UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| ☑ | 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)(2)) |
| ☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☑ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 |
General Electric Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
| ☑ | No fee required. |
| ☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which the transaction applies: |
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which the transaction applies: |
| (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of the transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0- 11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of the transaction: |
| (5) | Total fee paid: |
| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| ☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| (1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
| (3) | Filing Party: |
| (4) | Date Filed: |
| |  | Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64945
St. Paul, MN 55164-0945 |
|
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time GE Aviation
502 Sweeten Creek Industrial Park Road
Asheville, NC 28803 Directions to the General Electric Company Annual Meeting are available in the proxy statement which can be viewed at proxydocs.com/GE. |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareowner Meeting to be Held on April 26, 2017.
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of General Electric will be held at GE Aviation, 502 Sweeten Creek Industrial Park Road, Asheville, NC 28803 on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
The Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Integrated Summary Report are available atwww.proxydocs.com/GE
If you want to receive a paper copy or an e-mail with links to the electronic materials, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed on the reverse side of this notice on or before April 14, 2017 to facilitate timely delivery.
Proposals to be voted on at the meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.
| Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the following nominees: | | | | |
| Election of Directors: | 1. | | Sébastien M. Bazin | | 5. | | Marijn E. Dekkers | | 9. | | Andrea Jung | | 14. | | Steven M. Mollenkopf |
| 2. | | W. Geoffrey Beattie | | 6. | | Peter B. Henry | | 10. | | Robert W. Lane | | 15. | | James J. Mulva |
| 3. | | John J. Brennan | | 7. | | Susan J. Hockfield | | 11. | | Risa Lavizzo-Mourey | | 16. | | James E. Rohr |
| 4. | | Francisco D’Souza | | 8. | | Jeffrey R. Immelt | | 12. | | Rochelle B. Lazarus | | 17. | | Mary L. Schapiro |
| | | | | | | | | 13. | | Lowell C. McAdam | | 18. | | James S. Tisch |
| Management Proposals — Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the following proposals (except Item 20, for which the Board recommends a vote of 1 YEAR): |
| 19. | | Advisory Approval of Our Named Executives’ Compensation |
| 20. | | Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation |
| 21. | | Approval of GE’s 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan as amended |
| 22. | | Approval of the Material Terms of Senior Officer Performance Goals |
| 23. | | Ratification of KPMG as Independent Auditor for 2017 |
| Shareowner Proposals – Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “AGAINST” the following proposals: |
| 24. | | Report on Lobbying Activities |
| 25. | | Require the Chairman of the Board to be Independent |
| 26. | | Adopt Cumulative Voting for Director Elections |
| 27. | | Report on Charitable Contributions |
| THIS IS NOT A FORM FOR VOTING You may immediately vote your proxy on the Internet at: www.proxypush.com/GE |  |
| ● | Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on April 25, 2017. |
| | |
| ● | Please have this Notice and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the instructions to vote your proxy. Scan code to the right for mobile voting. |
Your Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
To request paper copies of the proxy materials, which include the proxy card,
Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Integrated Summary Report, please contact us via:
 | | Internet/Mobile– Access the Internet and go towww.investorelections.com/GE. Follow the instructions to log in, and order copies. |
| | | |
 | | Telephone– Call us free of charge at 866-870-3684 in the U.S. or Canada, using a touch-tone phone, and follow the instructions to log in and order copies. |
| | | |
 | | Email– Send us an email atpaper@investorelections.com with “GE Materials Request” in the subject line. The email must include: |
| | | |
| ● | The 11-digit control # located in the box in the upper right hand corner on the front of this notice. |
| | |
| ● | Your preference to receive printed materials via mail-or-to receive an email with links to the electronic materials. |
| | |
| ● | If you choose email delivery you must include the email address. |
| | |
| | ● | If you would like this election to apply to delivery of material for all future meetings, write the word “Permanent” and include the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification number in the email. |
*** Exercise YourRight to Vote ***
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareowner Meeting to Be Held on April 26, 2017.
| Meeting Information |
| Meeting Type: Annual Meeting |
| For holders as of: February 27, 2017 |
| Date: April 26, 2017 Time:10:00 a.m., Eastern Time |
| Location: | GE Aviation |
| | 502 Sweeten Creek Industrial Park Road |
| | Asheville, NC 28803 |
| You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above. |
| |
This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online atwww.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side). |
| |
| We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. |
| See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions. |
— Before You Vote —
How to Access the Proxy Materials
Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: |
| NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL REPORT INTEGRATED SUMMARY REPORT |
How to View Online: |
Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) and visit:www.proxyvote.com. |
| |
How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: |
| If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request: |
| 1)BY INTERNET: | www.proxyvote.com |
| 2)BY TELEPHONE: | 1-800-579-1639 |
| 3)BY E-MAIL*: | sendmaterial@proxyvote.com |
* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) in the subject line. |
| Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 14, 2017 to facilitate timely delivery. |
— How To Vote —
Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods
| |
Vote In Person:If you choose to vote these shares in person at the meeting, you must request a "legal proxy." To do so, please follow the instructions atwww.proxyvote.com or request a paper copy of the materials, which will contain the appropriate instructions. Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. |
| |
Vote By Internet:To vote now by Internet, go towww.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔ XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions. |
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Vote By Mail:You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a voting instruction form. |
| Your Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following nominees, FOR management proposals B1 and B3 through B5 and 1 YEAR on management proposal B2: |
| |
| A. Election of Directors |
| |
| | Nominees: |
| | A1. | Sébastien M. Bazin |
| | |
| A2. | W. Geoffrey Beattie |
| | |
| A3. | John J. Brennan |
| | |
| A4. | Francisco D’Souza |
| | |
| A5. | Marijn E. Dekkers |
| | |
| A6. | Peter B. Henry |
| | |
| A7. | Susan J. Hockfield |
| | |
| A8. | Jeffrey R. Immelt |
| | |
| A9. | Andrea Jung |
| | |
| A10. | Robert W. Lane |
| | |
| A11. | Risa Lavizzo-Mourey |
| | |
| A12. | Rochelle B. Lazarus |
| | |
| A13. | Lowell C. McAdam |
| | |
| A14. | Steven M. Mollenkopf |
| | |
| A15. | James J. Mulva |
| | |
| A16. | James E. Rohr |
| | |
| A17. | Mary L. Schapiro |
| | |
| A18. | James S. Tisch |
| B1. | Advisory Approval of Our Named Executives’ Compensation |
| |
| B2. | Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation |
| |
| B3. | Approval of GE’s 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan as amended |
| |
| B4. | Approval of the Material Terms of Senior Officer Performance Goals |
| |
| B5. | Ratification of KPMG as Independent Auditor for 2017 |
| |
| Your Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST shareowner proposals C1 through C4: |
| |
| C1. | Report on Lobbying Activities |
| |
| C2. | Require the Chairman of the Board to be Independent |
| |
| C3. | Adopt Cumulative Voting for Director Elections |
| |
| C4. | Report on Charitable Contributions |
| |
| NOTE:Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Dear GE Shareowner,
This year, we are distributing the 2016 annual report and proxy statement for GE’s 2017 annual meeting of shareowners to some of our shareowners, including you, over the Internet by sending you the enclosed Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. The enclosed notice explains how you can access these materials and vote online.
Why is GE using this e-proxy process?
This “e-proxy” process, which was approved by the SEC in 2007, expedites our shareowners’ receipt of these materials, lowers the costs of proxy solicitation and reduces the environmental impact of our annual meeting. Many other large companies have transitioned to this more contemporary way of distributing annual meeting materials.
What’s included on the enclosed notice?
The enclosed notice explains how you can:
| ● | View and download the annual report and proxy statement online; |
| ● | Vote your shares online, by mail or in person; and |
| ● | Request an email or paper copy of the annual report and proxy statement at no cost to you (but before you do so, make sure you read “Will you receive any additional proxy materials from GE?” below). |
Will you receive any additional proxy materials from GE?
Yes, in a few days we will send you a paper copy of our integrated summary report. It combines in one concise document the most critical information from our annual report, proxy statement and sustainability website. To make it easier for you to vote, you will also receive a proxy card or voting instruction form. Out of consideration for the environment, please keep this in mind before requesting a copy of the full annual report and proxy statement.
Cordially,
Alex Dimitrief,
Secretary| |
| MARCH 2017 |
| |
| Alex Dimitrief |
| Secretary |
| |
| GE |
| 41 Farnsworth Street |
| Boston, MA 02210 U.S.A. |
Dear GE Shareowner,
Enclosed are the GE 2016 Annual Report and the Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting. We encourage you to review these materials carefully and use them to participate in this year’s voting.
How you can vote
For your convenience, you can vote your shares online or by phone. Additionally, you can vote by mail. Instructions for voting your shares are included on the enclosed proxy card.
How you can view the proxy materials online
You can also view the enclosed materials online atwww.ge.com/annualreport andwww.ge.com/proxy.
How you help save a forest by signing up for electronic delivery
To encourage shareowners to take advantage of electronic delivery, we have a program that is helping to improve and preserve the environment — if you elect electronic delivery of your proxy materials for future GE shareowner meeting materials, we will have a tree planted in your name. Since implementing this program in 2015, we have planted over 32,000 trees. This program, which is done in cooperation with American Forests, helps to restore national forests throughout the United States, including the Angeles National Forest in California, the Superior National Forest in Minnesota, the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Reserve in Texas and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont. Please sign up atwww.ge.com/investor-relations/personal-investing.
Benefits of electronic delivery
There are many benefits to receiving your GE information online, including:
| ● | TIMELINESS: Online information is available while paper copies are still making their way through the postal system. |
| | |
| ● | AVAILABILITY: You can access these materials via the Internet, when you choose — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
| | |
| ● | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Past GE Annual Reports, as well as GE investor presentations, background information about the Company, and news about GE’s strategic and operational progress, are available at the GE Investor Relations Web site atwww.ge.com/investor-relations. |
| | |
| ● | SAVINGS: Electronic delivery of these materials saves the Company the costs of printing and mailing paper copies. The savings from e-delivery can be substantial. |
You are a valued GE shareowner. Thank you for participating in this process and voting your enclosed proxy promptly. If you have any questions, please contact GE Corporate Investor Communications at 617-443-3400.
Sincerely,
Matthew Cribbins
Vice President
Corporate Investor Communications| |
| MARCH 2017 |
| |
| Matthew Cribbins |
| Vice President |
| Investor Communications |
| |
| GE |
| 41 Farnsworth Street |
| Boston, MA 02210 U.S.A. |
Dear GE Shareowner,
Enclosed are the GE 2016 Annual Report and the Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting. We encourage you to review these materials carefully and use them to participate in this year’s voting.
How you can vote
For your convenience, you can vote your shares online or by phone. Additionally, you can vote by mail. Instructions for voting your shares are included on the enclosed voting information form.
How you can view the proxy materials online
You can also view the enclosed materials online atwww.ge.com/annualreport andwww.ge.com/proxy.
How you help save a forest by signing up for electronic delivery
To encourage shareowners to take advantage of electronic delivery, we have a program that is helping to improve and preserve the environment — if you elect electronic delivery of your proxy materials for future GE shareowner meeting materials, we will have a tree planted in your name. Since implementing this program in 2015, we have planted over 32,000 trees. This program, which is done in cooperation with American Forests, helps to restore national forests throughout the United States, including the Angeles National Forest in California, the Superior National Forest in Minnesota, the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Reserve in Texas and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont. Please sign up atwww.ge.com/investor-relations/personal-investing.
Benefits of electronic delivery
There are many benefits to receiving your GE information online, including:
| ● | TIMELINESS: Online information is available while paper copies are still making their way through the postal system. |
| | |
| ● | AVAILABILITY: You can access these materials via the Internet, when you choose — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
| | |
| ● | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Past GE Annual Reports, as well as GE investor presentations, background information about the Company, and news about GE’s strategic and operational progress, are available at the GE Investor Relations Web site atwww.ge.com/investor-relations. |
| | |
| ● | SAVINGS: Electronic delivery of these materials saves the Company the costs of printing and mailing paper copies. The savings from e-delivery can be substantial. |
You are a valued GE shareowner. Thank you for participating in this process and voting your enclosed proxy promptly. If you have any questions, please contact GE Corporate Investor Communications at 617-443-3400.
Sincerely,
Matthew Cribbins
Vice President
Corporate Investor Communications | |
| MARCH 2017 |
| |
| Matthew Cribbins |
| Vice President |
| Investor Communications |
| |
| GE |
| 41 Farnsworth Street |
| Boston, MA 02210 U.S.A. |
