PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board currently consists of seven directors and is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with only one class of directors being elected in each year. The term of Class I directors expires at this Annual Meeting, which is the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board. The term of Class II directors expires at the second annual meeting following the initial classification, and the term of Class III directors expires at the third annual meeting following the initial classification. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, beginning with this Annual Meeting, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected for a three-year term.
Directors in Class I will stand for election at this Annual Meeting. The terms of office of directors in Class II and Class III do not expire until the 2025 and 2026 annual meetings of stockholders, respectively. The Governance and Sustainability Committee has recommended that, and the Board has nominated, Ms. Ping Fu who is currently serving as a director in Class I, be elected as a Class I director for a term expiring at the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or until the election and qualification of her successor in office, subject to her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Ms. Yon Y. Jorden’s term as a Class I director also expires at this Annual Meeting, and she has not been nominated to stand for re-election as a Class I director. We thank Ms. Jorden for her distinguished service to the Company. The Board has determined that following the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors will be reduced from seven to six directors and Class I will be reduced from two directors to one director.
The Board has determined that Mr. Robert C. Flexon, Ms. Yon Y. Jorden, Mr. Robert F. Powelson, Ms. Denise M. Wilson, Ms. Ping Fu and Mr. John P. Miller are independent directors as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) under the Marketplace Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASDAQ Rules”). There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our directors, nominees for directors or officers and any other person pursuant to which any director, nominee for director or officer was or is to be selected as a director, nominee or officer, as applicable. Other than Mr. Flexon in respect of the bankruptcy filing of Dynegy’s subsidiary and the Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, no director has been involved in any legal proceedings required to be disclosed under Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
The positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors are currently each filled by a different individual, Mr. Vincent J. Canino and Mr. Flexon, respectively. If the position of Chair of the Board of Directors is vacant, or if he or she is absent, the Chief Executive Officer presides, when present, at meetings of stockholders.
Additionally, our Board of Directors has Compensation and Human Capital, Audit and Governance and Sustainability Committees. Ms. Wilson, Ms. Jorden, and Mr. Powelson each currently serve as a Committee Chair, with Ms. Wilson serving as Chair of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee, Ms. Jorden serving as Chair of the Audit Committee and Mr. Powelson serving as Chair of the Governance and Sustainability Committee. As part of the Board refresh process, Ms. Jorden will not stand for re-election and effective immediately following the Annual meeting Mr. Miller will become the Audit Committee Chairman and member of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee.
We believe that the Chair of the Board, Chairs of the committees and the remaining members of the Board all have relevant experience and background to provide leadership and guidance to the Company and the Company’s management. Specifically, we believe that the members of the Board have relevant leadership, technology, finance, industry and market experience necessary for their positions as directors of the Company and provide for a leadership structure that is appropriate for the Company.
Shares represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted for the one Class I nominee named below, unless contrary instructions are set forth on such proxy. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of individuals than the number of nominees. The nominee has agreed to stand for re-election and to serve, if elected, as a director. However, if such nominee fails to stand for re-election or is unable to accept election, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board may recommend.