SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
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))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of 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):
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] 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
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Notes:
Reg. (S) 240.14a-101.
SEC 1913 (3-99)
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
100 N. Stanton
El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 543-5711
April 4, 2001
Dear Shareholder:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of El Paso Electric Company will be
held at the Paul Kayser Center, located at 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, Texas 79901,
on Thursday, May 10, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time.
The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to give shareholders an opportunity
to vote on the election of Class II Directors.
Information concerning this matter is set forth in the accompanying
notice of the meeting and Proxy Statement. Your Board of Directors recommends
that you vote FOR the proposal as explained in the attached Proxy Statement.
Your vote is important. To ensure your representation, even if you
cannot attend the Annual Meeting, please mark, sign, date and return promptly
the enclosed Proxy.
Sincerely,
/s/ James Haines
James Haines
Chief Executive Officer and President
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
100 N. Stanton
El Paso, Texas 79901
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders of
El Paso Electric Company:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of El Paso Electric Company will be
held at the Paul Kayser Center, located at 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, Texas 79901,
on Thursday, May 10, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, for the
following purposes:
(1) To elect four members of the Board of Directors for three-year
terms; and
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors knows of no matter, other than the election of
Class II Directors (which is discussed at greater length in the accompanying
Proxy Statement), that will be presented for consideration at the Annual
Meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 12, 2001
as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
Please mark, date and sign the enclosed Proxy and return it promptly in
the envelope provided for your convenience. If you attend the meeting and
decide to vote in person, you may revoke your Proxy. Shareholders attending the
meeting whose shares are registered in the name of a broker and who intend to
vote in person should bring an affidavit of ownership from the broker so that
beneficial ownership can be verified without delay on the meeting date. The
prompt return of your Proxy will save the postage expense of additional
mailings.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Guillermo Silva, Jr.
Guillermo Silva, Jr.
Secretary
April 4, 2001
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND
PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY. THANK YOU.
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
100 N. Stanton
El Paso, Texas 79901
PROXY STATEMENT
for
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 10, 2001
GENERAL
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
El Paso Electric Company (the "Company") for use at its 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Thursday, May 10, 2001, at the
Company's principal offices, and at any adjournments thereof. The Company's
principal offices are located at the Paul Kayser Center, 100 N. Stanton, El
Paso, Texas 79901.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition
to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview,
telephone, fax, or other electronic means by the directors, officers, employees
and agents of the Company. The Company will reimburse brokers, banks and other
persons for reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.
To assist in the distribution of proxy material and solicitation, the Company
has engaged Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. for a fee of $5,000 plus
out-of-pocket expenses.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being
mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about April 4, 2001.
SHARES OUTSTANDING, VOTING RIGHTS AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
At the close of business on March 12, 2001, the "record date" for
determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting, the Company had outstanding 51,221,408 shares of its common
stock (the "Common Stock").
Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. The
holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock must be represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting for a
quorum to be present and business to be conducted. The vote of a plurality of
the votes cast at the meeting is required for the election of each Class II
Director.
A shareholder having the right to vote may vote either in person or by
proxy executed in writing by the shareholder. A telegram, telex, cablegram or
similar transmission by a shareholder or photographic, photostatic, facsimile or
similar reproduction of a writing executed by the shareholder, shall be treated
as an execution in writing.
A shareholder who signs and returns a proxy may revoke that proxy at any
time before the Annual Meeting or by ballot at the meeting. The shares
represented by a proxy given and
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not so revoked will be voted and, where the shareholder specifies a choice with
respect to any matter to be acted upon and for which a ballot is provided in the
proxy form, the shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so
made. If a proxy is returned, but no choice is specified, the shares will be
voted FOR the election of the four nominees described below as Class II
Directors. If no proxy is returned, the shares represented by such proxy will
not be voted.
The election of Class II Directors is the only matter the Board of
Directors knows will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other
matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holder will have
discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by properly executed
proxies in accordance with the proxy holder's discretion and judgment as to the
best interests of the Company.
Abstentions are included in the determination of the number of shares
represented at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum
is present and are counted as a vote AGAINST when determining whether a proposal
has been approved. Broker non-votes are not included in the determination of
the number of shares represented at the Annual Meeting for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present and are not counted for purposes of
determining whether a proposal has been approved.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Bylaws divide the Board of Directors into three classes, as
nearly equal in number as possible, each of which is elected for a three-year
term. Class II Directors, consisting of the four nominees shown below, will
stand for election at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms expiring at the
annual meeting of shareholders in 2004 or until their successors are elected and
qualified. The terms of the other nine directors shown below will continue as
indicated.
The shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted to elect the
four nominees recommended by the Board of Directors, who are shown below as
nominees for Class II Directors, unless authority to do so is withheld. Each
nominee has agreed to the nomination and has agreed to serve if elected. Should
any nominee become unavailable for election, the proxies will be voted for the
election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend in place
of such nominee.
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NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
Director Principal Occupation and Employment
Name Age Since During the Past Five Years(1)
---- --- -------- -----------------------------------
CLASS II DIRECTORS (New Term will expire in 2004)
Wilson K. Cadman(2) 73 1992 Retired as Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Gas and Electric
Company and Vice Chairman of the Board of Western
Resources, Inc., in 1992.
James A. Cardwell(3) 68 1990 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
Petro Stopping Centers, LP, a nationwide chain of
truckstops.
James W. Cicconi 48 1997 General Counsel and Executive Vice President-Law
and Government Affairs of AT&T since December
1998; Senior Vice President of Governmental
Affairs & Federal Policy for AT&T from September
1998 to December 1998; Partner of Akin, Gump,
Strauss, Hauer & Feld, a law firm, for more than
five years prior to September 1998.
Patricia Z. Holland-Branch 56 1997 President, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of
HB/PZH Commercial Environments Inc., a full
service office furniture dealership, project
management and design firm since 1986; Franchise
owner of Millicare Commercial Carpet Care, a
commercial carpet maintenance franchise since 1997.
CLASS III DIRECTORS (Term will expire in 2002)
James W. Harris 54 1996 Founder and President of Seneca Financial Group,
Inc.
Kenneth R. Heitz 53 1996 Partner of Irell and Manella, a law firm.
Michael K. Parks 41 1996 Managing Director of Trust Company of the West
since November 2000; President of Aurora National
Life Assurance Company since 1994; Chief
Investment Officer of Aurora National Life
Insurance Company since 1993.
Eric B. Siegel (4) 43 1996 Independent investor and business consultant since
1999; Principal of Pegasus Insurance Partners, a
private investment firm, from 1995 to 1999.
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NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
Director Principal Occupation and Employment
Name Age Since During the Past Five Years(1)
---- --- -------- -----------------------------------
James Haines(5) 54 1996 Chief Executive Officer and President of the
Company since May 1996; Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer of Western Resources,
Inc. from June 1995 until May 1996.
CLASS I DIRECTORS (Term will expire in 2003)
George W. Edwards, Jr. (6) 61 1992 Chairman of the Board since May 1996; Retired as
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Kansas City Southern Railway Company in May 1995.
Ramiro Guzman (7) 54 1996 Owner of Ramiro Guzman & Associates since February
2000; President of Montana Beverage Company from
February 1998 through January 2000; President and
Chief Executive Officer of Dickshire Distributing
for more than five years prior to February 1998.
Stephen Wertheimer (8) 50 1996 Managing Director of Credit Research and Trading
since 1996; President and Founder of Water Capital
Corp. from 1991 to 1997.
Charles A. Yamarone (9) 42 1996 Executive Vice President of U.S. Bancorp Libra, a
division of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. since
January 1999; Executive Vice President of Libra
Investments, Inc. from 1991 to 1999.
____________________
(1) Where no date is specified, the director has held the position for more
than the past five years.
(2) Mr. Cadman is also a director of Clark/Bardes Holdings, Inc.
(3) Mr. Cardwell is also a trustee of Archstone Communities, a real estate
investment trust and a director of State National Bancshares, Inc.
(4) Mr. Siegel is also a director of Sun International Hotels, Ltd., and XCL-
China, Ltd.
(5) Mr. Haines is also a director of the El Paso Branch, Federal Reserve Bank
of Dallas.
(6) Mr. Edwards is also a director of Hubbell, Inc.
(7) Mr. Guzman is also an advisory director of Chase Bank of Texas, N.A.
(8) Mr. Wertheimer is also a director of Greenwich Fine Arts, Inc., Trikon
Technologies, SpectruMedix Corp., and AMS, Inc.
(9) Mr. Yamarone is also a director of Continental Airlines, Inc., and New
Millennium Homes, L.L.C.
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DIRECTORS' MEETINGS, COMPENSATION AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held seven meetings during calendar year 2000. All
directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and the committees on which they served during the period they served
in such position.
Compensation of Directors
The compensation for non-employee members of the Board of Directors during
2000 consisted of the following: (a) $20,000 per year for four meetings of the
Board of Directors or committees thereof per year and an additional $1,000 for
each meeting beyond four; and (b) in accordance with the terms of the 1996 and
1999 El Paso Electric Company Long-Term Incentive Plans, 3,500 shares of
restricted Common Stock. In addition, the Board of Directors awarded Mr.
Edwards, in consideration of his service as Chairman of the Board during 2000,
25,000 shares of Common Stock that are restricted as to sale until May 10, 2001.
Further, the Company has at times called upon directors for special expertise
for which it pays an hourly consulting fee. In 2000 two directors were paid a
consulting fee which in aggregate amounted to approximately $1,600.
During 2001 non-employee directors will receive the same compensation as in
2000. The shares awarded will be subject to restrictions on sale or transfer for
one year and, in general, will vest if the director remains continuously in the
service of the Company as a non-employee director during such period.
The Board of Directors has the following standing committees: Audit/Ethics,
Civic and Charitable Affairs, Compensation/Benefits, Executive/Nominating, Palo
Verde Oversight, Environmental, and International Business.
During 2000 the Audit/Ethics Committee was composed of directors Yamarone,
Parks, Holland-Branch and Cicconi. The Audit/Ethics Committee, which held nine
meetings in 2000, is responsible for the appointment of the independent auditors
of the Company, reviewing all recommendations of the Company's independent
auditors and the Company's internal auditors, reviewing and approving non-audit
services performed by accountants and other consultants retained by the Company,
reviewing the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and otherwise overseeing the Company's financial reporting system.
The Audit/Ethics Committee also reviews and updates the Company's Code of
Ethical Conduct and determines whether management has established a system to
enforce this Code and to promote the accuracy and completeness of the Company's
financial statements and other publicly disclosed information.
During 2000 the Civic and Charitable Affairs Committee was composed of
directors Cardwell, Holland-Branch, Guzman and Haines. The Civic and Charitable
Affairs Committee, which held three meetings in 2000, is responsible for setting
policy and reviewing an annual budget for civic and charitable contributions by
the Company in the communities it serves.
During 2000 the Compensation/Benefits Committee was composed of directors
Heitz, Cadman, Cicconi and Yamarone. The Compensation/Benefits Committee, which
held four
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meetings in 2000, is responsible for evaluating and approving the compensation
of executive officers. It also reviews and approves recommended Company-wide
increases for employees, as well as approving the adoption of contracts with
union employees. The Compensation/Benefits Committee is also responsible for
evaluating and adopting benefit plan programs.
During 2000 the Executive/Nominating Committee was composed of directors
Haines, Wertheimer, Siegel, Harris and Parks. The Executive/Nominating
Committee, which held thirteen meetings in 2000, is the administrative and
policy making committee of the Board of Directors, and may exercise all powers
of the Board of Directors (except as prohibited by the Texas Business
Corporation Act) between meetings. In addition, the Executive/Nominating
Committee's responsibilities include analyzing and making recommendations to the
Board of Directors regarding the maximization of shareholder value. The
Executive/Nominating Committee is responsible for conducting peer reviews and
evaluations of the members of the Board of Directors.
During 2000 the Palo Verde Oversight Committee was composed of directors
Cadman, Guzman, Siegel and Cardwell. The Palo Verde Oversight Committee, which
held one meeting in 2000, is responsible for reviewing and assessing the
activities and operations of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, in which
the Company is a participant.
During 2000 the Environmental Committee was composed of directors Cardwell,
Harris, Wertheimer and Heitz. The Environmental Committee, which held two
meetings in 2000, is responsible for overseeing the affairs and operations of
the Company to determine whether the Company has operated Company facilities in
compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; and identifying
existing and potential environmental issues facing the Company under federal,
state or local law.
During 2000 the International Business Committee was composed of directors
Holland-Branch, Cardwell and Wertheimer. The International Business Committee,
which held three meetings in 2000, is responsible for assisting management in
formulating a business development strategy for Mexico and evaluating business
opportunities in Mexico.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 12, 2001 (except as indicated
in the footnote to the table), certain information regarding ownership of Common
Stock by (i) each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5%
of its Common Stock; (ii) each of the current directors, including those who
have been nominated to serve as a Class II Director of the Company; (iii) the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers of the
Company during the year ended December 31, 2000, and (iv) all directors and
current executive officers of the Company as a group (23 persons).
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Name and Address Amount and Nature of Percent
Of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership of Class
------------------- -------------------- --------
Westport Asset Management, Inc. 5,908,250 (1) 11.48%*
253 Riverside Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
Highfields Capital Management LP 5,753,600 (2) 11.18%*
200 Clarendon Street - 51st Floor
Boston, MA 02117
Gabelli Asset Management, Inc. 2,733,000 (3) 5.31%*
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1435
George W. Edwards, Jr. 149,040 (4) **
Wilson K. Cadman 32,116 (5) **
James A. Cardwell 24,140 (6) **
James W. Cicconi 12,000 (7) **
Ramiro Guzman 25,438 (8) **
James W. Harris 39,040 (9) **
Kenneth R. Heitz 26,015 (10) **
Patricia Z. Holland-Branch 15,421 (11) **
Michael K. Parks 34,040 (12) **
Eric B. Siegel 30,040 (13) **
Stephen Wertheimer 21,290 (14) **
Charles A. Yamarone 39,810 (15) **
James Haines 840,556 (16) 1.62%
Eduardo A. Rodriguez 163,961 (17) **
Gary R. Hedrick 160,260 (18) **
Julius F. Bates 160,916 (19) **
Terry D. Bassham 78,212 (20) **
Other Executive Officers 469,674 (21) **
All directors and executive officers 4.39%
As a group 2,321,969 (22)
(23 persons)
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* Actual percentage differs from reported percentage because of stock
repurchases by the Company.
** Less than 1%.
(1) Information regarding ownership of shares of Common Stock by Westport Asset
Management Inc., ("Westport") and Westport Advisors LLC ("Westport
Advisors") is included herein in reliance on information set forth in
Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13-G filed by Westport and Westport Advisors on
February 14, 2001 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), reflecting ownership as of December 31, 2000. Westport is a
parent holding company pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (b) (ii) (G) of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and owns 50% of Westport Advisors.
Westport is an Investment Advisor registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Westport Advisors is an Investment Advisor
for a Series of public mutual funds. According to the filing, Westport and
Wesport Advisors beneficially own 5,908,250 or 10.9 percent of shares of
Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2000. Both maintain shared
voting, dispositive power, and investment power of the Company's shares of
Common Stock. Westport disclaims beneficial ownership of such Common
Stock.
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(2) Information regarding ownership of Common Stock by Highfields Associates
LLC ("Highfields Associates"), Highfields Capital Management LP
("Highfields Capital"), Highfields GP LLC ("Highfields GP"), Mr. Johnathon
S. Jacobson ("Mr. Jacobson"), Mr. Richard L. Grubman ("Mr. Grubman"), and
Highfields Capital Ltd., ("Highfields Ltd.") is included herein in
reliance on information set forth in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13-G filed
by Highfields Associates, Highfields Capital, Highfields GP, Mr. Jacobson,
Mr. Grubman, and Highfields Ltd. (collectively, the "Highfield Reporting
Entities"), on February 14, 2000, with the Commission and reflecting
ownership as of December 31, 1999. Pursuant to Rule 13d-2(b), the
Highfield Reporting Entities were not required to file an amended Schedule
13G for 2001.
On November 30, 1999, Highfields Associates, Highfields Capital, Mr.
Jacobson, and Mr. Grubman dissolved their status as a group under Rule 13d
of the 1934 Act. Highfields Capital, Highfields GP, Highfields Ltd., Mr.
Jacobsen, and Mr. Grubman agreed to file a joint Schedule 13G as
individuals. Highfields Associates is a limited liability company organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware and serves as a general partner for
Highfields Capital I LP ("Highfields I") and Highfields Capital II LP
("Highfields II"). Highfields I, Highfields II, and Highfields Ltd., are
collectively known as the "Funds". Highfields Capital, a Delaware limited
partnership, serves as an Investment Manager to each of the Funds.
Highfields Ltd. is an exempted limited liability company organized under
the laws of the Cayman Islands. Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Grubman are Managing
Members of Highfields GP, a Delaware limited liability company, which is
the general partner of Highfields Capital. According to the filing, the
Funds beneficially own the Company's Common Stock. Highfields Ltd.
beneficially owns 7% of the shares of Common Stock and maintains sole
voting and dispositive power over 4,048,447 shares of Common Stock as of
December 31, 1999. Highfields Associates, as general partner of Highfields
I and Highfields II, beneficially owns a total of 2.9% of Common Stock and
maintains sole voting and dispositive power over 1,705,153 shares of Common
Stock as of December 31, 1999. The aggregate amount beneficially owned by
the Funds is 5,753,600 shares of Common Stock. Highfields Capital,
Highfields GP, Mr. Jacobsen, and Mr. Grubman each have the power to direct
the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Funds.
(3) Information regarding ownership of shares of Common Stock by Gabelli Group
Capital Partners, Inc. ("Gabelli Partners"), Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.
("GAMI"), Gabelli Advisers, Inc. ("Gabelli Advisers"), Gabelli Funds, LLC
("Gabelli Funds"); GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO"), Mario J. Gabelli, and
Marc J. Gabelli (collectively, the "Gabelli Reporting Parties") is included
herein in reliance on information set forth in Schedule 13-D filed by the
Gabelli Reporting Parties on November 27, 2000, with the Commission,
reflecting ownership as of November 16, 2000.
Gabelli Partners is the parent company of GAMI. GAMI is the parent
company for a variety of companies engaged in the securities business,
including GAMCO, Gabelli Funds, and Gabelli Advisers. GAMCO, Gabelli Funds,
and Gabelli Advisers are each investment advisers and GAMCO and Gabelli
Funds are each registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Gabelli Partners, GAMI, and GAMCO are New York corporations. Gabelli
Advisers is a Delaware corporation and Gabelli Funds is a New York limited
liability corporation. Mario J. Gabelli is the majority stockholder and
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli
Partners and
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GAMI. Marc J. Gabelli is Managing Director of Gabelli Partners. The Gabelli
Reporting Parties do not admit that they constitute a group.
According to the filing, Gabelli Funds owns 1,519,000 shares of Common
Stock, or 2.81% as of November 16, 2000. GAMCO owns 1,230,900 shares of
Common Stock, or 2.28% as of November 16, 2000. Gabelli Advisers owns
10,100 shares of Common Stock, or .02% as of November 16, 2000. Mario
Gabelli, Marc Gabelli, GAMI, and Gabelli Partners are deemed to have
beneficial ownership of this Common Stock. Each of the Gabelli Reporting
Parties has sole voting and dispositive power over the Common Stock
reported for each of them, and Mario Gabelli, Marc Gabelli, GAMI, and
Gabelli Partners have indirect voting and dispositive power over the
aggregate of 2,760,000 shares of Common Stock, or 5.11% as of November 16,
2000. Subsequent to filing their Schedule 13-D the Gabelli Reporting
Parties sold 27,000 shares.
(4) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Edwards has the right
to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Long-Term Incentive
Plan ("1996 Plan"); and (ii) 139,040 shares of restricted Common Stock
awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr. Edwards has voting power and investment
power over 110,540 of these shares, and voting power but no investment
power over the remaining 28,500 shares).
(5) Includes (i) 18,076 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Cadman has the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; and (ii) 14,040
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan and the Non-
Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (Mr. Cadman has voting power and
investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and voting power but no
investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares).
(6) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Cardwell has the right
to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii) 14,040
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr.
Cardwell has voting power and investment power over 10,540 of these shares,
and voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares);
and (iii) 100 shares owned by Mr. Cardwell over which he has sole voting
and investment power.
(7) Represents (i) 5,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Cicconi has the right
to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; and (ii)
7,000 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr.
Cicconi has voting and investment power over 3,500 of these shares, and
voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares).
(8) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Guzman had the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; and (ii) 15,438
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan and the Non-
Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (Mr. Guzman has voting power and
investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and voting power but no
investment power over the remaining 4,898 shares).
(9) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Harris has the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii) 14,040
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr. Harris
has voting power and investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and
voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares); and
(iii) 15,000 shares owned by Mr. Harris over which he has sole voting and
investment power.
