EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following discussion and analysis of our compensation practices and related compensation information should be read in conjunction with the Summary Compensation Table and other tables included below, as well as our financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A") describes the Company's executive compensation program and explains compensation decisions for the following Named Executive Officers (NEOs) in 2019:
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
Position with the Company During 2019
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Director, Executive Vice President—Chief Administrative Officer *
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer—Engineering and Information Services
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
|
* Mr. Campbell served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer until June 24, 2019.
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Chairman of U.S. Cellular, receives no compensation directly from U.S. Cellular and is compensated by TDS in connection with his services for TDS and TDS subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. A portion of the compensation expense incurred by TDS for Mr. Carlson was allocated to U.S. Cellular by TDS, along with the allocation of other compensation expense and other expenses of TDS. There is no identification or quantification of the compensation of Mr. Carlson, or of any other allocated expense in this allocation of cost to U. S. Cellular. Accordingly, Mr. Carlson is not considered a NEO of U.S. Cellular.
Although U.S. Cellular does not have an independent compensation committee for all executive compensation, long-term equity compensation of executive officers is approved by the fully independent Long-Term Incentive Compensation Committee (LTICC), as discussed below.
With respect to the NEOs identified in the Summary Compensation Table other than the President and CEO, the Chairman reviews the President and CEO's evaluation of the performance of such NEOs and in consultation with the President and CEO sets the annual base salary and bonus compensation levels for such NEOs, and recommends long-term equity compensation to the LTICC, based on such performance evaluations and compensation principles as discussed below.
2019 Elements of Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Cash
Compensation
|
|
Equity
Compensation
|
|
Other Benefits Available to
Named Executives
|
|
Other Generally Applicable
Benefits and Plans
|
• Salary
|
|
• Restricted Stock Units
|
|
• Deferred Compensation
|
|
• Tax-Deferred Savings Plan
|
• Bonus
|
|
• Performance Share Units
|
|
• Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP")
|
|
• Welfare Benefits
|
|
|
|
|
• Perquisites
|
|
• Pension Plan
|
We use our compensation programs to attract, motivate and retain the executives who lead U. S. Cellular. Our compensation programs and practices are designed to pay for performance and to align management's interests with those of U. S. Cellular's shareholders. We believe that our compensation programs help drive U. S. Cellular performance by providing a significant amount of compensation in the form of equity, by utilizing both short-term and long-term incentives that are tied to U. S. Cellular performance, and by making efforts to balance fixed (base salary) and variable (annual cash bonus and equity incentives) compensation.
Executive Compensation Process
The process of approving or recommending the elements of compensation begins with an evaluation of the appropriate compensation elements for each NEO, based on the particular duties and responsibilities of the NEO, as well as compensation elements for comparable positions at other companies.
The Chairman and LTICC have access to numerous performance measures and financial statistics prepared by U.S. Cellular. The financial information includes the audited financial statements of U.S. Cellular, as well as internal financial reports such as budgets and actual results, operating statistics and other analyses. The Chairman and LTICC also may consider such other factors that they deem appropriate in making their compensation recommendations or decisions. Ultimately, it is the informed judgment of the Chairman and/or the LTICC, after considering all of the foregoing factors, and considering the recommendation of the President and CEO and/or Chairman, that determines the elements of compensation for NEOs.
Annually, the President and CEO recommends the base salaries for the NEOs other than the President and CEO, and the Chairman reviews and approves such base salaries and determines the base salary of the President and CEO.
In addition, the President and CEO recommends the annual bonuses for the NEOs other than the President and CEO, and the Chairman reviews and approves such bonuses and determines the bonus of the President and CEO.
The LTICC annually determines long-term equity compensation awards to the NEOs under the U.S. Cellular Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"), which awards generally include performance share units and/or restricted stock units.
The NEOs received an award of restricted stock units in 2019 based in part on the achievement of certain levels of individual performance in 2018 as discussed below. The NEOs may also elect to defer all or a portion of their bonus and receive bonus match units. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units or bonus match units is calculated as the product of the number of shares underlying the award and the closing price of the underlying shares on the date of grant.
The NEOs also received an award of performance share units in 2019 based in part on the achievement of certain levels of individual performance in 2018. The NEOs also received an adjustment in 2019 of approximately 155.3% to their performance share units granted in 2018. This adjustment was based on performance against the metrics set for the program and certified by the LTICC.
Grants of equity awards to the President and CEO and the other executive officers are generally made at the same time each year. U.S. Cellular historically has granted equity awards other than bonus match units on the first business day in April each year. U.S. Cellular grants bonus match units on the date that annual bonus amounts are paid each year. U.S. Cellular also may grant equity awards during other times of the year as it deems appropriate, such as in connection with a new hire, promotion or retention.
The Chairman and the LTICC do not consider an officer's outstanding equity awards or stock ownership levels when determining such officer's compensation. The Chairman and LTICC evaluate compensation based on performance for a particular year and other considerations as described herein and do not consider stock ownership to be relevant.
Compensation Principle
We believe that equity-based compensation aligns executives' interests with shareholders, drives performance and facilitates retention of superior talent. In 2019, annual equity awards consisted of performance share units (PSUs) and restricted stock units (RSUs).
|
|
o
|
PSUs are paid in Company stock based on the outcome of the performance goals that are set for a one-year performance period, assuming the NEO remains employed through the three year cliff vesting date. The metrics were: Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (weighted 40%), Simple Free Cash Flow (weighted 40%) and Voluntary Postpaid Handset Defections (weighted 20%) for the performance period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
|
|
|
o
|
PSUs awarded in 2019 were adjusted based on performance against the metrics set for this cycle. The LTICC reviewed and certified the results. PSU awards were adjusted by 95.3% in March of 2020 based on 2019 performance.
|
|
|
o
|
The RSUs granted in 2019 are time-vested awards that will be paid in Company stock at the end of the three year holding period, assuming the NEO remains employed through the vesting date.
|
Incentive Compensation links compensation with goal attainment. The Chairman and the President and CEO continue to believe that linking compensation to certain performance metrics results in a performance driven culture. The majority of compensation awarded to NEOs is dependent upon Company performance. In 2019, the Chairman and the President and CEO set performance goals they believed to be challenging in connection with the annual bonus awards awarded to NEOs other than the President and CEO.
EVP - Chief Administrative Officer, EVP - Chief Operating Officer, EVP and CTO - Engineering and Information Services and EVP - CHRO:
|
|
•
|
The following metrics were used to calculate the bonus award:
|
|
|
•
|
Company Performance (60% weighting): Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (35% weighting), Consolidated Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion (30% weighting), Consolidated Capital Expenditures (20% weighting), and Customer Engagement (15% weighting).
|
|
|
•
|
Chairman's Assessment on Strategic Initiatives (10% weighting)
|
|
|
•
|
Individual Performance measures (30% weighting)
|
SVP - CFO and Treasurer:
|
|
•
|
The following metrics were used to calculate the bonus award:
|
|
|
•
|
Company Performance (40% weighting): Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (35% weighting), Consolidated Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion (30% weighting), Consolidated Capital Expenditures (20% weighting), and Customer Engagement (15% weighting).
|
|
|
•
|
Team (or department) Performance (weighting 40%): Three to five metrics will be used to measure the performance of the team/department and is subject to the approval of the President and CEO.
|
|
|
•
|
Individual Performance (weighting 20%)
|
President and CEO Incentive Compensation: The Chairman, in his sole discretion, determines whether an annual bonus will be payable to the President and CEO for a performance year and, if so, the amount of such bonus. Factors that may be considered by the Chairman in making such determination include the following:
|
|
•
|
The level of achievement of the Company, on a short-term and long-term basis, measured against performance objectives and compared with that of peer companies;
|
|
|
•
|
The President and CEO's individual performance, on a short-term and long-term basis, with respect to his leadership of the Company, the development and maintenance of effective working relationships across the enterprise, his stated personal objectives and his other duties and responsibilities;
|
|
|
•
|
The total cash compensation paid to CEOs of peer companies, including those which are divisions or subsidiaries of parent companies; and
|
|
|
•
|
Other factors that the Chairman in the exercise of his judgment and discretion determines relevant.
|
No single factor shall be determinative, and no factor shall be applied mechanically to calculate any portion of the President and CEO's bonus. The entire amount of the bonus is discretionary.
Fixed compensation (base salary) represents the smallest portion of total target compensation. The Company makes efforts to appropriately balance fixed (base salary) and variable (annual cash bonus and equity incentives) compensation to each NEO.
|
|
•
|
In 2019, fixed compensation (base salary) represented 13% and variable compensation (annual cash bonus and equity incentives) represented 87% of Mr. Meyers' total target compensation; and
|
|
|
•
|
For the remaining NEOs, 2019 fixed compensation represented 25% (on average) and variable compensation represented 75% (on average) of total target compensation.
|
The following chart summarizes total target compensation established for each NEO in 2019:
Summary of 2019 NEO Target Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
2019 Annual Base Salary (1)
|
2019 Annual Incentive Target Value
|
2019 Long-Term Incentive Award Target Value (2)
|
2019 Total Target Compensation
|
Kenneth R. Meyers (1)
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
$
|
876,000
|
|
$
|
6,500,000
|
|
$
|
8,471,000
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
$
|
681,200
|
|
$
|
408,720
|
|
$
|
1,430,520
|
|
$
|
2,520,440
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
$
|
627,000
|
|
$
|
470,250
|
|
$
|
1,504,800
|
|
$
|
2,602,050
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
$
|
695,600
|
|
$
|
382,580
|
|
$
|
1,460,760
|
|
$
|
2,538,940
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
$
|
477,900
|
|
$
|
262,845
|
|
$
|
1,003,590
|
|
$
|
1,744,335
|
|
Mr. Chambers was not included in the above table, because he commenced service with U. S. Cellular on June 24, 2019.
|
|
(1)
|
The amounts listed in the column reflect annual base salary effective March 1, 2019 for all NEOs except for Mr. Meyers, whose base salary was adjusted on January 1, 2019.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Expressed as the aggregate grant date value of RSUs and PSUs at target.
|
The Chairman, and the President and CEO along with the LTICC believe that this approach to our compensation program, along with our market positions and structural competitive advantages, has allowed our Company to continue to be successful in an extremely competitive environment.
Executive Compensation Programs Support U.S. Cellular Goals and Objectives
U.S. Cellular is committed to providing the very best in customer satisfaction, achieving long-term profitable growth, and building the high-quality teams required to make this possible. As such, we focus on operating in a fiscally responsible manner, and on recruiting and retaining talented employees who believe in the Company's values and long-term perspective.
The objectives of U.S. Cellular's compensation programs for its executive officers generally are to:
|
|
•
|
support U.S. Cellular's overall business strategy and objectives;
|
|
|
•
|
attract and retain high quality management;
|
|
|
•
|
link individual compensation with attainment of U.S. Cellular objectives and individual performance goals; and
|
|
|
•
|
provide competitive compensation opportunities consistent with the financial performance of U.S. Cellular.
|
The primary financial focus of U.S. Cellular is the increase of long-term shareholder value through growth, measured in such terms as revenues, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, capital expenditures, customer engagement, simple free cash flow and voluntary postpaid handset defections. Compensation decisions are made considering these performance measures, as well as all other appropriate facts and circumstances, including factors such as customer growth and employee engagement.
U.S. Cellular's compensation policies for executive officers are intended to provide incentives for the achievement of corporate and individual performance goals and to provide compensation consistent with the performance of U.S. Cellular, utilizing good governance practices and other best practices. U.S. Cellular's compensation programs are designed to reward the performance of U.S. Cellular on both a short-term and long-term basis.
U.S. Cellular's policies establish incentive compensation performance goals for NEOs based on factors over which such officers are believed to have substantial control and which are believed to be important to U.S. Cellular's long-term success. Management believes compensation should be related to the performance of U.S. Cellular and should be sufficient to enable U.S. Cellular to attract and retain individuals possessing the talents required for long-term successful performance. Nevertheless, although performance driven metrics are key inputs to compensation and awards, technically all elements of compensation are discretionary, allowing the Chairman and LTICC to consider other facts to ensure alignment with U.S. Cellular's goals. Officers do not become entitled to any compensation or awards solely as a result of the achievement of performance levels.
Maintaining Best Practices Regarding Executive Compensation
The Chairman, the President and CEO and the LTICC maintain policies and procedures for establishing compensation for the U. S. Cellular's executives, including the NEOs, and consider many of these to represent best practices in corporate governance.
|
|
|
|
What We Do
|
|
|
ü Pay for Performance: A significant portion of NEO total target compensation is tied to Company performance.
|
|
ü Limited Perquisites: We provide few perquisites ("perks") to our officers.
|
ü Maximum Payouts on Incentives: Annual cash incentive awards and PSUs are capped at 200%.
|
|
ü Independent Long-Term Incentive Compensation Committee: Comprised solely of independent directors who review and approve the long-term equity-based compensation of executive officers. Other executive compensation is approved by U.S. Cellular's Chairman, who is also a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS, the majority shareholder of U.S. Cellular.
|
ü Compensation Consultant: Willis Towers Watson advises the Company and LTICC on executive compensation matters.
ü Clawback Policy: U. S. Cellular would intend to seek to adjust or recover awards or payments if performance measures are restated or otherwise adjusted under certain circumstances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What We Don't Do
|
|
|
û No Hedging or Pledging: Officers are prohibited from hedging, pledging or otherwise encumbering shares of U. S. Cellular's common stock, including holding shares in a margin account.
|
|
û Limited Tax Gross-Ups: NEOs and other executive officers are not entitled to tax gross-ups except in limited circumstances.
|
û Repricing of Stock Options: Repricing of stock options without stockholder approval is prohibited (except in the event of certain corporate events).
|
|
|
Results of the 2019 Say-on-Pay Vote
In 2019, we sought an advisory vote from our stockholders on NEO compensation (commonly referred to as "Say-on-Pay"). The Chairman, the President and CEO and the LTICC considered the fact that shareholders overwhelmingly voted at the 2019 annual meeting FOR the Say-on-Pay proposal with respect to 2018 NEO compensation. Even with this strong endorsement of the Company's pay practices, the Chairman and President and CEO along with the LTICC believe that it is essential to regularly review the executive compensation program. In 2019, the Chairman and the President and CEO along with the LTICC concluded that the compensation program provides awards that they believe motivate our NEOs to maximize long-term shareholder value and encourage long-term retention. The Chairman, the President and CEO and the LTICC intend to consider the results of the annual Say-on-Pay votes in their future compensation policies and decisions.
Changes to Compensation Policies
There were no material changes made to the executive compensation programs in 2019.
Maintaining a Competitive Compensation Program—Benchmarking Compensation Data
U. S. Cellular does not engage in "benchmarking" as defined by the SEC. Although U. S. Cellular does not obtain, review and consider third-party surveys of market compensation data from Willis Towers Watson, the surveys are used more generally as described below.
In 2019, for the NEOs other than the President and CEO, Willis Towers Watson completed a job specific market analysis with respect to base salary, target annual incentive opportunities and target total cash compensation. Executive officer positions were compared and matched to survey positions based on current role responsibilities. The source of market data was a Willis Towers Watson database of approximately 800 companies.
When setting long-term incentive awards, the LTICC considers market compensation data provided by Willis Towers Watson as follows:
|
|
•
|
The multiples used to calculate the long-term incentive awards granted in 2019 were determined by the LTICC considering a weighting of:
|
|
|
o
|
50% of the total based generally on data from general industry companies (with revenue of $2B to $8B); and
|
|
|
o
|
50% of the total based generally on data from a peer group of telecom and customer-focused companies and/or based on a similar ownership structure (as identified below).
|
|
|
•
|
The 2019 Custom Peer Group:
|
|
|
o
|
Must share at least one of the following characteristics: 1) wireless telecommunications services or technology and software company 2) has customer satisfaction as a part of its core business strategy and/or 3) single owner of 40% or more outstanding equity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CA, Inc.
|
|
Hanes Brands, Inc.
|
|
Ryerson Holding Corporation
|
CDK Global, Inc.
|
|
Harley Davidson, Inc.
|
|
Sabre Corporation
|
Columbia Sportswear Co.
|
|
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
|
|
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
|
CommScope Holding Company, Inc.
|
|
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
|
|
Teradata Corporation
|
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
|
|
NCR Corporation
|
|
The Hershey Co.
|
Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
|
|
Revlon, Inc.
|
|
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
|
Frontier Communications Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
Note: This group was selected by the LTICC with the assistance of Willis Towers Watson.
|
|
|
•
|
The multiples that were approved for the NEOs are presented in "Long-Term Equity Compensation" below.
|
The Chairman, President and CEO and LTICC compared the base salaries, target annual cash incentives, target total long-term incentives and total target compensation of each of U. S. Cellular's NEOs, other than the President and CEO, to the compensation data provided by Willis Towers Watson. The comparison was made to help determine whether U. S. Cellular's compensation practices fell in line with competitive market data.
U.S. Cellular believes that compensation decisions are complex and require a deliberate review of U. S. Cellular performance, peer compensation levels, experience of individual executives, and individual performance, among other factors. In determining executive compensation, the Chairman, President and CEO and LTICC consider all forms of compensation to review the value delivered by each component of compensation to each executive. Accordingly, the Chairman, President and CEO and LTICC may determine that, with respect to any individual, it is appropriate for total target compensation or any particular element of compensation to meet, exceed or fall below the 50th percentile of the market data. The factors that might influence the amount of compensation awarded include market competition for a particular position, retention considerations, an individual's performance, possession of a unique skill or knowledge set, proven leadership capabilities or other business experience, tenure with the Company, internal pay equity and other relevant considerations.
Types and Amounts of NEO Compensation Awarded in 2019
Summary of Executive Compensation Elements
U. S. Cellular provided both fixed (base salary) and variable (annual cash bonus and equity incentives) compensation to the NEOs in 2019. The majority of compensation is at risk to each NEO because the variable compensation that is actually paid may vary from the target compensation that was established by the Chairman, the President and CEO and/or the LTICC. In the case of annual cash incentives and PSUs, the payment is dependent in significant part upon U. S. Cellular's performance and, in the case of equity incentives, the value also is dependent on future share prices. The amount of total target compensation at risk was significantly more than the amount of base salary for each NEO. Also, the majority of total target compensation awarded in 2019 to each NEO was in the form of equity.
The following charts summarize the material elements of the Company's 2019 executive compensation programs for NEOs. Percentages below are rounded. Further details regarding each of the elements are provided in the discussion that follows the chart.
Note: Compensation defined as other is not considered in the graphs above, because it is a such a small amount.
Executive Compensation Program
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Element
|
|
Key
Characteristics
|
|
Why We Pay This
Element
|
|
How We Determine
Amount
|
|
2019 Decisions
|
Fixed
|
Base Salary
|
|
Fixed Cash Compensation
|
|
To attract, retain and motivate superior talent
|
|
Based on individual performance, proven leadership capabilities, other business experience, possession of a unique skill or knowledge set, internal pay equity, tenure or retention and other factors
|
|
Annual base salary increases ranged from 3.2% - 4.5%.
|
Pay-At-Risk
|
Annual Cash Incentive Awards (Bonus)
|
|
Variable Cash Compensation
Percentage of base earnings based on the achievement of annual company performance goals, individual performance and the Chairman's assessment of strategic initiatives
|
|
To align overall Company performance directly with cash compensation
|
|
The target percentage of base earnings is determined based on job scope, market data, internal pay equity and other factors
Actual payouts based on achievement can range from 0% to 200%
|
|
Company performance resulted in a 97.3% payout
The Chairman's Assessment resulted in a 144.0% payout
Team and individual performance were paid based on team and individual performance
|
|
Performance Share Unit Awards (PSUs)
|
|
Equity Compensation
Number of shares paid based on original target adjusted by company achievement during the one-year performance period and released at the end of the three year cliff vesting period (assuming continued employment)
Value of PSUs is variable based on company performance and the long-term stock price performance
|
|
To encourage retention and focus management on long-term stock price performance
To align management's interest with shareholders' interests
To support our business strategy
|
|
Based on job scope, market data and individual performance
Actual payouts based on company achievement of the one-year performance goals can range from 50% to 200% of target
|
|
One half of the value of the total target equity award was granted in the form of PSUs
Based on Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (40%), Simple Free Cash Flow (40%) and Postpaid Handset Voluntary Defections (20%) for the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019
|
|
Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs)
|
|
Equity Compensation
Time-vested at end of three year cliff vesting period (assuming continued employment)
Value of RSUs is variable based on long-term stock price performance
|
|
To encourage retention and focus management on long-term stock price performance
To align management's interests with shareholders' interests
To support our business strategy
|
|
Based on job scope, market data and individual performance
|
|
One-half of the value of the total target equity award was granted in the form of RSUs
|
The above table excludes a discussion of executive compensation programs in relation to Douglas W. Chambers. He transferred to U. S. Cellular in June of 2019.
Compensation Provided to NEOs in 2019
Base Salary
Annually, the Chairman determines the President and CEO's base salary. With respect to the other NEOs, the President and CEO recommends and the Chairman approves annually each such NEO's other than Mr. Chambers base salary. In setting 2019 base salary levels, the Chairman and/or President and CEO considered market data, company performance and the individual performance of each NEO. In 2019, each of the NEOs received an annual base salary increase ranging from 3.2% - 4.5% (Mr. Chambers became employed by the Company effective June 24, 2019).
Base salary is determined based on an evaluation of the performance of U.S. Cellular and each NEO and such other facts and circumstances as the Chairman and/or the President and CEO may deem relevant. Some facts and circumstances that are considered in approving base salaries of the NEOs are as follows: U.S. Cellular's status as a public and controlled company, and the fact that U.S. Cellular is primarily a regional competitor and that some of its competitors are national or global telecommunications companies that are much larger than U.S. Cellular, possess greater resources, possess more extensive coverage areas and more spectrum within some coverage areas, and market other services with their communications services that U.S. Cellular does not offer. The base salary of each NEO is set at a level considered to be appropriate in the subjective judgement of the Chairman and/or the President and CEO based on assessment of the responsibilities and performance of such NEO, taking into account the facts and circumstances discussed above. No specific performance measures are determinative in the base salary compensation decisions for NEOs. Ultimately, it is the informed judgement of the Chairman based on the recommendation of the President and CEO that determines the other NEOs' base salaries based on the total mix of information rather than on any specific measures of performance.
NEO Base Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
% Increase
|
Kenneth R. Meyers (1)
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,051,000
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
Steven T. Campbell (2)
|
|
$
|
681,200
|
|
|
$
|
655,000
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
Douglas W. Chambers (3)
|
|
$
|
380,000
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Jay M. Ellison (2)
|
|
$
|
627,000
|
|
|
$
|
600,000
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
Michael S. Irizarry (2)
|
|
$
|
695,600
|
|
|
$
|
674,000
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
Deirdre C. Drake (2)
|
|
$
|
477,900
|
|
|
$
|
460,000
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Meyers' salary increase was effective on January 1, 2019.
|
|
|
(2)
|
The pay adjustments for Messrs. Campbell, Ellison and Irizarry and Ms. Drake were effective on March 1, 2019.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Mr. Chambers was appointed the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer role for U.S. Cellular effective June 24, 2019. Reflects annual base salary.
|
Annual Bonus
The Chairman and the President and CEO believe that annual bonus awards reinforce a pay-for-performance culture because the payment is based on U. S. Cellular's financial results along with the Chairman's assessment of strategic initiatives or team performance and individual performance. Annually, the Chairman and/or the President and CEO set the percentage of base earnings used to determine each NEOs target bonus, as well as performance goals for the U. S. Cellular.
The Chairman and the President and CEO believe that the target bonuses were competitive compared to the market data. The target percentage of base salary for each NEO's bonus in 2019 was:
NEO Bonus Targets
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
Percentage of Base Salary
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
80%
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
60%
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
50%
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
75%
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
55%
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
55%
|
The NEOs other than the President and the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer participated in the 2019 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan. Under that plan, the Chairman and the President and CEO set minimum, target and maximum annual company performance goals used to determine 60% of each NEO's 2019 annual bonus award. The goals were based on the following metrics: Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (35% weighting), Consolidated Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion (30% weighting), Consolidated Capital Expenditures (20% weighting), and Customer Engagement (15% weighting). The Chairman's Assessment on Strategic Initiatives (10% weighting) and Individual Performance (30% weighting) measures were used to calculate 40% of the final award. The Chairman and the President and CEO believe that these metrics focus executives on maximizing profitability and the customer experience. Under the annual incentive program, the actual annual incentive payouts based on the achievement of performance goals established for the year may range from 0% to 200%.
The following provides additional detail on the performance measures considered for the purposes of the 2019 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component
Weighting
|
|
Overall Plan
Weighting
|
|
Maximum
Percentage of
Target
|
Consolidated Total Operating Revenues
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Consolidated Capital Expenditures
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Customer Engagement
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Company Performance
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Chairman Assessment on Strategic Initiatives
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
200
|
%
|
Individual Performance
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
150
|
%
|
Total Overall Plan Weighting and Maximum Target Opportunity
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
200
|
%
|
The Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer participates in the 2019 Officer Annual Incentive Plan. Under that plan, the Chairman and the President and CEO set minimum, target and maximum annual company performance goals used to determine 40% of the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer's 2019 annual bonus award. The goals were based on the following metrics: Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (35% weighting), Consolidated Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion (30% weighting), Consolidated Capital Expenditures (20% weighting), and Customer Engagement (15% weighting). Team Performance (40% weighting) and Individual Performance (20% weighting) measures were used to calculate 60% of the final award. The Chairman and the President and CEO believe that these metrics focus officers on maximizing profitability and the customer experience. Under the annual incentive program, the actual annual incentive payouts based on the achievement of performance goals established for the year may range from 0% to 200%.
The following provides additional detail on the performance measures considered for the purposes of the 2019 Officer Annual Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component
Weighting
|
|
Overall Plan
Weighting
|
|
Maximum
Percentage of
Target
|
Consolidated Total Operating Revenues
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Consolidated Capital Expenditures
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Customer Engagement
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Company Performance
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
225
|
%
|
Team Performance
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
200
|
%
|
Individual Performance
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
150
|
%
|
Total Overall Plan Weighting and Maximum Target Opportunity
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
200
|
%
|
The performance goals, at the minimum, target and maximum payout levels, were intended to be challenging and require superior performance above target.
The President and CEO did not participate in either of these plans (2019 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan or 2019 Officer Annual Incentive Plan) with respect to 2019.
The Chairman and the President and CEO determined the actual payout that each NEO received under their respective incentive plan.
U.S. Cellular has separate guidelines for awarding bonuses to the President and CEO as described below.
The Chairman determined the bonus to the President and CEO for 2019 performance that was paid in 2020 as follows:
U.S. Cellular established guidelines and procedures for awarding bonuses to the President and CEO. These guidelines and procedures provide that the Chairman in his sole discretion determines whether an annual bonus will be payable to the President and CEO for a performance year and, if so, the amount of such bonus, and describe factors that may be considered by the Chairman in making such determination, including factors that the Chairman in the exercise of his judgment and discretion determines relevant. The guidelines and procedures provide that no single factor will be determinative and no factor will be applied mechanically to calculate any portion of the bonus of the President and CEO. The entire amount of the bonus is discretionary.
Mr. Meyers' informal target bonus was 80% of his base salary of $1,095,000. The Chairman approved a bonus to Mr. Meyers of $1,058,000 with respect to 2019 performance that was paid in March, 2020. This was approximately 120% of the informal target bonus amount reflecting U.S. Cellular's overall company performance of 97.3% and the Chairman's subjective views regarding Mr. Meyers' contributions to such performance and achievements in 2019.
Company Performance
For purposes of evaluating and determining compensation levels each year, U.S. Cellular calculates an overall percentage of performance based on measures set forth in its 2019 Executive Officer and Officer Annual Incentive Plans.
The below table shows the calculation of the overall quantitative company performance percentage for 2019 based on the 2019 Executive Officer and Officer Annual Incentive Plan. The below amounts are based on the performance metrics established specifically for bonus purposes and may not agree with U.S. Cellular's financial statements, which are based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), or with other publicly disclosed measures. As compared to GAAP, the below bonus results and targets may be adjusted for amounts relating to items such as acquisitions and divestitures and other non-operating or non-core items (the "Bonus Metric Amounts"). The below bonus results and targets are intended to reflect the core operating results over which U.S. Cellular officers have significant influence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)
|
|
(i)
|
Performance Measures
|
|
Final Bonus Results for 2019
|
|
Final Target for 2019
|
|
Bonus Results as a % of Target
|
|
Minimum Threshold Performance (as a % of Target)
|
|
Maximum Performance (as a % of Target)
|
|
Interpolated % of Target Bonus Earned (if within Minimum and Maximum Range)
|
|
Weight
|
|
Weighted Avg % of Target Bonus
|
Formula
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) / (c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g) x (h)
|
Consolidated Total Revenues(1)
|
|
$4,022 M
|
|
|
$4,238 M
|
|
|
94.9
|
%
|
|
90.0
|
%
|
|
110.0
|
%
|
|
74.4
|
%
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
26.1
|
%
|
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
|
$909 M
|
|
|
$878 M
|
|
|
103.5
|
%
|
|
80.0
|
%
|
|
120.0
|
%
|
|
121.9
|
%
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
36.6
|
%
|
Consolidated Capital Expenditures(3)
|
|
$710 M
|
|
|
$728 M
|
|
|
97.5
|
%
|
|
110.0
|
%
|
|
80.0
|
%
|
|
115.6
|
%
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
23.1
|
%
|
Customer Engagement(4)
|
|
4.11
|
|
|
4.18
|
|
|
98.3
|
%
|
|
95.0
|
%
|
|
110.0
|
%
|
|
76.7
|
%
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
Overall Company Performance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
97.3
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
|
This represents total revenues determined on a consolidated company-wide basis and in a manner consistent with U.S. Cellular's presentation of total revenues for external reporting purposes.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Consolidated Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion determined on a consolidated company-wide basis and in a manner consistent with U. S. Cellular's presentation of adjusted EBITDA for external reporting purposes, as adjusted to remove the effects of equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities, expenses associated with the annual bonus and performance share unit plans.
|
|
|
(3)
|
This represents capital expenditures determined on a consolidated company-wide basis and in a manner consistent with U.S. Cellular's presentation of capital expenditures for external reporting purposes, as this may be adjusted for spending efficiency/productivity and for the Bonus Metric Amounts. A lower number is better.
|
|
|
(4)
|
This represents the performance against the target as measured by the Loyalty Index Score from the annual Customer Engagement Total Experience Survey.
|
If a metric does not meet the minimum threshold performance level, generally no bonus will be paid with respect to such metric. If maximum performance or greater is achieved, 225% of the target opportunity for that metric will be funded. Resulting in the maximum aggregate bonus opportunity of 225% of target. As shown above, the minimum threshold was achieved with respect to all of the targets for 2019, but performance was less than maximum performance for all of the targets. As a result, the payout level was interpolated for such target as indicated above based on the formula included in the 2019 Executive Officer and Officer Annual Incentive Plan.
As shown above, the quantitative company performance percentage for U.S. Cellular for 2019 was determined to be 97.3%.
Chairman Assessment on Strategic Initiatives
The assessment of strategic initiatives as determined in the subjective judgment of the Chairman was 144.0%. In arriving at this determination, the Chairman considered the following accomplishments of U. S. Cellular during 2019:
•Exceeded financial targets for Adjusted EBITDA and Capital Expenditures
•Invested in network modernization and completed network readiness of initial 5G buildouts
•Successfully participated in mmWave spectrum auctions
•Secured favorable long-term roaming agreements
•Launched the new brand positioning with an integrated Choose Fair campaign
•Commercially launched new website, mobile application, eCommerce Suite and MyAccount website
|
|
•
|
Successfully managed key officer transitions without disruption to business operations, continued succession planning efforts and achieved strong Culture Survey associate engagement scores
|
Individual Performance Objectives and Accomplishments
In addition to U.S. Cellular performance, the Chairman, the President and CEO and members of the LTICC consider individual objectives and performance in determining executive compensation. The individual objectives considered by such persons in their evaluation of each of the NEOs other than the President and CEO are almost entirely team objectives of the management group. There was no minimum level of achievement of any of those objectives before salary or other compensation could be increased or provided. The assessment of the achievement of such objectives is not formulaic, objective or quantifiable. Instead, individual performance considerations are factors, among others, that are generally taken into account in the course of making subjective judgments in connection with compensation decisions.
Mr. Meyers was the principal executive officer of U. S. Cellular and supervised and guided all of the business and affairs of U. S. Cellular in 2019. As a result, Mr. Meyers is primarily responsible for the performance of U. S. Cellular. Each of the other executive officers was also considered to have made a significant contribution to the aforementioned performance achievements. The portion of the bonus for individual performance is based on an individual performance assessment approved by the Chairman in his subjective judgment which, in the case of NEOs other than the President and CEO, considers the recommendation of the President and CEO. This individual performance assessment for 2019 is used as a factor in determining the amount of the cash bonus for 2019 performance paid in 2020 and the value of equity awards granted in 2020.
The following shows certain considerations relating to compensation paid in 2019 to the NEOs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R.
Meyers
|
|
Steven T.
Campbell
|
|
Douglas W.
Chambers
|
|
Jay M.
Ellison
|
|
Michael S.
Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C.
Drake
|
Position at U.S. Cellular
|
Director and President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Director and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer—Engineering and Information Services
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
|
Responsibilities at U.S. Cellular for above position
|
Primary responsibility for operations and performance as CEO
|
|
Oversight for Chief Financial Officer function, and direct leadership for strategy, financial planning and analysis, supply chain and regulatory affairs.
|
|
Accounting and financial reporting, credit, intercarrier business, and collections, real estate, and treasury.
|
|
All matters related to sales, marketing and customer service
|
|
All information systems and technological operations including wireless towers, network build-outs, network operations and technological advancements
|
|
All matters related to human resources
|
Date or Year Appointed to Current Title
|
2013
|
|
2019
|
|
2019
|
|
2017
|
|
2011
|
|
2018
|
Year(s) Included as Named Executive Officer at U.S. Cellular (since table was implemented in 2007)
|
2007 and 2013 to present
|
|
2007 to present
|
|
2019
|
|
2007 to 2009 and 2013 to present
|
|
2007 to present
|
|
2014 to present
|
Period(s) Employed at U.S. Cellular
|
1987 to 2006
and 2013 to
present
|
|
2005 to present
|
|
2017 to 2018 and 2019 to present
|
|
2000 to 2009
and 2013 to
present
|
|
2002 to present
|
|
2014 to present
|
Agreements with Executive Officers
U.S. Cellular and Kenneth R. Meyers are parties to a letter agreement dated July 25, 2013 relating to his appointment as President and CEO effective June 22, 2013 (the "Meyers Letter Agreement"). In operative part, this included provisions relating to initial and annual equity awards and retiree medical/life insurance benefits and a related tax gross-up.
Effective May 1, 2018, U. S. Cellular entered into a retention agreement (Retention Agreement) with each of (i) Steven T. Campbell and (ii) Jay M. Ellison. Pursuant to the Retention Agreement, each executive will be eligible to receive a bonus for the year of his retirement that is no less than the executive's target bonus, pro-rated to reflect the period of the executive's employment during the bonus year, his company car and a three year post-retirement consulting arrangement with an annual consulting fee in the amount of $270,000 per year, subject to the conditions as set forth in the Retention Agreement.
Effective December 20, 2019, U. S. Cellular and Steven T. Campbell entered into an amendment to the Retention Agreement. Pursuant to the amendment, Mr. Campbell is no longer required to provide a one-year notice of intent to retire. Mr. Campbell need only retire on or after May 8, 2020 (or such later date as the Company's first quarter 2020 Form 10-Q is filed) and satisfactorily performed his job duties.
Effective January 7, 2020, U. S. Cellular and Jay M. Ellison entered into an amendment to the Retention Agreement. Pursuant to the amendment, Mr. Ellison is no longer required to provide a one-year advance notice of intent to retire. Mr. Ellison need only retire on or after January 1, 2021 and satisfactorily performed his job duties.
Effective May 22, 2018, U.S. Cellular entered into a letter agreement with Deirdre C. Drake, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, pursuant to which Ms. Drake is eligible to receive, among other things, an annual bonus program target of 55% of her annual base salary. Pursuant to the letter agreement, Ms. Drake received in 2018 a supplemental Restricted Stock Unit award and a Performance Share Unit award with the effect of treating Ms. Drake at the Executive Vice President level for 2018.
Effective June 24, 2019, U. S. Cellular entered into a letter agreement with Douglas W. Chambers in connection with his appointment as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Subject to the conditions set forth in the Letter Agreement, Mr. Chambers will be eligible to receive among other things, (i) an annual base salary of $380,000 per year; (ii) an annual bonus program target of 50% of his annual base salary; and (iii) an annual equity award target of 150% of his annual base salary.
On March 31, 2020, U.S. Cellular entered into a letter agreement with Michael S. Irizarry (“Irizarry Letter Agreement”) related to his employment as U.S. Cellular’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer - Engineering and Information Services. Pursuant to the compensation portions of the Irizarry Letter Agreement, Mr. Irizarry (i) will have his target bonus for 2020 increased to 65% of his annual base salary; and (ii) will receive a severance payment of one year’s annual base salary and a prorated target bonus for the number of months worked during the year of separation if he is involuntarily terminated without cause prior to July 1, 2023.
Annual Cash Compensation
Base Salary:
The following shows certain information relating to base salary in 2019 for Kenneth R. Meyers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
2018 Annual Base Salary per Summary Compensation Table for 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2018:
|
$
|
1,051,000
|
|
2019 Annual Base Salary per Summary Compensation Table for 1/1/2019 to 12/31/2019:
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
$ Increase in Annual Base Salary:
|
$
|
44,000
|
|
% Increase in Annual Base Salary:
|
4.2
|
%
|
Range per 2018 Willis Towers Watson survey (50th to 75th percentile):
|
$805,000 to $950,000
|
|
Effective January 1, 2019, Mr. Meyers' base salary was increased to $1,095,000 which is above the 75th percentile of the range. This was the level considered to be appropriate in the subjective judgment of the Chairman.
The following shows certain information relating to base salary in 2019 for the other NEOs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Base Salary level 3/1/18 - 2/28/19
|
$
|
655,000
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
600,000
|
|
|
$
|
674,000
|
|
|
$
|
460,000
|
|
Base Salary level 3/1/19 - 2/28/20
|
$
|
681,200
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
627,000
|
|
|
$
|
695,600
|
|
|
$
|
477,900
|
|
Base Salary level 6/24/19 - 2/28/20
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
380,000
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
2019 Base Salary per Summary Compensation Table
|
$
|
676,263
|
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
|
$
|
621,912
|
|
|
$
|
691,530
|
|
|
$
|
474,528
|
|
$ Increase in Base Salary on 3/1/2019
|
$
|
26,200
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
27,000
|
|
|
$
|
21,600
|
|
|
$
|
17,900
|
|
% Increase in Base Salary on 3/1/2019
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
The Chairman and the President and CEO review the base salary and bonus of the NEOs on an aggregate basis as described below.
Bonus: The following table sets forth the amounts paid to each NEO for the 2019 annual cash incentive awards (paid in 2020) (the below amounts may be rounded):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formula
|
|
Kenneth R.
Meyers
|
|
Steven T.
Campbell
|
|
Douglas W.
Chambers
|
|
Jay M.
Ellison
|
|
Michael S.
Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C.
Drake
|
a
|
|
2019 base salary earnings
|
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
$
|
676,263
|
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
|
$
|
621,912
|
|
|
$
|
691,530
|
|
|
$
|
474,528
|
|
b
|
|
Target bonus percentage
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
75
|
%
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
55
|
%
|
c
|
|
Target bonus
|
a x b
|
|
$
|
876,000
|
|
|
$
|
405,758
|
|
|
$
|
95,000
|
|
|
$
|
466,434
|
|
|
$
|
380,342
|
|
|
$
|
260,990
|
|
d
|
|
Percentage of 2019 target bonus based on company performance
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
60
|
%
|
e
|
|
Target bonus for company performance
|
c x d
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
243,455
|
|
|
$
|
38,000
|
|
|
$
|
279,860
|
|
|
$
|
228,205
|
|
|
$
|
156,594
|
|
f
|
|
Calculation of amount reported under "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column based on company performance in 2019
|
e x 97.3%
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
236,881
|
|
|
$
|
36,974
|
|
|
$
|
272,304
|
|
|
$
|
222,043
|
|
|
$
|
152,366
|
|
|
|
Calculation of amount reported under "Bonus" column:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
g
|
|
Portion of bonus based on assessment of strategic initiatives in 2019 (10% of target bonus opportunity), multiplied by percentage of achievement as determined by Chairman (144.0%)
|
c x 10% x 144.0%
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
58,429
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
67,166
|
|
|
$
|
54,769
|
|
|
$
|
37,583
|
|
|
Portion of bonus based on team assessment
|
c x 40% x 111.81%
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
42,488
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
h
|
|
Amount of discretionary bonus based on individual performance and rounding
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
174,689
|
|
|
$
|
21,838
|
|
|
$
|
186,529
|
|
|
$
|
166,687
|
|
|
$
|
110,051
|
|
i
|
|
Amount of bonus award to President and CEO
|
|
|
$
|
1,058,000
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
j
|
|
Subtotal of amount reported under "Bonus" column
|
g + h + i
|
|
$
|
1,058,000
|
|
|
$
|
233,119
|
|
|
$
|
64,326
|
|
|
$
|
253,696
|
|
|
$
|
221,457
|
|
|
$
|
147,634
|
|
k
|
|
Total bonus for 2019 performance paid in 2020 (sum of amount reported under "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column and amount reported under "Bonus" column)
|
f + j
|
|
$
|
1,058,000
|
|
|
$
|
470,000
|
|
|
$
|
101,300
|
|
|
$
|
526,000
|
|
|
$
|
443,500
|
|
|
$
|
300,000
|
|
The entire amount of the bonus paid to Mr. Meyers is included under the "Bonus" column in the Summary Compensation Table because the determination of the amount of the bonus to the President and CEO was not formulaic.
Total Cash Compensation: The following table shows information relating to total cash compensation in 2019.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers (1)
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Base Salary in 2019 (3/1/19 - 2/28/20)
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
681,200
|
|
|
$
|
380,000
|
|
|
$
|
627,000
|
|
|
$
|
695,600
|
|
|
$
|
477,900
|
|
Base Salary in 2019 (1/1/19 - 12/31/19)
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
2019 Bonus Paid in 2020
|
$
|
1,058,000
|
|
|
$
|
470,000
|
|
|
$
|
101,300
|
|
|
$
|
526,000
|
|
|
$
|
443,500
|
|
|
$
|
300,000
|
|
Total Cash Compensation in 2019
|
$
|
2,153,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,151,200
|
|
|
$
|
481,300
|
|
|
$
|
1,153,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,139,100
|
|
|
$
|
777,900
|
|
Total Target Cash Compensation per Willis Towers Watson Survey:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25th percentile
|
$
|
1,370,000
|
|
|
$
|
860,000
|
|
|
$
|
730,000
|
|
|
$
|
925,000
|
|
|
$
|
595,000
|
|
|
$
|
520,000
|
|
50th percentile
|
$
|
1,685,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,025,000
|
|
|
$
|
870,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,150,000
|
|
|
$
|
710,000
|
|
|
$
|
640,000
|
|
75th percentile
|
$
|
2,070,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,220,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,040,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,360,000
|
|
|
$
|
945,000
|
|
|
$
|
790,000
|
|
(1) The U. S. Cellular portion of Mr. Chambers bonus is reported.
The Chairman and the President and CEO review the base salary and bonus of the NEOs on an aggregate basis. The amount reported above as Base Salary represents the NEO's rate of annual base salary for the period reported rather than the amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table, which reflects actual base salary paid during 2019.
The total cash compensation of the above officers is believed to be within the appropriate range identified for this element based on an assessment of the responsibilities and performance of such officers and other relevant factors in the judgement of the Chairman and the President and CEO.
Long-Term Equity Compensation
The Chairman and the President and CEO, along with the LTICC, believe that equity awards both align management's interests with those of stockholders and reinforce a pay-for-performance culture.
Long-term compensation awards for NEOs are based, in part, on individual performance, with the intended goal of increasing long-term company performance and shareholder value. Performance share units (PSUs), restricted stock units (RSUs) and bonus match units generally vest over three years, to reflect the goal of relating long-term incentive compensation to increases in shareholder value over the same period.
The annual long-term compensation awards in 2019 were made under U.S. Cellular's 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2013 LTIP"). The target long-term incentive award value of each NEO's 2019 equity-based awards was comprised equally of PSUs (with the PSUs valued assuming achievement at the target performance level) and RSUs. These awards to the NEOs were granted on April 1, 2019.
2019 Target Long-Term Incentive Award
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
Target Value of 2019 Equity Award
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
$
|
6,500,000
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
$
|
1,532,700
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
N/A
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
$
|
1,630,200
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
$
|
1,565,100
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
$
|
1,075,275
|
|
Mr. Chambers was hired after the 2019 long term Incentive awards were granted and, accordingly, did not receive a 2019 long-term incentive award from U. S. Cellular.
Under the 2013 LTIP, U.S. Cellular is authorized to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock awards, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and employer match awards for deferred bonus.
The program now awards 50% of the target long-term incentive award in PSUs and 50% of the award in RSUs.
Based in part considering information from Willis Towers Watson, the formula for determining the number of units awarded to the NEOs other than the President and CEO was the NEO's March 1, 2019 base salary times the NEO's performance multiple for 2019, divided by the Company's closing share price on March 29, 2019 (i.e., the first business day preceding the April 1, 2019 grant date). The product of this formula was then split 50% in PSUs and 50% in RSUs. This result was rounded to the closest whole unit. The number of units awarded to the President and CEO is based on information as set forth in the table below.
Performance Share Units: In 2019, one-half of the total target long-term incentive award value granted to the NEOs was made in the form of PSUs. The PSUs will be settled in shares of U. S. Cellular's common stock based on Company achievement against Consolidated Total Operating Revenues (weighted 40%), Simple Free Cash Flow (weighted 40%) and Postpaid Handset Voluntary Defections (weighted 20%) goals during the cumulative performance period from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, with payout ranging from 50% - 200% of the target award based on performance. The performance adjustment was made in 2020 based on certification of the performance results by the LTICC. Shares subject to the award, as adjusted, will be paid following the April 1, 2022 vesting date, assuming the NEO remains employed with U. S. Cellular through that date.
Performance share unit performance for 2019
Below are the three performance share unit metrics along with the number of shares that would be issued to NEO award recipients in the aggregate under the PSUs granted in 2019 based on threshold, target, maximum and actual performance. On March 16, 2020, the performance was reviewed against the set metrics and the final determination of performance was certified by the LTICC. The certified aggregate performance attainment for 2019 was 95.3%. The number of shares subject to the 2019 PSUs is now fixed and the adjusted PSUs will vest on April 1, 2022, assuming continued employment by the award holders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Measure
|
|
Threshold (50% Payout)
|
|
Target (100% Payout)
|
|
Maximum (200% Payout)
|
|
Payout (as a % of Target)
|
|
Revised Award *
|
Simple Free Cash Flow
|
|
26,799
|
|
|
53,597
|
|
|
107,194
|
|
|
116.2
|
%
|
|
62,280
|
Consolidated Total Operating Revenues
|
|
26,799
|
|
|
53,597
|
|
|
107,194
|
|
|
83.0
|
%
|
|
44,487
|
Postpaid Handset Voluntary Defections
|
|
13,400
|
|
|
26,799
|
|
|
53,598
|
|
|
77.9
|
%
|
|
20,876
|
|
|
66,998
|
|
|
133,993
|
|
|
267,986
|
|
|
|
|
127,643
|
|
|
*
|
there may be a small variance due to rounding
|
The following summarizes the adjustment of the 2019 performance share unit awards granted to the following NEOs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer
|
|
Target Award Reported for 2019
|
|
Adjustment above/below Target
|
|
Total Award for 2019
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
70,791
|
|
|
(3,356
|
)
|
|
67,435
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
16,692
|
|
|
(791
|
)
|
|
15,901
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
17,754
|
|
|
(841
|
)
|
|
16,913
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
17,045
|
|
|
(807
|
)
|
|
16,238
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
11,711
|
|
|
(555
|
)
|
|
11,156
|
|
Total
|
|
133,993
|
|
|
(6,350
|
)
|
|
127,643
|
|
Restricted Stock Units: One-half of the total target long-term incentive award value was granted to the NEOs in 2019 in the form of RSUs. The RSUs will cliff vest at the end of the three year vesting period on April 1, 2022 assuming the NEO remains employed through that date.
The awards granted to Kenneth R. Meyers include different terms that were negotiated as part of the Meyers Letter Agreement.
The target values in the tables below are calculated by U.S. Cellular using the formulas described above considering information provided by Willis Towers Watson.
As a result of the foregoing formulas and individual performance factors, the following performance share units and restricted stock units were granted on April 1, 2019 to the persons below who were NEOs (the amounts may be rounded).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formula
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
a
|
|
March 1, 2019 Base Salary
|
|
|
|
$
|
681,200
|
|
|
$
|
627,000
|
|
|
$
|
695,600
|
|
|
$
|
477,900
|
|
b
|
|
Performance Multiple
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
c
|
|
Closing stock price on March 29, 2019
|
|
|
|
$
|
45.91
|
|
|
$
|
45.91
|
|
|
$
|
45.91
|
|
|
$
|
45.91
|
|
d
|
|
Long Term Incentive Target Value
|
|
a x b
|
|
$
|
1,532,700
|
|
|
$
|
1,630,200
|
|
|
$
|
1,565,100
|
|
|
$
|
1,075,275
|
|
e
|
|
PSU Target Value
|
|
d x 50%
|
|
$
|
766,350
|
|
|
$
|
815,100
|
|
|
$
|
782,550
|
|
|
$
|
537,638
|
|
f
|
|
PSUs Granted (rounded)
|
|
e / c
|
|
16,692
|
|
|
17,754
|
|
|
17,045
|
|
|
11,711
|
|
g
|
|
RSU Target Value
|
|
d x 50%
|
|
$
|
766,350
|
|
|
$
|
815,100
|
|
|
$
|
782,550
|
|
|
$
|
537,638
|
|
h
|
|
RSUs Granted (rounded)
|
|
g / c
|
|
16,692
|
|
|
17,754
|
|
|
17,045
|
|
|
11,711
|
|
Mr. Chambers was hired after the 2019 LTI awards were granted, so he did not receive a 2019 LTI award from U. S. Cellular. Mr. Chambers will be eligible for LTI awards from U. S. Cellular in 2020.
The approach for granting long-term incentive awards to Kenneth R. Meyers differed from the above approach for the other NEOs. The following performance share unit and restricted stock unit awards were granted to Mr. Meyers on April 1, 2019 using the formula outlined below (the amounts may be rounded):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formula
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
a
|
Long Term Incentive Target Value based on information from Willis Towers Watson
|
|
|
$
|
5,307,550
|
|
b
|
Total Award Adjustment - $1,051,000 x 5.98 rounded up
|
|
|
$
|
6,500,000
|
|
c
|
Closing stock price on March 29, 2019
|
|
|
$
|
45.91
|
|
d
|
PSU Target Value
|
b x 50%
|
|
$
|
3,250,000
|
|
e
|
PSUs Granted (rounded)
|
d / c
|
|
70,791
|
|
f
|
RSU Target Value
|
b x 50%
|
|
$
|
3,250,000
|
|
g
|
RSUs Granted (rounded)
|
f / c
|
|
70,791
|
|
If a recipient of an award under the 2013 LTIP enters into competition with, or misappropriates confidential information of, U.S. Cellular or any affiliate thereof, including TDS and its affiliates, or the recipient's employment with U.S. Cellular or any affiliate thereof is terminated on account of the NEO's negligence or willful misconduct, then such award shall terminate and be forfeited. In addition, the 2013 LTIP provides that the LTICC may impose other conditions on an award, and pursuant thereto, certain awards under the plan have been granted subject to forfeiture in the event of the NEO's violation of non-solicitation and non-disparagement agreements.
The 2013 LTIP and related award agreements provide various rights upon resignation, retirement, special retirement, disability, death, or other termination or separation from service, and upon a change in control. These details are summarized in the Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
Analysis of Compensation
The following table identifies the percentage of each element of total compensation of each of the NEOs, based on the Summary Compensation Table for 2019:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Salary
|
12.4
|
%
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
|
21.6
|
%
|
|
24.6
|
%
|
|
24.5
|
%
|
Bonus
|
12.0
|
%
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
Stock Awards
|
74.3
|
%
|
|
55.5
|
%
|
|
57.1
|
%
|
|
56.3
|
%
|
|
56.0
|
%
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
8.5
|
%
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
Other
|
1.3
|
%
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
3.1
|
%
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
As indicated in the Summary Compensation Table, Mr. Meyers' total compensation for 2019 was $8,843,995 and the total compensation for 2019 of the other NEOs ranged from a high of $2,885,620 to a low of $1,940,538. Accordingly, Mr. Meyers' total compensation for 2019 is approximately 3.0 times the total compensation of the next highest compensated NEO with respect to 2019.
U.S. Cellular recognizes that it needs to, and believes that it should, compensate the President and CEO at a level that considers the compensation of presidents and chief executive officers of similar companies. U.S. Cellular believes that this is necessary to attract and retain a highly qualified person to serve as President and CEO and to compete successfully against other companies. U.S. Cellular also recognizes that it needs to, and believes that it should, compensate the other NEOs at levels that reflect the compensation of similarly situated positions at similar companies in order to attract and retain high quality persons for such positions at U.S. Cellular.
CEO Pay Ratio
The Chairman and the LTICC reviewed a comparison of our President and CEO's annual total compensation in fiscal year 2019 to that of all other U. S. Cellular employees for the same period.
Our calculation includes all active employees as of December 31, 2019.
We determined the compensation of our median employee (the "Median Employee") by: calculating the annual salary/wages for each of our active employees as of December 31, 2019; ranking the annual salaries/wages of all employees except for the President and CEO from lowest to highest; and then identifying the median employee.
The annual total compensation for fiscal year 2019 for our President and CEO was $8,843,995 and for the Median Employee was $55,425. The resulting ratio of our CEO's pay to the pay of our Median Employee for fiscal year 2019 is 159.6 to 1.
Other Benefit Plans Available to NEOs
The Chairman believes that U.S. Cellular's maintenance of the below-described plans is consistent with competitive pay practices and is an important element in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market.
The NEOs participate in certain benefit plans, as described below.
Deferred Salary and Bonus:
The NEOs are permitted to defer salary and/or bonus into an interest-bearing arrangement under a deferred compensation plan. Pursuant to the plan, the NEO's deferred compensation account is credited with interest compounded monthly, computed at a rate equal to one-twelfth of the sum of the average twenty-year Treasury Bond rate plus 1.25 percentage points until the deferred compensation amount is paid to such person. The portion of any interest that exceeds the applicable federal long-term rate "AFR" (currently specified as 120%) will be considered above market in accordance with SEC rules. The deferred compensation account of a NEO is paid at the time and in the form provided in the plan, which permits certain distribution elections by the officer.
The NEO is always 100% vested in, and entitled to receipt upon termination, of all salary and bonus amounts that have been deferred and any interest credited to his or her account. Such amounts are reported in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table and, because there would not be any increased benefit or accelerated vesting in the event of termination or change in control, are not included in the below Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
Deferred Bonus under the Long-Term Incentive Plan:
In addition to being permitted to defer some or all of their bonuses into an interest-bearing arrangement as described immediately above, the NEOs are permitted to defer some or all of their bonuses pursuant to deferred bonus compensation agreements under the 2013 LTIP (and previously under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2005 LTIP")). Deferred bonus under the long-term incentive plan will be deemed invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share Units. The NEOs receive a distribution of the deferred bonus account at the time and in the form provided in the plan, which permits certain distribution elections by the NEO.
Pursuant to the 2013 LTIP, each officer may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her annual bonus. U.S. Cellular will allocate a stock unit match award to the employee's deferred compensation account in an amount equal to the sum of (i) 25% of the deferred bonus amount which is not in excess of one-half of the employee's gross bonus for the year and (ii) 331/3% of the deferred bonus amount which is in excess of one-half of the employee's gross bonus for the year. The stock unit match awards will be deemed invested in U.S. Cellular Common Share Units and will vest ratably at a rate of one-third per year over three years. The match becomes fully vested upon the executive's separation due to retirement or death or if the executive suffers permanent disability prior to his or her separation.
SERP
Each of the NEOs participates in a supplemental executive retirement plan, or SERP, which is a non-qualified defined contribution plan. The SERP is not intended to provide substantial benefits other than to replace the benefits which cannot be provided under the TDS Pension Plan as a result of tax law limitations on the amount and types of annual employee compensation which can be taken into account under a tax qualified pension plan. The SERP is unfunded. Participants are credited with interest on balances of the SERP.
A participant is entitled to distribution of his or her entire account balance under the SERP if the participant has a separation from service without cause, after either (a) his or her attainment of age 65; or (b) his or her completion of at least ten years of service. If a participant has a separation from service under circumstances other than those set forth in the preceding sentence, without cause, the participant will be entitled to distribution of 10% of his or her account balance for each year of service up to ten years. Upon a separation from service under circumstances that permit payments under the SERP, the participant will be paid his or her vested account balance in one of the following forms as elected by the participant prior to the first day of the plan year in which the participant commences participation in the SERP: (a) a single lump sum or (b) annual installments over a period of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 years. The SERP does not include any provision that would increase benefits or accelerate amounts upon any termination or change in control and, accordingly, no amount attributable to the SERP is included in the Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control. Each NEO's SERP balance as of December 31, 2019 is set forth in the "Nonqualified Deferred Compensation" table below.
Perquisites
U.S. Cellular does not provide significant perquisites to its NEOs. U.S. Cellular has no formal plan, policy or procedure pursuant to which NEOs are entitled to any perquisites following termination or change in control. However, from time to time, U.S. Cellular may enter into employment, retirement, severance or similar agreements that may provide for perquisites.
Tax-Deferred Savings Plan - 401(k) plan
TDS sponsors the Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan. This plan is available to employees of TDS and its subsidiaries which have adopted the plan, including U.S. Cellular. Employees contribute amounts from their compensation and U.S. Cellular makes matching contributions in part. U.S. Cellular makes matching contributions to the plan in cash equal to 100% of an employee's contributions up to the first 3% of such employee's compensation, and 40% of an employee's contributions up to the next 2% of such employee's compensation. Matching contributions under the Tax-Deferred Savings Plan are subject to a two year graduated vesting schedule (34% vesting at one year of service and 100% vesting at two years of service). Employees have the option of investing their contributions and U.S. Cellular's contributions in a TDS Common Share fund, a U.S. Cellular Common Share fund and certain unaffiliated funds. Contributions into the company common stock funds are limited to no more than 20%, combined.
This plan does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and is available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination (other than a termination by reason of death, total and permanent disability or after an employee attains age 65) or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
Pension Plan
TDS sponsors a tax-qualified noncontributory defined contribution Pension Plan for the eligible employees of TDS and its participating subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. Under this plan, pension costs are calculated separately for each participant based on the applicable pension formula and are funded annually by TDS and its participating subsidiaries.
This plan does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation in favor of executive officers and is available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination (other than a termination by reason of death, total and permanent disability or after an employee attains age 65) or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
Benefits under the TDS Pension Plan are subject to a five year graduated vesting schedule (20% vesting at two years of service, 40% vesting at three years of service, 60% vesting at four years of service and 100% vesting at five years of service).
Health and Welfare Benefits
TDS also provides customary health and welfare and similar plans for the benefit of employees of TDS and its subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. These group life, health, disability, medical reimbursement and/or similar plans do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of executive officers and are available generally to all employees, and benefits are not enhanced upon any termination or change in control. Accordingly, no amounts are reported in the below Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
Impact of Accounting and Tax Treatments of Particular Forms of Compensation
The Chairman and the LTICC consider the accounting and tax treatments of particular forms of compensation. Accounting treatments do not significantly impact the determinations of the appropriate compensation for U.S. Cellular executive officers. The Chairman and the LTICC consider the accounting treatments primarily to be informed and to confirm that U. S. Cellular personnel understand and recognize the appropriate accounting that will be required with respect to compensation.
U.S. Cellular places more significance on the tax treatments of particular forms of compensation, because these may involve actual cash expense to U. S. Cellular or the executive.
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides a $1 million annual limit on the amount that a publicly held corporation is allowed to deduct as compensation paid to each of the corporation's principal executive officer, principal financial officer and certain other current or former executive officers of the corporation. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m) (with an exception for certain compensation paid under written binding contracts in effect on November 2, 2017 that are not materially modified). As a result, unless subject to the exception, compensation paid to U.S. Cellular's covered executive officers in excess of $1 million per year generally will not be deductible, even if it is performance-based. U.S. Cellular believes that it is important to preserve flexibility in administering compensation programs in a manner designed to promote corporate goals. Accordingly, although U.S. Cellular considers the deductibility of particular forms of compensation, U.S. Cellular expects to approve elements of compensation that U. S. Cellular believes are consistent with the objectives of our executive compensation program, even though annual compensation in excess of $1 million per covered executive officer generally will not be deductible.
U.S. Cellular generally does not have any arrangements with its executive officers pursuant to which it has agreed to "gross-up" payments due to taxes or to otherwise reimburse officers for the payment of taxes, except with respect to certain reimbursements related to Mr. Meyers' retiree medical benefits as discussed below and certain perquisites.
Policy on Stock Ownership by Executive Officers
U.S. Cellular does not have a formal policy relating to stock ownership by executive officers.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging
TDS' Policy Regarding Insider Trading and Confidentiality, which is applicable to U.S. Cellular's board of directors, officers and certain employees identified by the Chief Financial Officer, provides that persons subject to the earnings blackout policy may not, under any circumstances, trade options for, pledge, or sell "short," any securities of TDS or U.S. Cellular.
Compensation Committee Report
The Chairman, the President and CEO and the members of the U.S. Cellular board of directors oversee U.S. Cellular's compensation programs. In fulfilling their oversight responsibilities, the persons whose names are listed below reviewed and discussed with management the CD&A set forth above in this Proxy Statement.
In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the persons whose names are listed below recommended to the board of directors that the CD&A be included in U.S. Cellular's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Proxy Statement related to the 2020 Annual Meeting.
The CD&A report is submitted by LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., who functions as the compensation committee, except with respect to long-term equity-based compensation and by the members of the LTICC, which has responsibility with respect to long-term equity-based compensation.
Because U.S. Cellular does not have a formal independent compensation committee except with respect to long-term equity-based compensation, the above CD&A is submitted by each member of the board of directors: LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. (Chairman), Steven T. Campbell, Walter C. D. Carlson, J. Samuel Crowley, Ronald E. Daly, Harry J. Harczak, Jr., Gregory P. Josefowicz, Kenneth R. Meyers, Peter L. Sereda, Cecelia D. Stewart and Kurt B. Thaus.
Compensation Risks
U.S. Cellular does not believe that risks arising from U.S. Cellular's compensation policies and practices for its employees, including executive and non-executive officers, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on U.S. Cellular. Representatives of U.S. Cellular conduct an annual assessment of the risks associated with the compensation policies and practices used to compensate the Company's NEOs. In 2019, these representatives reviewed the elements of executive compensation to determine whether any portion of executive compensation encouraged excessive risk taking and concluded that they do not.
As described throughout our CD&A, compensation decisions are made using a combination of objective and subjective considerations designed to mitigate excessive risk taking by executives.
Similar to compensation of NEOs, non-executive officers and director-level employees are compensated using a mix of short and long-term compensation. Each such employee receives a substantial portion of compensation in the form of a fixed salary, which does not encourage any risk taking, and may receive a portion of compensation as long-term incentive compensation, which discourages short-term risk taking.
Compensation Tables
Summary of Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation paid by U.S. Cellular to the NEOs for 2019, 2018 and 2017. The compensation actually realized by a NEO may be more or less than the amount reported in the below Summary Compensation Table depending on the performance of the U.S. Cellular stock price and other factors.
2019 Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
|
Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
|
|
All Other Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers (1)
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,058,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,573,652
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
29,230
|
|
|
$
|
88,113
|
|
|
$
|
8,843,995
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
1,051,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,280,400
|
|
|
$
|
6,156,728
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
24,448
|
|
|
$
|
87,560
|
|
|
$
|
8,600,136
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
996,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,066,100
|
|
|
$
|
5,641,045
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
28,490
|
|
|
$
|
80,722
|
|
|
$
|
7,812,357
|
|
Steven T. Campbell (4) (5)
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
676,263
|
|
|
$
|
233,119
|
|
|
$
|
1,550,019
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
236,881
|
|
|
$
|
3,087
|
|
|
$
|
93,183
|
|
|
$
|
2,792,552
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
650,400
|
|
|
$
|
234,130
|
|
|
$
|
1,423,896
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
337,870
|
|
|
$
|
2,450
|
|
|
$
|
91,780
|
|
|
$
|
2,740,526
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
626,333
|
|
|
$
|
215,192
|
|
|
$
|
1,401,926
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
264,808
|
|
|
$
|
4,566
|
|
|
$
|
82,471
|
|
|
$
|
2,595,297
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers (2) (3)
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
|
$
|
64,326
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
36,974
|
|
|
$
|
126
|
|
|
$
|
48,542
|
|
|
$
|
339,968
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay M. Ellison (6)
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
621,912
|
|
|
$
|
253,696
|
|
|
$
|
1,648,636
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
272,304
|
|
|
$
|
1,286
|
|
|
$
|
87,786
|
|
|
$
|
2,885,620
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
594,500
|
|
|
$
|
263,961
|
|
|
$
|
1,507,225
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
386,039
|
|
|
$
|
878
|
|
|
$
|
88,105
|
|
|
$
|
2,840,709
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
566,833
|
|
|
$
|
237,128
|
|
|
$
|
1,465,724
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
299,572
|
|
|
$
|
1,306
|
|
|
$
|
82,788
|
|
|
$
|
2,653,352
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
691,530
|
|
|
$
|
221,457
|
|
|
$
|
1,582,799
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
222,043
|
|
|
$
|
4,254
|
|
|
$
|
90,874
|
|
|
$
|
2,812,957
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer - Engineering and Information Services
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
669,400
|
|
|
$
|
213,238
|
|
|
$
|
1,465,211
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
318,762
|
|
|
$
|
3,469
|
|
|
$
|
88,685
|
|
|
$
|
2,758,766
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
645,333
|
|
|
$
|
201,092
|
|
|
$
|
1,444,236
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
250,108
|
|
|
$
|
6,677
|
|
|
$
|
81,616
|
|
|
$
|
2,629,062
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
474,528
|
|
|
$
|
147,634
|
|
|
$
|
1,087,483
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
152,366
|
|
|
$
|
505
|
|
|
$
|
78,022
|
|
|
$
|
1,940,538
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
449,000
|
|
|
$
|
146,191
|
|
|
$
|
921,404
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
213,809
|
|
|
$
|
289
|
|
|
$
|
58,687
|
|
|
$
|
1,789,380
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
419,500
|
|
|
$
|
118,201
|
|
|
$
|
667,808
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
147,799
|
|
|
$
|
286
|
|
|
$
|
48,041
|
|
|
$
|
1,401,635
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
In accordance with FASB ASC 718, this represents the aggregate grant date fair value. Assumptions made in the valuation of stock awards in this column are described in U.S. Cellular's financial statements included in the accompanying Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019.
|
The table below provides both the grant date fair value at target, and also at maximum, for the 2019 performance share unit awards using the April 1, 2019 grant date closing price of $46.43:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Grant Date Value (100%)
|
$
|
3,286,826
|
|
|
$
|
775,010
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
824,318
|
|
|
$
|
791,399
|
|
|
$
|
543,742
|
|
Maximum Value (200%)
|
$
|
6,573,652
|
|
|
$
|
1,550,020
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,648,636
|
|
|
$
|
1,582,798
|
|
|
$
|
1,087,484
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Represents the portion of the bonus that represents non-equity incentive plan compensation.
|
|
|
(c)
|
Includes the portion of interest that exceeded the amount calculated utilizing the AFR at the time the interest rate was set. Each of the NEOs currently participates in a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). In addition, column (d) includes interest on any deferred salary or bonus that exceeded that calculated utilizing the AFR, as indicated in the below table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Excess Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP
|
$
|
6,892
|
|
|
$
|
3,087
|
|
|
$
|
126
|
|
|
$
|
1,286
|
|
|
$
|
4,254
|
|
|
$
|
505
|
|
Deferred Salary or Bonus
|
$
|
13,070
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Total Excess Earnings from U. S. Cellular
|
$
|
19,962
|
|
|
$
|
3,087
|
|
|
$
|
126
|
|
|
$
|
1,286
|
|
|
$
|
4,254
|
|
|
$
|
505
|
|
Excess Earnings from Salary and Bonus previously deferred as officer of TDS
|
$
|
9,267
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Total Excess Earnings
|
$
|
29,230
|
|
|
$
|
3,087
|
|
|
$
|
126
|
|
|
$
|
1,286
|
|
|
$
|
4,254
|
|
|
$
|
505
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is $10,000 or more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate automobile allowance and other personal travel and related expenses
|
$
|
10,289
|
|
|
$
|
13,113
|
|
|
$
|
3,156
|
|
|
$
|
11,778
|
|
|
$
|
13,498
|
|
|
$
|
12,936
|
|
Other (Club Dues and Health and Fitness Reimbursements)
|
3,000
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
Other (Temporary living expenses paid)
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
21,600
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Tax gross up
|
8,183
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
|
1,485
|
|
|
9,368
|
|
|
10,736
|
|
|
5,361
|
|
Total Perquisites if $10,000 or more
|
21,473
|
|
|
26,543
|
|
|
26,241
|
|
|
21,146
|
|
|
24,234
|
|
|
21,297
|
|
Contributions to Benefit Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TDSP
|
$
|
10,640
|
|
|
$
|
10,640
|
|
|
$
|
5,533
|
|
|
$
|
10,640
|
|
|
$
|
10,640
|
|
|
$
|
10,640
|
|
TDS Pension Plan
|
12,813
|
|
|
12,813
|
|
|
6,663
|
|
|
12,813
|
|
|
12,813
|
|
|
12,813
|
|
SERP
|
43,187
|
|
|
43,187
|
|
|
10,105
|
|
|
43,187
|
|
|
43,187
|
|
|
33,272
|
|
Total, including perquisites if $10,000 or more
|
$
|
88,113
|
|
|
$
|
93,183
|
|
|
$
|
48,542
|
|
|
$
|
87,786
|
|
|
$
|
90,874
|
|
|
$
|
78,022
|
|
Column (e) includes the following in 2019: (1) the total of any perquisites and personal benefits that equal or exceed $10,000, summarized by type or any perquisite or personal benefit that exceeds the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of these benefits for each NEO and (2) contributions by U.S. Cellular for the benefit of the NEO under (a) the TDSP, (b) the TDS Pension Plan, and (c) the SERP.
The contributions to the perquisites related to auto, TDSP, Pension Plan and SERP with respect to Mr. Chambers are allocated between TDS and U.S. Cellular in proportion to the days that he was employed by each company in 2019. The table represents only his U. S. Cellular proportion.
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
Kenneth R. Meyers is included as U.S. Cellular's principal executive officer.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Effective June 24, 2019, Douglas W. Chambers became U. S. Cellular's principal financial officer. U. S. Cellular entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Chambers in connection with his appointment as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to which Mr. Chambers is eligible to receive, among other things (i) an annual base salary of $380,000, as adjusted from time
|
to time and; (ii) a 2019 annual bonus target of 50% of his annual base earnings paid during the bonus period.
|
|
(3)
|
The U. S. Cellular portion of Doug Chambers' bonus was reported in the above Summary Compensation table. U. S. Cellular also paid his TDS bonus in the amount of $90,500.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Prior to his role change to Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer effective June 24, 2019, Steven T. Campbell was U.S. Cellular's principal financial officer.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Effective December 20, 2019, U. S. Cellular entered into an amended retention agreement (Amended Retention Agreement) with Steven T. Campbell, Executive Vice President, and Chief Administrative Officer. Pursuant to the Amended Retention Agreement, Mr. Campbell is no longer required to provide a one-year notice of intent to retire, provided that the Executive retires on or after May 8, 2020 (or such later date as the Company's first quarter 10-Q is filed).
|
|
|
(6)
|
Effective January 7, 2020, U. S. Cellular entered into an amended retention agreement (Amended Retention Agreement) with Jay M. Ellison, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Pursuant to the Amended Retention Agreement, Mr. Ellison is no longer required to provide a one-year notice of intent to retire, provided that the Executive satisfactorily performed his job duties and retires on or after January 1, 2021.
|
Information Regarding Plan-Based Awards
The following table shows, as to the NEOs, certain information regarding plan-based awards in 2019.
2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
|
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
|
Name
|
Grant Date
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards in Common Shares (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,791
|
|
$
|
3,286,826
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,396
|
|
70,791
|
|
141,582
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,286,826
|
|
Total Grant Date Value of All Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,573,652
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
|
N/A
|
|
$
|
18,259
|
|
|
$
|
243,455
|
|
|
$
|
547,773
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards in Common Shares (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,692
|
|
$
|
775,010
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,346
|
|
16,692
|
|
33,384
|
|
|
|
$
|
775,010
|
|
Total Grant Date Value of All Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,550,020
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
|
N/A
|
|
$
|
20,990
|
|
|
$
|
279,860
|
|
|
$
|
629,686
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards in Common Shares (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,754
|
|
$
|
824,318
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
17,754
|
|
35,508
|
|
|
|
$
|
824,318
|
|
Total Grant Date Value of All Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,648,636
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
|
N/A
|
|
$
|
17,115
|
|
|
$
|
228,205
|
|
|
$
|
513,461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards in