cybersecurity program and related risks, and which provide an update on any cybersecurity events or occurrences. Management also provides updates to the Board between regular Board meetings to the extent events warrant. These updates and discussions enable the Board to oversee and manage the Company’s cybersecurity risks.

 

The Company’s cybersecurity program includes a process staffed by senior legal, technology, risk and security leaders to evaluate, escalate and communicate cybersecurity incidents. Management also conducts annual phishing exercises, security awareness training, external penetration testing and tabletop exercises, and reviews metrics monthly.

 

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Compensation risk assessment

 

During the pastEvery year, management, with oversight by the compensation and human resources committee, conductedconducts a risk assessment of the Company’s compensation programs, policies and practices for its employees, including the Company’s executive compensation program and practices. This risk assessment includedincludes consideration of the mix and amount of compensation:

 

in cash and equity;
with short-term and long-term performance goals;
with individual, business unit, safety and corporate performance objectives; and
dependent on financial and non-financial performance measurement.

 

The assessment also consideredconsiders the risk mitigation impact of stock ownership guidelines and retention requirements, Company stock trading and blackout policies, the use of multiple types of metrics, the caps set on incentive compensation, and the role of the compensation and human resources committee and its independent consultant.

Management regularly assesses risks related to our compensation programs, including our executive compensation programs. At the compensation and human resources committee’s direction, its independent compensation consultant Semler Brossy and management provide ongoing information regarding compensation factors that could mitigate or encourage excessive risk-taking.

 

ManagementIn fiscal year 2022, management determined, and the compensation and human resources committee agreed, that the risks relative to the Company’s compensation policies and practices would not result in a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

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Director independence

 

The Board of Directors believes that a majority of the directors should be independent and determined that the following members were independent: Borer, Fogarty, Glotzbach, Hightman, Jones, Newberry, Schwartz, Stupp and Van Lokeren. Ms. Sitherwood, the Company’s president and chief executive officer, is the only non-independent member of the Board. In determining the independence of directors, the Board found that none of the directors, other than Ms. Sitherwood, have any material relationship with the Company other than as a director.

In making these determinations, the Board considers all facts and circumstances as well as certain prescribed standards of independence, which are included with our Corporate Governance Guidelines at www.SpireEnergy.com in the Investors/Governance section. The Director Independence Standards adopted by the Board largely reflect the New York Stock Exchange standards, except that our adopted standards provide that the Board need not consider material the provision of natural gas service to any director or immediate family member of the director or director-related company pursuant to the tariffed rates of the Company’s utilities.

 

The independent members of the Board meet in executive session at least quarterly, which sessions are led by Mr. Glotzbach, the current chair of the Board. Each quarter, the chair solicits from other Board members topics for discussion in those sessions. Topics include from time to time, the performance of the chief executive officer, executive succession planning, executive compensation matters, Board succession planning and the Company’s strategy.

 

All of the members of the audit, compensation and human resources, and corporate governance committees are independent under our Director Independence Standards as well as under the standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Corporate governance documents

 

Our key corporate governance documents include:

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines
Charters of each of the audit, compensation and human resources, and corporate governance committees
Code of Business Conduct
Financial Code of Ethics
Related Party Transaction Policy and Procedures
Policy Regarding the Approval of Independent Registered Public Accountant Provision of Audit and Non-Audit Services
Director Independence Standards

 

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All of these documents, other than the Policy Regarding the Approval of Independent Registered Public Accountant Provision of Audit and Non-Audit Services, are available at www.SpireEnergy.com in the Investors/Governance section, and a copy of any of these documents will be sent to any shareholder upon request.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

The Board generally conducts itself in accordance with its Corporate Governance Guidelines. The guidelines, among other matters, provide:

 

the independent directors may elect a lead director if there is no independent chair;
the corporate governance committee will review with the Board, on an annual basis, the requisite skills, characteristics and qualifications to be sought in new Board members as well as the composition of the Board as a whole, including assessments of members’ qualification as independent and consideration of diversity, age, skills and experience in the context of the needs of the Board;
a director who retires, changes employment or has any other significant change in his or her professional roles and responsibilities must submit a written offer to resign from the Board; the corporate governance committee will then make a recommendation to the Board regarding appropriate action, taking into account the circumstances at that point in time;
directors must limit their service to a total of three boards of publicly traded companies (including our Company) and should advise the chair of the Board and the corporate governance committee chair before accepting an invitation to serve on another public company board;

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directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of shareholders and meetings of the Board and the committees on which they serve, and to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities;
the Board and its committees conduct annual assessments of their performance as well as assessments of the performance of each individual director;
directors have access to executives of the Company;
the Board and each committee have the ability to hire independent legal, financial or other advisors as they may deem necessary, at the Company’s expense, without consulting or obtaining the approval of any officer of the Company;
a director must retire from the Board at the annual meeting of shareholders following the director’s 75thbirthday; and
all new directors participate in the Company’s orientation for new directors, and directors are encouraged to attend educational programs.

 

Related Party Transaction Policy and Procedures

 

We have adopted a written Related Party Transaction Policy and Procedures, which is used by our corporate governance committee to determine whether to pre-approve transactions with our directors, executive officers, 5% or greater shareholders, and their immediate family members. The Board voted to remove the $100,000 threshold during fiscal 2021, so the corporate governance committee now reviews all transactions.such transactions, regardless of amount. Based on its consideration of all the relevant facts and circumstances, the committee will decide whether or not to approve the transaction and will approve only those transactions that it determines to be in the best interest of the Company.

If the Company becomes aware of an existing transaction with a related party that has not been approved under the policy, the matter will be referred to the committee. The committee will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. The policy also includes certain transactions that are deemed pre-approved because they do not pose a significant risk of a conflict of interest. Such pre-approved transactions include the provision of natural gas service to any of the related parties by our utility subsidiaries in accordance with their respective tariffed rates and those transactions at such a level as not to be material to the Company or the related party.

 

There were no related party transactions in fiscal year 20212022 requiring committee action.

 

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Policy regardingRegarding the approvalApproval of independent registered public accountant provisionIndependent Registered Public Accountant Provision of auditAudit and non-audit services

Non-Audit Services

 

Consistent with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements regarding accountant independence, the audit committee recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence, in fact and appearance, of our independent registered public accountant. To this end, the audit committee adopted a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent accountant.

Under the policy, the committee or its designated member must pre-approve services prior to commencement of the specified service. Any pre-approvals by the designated member between meetings will be reported to the audit committee at its next meeting. The requests for pre-approval are submitted to the audit committee or its designated member, as applicable, by both the independent accountant and the Company’s chief financial officer or designee and must include (a) a(i) written description of the services to be provided in detail sufficient to enable the audit committee to make an informed decision with regard to each proposed service, and (b) a(ii) joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (“PCAOB”) rules on auditor independence.

The pre-approval fee levels are established and reviewed by the audit committee periodically, primarily through a quarterly report provided to the audit committee by management. Any proposed services exceeding these levels require specific pre-approval by the audit committee. Generally, after review of the pre-approved services incurred each quarter, the audit committee resets the pre-approval dollar level. At each regularly scheduled audit committee meeting, the audit committee shall review the following:

 

Aa report provided by management summarizing the pre-approved services, or grouping of related services, including fees; and
Aa listing of newly pre-approved services since its last regularly scheduled meeting.

 

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Audit committee’s review of independent auditor

 

The audit committee is directly responsible for the appointment, oversight, qualification, independence, performance, compensation and retention of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, including audit fee negotiations and approval. An important element of this oversight is the lead client service partner’s quarterly meetings with Ms. Fogarty, the audit committee chair, and monthly meetings with Mr. Glotzbach, who serves on the audit committee and chairs the Board.

Annually, the committee evaluates whether retaining Deloitte as the Company’s independent auditor for the upcoming year is in the best interest of Spire and its shareholders. As part of this analysis, the committee considers, among other factors:

 

how effectively Deloitte is maintaining its independence as demonstrated by exercising judgment, objectivity and professional skepticism;
the quality, candor, timeliness and effectiveness of Deloitte’s communications with the committee and management;
the adequacy of information provided on accounting issues, auditing issues and regulatory developments affecting utility companies;
the lead client service partner’s performance;
whether Deloitte’s known legal risks include involvement in proceedings that could impair its ability to perform the annual audit;
reports of the PCAOB and other available data regarding the quality of work performed by Deloitte;
the ability of Deloitte to meet deadlines and respond quickly;
the geographic reach and expertise of Deloitte in terms of quantity, quality and location of staff;
Deloitte’s long tenure and experience as the Company’s auditor; and
the historical and proposed Deloitte fees charged to the Company.

 

The committee also factors in the relative costs, benefits, challenges, overall advisability and potential impact of selecting a different independent public accounting firm.

 

As part of its role in overseeing the external auditors, the committee is responsible for the selection of the Deloitte lead client service partner, and as required by law, ensures rotation of the lead partner every five years. At the beginning of the new lead partner selection process, Deloitte provides a list of candidates to members of senior management, who, in turn, evaluate and interview the candidates and submit a recommendation to the committee. The committee considers senior management’s recommendations and those of Deloitte leadership; evaluates the qualifications, strengths and weaknesses of the candidates; and selects the lead client service partner.

 

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Other key governance policies and practices

 

Plurality voting

 

The Spire Board amended the Company’s bylaws in November 2021 to provide for plurality voting in the event the election of directors is contested.

 

Director resignation

 

The Board amended the Company’s bylaws in November 2021 to require that if a nominee for director who is an incumbent director is not elected and no successor has been elected at such meeting, the director must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The corporate governance committee is required to make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken.

 

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Board of Directors Succession Planning and Diversity Policy

 

The Board has adopted a written policy acknowledging the importance of diversity in its broadest sense in the boardroom as a driver of Board effectiveness. Diversity encompasses diversity of perspective, experience, background (including nationality), personality type, cognitive and personal strengths and other personal attributes, as well as diversity of gender, social and ethnic backgrounds.

 

During the past year, our Board’s succession planning efforts have focused primarily on the composition of our Board and its committees; the individual skill sets of current members and additional skills that could be beneficial for the Board and its committees in light of the Company’s strategy and emerging risks; upcoming retirements under our director retirement policy; our commitment to Board diversity; and strategies for identifying and recruiting new directors.

Each director provided written input in response to a survey distributed by the corporate governance committee soliciting thoughts concerning the skills and attributes that the Board and individual directors should possess. The Board’s subsequent conversations and approach were informed by the results of this survey, our Company’s engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders as well as the Board’s annual self-evaluation and director nomination processes.

Our Board is focused on balancing new perspectives and the experience of existing directors while undergoing an orderly transition of roles and responsibilities on the Board and its committees. The Board worked with a firm that helped it determine the skills and attributes that the Board should seek in new directors andto identify and recruit candidates that possessCarrie J. Hightman, who joined the desired characteristics.Board in November 2021. Ms. Hightman brings to the Board extensive experience with regulated industries, in particular through her time working as an executive for NiSource Inc. With Ms. Van Lokeren’s expected retirement in January 2023, the Board plans to begin a search for new directors in early 2023.

 

Management succession planning

 

A key responsibility of the CEO and the Board is ensuring that an effective process is in place to provide continuity of leadership over the long term at all levels in ourof the Company. To that end, management has implemented a structured succession-planning program throughout Spire.

Succession planning for the CEO and executive officers is directly overseen by the Board and the compensation and human resources committee, which conducts an annual review of the succession plans for our CEO and other executives and receives periodic updates on the plans. Our CEO and the compensation and human resources committee, in turn, review the succession plans annually with the full Board.

 

These succession plans reflect the Board’s belief that internal candidates for the CEO and other executive positions should be regularly identified and that diverse candidates should be developed for consideration when a transition is planned or necessary. Accordingly, management has identified internal candidates in various phases of development and has implemented development plans to ensure the candidates’ readiness.

The development plans identify the candidates’ strengths and developmental opportunities, and the compensation and human resources committee receives periodic updates and regularly reviews the candidates’ progress. As part of the process, the Board engages with potential successors at Board meetings and in less formal settings

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to allow directors to personally assess candidates. Although Spire prefers to develop successors from existing employees, to ensure selection of the best person for the role, the Company may recruit externally if doing so would better suit strategic needs.

 

The compensation and human resources committee believes that the Company’s succession planning process provides a good structure to ensure that the Company will have qualified successors for its executive officers. The Board has adopted a plan that establishes the process for addressing the unexpected absence of the CEO that may occur as a result of death, illness, disability or sudden departure. This plan also addresses the unexpected absence of key executive officers.officers and the chair of the Board.

 

Recoupment

 

We have a policy that addresses recoupment of amounts from executive officers’ and other employees’ performance-based awards under the annual and equity incentive plans to the extent that they would have been materially less due to inaccuratewere it not for financial statements,statement errors, fraud or intentional, willful or gross misconduct.

 

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Prohibition of hedging/pledging of stock

 

Our policy on the purchase and sale of securities prohibits executive officers and board members from: (1)(i) entering into hedging transactions with respect to Company securities, including, without limitation, through the use of financial instruments such as exchange funds, prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, puts, calls, collars, forwards and other derivative instruments, or through the establishment of a short position in the Company’s securities; and (2)(ii) holding Company stock in a margin account or pledging Company stock as collateral for a loan. Negative pledges are not prohibited by this policy.

 

Board engagement with management

 

On a monthly basis, Mr. Glotzbach, the chair of the Board, meets with our CEO and certain members of the management team, depending on the topics to be discussed. This is an opportunity for management to have timely conversations with the chair regarding key Company updates. The topics discussed typically include progress on strategic initiatives, leadership development and management succession planning, governance items and financial updates. After the meeting, Mr. Glotzbach prepares summary notes and shares them with the other directors to ensure they are up-to-date on significant developments. Mr. Glotzbach is also accessible to management on an as-needed basis between monthly meetings exchanging text messages and emails and engaging in telephone conversations to provide guidance and oversight on key, time-sensitive issues. Committee chairs are similarly available to management on an as-needed basis.

 

Shareholder outreach

 

Our investor relations and corporate governance teams reach out to our largest institutional investors biannually, seeking their input and feedback regarding governance topics and our disclosure practices. This year, we specifically requested feedback on our proxy statementsustainability efforts and governancerelated disclosures. We continue to seek input and guidance on our environmental, socialproxy statement and governance practices and disclosures, as well.

 

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Shareholder nominee recommendations and nominee qualifications

 

Shareholders who wish to recommend nominees for the 2023 annual meeting to the corporate governance committee should make their submission to the committee by September 29no later than October 28 preceding the annual meeting by submitting it to:

 

Corporate Governance Committee Chair

c/o Spire Inc.

700 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

Attn: Corporate Secretary

 

Candidates properly recommended by shareholders will be evaluated by the committee using the same criteria as applied to other candidates as described on page 12.

 

Correspondence with the Board

 

Those who desire to communicate with the independent directors should send correspondence addressed to:

 

Chair of the Board

c/o Spire Inc.

700 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

Attn: Corporate Secretary

 

All appropriate correspondence is forwarded directly to the chair of the Board. The Company does not, however, forward spam, sales, marketing or mass mailing materials; product or service complaints or inquiries; new product or service suggestions; resumes and other forms of job inquiries; or surveys. However, any filtered information is available to any director upon request.

 

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Directors’ compensation

 

The corporate governance committee periodically reviews director compensation relative to data of the Company’s comparator group provided by its independent consultant, which was Total Rewards StrategiesSemler Brossy during fiscal year 2021.2022. The basic retainers and fees payable in fiscal year 20212022 are set forth below. No retainers or fees are paid to directors who are executives or employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Annual Board cash retainer  $95,000$100,000 
Annual Board stock retainer  110,000120,000 
Chair of the Board annual retainer  100,000 
Audit committee chair annual retainer  15,000 
Compensation and human resources committee chair annual retainer  12,50015,000 
Corporate governance committee chair annual retainer  10,00013,000 
Other committee chair annual retainer  10,00013,000 

 

The amount and form of the annual Board retainer are fixed annually by vote of the Board. Each year, the corporate governance committee reviews peer and market research on amounts and structure of board of director fees and makes a recommendation to the Board regarding the amount and structure of the Board fees.

Since February 1, 2019,2022, the annual retainer has been $205,000,$220,000, of which the cash portion is $95,000 and $110,000 is payable in shares of our common stock.

Beginning February 1, 2022, the annual retainer will increase to $220,000, of which the cash portion will be $100,000 and $120,000 will beis payable in shares of our common stock. The number of shares is determined by dividing the total equity grant value by the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date and rounding to the nearest ten10 shares. There are no additional meeting fees. The directors’ stock ownership requirement is six times the annual cash retainer. Also beginning February 1,

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2022, the compensation and human resources committee chair retainer will be $15,000; the corporate governance committee chair retainer will be $13,000; and the strategy committee chair retainer will be $13,000.

 

The Company’s Deferred Income Plan (“DIP”) allows directors to elect to defer all or a portion of their annual fees and equity awards. If a director elects to defer all or a portion of the annual equity grant, the deferred portion is awarded as phantom shares and upon vesting an amount of money equal to the value of the shares at vesting is credited to the Company Stock Fund in the director’s DIP account. Dividends paid on deferred equity will beare credited to the director’s DIP account to any fund instructed by the director other than the Company Stock Fund. Directors may not transfer deferred equity out of the Company Stock Fund until after he or she retiresthey retire from the Board. Directors who elect to defer all or a portion of their annual Board fees may invest their deferred fees in any fund in the DIP other than the Company Stock Fund.

 

The Board has imposed a limit of $400,000 per director on the annual amount of the restricted stock retainer that could be approved by the Board for payment to independent directors. The table below discloses the compensation paid or earned by all those who served as Company directors in fiscal year 2021.2022. Not included in the table is the Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors, in which participation and benefits have been frozen since November 1, 2002. Under that plan, a non-employee director who had at least five years of service as a director of the Company or its predecessor as of November 1, 2002, qualified for an annual payment after retirement in an amount equal to the Board retainer aton November 1, 2002 ($18,000), with such payments being made for the longer of 10 years or life. The only current director eligible for benefits under the plan is Ms. Van Lokeren.