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(10) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Heitz has the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; and (ii) 16,015
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan and the Non-
Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (Mr. Heitz has voting power and
investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and voting power but no
investment power over the remaining 5,475 shares).
(11) Represents (i) 5,000 shares of Common Stock that Ms. Holland-Branch has
the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; and
(ii) 10,421 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan
and the Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (Ms. Holland-Branch has
voting power and investment power over 4,905 of these shares, and voting
power but no investment power over the remaining 5,516 shares).
(12) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Parks has the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii) 14,040
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr. Parks
has voting power and investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and
voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares); and
(iii) 10,000 shares owned by Mr. Parks over which he has sole voting and
investment power.
(13) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Siegel has the right to
acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii) 14,040
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr. Siegel
has voting power and investment power over 10,540 of these shares, and
voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500 shares); and
(iii) 6,000 shares owned by Mr. Siegel over which he has sole voting and
investment power.
(14) Includes (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Wertheimer has the
right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii)
5,040 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan (Mr.
Wertheimer has voting power and investment power over 1,540 of these
shares, and voting power but no investment power over the remaining 3,500
shares); and (iii) 6,250 shares owned by Mr. Wertheimer over which he has
sole voting and investment power.
(15) Represents (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Yamarone has the
right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan; (ii)
19,810 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 Plan and
Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (Mr. Yamarone has voting power
and investment power over 13,130 of these shares, and voting power but no
investment power over the remaining 6,680 shares); and (iii) 10,000 shares
owned by Mr. Yamarone over which he has sole voting and investment power.
(16) Includes (i) 714,145 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Haines currently has
the right to acquire by exercising stock options granted under the 1996
and 1999 Plans; (ii) 29,056 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under
the 1996 Plan over which he has sole voting and investment power; (iii)
93,955 shares which Mr. Haines acquired pursuant to the exercise of an
option over which he has sole voting and investment power; and (iv) 3,400
shares owned by Mr. Haines over which he has sole voting and investment
power.
(17) Includes (i) 140,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Rodriguez currently
has the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996
Plan; and (ii) 23,961 shares of
-10-
restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 and 1999 Plans (Mr.
Rodriguez has voting power and investment power over 9,790 of these shares,
and voting power but no investment power over the remaining 14,171 shares).
(18) Includes (i) 140,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Hedrick currently has
the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan;
(ii) 20,236 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 and
1999 Plans (Mr. Hedrick has voting power and investment power over 9,415 of
these shares, and voting power but no investment power over the remaining
10,821 shares); (iii) 19 shares owned by Mr. Hedrick over which he has sole
voting and investment power; and (iv) 5 shares owned by his spouse over
which Mr. Hedrick has no voting power or investment power.
(19) Includes (i) 140,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Bates currently has
the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan;
(ii) 20,627 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 and
1999 Plans (Mr. Bates has voting power and investment power over 10,968 of
these shares, and voting power but no investment power over the remaining
9,659 shares); and (iii) 289 shares owned by Mr. Bates over which he has
sole voting and investment power.
(20) Includes (i) 65,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Bassham currently has
the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the 1996 Plan;
(ii) 13,212 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the 1996 and
1999 Plans (Mr. Bassham has voting power and investment power over 3,843 of
these shares, and voting power but no investment power over the remaining
9,369 shares).
(21) Includes (i) 398,000 shares of Common Stock that other executive officers
currently have the right to acquire by exercising options granted under the
1996 Plan; (ii) 71,659 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under the
1996 and 1999 Plans (the other executive officers have voting power and
investment power over 34,130 of these shares, and voting power but no
investment power over the remaining 37,529 shares); and (iii) 15 shares
owned by the other executive officers over which they have sole voting and
investment power.
(22) Includes (i) 1,715,221 shares underlying stock options as discussed above;
(ii) 555,670 shares of restricted Common Stock awarded to executives and
directors under the 1996 and 1999 Plans (the executives and directors have
voting power and investment power over 368,274 of these shares, and voting
power but no investment power over the remaining 187,685 shares); and (iii)
51,073 shares owned by them over which they have sole voting and investment
power. Also includes 5 shares owned by a spouse of an executive officer
over which he has no voting power or investment power.
Certain Business Relationships
During 2000 the Company purchased office furniture and carpeting from
HB/PZH Commercial Environments, Inc., in the approximate amount of $214,413.
Patricia Z. Holland-Branch, a Class II Director, is the principal shareholder
and president of HB/PZH Commercial Environments, Inc. The Company also
purchased diesel fuel, bulk motor oil and hydraulic fluid during 2000 from C&R
Distributing, Inc. ("C&R") in the approximate amount of $526,680. James A.
Cardwell, a Class II Director, is owner and Vice President of C&R. During 2000
the Company also paid Ramiro Guzman & Associates $114,583 for public affairs and
marketing services. Ramiro Guzman, a Class I Director, is the owner of Ramiro
Guzman & Associates.
-11-
The Company believes that the above purchases were made on terms typical for
such transactions or services charged by firms not affiliated with any director
of the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Company's directors, officers
and holders of more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock to file with the
Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of
Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. The Company believes
that during and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, its officers,
directors and 10% shareholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements.
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the cash and
non-cash compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer during 2000, and each
of the other four most highly compensated executive officers other than the
chief executive officer who were serving as executive officers at December 31,
2000 (the "Named Executive Officers"), for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2000, December 31, 1999, and December 31, 1998, for service in the capacities
indicated.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term
Annual Compensation
Compensation Awards
------------------------------------ ----------------------------
Other Securities All
Base Annual Restricted Underlying Other
Name and Salary Bonus Compensation(2) Stock(3) Options/SARs Compensation(4)
Principal Position Year ($) ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
- ---------------------------------------- ------- -------- --------- --------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
James Haines............................ 2000 425,000 0 0 0 200,000 5,100
Chief Executive Officer 1999 425,000 0 0 0 50,000 4,800
& President (since May 1,1996) 1998(1) 441,346 0 0 0 0 4,800
Eduardo A. Rodriguez.................... 2000 243,976 64,283(5) 14,423 0 0 5,100
Executive Vice President and 1999 231,525 75,996 8,905 0 0 4,800
Chief Operating Officer 1998(1) 228,981 81,786 13,569 0 100,000 4,800
Gary R. Hedrick......................... 2000 203,205 78,868(5) 7,372 0 0 1,178
Executive Vice President , Chief 1999 176,164 57,828 13,551 0 0 949
Financial and 1998(1) 163,340 57,892 6,050 0 100,000 847
Administrative Officer
Julius F. Bates......................... 2000 167,140 54,283(5) 6,428 0 0 5,100
Vice President- 1999 158,427 52,023 9,140 0 0 4,800
Transmission & Distribution 1998(1) 155,209 55,039 8,623 0 100,000 4,800
Terry D. Bassham........................ 2000 166,772 69,283(5) 6,731 0 25,000 5,100
Executive Vice President and 1999 153,949 50,560 5,921 0 0 4,800
General Counsel 1998(1) 146,402 51,909 5,422 0 100,000 4,705
(1) Base salary information reflects 27 biweekly payroll amounts compared to a
typical 26 biweekly payroll year because of timing.
