UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 2021
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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Pennsylvania | 001-06659 | 23-1702594 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation) | (Commission
File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
| 762 West Lancaster Avenue | | |
| Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | | 19010-3489 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 527-8000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, $.50 par value | | WTRG | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.00% Tangible Equity Units | | WTRU | | New York Stock Exchange |
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On July 1, 2021, Essential Utilities, Inc. (the “Company’) and Christopher H. Franklin, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer will enter into a new employment agreement (the “Agreement”) to replace Mr. Franklin’s expiring employment agreement.
The Agreement has a three year term beginning July 1, 2021. The Agreement combines the employment, severance and change-in-control termination severance provisions into one agreement replacing the expiring employment agreement.
Under the Agreement, Mr. Franklin will continue to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He is entitled to receive base salary, annual cash-based incentive compensation, at no less than 100% of base salary at target, and annual equity-based long term incentive compensation, at no less than 250% of base salary at target, all as determined by the Executive Compensation Committee on an annual basis and, for the equity-based awards, issued under a shareholder-approved equity plan. Mr. Franklin continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company for no additional compensation.
If, during the term of the Agreement, the Company terminates Mr. Franklin’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Agreement) or Mr. Franklin terminates his employment and the Agreement for Good Reason (as defined in the Agreement), Mr. Franklin will receive, subject to execution of a release of claims and compliance with restrictive covenants described below, severance equal to two times his base salary and target annual bonus, plus a pro rata bonus for the year of termination. If during a change in control period (beginning six months prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Agreement) and continuing for two years after the Change in Control, the Company terminates Mr. Franklin’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Agreement) or Mr. Franklin terminates his employment and the Agreement for CIC Good Reason (as defined in the Agreement), Mr. Franklin will receive, subject to execution of a release of claims and compliance with restrictive covenants described below, severance equal to three times his base salary and target annual bonus, plus a pro rata bonus for the year of termination, payment for health care benefits for three years and reimbursement for placement services.
Under the Agreement, Mr. Franklin is making non-solicitation and non-compete covenants that apply during his employment and for one year thereafter.
The foregoing summary of the Agreement is not complete. Reference is made to the text of the Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated by reference herein.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. |
| | | |
| June 25, 2021 | By: | /s/ Christopher P. Luning |
| | Name: | Christopher P. Luning |
| | Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