 

Name Fees earned
or paid in cash
  Stock awards(1)  Nonqualified deferred
compensation earnings
(2)  Total 
Borer        $107,500       $109,736                   $20,802       $238,038 
Fogarty  110,000   109,736   11,231   230,967 
Glotzbach  195,000   109,736   156,129   460,865 
Jones  105,000   109,736      214,736 
Newberry  105,000   109,736   11,511   226,247 
Schwartz  95,000   109,736      204,736 
Stupp  95,000   109,736      204,736 
Van Lokeren  95,000   109,736   180,921   385,657 

Name Fees earned
or paid in cash
              Stock awards(1)              Nonqualified deferred
compensation earnings
(2)              Total 
Borer         $123,313        $120,021                     $21,661  $264,995 
Fogarty  123,313   120,021   12,077   255,411 
Glotzbach  213,313   120,021   162,570   495,904 
Hightman  87,838   120,021      207,859 
Jones  121,312   120,021      241,333 
Newberry  111,313   120,021   11,986   243,320 
Schwartz  98,313   120,021      218,334 
Stupp  98,313   120,021      218,334 
Van Lokeren  108,313   120,021   188,385   416,719 
(1)Amounts calculated are the grant date fair value of awards granted during the fiscal year using the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (FASB ASC Topic 718). See Note 3, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 20212022 10-K for a discussion regarding the manner in which the fair value of these awards is calculated, including assumptions used.

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Back to ContentsThe table below provides more details relative to the restricted stock awards made under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan that have not yet vested:

The table below provides more details relative to the restricted stock awards made under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan that vested in fiscal year 2022:

 

Name Number of shares awarded
in fiscal year 2021
       Number of phantom shares awarded
in fiscal year 2021
       Aggregate number of shares awarded
and not vested at 2021 fiscal year end
 
Borer     1,760    
Fogarty  1,760       
Glotzbach  1,760       
Jones  1,760       
Newberry  1,760       
Schwartz     1,760    
Stupp     1,760    
Van Lokeren  1,760       

 Name Number of shares awarded
in fiscal year 2022
          Number of phantom shares awarded
in fiscal year 2022
          Aggregate number of shares awarded
and not vested at 2022 fiscal year end
 
 Borer  1,810       
 Fogarty  1,810       
 Glotzbach     1,810    
 Hightman  1,810       
 Jones  1,810       
 Newberry  1,810       
 Schwartz     1,810    
 Stupp     1,810    
 Van Lokeren  1,810       
 The February 20212022 grants of 1,7601,810 restricted shares or phantom units under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan had a six-month vesting requirement and vested on August 1, 2021,2022, for all non-employee directors.
(2)Represents above-market earnings in fiscal year 20212022 on deferrals of fees and retainers by participating directors in the Deferred Income Plans.Plan.

 

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Beneficial ownership of Spire stock

 

The following table shows, as of November 1, 2021,2022 (unless otherwise noted), the number of shares of our common and preferred stock beneficially owned by (i) each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock, (ii) each current director and director nominee, (iii) each named executive officer listed in the “Summary compensation table” and (iv) all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group.

 

Amount and nature of ownership

 

Name Common shares
beneficially owned
(1)  Percentage of
common
shares
beneficially
owned
 Depositary
shares of
Series A
preferred stock
beneficially
owned
 Percentage
of Series A
preferred
shares
beneficially
owned
 Phantom
shares
owned
(13)  Common shares
beneficially owned
(1)       Percentage of
common shares
beneficially
owned
      Depositary
shares of
Series A
preferred stock
beneficially
owned
       Percentage
of Series A
preferred shares
beneficially
owned
       Phantom
shares
owned
(15) 
American Century Companies, Inc.  7,817,315(13)  14.89%       
BlackRock, Inc. 6,211,603(12)  11.83%   
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 5,172,727(14)  9.85%   
M. A. Borer  10,900(2)  *     2,090  12,710(2)  *  2,090 
M. C. Darrell  55,174(3)  *    5,949  54,751(3)  *  12,829 
M. V. Fogarty  12,990(4)  *      14,800(4)  *   
M. C. Geiselhart  26,252(3)  *    5,670  26,252(3)  *  12,303 
E. L. Glotzbach  30,140(5)  * 8,000 *    30,332(5)  * 8,000(6)  *  
C. J. Hightman    *      1,839(7)  *   
R. L. Jones  9,190  *      11,000 *   
S. L. Lindsey  44,677(3)  *    5,203  48,365(3)  *  10,014 
B. D. Newberry  23,840  *      25,650 *   
S. P. Rasche  36,421(3)(6)  * 7,797 *  3,356  38,866(3)(8)  * 9,500 * 9,686 
S. S. Schwartz  1,470  *    3,080  1,470 *  4,890 
S. Sitherwood  121,915(3)(7)  *    30,826  119,741(3)(9)  *  67,036 
J. P. Stupp  1,121,160(8)  2.17%    3,080  1,121,160(10)  2.13%  4,890 
M. A. Van Lokeren  29,575(9)  *      31,385(11)  *   
BlackRock, Inc.  5,943,963(10)  11.50%    
American Century Companies, Inc.  5,148,502(11)  9.97%    
The Vanguard Group, Inc.  4,847,707(12)  9.38%    
All directors and executive officers as a group (17)  1,533,288  2.97%    
All directors and executive officers as a group (14) 1,538,321 2.93% 
*Less than 1%.

 

* Less than 1%.

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(1)Except as otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all the shares listed.
(2)These shares are held in a revocable family trust of which Mr. Borer and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power.
(3)Includes restricted non-vested shares granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as to which a recipient has sole voting power and no current investment power as follows: M. C. Darrell – 1,420; M. C. Geiselhart – 1,350; S. L. Lindsey – 4,250;3,315; S. P. Rasche – 5,780; S. Sitherwood – 7,300.6,390. Includes 2,3562,451 shares held by Mr. Rasche’s account in the 401(k) plan.
(4)TheseOther than the 1,810 shares that vested on August 1, 2022, these shares are held in a revocable family trust of which Ms. Fogarty and her spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power.
(5)25,440 of these shares are held in a revocablean irrevocable family trust of which Mr. Glotzbach and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power; the remainder are held in an IRA account over which Mr. Glotzbach has sole voting and dispositive power.
(6)These shares are held in an irrevocable trust of which Mr. Glotzbach and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power.
(7)Includes 29 shares held in Ms. Hightman’s IRA over which Ms. Hightman has sole voting and dispositive power.
(8)Includes 34,065 shares held in a revocable family trust of which Mr. Rasche and his spouse are trustees and share voting and dispositive power.
(7)(9)These shares are held in a revocable familyan irrevocable trust of which Ms. Sitherwood is not a trustee.
(8)(10)Includes 1,104,000 shares owned by Stupp Bros., Inc. Mr. Stupp is a director and executive officer of Stupp Bros., Inc. and has an interest in a voting trust that controls 100% of the stock of Stupp Bros., Inc., which is located at 3800 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. The Stupp Bros., Inc. shares are subject to a negative pledge.
(9)(11)These shares are held in a revocable trust of which Ms. Van Lokeren is the trustee.

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(10)(12)Information provided as of December 31, 2020,2021, in Schedule 13G filed on January 27, 2021,28, 2022, by BlackRock, Inc., whose address is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The report indicates that it has 5,858,0965,890,175 shares with sole voting power, 5,943,9636,211,603 shares with sole investmentdispositive power, and no shares with shared voting power or shared investmentdispositive power. The subsidiaries included in the report were as follows:

BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.BlackRock Fund Advisors†
BlackRock Advisors, LLCBlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.
BlackRock Asset Management Canada LimitedBlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited
BlackRock Asset Management Ireland LimitedBlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited
BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AGBlackRock Investment Management, LLC
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.BlackRock Life Limited
Aperio Group, LLCBlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited
BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd.

BlackRock Fund Advisors is a subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. and beneficially owns 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock according to the report. No other subsidiary included in the report owns 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock according to the report.

(11)(13)Information provided as of December 31, 2020,November 30, 2022, in Schedule 13G filed on February 11, 2021,December 7, 2022, by American Century Companies, Inc. (“ACC”), whose address is 4500 Main Street, 9th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64111. The report indicates that it has 4,905,0747,179,654 shares with sole voting power, 5,148,5027,817,315 shares with sole investmentdispositive power, and no shares with shared voting power or shared investmentdispositive power. ACC is controlled by Stowers Institute for Medical Research, which is a beneficial owner of securities that are the subject of the report. American Century Investment Management, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACC and an investment adviser registered under §203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(12)(14)Information provided as of December 31, 2020,February 28, 2022, in Schedule 13G filed on February 10, 2021,March 9, 2022, by The Vanguard Group, Inc., whose address is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. The report indicates that it has 0 shares with sole voting power, 4,720,4925,061,239 shares with sole investmentdispositive power, 81,84964,119 shares with shared voting power and 127,215111,488 shares with shared investmentdispositive power. The subsidiaries in the report, none of which owns 5% or greater of the Company’s shares, were:

Vanguard Fiduciary Trust CompanyVanguard Investments Australia, Ltd.

(13)(15)For executive officers and non-employee directors, respectively, this column includes time-based restricted stock grants that were deferred by the respective executive officer or non-employee director pursuant to the terms of Spire’s Deferred Income Plan and, therefore, granted as phantom shares. Phantom shares are payable in cash and do not have voting rights. The phantom shares owned by the executive officers have not yet vested.

 

The following table sets forth aggregate information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plan as of September 30, 2021.2022.

 

Plan category Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
      Weighted average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
      Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) 307,926 $– 365,338
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   
Total 307,926 $– 365,338

Plan category     

Number of securities

to be issued

upon exercise of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)

     

Weighted average

exercise price

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

(b)

     

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in column (a))

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) 329,686 $– 277,697
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   
Total 329,686 $– 277,697
(1)Reflects the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Information on the above-referenced equity incentive plan is set forth in Note 3, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 20212022 10-K.

 

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Stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements for non-employee directors and executive officers

 

To provide a direct link between director, executive officer and shareholder interests, the Company adopted a stock ownership policy. The table below indicates the number of shares directors and executive officers are expected to own under the policy.

 

Directors must retain 90% and executive officers must retain 75% of the net shares awarded to them under Company plans until they meet the stock ownership requirements. All directors and executive officers are currently in compliance with the stock ownership policy.

 

Stock ownership guidelines

Stock ownership guidelines
Directors6x annual cash retainer
Chief executive officer6x base salary
Executive vice presidents3x base salary
Senior vice presidents2x base salary
All other officers1x base salary

 

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Proposal 2: Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers

 

As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are seeking your approval of the Company’s compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Although the vote on this proposal is advisory and nonbinding, the compensation and human resources committee and Board will review the results of the vote and consider the collective views of our shareholders in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program generally and the compensation of our named executive officers in particular.

 

As noted in the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Company’s philosophy is to pay for performance by making compensation decisions based on what promotes our corporate strategy, creates shareholder value and remains equitable for the Company, its employees and its shareholders. In the process of making these decisions, we also consider the types and levels of compensation in the marketplace. We urge you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, which discusses in more detail our compensation policies and procedures. Throughout the year, our compensation and human resources committee assesses our compensation programs to ensure they are consistent with our pay philosophy. In determining how to vote on this proposal, please consider our compensation governance and pay structure:

 

Recoupment: Our policy addresses recoupment of amounts from executive officers’ and other employees’ performance-based awards under the annual and equity incentive plans to the extent that they would have been materially less due to inaccuratewere it not for financial statements,statement errors, fraud or intentional, willful or gross misconduct.
Prohibition of hedging/pledging of stock: Our policy on the purchase and sale of securities prohibits executive officers and boardBoard members from (1)(i) entering into hedging transactions with respect to Company securities, including, without limitation, through the use of financial instruments such as exchange funds, prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, puts, calls, collars, forwards and other derivative instruments, or through the establishment of a short position in the Company’s securities; and (2)(ii) holding Company stock in a margin account or pledging Company stock as collateral for a loan.
Stock ownership requirements: Our stock ownership requirements, which are outlined on page 28, further strengthen the alignment of our executives with our shareholders.
Compensation balance: Most of the compensation to the named executive officers is aligned with corporate performance in areas related to our customers, our shareholders and our employees. The Company seeks to balance short-term (cash) and longer-term (equity) compensation opportunities to ensure that the Company meets short-term objectives while continuing to produce value for its shareholders over the long term.
Independent compensation consultant: The compensation and human resources committee’s consultant is independent.
Modest perquisites: The Company’s use of perquisites is modest.
Caps on incentive awards: We have limits on incentive compensation, which cap all potential annual incentive plan awards at 150% of target and all equity incentive plan awards at 200% of target.
No employment agreements or excise tax gross-up: The Company does not enter into employment agreements or provide excise tax gross-up protections.
No additional years of service credited: The supplemental pension plans are traditional plans that cover the compensation not included in the qualified pension plan due solely to tax limitations, and do not otherwise factor in additional compensation or additional years of service.

 

The Board of Directors is asking shareholders to support the Company’s named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement. The compensation and human resources committee and the Board of Directors believe the compensation program effectively implements the Company’s compensation principles and policies, achieves the Company’s compensation objectives, and aligns the interests of the executives and shareholders. Accordingly, the Board asks shareholders to cast a nonbinding vote “FOR” the following resolution:

 

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and other related disclosures.”

 

  Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

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Executive compensation

 

Table of contents        

 

  
Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)30
  
Our named executive officers30
Executive summary31
Compensation overview and philosophy32
Best practices in executive compensation32
Components of executive compensation33
Summary of 20212022 compensation decisions for NEOs34
Analysis of 20212022 compensation decisions and actions37
Executive compensation governance4041
Severance and change in control45
Other Company-provided benefits46
Tax implications of the Committee’s compensation decisions46
Accounting information47
  
Compensation and human resources committee report47
  
Executive compensation tables48
  
CEO pay ratio58
  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)

 

This CD&A contains a detailed description of the Company’s executive compensation program, including our compensation philosophy, the elements of compensation that we provide to our named executive officers (“NEOs”), the process that is undertaken to determine awards of compensation and the actual compensation provided to our NEOs in fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Our named executive officers

 

The Company’s NEOs for fiscal year 20212022 were:

 

         
         
Suzanne
Sitherwood
 Steven P.
Rasche
 Steven L.
Lindsey
 Mark C.
Darrell
 Michael C.
Geiselhart
President and
Chief Executive Officer
 Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
 Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
 Senior Vice President,
Chief Legal and
Compliance
Officer
 Senior Vice President,
Chief Strategy and
Corporate Development
Officer

 

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Executive summary

 

2021

2022 Company performance

 

The compensation and human resources committee (“Committee”) believes that the actions taken by the Company’s chief executive officer (“CEO”) and management team throughout fiscal year 20212022 positively impacted the Company’s results and positioned the Company for continued success. Please see the discussion of Spire’s fiscal year 20212022 corporate performance on page 54 for more information about the record financial results that affected compensation decisionsoutcomes for fiscal year 2021.2022. Similar to fiscal yearyears 2020 and 2021, the Committee determined that no adjustments to executive compensation were needed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Alignment of pay and performance

 

The graph below evidences the Company’s commitmentCompany is committed to thea pay-for-performance philosophy, as it compares the Company’s basic net economic earnings per share to theand amounts earned by the NEOs under the Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”). Given that Mr. Geiselhart became an NEO for the first time for fiscal year 2017, the graph excludes his AIP amounts for the performance periods prior have a direct correlation to such dates. However, the graph reflects AIP amounts for the NEO that preceded himcorporate performance. Beginning in fiscal year 2016.

Basic net economic earnings per share2022, adjusted operating income is the key metric used to determine funding under the Company’s AIP. It is calculated like GAAP basic earnings per share except net income is replaced by net economic earnings and the weighted average shares outstanding are adjusted to exclude the impact, in the fiscal year of issuance, of shares issued to finance acquisitions that were not yet included in net economic earnings. Further explanation of net economic earningsadjusted operating income is provided on page 37 of this proxy statement.

  Prior to fiscal year 2022, the metric used to determine funding was net economic earnings per share, which is still used as a metric for the long-term incentive plan, and is further discussed on page 38 of this proxy statement.

 

The Company also emphasizes pay for performance by placing a majority of the NEOs’ target total direct compensation (“TTDC”) at risk through the annual and long-term incentive plans. TTDC includes base salary as of the end of fiscal year 2021,2022, the 20212022 target AIP opportunity and the fair market value (target shares multiplied by grant date fair value) of awards granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”) during fiscal year 2021.2022. Furthermore, the value of the equity incentive award,awards, the largest portion of incentive pay, is based on the Company’s long-term performance. The graph to the rightbelow shows the mix of fixed (base pay) and at-risk (annual and long-term incentive) pay.

 

 

 

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Compensation overview and philosophy

 

The Committee establishes the executive compensation philosophy and assists the Board in the development and oversight of all aspects of executive compensation.

 

Our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy promotes our corporate strategy and creates shareholder value, while remaining equitable for the Company, its executives and its shareholders. The Committee believes that its compensation practices reflect a responsible pay-for-performance culture. The Committee seeks to deliver a total compensation package that balances short-term and longer-term compensation opportunities to ensure that the Company meets short-term objectives while continuing to create value for its shareholders over the long term.

 

The Committee also promotes a competitive compensation program to attract, motivate and retain key executives. Each year, the Committee reviews the Company’s pay program for its executive officers to evaluate total compensation relative to the Company’s peer group. The Company’s compensation philosophy is to position target total compensation in the median range of peer comparator data, with actual pay dependent on Company results and the executive’s performance, skills and experience.

 

Pay-for-PerformanceBalanceCompetitiveness
The compensation program should promote our corporate strategy and create shareholder value.Annual and long-term incentive opportunities should reward the appropriate balance of short- and long-term financial, strategic and operational business results.The compensation program should be sufficiently competitive to attract, retain and motivate a leadership team capable of maximizing Company performance.

 

The Committee considered the results of the January 2022 shareholder advisory “say-on-pay” proposal in January 2021vote when making compensation decisions. A majority (96.45%(96.85%) of the votes cast approved the compensation program described in the Company’s 20202021 proxy statement. The considered judgment of the Committee, which included taking into account the support from the shareholder vote, was that no significant changes to the executive compensation program were warranted.warranted as a direct result of shareholder feedback.

 

Best practices in executive compensation

 

Our executive compensation program reflects the following best practices, which ensure effective compensation governance and align the interests of our shareholders and executives.

 

What we do
 Executive annual incentive plan (AIP) awards are capped at 150% of target
 Total grant value under the equity incentive plan (EIP) is capped at 200% of target
 A majority (75%) of long-term incentive compensation (shares and value) is performance-contingent
 Time-based equity awards are granted with a three-year cliff vesting schedule
 Non-vested equity awards are not accelerated after a change in control unless the executive is terminated, or the award is not assumed or substituted by the successor company (i.e., double trigger)
 Executives and directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines and retention requirements
 Our executive severance program standardizes severance benefits and limits benefit triggers to termination by the Company without cause or the participant’s resignation for good reason
 Our recoupment policy applies to all executive officers for performance-contingent awards made under the AIP and EIP
What we don’t do
 No employment agreements with executives
 No excise tax gross-ups for executives
 No dividends on performance-contingent stock awards prior to vesting
 No hedging or pledging of Company stock
 No excessive perquisites for executives


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Components of executive compensation

 

The table below provides the components and objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program.

 

Element Purpose/Objective Key features Performance measures
Base salary Designed to attract and retain key executive talent and to reward leadership effectiveness 

•  Fixed portion of annual compensation

 

Based on factors deemed relevant by the Company, including:

•  job responsibilities and performance in his or her position

•  level of experience and expertise in a given area

•  role in developing and executing corporate strategy

•  current leadership

•  comparison of salaries for similar positions at comparator companies

Annual cash incentive Designed to motivate and reward short-term annual results tied to corporate, safety and individual performance objectives 

•  Targets are a percentage of base salary, and awards are paid in cash

•  Actual payouts may range between 0%-150% of target, based on actual results relative to metrics

 Varied weightings of corporate and individual performance metrics, depending on the individual’s role and position within the Company, and standard weighting of safety metric for all executives
Long-term incentives Designed to encourage retention and further tie executive compensation to stock appreciation and long-term company performance 

•  25% time-based restricted shares (“TBRSs”)

 Three-year cliff vesting period to encourage retention and further tie executive compensation to stock appreciation during that vesting period
   

•  75% performance-contingent stock units (“PCSUs”)

•  Actual payouts may range between 0%-200% of target, based on actual results relative to metrics

 PCSUs vest based on the average net economic earnings per share over a three-year period, as well as total shareholder return performance relative to peer group with each metric weighted at 50%. For grants made in and after fiscal year 2022, theseover the same period. These metrics will beare weighted at 25% of the award being based on average net economic earnings per share, over a three-year period, and 75% of the award being based on relative total shareholder return. Prior to fiscal year 2022, these metrics were weighted at 50% each.

 

After reviewingIn making decisions about compensation, the Committee reviews market and peer group data, as well as additional analysis provided by the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, and consideringconsultant. The Committee also considers the role, experience and expertise of each executive officer, the Committee determines the appropriate balance among the components of executive compensation in the total compensation package. Generally,officer. Using this data, the Committee determines whether to make certain market adjustments to base salaries and sets target opportunities under the annual and long-term incentive programs that, when combined, produce TTDC that is consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy.

 

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Summary of 20212022 compensation decisions for NEOs

 

Below is a summary of the pay actions that were taken for the Company’s NEOs in fiscal year 2021,2022, as well as a description of their individual achievements that formed the basis of the individual performance metric for their annual incentive awards.

Suzanne Sitherwood  |President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Age: 6162

 

Spire experience:

1012 years

Individual performance:

 

•  Led the Company to deliver record earnings growth

•   Oversaw Spire’s various gas distribution businesses in a very successfulchallenging year, meeting demand and generating net income, contributing to basic net economic earnings per share of $4.87$3.87

•  Provided leadership through unprecedented challenges and opportunities throughout the fiscal year in connection with events such as Winter Storm Uri, legal challenges to the Spire STL Pipeline and the Missouri rate case

•  Oversaw the developmentReceived 7(c) certificate for expansion of the Company’s advanced strategy initiativeSpire Storage West and the successful development of four targeted projects to supportbegan that initiativeexpansion in FY22

•  Developed growthLed successful 2022 strategy session to refine corporate and business unit strategies for the Company that were presented to the Board in 2021

•  Led Spire’s efforts to proactively address market forces shaping and changing the natural gas industry

•  Oversaw filing of Spire Missouri’s FY22 rate case to correct material issues of FY21 rate order

•  Provided significant leadership in St. Louis community through involvement in civic and non-profit organizations

 

Base salary: The salary for Ms. Sitherwood remained atincreased to $952,750 from $925,000 for fiscal year 2021.in December 2021, a 3% increase.

 

Annual incentive: Ms. Sitherwood received an annual incentive award of $1,318,125,$715,087, representing a 143%75% payout against target. Ms. Sitherwood’s annual incentive target remained at 100% of base salary for fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Long-term incentive: Ms. Sitherwood received a long-term incentive grant in November 20202021 valued at $2,847,634,$2,605,078, split into 75% PCSUs and 25% TBRSs.

 

Steven P. Rasche  |Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

Age: 6162

 

Spire experience:

1213 years

Individual performance:

 

•  Raised $880MStrengthened Spire’s financial position through bolstering enterprise liquidity, raising debt at the operating utilities, and raising equity through the ATM program (totaling $1.85B)

•  Led investor communications, ensuring investors, financial institutions, rating agencies and other stakeholders were well-informed of capital to support investment, growthSpire’s progress during unprecedented commodity and liquidity in a very volatile market volatility

•  Provided financial leadership on Missourikey execution support to Spire Missouri’s FY21 rate order and FY22 rate case

•  Directly supported Spire MarketingAdvanced supplier diversity by establishing key relationships and gas supply teams during Winter Storm Uri, focused on serving customers, maintaining liquidity and financial strength while optimizing valuesigning onto KC Rising CEO to CEO Challenge – Supplier Diversity

•  Supported successful implementation of Spire One – Project IIMarketing through commodity volatility, expanded business into Canada, and made key leadership additions

•  Provided significant support for Spire STL Pipeline vacaturStorage West expansion project forecasting, financing and FERC actions, including financial support as well as communications to investors and capital marketsmessaging

•  Successfully raised awareness about Spire’s supplier diversity effortsNavigated unprecedented global challenges to supply chain with minimal disruption

 

Base salary: The salary for Mr. Rasche remained atincreased to $475,280 from $457,000 for fiscal year 2021.in December 2021, a 4% increase.

 

Annual incentive: Mr. Rasche received an annual incentive award of $383,880,$217,512, representing an 140%76% payout against target. Mr. Rasche’s annual incentive target remained at 60% of base salary for fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Long-term incentive: Mr. Rasche received a long-term incentive grant in November 20202021 valued at $636,550,$592,576, split into 75% PCSUs and 25% TBRSs.

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Steven L. Lindsey  |Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

 

 

Age: 5556

 

Spire experience:

910 years

Individual performance:

 

•  Drove the Company to exceed employeemake year-over-year improvement in safety metric targets by 30%results

•  Led Company to set historical Spire records for new meter additionsstrong execution of capital plan and new business capital

•   Oversaw continued expansionaffirmation of Spire’s service territory in Missouri and Alabama

•   Led gas utilities, Spire STL Pipeline and Spire Storage business units to exceed financial targets and meet capital plans

•   Continued leadership role overseeing ongoing pandemic response, as well as Spire’s Natural Gas Champions programfive-year plan of $3.2B

•  Oversaw initialfiling of accelerated rate case in Missouri to address material issues from FY21 rate order

•  Reduced average leak response time 10% year-over-year and reduced leaks per 1,000 system miles

•  Oversaw deployment of more than 265,000 ultrasonic meters at gas utilities

•  Assumed leadership roleCreated baseline for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which were published in 2021 Sustainability Report

•  Received approval to move forward with Spire Storage West expansion

•  Received environmental impact statement for Spire STL Pipeline certificate challenge,and positive support from Missouri rate case, Alabama RSE renewal and Spire environmental initiativesPublic Service Commission

•  Achieved 33% year-over-year reductionServed as 2022 Chair of leaks per 1,000 system miles across all utilities, and achieved year-over-year improvement in overall damage rates

•   Oversaw successful implementation of multiple IT systems to ensure all utilities are operating on common platformsSouthern Gas Association

 

Base salary: The salary for Mr. Lindsey remained atincreased to $551,050 from $535,000 for fiscal year 2021.in December 2021, a 3% increase.

 

Annual incentive: Mr. Lindsey received an annual incentive award of $569,775,$314,264, representing a 142%76% payout against target. Mr. Lindsey’s annual incentive target remained at 75% of base salary for fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Long-term incentive: Mr. Lindsey received a long-term incentive grant in November 20202021 valued at $939,315,$884,140, split into 75% PCSUs and 25% TBRSs.

 

Mark C. Darrell  |Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer

 

 

Age: 6364

 

Spire experience:

1718 years

Individual performance:

 

•  Assumed leadership role in response toLed development and execution of legal strategy enabling the legal challenges regardingcontinued operation and service of the Spire STL Pipeline to Spire Missouri, including obtaining a temporary certificate from the FERC

•  Supported legal team’s presentation and management of the FY22 Spire Missouri rate case

•  Provided strong legal response to issuesOversaw successfully-negotiated settlement with marketers on behalf of Spire Missouri ensuring reimbursement of cover costs associated with the market failures that occurred resulting frommarketers’ failure to deliver during Winter Storm Uri

•   Obtained dismissal of pending complaint by U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development against Spire Gulf

•  Oversaw resolution of compliance reviewlegal strategy for obtaining 7(c) certificate from the FERC for expansion of Spire Alabama’s P-Rate program, including closureStorage West

•  Successfully oversaw significant enhancements to Spire’s 2021 Sustainability Report

•  Oversaw development and growth of the self-report to FERC without penaltyLaclede Insurance Risk Services

•  Continued to provide leadership and support COVID-19in the provision of corporate response to ensure that protocols provide adequate safety to employeessecurity services, both in St. Louis region and allow continued business operations while avoiding significant litigation exposurenationally

 

Base salary: The salary for Mr. Darrell remained atincreased to $424,360 from $412,000 for fiscal year 2021.in December 2021, a 3% increase.

 

Annual incentive: Mr. Darrell received an annual incentive award of $285,825,$161,840, representing a 139%76% payout against target. Mr. Darrell’s annual incentive target remained at 50% of base salary for fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Long-term incentive: Mr. Darrell received a long-term incentive grant in November 20202021 valued at $496,708,$466,996, split into 75% PCSUs and 25% TBRSs.

 

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Michael C. Geiselhart  |Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer

 

 

Age: 6263

 

Spire experience:

1516 years

Individual performance:

 

•  Evaluated fivenumerous potential utility and storage asset acquisitions, participated significantly in threecompleted valuation and diligence, and submitted or considered non-binding bids on several formal LDC sale processes and completed extensive diligence and a binding bid on one acquisition opportunity

•  Led acquisition efforts for multiple storage assets, including full diligence and closed investment in Energy Capital Ventures, including negotiating a limited partner agreementfinal bids as appropriate

•  Developed potential enterprise-level growth strategiesStructured and completed analysis and support materials necessary for a final investment decision on the Company that were presented to the BoardSpire Storage West expansion, which was approved in 2021FY22

•  Helped to identifyAdvanced analysis and define the Company’s advanced strategy initiative,discussion on potential pipeline projects and led the Strategic Resource Plan projectinvestments in Kansas City and Alabama, including key partnership opportunities

•  Led research intostrategic analysis and drove internal consensus on enterprise-wide renewable natural gas (RNG) strategy and developed an enterprise-wide strategy for the Company to pursue renewable natural gas opportunitiesexecution approach, and supported Spire Missouri and Spire Marketing on RNG project execution

•  Supported development of planning model for Missouri utilityPlayed key leadership role in executing successful 2022 strategy session, in which corporate and FERC certificate process

•   Conducted successful sale of the Company’s compressed natural gas fueling station in Greer, South Carolinabusiness unit strategies were approved

 

Base salary: The salary for Mr. Geiselhart remainedincreased to $424,360 from $412,000 for fiscal year 2021.in December 2021, a 3% increase.

 

Annual incentive: Mr. Geiselhart received an annual incentive award of $285,825,$145,927, representing a 139%69% payout against target. Mr. Geiselhart’s annual incentive target remained at 50% of base salary for fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

Long-term incentive: Mr. Geiselhart received a long-term incentive grant in November 20202021 valued at $474,269,$434,180, split into 75% PCSUs and 25% TBRSs.

 

Comparison of total direct compensation from FY20FY21 to FY21FY22

Below is a comparison of total direct compensation for each NEO from fiscal year 20202021 to fiscal year 2021. None of our NEOs received increases in base salary or target annual incentive opportunity2022. Total direct compensation was lower in fiscal year 2021. The significant increase in total direct compensation2022 due to lower annual incentive payments, which are related to the financial and safety results for fiscal year 2021 is related to higher payouts in the annual and long-term incentive plans, which is largely driven by the significant earnings achieved this year.2022.

    FY20  FY21  % Change
Sitherwood Base Salary $925,000  $925,000   
  Annual Incentive  749,250   1,318,125   
  Long-term Incentive  2,263,409   2,847,634   
  Total  3,937,659   5,090,759  29.28%
Rasche Base Salary  457,000   457,000   
  Annual Incentive  221,182   383,880   
  Long-term Incentive  499,151   636,550   
  Total  1,177,333   1,477,430  25.49%
Lindsey Base Salary  535,000   535,000   
  Annual Incentive  320,351   569,775   
  Long-term Incentive  739,287   939,315   
  Total  1,594,638   2,044,090  28.19%
Darrell Base Salary  412,000   412,000   
  Annual Incentive  166,574   285,825   
  Long-term Incentive  387,960   496,708   
  Total  966,534   1,194,533  23.59%
Geiselhart Base Salary  412,000   412,000   
  Annual Incentive  167,324   285,825   
  Long-term Incentive  369,558   474,269   
  Total  948,882   1,172,094  23.52%

 

    FY21  FY22  % Change
Sitherwood Base Salary $925,000  $952,750  
  Annual Incentive  1,318,125   715,087   
  Long-term Incentive  2,847,634   2,605,078   
  Total  5,090,759   4,272,915  -16.07%
Rasche Base Salary  457,000   475,280   
  Annual Incentive  383,880   217,512   
  Long-term Incentive  636,550   592,576   
  Total  1,477,430   1,285,368  -13.00%
Lindsey Base Salary  535,000   551,050   
  Annual Incentive  569,775   314,264   
  Long-term Incentive  939,315   884,140   
  Total  2,044,090   1,749,454  -14.41%
Darrell Base Salary  412,000   424,360   
  Annual Incentive  285,825   161,840   
  Long-term Incentive  496,708   466,996   
  Total  1,194,533   1,053,196  -11.83%
Geiselhart Base Salary  412,000   424,360   
  Annual Incentive  285,825   145,927   
  Long-term Incentive  474,269   434,180   
  Total  1,172,094   1,004,467  -14.30%
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Analysis of 20212022 compensation decisions and actions

 

Base salary

 

In November 2020,2021, the Committee decidedapproved increases to hold NEO salaries stable for fiscal year 2021.2022, ranging from 3 to 4%. The salaries for the NEOs are detailed previously in the “Summary of 20212022 compensation decisions for NEOs” section. The Committee believed that these salaries continued to reflectsalary increases reflected the NEOs’ contributions to successful business growth while maintaining a focus within the NEOs’ functional areas. The Committee determined it was appropriate to not grant salary increases for NEOs for fiscal year 2021 based on corporate performance in fiscal year 2020.

 

Annual incentive compensation

 

At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board reviews and sets key performance metrics for the AIP based on the Company’s business and strategic plan for the upcoming year. Actual payments to executives are then based on the Company’s fiscal year results as well as the executive’s individual performance. For AIP awards beginning in fiscal year 2022, a safety metric will bewas added to the plan design.design, and the corporate metric was changed from net economic earnings per share to adjusted operating income. The Committee, in collaboration with management, sets the targets for the corporate metricand safety metrics described below, based on an analysis of prior years’ performance and a focus on achieving financial growth and improvement in safety performance in future years. Individual objectives are set for each NEO, with such objectives relating to the executive’s functional area of responsibility and aligning with corporate strategy.

 

Progress on the AIP metrics is reviewed periodically during the year, and the Committee reviews the final results shortly after the end of the fiscal year but awaits the audit certification before approving the final payouts. Some discretionary adjustments may be applied, where appropriate, and there are instances where individual objectives may be modified during the year. NoIn fiscal year 2022, certain discretionary adjustments were appliedmade to the Gas Utility operating income targets in order to account for certain aspects of the Spire Missouri fiscal year 2021.2021 rate order.

 

The following chart sets forth the 20212022 AIP targets as a percentage of base salary and the weightings of the corporate, safety and individual metrics for each NEO:

 

 

Corporate metric

 

The corporate metric used in determining the AIP awards is a measure of the Company’s financial success for the fiscal year. TheBeginning in fiscal year 2022, the metric used to measure corporate performance is basicadjusted operating income, which is a common metric used for short-term incentives within the industry(1). The corporate metric was previously net economic earnings per share, (“NEEPS”). Net economic earnings excludewhich remains a metric in the EIP.

The change also includes a weighting mechanism for each business unit in order to prevent extremely high or low performance from neta smaller business unit from having a disproportionate impact on the overall results. Adjusted operating income for AIP purposes is based on operating income for three business units (Gas Utility, Spire Marketing, and Spire Midstream), and the after-tax impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions,results are weighted by the budgets for each business unit. Adjusted operating income removes the impacts of acquisitions,related to acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of impairmentsmark-to-market adjustments, and other non-recurring or unusual items, such as certain regulatory, legislative or GAAP standard-setting actions.

items. The Committee and management believe that excluding these items providesadjustments provide a useful representation of the economic impact of actual settled transactions andthe overall results of ongoing operations. These internal non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP measures. More information regarding net economic earnings can be found in the 2021 10-K in the Non-GAAP Measures section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The table below shows the levels of threshold, target and high performance for the corporate metric for fiscal year 2021, which represent an increase over such levels for fiscal year 2020.

