addition to being independent directors, all of the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of the rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The principal functions of the nominating and corporate governance committee, which also carries out responsibilities typically carried out by a compensation committee, are to:
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provide counsel to the Board with respect to the organization, function and composition of the Board and its committees;
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periodically review and, if appropriate, recommend to the Board changes to the Company’s corporate governance policies and procedures;
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monitor compliance with the Company’s corporate governance policies and procedures;
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identify and recommend to the Board potential director candidates for election as directors, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and the selection of nominees for election as directors at annual meetings of stockholders (or special meetings of stockholders at which directors are to be elected);
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approve and evaluate all compensation plans, policies and programs as they affect the Company’s executive officers;
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review and oversee the Company’s annual process, if any, for evaluating the performance of the Company’s executive officers;
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oversee the Company’s equity incentive plans, including, without limitation, the issuance of stock options, restricted shares of Common Stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards;
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assist the Board and the chairperson of the Company in overseeing the development of executive succession plans;
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determine from time to time the remuneration for the Company’s independent directors;
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assist the Board in resolving conflict of interest situations and transactions between the Company, on the one hand, and any of the Company’s sponsor, the Company’s Advisor, a director, an officer or any affiliate thereof, on the other hand; and
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ensure that compensation programs are designed to encourage high performance, promote accountability and assure that employee interests are aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.
In evaluating directors for nomination to the Board and to serve as members of each committee of the Board, the nominating and corporate governance committee takes into account the applicable requirements for members of committees of boards of directors under the Exchange Act, Nasdaq listing rules and the charter of the applicable committee and may take into account such other factors or criteria as the nominating and corporate governance committee deems appropriate. For purposes of recommending any nominee, the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider all criteria that it deems appropriate, which may include, without limitation:
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personal and professional integrity, ethics and values;
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experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly-held company in today’s business environment;
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experience in the Company’s industry and with relevant social policy concerns;
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experience as a board member of another publicly-held company;
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academic expertise and experience in an area of the Company’s operations;
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diversity of both background and experience;
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practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries;