UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. )
 |
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 |
ArcBest
Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all
boxes that apply): |
 |
No fee required. |
 |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
 |
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per
Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
Our Company
ArcBest is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that
leverages our full suite of shipping and logistics solutions to
meet our customers’ supply chain needs.
With the ability to optimize, connect and deliver across various
modes of transportation, we serve as a single logistics resource
and help keep the global supply chain moving. This integrated
approach, combined with our technology and expertise, helps ensure
our customers have the right solutions to get the job done — no
matter the shipment size, type of product or speed of delivery.
We started 100 years ago as a local Arkansas freight hauler. Today,
through organic growth, smart strategic acquisitions, visionary
leadership and a mindset focused on the future, we’re a publicly
traded $5 billion logistics powerhouse with over 15,000 employees
across more than 250 campuses and service centers.
ArcBest is a trusted advisor, with our customers at the center of
it all. We listen, get to know their business and look at things
from their perspective, so the strategies and solutions we
recommend align with their goals.
Our long history of innovation enriches these deep customer
relationships. We invest heavily in strategic initiatives aimed at
transformation — helping shippers and capacity providers
successfully navigate the complex logistics landscape. With a
strong emphasis on disruptive technology and advanced analytics,
we’re enabling more sustainable supply chains and delivering
intelligent solutions that make it easier for our customers to
achieve their objectives.
In pursuit of our mission to connect and positively impact the
world through solving logistics challenges and aligned to our
values-driven culture, we’re also focused on advancing
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives. We’re
committed to identifying, analyzing and reporting on ESG-related
data and conducting business in a way that helps create a safer,
more sustainable and inclusive company and world. This includes our
commitment to having a workplace that respects all cultures,
perspectives and experiences so that we provide the best atmosphere
for our employees and the best service to our customers.
Welcome to ArcBest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Values
|
Creativity
|
|
Integrity
|
|
Collaboration
|
|
We create
solutions
|
|
We do the
right thing
|
|
We work
together
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth
|
|
Excellence
|
|
Wellness
|
|
We grow our people
and our business
|
|
We exceed
expectations
|
|
We embrace
total health
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
/ 2023 PROXY STATEMENT |
arcb.com/investor-relations |
Back to
Contents
Letter to our Stockholders from ArcBest Chairman, President &
Chief Executive Officer
Judy R. McReynolds
ArcBest Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
March 17, 2023
“We started in 1923 as a small, local freight hauler, and
today we are a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics
powerhouse.”
$5.3B
|
TOTAL REVENUE IN 2022,
UP 34% VS. 2021
|
+46%
|
INCREASE IN EARNINGS PER
DILUTED SHARE VS 2021
|
Dear ArcBest Stockholders,
I am very pleased to invite you to attend the ArcBest Corporation
Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. CDT. The
meeting will be held in person at our corporate headquarters, 8401
McClure Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916. As we approach the
Annual Meeting, I would like to provide an update on ArcBest in
2022 and where we are today.
In 2022, ArcBest achieved many financial milestones, with our
second consecutive year of record-setting annual revenue and net
income. We also marked one year since acquiring MoLo Solutions,
which has enabled us to deliver a more seamless and enhanced
truckload solution. This, in turn, has helped us provide better
customer service and carrier management.
2023 marks an extraordinary milestone — our 100th anniversary.
Since getting our start in 1923 as a small, local freight hauler in
western Arkansas, we have evolved into a $5.3 billion-dollar
integrated logistics powerhouse. With more than 15,000 employees,
we develop best-in-class and innovative approaches that help keep
the global supply chain moving.
ArcBest is mindful of the changing economic and industry
environment, and we continue to pursue a balanced approach to
capital allocation. Looking ahead, we will continue to execute on
our long-term vision and strategy focused on people, technology and
our integrated solutions. And we will continue to listen to our
customers and view our business through their lens. With
longstanding partnerships, our customers trust us to identify and
provide the right solutions and help drive their business forward.
We are committed to delivering for them at every turn.
With innovation at our core, we see tremendous opportunity to serve
our employees, shippers and capacity providers more effectively and
efficiently by leveraging technology. ArcBest invests heavily on
innovation with substantial investment in strategic projects and
transformative initiatives. With this focus, we are building the
future of logistics technology.
Additionally, as part of our growth strategy, our team continues to
focus on our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts.
Our industry impacts the environment, and we believe it’s our
responsibility to develop solutions that help reduce that
impact.
ArcBest is well positioned to continue to serve customers and
create value for stockholders for the next century. We are
committed to delivering on our goals and driving growth as we work
toward our long-term financial targets. Our work in 2022 and beyond
continues to be guided by our mission to connect and positively
impact the world through solving logistics challenges.
At this year’s meeting, you will be asked to vote on five proposals
listed in the enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting: I. the election of
nine nominees to serve on our Board of Directors for a one-year
term; II. the advisory vote to approve executive compensation; III.
the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on
executive compensation; IV. the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023; and V. the amendment
of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to update
the exculpation provision. Please take time to review the
information on each of the proposals contained within this Proxy
Statement. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote
FOR Proposals I, II, IV and V and “1 Year” for Proposal
III.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and our 15,000+ team members,
thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of our
journey to 100 years. I look forward to this year and all of the
opportunities ahead.
Very truly yours,
Back to
Contents

2022 HIGHLIGHTS
At ArcBest, we continue to make
progress on our environmental, social and governance (ESG)
initiatives. In 2022, we made strides in measuring CO2
emissions, developing our philanthropy framework, and advancing
spaces for diverse employee communities.
Environmental Sustainability
We’re proud to have earned, for the second time, Bronze medal
status for our 2022 sustainability rating from EcoVadis, a
sustainability intelligence provider that rates more than 100,000
companies worldwide. With criteria across four themes (Environment,
Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement),
Bronze status recognizes companies performing in the top 50% of all
companies rated.
In 2022, ABF Freight System, Inc., our largest subsidiary, was
named an EPA SmartWay High Performer for the 2nd consecutive year,
our 3rd time to receive this designation. We have made it a
priority to minimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions through
operational improvements and equipment upgrades. We also continue
to pilot electric yard tractors, forklifts, and Class 6 trucks to
further explore emissions-reduction opportunities.
For the first time, we calculated and disclosed our Scope 1 and
Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions in our ESG Report released in June
2022. We made several additional disclosures in 2022, making
progress toward aligning to the Sustainability Accounting Standards
Board (SASB) standards for ESG reporting and the Task Force on
Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.
As part of our Facility Enhancement and Growth plan, we remodeled
and renovated a number of facilities across the country, replacing
thousands of lighting fixtures with LED and upgrading restroom
fixtures. In addition to the benefits for employees, we expect
these improvements to reduce our electricity and water consumption.
We look forward to monitoring the results over time.
As both a facility upgrade and a step toward reducing emissions, we
have nearly completed the installation of a solar power system at
our Fort Wayne, IN service center. This system will produce
approximately 50,000 kWh of renewable electricity each year and
will serve as a pilot to explore the potential for systems at other
facilities in the future.
| |
 |
 |
3X EPA SMARTWAY HIGH PERFORMER
|
SCOPE 1 AND SCOPE 2 CARBON EMISSIONS
DISCLOSED FOR FIRST TIME
|
Philanthropy
In 2022, we announced three foundational philanthropy pillars to
help guide our impact: community, education, and people. Through
these pillars, we donated over $1 million to over 150 organizations
across the country.
Within our Community pillar, we continued serving in focus areas,
including the United Way of Fort Smith Area, local events — such as
Paint the Park Pink, True Grit Ride and The Walk to End Alzheimer’s
— and local developments. Within our Education pillar, we matched
employee contributions to over 18 schools through our Educational
Match Program. As a Fort Smith Partners in Education organization,
employees also devote time to students through mentorship programs
and STEM activities like Girls Who Code and LEGO robotics
competitions. Within our People pillar, we positively impacted the
world through the causes our employees care about, including the
Polaris Project, Ronald McDonald House, Down Syndrome Connections,
and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In alignment with the People pillar, the Leadership Academy Class
of 2021 fundraised over $42,000 for Project Hero — a non-profit
that supports rehabilitation therapy for veterans and military
members through cycling. Along with this donation, employees at
service centers in Dayton and South Chicago fundraised over $50,000
for the Fischer House Foundation and Canaryville Veteran Riders
Association, demonstrating our continued support of veteran
causes.
| |
 |
 |
$1 MILLION DONATED TO
COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS
|
ESTABLISHED 3 PHILANTHROPY PILLARS:
COMMUNITY, EDUCATION AND PEOPLE
|
|
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 5
Back to
Contents

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
In 2022, a top priority was continuing to ensure all employees feel
safe and welcome, as well as expanding our diverse talent pools. In
the first quarter, we launched a DEI Task Force with employees from
across the organization. This 12-member group is responsible for
providing recommendations and employee feedback around DEI, as well
as identifying best practices for workplace inclusivity. Based on
the recommendations of this group, we highlighted several diverse
holidays and heritage months internally and externally for the
first time — including Juneteenth, Diwali, and Native American
Heritage Month. The DEI Task Force also hosted its first events,
including a New Hire Inclusion Night and a virtual Hispanic
Heritage Month Panel Discussion.
Through the ArcBest Recruiting team, we attended 10 recruiting and
career events at diverse campuses, including multiple Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and one Native
American-serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI). Additionally,
through the Student Opportunity Center we partnered with Morgan
State University, an HBCU in Baltimore, for an experiential
classroom project during the fall semester.
We also began a search for a neuroinclusivity employment advisor.
In October, we announced our collaboration with Integrate — a
nonprofit organization that helps identify, recruit and retain
professionals on the autism spectrum — to foster a neuroinclusive
workforce and continue attracting the best talent with unique skill
sets.
An initial employee resource group (ERG) framework was developed by
the DEI Task Force, with two new groups forming at the end of 2022.
The first employee-led group is focused on creating community
around new hires and relocated employees (CoNECT: Colleagues
Networking and Embracing Community Ties), and the second is focused
on the LGBTQ+ community and allyship (Pride Network).
We also continued tracking new hire diversity. In 2022, 61% of our
new hires represented one or more of the diverse backgrounds
categorized by gender, race, ethnicity, and military status.
| |
 |
 |
2 NEW ERGS FORMED
|
61% OF NEW HIRE GENDER, RACE, ETHNICITY,
AND MILITARY DIVERSITY ACHIEVED
|
Training and Employee Development
Our people are at the heart of our success, and we work to ensure
they have the resources and training necessary to be successful in
their roles. In 2022, we provided our employees with over 680
different online course titles, totaling over 38,000 enrollments
into online courses across the organization. We also offered over
400 sessions of over 100 different live course titles, via webinar
or in-person, totaling over 10,000 enrollments and over 43,000
hours of live training on job skills and soft skills topics.
Through our Aspiring Leaders Program, Leadership Series, and
Leadership Academy, over 250 employees across the organization
received instructor-guided training designed to develop skills for
leadership and management.
Living true to our value of Excellence, our training team delivered
over 270 hours of Quality Process content. This course ensures
employees are familiar with the “5 Step Problem Elimination
Process” and help us live out our vision of “We’ll Find A Way”.
ArcBest was recognized as a 2022 Training APEX award winner by
Training magazine, improving year-over-year in this ranking
from spot 16 to spot 14.
Our Educational Assistance Program continued supporting full-time
employee development by reimbursing a percentage of the cost for
educational courses. In 2022, $260,130 was reimbursed to employees
pursuing graduate certificates and master’s degrees. Along with
supporting employee learning, our performance and succession
processes help us identify the next generation of company leaders;
249 employees were flagged as potential successor candidates for
senior leadership roles.
| |
 |
 |
43,000+ HOURS OF TRAINING
PROVIDED ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION
|
2022 TRAINING APEX AWARD WINNER, OUR 13TH YEAR
ON TRAINING MAGAZINE’S TOP RANKING LIST
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 6
Back to
Contents

APRIL 26, 2023
8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time
ArcBest Headquarters
8401 McClure Drive
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916
|
 |
NOTICE
of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
ArcBest Corporation
|
|
|
|
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARCBEST
CORPORATION:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of ArcBest Corporation (“ArcBest” or the “Company”) on
April 26, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. (CDT). You may attend in person at the
principal offices of the Company located at 8401 McClure Drive,
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916. To obtain directions to attend the
Annual Meeting and to vote in person, contact the Company’s
Investor Relations Department at toll-free telephone number
800-961-9744, email address invrel@arcb.com or through the
Company’s website www.arcb.com.
The annual meeting is being convened for the following
purposes:
I.
To elect nine directors for a one-year term to expire at the 2024
Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
II.
To conduct an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;
III.
To conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of holding future
advisory votes on executive compensation;
IV.
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for 2023;
V.
To approve amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to update the exculpation provision; and
VI.
To act upon such other matters as may properly be brought before
the meeting affecting the business and affairs of the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors, March
17, 2023.
Michael Johns
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
RECORD DATE; PROXIES
Only stockholders of record at the close of business February 27,
2023, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Even if you plan to
attend the meeting, please follow the instructions to vote by
Internet or by telephone, or complete, sign, date and return your
proxy card if you received one, as promptly as possible. It is
important that your shares be represented at the meeting. For more
information about how to attend the annual meeting, see
“Information About the Meeting” on page 72 of this Proxy Statement.
If you hold your shares in “street name” through a brokerage firm
or bank, then your brokerage firm or bank is responsible for voting
on your behalf based on your instructions. The Board of Directors
urges you to contact the person responsible for your account today
and instruct them to execute a proxy considering the
recommendations of the Board, which are described in this Proxy
Statement. If you hold your shares in street name and you wish to
personally vote at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy
issued in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee that
holds your shares. For more information on how to vote, see
“Information About the Meeting.”
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Stockholder Meeting to be held on April 26, 2023: The
Proxy Statement and 2022 Annual Report are available at
www.proxyvote.com.
If you wish to receive future proxy statements and annual reports
electronically rather than receiving paper copies in the mail,
please see page 74 for instructions. This approach can provide
information to you more conveniently, while reducing the
environmental impact of our annual meeting and helping to reduce
our distribution costs.
8401 MCCLURE DRIVE / P.O. BOX 10048 / FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS
72917-0048 / 479-785-6000
HOW TO VOTE
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Please refer to the following proxy materials or the information
forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see
which voting methods are available to you.
|
BY INTERNET
www.proxyvote.com
|
BY PHONE
1-800-690-6903
(automated line)
|
BY MAIL
If you received paper copies of your proxy materials, sign, date
and return the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided
|
IN PERSON
You can attend the
Annual Meeting in person and vote, even if you gave a
proxy in advance
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 7
Back to
Contents
PROXY SUMMARY
THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM THIS PROXY
STATEMENT AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHOULD
CONSIDER. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT BEFORE VOTING
YOUR SHARES. FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING ARCBEST’S 2022
PERFORMANCE, PLEASE REVIEW OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022.
Annual Meeting Information
WHEN
|
WHERE
|
RECORD DATE
|
Wednesday,
April 26, 2023,
at 8:00 a.m. (CDT)
|
At the principal offices of the
Company located at
8401 McClure Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916
|
February 27, 2023
|
Meeting Agenda
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the stockholders of the
Company in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of
the ArcBest Board of Directors (the “Board”) to be voted at the
Annual Meeting. The matters we will act upon at the Annual Meeting
are:
Proposal
|
Board Voting
Recommendation
|
Vote Required to Pass
|
Where to Find
More Information
|
Elect nine directors for a one-year term
|
FOR all nominees
|
A nominee is elected by a plurality of the votes cast
|
Page 12
|
Approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive
compensation
|
FOR
|
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total
number of shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote
|
Page 62
|
Approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory
votes to approve executive compensation
|
For a frequency of
1 YEAR
|
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total
number of shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote
|
Page 63
|
Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for 2023
|
FOR
|
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total
number of shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote
|
Page 66
|
Approve amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to update the exculpation provision
|
FOR
|
The affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting stock
|
Page 68
|
What’s New?
|
◼
In June 2022, we published our third Environmental, Social and
Governance (ESG) Report for the calendar year 2021, disclosing our
Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the first time.
Visit arcb.com/ESG to view the report.(1)
◼
We announced our three foundational philanthropy pillars to help
guide our impact: Community, Education and People. Visit
arcb.com/investor-relations/philanthropy to learn more about
ArcBest Philanthropy.
◼
We developed robust plans to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2023.
|
(1)
|
Documents referenced or hyperlinked in this proxy statement are not
and will not be incorporated by reference unless expressly
indicated otherwise. Such documents may contain information from
various sources and our assumptions thereon and may also contain
hypothetical or adverse scenarios and assumptions that may not
necessarily be representative of current, actual or expected risks
or results. You are cautioned not to place undue weight on such
information.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 8
Back to
Contents
Director Nominees
Name
|
Occupation
|
Age
|
Director
Since
|
Independent
|
Other Public
Directorships
|
Committees
|
Audit
|
Compensation
|
Nominating/Corporate
Governance
|
Salvatore A. Abbate
|
Chief Executive Officer for Veritiv Corporation
|
54
|
2023
|
 |
1
|
|
 |
 |
Eduardo F. Conrado
|
President for Ascension
|
56
|
2016
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Fredrik J. Eliasson
|
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for
Change Healthcare Inc.
|
52
|
2019
|
 |
1
|
 |
 |
|
|
Michael P. Hogan
|
Chief Growth and Strategy Officer for Forme Financial
|
63
|
2016
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Kathleen D. McElligott
|
Former Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer and
Chief Technology Officer for McKesson Corporation
|
67
|
2015
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Judy R. McReynolds
Chair
|
President and Chief Executive Officer for ArcBest
|
60
|
2010
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
Dr. Craig E.
Philip
|
Professor, Vanderbilt University
|
69
|
2011
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Steven L. Spinner
Lead Independent
Director
|
Operating Partner for MidOcean Partners
|
63
|
2011
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Janice E.
Stipp
|
Former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
for Rogers Corporation
|
63
|
2012
|
 |
1
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Member
|
 |
Chair
|
 |
Audit Committee Financial Expert
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 9
Back to
Contents
Our nine nominees represent a diverse range of skills:
2022 Performance
Supply chains continued to be disrupted, and in 2022, many shippers
depended on ArcBest’s expertise as an integrated logistics provider
to help them navigate the challenges of effectively and efficiently
delivering their products. With over 15,000 employees utilizing
their industry knowledge while offering a breadth of solutions,
ArcBest truly lived out its mission to connect and positively
impact the world through solving logistics challenges. In 2022, we
achieved record revenue, operating income, net income and earnings
per share. We have accomplished a lot, and we are positioned to
make much more progress in the future.
 |
$399.3M
|
 |
$11.69
|
|
OPERATING INCOME,
AN INCREASE OF 42% VS. 2021
|
|
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE,
AN INCREASE OF 46% VS. 2021
|
Compensation Highlights
Our executive compensation program strikes a balance between fixed
and variable elements. As shown below, 80% of compensation for our
CEO, and 68% of compensation (on average) for our other Named
Executive Officers, was at risk in 2022.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 10
Back to
Contents
Key Compensation Governance Policies
The Compensation Committee continually reviews the Company’s
executive compensation program to ensure our practices promote
stockholders’ best interests. Some of our key policies are
summarized below.
What We Do:
|
|
What We Don’t Do:
|
 |
We tie pay to performance. The majority of executive pay is at
risk.
|
|
 |
NO tax gross-up payments for any amounts considered excess
parachute payments.
|
 |
We use three-year ratable vesting for our restricted stock units to
encourage retention and a long-term perspective.
|
|
 |
NO single-trigger payments upon a change in control.
|
 |
Named Executive Officers and Directors are subject to significant
stock ownership requirements.
|
|
 |
NO excessive perquisites.
|
 |
Half (50%) of the long-term incentive value granted to Named
Executive Officers is contingent on the Company’s performance over
a 3-year period.
|
|
 |
NO hedging or pledging of Company stock.
|
 |
We have caps on both the annual incentive and long-term incentive
payouts.
|
|
 |
NO employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers.
|
 |
We have a robust clawback policy.
|
|
 |
NO re-pricing of stock options without stockholder approval.
|
 |
We conduct annual risk assessments of our compensation plans.
|
|
 |
NO guaranteed bonuses.
|
 |
We have an independent Compensation Committee.
|
|
|
|
 |
The Compensation Committee has an independent compensation
consultant.
|
|
|
|
 |
We benchmark our compensation practices to peers with which we
compete for talent.
|
|
|
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 11
Back to
Contents
PROPOSAL I.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each of the nominees.
All of the nominees are currently serving as directors of the
Company. If elected, each nominee will serve until ArcBest’s Annual
Meeting of Stockholders in 2024 or until the individual’s earlier
death, resignation or removal from office. Based on a
recommendation from the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee,
the Board appointed Salvatore A. Abbate to the Board on January 30,
2023. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Abbate was recommended to the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee as a potential Board
candidate by Korn Ferry, which was engaged by the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee to assist in identifying
potential Board candidates.
Each nominee has indicated a willingness to serve as a member of
the Board, if elected. If, for any reason, a nominee becomes unable
to serve or will not serve, either the number of the Company’s
directors will be reduced or the Board will designate a substitute
nominee.
The Company’s bylaws provide that directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast by stockholders, in person or by proxy,
at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Company’s bylaws
also require that any director in an uncontested election who does
not receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
must promptly tender a resignation to the Board. The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider any
resignation tendered under this policy and recommend to the Board
whether to accept or reject it, and the Board will act on such
resignation, taking into account such recommendation, within 90
days following the certification of the election results.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee in making its
recommendation, and the Board in making its decision, may consider
any information it deems appropriate, including any reasons given
by stockholders for their votes against a director, the
qualifications of the director, and the director’s contributions to
the Board and the Company. The Board will promptly disclose its
decision to accept or reject the resignation and, if rejected, the
reasons for doing so. If a director’s resignation is not accepted
by the Board, then such director will continue to serve. If a
director’s resignation is accepted by the Board, then the Board, in
its sole discretion, may fill any remaining vacancy or decrease the
size of the Board.
Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is
withheld, your proxy will be voted for the election of each of the
nominees.
Director Nominees
A biography of each Director nominee, current as of February 1,
2023, appears below. There are no family relationships among any of
the nominees and executive officers of the Company or its
subsidiaries.
SALVATORE A. ABBATE
|
Age 54
Director since: 2023
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
■
Nominating/ Corporate Governance
|
|
Key experience
■
Manufacturing and process improvement
■
Public company executive management
Other directorships
■
Veritiv Corporation (Board member)
Mr. Abbate is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of
Directors of Veritiv Corporation. Based in Atlanta, GA, Veritiv is
a Fortune 500 company and a leading North American
business-to-business distribution solutions company. Before
becoming its CEO, Mr. Abbate served as Chief Operating Officer for
Veritiv from January 2020 until September 2020 and as Chief
Commercial Officer from April 2018 until December 2019. Prior to
joining Veritiv, his leadership roles included Senior Vice
President, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Andersen Windows
& Doors, Inc. and Vice-President, Global Sales and Marketing
for the performance films division of Solutia, Inc., a performance
materials and specialty chemical provider which is now part of the
Eastman Chemical Company. Mr. Abbate began his career at Armstrong
World Industries, where he spent 15 years in all three of its
business units in various roles including sales, marketing,
manufacturing, and process improvement.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 12
Back to Contents
EDUARDO F. CONRADO
|
Age 56
Director since: 2016
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
■
Nominating/ Corporate Governance (Chair)
|
|
Key experience
■
Corporate strategy and strategic development
■
New business development
■
Digital and data strategy
Other directorships
■
Previously served as a director on the not-for-profit boards of
Ascension, Chicago Red Cross, and The Chicago Field Museum
Mr. Conrado is President for Ascension, the nation’s largest
non-profit health system. Before becoming President, Mr. Conrado
was Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Innovations
Officer from July 2019 through January 2023. He joined Ascension in
September 2018 as Executive Vice President and Chief Digital
Officer. Before that, Mr. Conrado had a 25-year career at Motorola
Solutions, Inc., a global provider of communication infrastructure,
devices, accessories, software and services, serving in numerous
senior executive positions, culminating in his role as Executive
Vice President and Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer from
August 2015 until December 2017. Mr. Conrado’s previous roles at
Motorola Solutions included Senior Vice President and Chief
Innovation Officer, Senior Vice President — Marketing & IT,
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Vice
President and Chief Marketing Officer for Global Business &
Technology Marketing. He also worked in various marketing,
distribution and network capacities for Motorola Solutions.
|
FREDRIK J. ELIASSON
|
Age 52
Director since: 2019
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
|
|
Key experience
■
Financial and capital markets
■
Transportation and logistics
■
Mergers and acquisitions
■
Innovation and emerging technologies
■
Cost-structure transformation and revenue optimization
Other directorships
■
Gates Industrial Corporation plc (Audit Committee Chair)
■
Previously served on the Jacksonville (Florida) Chamber Board of
Directors and as chair of the business recruiting portion of the
chamber, JAXUSA Partnership
■
Previously served on the Audit Committee of United Way
Jacksonville
■
Previously served as Executive Member and Finance Committee chair
for the Jacksonville Zoo Board of Directors
Mr. Eliasson currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors
of Gates Industrial Corporation plc. He previously served as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Change
Healthcare Inc., one of the largest independent healthcare IT
companies in the United States, from 2018 to 2022. He joined Change
Healthcare in 2018 after a 22-year career at CSX Corporation, where
he served in various executive leadership capacities, including
President in 2017, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and
Marketing Officer from 2015 to 2017, and Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer from 2012 to 2015.
|
MICHAEL P. HOGAN
|
Age 63
Director since: 2016
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
|
|
Key experience
■
Multi-channel and digital business
■
Digital products and mobile and consumer electronics products
Other directorships
■
Feed the Children, a non-profit organization (Chairman of the
Board)
Mr. Hogan is the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer for Forme
Financial, the first financial advisory firm created specifically
to serve physicians. He previously retired as President of Tax
Smart Innovation for Blucora, Inc., a provider of
technology-enabled financial solutions, in June 2020. Prior to
joining Blucora in October 2018, Mr. Hogan served as Executive Vice
President — Strategic Business & Brand Development for GameStop
Corporation from 2012 until February 2018. From 2008 until 2012, he
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for
GameStop. Prior to 2008, Mr. Hogan served as a principal with
Strategic Frameworking, a strategic consulting firm; Senior Vice
President — Marketing for Dean Foods Company; and Vice President —
International Marketing for Frito-Lay, Inc.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 13
Back to Contents
KATHLEEN D. MCELLIGOTT
|
Age 67
Director since: 2015
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
■
Nominating/ Corporate Governance
|
|
Key experience
■
Supply chain and distribution
■
Acquisitions and divestitures
■
Big data, cloud computing, and technology strategy
■
Transportation and enterprise logistics
Other directorships
■
Previously served on the board of Forescout Technologies, Inc. (May
2019 to Aug. 2020)
■
Previously served as board president of Connections to Success, a
St. Louis-based non-profit organization
Ms. McElligott retired in February 2020 as Executive Vice
President, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer
for McKesson Corporation, a healthcare services and information
technology company. She joined McKesson in July 2015, after serving
as Chief Information Officer and Vice President — Information
Technology for Emerson Electric Co. from February 2010 to July
2015, and Group Chief Information Officer, Industrial Automation
and Vice President for Emerson Power Transmission for over nine
years before that. Prior to joining Emerson, Ms. McElligott spent
22 years with General Electric Company in multiple information
systems leadership and managerial roles.
|
JUDY R. MCREYNOLDS
|
Age 60
Director since: 2010
Chairman of the Board since: 2016
Committees:
|
|
Key experience
■
Significant industry-specific experience
■
Expertise with respect to both ArcBest and its transportation and
logistics subsidiaries resulting from a 26-year tenure with the
Company
■
Less-than-truckload and truckload transportation
■
Talent management, labor and pension
■
Investment and corporate banking, financial analysis, capital
structures and shareholder value
Other directorships
■
OGE Energy (since 2011) (Compensation Committee; Lead Director
since Dec. 2020) (Compensation Committee chair, Nominating and
Governance Committee, 2011 to Dec. 2020)
■
Previously served as Chair on the American Transportation Research
Institute board
■
Previously served as a member of the Board and the Executive
Committee for the American Trucking Associations
■
Previously served on the Transportation Industry Council of the
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ms. McReynolds has served as ArcBest President and Chief Executive
Officer since January 2010 and Chairman of the Board since April
2016. Since joining the Company in 1997, she has served as Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Vice
President — Controller; Controller; and Director of Corporate
Accounting. Ms. McReynolds is a Certified Public Accountant.
|
DR. CRAIG E. PHILIP
|
Age 69
Director since: 2011
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
■
Nominating/ Corporate Governance
|
|
Key experience
■
40-year career in the marine, rail and intermodal industries
■
Leadership experience in various modes of freight
transportation
Other directorships
■
Marine Board of the Transportation Research Board, a unit of the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
(Chairman)
■
Transportation Research Board (Resilience Section Committee)
Dr. Philip joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University, a private
research university, in 2015, as Research Professor in Civil and
Environmental Engineering. He is the former Director of Vanderbilt
Center for Transportation and Operational Resiliency (VECTOR). Dr.
Philip retired as Chief Executive Officer for Ingram Barge Company,
a barge company and quality marine transporter of dry cargo and one
of the top chemical carriers on the river, in 2014. He was
President for Ingram Barge from 1994 until 1999, when he was named
Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Philip began his transportation career
with Conrail in 1980, worked for Ingram Barge for five years, and
briefly served as Vice President of the Intermodal Division of
Southern Pacific Railroad before returning to Ingram Barge in 1991.
He has also held adjunct faculty positions at Princeton University
and Vanderbilt University. In 2014, Dr. Philip was elected to
membership in the National Academy of Engineering.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 14
Back to Contents
STEVEN L. SPINNER
|
Age 63
Director since: 2011
Lead Independent Director since: 2022
Committees:
|
|
Key experience
■
Public company executive management
■
Wholesale food distribution business
Other directorships
■
MidOcean Partners (Private Equity Executive Board)
■
Vidafuel (Board member)
■
Boxcar Partners (Partner)
■
Previously served on the Board of Directors of United Natural
Foods, Inc. (Chairman of the Board)
Mr. Spinner currently serves as an Operating Partner for MidOcean
Partners, a private company offering capital solutions across
private equity and credit markets. In August 2021, he became a
Partner at Boxcar Partners, a multi-family office venture
investment firm. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for United Natural
Foods, Inc., an independent national distributor of natural,
organic and specialty foods and related products, from September
2008 to August 2021 when he retired. Prior to joining United
Natural Foods in 2008, he was a Director and Chief Executive
Officer for Performance Food Group Company (“PFGC”) from October
2006 to May 2008 and PFGC’s President and Chief Executive Officer
for three years before that. He was Senior Vice President and Chief
Executive Officer for PFGC’s Broadline Division from February 2002
to May 2005, and Division President for Broadline from August 2001
to February 2002.
|
JANICE E. STIPP
|
Age 63
Director since: 2012
INDEPENDENT
Committees:
|
|
Key experience
■
Financial and accounting experience with a variety of industrial
companies, both public and private
■
Auditing, financial controls, financial management and accounting
and treasury
■
Corporate restructuring
■
Public company executive management
Other directorships
■
Rotork, plc (since 2020) (Nomination and Remuneration Committees;
Audit Committee chair)
■
Previously served on the Board of Directors of Commercial Vehicle
Group, Inc. (Audit Committee; Nominating and Governance Committee
chair)
■
Previously served on the Board of Sappi Limited (Audit
Committee)
■
Previously served on the Board of Directors of Ply Gem Holdings,
Inc.
Ms. Stipp retired in 2018 from her role as Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Rogers Corporation, a
global leader in engineered materials solutions. Prior to joining
Rogers Corporation in November 2015, Ms. Stipp was Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Tecumseh
Products Company. She has also previously served as the Chief
Financial Officer for Revstone Industries LLC; Acument Global
Technologies, Inc.; and GDX Automotive. Ms. Stipp began her career
in 1981 with Lear Siegler Incorporated, working in corporate audit.
From 1984 to 1999, she worked for General Motors Corp. in a variety
of financial roles. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a
Chartered Global Management Accountant.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 15
Back to Contents
Board Skills Profile
We believe the Board’s membership should represent a diversity of
backgrounds, experiences and skills. To that end, the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has established a matrix,
outlining the skills and experiences they believe are most relevant
for the Company. This matrix is periodically reviewed by the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and updated as
necessary.
Expertise/Qualification
|
Abbate
|
Conrado
|
Eliasson
|
Hogan
|
McElligott
|
McReynolds
|
Philip
|
Spinner
|
Stipp
|
Acquisitions
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Audit
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Corporate Governance
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Current CEO/CFO
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Cybersecurity
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Entrepreneurial Experience
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Environmental, Social & Governance
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Executive Compensation
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
HR/Labor
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
International
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Investment Banking/Finance/Private Equity
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Legal/Regulatory/Gov’t Relations
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Marketing
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Other Public Company Board/Management
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Other Transportation Related Board/ Management
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Risk Management
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Strategic Planning
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Technology
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Transportation/Logistics
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 16
Back to Contents
Board Diversity Matrix
The table below provides certain highlights of the composition of
our Board members and nominees as of January 30, 2023. Each of the
categories listed in the tables below has the meaning as it is used
in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).
BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX (AS OF JANUARY 30, 2023)
|
Total Number of Directors
|
9
|
|
Female
|
Male
|
Part I: Gender
Identity
|
Directors
|
3
|
6
|
Part II: Demographic
Background
|
Hispanic or Latinx
|
-
|
1
|
White
|
3
|
5
|
BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX (AS OF JANUARY 17, 2022)
|
Total Number of Directors
|
9
|
|
Female
|
Male
|
Part I: Gender
Identity
|
Directors
|
3
|
6
|
Part II: Demographic
Background
|
Hispanic or Latinx
|
-
|
1
|
White
|
3
|
5
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 17
Back to Contents
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Board Leadership Structure
The Board has determined that a leadership structure with
Ms. McReynolds serving in a combined Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer role and an independent director serving as the
Lead Independent Director is in the best interests of ArcBest and
its stockholders.
The Board recognizes that there are many viewpoints concerning a
board’s optimal leadership structure and considered all options in
making its decision. The Board reviewed trends in board practices,
recommended best practices for corporate governance, and the board
practices of the Company’s peers. The Board also considered the
advantages of having a combined Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. Among other things, a person serving in this combined role
can quickly identify company concerns and communicate this
information to other Board members, providing superior information
due to his or her unique insights into the Company’s day-to-day
operations.
Chairman of the Board
In deciding to adopt the current leadership structure, the Board
considered Ms. McReynolds’ leadership qualities, management
capability, and knowledge of ArcBest’s business and the
transportation and logistics industry; the long-term, strategic
perspective she has exhibited as the President and Chief Executive
Officer; and her focus on growing long-term shareholder value. The
Board also considered Ms. McReynolds’ tenure with the Company. The
Board believes that serving as both Chairman and President and
Chief Executive Officer enables Ms. McReynolds to more effectively
and efficiently execute the Company’s strategic initiatives and
respond to key business issues and risks that she encounters in
daily operations.
Lead Independent Director
The Board believes that an executive Chairman should be balanced by
a strong Lead Independent Director with a clearly defined and
dynamic leadership role in the governance of the Board. The
Company’s bylaws provide that if the Chairman is not an independent
Director, the independent Directors must annually elect a Lead
Independent Director. The bylaws assign to the Lead Independent
Director extensive authority and responsibilities relating to the
Board’s governance and functions, including:
◼
calling and chairing meetings of independent Directors, and setting
agendas for such meetings;
◼
liaising between the independent Directors and the Chairman and
communicating with the Chairman after each meeting of independent
Directors to provide feedback;
◼
chairing all Board meetings where the Chairman is not present;
◼
reviewing, advising on, and approving Board meeting agendas and
meeting schedules;
◼
being available for consultation and direct communication with
stockholders, when appropriate; and
◼
participating in the annual performance evaluation of individual
members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer (in
consultation with the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee).
The Lead Independent Director’s authority and responsibilities
generally correspond to those performed by an independent
Chairman.
Effective January 1, 2022, the Board elected Stephen E. Gorman to
serve as Lead Independent Director, replacing Mr. Spinner who had
served as the Lead Independent Director since 2016. On August 5,
2022, Mr. Gorman resigned from the Board. Accordingly, the Board
replaced Mr. Gorman as Lead Independent Director with Mr. Spinner
in October 2022. In the Board’s view, Mr. Spinner possesses
the characteristics and qualities necessary to fulfill the Lead
Independent Director’s important role of guiding and facilitating
the independent Directors’ participation in the Company’s
governance. During his more than 11 years on our Board, and
previous experience serving as Lead Independent Director, Mr.
Spinner has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the Board’s
oversight role and leading corporate governance practices.
Supplementing the Lead Independent Director are Board committees
composed entirely of independent Directors.
Management and Outside Advisors
The Company’s leadership structure includes an experienced
management team, upon whose advice, reports and opinions the Board
relies. Regularly scheduled management reports and presentations,
based on operational, financial, talent, legal and risk management
aspects of the Company’s operations, provide vital information to
the Board. The independent Directors have complete access to, and
direct contact with, members of senior management. The Board also
relies on the advice of counsel, accountants, executive
compensation consultants, auditors, strategic planning consultants,
risk management consultants, and other expert advisors.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 18
Back to
Contents
Director Independence
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has determined that
all members of the Board except Ms. McReynolds are independent
pursuant to applicable independence standards of the Nasdaq Stock
Market (“Nasdaq”). The independent Directors met in executive
session four times in 2022. Mr. Gorman, as Lead Independent
Director, presided over three of those meetings, and following
Mr. Gorman’s departure, Mr. Spinner, as Lead Independent
Director, presided over one of those meetings.
How Directors are Selected
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for
identifying and recommending potential Board members based on any
specific criteria the Board may specify from time to time and such
other factors as it deems appropriate. Relevant considerations
include:
◼
special training or skill
◼
experience with businesses and other organizations that are similar
to the Company in size and type
◼
experience with or knowledge of businesses or organizations or
technical expertise that is particularly relevant to the Company’s
current or future business plans
◼
advanced studies and certifications
◼
specific industry or transportation experience
◼
personal characteristics that bring diversity to the Board
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also considers the
interplay of a candidate’s experience with the experience of the
other Directors, whether the candidate has sufficient time to
devote to the responsibilities of a director, and whether the
candidate is free from conflicts of interest or legal issues. There
is currently no set of specific minimum qualifications that must be
met by a nominee recommended by the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee, as different factors may assume greater or lesser
significance at particular times, and the needs of the Board may
vary in light of its composition and the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee’s perceptions about future issues and needs.
However, the Board has found the skills and experiences described
above under “Board Skills Profile” to be particularly relevant and
desirable.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee believes that to best
evaluate matters the Board oversees, the Board needs a mix of
business and personal backgrounds. For that reason, the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews a
listing of the qualifications and attributes of our current
Directors and potential candidates. While the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee does not have a formal policy on diversity
with regard to consideration of director nominees, diversity is
taken into account when determining how a candidate’s qualities and
attributes would complement the other Directors’ backgrounds.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may identify
potential candidates from the pool of individuals known by members
of the Board and individuals recommended by management, and/or
engage a third party search firm to help identify appropriate
candidates.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may consider director
candidates recommended by stockholders. Recommendations should be
sent to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee at the
address provided in the section of this Proxy Statement titled
“Stockholder Communication with the Board”. The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee does not have a specific
policy regarding the consideration of stockholder recommendations
for director candidates because the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee would evaluate stockholder recommendations in the same
manner as it evaluates director candidates recommended by other
sources, using the process and criteria described above.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board believes the Company’s current management structure
facilitates risk oversight by combining experienced leadership with
independent review by the Board and its committees. Potential risk
factors that are monitored through this structure include
financial, operational, technological, disaster, environmental,
social, cybersecurity, talent, legal and regulatory,
fraud/corruption, employment practices, executive compensation, and
reputational and legislative issues. Management periodically makes
presentations to the Board on the Company’s overall enterprise risk
management program, including reports on the Company’s top existing
risks, how the risks have been trending, and how they are addressed
by Company strategy; mitigating activities; emerging risks and
circumstances; and the effectiveness of the security, back-up, and
contingency provisions of the Company’s information systems. The
Board’s committees assist with risk oversight within their
respective areas of responsibility, and the Board is regularly
informed about each committee’s activities.
The Audit Committee
directly oversees risk management relating to financial reporting
and public disclosure and the steps management has taken to monitor
and control those exposures. In addition, the Audit Committee is
responsible for the oversight of general financial risk matters,
significant risk
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 19
Back to
Contents
exposures, including cybersecurity and ESG-related risks, and the
Company’s policies for risk assessment and risk management. The
Audit Committee meets regularly with financial management,
including the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice
President–Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, and the Vice
President–Internal Audit, as well as our independent registered
public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also reviews the
activities of the Company’s Risk Management Committee, which
consists of several members of senior management.
The Compensation
Committee is responsible for oversight of risk relating
to the Company’s compensation policies and practices for all
employees and officers. Management has evaluated those policies and
practices, including our incentive plans, and determined they do
not create any risks that are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company. For more information, see
“Compensation Discussion & Analysis—Compensation Risk
Assessment.”
The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing risks
associated with corporate governance, social and environmental
issues, and the Company’s CEO succession process. In connection
with this responsibility, the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee annually reviews the Company’s Corporate Governance
Guidelines and their implementation and oversees our ESG strategy,
practices and policies.
CEO and Executive Leadership Succession Process
The Board ensures that ArcBest has a strong bench of well-prepared
internal candidates, who align with the defined leadership
competencies but have diverse strengths, to fill both planned and
unplanned vacancies with limited disruption. Another critical part
of the succession planning strategy is the executive team’s
regular, data-driven review of the organizational structure,
retention, culture, compensation, and talent development practices
that support the execution of ArcBest’s strategic business goals.
The Board, Talent Review Committee and Management share
responsibility for management development and succession
planning.
Board
A key responsibility of the Board is succession planning for the
Chief Executive Officer, including identification and evaluation of
potential successors. The Board also annually reviews succession
planning for executive officers, including successor strengths and
development opportunities and strategic talent metrics.
Talent Review Committee
This committee, led by the CEO and primarily composed of the CEO’s
direct reports, conducts annual reviews of succession plans for
critical roles, as well as strategic talent data, with a focus on
maintaining a values-driven culture in which career development for
current and future leaders is critical to driving employee and
organizational growth.
Management
The Chief Human Resources Officer and senior Human Resources
leaders work with functional leaders across ArcBest in developing
and implementing programs to attract, assess, develop, engage, and
retain leaders at all levels of the organization.
Committees of the Board
The Board has established Audit, Compensation, Nominating/Corporate
Governance, and Qualified Legal Compliance Committees to devote
attention to specific subjects and to assist in the discharge of
its responsibilities. These committees are described below. The
charters for all four committees are available on our website,
arcb.com, in the “Invest—Corporate Governance” section.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
|
Ms. Stipp (Chair), and
Messrs. Eliasson, Hogan, and
Spinner
Meetings in
2022: 6
|
|
The Audit Committee assists the Board by fulfilling oversight
responsibilities relating to:
|
|
◼
the integrity of financial reports and related financial
information provided by the Company to the public and the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);
◼
the Company’s systems of internal controls regarding finance,
accounting and compliance with policies, including ethics
policies;
◼
the performance of the Company’s internal audit, accounting and
financial reporting functions;
◼
the Company’s risk management policies and processes for
identifying, monitoring, and managing significant risk
exposures; and
◼
the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements.
|
|
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has determined that
each member of the Audit Committee meets all applicable SEC and
Nasdaq independence standards and financial literacy requirements
that apply to audit committee members. The Board has determined
that Ms. Stipp, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Eliasson are audit committee
financial experts as defined under applicable SEC rules.
|
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 20
Back to
Contents
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
Ms. McElligott (Chair),
Messrs. Abbate, Conrado, and
Dr. Philip
Meetings in
2022: 5
|
|
The Compensation Committee is
responsible for:
|
|
◼
reviewing and approving executive officer compensation and has
authority to make and administer employee awards under the ArcBest
Corporation Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan and the
Amended and Restated ArcBest Corporation Ownership Incentive Plan
(the “Ownership Incentive Plan”), including setting performance
goals and determining the extent to which those goals were
achieved;
◼
reviewing and approving the Company’s peer group;
◼
evaluating the need for, and provisions of, contracts and severance
arrangements for executive officers;
◼
monitoring compliance by Executive Officers with the Company’s
stock ownership guidelines; and
◼
overseeing the Company’s anti-hedging/pledging policy and the
Company’s clawback policy.
|
|
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has determined that
each member of the Compensation Committee meets applicable Nasdaq
independence standards and non-employee director requirements of
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”).
|
NOMINATING/CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
|
Mr. Conrado
(Chair),
Ms. McElligott,
Mr. Abbate, and
Dr. Philip
Meetings in
2022: 5
|
|
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities
include:
|
|
◼
identifying individuals believed to be qualified to become
Directors;
◼
selecting and recommending to the Board for its approval the
nominees to stand for election as Directors or, if applicable, to
be appointed to fill vacancies on the Board;
◼
determining appropriate compensation for Directors;
◼
recommending any changes regarding size, structure, composition,
processes and practices of the Board;
◼
reviewing the independence of Directors and assessing whether
members are meeting the applicable independence standards for
service on the various Board committees;
◼
working with the Board to identify, evaluate and make
recommendations regarding potential successors for the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer;
◼
reviewing the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines;
◼
providing oversight with respect to the Company’s environmental,
social and governance (“ESG”) strategy, practices, and policies and
as appropriate provide updates and make recommendations to the
Board;
◼
monitoring emerging trends, best practices and regulatory
developments related to ESG matters;
◼
overseeing the annual Board evaluation and CEO evaluation.
|
|
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has determined that
each member of the committee is independent, as defined in
applicable Nasdaq independence standards.
|
QUALIFIED LEGAL COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
|
Ms. Stipp (Chair), and Messrs. Eliasson, Hogan, and
Spinner
|
|
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is responsible for
confidentially receiving, retaining and considering any report of
evidence of a material violation of securities law, a material
breach of fiduciary duty, or a similar material violation of any
federal or state law by the Company or by any officer, director,
employee or agent of the Company that is made or referred to the
Committee by the Chief Executive Officer or the Company’s chief
legal officer or legal advisors. The Audit Committee serves as the
Qualified Legal Compliance Committee.
|
Attendance at Meetings
The Board has five regularly scheduled meetings each year to review
significant developments affecting the Company and to act on
matters requiring Board approval. The Board holds special meetings
when action is required between regular meetings. The Board met six
times during 2022. Eight members of the Board participated in 100%,
and one member participated in 87.5%, of all regularly scheduled
Board and applicable committee meetings held during the year.
It is the Company’s policy that all members of the Board attend the
annual meeting of its stockholders, except when illness or other
personal matters prevent such attendance. All members of the Board
attended the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Other Board Policies
The Board has imposed a mandatory retirement age for all Directors.
No Director may seek re-election to the Board after attaining age
75. Because we recognize the commitment of time and energy that a
public company board requires, no Director is permitted to serve on
the boards of more than two other public companies while serving on
the ArcBest Board, unless he or she has obtained approval from the
ArcBest Board.
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 21
Back to
Contents
Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies broadly to all
Directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents,
sub-contractors, vendors, and suppliers of the Company. The Code of
Conduct incorporates the UN Global Compact’s ten principles in the
areas of human rights, labor, the environment and
anti-corruption.
The Company intends to post on its website any amendment to, or
waiver of, a provision of the Code of Conduct that applies to its
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal
Accounting Officer, Controller, or any person performing similar
functions and that relates to any of the following elements of the
Code of Conduct: honest and ethical conduct; disclosure in reports
or documents filed with the SEC and other public communications;
compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; prompt
internal reporting of code violations; and accountability for
adherence to the Code of Conduct.
Acting on the recommendation of the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee, the Board developed and adopted Corporate Governance
Guidelines to promote the functioning of the Board and its
committees and to set forth a common set of expectations as to how
the Board should fulfill its responsibilities. Among other things,
the Corporate Governance Guidelines address the composition of the
Board, including independence standards; the selection, term and
expectations for Directors; the conduct of meetings and executive
sessions; and the composition and primary objectives of the Board’s
committees.
The full texts of the Code of Conduct and the Corporate Governance
Guidelines are posted in the Investors section of the Company’s
website, arcb.com.
Certain Transactions and Relationships
Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, requires that the Company disclose certain “related party
transactions” with the Company’s Directors and executive officers,
among others. There were no commercial transactions between related
parties and the Company that required disclosure in this Proxy
Statement.
Annually, as part of the Company’s proxy preparation, all Directors
and executive officers who are subject to related party transaction
disclosure are instructed to report in writing any such
transactions to the Company, and to report to the Company any such
transactions that may be planned or that occur during the year. As
set forth in the Audit Committee’s charter, in determining whether
to approve or ratify a related party transaction, the Audit
Committee considers all the relevant facts and circumstances
available, including (if applicable): (i) whether there is an
appropriate business justification for the transaction; (ii) the
benefits that accrue to the Company as a result of the transaction;
(iii) the terms available to unrelated third parties entering into
similar transactions; (iv) the impact of the transaction on a
director’s independence (in the event the related party is a
director, an immediate family member of a director, or an entity of
which a director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer);
(v) the availability of other sources for comparable products or
services; (vi) whether it is a single transaction or a series of
ongoing, related transactions; and (vii) whether entering into the
transaction would be consistent with the Company’s Code of
Conduct.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with the
members of its Board. Under these agreements, the Company is
obligated to indemnify its Directors to the fullest extent
permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, judgments and settlement amounts
incurred by them in any action or proceeding arising out of their
services as a Director. The Company believes that these agreements
are helpful in attracting and retaining qualified Directors. The
Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and
the bylaws also provide for indemnification of the Company’s
officers and Directors to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 22
Back to
Contents
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for
reviewing and awarding compensation to the non-employee Directors
and has retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, an
independent compensation consultant, to assist in fulfilling that
responsibility. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee sets
the levels and forms of non-employee Director compensation based on
its experience, review of the compensation paid to directors of
comparable publicly traded companies, and Meridian’s advice.
We offer a combination of cash and stock-based compensation to
attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board.
In January 2022, Meridian conducted a review of director
compensation, including compensation paid to directors of the
Company’s executive compensation peer group as well as compensation
paid to directors of similarly sized general industry companies.
Following this review, the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee increased the member annual retainer from $80,000 to
$85,000, the lead independent director annual retainer from $25,000
to $30,000, the Compensation Committee Chair annual retainer from
$15,000 to $20,000 and the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee Chair annual retainer from $10,000 to $15,000. The
increases were made based on a review of the 50th percentile of our
peer group and similarly sized general industry companies.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee moved the timing of
its next annual review of Director compensation from January to
October. Meridian conducted an updated study in October 2022, and
no further changes were made to the program for 2023.
Cash Compensation
The following table shows the standard cash compensation for
non-employee Directors for 2022. Retainers are cumulative, meaning
that each non-employee Director receives a “Member Retainer” plus
the appropriate retainer fee for any other positions held.
Annual Retainers (Paid in Monthly Installments)
|
|
|
Members
|
$
|
85,000
|
Lead Independent Director
|
|
30,000
|
Audit Committee Chair
|
|
25,000
|
Compensation Committee Chair
|
|
20,000
|
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Chair
|
|
15,000
|
Actual cash compensation paid to Directors in 2022 is reflected in
the “2022 Director Compensation Table.”
Equity-Based Awards
The target equity grant value for non-employee Directors in 2022
was increased from $110,000 to $125,000 based on a review of the
50th percentile of our peer group and similarly sized general
industry companies. Awards were made in the form of restricted
stock units (“RSUs”) in an amount determined by dividing the target
grant value by the closing price of ArcBest Common Stock on the
date of grant and rounding to the nearest hundred shares. Equity
grants for the non-employee Directors typically are approved during
the Board’s second-quarter meeting with an effective grant date
that is five business days following the Company’s quarterly
earnings release, unless a different date is approved by the
Board.
RSU awards granted to non-employee Directors vest one year from the
date of grant. All of the RSU awards are subject to accelerated
vesting in the event of a Director’s death or disability or a
change in control of the Company. Accelerated vesting for RSUs also
occurs when a Director attains normal retirement eligibility (i.e.,
age 65 with five years of service as a Director). Ms. McElligott
and Dr. Philip are currently eligible for normal retirement. A
Director who attains early retirement eligibility (i.e., three
years of service as a Director) is eligible for accelerated vesting
of a pro rata number of shares based on the number of whole months
since the award date. Ms. Stipp and Messrs. Conrado, Eliasson,
Hogan and Spinner are currently eligible for early retirement.
Vested RSU awards are paid in shares of ArcBest Common Stock on the
earlier to occur of the normal vesting date applicable to the award
or the Director’s termination of service with the Company unless
payment is deferred by the Director under the provisions of the
Ownership Incentive Plan.
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 23
Back to
Contents
Miscellaneous Compensation Items
We typically provide transportation for Directors to attend Board
meetings, pay for their hotel stays, and provide meals. Upon
request, we may reimburse some or all of the cost of an educational
conference and related travel.
Stock Ownership Policy for Non-Employee Directors
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee believes that the
Directors should maintain a level of equity holdings in the Company
that will further align their interests with those of the Company’s
stockholders. The Board adopted a Stock Ownership Policy requiring
Directors to own a minimum value of stock in the Company. For 2022,
Directors were required to own shares with a total value equal to
five times their total annual retainers. Directors are not
permitted to sell any shares of Company stock (except to pay the
taxes generated as a result of the vesting of equity grants) until
they satisfy the stock ownership requirement, and then may only
sell the shares that exceed the stock ownership requirement. RSUs
(including unvested RSUs and RSUs that have vested but are deferred
or subject to transfer restrictions) and stock owned outright count
toward the stock ownership requirements.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews ownership
levels annually. As of the review completed in 2022, all of the
Directors have met their ownership requirements.
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 24
Back to
Contents
2022 Director Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to
non-employee Directors for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Name(1)
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
|
Stock
Awards (2, 3)
|
|
All Other
Compensation
|
Total
|
Eduardo F. Conrado(5)
|
$
|
100,000
|
$
|
126,848
|
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
226,848
|
Fredrik J. Eliasson
|
|
85,000
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
211,848
|
Stephen E. Gorman(4)
|
|
68,320
|
|
126,848
|
(6)
|
|
-
|
|
195,168
|
Michael P. Hogan
|
|
85,000
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
211,848
|
Kathleen D. McElligott(5)
|
|
105,000
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
231,848
|
Craig E. Philip
|
|
85,000
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
211,848
|
Steven L. Spinner(4)
|
|
92,500
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
219,348
|
Janice E. Stipp(5)
|
|
110,000
|
|
126,848
|
|
|
-
|
|
236,848
|
(1)
Judy R. McReynolds, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, is not included in this table since she is
an employee of the Company and thus received no compensation for
her service as a Director. The compensation received by Ms.
McReynolds as an officer of the Company is shown in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 42.
(2)
Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of RSU awards made
during 2022, computed using the grant date fair value ($79.28 per
share), in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”)
determined without regard to estimated forfeitures and adjusted for
present value of dividends (to reflect that dividend equivalents
are not paid with respect to unvested RSU awards). All non-employee
Directors received an award of 1,600 RSUs under the Ownership
Incentive Plan on May 6, 2022 (computed using a stated annual value
of $125,000 and the grant date closing stock price of $79.75 per
share). No dividends or dividend equivalents are paid to
non-employee Directors on RSUs, except for RSUs that vest but are
deferred by the Director under the terms of the plan. See Note L to
the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2022 Annual
Report for additional detail on share-based compensation.
(3)
As of December 31, 2022, each non-employee Director had the
following aggregate number of RSUs outstanding, although only the
value of the 2022 RSU award is provided in the Stock Awards column,
above.
|
Name
|
Vested but Subject to
Transfer Restrictions(i)
|
Unvested
|
Total RSUs Outstanding
|
Eduardo F. Conrado
|
18,833
|
667
|
19,500
|
Fredrik J. Eliasson
|
2,233
|
667
|
2,900
|
Stephen E. Gorman
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Michael P. Hogan
|
7,133
|
667
|
7,800
|
Kathleen D. McElligott
|
8,300
|
-
|
8,300
|
Craig E. Philip
|
1,600
|
-
|
1,600
|
Steven L. Spinner
|
933
|
667
|
1,600
|
Janice E. Stipp
|
933
|
667
|
1,600
|
(i)
The balance in the Vested but Subject to Transfer Restrictions
column includes shares deferred under the terms of the equity
plan.
|
(4)
Lead Independent Directors during 2022: Mr. Gorman and Mr. Spinner.
Following Mr. Gorman’s resignation from the Board in August, Mr.
Spinner was appointed as Lead Independent Director in October.
Accordingly, their fees were prorated to reflect their terms during
the year as Lead Independent Director.
(5)
Committee Chairpersons during 2022: Ms. Stipp, Audit Committee and
Qualified Legal Compliance Committee; Ms. McElligott, Compensation
Committee; and Mr. Conrado, Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee.
(6)
As a result of Mr. Gorman’s departure from the Board in August
2022, his stock award was settled in September under the terms of
the Ownership Incentive Plan.
|
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 25
Back to
Contents
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
We would like to introduce the current executive officers of the
Company and its subsidiary, ABF Freight System, Inc. There are no
family relationships among Directors and executive officers of the
Company or its subsidiaries.
 |
|
JUDY R. MCREYNOLDS, age
60, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company. Her full biography appears above under
“Directors of the Company.”
|
 |
|
DENNIS L. ANDERSON II,
age 42, was named Chief Strategy Officer
in March 2023, after serving as Chief Customer Officer from April
2020 to March 2023. Prior to that, he was Chief Customer
Experience Officer from January 2017 through March 2020. Mr.
Anderson was Vice President — Strategy from February 2014 through
December 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Anderson served as Director of
Strategy from June 2011 through January 2014. For ABF Freight, Mr.
Anderson was Senior Pricing Analyst for three years and Manager of
Pricing after that. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial
engineering from the University of Arkansas.
|
 |
|
DAVID R. COBB, age 57,
has been Chief Financial Officer since January 2015. He previously
served as Vice President and Controller for over eight years, and
Chief Accounting Officer for four years. Before joining the
Company, Mr. Cobb was employed by Smith International, Inc., a
publicly traded international oilfield service company acquired by
Schlumberger Limited, as Vice President and Controller for four
years; by Kent Electronics Corporation, a publicly traded specialty
electronics distributor and network integrator, for six years; and
by Price Waterhouse, a predecessor of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
for seven years. Mr. Cobb is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr.
Cobb holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Abilene Christian
University.
|
 |
|
ERIN K. GATTIS, age 49,
has been Chief Human Resources Officer since July 2016. She
previously served as Vice President — Human Resources from October
2011 through June 2016, Chief of Staff from January 2010 through
September 2011, and Manager of Retirement Services & Executive
Compensation from August 2006 through December 2009. She joined the
Company in 1999 and between 1999 and 2006 worked for both the
Company and ABF Freight as a Retirement Specialist, Benefits
Analyst, Supervisor of Executive Compensation and Manager of
Executive Compensation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics
and finance from Arkansas Tech University. Ms. Gattis has a Senior
Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM–SCP
certification.
|
 |
|
MICHAEL R. JOHNS, age
64, has been Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary since
January 2023, a title he assumed after serving as Vice President —
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from April 2007 to December
2022. For sixteen years before joining the Company, he was a
partner in the law firm of Dover Dixon Horne PLLC in Little Rock,
Arkansas. Mr. Johns was a practicing attorney in two other Little
Rock law firms for seven years, including Rose Law Firm, prior to
1991. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Sebastian
County Bar Association, and Arkansas Society of Certified Public
Accountants. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a
bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a law degree
from Southern Methodist University.
|
 |
|
STEVEN LEONARD, age 48,
was named Chief Commercial Officer and
President, Asset-Light Logistics in March 2023, after serving as
Chief Sales and Customer Engagement Officer from April 2020 to
March 2023. Mr. Leonard previously served as Vice President
— Customer Solutions from January 2017 through March 2020. He
previously served as Vice President — Global Forwarding for the
Company’s subsidiary, Panther Premium Logistics®, from
November 2014 through December 2016. Mr. Leonard joined the Company
in 2001 as a quotation analyst for ArcBest brand
U-Pack®, and has held positions that include Manager of
Quotation Services, Manager of TimeKeeper Pricing, Director of
Strategic Planning, and Divisional Vice President. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of
Arkansas.
|
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 26
Back to
Contents
 |
|
DANIEL E. LOE, age 48,
has been Chief Yield Officer since January 2017. He also served as President, Asset-Light Logistics
from September 2020 to March 2023. Mr. Loe previously served as Vice
President — Enterprise Customer Solutions from May 2014 through
December 2016. From 2010 through April 2014, Mr. Loe served as
Vice President — Yield Management for ABF Freight. He previously
served ABF Freight as Director of Marketing & Public Relations
for six years, and Senior Pricing Analyst for four years. Mr. Loe
joined the Company in 1997, working as an analyst in the Pricing
Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering
from the University of Arkansas.
|
 |
|
MICHAEL E. NEWCITY, age
53, has been Senior Vice President — Chief Innovation Officer for
the Company, and President of the Company’s subsidiary ArcBest
Technologies, Inc., since January 2015. He previously served the
Company as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer
from August 2013 through December 2014, Vice President — Chief
Financial Officer from June 2010 through July 2013, and
Director — Economic Analysis from November 2007 through May 2010.
Prior to that he served as Director — E-Systems & Emerging
Technologies for ABF Freight for two years, and in several
managerial positions with ABF Freight that spanned marketing,
information technology and business development for over five
years. He began his career with the Company in 1993 at its
subsidiary, ArcBest Technologies, Inc., leading e-commerce
development initiatives for six years. Mr. Newcity holds a
bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the
University of Arkansas and a master’s degree from the Walton
College at the University of Arkansas.
|
 |
|
SETH RUNSER, age 38,
has been President of ABF Freight since July 2021. He previously
served the Company as ABF Vice President — Linehaul Operations from
August 2019 to February 2021 and as Chief Operating Officer from
February through June 2021. Prior to that he served as Regional
Vice President — Operations from March 2016 to July 2019. Mr.
Runser joined the company in 2007, as a management trainee and
served in various roles including operations supervisor, regional
training specialist and service center manager prior to his
promotion to Regional Vice President — Operations in 2016. Mr.
Runser is an Arkansas Trucking Association board member and holds a
bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kent State University.
|
 |
|
JASON PARKS, age 43,
has been Vice President — Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
since March 2023. Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Parks
served as Assistant Corporate Controller beginning in June 2018. He
joined the Company in 2014 as Senior Manager — Corporate
Accounting. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Parks was employed
for nine years with Ernst & Young, LLP. He holds a bachelor’s
degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and
is a licensed CPA in the state of Arkansas.
|
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 27
Back to
Contents
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion & Analysis
This Compensation Discussion & Analysis (“CD&A”) describes
our executive compensation programs and the compensation decisions
made during the year regarding our Named Executive Officers. The
Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee” or
“Committee”) determines compensation and reviews, approves, and
oversees the administration of plans and programs for our Named
Executive Officers. This discussion should be read in conjunction
with the compensation tables and narrative disclosures that begin
on page 42.
The Named Executive Officers for 2022 were:
JUDY R. MCREYNOLDS
|
DAVID R. COBB
|
MICHAEL E. NEWCITY
|
SETH RUNSER
|
DANIEL E. LOE
|
DENNIS L. ANDERSON II
|
ArcBest Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
ArcBest Chief Financial Officer
|
ArcBest Senior Vice President — Chief Innovation Officer
and
ArcBest Technologies President
|
ABF Freight
President
|
Chief Yield Officer
|
Chief Strategy
Officer
|
Due to the minimal differences in compensation between Messrs. Loe
and Anderson, the Company determined to voluntarily include both
officers as named executive officers.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 28
Back to
Contents
Executive Summary
Company Performance
The table below summarizes our key 2022 and 2021 financial
results.

Supply chain challenges continued in 2022, but we remained
dedicated to and focused on our customers. Throughout the pandemic,
our team navigated enormous amounts of change and pressures in the
market to deliver for our customers and drive our business forward.
With a spirit of innovation, we continuously analyze emerging
technologies and collaborate with partners to actively support our
customers’ success. Our rich history of delivering innovative
solutions that make it easier for customers to do business is
central to our ongoing strategy. Providing best-in-class customer
experience and leading-edge solutions would not be possible without
our people, who are at the heart of our success. The talent,
character and hard work of our employees enabled us to turn
challenges into opportunities and have another record-breaking year
in 2022. Our laser focus on our customers, our people and
technology has allowed us to provide long-term, sustainable value
for our shareholders.
In 2022, we achieve our highest ever consolidated revenue at $5.3
billion for the year, an increase of 34% over 2021. We also
achieved record net income and diluted earnings per share. Revenues
of our Asset-Based segment reached $3 billion and revenues of our
Asset-Light operations exceeded $2 billion for the first time in
Company history. Our operating ratio, which is expressed as a
percentage of revenues, was 92.5% — an improvement of 0.4
percentage points over our previous record operating results in
2021. Our revenue growth in 2022 reflects the acquired operations
of MoLo, combined with strong customer demand and a solid market
pricing environment. Our improved results also reflect revenue
optimization initiatives, improvements in network efficiency and
delivering integrated solutions to meet our customers’ needs in a
changing freight market.
Executive Compensation Relative to Company Performance
Our executive compensation program provides a strong relationship
between pay and Company performance. For example, the annual cash
incentive for 2022 was based on operating income (adjusted)
(“Adjusted Operating Income”) and Return on Capital Employed
(adjusted) (“Adjusted ROCE”). As outlined further in “Annual Cash
Incentive Compensation” on the following pages, Adjusted Operating
Income and Adjusted ROCE both exceeded the maximum performance
amounts in 2022, resulting in a maximum payout of 250% of the
target incentive opportunity and an increase in total cash
compensation for our Named Executive Officers in 2022 compared to
2021.
Our performance over the long term also reflects the strong
pay-for-performance structure of our incentive compensation program
for our executives. The 2020-2022 cash long-term incentive
compensation plan (“C-LTIP”) was based on Total Shareholder Return
(“TSR”) compared to our peer group and pre-established Adjusted
ROCE goals. Actual Company performance generated a maximum payout
of 250% of the target incentive opportunity under the 2020-2022
plan, as outlined further below in “Long-Term Incentive
Compensation.” The RSU awards granted in 2017 (the “2017 RSU
awards”) and in 2018 (the “2018 RSU awards”) fully vested and
settled on May 12, 2022, and August 1, 2022, respectively. The
vesting parameters for these awards are described in our Proxy
Statements for the 2018 and 2019 Annual Meetings of Stockholders
filed with the SEC on March 22, 2018, and March 8, 2019,
respectively.
For more information regarding our pay-for-performance philosophy,
we encourage you to review the remainder of our CD&A, including
the section titled “Compensation Philosophy and Objectives,” as
well as our new “Pay Versus Performance” table on page 57, which we
are providing as required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of
Regulation S-K.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 29
Back to
Contents
Overview of our Compensation Program
The primary elements of direct compensation awarded to the Named
Executive Officers are shown below.
|
Compensation Element
|
How Paid
|
Features
|
For More
Information
|
FIXED
|
Base salary
|
Cash
|
Reviewed annually and reflects executive’s experience, the scope
and complexity of the executive’s position, current objectives and
responsibilities, internal equity, the executive’s performance,
retention needs, and market factors
|
Page 33
|
AT RISK
(variable)
|
Annual incentive (AIP)
|
Cash
|
Based on annual goals for Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted
ROCE, weighted equally
|
Page 34
|
AT RISK (variable)
|
Long-term incentive
|
C-LTIP (50% of target)
|
Based on three-year goals for Adjusted ROCE and relative TSR,
weighted equally
|
Page 36
|
Time-vested RSUs (50% of target)
|
Vest pro-rata over three years following grant date
|
Page 37
|
Key Compensation Governance Policies
The Compensation Committee continually reviews the Company’s
executive compensation program to ensure our practices promote
stockholders’ best interests. Some of our key policies are
summarized below.
What We Do:
|
|
What We Don’t Do:
|
 |
We tie pay to performance. The majority of executive pay is at
risk.
|
|
 |
NO tax gross-up payments for any amounts considered excess
parachute payments.
|
 |
We use three-year ratable vesting for our restricted stock units to
encourage retention and a long-term perspective.
|
|
 |
NO single-trigger payments upon a change in control.
|
 |
Named Executive Officers and Directors are subject to significant
stock ownership requirements.
|
|
 |
NO excessive perquisites.
|
 |
Half (50%) of the long-term incentive value granted to Named
Executive Officers is contingent on the Company’s performance over
a 3-year period.
|
|
 |
NO hedging or pledging of Company stock.
|
 |
We have caps on both the annual incentive and long-term incentive
payouts.
|
|
 |
NO employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers.
|
 |
We have a robust clawback policy.
|
|
 |
NO re-pricing of stock options without stockholder approval.
|
 |
We conduct annual risk assessments of our compensation plans.
|
|
 |
NO guaranteed bonuses.
|
 |
We have an independent Compensation Committee.
|
|
|
|
 |
The Compensation Committee has an independent compensation
consultant.
|
|
|
|
 |
We benchmark our compensation practices to peers with which we
compete for talent.
|
|
|
|
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The primary objectives of the Company’s executive compensation
program are to:
■
attract and retain highly qualified executives;
■
motivate the Company’s leaders to work together as a team to
deliver superior business performance;
■
encourage balance between short-term results and the long-term
strategic decisions needed to ensure sustained business performance
over time; and
■
ensure that the interests and risk tolerance of the Company’s
leaders are closely aligned with those of our stockholders.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 30
Back to
Contents
As discussed in the sections that follow, we use a variety of
compensation vehicles to reflect this compensation philosophy and
meet the Company’s objectives. The Compensation Committee does not
prescribe a targeted allocation for the various compensation
components. Both internal and external influences on our
compensation program fluctuate periodically, and we believe it is
in the best interest of the Company, our stockholders, and the
Named Executive Officers for the Committee to have the flexibility
to design a compensation program appropriate to the current market
environment and the Company’s goals.
Our compensation program is designed to retain and secure the
continued leadership of our existing managerial talent as well as
to attract future leaders for the Company. Each Named Executive
Officer is a long-term employee of the Company, with tenures
ranging from 15 to 29 years, resulting in a management team that is
very knowledgeable about the Company and the transportation
industry. This experience is extremely valuable, and our executives
can be targets for recruitment by other companies, especially in
the transportation and logistics industry. Other factors we
consider when determining executive compensation include scope and
complexity of the position, current objectives and
responsibilities, internal equity, relative compensation within the
peer group, and the executive’s performance.
2022 At Risk vs. Fixed Compensation
One of the primary considerations in implementing our compensation
philosophy and objectives is striking the proper balance between
fixed and at-risk (variable) compensation. Fixed compensation
ensures that an executive receives a minimum level of pay
irrespective of Company performance, which is important for
retention and risk reduction. Variable compensation ties the
executive’s compensation to Company performance, aligning the
executive’s interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. The
following charts show the significant portion of the Named
Executive Officers’ 2022 target compensation that was at risk and
based on either reaching certain performance goals or the value of
the Company’s Common Stock.
Response to 2022 Say on Pay Vote
In 2022, the Company held its twelfth annual stockholder advisory
vote on the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers,
earning approximately 97% support. The Committee considered this
strong support by stockholders as well as many other factors in
evaluating the Company’s executive compensation programs. These
factors include the alignment of our compensation programs with our
corporate business objectives, evaluations of our programs by
external consultants, and review of data from a select group of
peers. Based on these considerations, the Committee did not make
any changes to our executive compensation program, policies or pay
levels as a result of the 2022 say on pay advisory vote. The
Committee and Company value feedback from our stockholders, and we
will continue to consider this feedback when evaluating decisions
regarding our executive compensation programs in the future.
Roles and Responsibilities in Determining Executive
Compensation
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and
approving compensation levels and incentive plans for the Named
Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee has determined and
reviewed the value and forms of compensation for Named Executive
Officers and other officers based on Committee members’ knowledge
and experience, competitive market compensation information,
periodic review and analysis from an independent compensation
consultant, and management recommendations. The Committee approves
salary levels, incentive plan performance metrics, performance
goals, payout
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 31
Back to
Contents
opportunities, equity award levels and terms, and the peer group
used for market benchmarking. The Committee also evaluates the need
for, and the provisions of, severance arrangements for the Named
Executive Officers; reviews risks associated with compensation
plans; and administers the Company’s clawback policy.
Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee directly engages Meridian Compensation
Partners, LLC as its independent executive compensation consultant.
Meridian provided ongoing consulting assistance to the Compensation
Committee throughout the year on areas such as compensation design,
proxy disclosure, market trends, technical considerations and other
matters. In particular, Meridian assisted the Committee by
evaluating the Company’s compensation programs and award levels,
participated in Committee meetings when requested, and reviewed
Committee materials.
Other than executive and director compensation consulting to the
Board, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee, Meridian does not provide any other services
to the Company. The Compensation Committee has the final authority
to hire and terminate the independent compensation consultant and
evaluates the consultant periodically. The Chair of the
Compensation Committee approves the fees paid to the consultant.
The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of
Meridian under SEC rules and concluded that Meridian’s work for the
Board, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
The Company has retained Mercer LLC to provide additional
consulting services at the request of management and to assist with
management’s recommendations for selecting our peer group and
executive compensation. Mercer assists management with market
analysis, plan design, proxy disclosure review and review of
corporate governance practices. The Company has assessed the
independence of Mercer under SEC rules and concluded that Mercer’s
work for management does not raise any conflict of interest. At the
Company’s request, Mercer conducted a compensation review for Named
Executive Officers in July 2021. This study helped inform
compensation decisions for 2022.
Role of Management
The Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, and Chief Human
Resources Officer are routinely invited to attend Committee
meetings to provide analysis and recommendations on compensation
issues and other matters the Committee is considering. At certain
meetings, Ms. McReynolds presents pay recommendations for her
direct reports. Ms. McReynolds does not make recommendations
regarding her own compensation. No executive participates in
discussions concerning his or her own pay or attends Committee
executive sessions, except to the extent requested by the
Committee.
Management formulates its recommendations with assistance from
Mercer. The Committee considers management recommendations and
discusses proposals with Meridian before making decisions on
compensation awarded to the executives. The Committee believes
these discussions provide valuable insight, but the Committee is
solely responsible for approving all pay decisions for the Named
Executive Officers.
The Compensation Committee delegates to management the
implementation and record-keeping functions related to
the various elements of compensation it has approved, to the
extent permissible. The Committee may not and does not delegate its
authority to review and determine the form or value of compensation
for Named Executive Officers.
Determining Appropriate Pay Levels
Total direct compensation for the Named Executive Officers is
divided into two general categories: short-term cash compensation
and long-term incentive compensation.
Although the Committee also reviews retirement, perquisites, and
other benefits such as the 401(k) plan and health and welfare
benefits, these benefits are not referenced against market data or
used in determining direct compensation levels. For more
information, see “Retirement and Other Benefits” and “Perquisites”
in this CD&A.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 32
Back to
Contents
Peer Group
The Committee compares the Company’s compensation levels with the
compensation of executives at similar entities in our industry to
determine whether our compensation is competitive. The peer group
is also used to gauge the Company’s performance for relative TSR in
the C-LTIP.
The peer group includes the companies with which we compete in the
transportation and logistics industry and for executive talent.
Each year, with input from Meridian, the Committee reviews our
current peer group using criteria such as market capitalization and
revenues. Management also makes recommendations for our peer group,
with input from Mercer.
Our peer group for market compensation benchmarking for 2022 is
listed in the table below. Our peer group is identical to our prior
peer group from 2021 other than the removal of Echo Global
Logistics, Inc. (which underwent a go-private transaction) and the
addition of TFI International Inc. following its acquisition of UPS
Freight in April 2021.
Company Name
|
Revenue in 2022
($ millions)
|
ArcBest Corporation
|
5,324
|
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
|
1,217
|
Forward Air Corporation
|
1,973
|
Hub Group, Inc.
|
5,340
|
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
|
14,814
|
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.
|
7,429
|
Landstar System, Inc.
|
7,437
|
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
|
6,260
|
Saia, Inc.
|
2,792
|
Schneider National, Inc.
|
6,604
|
TFI International Inc.
|
8,813
|
US Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
|
2,161
|
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
|
3,290
|
Yellow Corporation (f/k/a YRC Worldwide Inc.)
|
5,245
|
Peer Group and Industry Comparisons
Target total compensation and each pay component are designed to
approximate the 50th percentile of the peer group, with actual pay
outcomes that vary based on company performance. Although the
Committee considers these market benchmarks, compensation for a
given executive may further vary from market based on the
executive’s experience, the scope and complexity of the executive’s
position, the executive’s current objectives and responsibilities,
internal equity, the executive’s performance, and retention
needs.
In setting performance goals for the incentive plans,
the Committee
references the historical long-term ROCE of the S&P 500
companies. We believe the S&P 500 is an appropriate performance
benchmark because it is a broad-based group of U.S. companies in
leading industries and reflects the risk and return characteristics
of the broader market on an ongoing basis. While the S&P 500
primarily includes companies that are larger than the Company, the
performance of these companies reflects stable, well-managed
organizations. The Committee believes that performance at or above
the level of the S&P 500 companies is acceptable performance
and worthy of performance-based incentive payments. In addition,
for long-term incentives, the Company uses TSR relative to our
industry peer group to more directly align the long-term cash
incentive plan with shareholder value creation.
Components of Compensation
Base Salary
Base salary is a fixed component of compensation paid for
performing specific job duties and functions. Base salary is an
important component of compensation and is crucial to our ability
to attract and retain key talent. The Compensation Committee
reviews base salaries for Named Executive Officers annually,
considering the following:
■
the Company’s compensation philosophy and objectives, including
consideration of the executive’s experience, the scope and
complexity of the executive’s position, the executive’s current
objectives and responsibilities, internal equity, the executive’s
performance, and retention needs;
■
input from the Committee’s independent compensation consultant;
■
economic and inflationary factors;
■
the Company’s recent and historical financial performance;
■
the Company’s strategic plans;
■
the Company’s resources; and
■
the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer’s
recommendations (regarding executives other than herself).
/ 2023 PROXY
STATEMENT 33
Back to
Contents
The Committee does not assign a specific weighting to any of these
factors. In considering any increase in base salary, the Committee
takes into account the effect such an increase would have on the
Named Executive Officer’s potential annual incentive, because
compensation under those awards is calculated based on a percentage
of the individual’s base salary.
Based on the Committee’s annual review and the strong performance
of the Named Executive Officer team, the Committee increased base
salary levels to generally reflect the 50th percentile of the peer
group effective January 1, 2022. The following chart sets forth the
base salaries for each Named Executive Officer for 2021 and
2022.
|
Base Salary at December 31, 2021
|
Base Salary at December 31, 2022
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
|
$ 824,000
|
|
$ 848,720
|
David R. Cobb
|
|
475,000
|
|
489,250
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
|
403,297
|
|
415,396
|
Seth Runser(1)
|
|
382,133
|
|
437,750
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
|
401,700
|
|
413,751
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
|
401,700
|
|
413,751
|
(1)
Mr. Runser became ABF Freight President in July 2021. His salary in
2021 is reflective of a mid-year role change.
|
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
PERFORMANCE METRICS
The annual cash incentive for 2022 was based on the Company’s ROCE
(adjusted) and operating income (adjusted). As in prior years, the
two performance metrics were equally weighted.
Operating income
(adjusted) is generally determined based on the operating income
shown by the Company’s consolidated financial statements, adjusted
for nonrecurring or unusual items and other items set forth in the
ArcBest Corporation Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan.
The use of operating income reinforces the Company’s emphasis on
profitable growth.
ROCE (adjusted) is
generally calculated by dividing net income by average adjusted
debt plus average equity for the applicable period (with net
income, debt and equity adjusted for nonrecurring or unusual items
and other items set forth in the ArcBest Corporation Executive
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan). As discussed earlier, our
ROCE goal is based on the historical average ROCE of the S&P
500 companies over longer periods of time. The Committee and
management believe that ROCE keeps participants focused on the
profitable use of Company resources, which increases the value of
the Company to its stockholders. We use a historical average ROCE
of the S&P 500, typically over a period of at least ten years,
so the performance target does not reflect short-term market
volatility.
TARGET AWARDS
Each Named Executive Officer’s target annual incentive opportunity
is expressed as a percentage of base salary. The following table
shows the incentive targets for 2022.
|
Annual Target Incentive (% of Base Salary)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
100%
|
David R. Cobb
|
75%
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
65%
|
Seth Runser
|
70%
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
65%
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
65%
|
The annual incentive opportunities (as a percentage of base salary)
for the named executive officers were unchanged from 2021. The
maximum total payout potential is 250% of the target incentive,
assuming Company performance is at or above the maximum goal levels
for operating income and ROCE.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 34
Back to
Contents
PERFORMANCE GOALS
The following tables show the goals and associated payouts for the
two performance metrics utilized for the 2022 annual incentive.
PERFORMANCE RESULTS
Actual operating income achieved for 2022 as measured under the
annual plan was $514.4 million, greater than the maximum
performance amount, resulting in a payout of 200% for the operating
income portion of the annual incentive. ROCE for the year was
39.9%, greater than the maximum performance amount, resulting in a
payout of 300% for the ROCE portion of the annual incentive.
Combining the two payouts, weighted 50% each, produced a maximum
total payout of 250% of the target incentive opportunity. Actual
payouts for 2022 performance are shown below:
|
2022 Target Annual Incentive Opportunity
|
2022 Actual Annual Incentive Plan Payout
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
|
$ 848,720
|
|
$ 2,121,800
|
David R. Cobb
|
|
366,938
|
|
917,344
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
|
270,007
|
|
675,018
|
Seth Runser
|
|
306,425
|
|
766,062
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
|
268,938
|
|
672,345
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
|
268,938
|
|
672,345
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 35
Back to
Contents
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
TARGET AWARDS
Our long-term compensation target incentive opportunity consists of
two components: (i) a three-year cash incentive opportunity
(“C-LTIP”), and (ii) a time-vested RSU award. The following table
shows the targets for long-term incentive compensation
opportunities awarded in 2022 for the 2022-2024 C-LTIP and the 2022
RSU award.
|
Total Long-Term Compensation
Target Incentive Opportunity
(Fixed Dollar Amount)
|
2022-2024
C-LTIP
Target Value
|
2022 RSU
Grant Value
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
$ 2,500,000
|
$ 1,250,000
|
$ 1,250,000
|
David R. Cobb
|
800,000
|
400,000
|
400,000
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
540,000
|
270,000
|
270,000
|
Seth Runser
|
650,000
|
325,000
|
325,000
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
550,000
|
275,000
|
275,000
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
550,000
|
275,000
|
275,000
|
The value of the long-term target incentive opportunity established
for each Named Executive Officer was based, in large part, on the
respective officers’ positions within the Company. Because half of
the target award is delivered in the form of RSUs, the Committee
also considers the number of shares available for grant, the number
of previously granted awards currently outstanding, the burn rate,
and potential shareholder dilution.
LONG-TERM CASH INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The Committee has awarded long-term cash incentive opportunities
since 2006. We have observed that these awards, which are
exclusively performance-based, appropriately reward management and
drive performance with respect to the Company’s key financial
metrics. The three-year performance cycle encourages a long-term
perspective, while the payout being driven by relative TSR and
three-year average ROCE (adjusted) incentivizes sustainable value
creation relative to our peers along with profitability and capital
efficiency. Using cash-based awards also mitigates the dilutive
effect of solely offering long-term equity compensation. In
February 2022, the Committee granted a three-year cash incentive
award for the performance period from January 1, 2022, through
December 31, 2024,
using the same two metrics we have used in recent years: three-year
average ROCE (adjusted) and relative TSR, each weighted 50%.
Relative TSR rewards
participants when the Company outperforms our peer group and
directly aligns executives’ interests with shareholder value
creation relative to our peers. The payout for the relative TSR
component is based on the percentile rank of the Compounded Annual
Growth Rate (“CAGR”) of our TSR relative to our peer group over the
three-year measurement period. For these purposes, we calculate TSR
as the annualized rate of return reflecting price appreciation
between the beginning 60-day average share price (ending December
31 of the year immediately prior to the beginning of the
measurement period) and the ending 60-day average share price
(ending December 31 of the final year of the measurement period),
adjusted for dividends paid and the compounding effect of
reinvested dividends. CAGR converts the total return into a value
that indicates what the return was on an annual basis for the
three-year period. For information on the performance peer group
for the relative TSR component of the 2022-2024 cash long-term
incentive plan, refer to page 33.
ROCE for the three-year
performance period measures the efficient use of
corporate assets to create profitable growth and aligns executives’
interest with our profitability and appropriate employment of
capital.
For the ROCE component, the three-year average goal is based on
historical averages for S&P 500 companies over longer periods
of time, as discussed on page 34. ROCE is generally calculated by
dividing net income by average adjusted debt plus average equity
for the applicable period (with net income, debt and equity
adjusted for nonrecurring or unusual items and other items set
forth in the ArcBest Corporation Executive Officer Incentive
Compensation Plan).
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 36
Back to
Contents
The tables below show the goals and associated payouts for the two
performance metrics utilized for the 2022-2024 C-LTIP. Payments for
the 2022-2024 C-LTIP, if any, will be made in early 2025. The
maximum total payout potential is 250% of the target incentive,
assuming Company performance is at or above the maximum goal levels
for operating income and ROCE.
Relative TSR
|
Payout Earned for Relative TSR
(% of target earned)*
|
< 25th percentile
|
0%
|
25th percentile (threshold)
|
25%
|
50th percentile
|
100%
|
≥75th percentile
|
200%
|
ROCE % Achieved
|
Payout Earned for ROCE
(% of target earned)*
|
<8%
|
0%
|
8% (threshold)
|
50%
|
13%
|
100%
|
≥18%
|
300%
|
*
The payout earned for performance at levels between those indicated
is calculated using straight-line interpolation, except there is no
payout for performance below the threshold level.
LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company grants RSU awards to help align the executives’
interests with those of our stockholders. In 2022, Named Executive
Officers were granted time-vested RSUs as shown in the table
below.
Named Executive Officer
|
RSU Target Grant Value
|
RSUs Granted in 2022*
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
$ 1,250,000
|
15,700
|
David R. Cobb
|
400,000
|
5,000
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
270,000
|
3,400
|
Seth Runser
|
325,000
|
4,100
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
275,000
|
3,400
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
275,000
|
3,400
|
*
The number of RSUs granted is based on the target award value
established by the Committee divided by the closing stock price of
the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant and rounded to the
nearest 100 units.
|
The Committee believes the award of RSUs with time-based vesting
makes it easier for the Named Executive Officers to accumulate an
equity interest in the Company and comply with our Stock Ownership
Policy and also helps to retain key talent. RSUs granted in 2022
are subject to three-year ratable vesting, with one-third of the
awards vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
of the grant date. Stock will be issued in settlement of the RSUs
on the vesting dates, or earlier if the Named Executive Officer
experiences a qualifying termination of employment. No dividends or
dividend equivalents are paid to Named Executive Officers on RSUs.
See “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Fiscal Year-End” for
additional information regarding these awards.
C-LTIP Awards for the 2020-2022 Performance Period
The performance period for the 2020-2022 C-LTIP ended on December
31, 2022. The Company’s actual TSR percentile rank was 100th and
three-year average ROCE (adjusted) was 26.7%, both above the
maximum performance levels, resulting in an aggregate payout of
250% of the target incentive opportunity, as reflected in the table
below. The individual incentive targets were calculated using base
salary during the performance period. The original performance
payout tables for the 2020-2022 awards can be found in our proxy
statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
|
2020-2022 Target
C-LTIP Opportunity
|
2020-2022 Actual
C-LTIP Payout
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
$ 860,000
|
$ 2,150,000
|
David R. Cobb
|
325,000
|
812,500
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
265,000
|
662,500
|
Seth Runser(1)
|
170,000
|
425,000
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
210,000
|
525,000
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
210,000
|
525,000
|
(1)
Mr. Runser’s target C-LTIP opportunity for the 2020-2022
performance period is based on his role as Vice President —
Linehaul Operations at the time of the award.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 37
Back to
Contents
Compensation Risk Assessment
Management has evaluated our compensation policies and practices,
including our incentive plans, to determine whether any create
risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect
on the Company. The primary responsibility for this evaluation is
assigned to the Company’s Risk Management Committee, which is made
up of several members of senior management. Based on this
evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s compensation
policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company. Management’s evaluation, including
the conclusions reached by the Risk Management Committee, was
discussed with the Compensation Committee.
The information used by management and the Risk Management
Committee and provided to the Compensation Committee included a
framework of potential risk factors for certain compensation plans
and identified how the Company’s existing processes and
compensation programs mitigate those risks. Mitigating factors for
potential risks included:
■
a combination of short- and long-term compensation;
■
a combination of equity- and cash-based compensation;
■
multiple performance metrics;
■
relative performance metrics;
■
robust financial control policies and audit practices;
■
caps for potential amounts earned under annual and long-term
incentive plans;
■
a robust clawback policy;
■
a prohibition against hedging transactions or pledging of
shares;
■
multi-year vesting periods for equity awards;
■
stock ownership requirements for executive officers;
■
retention of an independent compensation consultant to advise the
Compensation Committee;
■
approval of performance criteria and performance results by the
Compensation Committee, which consists of only independent
Directors; and
■
review of peer groups by an independent compensation consultant and
the Compensation Committee.
The most recent risk management evaluation was provided to the
Compensation Committee in December 2022. Based on the information
provided and the Compensation Committee’s knowledge of the
Company’s compensation policies and practices, the Compensation
Committee agreed with management’s conclusion that the risks
arising from our compensation plans and practices are not
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Other Compensation Policies
Ownership and Retention Policy
The Committee believes the Named Executive Officers should maintain
meaningful equity holdings in the Company to align their interests
with those of the Company’s other stockholders. The Board adopted a
Stock Ownership Policy for Named Executive Officers that requires
them to own stock with a value equal to or greater than an
established multiple of their base salary, as shown in the table
below.
Position Title
|
Stock Ownership Multiple
|
ArcBest Chairman, President and CEO
|
5 x base salary
|
Other Named Executive Officers
|
3 x base salary
|
Participants are prohibited from selling any Company stock (except
to pay the taxes generated by an equity grant vesting) until the
ownership requirement is attained. Stock owned in a
Company-sponsored retirement plan, RSUs, and stock owned outright
all count toward the ownership requirement. The Committee reviews
ownership levels annually. As of the most recent review in April
2022, all Named Executive Officers have met or exceeded their
ownership multiple requirement.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee administers the Stock
Ownership Policy and considers changes related to employees as
recommended by the Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee reserves the right to amend or terminate this policy at
any time or waive the restrictions for any individual in its sole
discretion.
Pursuant to the Ownership Incentive Plan, any shares issued in the
future upon exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right
(should any be granted under the plan) may not be sold before the
earlier of (i) twelve months following the date of exercise and
(ii) the date of termination of the applicable employee’s
employment.
Equity Award Practices
The Company’s policy for granting equity awards states:
■
the Compensation Committee is responsible for granting equity-based
compensation for employees;
■
the Compensation Committee establishes a fixed dollar value for
each grant recipient;
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 38
Back to
Contents
■
the award dates for each grant are five business days following the
Company’s applicable quarterly earnings release, unless a different
date is approved by the Board;
■
the number of shares/units awarded will be based on the fixed
dollar value established by the Compensation Committee divided by
the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the specified
award date and rounded to the nearest 100 shares, unless otherwise
approved by the Board; and
■
any award that does not conform to these policy requirements must
be approved by the Board.
CLAWBACKS
The Committee has implemented a policy for the “clawback” of any
bonus or incentive compensation awarded to any executive officer,
including a Named Executive Officer, under certain circumstances.
Under the terms of the policy, the Committee may require
reimbursement of any cash, equity or equity-based award or payment
made under any incentive plan to an executive officer in the event
of:
■
a material restatement of the Company’s financial statements due to
non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement under
applicable securities laws, regardless of the existence of
misconduct or fault;
■
an overpayment as the result of an error, including errors in
determination of performance metric results or in the calculation
of an officer’s covered compensation; or
■
an Act of Misconduct (as such term is defined in the clawback
policy) by the officer.
ANTI-HEDGING AND PLEDGING POLICIES
All Company officers, including Named Executive Officers, and
certain other employees, as well as non-employee Directors, are
subject to the Insider Trading Policy, which prohibits certain
transactions in the Company’s securities, including the purchase or
sale of puts, calls, options or other derivative securities based
on the Company’s securities. The Insider Trading Policy also
prohibits monetization transactions, such as forward sale contracts
(in which a stockholder continues to own the underlying security
without having all the risks or rewards of ownership, executes a
short-sale of Company securities, or “sells against the
box”—failing to deliver sold securities), as well as any other
hedging or pledging transaction involving the Company’s securities.
This policy does not include ArcBest stock options exercised in
accordance with the terms of the Company’s equity plan. The Company
does not have any outstanding stock option awards.
Retirement and Other Benefits
The Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in
retirement and benefit programs as described below. The Committee
believes the benefits provided by these programs continue to be
important factors in attracting and retaining the overall officer
group, including the Named Executive Officers.
Prior to 2009, the Company provided Named Executive Officers with
the predominant portion of their long-term compensation through
post-employment payments under the Supplemental Benefit Plan (the
“SBP”) and Deferred Salary Agreements (“DSA”) described on page 48.
All benefits under these plans have been frozen, and officers now
receive a significant portion of their long-term compensation
through the long-term incentive cash and equity compensation
previously described. Ms. McReynolds is the only Named Executive
Officer with a frozen SBP or DSA benefit. The other Named Executive
Officers were promoted or hired after the freeze and therefore are
not participants in those plans.
Following are the various benefit programs in which the Named
Executive Officers have either active or frozen participation.
ACTIVE PLANS
401(k) and DC Retirement Plan
The Company maintains the ArcBest 401(k) and DC Retirement Plan for
eligible non-contractual employees. The Named Executive Officers
can participate in this plan on the same basis as all other
eligible employees. The Company matches 50% of each employee’s
contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee’s eligible
earnings subject to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) annual
compensation limit.
The Company also makes Discretionary Defined Contributions under
the 401(k) and DC Retirement Plan, which are determined annually
based on the Company’s operating results. The amount of the
Discretionary Defined Contribution is based on a percentage of
annual eligible compensation (as defined under the plan).
Health and Welfare Plans
The Company provides medical, dental, vision, life insurance and
disability benefits to all eligible non-contractual employees. The
Named Executive Officers can participate in these benefit plans on
the same basis as all other eligible non-contractual employees.
Officer Life Insurance
Corporate officers and certain other subsidiary officers, including
the Named Executive Officers, are provided with life insurance
coverage of $1 million in the event they suffer accidental death
while traveling on Company business.
Post-Employment Supplemental Medical Policy (“Executive Medical
Policy”)
Corporate officers and certain other subsidiary officers, including
the Named Executive Officers, and their eligible dependents have
lifetime health coverage under the Company’s Executive Medical
Policy following their termination of employment after age 55 with
10 years of service. The health coverage is provided through a
fully insured third party-provided health plan. Eligible retired
officers from age 55 to 60 pay a premium to the Company, equivalent
to the then-current COBRA rate applicable to qualifying former
employees. From age 60 to 65, a retired officer is required to
reimburse the Company an amount equivalent to $250 per
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 39
Back to
Contents
individual covered per month, up to a maximum of $500 per month.
For retired officers age 65 and over, reduced premiums are charged
by the Company for continued retiree coverage. Participation in
this plan was frozen in 2017. All of our current Named Executive
Officers are eligible participants.
The Executive Medical Policy provides that coverage will be
forfeited if the officer becomes an employee, consultant or
director of, or has an ownership interest in, any competitor of the
Company.
FROZEN PLANS
Supplemental Benefit Plan
Prior to 2010, the Company maintained a noncontributory, unfunded
supplemental pension benefit plan (“SBP”) that supplemented
benefits under the Company’s legacy Pension Plan. Under the SBP,
the Company paid sums in addition to amounts payable under the
Pension Plan to eligible officers, including eligible Named
Executive Officers. The SBP has been frozen since December 31,
2009. Ms. McReynolds has a frozen benefit under the SBP. See “2022
Pension Benefits” for more information.
Deferred Salary Agreements
The Company has unfunded, noncontributory DSAs with certain of
their officers. No Named Executive Officers are active participants
in a DSA, but Ms. McReynolds has a frozen benefit under a DSA. See
“2022 Pension Benefits” for more information.
PERQUISITES
Perquisites provided by the Company are generally limited to
situations where there is some related business benefit to the
Company, such as personal travel cost associated with spousal
attendance at Company or industry events. See the “Summary
Compensation Table” for a listing of the reportable perquisites for
the Named Executive Officers.
Employment Agreements and Change in Control Provisions
None of our Named Executive Officers is party to an employment
agreement with the Company. However, the Named Executive Officers
do participate in the Amended and Restated 2012 Change in Control
Plan (the “2012 Change in Control Plan”) for certain senior
officers of the Company. The Board amended and restated the plan in
October 2022 to, among other things, clarify the treatment of
outstanding equity awards upon a change in control. The Committee
believes this plan serves the best interests of our stockholders
since it is designed to help retain executives during uncertain
times leading up to and immediately following a change in control.
By providing fair compensation in the event of termination
following a change in control, the plan is designed to allow the
executives to reasonably evaluate potential actions without concern
over how it may impact them financially.
The benefits under the 2012 Change in Control Plan are intended to
provide the officer participants with a reasonable severance
package that is based on the value the officers have created and is
realized by the Company’s stockholders in the event of a change in
control. The Company does not gross up for taxes a Named Executive
Officer may owe on change in control benefits, including any excise
taxes under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 4999. Under the
terms of the 2012 Change in Control Plan, a best-net calculation
will be performed to determine whether change in control benefits
due to the Named Executive Officers should be reduced (so no excise
tax will be imposed) or should be paid in full (with any resulting
excise taxes to be paid in full by the Named Executive Officer).
See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” for
additional information regarding the provisions of the 2012 Change
in Control Plan.
Tax Considerations
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the IRC limits the tax deductibility of annual
compensation paid to certain executives to $1 million. As a result,
the Company will not receive a federal income tax deduction for any
compensation paid to its Named Executive Officers in excess of $1
million except to the extent awards are “grandfathered” under
applicable exceptions. The Committee believes that stockholder
interests are best served by not restricting its flexibility in
structuring compensation programs, even if those programs result in
non-deductible compensation expenses.
IRC Section 280G applies to payments made to executives of a
company in connection with a change in control and prohibits the
deduction of any “excess parachute payment.” Benefits payable under
the 2012 Change in Control Plan, as well as accelerated vesting of
equity awards and annual and long-term cash incentives, could
result in “excess parachute payments” that are not deductible by
the Company. For more information regarding amounts payable and
benefits available upon the occurrence of certain changes in
control, see “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control.”
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
The Company designs and operates its nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to be exempt
or compliant with Section 409A of the IRC and the final regulations
issued thereunder.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 40
Back to
Contents
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the
Compensation Discussion & Analysis with management, and based
on the review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board that it be included in the Company’s 2022
Annual Report and the Company’s 2023 Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
Committee Members
|
Kathleen D. McElligott, Chair
Salvatore A. Abbate
Eduardo F. Conrado
Craig E. Philip
|
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the Compensation Committee members is an officer or
employee or former officer or employee of the Company. No executive
officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors
of any other entity, or the compensation committee of any other
entity, that has one or more executive officers serving as a member
of the Company’s Board or Compensation Committee. Ms. McElligott,
Messrs. Gorman and Conrado, and Dr. Philip served on the
Compensation Committee in 2022.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 41
Back to
Contents
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth compensation paid for the years
indicated for our 2022 Named Executive Officers.
Name and
Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Stock Awards
($)(1)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
|
Change in Pension
Value and Non-
Qualified Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(3)
|
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
|
Total
($)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
ArcBest Chairman,
President and CEO
|
2022
|
$
|
848,720
|
$
|
1,230,566
|
$
|
4,271,800
|
$
|
16,127
|
$
|
63,680
|
$
|
6,430,893
|
2021
|
|
824,000
|
|
990,774
|
|
4,132,412
|
|
10,485
|
|
48,618
|
|
6,006,289
|
2020
|
|
800,000
|
|
806,238
|
|
2,520,480
|
|
27,653
|
|
20,237
|
|
4,174,608
|
David R. Cobb
|
2022
|
|
489,250
|
|
391,900
|
|
1,729,844
|
|
-
|
|
24,580
|
|
2,635,574
|
2021
|
|
475,000
|
|
399,786
|
|
1,719,079
|
|
-
|
|
23,380
|
|
2,617,245
|
2020
|
|
430,500
|
|
304,960
|
|
960,477
|
|
-
|
|
20,130
|
|
1,716,067
|
Michael E. Newcity
ArcBest Senior Vice President-CIO and ArcBest Technologies
President
|
2022
|
|
415,396
|
|
266,492
|
|
1,337,518
|
|
-
|
|
24,580
|
|
2,043,986
|
2021
|
|
403,297
|
|
269,421
|
|
1,317,286
|
|
-
|
|
23,380
|
|
2,013,384
|
2020
|
|
391,550
|
|
253,498
|
|
808,672
|
|
-
|
|
20,130
|
|
1,473,850
|
Seth Runser
|
2022
|
|
437,750
|
|
321,358
|
|
1,191,062
|
|
-
|
|
29,648
|
|
1,979,818
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Daniel E. Loe
ArcBest Chief Yield
Officer
|
2022
|
|
413,751
|
|
266,492
|
|
1,197,345
|
|
-
|
|
41,737
|
|
1,919,325
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
ArcBest Chief Strategy
Officer
|
2022
|
|
413,751
|
|
266,492
|
|
1,197,345
|
|
-
|
|
29,763
|
|
1,907,351
|
2021
|
|
401,700
|
|
269,421
|
|
1,228,424
|
|
-
|
|
29,074
|
|
1,928,619
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
(1)
The amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of RSU
awards granted to the Named Executive Officers on May 6, 2022,
under the Ownership Incentive Plan, computed in accordance with
FASB ASC Topic 718, determined without regard to estimated
forfeitures and adjusted for present value of dividends (to reflect
that dividend equivalents are not paid with respect to RSU awards).
The actual value realized by the officer as a result of these
awards will vary based on a number of factors, including the
Company’s performance, stock price fluctuations and applicable
vesting. No dividends or dividend equivalents are paid to Named
Executive Officers on RSUs. See Note L to the consolidated
financial statements in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report for
additional detail regarding share-based compensation.
(2)
Reflects cash compensation earned during 2022 from the annual
incentive plan (“AIP”), and cash compensation earned from the
2020-2022 cash long-term incentive plan (“C-LTIP”), each of which
were paid in February 2023. See the “2022 Grants of Plan-Based
Awards” table and the CD&A for additional information on the
2022 AIP and the C-LTIP.
|
|
McReynolds
|
Cobb
|
Newcity
|
Runser
|
Loe
|
Anderson
|
Annual Incentive Plan
|
$
|
2,121,800
|
$
|
917,344
|
$
|
675,018
|
$
|
766,062
|
$
|
672,345
|
$
|
672,345
|
C-LTIP
|
|
2,150,000
|
|
812,500
|
|
662,500
|
|
425,000
|
|
525,000
|
|
525,000
|
Total
|
$
|
4,271,800
|
$
|
1,729,844
|
$
|
1,337,518
|
$
|
1,191,062
|
$
|
1,197,345
|
$
|
1,197,345
|
(3)
Reflects the increase in actuarial present value during 2022 of
each Named Executive Officer’s accumulated benefit under the
Company’s legacy SBP and DSAs. The values reported are determined
using the same assumptions as used by the Company for financial
reporting purposes for the Company’s SBP and DSAs, except the
payment date is assumed to be age 60 for the SBP rather than age
65. See “2022 Pension Benefits” for additional information on these
plans. The 2022 change in actuarial present value by plan is as
follows:
|
|
McReynolds
|
Cobb
|
Newcity
|
Runser
|
Loe
|
Anderson
|
Supplemental Benefit Plan
|
$
|
7,198
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Deferred Salary Agreement
|
|
8,929
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total Increase
|
$
|
16,127
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Earnings with respect to outstanding vested RSUs are not above
market and are not included in this column. See “2022 Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation” for additional information on outstanding
vested RSUs.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 42
Back to
Contents
(4)
All Other Compensation for 2022 consists of the following:
|
|
McReynolds
|
Cobb
|
Newcity
|
Runser
|
Loe
|
Anderson
|
401(k) Company Match
|
$
|
9,150
|
$
|
9,150
|
$
|
9,150
|
$
|
9,150
|
$
|
9,150
|
$
|
9,150
|
DC Contribution
|
|
15,250
|
|
15,250
|
|
15,250
|
|
15,250
|
|
15,250
|
|
15,250
|
24-Hour Accidental Death Premiums(i)
|
|
180
|
|
180
|
|
180
|
|
-
|
|
180
|
|
180
|
Perquisites(ii)
|
|
34,085
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
11,423
|
|
-
|
Gross-Ups(iii)
|
|
5,015
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
5,248
|
|
5,734
|
|
5,183
|
Total Other Compensation
|
$
|
63,680
|
$
|
24,580
|
$
|
24,580
|
$
|
29,648
|
$
|
41,737
|
$
|
29,763
|
(i)
The 24-hour accidental death benefit was closed to new participants
before Mr. Runser was promoted to an eligible role; therefore, he
does not receive this benefit.
(ii)
Perquisites values for Ms. McReynolds and Mr. Loe include expenses
for spousal travel to Company or industry events and any related
Company lost tax deduction resulting from the spouse accompanying
the Named Executive Officer on a Company airplane. Ms. McReynolds’
perquisite value also includes limited personal use of Company
aircraft and a Christmas gift from the Company. The Company also
provides a Christmas gift to each of the other Board members. No
other Named Executive Officer received perquisites in excess of
$10,000 during 2022, and therefore no value is reported.
(iii)
Tax gross-ups for Ms. McReynolds and Messrs. Runser, Loe and
Anderson are for gifts related to the Company’s annual President’s
Club event and spousal travel on a Company airplane to a Company or
industry event.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 43
Back to
Contents
2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information related to non-equity and
equity-based awards made to the Named Executive Officers for
2022:
Name
|
Award
Type(1)
|
Approval
Date(2,3,4)
|
Grant
Date
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2,3)
|
All Other Stock Awards
|
|
Threshold
($)
|
|
Target
($)
|
|
Maximum
($)
|
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)
|
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
Awards
($)(4)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
$
|
318,270
|
$
|
848,720
|
$
|
2,121,800
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
468,750
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
3,125,000
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,700
|
$
|
1,230,566
|
David R. Cobb
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
137,602
|
|
366,938
|
|
917,344
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
150,000
|
|
400,000
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
391,900
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
101,253
|
|
270,007
|
|
675,018
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
101,250
|
|
270,000
|
|
675,000
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,400
|
|
266,492
|
Seth Runser
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
114,909
|
|
306,425
|
|
766,063
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
121,875
|
|
325,000
|
|
812,500
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,100
|
|
321,358
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
100,852
|
|
268,938
|
|
672,345
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
103,125
|
|
275,000
|
|
687,500
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,400
|
|
266,492
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
AIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
100,852
|
|
268,938
|
|
672,345
|
|
|
|
C-LTIP
|
2/21/2022
|
2/21/2022
|
|
103,125
|
|
275,000
|
|
687,500
|
|
|
|
RSU
|
4/26/2022
|
5/6/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,400
|
|
266,492
|
AIP = annual incentive compensation plan
RSU = restricted stock units granted under the Ownership Incentive
Plan
C-LTIP = three-year cash long-term incentive compensation plan
(2022-2024 performance period)
(2)
The performance criteria for the 2022 AIP award were approved by
the Committee on February 21, 2022. Amounts shown in the “Estimated
Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” column with
respect to the 2022 AIP award represent the threshold, target and
maximum payment levels of the 2022 AIP. The target amount reflected
is calculated based on base salary earned in 2022. Awards under the
annual incentive plan are described in greater detail in the
narrative following this table and in “Compensation Discussion
& Analysis — Components of Compensation — Annual Cash Incentive
Compensation.” The actual amount of the AIP award paid for 2022
performance with respect to each Named Executive Officer is set
forth in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the
“Summary Compensation Table.”
(3)
The performance criteria for the 2022-2024 C-LTIP award were
approved by the Committee on February 21, 2022. Amounts shown in
the “Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards” column represent the threshold, target and maximum payment
levels with respect to C-LTIP awards granted in 2022. Awards under
the cash long-term incentive compensation plan are described in
greater detail in the narrative following this table and in
“Compensation Discussion & Analysis — Components of
Compensation — Long-Term Incentive Compensation.”
(4)
The RSU award was approved by the Committee on April 26, 2022. As
provided in the equity award policy, the grant date for the award
was five business days following the first quarter’s earnings
release. Value shown reflects the grant date fair value ($78.38 per
share) of RSU awards made under the Ownership Incentive Plan on May
6, 2022, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, determined
without regard to forfeitures and adjusted for present value of
dividends (which are not payable with respect to RSUs granted to
Named Executive Officers).
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 44
Back to
Contents
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of
Plan-Based Awards Table
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation
Annual Incentive Compensation Plan
Annual incentive compensation plan (“AIP”) awards earned are
generally paid as soon as administratively practicable following
the date the awards are calculated and approved, but no later than
March 15 of the year following the year to which the performance
goals relate. Participants generally must be employed on the
payment date in order to receive payment of their earned AIP
awards. However, if a participant terminates during the plan year
due to early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service), normal
retirement (age 65), death or disability, such participant remains
eligible to receive a prorated AIP award, provided, in the case of
early or normal retirement, the individual has been a participant
for at least 90 days during the plan year. Upon any other
termination, a participant’s award will be forfeited, unless the
Committee, in its discretion, decides that a prorated award should
be paid. Payment of a prorated incentive, if any, is made at the
end of the measurement period and based upon actual performance
results. The Amended and Restated 2012 Change in Control Plan
provides for immediate payment of an earned award upon a qualified
termination following a change in control, except where payment
must be delayed six months for certain key employees as required by
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). Target incentive
levels and information on performance goals are set forth in
“Compensation Discussion & Analysis — Components of
Compensation — Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.” Additional
information regarding the treatment of these awards upon
termination or a change in control is provided in “Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
Cash Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
Generally, participants in the cash long-term incentive
compensation plan (“C-LTIP”) must remain employed through the end
of the measurement period in order to receive payment of any earned
award. However, if a participant has at least 12 months of employment during a
measurement period, such participant is eligible for a prorated
benefit upon early retirement (age 55 with 10 years of service),
normal retirement (age 65), death or disability, with payment
determined based on target value, and payment, if any, is made at the
end of the measurement period based upon actual performance
results. Additional detail regarding the 2022 awards granted under
the C-LTIP can be found in “Compensation Discussion & Analysis
— Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentive
Compensation.”
Stock Awards under the Ownership Incentive Plan
RSUs awarded in 2022 were granted under the Company’s Ownership
Incentive Plan on May 6, 2022. The 2022 RSUs are subject to
three-year ratable vesting, with one-third of the awards vesting on
each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant
date, subject to early vesting if the participant experiences a
qualifying termination from employment with the Company. Upon a
participant’s normal retirement (age 65) or termination due to
death or disability, the RSUs will fully vest. If termination of
the participant occurs for good reason or without cause within 24
months of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the
Amended and Restated 2012 Change in Control Plan), the
participant’s outstanding RSUs awarded become fully vested and will
be distributed as soon as administratively possible, except where
payment must be delayed for six months for certain key employees as
required by Section 409A of the IRC. No dividends are paid to Named
Executive Officers on RSUs.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 45
Back to
Contents
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Year-End
The following table provides information related to any
equity-based awards outstanding for the Named Executive Officers,
as of December 31, 2022:
Stock Awards
|
Name
|
Grant Date
|
Number of Shares or Units of
Stock that
Have Not Vested
(#)(1)
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of
Stock that
Have Not Vested
($)(2)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
2,258
14,100
5,067
15,700
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
158,150
987,564
354,893
1,099,628
|
David R. Cobb
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
908
5,333
2,044
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
63,596
373,523
143,162
350,200
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
8,900
13,300
3,100
3,400
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
623,356
931,532
217,124
238,136
|
Seth Runser
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
2,800
8,400
3,700
4,100
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
196,112
588,336
259,148
287,164
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
7,100
10,300
3,100
3,400
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
497,284
721,412
217,124
238,136
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
05/09/2019(3)
05/12/2020(4)
05/11/2021(5)
05/06/2022(6)
|
7,100
13,500
3,100
3,400
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
497,284
945,540
217,124
238,136
|
(1)
Ms. McReynolds and Mr. Cobb have attained early retirement
eligibility in accordance with the terms of the RSU awards granted
prior to 2022, resulting in pro rata vesting of such awards in an
amount equal to (i) 1/48 of their RSU awards each month for awards
in 2019 and 2020 (with full vesting on May 9, 2023, and May 12,
2024, respectively) and (ii) 1/36 of the total number of shares
each month for awards granted in 2021 (with full vesting on May 11,
2024).
(2)
Reflects the value of unvested RSUs as of December 31, 2022,
awarded under the ArcBest Corporation Ownership Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated, based on the closing market price of the
Common Stock of $70.04 on December 30, 2022 (the last trading day
of the year).
(3)
These RSU awards fully vest on May 9, 2023, the fourth anniversary
of their grant date.
(4)
These RSU awards fully vest on May 12, 2024, the fourth anniversary
of their grant date.
(5)
These RSU awards fully vest on May 11, 2024, the third anniversary
of their grant date.
(6)
These RSU awards vest in three equal installments on May 6, 2023,
May 6, 2024, and May 6, 2025.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 46
Back to
Contents
2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information related to RSUs that
vested during 2022 for the Named Executive Officers. None of our
Named Executive Officers held stock option awards during 2022.
Name
|
Stock Awards
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)(1,2)
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(3)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
28,040
|
2,235,937
|
David R. Cobb
|
11,030
|
879,631
|
Michael E. Newcity
|
16,900
|
1,328,894
|
Seth Runser
|
5,700
|
446,562
|
Daniel E. Loe
|
13,700
|
1,076,218
|
Dennis L. Anderson II
|
13,500
|
1,061,358
|
(1)
The 2017 RSU awards fully vested and settled on May 12, 2022, and
the 2018 RSU awards fully vested and settled on August 1, 2022. All
of the shares issued for the 2017 RSU award and the 2018 RSU award
at final vesting are free of vesting and ownership restrictions.
All shares owned by executive officers are subject to
company-imposed restrictions that limit trading during periods when
officers have material nonpublic information as well as the
Company’s policy related to minimum stock ownership for executive
officers, as discussed in the Compensation Discussion &
Analysis.
(2)
RSUs held by Ms. McReynolds and Mr. Cobb granted prior to 2022 were
subject to pro rata vesting in 2022 because each of these executive
officers had attained early retirement eligibility under the terms
of the RSU awards. Awards that vest on a pro rata basis due to
attainment of early retirement eligibility are not settled until
the earlier of the original vesting date (four years from the grant
date for awards in 2019 and 2020, and three years from the grant
date for awards in 2021) or the date of a qualifying termination of
employment. As such, while the value of all pro rata vesting in
2022 is reflected in the Option Exercises and Stock Vested table
above and detailed in the table below, Ms. McReynolds and Mr. Cobb have
not yet received the shares that vested in 2022 based on
qualification for early retirement under awards that did not fully
vest in 2022.
|
|
McReynolds
Vested in 2022
|
Cobb
Vested in 2022
|
2017 RSU Award (settled)
|
1,980
|
860
|
2018 RSU Award (settled)
|
2,377
|
890
|
2019 RSU Award
|
6,775
|
2,725
|
2020 RSU Award
|
10,575
|
4,000
|
2021 RSU Award
|
6,333
|
2,555
|
Total vesting in 2022
|
28,040
|
11,030
|
(3)
Value realized on RSU vesting is equal to the closing market price
of the Common Stock on the date of vesting multiplied by the number
of shares that vest on that date.
|
2022 Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2022,
with respect to the Company’s compensation plans under which equity
securities of the Company are authorized for issuance:
Plan Category
|
|
Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights
|
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans,
Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column
(a)
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
|
|
1,023,251(1)
|
-
|
1,377,519
|
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Security Holders
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
|
1,023,251
|
-
|
1,377,519
|
(1)
This amount reflects outstanding RSU awards under the Amended and
Restated ArcBest Corporation Ownership Incentive Plan (the “Plan”),
which provides for the award of incentive stock options,
nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”),
restricted stock, RSUs and performance award units. The Plan does
not permit reload options. Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the
Plan, approved by the Company’s stockholders on April 29, 2021, the
aggregate number of shares that have been reserved for issuance
pursuant to awards under the Plan is 4,874,500. No options have
been granted under the Plan. The Committee administers the
Plan.
|
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 47
Back to
Contents
2022 Pension Benefits
The following table illustrates the present value of the
accumulated benefit as of December 31, 2022, under the SBP and DSA
for the Named Executive Officers.
Name
|
Plan Name
|
Number of Years
Credited
Service
(#)
|
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(3)
|
Payments
During
Last Fiscal Year($)
|
Judy R. McReynolds(1)
|
Supplemental Benefit Plan (SBP)
Deferred Salary Agreement (DSA)
|
10.7
10.7
|
$ 424,470
157,739
|
$ -
-
|
David R. Cobb(2)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Michael E. Newcity(2)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Seth Runser(2)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Daniel E. Loe(2)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Dennis L. Anderson II(2)
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1)
Ms. McReynolds elected to cease participation in the SBP and DSA,
and the benefits were frozen effective January 31, 2008. Number of
Years of Credited Service for the SBP and DSA was frozen based on
her service as of the January 31, 2008 freeze date.
(2)
Messrs. Newcity, Runser, Loe and Anderson were promoted to eligible
roles after the SBP and DSA were closed to new entrants. Mr. Cobb
was hired after the SBP and DSA were closed to new entrants. As
such, Messrs. Cobb, Newcity, Runser, Loe and Anderson are not
eligible to participate in the SBP or DSA.
(3)
The actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits disclosed
above is determined using the same assumptions as used by the
Company for financial reporting purposes except the payment date is
assumed to be age 60 for the SBP rather than age 65. Such
assumptions are discussed in Note J to the Company’s consolidated
financial statements in the 2022 Annual Report. The earliest date a
benefit can be paid with no benefit reduction under the SBP is age
60. The payment date is assumed to be age 65 for the DSA, which is
the earliest date a benefit can be paid with no benefit
reduction.
|
Supplemental Benefit Plan (frozen)
The SBP supplements benefits under the Company’s legacy
non-contractual defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”),
which was terminated effective December 31, 2017, and fully
liquidated as of December 31, 2019. The SBP was designed to replace
benefit reductions (i) from various IRC limits and (ii) from
reductions in the rate of benefit accruals from the Company’s 1985
pension formula. The SBP takes into account all eligible earnings
under the Pension Plan without regard to IRC limitations.
Participation in the SBP was generally limited to officers of the Company or ABF
Freight, including certain Named Executive Officers. No new
participants were permitted in the SBP after December 2005, and
caps have been placed on the maximum benefits payable. Benefit
accruals in the SBP were frozen for all remaining participants
effective December 31, 2009.
Benefits under the SBP were calculated as an annuity and then
converted to a lump sum. The Pension Plan benefit was then
subtracted from the resulting lump sum to determine the SBP
benefit.
The annuity formula for the ArcBest Supplemental Benefit
Plan is:
1.0% x $400 x years of service + 2.0% x (FAP–$400) x years of
service
Early retirement eligible participants (age 55 with 10 years of
service) are subject to a benefit reduction of 6% per year for each
year he or she retires prior to age 60.
Upon termination of employment, benefits are paid in a lump sum as
soon as administratively feasible. Certain benefits must be delayed
for six months for key employees as required by Section 409A of the
IRC. Benefits are paid from the general assets of the Company.
Deferred Salary Agreements (frozen)
The Company has unfunded, noncontributory DSAs with certain of
their officers, including certain Named Executive Officers. No DSA
has been entered into since December 2005, and the Company does not
intend to enter into these agreements in the future. For the
existing DSAs, upon normal retirement (age 65), death or disability
as defined in “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in
Control,” the DSA benefit is equal to 35% of the participant’s
final monthly base salary paid monthly for 120 months. Upon termination of
employment prior to age 65, the monthly benefit is equal to the
participant’s years of service (with a maximum of 25 years) times
3% times 35% of the participant’s final monthly base salary.
Benefit payments commence in the month following termination,
except to the extent a portion of the benefit must be delayed for
six months for key employees as required by Section 409A of the
IRC. DSA benefits are paid from the general assets of the
Company.
/ 2023
PROXY STATEMENT 48
Back to
Contents
The DSAs provide that in the event of a change in control of the
Company, as defined in “Potential Payments upon Termination or
Change in Control,” followed by the officer’s
termination within
36 months for pre-2005 deferred salary accruals or within 24 months
for post-2004 deferred salary accruals, all benefits become 100%
vested. The DSA benefit will be paid as a lump sum within fifteen
days, with the 120 monthly installments discounted at 6.22% as
provided in the DSA, except where payment must be delayed for six
months for key employees as required by Section 409A of the IRC.
DSA benefits will be reduced to the extent required to avoid being
classified as excess parachute payments under Section 280G of the
IRC. Other than during a 36-month period following a change in
control of the Company for benefits accrued and vested prior to
2005 or during a 24-month period following a change in control of
the Company for benefits accrued and vested after 2004, any unpaid
DSA benefit is subject to forfeiture if the participant is
discharged for wrongful conduct injurious to the Company, or if,
following the date of termination, the participant discloses
confidential information relating to the Company to unauthorized
persons or becomes employed or renders services to a competitor of
the Company.
2022 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
The following table shows the Named Executive Officers’ deferred
compensation activity during 2022 with respect to outstanding
vested RSUs. The vesting and settlement terms applicable to RSUs
are described previously in the “Narrative Disclosure to Summary
Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table — Stock
Awards under the Ownership Incentive Plan” section and in footnote
(1) to the “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Year-End” table.
Name
|
|
Executive
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(1)
|
|
Registrant
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)
|
|
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal
Year
($)(2)
|
|
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)(3)
|
|
Aggregate
Balance at Last
Fiscal Year End
($)(4,5)
|
Judy R. McReynolds
|
$
|
2,235,937
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(2,957,419)
|
$
|
355,957
|
$
|
4,158,555
|
David R. Cobb
|
|
879,631
|
|
|