 

Corporate metric Threshold
performance
 Target
performance
 High
performance
 Actual
performance
 Resulting
corporate metric
payout percentage
Basic net economic earnings per share $3.74 $4.09 $4.29 $4.87 150%
(1)As adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP metric, the reconciliation to operating income can be found on Schedule A to this proxy statement.

 

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The table below shows the aggregate levels of threshold, target and high performance for the corporate metric for fiscal year 2022.

Corporate metric Threshold
performance
 Target
performance
 High
performance
 Actual
performance
 Resulting
corporate metric
payout percentage
Adjusted operating income (millions) $355.4 $392.8 $439.8 $381.9 75%

Safety metric

A safety metric was added to the AIP plan design for fiscal year 2022, with a weighting of 10% for all officers. The safety metric sets goals for the Company’s OSHA DART rate, at-fault motor vehicle accident rate, and the total recordable injury rate. Safety is a core value, and the Company experienced year-over-year improvements in these categories. We will continue to set ambitious goals with the focus of continuous improvement in all areas of safety. The fiscal year targets and results are shown below.

Metric (weighting) FY22
Target
 FY21
Actual
 FY22
Actual
OSHA DART Rate (40%) 1.40 1.51 1.19
At-Fault Motor Vehicle Accident Rate (40%) 3.07 3.98 3.28
Total Recordable Injury Rate (20%) 2.50 3.77 3.31
Total Payout Percentage: 73%      

Individual performance metric

 

Individual performance measures are generally subjective and relate to the manner in which the executive accomplishes the individual objectives set for that executiveleads his or her teams to accomplish key business and strategic results during the year. This allows for assessment of the executive’s leadership role in furthering the values and culture of the Company as well as contributing to its long-term success. The individual performance metric results for each NEO were based on the achievements identified previously in the “Summary of 20212022 compensation decisions for NEOs” section.

 

Fiscal year 20212022 AIP results

 

After evaluating the performance of the Company and the NEOs in fiscal year 2021,2022, the Committee approved annual incentive awards. These AIP awards reflected thatreflect the NEOs showedNEOs’ strong leadership to strategically operate the business during a fiscal year that presented significant challenges. The leadership team produced record financial results and demonstrated progress in the areas of safety, organic growth, and innovation, even in the face of unprecedented regulatory challenges and a global pandemic. As a result of the performance on the metrics described herein, the NEOs earned the following amounts under the AIP.

 

 Corporate Individual Total annual
incentive plan
payout
 Total annual
incentive plan
payout as
% of target
 Corporate Safety Individual Total annual
incentive plan
payout
 Total annual
incentive plan
payout as
% of target
Suzanne Sitherwood  $1,179,375   $138,750   $1,318,125   143%  $538,066   $69,837   $107,184   $715,087   75%
Steven P. Rasche  308,475   75,405   383,880   140   139,575   20,903   57,034   217,512   76 
Steven L. Lindsey  481,500   88,275   569,775   142   217,844   30,294   66,126   314,264   76 
Mark C. Darrell  231,750   54,075   285,825   139   103,852   15,553   42,435   161,840   76 
Michael C. Geiselhart  231,750   54,075   285,825   139   103,852   15,553   26,522   145,927   69 

 

Long-term incentive compensation

 

The Committee approves equity grants with approximately 75% of the value of long-term incentives being awarded in performance-contingent stock units (“PCSUs”) and approximately 25% of the value being awarded in time-based restricted shares (“TBRSs”). The Committee bases the size of equity awards on its assessment of a market-based analysis of TTDC for each NEO, as further discussed in the “Competitive market compensation analysis” section herein.

The number of PCSUs that vest is determined based on two metrics. The first is a Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) metric that compares the Company’s TSR performance to its peer group over a period of three fiscal years (described herein on pages 43-44). The second is the average basic net economic earnings per share (“NEEPS”) over the same three-year period. Net economic earnings exclude from net income the after-tax impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisitions, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of impairments and

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other non-recurring or unusual items, such as certain regulatory, legislative or GAAP standard-setting actions.(1)

 

The threshold, target and high-performance levels set for EIP grants are considered to be confidential and competitive information, particularly to the extent the performance targets relate to projected Company financial data and strategy, neither of which the Company publicly discloses. The Committee believes that targeted levels of performance for the EIP grants are challenging and will not be achieved all of the time. The high-performance level will be difficult to achieve and will require exceptional performance. The following chart shows the vesting levels for prior fiscal years as a percentage of target.

 

Performance period
(fiscal years)
 Percentage of target at
which grants vested
2015-201787%
2016-20182016–2018  51%
2017-20192017–2019  97 
2018-20202018–2020  71 
2019-20212019–2021  121
2020–202285 

 

With regard to the Committee’s certification of performance, the Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, reviews and discusses the calculations of the metrics to verify compliance with the terms of the awards that were set at the time the awards were granted, and determines the level of performance achieved and the number of shares earned. The Committee then approves a resolution that reflects the Committee’s determinations. The PCSUs will vest only upon the Committee’s certification as to performance.

 

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Grants made in fiscal year 2021

2022

 

On November 11, 2020,2021, the Committee authorized the grants of TBRSs (“20212022 TBRSs”) and PCSUs (“20212022 PCSUs”) to 2829 officers, including all of the NEOs. The grants were made on November 23, 2020.29, 2021. Both the 20212022 TBRSs and the 20212022 PCSUs are included in the “Grants of plan-based awards” table in this proxy statement. The fair market value of these grants is included in the “Summary of 20212022 compensation decisions for NEOs” section and is also found in the “Stock awards” column of the “Summary compensation table.”

 

The 20212022 TBRSs fully vest on the third anniversary of the grant date if the recipient remains continually employed with the Company through that date. Quarterly dividends are paid on TBRSs during the vesting period.

 

The 20212022 PCSUs consist of stock units that become eligible to vest following the end of the applicable three-year performance period, but only in the event the Company’s average NEEPS over the performance period exceeds the annualized declared dividend per share for the common stock as of the award date (“Dividend Related Earnings”). If the Dividend Related Earnings metric is not met, the units and related dividend equivalents are forfeited. If the Company meets the Dividend Related Earnings metric, the actual number of units that vest is determined by the Committee based on the factors described below.

 

The number of 20212022 PCSUs that vest is determined based on the average NEEPS and TSR results over fiscal years 2021-20232022-2024. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, these metrics are weighted at 25% average NEEPS and a Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) metric that compares the Company’s TSR performance to its peer group (described herein on pages 43-44), with75% TSR. Previously, these metrics were each weighted at 50%. The weighting was changed in order to reflect the importance of shareholder return. These metrics may be achieved at threshold, target or high-performance levels, as evaluated by the Committee.

 

 

 

Performance under the NEEPS metric is measured by calculating the three-year average of the Company’s NEEPS. In the first year of the performance period, NEEPS was $4.87$3.87 on a non-diluted basis. NEEPS for fiscal years 20222023 and 20232024 will be added to the 20212022 NEEPS amount for purposes of calculating the three-year average NEEPS to determine if performance at any level has been achieved.

 

The level of achievement with respect to the TSR metric for the 20212022 PCSUs is measured based on Spire’s rank among its peer group from 2022-2024, determined as a percentile among the group that corresponds with various levels of performance as reflected below.

 

  Threshold
performance
 Target
performance
 High
performance
Total shareholder return 25th percentile 50th percentile 100th percentile
(1)The Committee and management believe that excluding these items provides a useful representation of the economic impact of actual settled transactions and overall results of ongoing operations. These internal non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP measures. More information regarding net economic earnings can be found in the 2022 10-K in the Non-GAAP Measures section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

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With respect to each of the two metrics that determine the number of PCSUs to vest, the “threshold” performance level produces vesting of 50% of the target level of stock units. The “target” performance level produces vesting of 100% of the target level of stock units, and the “high” performance level produces vesting of 200% of the target level of stock units.

 

Dividend equivalents on PCSUs accrue throughout the performance period and will only be paid to the participants in proportion to the number of shares actually earned at vesting. No interest is paid on the accrued dividend equivalents.

 

Grants that vested in 2021

2022

 

On November 7, 2018,December 3, 2019, the Committee authorized the grant of TBRSs and PCSUs to 2924 current officers, including all NEOs. The grants were made on November 14, 2018.December 4, 2019. These awards vested on November 14, 2021.21, 2022.

 

The PCSUs were granted for the performance period of fiscal years 2019-2021.2020-2022. The vesting of those awards was based upon the three-year average NEEPS metric and the three-year relative TSR metric determined using the peer group in place at the time of the grant. Additional information about the peer group can be found herein at pages 43-44. TSR for the Company and peer group was calculated as follows:

 

 

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Total share value at the end of the performance period is calculated as the average share price for the last 20 trading days of the performance period ending September 30, 2021,2022, plus the value of reinvested dividends. Average share price immediately prior to the grant is calculated using the average share price for the last 20 trading days immediately prior to September 30, 2018.2019.

 

In reviewing the Company’s performance over the period and in accordance with the terms of the EIP, the Committee evaluated the NEEPS metric by averaging the NEEPS for each of fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2021.2022. The metrics and actual performance for the 20182019 PCSUs were as follows:

 

  Weighting Threshold
performance
 Target
performance
 High
performance
 Actual
performance
Total shareholder return
Payout percentage
 50% 25th percentile
50%
 50th percentile
100%
 100th percentile
200%
 4326rdth percentile
86%52%
Three-year average NEEPS
Payout percentage
 50% $3.64 3.76
50%
 $3.94 4.12
100%
 $4.25 4.37
200%
 $4.13 4.17
156%
117%

 

On November 10, 2021,9, 2022, the Committee certified these performance outcomes, resulting in a total of 50,77635,239 PCSUs vesting (representing 121%85% of target) for the NEOs. A total of 13,97013,880 TBRSs also vested for the NEOs over the last year. The table to the right shows the number of PCSUs and TBRSs that vested for each NEO.

 

 PCSUs TBRSs Total PCSUs TBRSs Total
Sitherwood 26,512 7,300 33,812 18,721 7,380 26,101
Rasche 6,329 1,740 8,069 4,127 1,630 5,757
Lindsey 7,867 2,160 10,027 6,116 2,410 8,526
Darrell 5,155 1,420 6,575 3,214 1,260 4,474
Geiselhart 4,913 1,350 6,263 3,061 1,200 4,261

 

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Executive compensation governance

 

Roles in executive compensation

 

The Committee implements and administers the Company’s compensation philosophy and engages an independent compensation consultant to provide market reference perspective and to serve as an advisor. The compensation consultant serves at the request of, and reports directly to, the Committee and does not perform other significant services for the Company.

 

In fiscal year 2021,2022, the Committee continued its retention of Semler Brossy Consulting Group LLC (“Semler Brossy”) to serve as its consultant. Semler Brossy is an independent firm, providing executive compensation consulting services to the Committee. Semler Brossy reports to the Committee and attends all Committee meetings either in person or by telephone.

 

The Committee determined that the compensation consultant is independent, and its work has not raised any conflicts of interest.

 

While the Committee receives advice on executive compensation from its compensation consultant, the Committee and the Board retain all decision-making authority to ensure that the decisions reflect the Company’s pay-for-performance philosophy.

 

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The table below outlines the roles and responsibilities of the various parties in determining and deciding executive compensation.

 

Party Roles and responsibilities
Compensation and human resources committee 

   Reviews and approves a compensation philosophy/policy with respect to executive officer compensation

   Reviews and approves the evaluation process and compensation structure for the Company’s executive officers on an annual basis

   Reviews and recommends to the Board the corporate goals and objectives for the CEO’s performance and assists the Board in evaluating the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives and then sets the CEO’s current compensation, including salary, and short-term and long-term compensation on an annual basis

   Reviews and approves the corporate goals and objectives for the executive officers’ performance, evaluates the performance of the Company’s executive officers, and approves the annual compensation, including salary and short-term and long-term compensation for such executive officers on an annual basis

   Reviews and approves the CEO’s recommendations regarding the compensation of all non-executive officers on an annual basis

   Administers and makes recommendations to the Board regarding cash and equity-based incentive plans

   Reviews compensation risk assessment of the Company’s compensation policies and practices

   Oversees the development and review of executive succession plans and assists the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions

Independent compensation consultant 

   Advises the Committee on performance metrics and linkage between pay and performance

   Keeps the Committee informed of current industry and market trends

   Makes recommendations to the Committee on companies to consider as a comparator peer group

   Presents findings relative to the competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation

   Provides guidance and consultation on management’s risk assessment of the Company’s executive compensation

   Reviews and provides input on the CD&A

Independent members of the Board    Approve compensation of the CEO
CEO 

   Evaluates the performance of all Company executive officers other than the CEO

   Recommends base salary adjustments for those officers

   Recommends promotions, as appropriate

   Recommends awards under the AIP based on each executive officer’s performance

   Recommends equity grants under the EIP to the executive officers, based on each officer’s strategic role in executing the corporate strategy to build long-term shareholder value

Other members of management 

•   Human Resources – provides analyses, compensation data and information to the Committee and the independent compensation consultant to facilitate the Committee’s review of compensation; develops and conducts risk assessment of the Company’s executive compensation

•   Chief Financial Officer – provides reports on financial performance relative to the metrics included in the incentive programs as well as the financial impact of compensation decisions

•   Internal Audit – provides the results of its audit of performance relative to the metrics

 

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Compensation and human resources committee actions in 2021

2022

 

The Committee’s review of the Company’s executive pay practices has continued to improve the integrity of our pay-for-performance philosophy, align the interests of our executive officers and shareholders, and strengthen our governance commitment. In 2021,2022, the Committee:

 

Reviewed the Committee’s charter and amended the charter to include the Committee’s oversight of the Company’s human resources policies, including diversity and inclusion, and to clarify the Committee’s role in reviewing and approving compensation structure and increases for Company officers. This also resulted in the Committee amending its name to the “compensation and human resources committee” to reflect its expanded purview and focus;
Reviewed the Company’s compensation philosophy and updated competitive pay ranges relative to market and made other updates to increase clarity in philosophy;
Reviewed the Company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives with respect to historical data and discussed working toward setting future objectives;
Reviewed and discussed executive compensation trends including issues related to pay practices and incentive plans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic;plans;
Reviewed the annual and long-term incentive designs and determined that noCommittee-approved changes were required with respectin metrics to the metrics, vehicle mix and weightings for fiscal year 2021, but the Committee approved certain changesAIP plan relative to the metrics and weightings for grantscorporate financial metric as well as adding a safety metric to the Officer AIP plan. Regarding the EIP, certain refinements were made relative to grant date beginning in fiscal year 2022;FY22;

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Continued to utilize Willis Towers Watson Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey (“WTW Survey”) as the primary market reference to assist the Committee in making its compensation decisions for the executive officers;
Reviewed tally sheets for the executive officers;
Reviewed the peer group used to evaluate relative TSR for the PCSUs and approved changes to the group to remove companies that were acquired, had above $6 billionreview resulted in revenue, or are no longer relevant to the utility business, and to add companies that reported data in the 2020 WTW Survey and with annual revenues of $1 billion to $6 billion;maintaining our consistent peer designation process;
Reviewed and approved corporate goals for the annual and long-term incentive plans;
Reviewed and certified performance results for the annual and long-term incentive plans;
Continued the practice of awarding EIP grants to executives based on fixed value for each position, with validation of the grant levels from competitive market data;
Conducted an annual compensation risk assessment to evaluate the extent to which the Company’s compensation policies and practices could exacerbate enterprise risks or encourage excessive risk-taking behavior in a manner that would adversely impact the business;
Further discussed NEO and CEO succession planning, and hired a third-party consultant to assist with the process;
Reviewed and approved the use of executive talent profiles in the succession planning process as well as individual development activities; and
Reviewed and discussed the Company’s compensation discussion and analysis for the proxy statement.

 

Spire’s use of comparator data

 

Spire uses comparator data in its compensation process in multiple ways. Comparator data is used for evaluating and determining executive compensation levels, and a peer group that is reviewed and approved annually is used for purposes of the relative TSR metric under the EIP. The rationale for the use of this comparator data is described below.

 

Competitive market compensation analysis

 

Each year, the Committee evaluates certain comparator data when determining executive compensation levels to help ensure that compensation opportunities being delivered to our executive officers are competitive within the industry markets in which the Company competes for talent. Although the Committee reviews the data to see how the Company’s executive compensation levels compare to the median range of the Company’s comparator peer data set, decisions are not guided solely by such data, as the Committee’s focus is to make compensation decisions uniquely appropriate for the Company and the individual executive officer.

 

To assist the Committee in its annual market review of executive officer compensation, the independent compensation consultant prepares an analysis of the market competitiveness of compensation for each executive officer. The independent compensation consultant’s analysis includes a combination of survey and publicly available peer company pay information to establish competitive market rates for base salary and annual and long-term incentives for the executive officer positions. This allows the Committee to ensure its competitive market data is robust, reliable and objective on an ongoing basis.

 

In making compensation decisions, the Committee uses primary and secondary comparator data sets. The primary comparator data set is the WTW Survey, which is a proprietary third-party survey that included responses from 123126 companies for the 20202021 report. The specific identity of respondents for any given position is not provided to the Company. Because of the large variance in size among participating companies within the survey, the independent compensation consultant conducts analyses, including regression, to adjust the compensation data for differences in revenue scope. These adjustments are necessary to allow for appropriate size comparisons between our Company and the participating companies in the survey. The WTW Survey is used as the primary data source for assessing the individual competitiveness of the executive officers’ pay because it is a more robust sample of data and allows for specific functional matches for each officer.

 

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The secondary comparator data set used in making compensation decisions consists of specific utility companies also utilized in the TSR peer group discussed below. This secondary set of data is used to gauge affordability and the aggregate positioning of executive officer compensation. It also provides a secondary reference point and provides greater detail to the Committee on a company-by-company basis. For fiscal year 2021,2022, these companies included Alliant Energy Corporation, Atmos Energy Corporation, Avista Corporation, Black Hills Corporation, New Jersey Resources Corporation, NiSource Inc., NorthWestern Corporation, Northwest Natural Gas Company, ONE Gas, Inc., South Jersey Industries, Inc., and Southwest Gas Corporation.

 

For each executive, the Committee determines whether target total compensation is sufficient to retain and motivate the executive. If adjustments are needed to create greater alignment with the Company’s compensation philosophy, or to reflect unique circumstances at the Company, the Committee evaluates each component of compensation (base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive targets) to determine

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where such adjustments may be required. In addition, the Committee considers other subjective factors in its compensation decisions, such as individual performance, experience, future potential and expertise.

 

TSR peer group

 

Annually, the independent compensation consultant, along with the Company’s finance leadership, reviews our peer group members and recommends a group composition that considers industry-appropriateness, business size and changes necessitated due to acquisitions and divestitures. This peer group is used to evaluate the relative TSR metric for vesting of PCSUs. The table below shows our TSR peer group for fiscal year 2021,2022, as well as a comparison of peer group members for fiscal years 2018-2021.

TSR has historically been determined by benchmarking the Company’s performance against a specific set of gas utility peer companies. Over time, there has been a reduction in the numbers of peers in the peer set due2019 to the consolidating nature of the natural gas industry. Accordingly, in November 2018, the Committee determined that the peer group used to evaluate the relative TSR metric should be expanded to provide a more accurate and stable pool of companies to be used for comparison.2022.

 

The text in orange below signifies companies that have been added to the peer group each year, and the text in purple below showsasterisks indicate companies that have been removed from the peer group each year. These changes to the peer group are taken into account by the Committee at the time of vesting. For fiscal year 2021,2022, the peer group includes the public companies that participated in the 20202021 WTW Survey and have annual revenues of $1 billion to $6 billion, as well as any legacy peer group companies that did not participate in the 20202021 WTW Survey. The Committee believed thatbelieves this peer group is an appropriate range of companies against which the Company’s success can be accurately measured.

 

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FY18FY19 FY20 FY21
 FY22
ALLETE, Inc. ALLETE, Inc. [did not report in 2020]ALLETE, Inc.
Alliant Energy Corp. Alliant Energy Corp. Alliant Energy Corp. Alliant Energy Corp.
    Ameren Corporation Ameren Corporation
    American Water Works Company, Inc. American Water Works Company, Inc.
Atmos Energy Corp. Atmos Energy Corp. Atmos Energy Corp. Atmos Energy Corp.
Avangrid, Inc.* Avangrid, Inc. [removed due to size]  
Avista Corp. Avista Corp. Avista Corp. Avista Corp.
Black Hills Corp. Black Hills Corp. Black Hills Corp. Black Hills Corp.
BWX Technologies, Inc. BWX Technologies, Inc. BWX Technologies, Inc.
Cheniere Energy, Inc.[removed due to size]**  
  CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Cheniere Energy, Inc.*
Enable Midstream Partners, LP Enable Midstream Partners, LP Enable Midstream Partners, LPLP**
  
EQT Corporation EQT CorporationCorporation**[removed due to lack of relevance to utility industry]
  
EnLink Midstream, LLCLLC* [removed due to size]  
 Essential Utilities, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. Evergy, Inc. Evergy, Inc. Evergy, Inc.
First Solar, Inc. First Solar, Inc. First Solar, Inc.**
  
Genesis Energy, L.P. Genesis Energy, L.P. Genesis Energy, L.P.**
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Helmerich & Payne, Inc.**
ICF International Inc.**    ICF International Inc.[removed due to lack of relevance to utility industry]
  IDACORP, Inc. IDACORP, Inc. IDACORP, Inc.
  MDU Resources Group, Inc. MDU Resources Group, Inc. MDU Resources Group, Inc.
    MGE Energy, Inc.
MRC Global Inc. MRC Global Inc.**
National Fuel Gas Company
New Jersey Resources Corp. New Jersey Resources Corp. New Jersey Resources Corp. New Jersey Resources Corp.
NiSource Inc. NiSource Inc. NiSource Inc. NiSource Inc.
Northwest Natural Gas Co. Northwest Natural Gas Co. Northwest Natural Gas Co. Northwest Natural Gas Co.
NorthWestern Corp. NorthWestern Corp. NorthWestern Corp. NorthWestern Corp.
  NuStar Energy L.P. NuStar Energy L.P.**
OGE Energy Corp. OGE Energy Corp. OGE Energy Corp. OGE Energy Corp.
ONE Gas, Inc. ONE Gas, Inc. ONE Gas, Inc. ONE Gas, Inc.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
PNM Resources, Inc. PNM Resources, Inc. PNM Resources, Inc. PNM Resources, Inc.
Portland General Electric Company Portland General Electric Company Portland General Electric Company Portland General Electric
CompanyCompanyCompany
South Jersey Industries, Inc. South Jersey Industries, Inc. South Jersey Industries, Inc. South Jersey Industries, Inc.
Southwest Gas Corp. Southwest Gas Corp. Southwest Gas Corp. Southwest Gas Corp.
VectrenVistra Energy Corp.* [acquired February 2019]    
  Vistra Energy Corp.[removed due to size]  
12 peers UGI Corporation
28 peers 29 peers 28 peers
(11 peers as of 9/30/21) (2227 peers as
*Subsequently removed due to size
**Subsequently removed due to lack of 9/30/21)(26 peers as of 9/30/21)(28 peers as of 9/30/21)relevance to utility industry

 

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Severance and change in control

 

The Company believes it is important to provide officers certain compensation in the event of a termination after a change in control, particularly since it does not enter into employment agreements. In addition to the payments described below, the annual and long-term incentive benefits payable to the NEOs upon termination with or without a change in control are described in the “Potential payments upon termination or change in control” section later in this proxy statement.

 

Executive Severance Plan

 

Ms. Sitherwood and Mr. Lindsey participate in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan. The Executive Severance Plan provides for a severance benefit if a participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the participant for good reason (such terms being defined in the plan). No payment will be made in connection with a termination of employment due to a participant’s death or disability.

 

The severance benefit is a lump-sum payment equal to the participant’s applicable percentage (200% for Ms. Sitherwood and 100% for Mr. Lindsey) of the participant’s base salary, plus a cash payment equal to the estimated cost of continued medical, dental and vision benefits for a period of 24 months for Ms. Sitherwood and 12 months for Mr. Lindsey.

 

In the event of a qualifying termination following a change in control, the severance benefit will be a lump-sum payment equal to the participant’s applicable percentage (300% for Ms. Sitherwood and 200% for Mr. Lindsey) of the participant’s base salary plus the participant’s AIP target, plus a cash payment equal to the estimated cost of continued medical, dental and vision benefits for a period of 36 months for Ms. Sitherwood and 24 months for Mr. Lindsey.

 

The plan defines a change in control as (i) one or more persons acquiring 30% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares; (ii) replacement of a majority of the Board by individuals whose nominations were not approved by a majority of the Board; (iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation that results in the Company’s shareholders no longer owning more than 50% of the voting power of the surviving entity’s outstanding securities; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or a sale of at least 80% of the Company’s assets.

 

A participant must sign a Confidentiality, Non-Disparagement, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement and must execute a release in order to receive a payment under the Executive Severance Plan.

 

Management Continuity Protection Plan

 

The Management Continuity Protection Plan (“MCPP”) was adopted in 1991 and was most recently restated in 2005. Effective January 1, 2015, no new participants will enter the MCPP.

 

Of the NEOs, Messrs. Rasche, Darrell and Geiselhart were covered by the MCPP at fiscal year-end. The MCPP provides for the payment of benefits to officers on certain termination events after a change in control, which is defined as occurring when a person acquires more than 50% of the voting power of securities of the Company or if a person acquires between 30% and 50% of the voting power and the Board determines that a de facto change in control has occurred.

 

The MCPP provides for a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to the average W-2 compensation paid to a participant for the five-year period immediately preceding cessation of employment, multiplied by 2.99 for an executive vice president or 2.00 for the other officers.

 

The MCPP does not provide benefit payments to those participants who have reached normal retirement age of 65 and provides no benefits if the officer is terminated for cause. The MCPP limits the amount of the benefit payable to an amount equal to the participant’s average monthly compensation for the five-year period immediately preceding the cessation of employment multiplied by the number of months until the date the participant would reach normal retirement age of 65.

 

If, after a change in control, a participant in the MCPP is terminated other than for cause, resigns or retires within 54 months in the case of any executive vice president, or within 42 months in the case of all other officers, then the participant is entitled to the lump-sum amount described above. However, the amount is reduced for each month the participant remains employed by the Company starting with the seventh month after the change in control. The amount of the reduction is 1/48 per month for an executive vice president and 1/36 per month for all other officers.

 

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Other Company-provided benefits

 

The Company believes retirement, health and welfare benefits serve an important role in the total compensation and benefits package offered to employees to assist in attracting and retaining key talent. The Company provides both Company-paid and voluntary health and welfare programs. The programs are reviewed periodically pursuant to the Company’s intent to be competitive within the industry in terms of total compensation.

 

Retirement plans

 

The Company offers its employees a defined contribution 401(k) plan that provides a Company match for all employees, including the NEOs. All of the NEOs participated in the Spire Employee Savings Plan in fiscal year 2021.2022.

 

The NEOs also participate in a qualified defined benefit retirement plan sponsored by Spire Missouri Inc. for its employees. Spire Missouri Inc. also provides NEOs with non-qualified supplemental retirement plan benefits. More details relative to these plans are included in the “Pension plan compensation” section later in this proxy statement.

 

Life insurance

 

The Company provides a life insurance benefit for Ms. Sitherwood in an amount equal to $500,000 while employed by the Company, and the Company provides a life insurance benefit for Messrs. Rasche, Lindsey, Darrell and Geiselhart equal to 200% of base salary, subject to a maximum of $1,500,000 while employed by the Company. Following retirement, the Company provides a life insurance benefit equal to:to 50% of the employee’s active life insurance benefit, subject to a maximum of $250,000, if under age 70; or 25% of the employee’s active life insurance benefit, subject to a maximum of $125,000, if age 70 or older. The costs for this coverage are included in the “All other compensation” column of the “Summary compensation table.”

 

Deferred income plans

 

Since 1986, the Company has offered its directors, officers and certain key employees the opportunity to defer income under deferred income plans. More details on the plans are provided in the “Non-qualified deferred compensation” section later in this proxy statement.

 

Perquisites

 

As a matter of business philosophy, the Company provides limited perquisites or personal benefits to executive officers (including the CEO). These limited perquisites include spousal travel to industry associations that encourage spousal attendance, and executive financial and tax planning. When an executive must relocate, perquisites may also include the payment of relocation expenses as well as the associated tax obligations.

 

Tax implications of the Committee’s compensation decisions

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) generally limits tax deductibility of compensation paid by a public company to its chief executive officer and certain other current and former executive officers in any year to $1 million in the year compensation becomes taxable to the executive.

 

The Committee has historically considered Section 162(m) in the design of incentive plans to preserve the corporate tax deductibility of compensation. However, in light of changes made to Section 162(m) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, compensation over $1 million paid to any NEO will be subject to a tax deduction disallowance under Section 162(m). The Committee recognizes that factors other than tax deductibility should be considered in determining the forms and levels of executive compensation most appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Annually, the Committee reviews all compensation programs and payments, including the tax impact on the Company.

 

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Accounting information

 

The Company accounts for equity incentive grants under FASB ASC Topic 718. The fair value of stock-based awards is estimated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date or, for those with the total shareholder return modifier, using a Monte Carlo simulation model that assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions. Each year, an independent third party runs the Monte Carlo simulation, which is subject to the audit procedures of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. During fiscal year 2021,2022, the Company did not make any modifications to equity grants that resulted in a remeasurement of expense under the accounting rules.

 

Compensation and human resources committee report

 

The Committee has reviewed and discussed with Company management the CD&A section included in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board (and the Board has approved) that this CD&A be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the 20212022 10-K.

 

Compensation and human resources committee

 

Mark A. Borer, Chair
Edward L. Glotzbach
John P. Stupp Jr.
Mary Ann Van Lokeren

 

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Executive compensation tables

 

Summary compensation table

 

The table that follows presents information about compensation for the Company’s NEOs for the last three completed fiscal years.

 

Salary

 

Salary includes amounts earned in each fiscal year. With regard toIn fiscal year 2021,2022, the Committee determinedapproved adjustments to salaries of officers at its November 20202021 meeting that officer salaries would remain unchanged from fiscal year 2020 base salary levels.after the appointment of officers. The amounts in this column also include any amounts of salary that the NEO may have deferred under the Spire Employee Savings Plan and the Spire Deferred Income Plan. Salary deferred under the Spire Deferred Income Plan also appears in the “Executive contributions in last FY” column of the “Non-qualified deferred compensation table” later in this proxy statement.

 

Bonus

 

The amounts in this column represent sign-on or discretionary bonuses. No such bonuses were made in fiscal year 2021.2022. Amounts under the Company’s AIP are reported in the “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” column.

 

Stock awards

 

The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value calculated using the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718 exclusive of the estimate of forfeitures. For those stock awards subject to performance-based conditions, the value reflects the probable outcome as of the grant date.

 

Non-equity incentive plan compensation

 

This column includes incentive payments earned by the NEOs under the AIP. Further details relative to the AIP can be found in the CD&A.

 

Change in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings

 

This column includes the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the NEOs’ accumulated benefits under the Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan and the supplemental retirement plans, as well as the above-market or preferential earnings in fiscal year 20212022 on deferrals in the deferred income plans.

 

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Summary compensation table

Name Year     Salary     Bonus     Stock
awards
(1)     Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
     Change in
pension value
and non-qualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
(2)     All other
compensation
(3)     Total 
Suzanne Sitherwood
President and Chief Executive Officer
  2022   $981,567   $–   $2,605,078        $715,087                 $361,894            $311,088   $4,974,714 
  2021   928,558      2,847,634   1,318,125   291,369   183,055   5,568,741 
  2020   928,847      2,263,409   749,250   266,064   197,156   4,404,726 
Steven P. Rasche
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  2022   488,990      592,576   217,512   136,118   102,817   1,538,013 
  2021   458,758      636,550   383,880   114,679   69,747   1,663,614 
  2020   457,835      499,151   221,182   105,967   82,760   1,366,895 
Steven L. Lindsey
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
  2022   567,717      884,140   314,264   61,408   122,795   1,950,324 
  2021   537,058      939,315   569,775   83,222   82,441   2,211,811 
  2020   531,270      739,287   320,351   90,117   69,864   1,750,889 
Mark C. Darrell
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
  2022   437,195      466,996   161,840   21,049   83,796   1,170,876 
  2021   413,585      496,708   285,825   95,392   58,261   1,349,771 
  2020   413,600      387,960   166,574   125,389   71,479   1,165,002 
Michael C. Geiselhart
Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer
  2022   437,195      434,180   145,927   70,484   67,405   1,155,191 
  2021   413,585      474,269   285,825   115,787   47,110   1,336,576 
  2020   415,170      369,558   167,324   135,491   49,547   1,137,090 

 

Name Year Salary Bonus Stock
awards
(1) Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
 Change in
pension value
and non-qualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
(2) All other
compensation
(3) Total
Suzanne Sitherwood
President and Chief
Executive Officer
 2021 $928,558 $    – $2,847,634 $1,318,125 $291,369 $183,055 $5,568,741
 2020 928,847  2,263,409 749,250 266,064 197,156 4,404,726
 2019 900,096  2,320,527 897,300 246,688 150,978 4,515,589
Steven P. Rasche
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
 2021 458,758  636,550 383,880 114,679 69,747 1,663,614
 2020 457,835  499,151 221,182 105,967 82,760 1,366,895
 2019 431,373  553,726 256,966 93,093 61,555 1,396,713
Steven L. Lindsey
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
 2021 537,058  939,315 569,775 83,222 82,441 2,211,811
 2020 531,270  739,287 320,351 90,117 69,864 1,750,889
 2019 472,317  687,995 300,337 97,248 69,864 1,627,761
Mark C. Darrell
Senior Vice President,
Chief Legal and
Compliance Officer
 2021 413,585  496,708 285,825 95,392 58,261 1,349,771
 2020 413,600  387,960 166,574 125,389 71,479 1,165,002
 2019 398,250  451,233 197,134 145,027 58,413 1,250,057
Michael C. Geiselhart
Senior Vice President,
Chief Strategy and
Corporate Development
Officer
 2021 413,585  474,269 285,825 115,787 47,110 1,336,576
 2020 415,170  369,558 167,324 135,491 49,547 1,137,090
 2019 410,385  429,796 195,336 187,613 48,678 1,271,808
(1)See the Stock-Based Compensation footnote of the consolidated financial statements in the 20212022 10-K for discussions regarding the manner in which the fair value of these awards is calculated, including assumptions used. Further information regarding the 20212022 awards is included in the “Grants of plan-based awards” table and “Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end table” elsewhere in this proxy statement. The maximum financial impact for the 20212022 stock awards for the NEOs is as follows:
Sitherwood $3,564,218 
Rasche  810,675 
Lindsey  1,209,740 
Darrell  638,935 
Geiselhart  594,036 
 Sitherwood$3,889,136
Rasche869,424
Lindsey1,282,837
Darrell678,440
Geiselhart647,639

 The amounts for stock awards are presented excluding any actual or estimated forfeitures.
  
(2)The table below provides details for fiscal year 2022. The amounts shown below in the “Above-market interest” column are also included in the amounts in the “Aggregate earnings in last FY” column of the “Non-qualified deferred compensation table” for the deferred income plans.

  Increase in
pension value
Above-market
interest
Total
 Sitherwood$229,249$62,120$291,369
 Rasche93,28121,398114,679
 Lindsey81,7171,50583,222
 Darrell75,17720,21595,392
 Geiselhart72,40643,381115,787

  Increase in
pension value
  Above-market
interest
  Total 
Sitherwood $290,486                     $71,408  $361,894 
Rasche  111,521   24,597   136,118 
Lindsey  59,664   1,744   61,408 
Darrell     21,049   21,049 
Geiselhart  23,836   46,648   70,484 
(3)The table below provides details on the amounts included in the “all other compensation” column for fiscal year 2021:2022.

   401(k)
match
 Perquisites(a) Dividend
equivalents
(b) Dividends(c) Deferred dividend
equivalents
(d) Deferred
dividends
(e) Other Total
 Sitherwood $14,500 $16,248 $         – $22,502 $89,985 $39,820 $     – $183,055
 Rasche 14,250 17,282  14,353 23,862   69,747
 Lindsey 14,500 18,854 19,553 11,366 9,627 8,541  82,441
 Darrell 14,500 11,897  4,500 20,456 6,908  58,261
 Geiselhart 14,726 2,057  4,276 19,453 6,598  47,110

  401(k)
match
  Perquisites(a)  Dividend
equivalents
(b)  Dividends(c)  Deferred dividend
equivalents
(d)  Deferred
dividends
(e)  Other  Total 
Sitherwood $15,250                $16,248                 $            $4,745                        $197,780           $77,065        $  $311,088 
Rasche  15,449   18,888      21,266   47,214         102,817 
Lindsey  15,250   20,362   39,314   11,846   19,374   16,649      122,795 
Darrell  15,250   15,669      923   38,456   13,498      83,796 
Geiselhart  14,999   2,109      878   36,651   12,768      67,405 
 (a)Perquisites include life insurance premiums, spousal travel, and executive financial and tax planning.
 (b)Dividend equivalents are paid on PCSUs at the time of vesting.
 (c)Dividends are paid quarterly on TBRSs during the three-year vesting period.
 (d)Dividend equivalents on unvested PCSUs that have been deferred under the deferred income plan are contributed to the NEO’s deferred income plan account at the time of vesting.
 (e)Dividends on unvested TBRSs that have been deferred under the deferred income plan are contributed to the NEO’s deferred income plan account quarterly during the three-year vesting period.

 
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Grants of plan-based awards

 

The plans under which grants in the table below were made are generally described in the CD&A in the “Annual incentive compensation” and “Long-term incentive compensation” sections.

 

Under the AIP, performance metrics and potential targets for awards are typically approved in November, with the determinations of earned award amounts made the following November, based upon corporate, safety and individual performance in the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

Equity awards are generally considered for grant in November each year, with the grant date occurring after the November Committee and Board meetings. Under the EIP, the Committee may grant performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights, stock options, shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units.

 

    Estimated future payouts under
non-equity incentive plan awards(1)
 Estimated future payouts under
equity incentive plan awards(2)
 All other Grant date 
Name Grant
date
 Threshold Target Maximum Threshold (In shares)
Target
 Maximum stock
awards
(3) fair value of
stock awards
(4) 
Sitherwood 11/23/20 $462,500 $925,000 $1,387,500           
 11/23/20       16,190 32,380 64,760   $2,106,523 
 11/23/20             10,790 741,111 
Rasche 11/23/20 137,100 274,200 411,300           
 11/23/20       3,620 7,240 14,480   471,020 
 11/23/20             2,410 165,530 
Lindsey 11/23/20 200,625 401,250 601,875           
 11/23/20       5,340 10,680 21,360   694,797 
 11/23/20             3,560 244,518 
Darrell 11/23/20 103,000 206,000 309,000           
 11/23/20       2,825 5,650 11,300   367,581 
 11/23/20             1,880 129,127 
Geiselhart 11/23/20 103,000 206,000 309,000           
 11/23/20       2,695 5,390 10,780   350,636 
 11/23/20             1,880 123,633 

  Grant
date
 Estimated future payouts under
non-equity incentive plan awards(1)
  Estimated future payouts under
equity incentive plan awards (in shares)(2)
  All other
stock
awards
  Grant date
fair value of
stock awards
 
Name     Threshold     Target     Maximum     Threshold     Target     Maximum     (3)     (4) 
Sitherwood 11/29/21  $476,375   $952,750   $1,429,125                     
  11/29/21              15,480   30,960   61,920        $1,934,072 
  11/29/21                          10,320   671,006 
Rasche 11/29/21  142,584   285,168   427,752                     
  11/29/21              3,520   7,040   14,080       439,779 
  11/29/21                          2,350   152,797 
Lindsey 11/29/21  206,644   413,288   619,932                     
  11/29/21              5,255   10,510   21,020       656,570 
  11/29/21                          3,500   227,570 
Darrell 11/29/21  106,090   212,180   318,270                     
  11/29/21              2,775   5,550   11,100       346,709 
  11/29/21                          1,850   120,287 
Geiselhart 11/29/21  106,090   212,180   318,270                     
  11/29/21              2,580   5,160   10,320       322,346 
  11/29/21                          1,720   111,834 
(1)These columns show the range of possible payouts for AIP in fiscal year 2021.2022. The amounts paid in fiscal year 20222023 but earned based upon performance in fiscal year 20212022 are included in the “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” column in the “Summary compensation table” and are based on the metrics described in the CD&A.
(2)These columns show the range of possible payouts for the PCSU awards granted in fiscal year 2021.2022.
(3)This column shows the award of TBRS granted in fiscal year 20212022 as to which the restrictions will lapse on November 23, 2023.29, 2024. Details of each grant are listed in the “Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year end table.”
(4)This column provides the grant date fair value of PCSU and TBRS awards using the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, exclusive of the estimate of forfeitures. For those shares in the “Estimated future payouts under equity incentive plan awards” columns, the value reflects the probable outcome on the grant date and is the same as the amount included for such shares in the “Stock awards” column for 20212022 in the “Summary compensation table.”

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In November 2020, EIP awards were made to Ms. Sitherwood and Messrs. Rasche, Lindsey, Darrell and Geiselhart. These awards included PCSUs that vest upon the attainment of multi-year performance objectives. Under the terms of the awards, these units may vest if certain corporate performance metrics for the 2021-2023 fiscal year performance period are met or exceeded. The performance metrics for the units granted in fiscal year 2021 are the cumulative three-year average NEEPS over fiscal years 2021-2023 and three-year relative TSR, which are weighted at 50% each. If the performance criteria are not satisfied for the fiscal years 2021-2023 performance period, the awards will be forfeited. At the conclusion of the performance period, payouts can range from 0% to 200% of target for each metric. After vesting, executives are expected to retain 75% of vested shares until their stock ownership requirements are met.

In the event of a change in control, vesting may accelerate at the target level on a pro rata basis if the awards have not already been forfeited and the successor does not assume the award or provide a comparable award, provided that the assumed or replacement award must provide that the vesting will be accelerated if the participant is terminated without cause within 24 months of the change in control. If a participant leaves the Company due to death, disability or retirement, the participant’s award may vest on a pro rata basis if the performance metrics are met. Dividend equivalents on PCSUs are accrued throughout the performance period and paid to the participant in proportion to the number of shares actually earned at vesting. No interest is paid on the accrued dividends. More details on these awards are included in the “Long-term incentive compensation” section of the CD&A.

Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year end table

 

Name Stock award
grant date
 No. of shares or
units of stock
that have not
vested
 Market value of
shares or units of
stock that have
not vested
(1) Stock
award
vesting
date
 Equity incentive
plan awards:
No. of unearned
shares, units or
other rights that
have not vested
(2) Equity
incentive plan
awards: Market
or payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other rights
that have not
vested
Sitherwood 11/14/18 7,300 $446,614 11/14/21 21,910 $1,340,454
 12/04/19 7,380 451,508 11/21/22 22,140 1,354,525
 11/23/20 10,790 660,132 11/23/23 32,380 1,981,008
Rasche 11/14/18 1,740 106,453 11/14/21 5,230 319,971
 12/04/19 1,630 99,723 11/21/22 4,880 298,558
 11/23/20 2,410 147,444 11/23/23 7,240 442,943
Lindsey 11/14/18 2,160 132,149 11/14/21 6,500 397,670
 12/04/19 2,410 147,444 11/21/22 7,232 442,454
 11/23/20 3,560 217,801 11/23/23 10,680 653,402
Darrell 11/14/18 1,420 86,876 11/14/21 4,260 260,627
 12/04/19 1,260 77,087 11/21/22 3,800 232,484
 11/23/20 1,880 115,018 11/23/23 5,650 345,667
Geiselhart 11/14/18 1,350 82,593 11/14/21 4,060 248,391
 12/04/19 1,200 73,416 11/21/22 3,620 221,472
 11/23/20 1,800 110,124 11/23/23 5,390 329,760

Name Stock award
grant date
     No. of shares or
units of stock
that have not
vested
      Market value of
shares or units of
stock that have
not vested
(1)      Stock
award
vesting
date
     Equity incentive
plan awards:
No. of unearned
shares, units or
other rights that
have not vested
(2)      Equity
incentive plan
awards: Market
or payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other rights
that have not
vested
 
Sitherwood 12/04/19  7,380  $459,995  11/21/22  22,140  $1,379,986 
  11/23/20  10,790   672,541  11/23/23  32,380   2,018,245 
  11/29/21  10,320   643,246  11/29/24  30,960   1,929,737 
Rasche 12/04/19  1,630   101,598  11/21/22  4,880   304,170 
  11/23/20  2,410   150,215  11/23/23  7,240   451,269 
  11/29/21  2,350   146,476  11/29/24  7,040   438,803 
Lindsey 12/04/19  2,410   150,215  11/21/22  7,232   450,771 
  11/23/20  3,560   221,895  11/23/23  10,680   665,684 
  11/29/21  3,500   218,155  11/29/24  10,510   655,088 
Darrell 12/04/19  1,260   78,536  11/21/22  3,800   236,854 
  11/23/20  1,880   117,180  11/23/23  5,650   352,165 
  11/29/21  1,850   115,311  11/29/24  5,550   345,932 
Geiselhart 12/04/19  1,200   74,796  11/21/22  3,620   225,635 
  11/23/20  1,800   112,194  11/23/23  5,390   335,959 
  11/29/21  1,720   107,208  11/29/24  5,160   321,623 
(1)The dollar amounts in this column reflect the value calculated at $61.18$62.33 per share, the closing price of the Company stock on September 30, 2021.2022. The percentage of equity awards deferred under the Spire Deferred Income Plan in fiscal year 2021for all outstanding grants are as follows.follows (deferral elections are made for the following calendar year). TBRS were not eligible for deferral until 2019.

 

Percentage of equity awards deferred under Spire Deferred Income Plan

 

2018 2019 2020 12/04/19 grant 11/23/20 grant 11/29/21 grant
PCSU TBRS PCSU TBRS PCSU TBRS   PCSU  TBRS  PCSU  TBRS  PCSU  TBRS
Sitherwood100% N/A 100% 100% 100% 100%   100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%
Rasche100 N/A 100 0 100 0   100      100      100    
Lindsey33 N/A 65 65 65 65   65   65   65   65   65   65 
Darrell100 N/A 100 100 100 100   100   100   100   100   100   100 
Geiselhart100 N/A 100 100 100 100   100   100   100   100   100   100 

 

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(2)Vesting dates, performance periods and levels of awards, assuming performance metrics are met, are provided below:
 Grant
date
 Performance
period
 Vesting date Name Threshold  Target  Maximum 
 12/04/19 10/1/19–9/30/22 11/21/22 Sitherwood  11,070   22,140   44,280 
       Rasche  2,440   4,880   9,760 
       Lindsey  3,616   7,232   14,464 
       Darrell  1,900   3,800   7,600 
       Geiselhart  1,810   3,620   7,240 
 11/23/20 10/1/20–9/30/23 11/23/23 Sitherwood  16,190   32,380   64,760 
       Rasche  3,620   7,240   14,480 
       Lindsey  5,340   10,680   21,360 
       Darrell  2,825   5,650   11,300 
       Geiselhart  2,695   5,390   10,780 
 11/29/21 10/1/21–9/30/24 11/29/24 Sitherwood  15,480   30,960   61,920 
       Rasche  3,520   7,040   14,080 
       Lindsey  5,255   10,510   21,020 
       Darrell  2,775   5,550   11,100 
       Geiselhart  2,580   5,160   10,320 

 

Grant
date
Performance
period
Vesting dateNameThresholdTargetMaximum
11/14/1810/1/18-9/30/2111/14/21Sitherwood10,95521,91043,820
Rasche2,6155,23010,460
Lindsey3,2506,50013,000
Darrell2,1304,2608,520
Geiselhart2,0304,0608,120
12/04/1910/1/19-9/30/2212/04/22Sitherwood11,07022,14044,280
Rasche2,4404,8809,760
Lindsey3,6167,23214,464
Darrell1,9003,8007,600
Geiselhart1,8103,6207,240
11/23/2010/1/20-9/30/2311/23/23Sitherwood16,19032,38064,760
Rasche3,6207,24014,480
Lindsey5,34010,68021,360
Darrell2,8255,65011,300
Geiselhart2,6955,39010,780

Option exercises and stock vested in fiscal 20212022 table

 

None of the NEOs held any exercisable stock options in fiscal year 2021,2022, so those columns have been omitted from the table below. The value column reflects the shares acquired on vesting multiplied by the closing price on the vesting date.

 

NameNumber of shares
acquired on vesting
Value realized
on vesting
 Number of shares
acquired on vesting
 Value realized
on vesting
 
Sitherwood18,725$1,189,380  33,811   $2,123,844 
Rasche4,960315,034  8,068   506,810 
Lindsey6,072385,706  10,025   629,720 
Darrell4,257270,392  6,575   412,983 
Geiselhart4,045256,926  6,263   393,385 

 

Pension plan compensation

 

The NEOs participate in the Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan, a qualified defined benefit plan sponsored by Spire Missouri Inc.

 

Grandfathered pension benefit

 

Effective January 1, 2009, Spire Missouri Inc. amended its plan to change the way benefits are calculated. Prior to that date, the plan provided benefits based on a final pay formula that used a participant’s years of credited service and average final compensation. The average final compensation is the highest consecutive three-year average of the final 10 years of employment. Participants’ years of credited service under the plan were frozen as of December 31, 2008; however, the average final pay was not frozen and will continue to be based on the highest three-year average in the final 10 years of employment.employment until December 31, 2023, at which time the average final pay will also be frozen. Benefits under the plan formula in effect prior to January 1, 2009 are referred to as “grandfathered benefits.” With respect to annual incentive compensation paid on or after January 1, 2013, average final compensation will exclude such incentive compensation for purposes of the grandfathered benefit. Of the NEOs, only Mr. Darrell and Mr. Geiselhart have grandfathered benefits.

 

While normal retirement age under the plan is age 65, participants may retire at age 60 with 10 or more years of service without reduction of the grandfathered benefit for early retirement. As Mr. Darrell and Mr. Geiselhart are both age 60 or older, immediate retirement is assumed in calculating their grandfathered benefits.

 

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Cash balance benefit

 

On and after January 1, 2009, the plan uses a cash balance formula that provides: (i) a cash balance credit between 4 andto 10% of compensation (base salary and annual incentive compensation) depending on the participant’s age, and (ii) interest credits using a rate equal to an average of corporate bond rates published by the Internal Revenue Service. Benefits under the plan formula in effect on and after January 1, 2009 are referred to as “current benefits.” The cash balance credit and interest credit are applied as of December 31 of each year, on an average monthly basis, with interest compounded monthly. For calendar year 2021,2022, cash balance credits were as follows:

 

Sitherwood10%
Rasche10 
Lindsey9 
Darrell10 
Geiselhart10 

 

The early retirement amount of the current benefits will be the amount credited in the participant’s cash balance account in the case of a lump-sum payment. If an annuity is taken at early retirement, the benefit will be the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum amount.

 

Supplemental retirement benefits

 

The Code generally places a limit on the amount of the annual pension that can be paid from a qualified defined benefit plan as well as on the amount of annual earnings that can be used to calculate a pension benefit. Since 1977, Spire Missouri Inc. has maintained a Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan, a non-qualified plan that covers pension benefits that accrued through December 31, 2004, and that pays eligible employees the difference between the amount payable under the qualified plan and the amount they would have received without the limits on the qualified plan or without any deferred income plan contributions. Spire Missouri Inc. adopted the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan II to comply with Code Section 409A, which covers grandfathered pension benefits accrued on and after January 1, 2005. It also adopted the Cash Balance Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan, which covers cash balance benefits accruing on and after January 1, 2009.

 

Please note the following relating to the benefits shown in the table below:

 

the Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans are unfunded and subject to reduction or forfeiture in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy;
  
the years of credited service in the table are the same as the executives’ years of actual service as of December 31, 2008, when years of service were frozen for all participants;
  
the compensation used to determine current and grandfathered benefits under the plans include the amounts in the “Salary” column and the amount attributable to payments under the AIP in the “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” column (for current benefits only after January 1, 2013) in the “Summary compensation table”;table;” and
  
executives at the Company are subject to mandatory retirement at age 65 unless the Board of Directors asks them to continue working past that age.

 

The pension benefits in the table below were calculated using:

 

the September 30, 20212022 measurement date;
  
the same assumptions as described in Note 13, Pension Plans and Other Post-Retirement Benefits, of the consolidated financial statements in the 20212022 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021,2022, except retirement at the greater of 60 or the executive’s actual age as noted above was used for the grandfathered benefit and, as required, no income growth assumption nor any forfeiture assumption was used;
  
for the grandfathered benefit, the greater of:

 years of service, multiplied by the sum of 1.7% of Social Security covered compensation (a 35-year average of Social Security maximum wage bases) plus 2.0% of the highest average normal compensation during a 36-month period in the 10 years prior to the measurement date in excess of Social Security covered compensation; and
   
 the highest average normal compensation during a 36-month period in the 10 years prior to the measurement date, multiplied by (i) years of service, and (ii) the benefit factor of 2.1%, less the executive’s estimated Social Security benefit multiplied by 1.25% for each year of service up to a maximum of 40 years.

the assumption of a 90% probability that the participant elects a lump-sum equivalent of the monthly annuity amount described above.

 

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Pension benefits table

 

Name Plan name Number of
years of
credited
service
(1)  Present value of
accumulated
benefit
  Payments
during
last year
 
Sitherwood Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan               $299,500   $  – 
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     1,339,946    
Rasche Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan     354,855    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     326,660    
Lindsey Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan     241,863    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     345,229    
Darrell Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan  4.67   859,053    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans  4.67   559,268    
Geiselhart Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan  2.33   636,500    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans  2.33   340,201    

Name Plan name Number of
years of
credited
service
(1)  Present value of
accumulated
benefit
  Payments
during
last year
 
Sitherwood Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan                 $340,520             $ 
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     1,589,412    
Rasche Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan     396,486    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     396,550    
Lindsey Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan     252,086    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans     394,670    
Darrell Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan  4.67   819,019    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans  4.67   580,518    
Geiselhart Spire Missouri Employees’ Retirement Plan  2.33   633,032    
  Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans  2.33   367,505    
(1)As noted above, years of credited service were frozen as of December 31, 2008.

 

Non-qualified deferred compensation

 

Executives are eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plans offered by the Company.

 

Spire Deferred Income Plan

 

The Spire Deferred Income Plan (“Deferred Income Plan”) covers participant deferrals made on and after January 1, 2005, and is intended to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

Executive deferrals

 

Effective January 1, 2015, the Deferred Income Plan allowed participants, including the NEOs, to defer up to 50% of annual salary, and up to 90% of AIP compensation. Prior to 2015, participants could defer up to 15% of annual salary. For plan years beginning on and after January 1, 2020, participants, including the NEOs, may defer up to 80% of annual salary.

 

Effective January 1, 2019, the Deferred Income Plan was amended to permit the deferral of up to 100% of equity compensation. In fiscal year 2019, participants could elect to defer PCSUs granted on December 1, 2017 and November 14, 2018. Beginning in fiscal year 2020, participants may elect to defer current grants of PCSUs and TBRSs. Any deferred equity will be distributed in cash, rather than shares.

 

Plan investments

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Deferred Income Plan provides participant investment options that mirror returns in certain 401(k) plan investment funds and Company stock. Effective January 1, 2021, Participantsparticipants were offered an increased menu of diversified investment options. Participants may also elect an annual fixed interest rate based on Moody’s Corporate Bond Rate not to exceed 120% of the Applicable Federal Rate.

 

Deferrals made prior to 2016 earn investment income equal to the greater of:

 

the Moody’s Corporate Bond Rate, plus an interest credit ranging from 1 to 3% depending on the age of the participant at the start of the specific plan year, or
a guaranteed interest rate based on the age of the participant at the start of the specific plan year.

 

Deferrals of equity grants cannot be diversified into other investments for six months after the grants vest. Dividends paid on deferred equity are invested in any fund instructed by the participant other than the Company Stock Fund.

 

Plan benefits

 

The Deferred Income Plan provides retirement benefits payable in annual installments over a 15-year period based on the deferred account balance as of the date of retirement. Effective January 1, 2018, participants can elect for new deferrals to be distributed in a lump sum or in installments over two to 15 years.

 

In the event of any other termination of employment prior to age 55, the executive will receive the deferred account balance reduced by any additional interest credits payable in a lump sum.

 

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The Deferred Income Plan provides:

 

death and disability benefits payable in a lump sum
a lump-sum payment if the participant is terminated within two years of a change in control.

 

For participant deferrals made in or after calendar year 2016, the disability and change in control termination benefits are equal to the deferred account balance at the date of disability or termination.

 

For participant deferrals made in or after calendar year 2016, the death benefits are equal to the deferred account balance plus participant deferrals projected from the date of death to the end of the plan year in which death occurred.

 

For participant deferrals made prior to calendar year 2016, the disability deferred account balance is credited with investment income through the end of the plan year in which disability occurs.

 

The benefits payable for participant deferrals prior to calendar year 2016 upon death, disability and change in control termination are equal to the greater of:

 

the present value of the deferred account balance projected through age 65 or
the deferred account balance accumulated through the respective termination date.

 

Laclede Gas Company Deferred Income Plan II

 

The Laclede Gas Company Deferred Income Plan II (“Deferred Income Plan II”) covers participant deferrals prior to January 1, 2005.

 

The Deferred Income Plan II provides similar benefits as the Deferred Income Plan with the following exceptions:

 

death and disability benefits are payable in 15 annual installments, and
retirement benefits are payable in 15 annual installments; benefits continue for the participant’s lifetime following retirement at age 65 or later (at least 15 annual installments).

 

The amounts in the table below include contributions by the executive and investment earnings under both deferred compensation plans.

 

Non-qualified deferred compensation table

 

Name   Executive
contributions
in last FY
(1)  Company
contributions
in last FY
  Aggregate
earnings
in last FY
(2)  Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions
  Aggregate
balance
at last FYE
 
Sitherwood Deferred Income Plan       $803,910  $    $746,033  $  $5,182,186 
Rasche Deferred Income Plan  532,711      166,795      1,956,716 
Lindsey Deferred Income Plan  83,974      35,846      238,924 
Darrell Deferred Income Plans  178,428      92,823      822,451 
Geiselhart Deferred Income Plan  343,267      324,095      2,226,114 

Name   Executive
contributions
in last FY
(1)  Company
contributions
in last FY
  Aggregate
earnings
in last FY
(2)  Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions
  Aggregate
balance
at last FYE
 
Sitherwood Deferred Income Plan  $1,626,155   $–   $(80,037)  $–   $6,728,303 
Rasche Deferred Income Plan  835,222      85,481      2,877,418 
Lindsey Deferred Income Plan  159,236      29,810      427,969 
Darrell Deferred Income Plans  316,085      50,492      1,189,028 
Geiselhart Deferred Income Plan  553,453      (61,465)     2,718,101 
(1)Amounts in this column include vested deferred PCSUs for Ms. Sitherwood, and Messrs.Mr. Rasche, Mr. Lindsey, Mr. Darrell and Mr. Geiselhart; amounts included in the “Salary” column of the “Summary compensation table” of $175,770$188,143.99 for Mr. Rasche and $90,007$101,930.27 for Mr. Geiselhart; and amounts included in the “Non-equity incentive plan compensation” column of the “Summary compensation table” of $143,769$249,522.00 for Mr. Rasche and $83,662$142,912.50 for Mr. Geiselhart.
(2)The amounts attributable to above-market interest on non-qualified deferred compensation in the “Change in pension value” and “Non-qualified deferred compensation earnings” column in the “Summary compensation table” and identified in footnote 2 to that table are also included in this column. The aggregate earnings include dividends and dividend equivalents paid on deferred TBRSs and PCSUs, which are described in the “All other compensation” column of the “Summary compensation table.”

 

Potential payments upon termination or change in control

 

This section describes the potential payments and benefits to which the NEOs would have been entitled upon termination of employment, including termination of employment following a change in control, as if such termination had occurred on the last trading day of our fiscal year (September 30, 2021)2022) using the New York Stock Exchange closing price of $61.18$62.33 per share of the Company’s stock on that date. The discussion does not include payments and benefits to the extent they are generally provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees upon termination of employment. The following table sets forth the potential payments to the NEOs upon the termination of their employment with the Company, including a termination of employment following a change in control. The table does not include retirement plan benefits payable to the executives shown in the “Pension benefits table.”

 

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Event Cash
severance
(1) AIP
payment
(2) Equity grants(3) Deferred
income plan
(4) Health
benefits
(5) 280G
Cutback or
excise tax
(6) Net total
payment
 
Sitherwood               
Voluntary termination $0 $925,000    $2,849,936 $5,182,185 $0 $0 $8,957,121 
Retirement  0  925,000  2,849,936  5,182,185  0  0  8,957,121 
Disability  0  925,000  3,718,488  5,278,245  0  0  9,921,733 
Death  0  925,000  3,718,488  5,225,584  0  0  9,869,072 
Involuntary termination  1,850,000  925,000  2,849,936  5,182,185  31,326  0  10,838,447 
Change-in-control  5,550,000  925,000  4,408,190  5,225,584  46,990  0  16,155,764 
Rasche                      
Voluntary termination  0  274,200  655,971  1,956,716  0  0  2,886,887 
Retirement  0  274,200  655,971  1,956,716  0  0  2,886,887 
Disability  0  274,200  855,639  1,986,601  0  0  3,116,440 
Death  0  274,200  855,639  2,006,838  0  0  3,136,677 
Involuntary termination  0  274,200  655,971  1,956,716  0  0  2,886,887 
Change-in-control  2,810,200  274,200  1,009,591  1,957,623  0  (619,329 5,432,285 
Lindsey                      
Voluntary termination  0  401,250  890,171  238,095  0  0  1,529,516 
Retirement  0  401,250  890,171  238,095  0  0  1,529,516 
Disability  0  401,250  1,161,487  240,753  0  0  1,803,490 
Death  0  401,250  1,161,487  240,202  0  0  1,802,939 
Involuntary termination  535,000  401,250  890,171  238,095  21,706  0  2,086,222 
Change-in-control  1,872,500  401,250  1,387,565  240,202  43,412  0  3,944,929 
Darrell                      
Voluntary termination  0  206,000  523,169  822,451  0  0  1,551,620 
Retirement  0  206,000  523,169  822,451  0  0  1,551,620 
Disability  0  206,000  682,135  835,283  0  0  1,723,418 
Death  0  206,000  682,135  825,845  0  0  1,713,980 
Involuntary termination  0  206,000  523,169  822,451  0  0  1,551,620 
Change-in-control  1,936,857  206,000  802,150  825,845  0  0  3,770,852 
Geiselhart                      
Voluntary termination  0  206,000  498,637  2,226,113  0  0  2,930,750 
Retirement  0  206,000  498,637  2,226,113  0  0  2,930,750 
Disability  0  206,000  650,058  2,276,367  0  0  3,132,425 
Death  0  206,000  650,058  2,265,028  0  0  3,121,086 
Involuntary termination  0  206,000  498,637  2,226,113  0  0  2,930,750 
Change-in-control  1,287,299  206,000  764,770  2,240,625  0  0  4,498,694 

Event Cash
severance
(1)       AIP
payment
(2)       Equity grants(3)       Deferred
income plan
(4)       Health
benefits
(5)       280G
Cutback or
excise tax
(6)       Net total
payment
 
Sitherwood                            
Voluntary Termination       $0   $952,750   $3,322,538   $6,728,303    $0      $0   $11,003,591 
Retirement  0   952,750   3,322,538   6,728,303   0   0   11,003,591 
Disability  0   952,750   4,333,876   6,815,765   0   0   12,102,391 
Death  0   952,750   4,333,876   6,815,765   0   0   12,102,391 
Involuntary Termination  1,905,500   952,750   3,322,538   6,728,303   32,980   0   12,942,071 
Change-In-Control  5,716,500   952,750   5,098,320   6,789,515   49,470   0   18,606,554 
Rasche                            
Voluntary Termination  0   285,168   618,610   2,877,418   0   0   3,781,196 
Retirement  0   285,168   618,610   2,877,418   0   0   3,781,196 
Disability  0   285,168   803,539   2,936,112   0   0   4,024,819 
Death  0   285,168   803,539   2,946,316   0   0   4,035,023 
Involuntary Termination  0   285,168   618,610   2,877,418   0   0   3,781,196 
Change-In-Control  2,563,692   285,168   870,423   2,895,132   0   (546,122)  6,068,293 
Lindsey                            
Voluntary Termination  0   413,288   914,772   427,969   0   0   1,756,029 
Retirement  0   413,288   914,772   427,969   0   0   1,756,029 
Disability  0   413,288   1,188,071   432,226   0   0   2,033,585 
Death  0   413,288   1,188,071   431,505   0   0   2,032,864 
Involuntary Termination  551,050   413,288   914,772   427,969   22,848   0   2,329,927 
Change-In-Control  1,928,675   413,288   1,286,882   431,505   45,696   0   4,106,046 
Darrell                            
Voluntary Termination  0   212,180   482,265   1,189,028   0   0   1,883,473 
Retirement  0   212,180   482,265   1,189,028   0   0   1,883,473 
Disability  0   212,180   625,866   1,195,771   0   0   2,033,817 
Death  0   212,180   625,866   1,195,771   0   0   2,033,817 
Involuntary Termination  0   212,180   482,265   1,189,028   0   0   1,883,473 
Change-In-Control  1,803,335   212,180   677,981   1,195,771   0   0   3,889,266 
Geiselhart                            
Voluntary Termination  0   212,180   459,639   2,718,101   0   0   3,389,920 
Retirement  0   212,180   459,639   2,718,101   0   0   3,389,920 
Disability  0   212,180   596,765   2,758,731   0   0   3,567,676 
Death  0   212,180   596,765   2,771,032   0   0   3,579,977 
Involuntary Termination  0   212,180   459,639   2,718,101   0   0   3,389,920 
Change-In-Control  1,220,214   212,180   646,629   2,742,469   0   0   4,821,492 
(1)Ms. Sitherwood and Mr. Lindsey are participants in the Executive Severance Plan, which provides for a cash payment in the event of an involuntary termination, whether by the Company without cause, or by the executive for good reason, the amount of which is increased if such involuntary termination occurs within 24 months after a change in control. In the event of involuntary termination, Ms. Sitherwood’s cash payment would be based on a multiple of two times annual base salary. Mr. Lindsey’s cash payment would be based on a multiple of one times annual base salary. In the event of involuntary termination within two years following a change in control, Ms. Sitherwood’s cash payment would be based on a multiple of three times annual base salary plus target AIP. Mr. Lindsey’s cash payment would be based on a multiple of two times annual base salary plus target AIP.
 Messrs. Rasche, Darrell and Geiselhart are covered by the Management Continuity Protection Plan (“MCPP”). The potential payments to these officers are limited to termination within 54 months for Mr. Rasche and 42 months for Mr. Darrell and Mr. Geiselhart after a change in control. This cash payment for Mr. Rasche is equal to 2.99 times average annual W-2 compensation, and this cash payment for Mr. Darrell and Mr. Geiselhart is equal to 2.0 times average annual W-2 compensation. Mr. Darrell will no longer be covered by the MCPP after he reaches age 65 in November 2022.
(2)Upon a change in control, any awards under the AIP are deemed earned at a prorated target based on the number of completed days in the fiscal year prior to the change in control. This payment takes place whether or not a termination occurs. The AIP’s definition of change in control mirrors the definition in the Executive Severance Plan.
 If a participant’s employment ceases due to termination without cause or by death, disability or retirement, the participant is eligible to earn a prorated award based upon Company performance and the participant’s achievement of individual metrics.

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(3)Participants, including the NEOs, have outstanding PCSUs and TBRSs under the EIP. The EIP uses the same definition of change in control that is used in the AIP and the Executive Severance Plan.
 PCSUs. These awards generally provide for vesting of stock units on the third anniversary of the grant date that falls after the end of the performance period, to the extent that the Committee determines and certifies that the performance criteria have been met or exceeded. A participant forfeits all non-vested awards upon the participant’s termination of employment for cause.
 If during the performance period a participant dies or leaves the Company due to retirement or disability, the participant remains eligible to earn a prorated award based on the number of full months as a participant during the performance period, as the Committee may determine, if the performance contingency is satisfied.
 In the event of a change in control, any outstanding awards shall be deemed earned and vested at a prorated target, based on the number of months completed in the performance period at the time of the change in control, if the award is not assumed or replaced with a comparable award by the successor or surviving entity. If the successor or surviving entity does not assume or replace the award, the award will trigger a benefit at a prorated target based on the number of full months as a participant if the participant is involuntarily terminated without cause within two years of the change in control. Dividend equivalents on PCSUs are accrued throughout the performance period and paid to the participant in proportion to the amount of shares actually earned at vesting, up to the amount of dividends that would have been paid on the target number of shares. In the event of a change in control, accrued dividend equivalents would be paid on the same prorated basis as mentioned above. The same amounts would be payable in the event of a participant’s death, retirement or termination of employment due to disability if the target level of performance is achieved. As a result of being retirement-eligible at the time of any termination, PCSU grants would vest on a pro-rata basis for the following individuals, at a value of:

Sitherwood $2,606,404*
Rasche  599,394*
Lindsey  815,716*
Darrell  477,783*
Geiselhart  455,383*

*These amounts are included in the “Equity grants” column.

Sitherwood $3,034,397*
Rasche  554,599*
Lindsey  820,013*
Darrell  432,328*
Geiselhart  412,140*
 *     These amounts are included in the “Equity grants” column.
TBRSs. These shares generally provide for vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date. A participant forfeits all non-vested shares upon the participant’s termination of employment for any reason prior to vesting, other than as a result of a change in control or mandatory retirement requirements. None of the NEOs were subject to mandatory retirement requirements during fiscal year 2021.2022.
 If a participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within two years following a change in control, the shares become vested on the earlier of the vesting date or the date of the change in control. If a participant’s employment is terminated due to mandatory retirement requirements, the shares become vested based on the number of full months from the award date to the participant’s retirement.
(4)Under the terms of the deferred income plans, if a participant’s employment is terminated within two years of a change in control, the participant will receive a lump-sum payment equal to the greater of (i) the present value of the account balance projected through age 65 using a guaranteed minimum rate of return, or (ii) the actual account balance accumulated through the termination date. However, for deferrals made on and after January 1, 2015, the lump-sum payment would be equal to the participant’s account balance plus the present value of employer contributions and earnings credits that would have been made or earned on such account balance through age 65.
 Upon retirement, the participant will receive the participant’s account balance in 15 installments unless the participant elected a lump sum for deferrals made on and after January 1, 2005, or elected a lump sum or different number of installments for deferrals on or after January 1, 2018. In the event of death or disability, a participant or the participant’s beneficiary will receive the participant’s account balance plus the projected earnings that would have been payable if the participant had retired at age 65.
 Upon any other termination of employment, the participant will receive all deferred amounts plus interest accrued at the Moody’s rate applicable to each plan year.
 The amounts reflected in this table are the amounts that each executive would receive if the executive terminated on September 30, 2021.2022. The account balance as of the end of fiscal year 20212022 is reflected in the “Non-qualified deferred compensation table” above.
(5)The Executive Severance Plan provides that the Company will provide a cash payment equal to a certain number of months of continued medical, dental and vision coverage. In the event of involuntary termination, absent a change in control, Ms. Sitherwood would receive a cash payment equal to 24 months of continued medical, dental and vision benefits, and Mr. Lindsey would receive a cash payment equal to 12 months of continued medical, dental and vision benefits. In the event of involuntary termination within two years following a change in control, Ms. Sitherwood would receive a cash payment equal to 36 months of continued medical, dental and vision benefits, and Mr. Lindsey would receive a cash payment equal to 24 months of continued medical, dental and vision benefits. The table reflects these cash payments under the “Health benefits” column. The MCPP, which governs the severance arrangements for Messrs. Rasche, Darrell and Geiselhart, does not provide for Company-paid health benefits or any cash equivalent upon termination.
(6)Code Section 280G provides guidelines that govern payments triggered by a change in control, known as “parachute payments.” If such payments exceed three times the five-year average annual compensation for certain individuals, the payments may trigger adverse tax consequences and excise taxes. The Company does not provide any gross-up payments for such adverse tax consequences or excise taxes under any of the arrangements.Thearrangements. The Executive Severance Plan provides for a “best of net” calculation whereby the reduction in the severance calculation is determined to be the better of a reduction of the calculated amount to the amount permissible under Code Section 280G or the cost to the executive of paying the 20% excise tax on the calculated severance payment. Based on the exemption under Code Section 280G for severance pay that is tied to a non-competition agreement, we believe that Ms. Sitherwood’s severance payment and other change in control benefits would not exceed the limits under Code Section 280G. We also believe that Mr. Lindsey’s severance payment and other change in control benefits would not exceed the limits under Code Section 280G.
 The MCPP provides for the reduction of the calculated severance value to the amount permissible under Code Section 280G. This amount represents the amount the severance payment to Mr. Rasche would be reduced. We believe that no reduction would be required for Mr. Darrell or Mr. Geiselhart.

 

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CEO pay ratio

 

Under Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are required to provide the ratio of the annual total compensation of Ms. Sitherwood, president and chief executive officer, to the annual total compensation of the median employee of the Company.

 

For fiscal year 2021,2022, the annual total compensation of the median employee of the Company and its subsidiaries (other than the president and chief executive officer) was $115,588.$95,900. Ms. Sitherwood’s total annual compensation for fiscal year 20212022 was $5,568,741.$4,974,714. Based on this information, the ratio of the compensation of the chief executive officer to the annual total compensation of the median employee was estimated to be 4852 to 1.

 

To identify the median employee, and to determine the total annual compensation of such employee, we used the following methodology. We identified our median employee as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2021,2022, based on our entire workforce of 3,7103,584 employees, using base pay, plus annual and long-term incentive compensation, for the period of October 1, 20202021 through September 30, 2021.2022. Once the median employee was identified, we then determined the median employee’s annual total compensation for fiscal year 20212022 using the Summary Compensation Table methodology set out in Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. With respect to the annual total compensation of Ms. Sitherwood, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of the “Summary compensation table.”

 

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

 

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Proposal 3: Advisory vote on frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers

In addition to requesting the shareholder advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC rules issued thereunder also require that once every six years we seek shareholder approval of how often the Company will seek advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers. SEC rules require that shareholders be given an option to provide an advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers every one, two or three years. The last time we held this vote in 2017, the Board recommended, and shareholders approved, that the advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers should be held every year.

Accordingly, after careful consideration, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote for the option of “one year” to provide advisory approval of named executive officer compensation on an annual basis.

We continue to believe a one-year frequency provides the highest level of accountability to our shareholders and allows for valuable feedback by our shareholders on our executive compensation program. It is also consistent with our practice of seeking input and engaging in dialogue with our shareholders on corporate governance matters and our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices.

Although the vote on this Proposal is advisory and non-binding, the Board will carefully consider the voting results. If none of the alternatives receives a majority vote, the alternative that receives the most votes will be deemed approved by shareholders.

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote of “ONE YEAR” as the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

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Proposal 4: Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountant

 

The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of its audit committee, recommends that you ratify the appointment of Deloitte as independent registered public accountant, to audit the books, records and accounts of Spire Inc. and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.2023. A representative of Deloitte will be present at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

 Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accountant.

 

Audit committee report

 

The audit committee of the Board of Directors is composed of fourfive directors who are independent as required by and in compliance with the applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the rules of the SEC. The names of the committee members as of the date of this proxy statement appear at the end of this report. The committee operates under a written charter.

 

The primary function of the audit committee is oversight. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements. Management is also responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting practices and policies; for establishing internal controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company is in compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations; and for assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Deloitte, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for planning and performing an independent audit of the financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and to issue reports expressing an opinion, based on its audit (i) as to the conformity of the audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and (ii) on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of Deloitte.

 

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the 20212022 10-K with management and Deloitte, which included a discussion of the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company. The committee also discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed under the applicable PCAOB standards.

 

Deloitte has provided the committee with the written disclosures and letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and the committee has discussed with Deloitte its independence.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the 20212022 10-K.

 

Audit committee

Maria V. Fogarty, Chair

Edward L. Glotzbach

Carrie J. Hightman

Rob L. Jones

Brenda D. Newberry

 

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Fees of independent registered public accountant

 

The following table displays the aggregate fees for professional audit services for the audit of the financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, and fees incurred for other services performed during those periods by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte.

 

 2021  2020  2022  2021 
Audit fees $2,425,000  $2,495,000  $2,500,000  $2,425,000 
Audit-related fees(1)  163,200   330,000   243,000   163,200 
Tax fees(2)  34,350   30,800   37,654   34,350 
All other fees(3)  1,895   1,895   1,895   1,895 
Total $2,624,445  $2,857,695  $2,782,549  $2,624,445 
(1)Audit-related fees consisted of comfort letters, consents for registration statements, work paper reviews and audit consulting.
(2)Tax fees consisted primarily of assistance with tax planning, compliance and reporting.
(3)All other fees consisted of an annual subscription for the accounting technical library.

 

Audit fees for fiscal year 20212022 were lowerhigher than 20202021 as the result of lower fees attributable to audits of Spire STL Pipeline. Audit-related fees were lower than 2020inflation as the result of lower fees associated withwell as increased capital market activity. The audit committee pre-approved all of the fees for fiscal years 20212022 and 2020.2021. The Policy Regarding the Approval of Independent Registered Public Accountant Provision of Audit and Non-Audit Services is described earlier in this proxy statement.

 

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Other matters

 

About the annual shareholders’shareholder meeting

 

This proxy statement is furnished to solicit proxies by the Board of Directors of Spire for use at the annual meeting of its shareholders to be held at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, on Thursday, January 27, 2022,26, 2023, and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

The meeting will be held via live webcast through the link set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders included in this proxy statement. To attend and vote, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompany your proxy materials.

This proxy statement is first being made available to shareholders with the annual report for itsthe Company’s fiscal year 20212022 on or about December 15, 2021.14, 2022. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 700 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101.

 

Questions and answers about the annual meeting

 

Who is soliciting my vote?

 

The Board of Directors of Spire is soliciting your vote for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

 

When will the meeting take place?

 

The annual meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, on Thursday, January 27, 2022.26, 2023. The meeting will be held virtually through the link set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders included in this proxy statement.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?

 

If you owned Spire common stock at the close of business on November 30, 2021,2022, you may attend and vote at the annual meeting.

 

Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials instead of a paper copy of proxy materials?

 

Under the “Notice and Access” rules of the SEC, we are permitted to furnish proxy materials, including this proxy statement and the 20212022 10-K, to our shareholders by providing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”). Most shareholders will not receive printed copies unless they request them. The Notice instructs you as to how you may access proxy materials on the internet and how you may submit your proxy via the internet. If you would like to receive a paper or electronic copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice. Any request to receive proxy materials by mail or electronically will remain in effect until you revoke it.

 

If more than one shareholder lives in my household and I have elected to receive printed copies of the proxy materials, how can Iobtain an extra copy of the proxy materials?

 

For those shareholders who have elected to receive printed copies of our proxy materials, under the rules of the SEC, we are permitted to deliver a single copy of this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K to multiple shareholders that share the same address, unless we have received contrary instructions from any such shareholder. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. Upon written or oral request, we will mail a separate copy of this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of each document was delivered. You may call, toll free, 866-540-7095, or write to Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 to request a separate copy.

 

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Can I vote my shares by filling out and returning the notice?

 

No, the Notice identifies the items to be voted on at the annual meeting; you cannot vote by marking the Notice and returning it. The Notice provides instructions on how to: (i) vote by internet, (ii) vote by telephone and (iii) request and return a paper proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

Why didn’t I receive a notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials?

 

If you previously elected to access proxy materials over the internet, you will not receive a Notice in the mail. You should have received an email with links to the proxy materials and online proxy voting. Also, if you previously requested paper copies of the proxy materials or if applicable regulations required delivery of the proxy materials, you will not receive the Notice.

 

If you received a paper copy of the proxy materials or the Notice by mail, you can eliminate paper mailings in the future by electing to receive an email that will provide internet links to these documents. Opting to receive future proxy materials online will save us the cost of producingprinting and mailing documents and help us conserve natural resources. Enrollment for electronic delivery is effective until canceled.revoked.

 

Who is a shareholder of record?

 

You are a shareholder of record if your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare. You will receive a Notice or these proxy materials by delivery directly to you. You are entitled to vote your shares by internet, telephone, at the virtual meeting, or, if you have requested printed proxy materials, by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card.

 

Who is a beneficial owner?

 

You are a beneficial owner if you hold your stock in a stock brokerage account, or through a bank or other nominee. Your shares are held in “street name” and the Notice or these proxy materials are being sent to you by your broker, bank or nominee, who is considered the shareholder of record. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote. You may attend the annual meeting virtually, but you will need to provide a letter or statement from that firm that shows you were a beneficial owner of Spire shares on November 30, 2021.2022. You may not vote these shares virtually at the annual meeting unless you request, complete and deliver a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee. If you requested printed proxy materials, your broker, bank or nominee provided a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares.

 

How many shares must be present to hold the annual meeting?

 

A majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting as of the record date must be virtually present or represented by proxy to have a quorum. As of November 30, 2021,2022, there were 51,741,93952,540,161 shares outstanding. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining quorum.

 

How many votes are required for each item of business?

 

Election of directors

 

The election of directors requires the affirmative vote FOR each nominee of a majority of those shares entitled to vote and virtually present at the meeting or represented by proxy. Withheld votes and abstentions will have the effect of votes against the nominee, while broker non-votes will not be considered represented and will have no effect on the outcome.

 

Advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers

 

This proposal, which is non-binding, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and virtually present or represented by proxy at the meeting to be approved. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal, while broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome.

 

Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers

If none of the alternatives receives a majority vote, the alternative that receives the most votes will be deemed approved by shareholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome.

Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accountant

 

This proposal requires an affirmative vote FOR of a majority of those shares entitled to vote and virtually present at the meeting or represented by proxy to be approved. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.

 

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Voting matters

 

How do I vote?

 

You may vote on the internet, by telephone, by mail or by virtually attending the annual meeting through the link set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders included in this proxy statement and voting by ballot. The internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate that you are a shareholder by use of a control number. The procedures allow you to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by telephone or internet, you do not need to mail back your proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

By internet

 

If you have internet access, you may submit your proxy by following the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested printed proxy materials, by following the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction card. On the internet voting site, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote on the internet, you can also request electronic delivery of future proxy materials.

 

By telephone

 

You can vote by telephone by following the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested printed proxy materials, by following the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

Bymail

 

If you elected to receive printed proxy materials by mail, you may choose to vote by mail by marking your proxy card or voting instruction card, dating and signing it, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided. Please allow sufficient time for mailing if you decide to vote by mail.

 

At the annual meeting

 

This year’s annual meeting will be held entirely online to allow for greater participation. Shareholders may participate in the annual meeting by visiting the following website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SR2021.SR2022. To participate in the annual meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompany your proxy materials.

Shares held in your name as the shareholder of record may be voted electronically during the annual meeting by following the instructions on the screen. However, if your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or the nominee, you must obtain a legal proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record to be able to vote at the annual meeting. You should allow yourself enough time prior to the annual meeting to obtain this proxy from the holder of record.

 

The shares voted electronically, by telephone or represented by proxy cards received, properly marked, dated, signed and not revoked, will be voted at the annual meeting.

 

If you hold your shares through a broker, please note that your broker will not be permitted to vote on your behalf for the first two proposals unless you provide instructions as to how to vote your shares. Voting your shares is important to ensure that you are represented at the meeting. If you have any questions about the voting process, please contact the broker where you hold your shares.

 

Can I vote my shares that are held in the Company’s dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan or any of the Company’s 401(k)plans?

 

If you participate in the Company’s dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan or in the Company Stock Fund of the Spire Employee Savings Plan, you are entitled to vote those shares. If you do not give voting instructions for shares owned by you through this plan, none of your shares held in the plan will be voted. To allow sufficient time for voting by the administrator and trustee of the plan, your voting instructions must be received by January 24, 2022.23, 2023.

 

How can I revoke or change my vote?

 

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting by:

 

Sending timely written notice of revocation to the corporate secretary;
Submitting another timely proxy by telephone, internet or proxy card; or
Attending the annual meeting and voting your shares. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must obtain a proxy executed in your favor from the holder of record to be able to vote at the meeting.

 

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How many votes do I have?

 

You are entitled to one vote for each share that you owned on November 30, 2021.2022.

 

What happens if I don’t give specific voting instructions?

 

Shareholders of record

 

If you are a shareholder of record and you either indicate that you want to vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or you return a signed proxy card but do not indicate how you want to vote, then your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors on all matters presented in this proxy statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion regarding any other matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If you indicate a choice for any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions.

 

Beneficial owners

 

If you hold shares in street name and do not provide instructions, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes” on certain proposals. Generally, broker non-votes occur on a non-routine proposal where a broker is not permitted to vote on that proposal without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. Broker non-votes are considered present at the annual meeting, but not as voting on a matter. Thus, broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, but are not counted for purposes of determining whether a matter has been approved. Broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the votes on the first two proposals. If you do not provide instructions to your broker, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, your broker will not be authorized to vote the shares it holds for you with respect to the first two proposals. Your broker has the discretion, however, to vote the shares it holds for you on the ratification of the independent registered public accountant.

 

Who counts the votes?

 

We hired Broadridge Financial Solutions as an independent tabulator of votes to ensure confidentiality of the voting process. However, if you write comments on your proxy card, the comments will be shared with us. We also have hired Broadridge Financial Solutions to serve as independent inspector of elections.

 

Requirements for submission of proxy proposals, nomination of directors and other business

 

Under the rules of the SEC, shareholder proposals intended to be included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders in January 20232024 must be received by the corporate secretary of Spire Inc. at its principal office at the address set forth on page 24 of this proxy statement by August 11, 2022.16, 2023.

 

Also, the procedures to be used by shareholders to recommend nominees to the corporate governance committee are outlined on page 24 of this proxy statement. If a shareholder seeks to nominate a person or make a shareholder proposal from the floor of the annual meeting in January 2023,2024, notice must be received by the corporate secretary at the Company’s principal business offices no later than October 28, 20222023, and not before September 28, 20222023 (not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days, respectively, prior to January 27, 2023)26, 2024, which is the anniversary date of the 2022 annual meeting). Also, such proposal must be, under law, an appropriate subject for shareholder action to be brought before the meeting.

 

The Chair of the Board may refuse to allow the transaction of any business or to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s bylaws.

 

Proxy solicitation

 

We will pay the expense of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by officers or employees by email, telephone, fax or special letter. We have hired Morrow Sodali LLC, 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, CT 06902, to assist us in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $7,500,$8,500, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for those services.

 

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Helpful resources

Board of Directors  
Spire Board https://www.spireenergy.com/officers-directors
Board committee charters  
Audit committee http://investors.spireenergy.com/governance/governance-documents
Compensation and human resources committee http://investors.spireenergy.com/governance/governance-documents
Corporate governance committee http://investors.spireenergy.com/governance/governance-documents
Financial reporting  
Annual Report http://investors.spireenergy.com/filings-and-reports/annual-reports
Governance documents  
Code of Business Conduct http://investors.spireenergy.com/governance/governance-documents
Corporate Governance Guidelines http://investors.spireenergy.com/governance/governance-documents

 

Weblinks are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites does not constitute a part of this proxy statement.

 

Contact information

 

Investor Relations

Scott W. Dudley Jr.

Managing Director, Investor Relations

Spire Inc.

700 Market Street, 4th Floor

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-0878

Scott.Dudley@SpireEnergy.com

 

Board of Directors

Chair of the Board

c/o Spire Inc.

700 Market Street, 6th Floor

St. Louis, MO 63101

Attn: Vice President, Chief Governance OfficerAssociate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

Corporate Secretary

Ellen L. TheroffCourtney M. Vomund

Vice President, Chief Governance OfficerAssociate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Spire Inc.

700 Market Street, 6th Floor

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-0530314-342-0659

Ellen.Theroff@SpireEnergy.comCourtney.Vomund@SpireEnergy.com

 

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company N.A.

P.O. Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233-5000

800-884-4225

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Schedule A: Reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income

Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Board and management to measure corporate performance for purposes of the Annual Incentive Plan. Adjusted operating income is based on operating income for three business units (Gas Utility, Gas Marketing and Midstream), and the results are weighted by the budgets for each business unit. Adjusted operating income removes the impacts related to acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, mark-to-market adjustments, and other non-recurring items.

These internal non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP measures.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income.

In millions Gas
Utility
  Gas
Marketing
  Midstream  Other/
Eliminations
  Consolidated 
Operating income [GAAP]  $339.9          $46.9            $20.7               $0.7              $408.2 
Fair value and timing adjustments     (11.4)        (11.4)
Pension and postretirement benefit non-service cost adjustments  (6.1)  (0.1)  (0.2)     (6.4)
Removal of non-recurring benefit and other miscellaneous adjustments  0.2   (8.2)  0.2   (0.7)  (8.5)
Adjusted operating income [non-GAAP] $334.0  $27.2  $20.7  $  $381.9 

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