-12-
(2) Represents payments for accrued and unused vacation and personal holiday
time pursuant to Company policyFinancial Printing GroupFinancial Printing
Group(2) Represents payments for accrued and unused vacation and personal
holiday time pursuant to Company policy. Excludes perquisites representing
less than 10% of annual salary.
(3) As of 12/31/00 Messrs, Haines, Rodriguez, Hedrick, Bates and Bassham owned
20,000, 16,141, 11,706, 10,916 and 9,747 shares of restricted Common Stock,
respectively. The value of these shares at 12/31/00 was $264,000, $213,061,
$154,519, $144,091 and $128,660, respectively.
(4) Includes matching contributions made by the Company under the Company's
401(k) Plan.
(5) Messrs. Rodriguez, Hedrick, Bates, and Bassham received 5,030, 4,215,
3,465, and 3,465 shares of restricted Common Stock, respectively, in
February 2001 under the 2000 Bonus Plan. Such shares vest over 4 years with
20% vesting on the day of the grant and 20% vesting on each annual
anniversary of the grant. Each individual will receive cash dividends if
and when declared on vested shares; dividends on unvested shares will be
used to acquire additional shares. Messrs. Hedrick, Bassham and Bates also
received additional cash bonuses of $25,000, $25,000 and $10,000,
respectively.
Aggregate Options Outstanding Under the 1996 and 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plans
Set forth below is information with respect to the aggregate options
granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 and 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plans that
were outstanding at December 31, 2000, for each of the Named Executive Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTIONS/SAR EXERCISES
IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTIONS/SAR VALUES
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Number of Options/SARS at Options-SARS at
Shares Fiscal Year-end Fiscal Year-end
Acquired on Value
Name Exercise Realized Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- -------------------- -------- -------- ------------------------- -------------------------
James Haines 93,955 $683,851 806,045/150,000 6,038,626/90,000
Edurado A. Rodriguez 120,000/80,000 839,200/494,800
Gary R. Hendrick 120,000/80,000 839,200/494,800
Julius F. Bates 120,000/80,000 839,200/494,800
Terry D. Bassham 40,000/85,000 228,000/426,688
-13-
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
Alternative
Grant Date
Individual Grants Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------
Number of
Common
Shares Percent of Total
Underlying Options Granted Exercise or Grant Date
Options To Employees Base Price Expiration Present Value
Name Granted In Fiscal year ($/Share) Date $
- -------------------- ---------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- -------------
James Haines 50,000(1) 20.83% 9.50 03-15-10 201,500(2)
150,000(3) 62.50% 12.60 12-15-10 249,968(4)
Eduardo A. Rodriguez 0 0 N/A N/A N/A
Gary R. Hedrick 0 0 N/A N/A N/A
Julius F. Bates 0 0 N/A N/A N/A
Terry D. Bassham 25,000(5) 10.42% 9.8125 01-02-10 98,000(6)
- ---------------
(1) This option vested immediately on the date of the grant.
(2) The value of options is based on the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model
using the following assumptions: (a) risk-free rate of return is 6.52%
(yield on the 10-year Treasury Note) based on an award date of March 15,
2000; (b) volatility is 33.23%, calculated using the standard deviation of
the Company's Common Stock from March 15, 1997 to the award date; (c)
exercise price is the market price on date of award, which is $9.50; (d)
time of exercise is assumed to be ten years from date of grant; and (e)
discounted actuarially to account for death, disability, retirement or
termination.
(3) This option vests in 50% increments over a 2 year period beginning in April
2002.
(4) The value of options is based on the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model
using the following assumptions: (a) option vests over a two (2) year four
(4) month time frame; (b) risk-free rate of return is 6.03% (yield on the
10-year Treasury Note) based on an award date of December 15, 2000; (c)
volatility is 34.17%, calculated using the standard deviation of the
Company's Common Stock from December 15, 1997 to the award date; (d)
exercise price is the market price on date of award, which is $12.60; (e)
time of exercise is assumed to be ten years from date of grant; and (f)
discounted actuarially to account for death, disability, retirement or
termination.
(5) This option vests in 20% increments beginning one year after date of grant.
(6) The value of options is based on the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model
using the following assumptions: (a) risk-free rate of return is 6.66%
(yield on the 10-year Treasury Note) based on an award date of January 2,
2000; (b) volatility is 33.41%, calculated using the standard deviation of
the Company's Common Stock from January 3, 1997 to the award date; (c)
exercise price is the market price on date of award, which is $9.813; (d)
time of exercise is assumed to be ten years from date of grant; and (e)
discounted actuarially to account for death, disability, retirement or
termination.
-14-
RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN TABLE
The table set forth below shows estimated annual benefits payable at the
normal retirement age of 65 upon retirement under the Company's Retirement
Income Plan for the years of service and levels of final average compensation
specified.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
Years of Service
---------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$125,000 $23,438 $31,250 $39,062 $46,875 $54,688
150,000 28,125 37,500 46,875 56,250 65,625
175,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
200,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
225,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
250,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
300,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
350,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
400,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
450,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
500,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
The compensation covered by the Retirement Income Plan is the annual salary
paid to the participant, which is reflected in the column titled "Base Salary"
in the Summary Compensation Table. The estimated credited years of service for
each of Messrs. Haines, Rodriguez, Hedrick, Bates, and Bassham at December 31,
2000, was 5, 21, 25, 29 and 5, respectively. The benefits are computed based on
straight-life annuity amounts and are not subject to any deduction or offset for
social security benefits or other amounts. Pursuant to applicable federal
regulations, for periods after December 31, 1992, the maximum amount of
compensation on which the benefits can be based was reduced to $150,000 per
year, as such amount may be adjusted in $10,000 increments. The maximum amount
of compensation on which benefits may be based is currently $170,000.
Participants in the Retirement Income Plan will receive the greater of the
accrued benefit at December 31, 1992, or the benefits accrued using the
compensation limitation.
Employment Agreements and Related Matters
The Company and its Chief Executive Officer and President are parties to a
five-year employment agreement that was entered into in May 1996 and amended and
extended for up to two additional years on December 15, 2000 (the "Employment
Agreement"). Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Haines is paid an annual base
salary of $425,000. In addition, in 1996 Mr. Haines was awarded 100,000 shares
of restricted Common Stock and options covering 800,000 shares, all of which
have vested. In connection with the extension of the Employment Agreement, Mr.
Haines was granted options to acquire 150,000 shares of Common Stock, which will
vest in equal increments on May 1, 2002 and May 1, 2003, subject to earlier
vesting under certain circumstances.
Each Named Executive Officer and certain other officers of the Company have
entered into a Change of Control Agreement (the "Agreement") requiring such
person to remain in the
-15-
employ of the Company for two years following a change in controlFinancial
Printing GroupFinancial Printing Groupemploy of the Company for two years
following a change in control. In the event the Named Executive Officer is
terminated during such period, other than for cause or certain other reasons,
the Agreement provides that such person would receive 2.99 times annual base
salary plus bonuses, the actuarial equivalent of vested benefits under the
Company's retirement plan calculated with three additional years of service,
continuation of welfare benefits for two years and outplacement services for one
year.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS COMMITTEE
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General. The Compensation/Benefits Committee (the "Committee") of the
Board of Directors is comprised entirely of non-employee Directors. The
Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the compensation of all
executive officers of the Company, including the Named Executive Officers and
for administering the 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 1999 Long-Term
Incentive Plan. Following review and approval by the Committee, all significant
issues pertaining to executive compensation are submitted to the full Board of
Directors for approval.
Compensation Program. In 1996 the Company retained an international
benefits and compensation consulting firm to advise the Committee and the Board
of Directors in designing an overall executive compensation program. Specific
information was provided for 13 organizations engaged primarily in the electric
utility business, and more general data was made available covering other
organizations of a size comparable to the Company. In 2000, the Committee again
reviewed information from a different international benefits and compensation
consulting firm concerning executive compensation. The review included an
analysis of base salary, annual incentives and expected value of long-term
incentives of the Company executives. The assessment was compared to two
groups, one comprised of companies in the same general business and
approximately the same size as the Company and a second comprised of companies
in general industry that were similar in size to the Company and operated in its
geographic region. In addition, the Company's internal staff regularly provides
the Committee with salary and benefits information compiled by the Edison
Electric Institute ("EEI") covering electric utilities with annual revenues
between $500 million and $1 billion. This overall group of companies is thus
smaller than the "EEI 100" index used to prepare the performance graph that
appears later in this Proxy Statement, and at the same time broader than that
index because of the Committee's view that the Company is entering a deregulated
environment and must compete for executive talent against non-utility companies.
The Committee believes that the executive compensation program should
include a base salary that is at or near the mean for peer utilities (as
described above), adjusted as appropriate for regional price and compensation
levels and trends, and short-term and long-term incentive compensation that
aligns the interests of the executive with the total return to the Company's
shareholders. The incentive components of compensation are intended to provide
total compensation that is commensurate with a broader industry group as well as
utilities. The use of stock-based compensation that vests over time has the
additional effect of retaining quality talent.
-16-
Based on the above parameters, the Committee and Board of Directors
continue to believe a total compensation program for executives should be
comprised of three elements: base salary; short-term incentives; and long-term
incentives.
Base Salary. Each executive officer position is assigned a salary grade
with minimum, midpoint and maximum ranges established to reflect salary
information from comparable companies as described above. Once the range is
established for a particular position, the base salary of each executive officer
is determined by his or her skills and experience and potential impact on the
Company's operations. Base salary adjustments are affected by the officer's
individual performance and success in achieving specific corporate and
individual goals. The Chief Executive Officer reviews the performance of the
other executive officers and makes recommendations to the Committee based on
each officer's performance. Based on the information available to it, the
Committee believes that the base salary of these individuals is generally near
the median for comparable electric utilities.
Short-Term Incentives. Each executive officer other than the Chief
Executive Officer may earn an incentive bonus of up to 55% of his or her base
compensation if the Company achieves specific annual goals that are established
in advance by the Committee and the Board of Directors. All short-term
incentive awards are paid in restricted Common Stock and vest equally over a
four year period with 20% vesting once the goal is achieved and 20% vesting on
each one year anniversary of such date for the next four years. It is
anticipated that the annual performance goals will be "stretch" goals based on
the achievement of corporate objectives (such as earnings, customer
satisfaction, etc.) that will lead to enhanced shareholder value. In 2000 the
performance goals included safety, customer satisfaction and earnings per share.
Executive officers earned a 2000 short-term incentive award of 25.89% of base
salary for partial achievement of the earnings per share and performance goals.
For the 2001 incentive plan, goals have been established for safety, customer
satisfaction and earnings per share. No short-term incentive awards will be
granted, however, unless the earnings per share goal is met.
Long-Term Incentives. During 1998 each current Named Executive Officer
other than the Chief Executive Officer was granted options to acquire 100,000
shares of Common Stock at a price 7% greater than the market price on the date
of grant. The stock options vest in equal 20% increments over five years. Each
Named Executive Officer other than the Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Bassham,
who was not employed by the Company in 1996, was also awarded stock options,
covering 100,000 shares in 1996. The 1996 options have an exercise price equal
to 100% of the market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and vest in
equal increments over 5 years. In 2000, Mr. Bassham was awarded a stock option
grant to acquire 25,000 shares of Common Stock. The options have an exercise
price of 100% of the market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and
vest in equal increments over 5 years. The options were designed as both a
retention plan as well as a long-term incentive plan, and the number of options
granted was by reference to both the base salaries and the Committee's view of
appropriate incentives in an industry moving to greater competition. The long-
term incentive plan is intended to promote long-term growth and stability and to
allow executive officers to acquire the Company's Common Stock and directly
align the executive officers' personal interest with that of other shareholders.
-17-
Stock Ownership Guidelines. Recognizing that stock ownership by executive
officers and directors can directly correlate to improved performance and
shareholder enhancement, the Committee also established stock ownership
guidelines for executive officers and directors. The guidelines suggest that
the Chief Executive Officer own Common Stock with a value equal to three times
his base salary and that other executive officers and directors own Common Stock
with a value equal to two times their base salary or annual retainer,
respectively. The ownership guidelines were set in 1996 with the intention that
they be met within 5 years for directors and executive officers at that time or
within 5 years from the date an individual becomes a director or executive
officer. The stock ownership guidelines have been met by all the individuals
for which the 5 year period is applicable.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. The philosophy of the
Committee and the Board of Directors is to directly tie the most significant
portion of the Chief Executive Officer's compensation to the Company's success
in maximizing shareholder value. The shareholders will benefit through the
Chief Executive Officer's leadership in establishing and meeting short-term and
medium-term financial and operational goals and his initiative in developing and
implementing long-term strategy. The need to use cash and the constraints on
the Company's ability to enhance revenues from customers through rate increases
require that the cash portion of the Chief Executive Officer's compensation
initially be fixed. At the same time, the Committee strongly believes that the
Chief Executive Officer's total compensation should directly reflect increases
in the value of the Common Stock.
The philosophy described above guided the Board of Directors in
establishing Mr. Haines' compensation in 1996 after he was selected, following
an extensive search, with the assistance of a prominent executive search firm,
as a chief executive officer with the experience and vision to lead the Company
into the deregulated market. Mr. Haines' compensation, which is set forth in an
employment agreement that was recently extended through April 30, 2003, has
three elements: a base salary payable in cash; restricted stock; and stock
options. Mr. Haines' base salary is $425,000, which is comparable to the cash
portion of his compensation in his previous position as a senior officer of a
major electric and gas utility and well within the range of salaries of CEOs of
electric utilities. Mr. Haines' base salary was not increased as part of the
two-year extension of his employment agreement. Mr. Haines is compensated for
the achievement of short and medium-term goals through increases in the value of
100,000 shares of restricted Common Stock, which fully vested in late 2000. Mr.
Haines has also been motivated to build long-term value for shareholders through
the award of 800,000 stock options on the date he began his service as the
Company's chief executive officer and an additional 150,000 stock options upon
the two-year extension of his term of employment. All of these options have an
exercise price equal to the market price of the Common Stock on the date of
grant. The number of restricted shares and options awarded to Mr. Haines was
arrived at through negotiation and is consistent with utility industry norms for
overall compensation. In both 1999 and 2000 Mr. Haines was awarded a bonus of a
stock option grant to acquire 50,000 shares of Common Stock at the market price
on the date of the grants. The options vested immediately. These option grants
were intended to reflect both the Committee's and the Board of Director's
recognition of Mr. Haines on-going performance and the Company's continuing
performance improvement since he joined the
-18-
Company. The Committee believes that the bias in favor of stock-based
compensation will provide the greatest incentive for Mr. Haines to create and
implement value enhancing strategies for the benefit of the Company's
shareholders.
Members of the Compensation/Benefits Committee:
Wilson K. Cadman
James W. Cicconi
Kenneth R. Heitz - Chairman
Charles A. Yamarone
AUDIT/ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit/Ethics Committee assists the Board of Directors in reviewing the
Company's financial reporting process. The roles and responsibilities of the
Audit/Ethics Committee are described in a written charter adopted by the Board
of Directors. A copy of the charter is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Exhibit A. Each member of the Audit/Ethics Committee meets the experience and
independence requirements of the American Stock Exchange.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit/Ethics Committee (1) reviewed
and discussed the interim financial information contained in each quarterly
earnings announcement with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and independent
auditors prior to public release; (2) obtained from the independent auditors a
formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and
the Company that might bear on the auditors' independence consistent with
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, "Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees," discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact
their objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the auditors'
independence; (3) discussed with management, the internal auditors and the
independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company's internal controls
and the internal audit function's organization, responsibilities, budget and
staffing; and (4) reviewed with both the independent and the internal auditors
their audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit risks.
In addition, the Audit/Ethics Committee discussed and reviewed with the
independent auditors all communications required by generally accepted
accounting standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended, "Communication with Audit Committees" and, with
and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the
independent auditors' examination of the financial statements. The Audit/Ethics
Committee also discussed the results of the internal audit examinations.
The Audit/Ethics Committee reviewed the audited financial statements of the
Company as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, with management
and the independent auditors. Management is responsible for the preparation of
the Company's financial statements and the independent auditors are responsible
for the examination of those statements.
Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the
independent auditors, the Audit/Ethics Committee recommended to the Board that
the Company's audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
-19-
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Audit/Ethics Committee also recommended the reappointment of
KPMG LLP as the Company's independent auditors, and the Board concurred in such
recommendation.
Submitted by the Audit/Ethics Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors:
Charles A. Yamarone
James W. Cicconi
Patricia Z. Holland-Branch
Michael K. Parks
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the performance of the Company's Common Stock
to the performance of the American Exchange U.S. Total Return Index (AMEX U.S.)
and the Edison Electric Institute's Index of 100 investor-owned electric
utilities (EEI 100). The graph sets the value of El Paso Electric Common Stock
on February 16, 1996 (when it began trading on the American Stock Exchange), and
the value of the AMEX U.S. on February 16, 1996, to a base of 100 and the value
of the EEI 100 on January 1, 1996, to a base of 100. The EEI 100 is not
published daily. The shares of common stock of the Company outstanding prior to
February 12, 1996 (the effective date of the plan of reorganization), were
cancelled as part of the bankruptcy and its performance is not comparable to
that of the Common Stock of the reorganized Company. The table sets forth the
relative yearly percentage change in the Company's cumulative total shareholder
return as compared to the AMEX U.S. and the EEI 100, as reflected in the graph.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
02/16/96 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/31/00
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
El Paso Electric 100.000 136.84 153.95 184.21 206.58 277.89
AMEX 100.000 101.25 128.35 142.23 124.13 172.10
EEI 100 100.000 100.17 125.52 134.72 176.72 166.17
-20-
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
Under certain circumstances, shareholders are entitled to present proposals
at shareholders meetings. To be eligible for inclusion in the Proxy Statement
for the Company's 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder proposal
must be received at the Company's principal executive offices on or prior to
December 1, 2001. The Company will consider only proposals meeting the
requirements of applicable SEC rules. Under the Company's Bylaws, in order for
a shareholder proposal that is not included in the Proxy Statement to be
properly brought before the annual meeting of shareholders, notice of the
proposal must be received at the Company's principal executive offices at least
80 days prior to the scheduled date of the annual meeting. A shareholder's
notice should list each proposal and a brief description of the business to be
brought before the meeting; the name and address of the shareholder proposing
such business; the class and number of shares held by the shareholder; and any
material interest of the shareholder in the business. If a shareholder wishes
to nominate a director, the shareholder must provide the nomination to the
Executive/Nominating Committee in writing at the Company's principal offices
pursuant to the notice provisions provided in the Company's By-Laws.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors knows of no business, other than the election of
Class II Directors, which will be presented for consideration at the Annual
Meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Annual
Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of
proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with
their discretion and judgment as to the best interests of the Company.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Representatives of KPMG LLP, the independent auditors of the Company's
financial statements, will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will respond to
appropriate questions.
Audit Fees
The Company paid KPMG LLP an aggregate of $463,000 for professional
services rendered in the audit of the Company's financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, and review of the Company's financial
statements included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation.
The Company paid KPMG Consulting (a subsidiary of KPMG LLP) an aggregate of
$576,000 for software consulting services related to the Company's acquisition
of new general ledger software during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
Members of the Company's senior management made all management decisions with
respect to the design and
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implementation of this new general ledger system, including the selection of
systems to be evaluated, the scope and timetable of the system implementation,
and the testing, training, and conversion to the new system. The Company's
management evaluated the adequacy and results of the design and implementation
of the new general ledger system.
All Other Fees
The Company paid KPMG LLP an aggregate of $1,237,000 for professional
services, other than the services described above, provided during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2000.
The Audit Committee determined that KPMG LLP's provision of the services
described above under "Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation"
and "All Other Fees" is compatible with maintaining KPMG LLP's independence.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's 2000 Annual Report, which includes financial statements, but
which does not constitute a part of the proxy solicitation material, accompanies
this Proxy Statement.
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/GUILLERMO SILVA, JR.
Guillermo Silva, Jr.
Secretary
Dated: April 4, 2001
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Exhibit A
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT/ETHICS COMMITTEE
(Revised May 2000)
I. Purpose
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the
Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committee's
primary duties and responsibilities are to:
. Monitor the integrity of the Company's financial reporting process and
systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal
compliance.
. Monitor the independence and performance of the Company's independent
auditors and internal auditing department.
. Provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors,
management, the internal auditing department and the Board of Directors.
The independent auditors and internal auditors should promptly consult with
the Chairman of the Committee if, at any time, any material concern or
matter arises which has not been promptly or appropriately addressed by the
management of the Company or which involves any illegal act or conflict of
interest or self-dealing on the part of the Company's senior management.
The Audit Committee has the authority to investigate any matter brought to
its attention within the scope of its duties, and has direct access to the
independent auditors as well as any corporate document or employee. The
Audit Committee has the power to retain, at the Company's expense, outside
accountants, consultants and counsel for this purpose if, in its judgment,
that is appropriate.
II. Composition and Meetings
Audit Committee members shall meet the requirements of the American Stock
Exchange. The Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more
directors as determined by the Board, each of whom shall be an independent
nonexecutive director, free from any relationship that would interfere with
the exercise of his or her independent judgment. All members of the
Committee shall have a basic understanding of finance and accounting and be
able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, and at least
one member of the Committee shall have finance, accounting or related
financial management expertise as required by the American Stock Exchange.
1
Audit Committee members shall be appointed by the Board on the
recommendation of the Nominating Committee. If an Audit Committee Chair is
not designated or present, the members of the Committee may designate a
Chair by majority vote.
The Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently
as circumstances dictate. The Audit Committee Chair shall prepare and/or
approve an agenda in advance of each meeting. The Committee should meet
privately in executive session at least annually with management, the
director of the internal auditing department, the independent auditors, and
as a committee to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these
groups believe should be discussed. In addition, the Committee should
communicate with management and the independent auditors quarterly to
review the Company's financial statements and significant findings based
upon the auditors' limited review procedures.
III. Responsibilities and Duties
Review Procedures
-----------------
1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least annually.
Submit the charter to the Board of Directors for approval and have the
document published at least every three years in accordance with SEC
regulations.
2. Review the Company's annual audited financial statements prior to
filing or distribution. This review will include a discussion with
management and the independent auditors of significant issues regarding
accounting principles, practices and judgments.
3. In consultation with the management, the independent auditors, and the
internal auditors, consider the integrity of the Company's financial
reporting processes and controls. Discuss significant financial risk
exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and
report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the
independent auditors and the internal auditing department together with
management's responses and the status of management's response to
previous recommendations.
4. Review with financial management and the independent auditors the
Company's quarterly financial statements prior to filing or
distribution. Discuss any significant changes to the Company's
accounting principles and any items required to be communicated by the
independent auditors in accordance with SAS 61.
2
Independent Auditors
--------------------
5. The independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the Audit
Committee and the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee will review
the independence and performance of the auditors and annually recommend
to the Board of Directors the appointment of the independent auditors
or approve any discharge of auditors when circumstances warrant.
6. Approve the fees and other significant compensation to be paid to the
independent auditors.
7. On an annual basis, the Committee should review and discuss with the
independent auditors all significant relationships they have with the
Company that could impair the auditors' independence. In addition, the
Committee will review and approve requests for significant management
consulting engagements to be performed by the independent auditors'
firm or its affiliates and be advised of any other significant study
undertaken at the request of management that is beyond the scope of the
audit engagement letter.
8. Review the independent auditors' audit plan - discuss scope, staffing,
locations, reliance upon management, and internal audit and general
audit approach.
9. Prior to releasing the year-end earnings, discuss the results of the
audit with the independent auditors. Discuss certain matters required
to be communicated to audit committees in accordance with AICPA SAS 61.
10. Consider the independent auditors' judgments about the quality and
appropriateness of the Company's accounting principles as applied in
its financial reporting.
11. Discuss with management and the independent auditors the quality of the
accounting principles and underlying estimates used to prepare the
Company's financial statements, the clarity of the Company's financial
disclosure and whether the Company's accounting principles are common
practices or minority practices.
Internal Audit Department and Legal Compliance
----------------------------------------------
12. Review the budget, plan, changes in plan, activities, organizational
structure, and qualifications of the internal audit department, as
needed.
13. Review the appointment, performance, and replacement of the senior
internal audit executive.
3
14. Review significant reports prepared by the internal audit department
together with management's response and follow-up to these reports.
15. Review corporate policies relating to compliance with laws and
regulations, ethics, conflicts of interest and the investigation of
misconduct or fraud.
16. Review significant cases of employee conflict of interest, misconduct
or fraud.
17. Review in-house procedures for oversight of officers' expenses and
perquisites.
18. On at least an annual basis, meet with the Company's General Counsel to
discuss any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the
financial statements, the Company's compliance with applicable laws and
regulations, and inquiries received from regulators or governmental
agencies.
Other Audit Committee Responsibilities
--------------------------------------
19. Annually prepare a report to shareholders as required by the SEC, to be
included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
20. Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
Company's by-laws, and governing law, as the Committee or the Board
deems necessary or appropriate.
21. Maintain minutes of meetings and periodically report to the Board of
Directors on significant results of the foregoing activities.
22. Establish, review, and update periodically a Code of Ethical Conduct
and determine whether management has established a system to enforce
this Code and to promote the accuracy and completeness of the Company's
financial statements, reports and other information disclosed publicly
and to governmental organizations.
23. Periodically perform a self-assessment of Audit Committee performance.
24. Review financial and accounting personnel succession planning within
the Company.
4
IV. Limit of Audit Committee Responsibility
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in
this Charter, it does not have the resources or expertise to plan or
conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are
complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. This is the responsibility of the Company's
management and the independent auditor. Nor is it the duty of the Audit
Committee to conduct investigations, to resolve disagreements, if any,
between management and the independent auditors or to assure compliance
with laws and regulations and the Company's Code of Ethical Conduct.
Members of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to have accepted a duty
of care that is greater than the duty of the Directors generally.
5
[FORM OF PROXY CARD]
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
For the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held May 10, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby nominate(s), constitute(s) and appoint(s) James
Haines, Terry Bassham and Guillermo Silva, Jr., and each of them, the attorneys,
agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full powers of substitution to each,
to attend and act as proxy or proxies of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of El Paso Electric Company (the
"Company") to be held at the Paul Kayser Center, 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, Texas
79901, on Thursday, May 10, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., MDT, or at any adjournments
thereof, and vote as specified herein the number of shares that the undersigned,
if personally present, would be entitled to vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES
DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AS CLASS II DIRECTORS.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO
DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES DESCRIBED
IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AS CLASS II DIRECTORS. IF ANY MATTERS NOT SPECIFIED IN
THE NOTICE OF MEETING ARE PRESENTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE BEST JUDGMENT AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE NAMED PROXY HOLDERS. THIS PROXY
MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE BY FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY
AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING REVOKING THE PROXY OR A DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A
LATER DATE. THIS PROXY MAY ALSO BE REVOKED BY ATTENDING THE MEETING AND VOTING
IN PERSON.
[REVERSE OF CARD]
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[ ]
1. Election of Directors Listed Below (to FOR all nominees [X] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote [X] *EXCEPTIONS [X]
serve for a term of three years to expire Listed below for all nominees listed below
at the annual meeting in 2004)
Nominees: WILSON K. CADMAN JAMES A. CARDWELL JAMES W. CICCONI PATRICIA Z. HOLLAND-BRANCH
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, mark the "Exceptions" box and write that nominee's name on the
space provided below.
*Exceptions
---------------------------------------------------------------
Address Changes [X]
and/or Comments
Please date and sign exactly as name appears. If shares are held jointly, each
should sign, if signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guarantee,
etc., so indicate when signing. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name
by an authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
Dated______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature
___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature if held jointly
Votes must be indicated
(x) in Black or Blue ink. [X]
Mark, Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
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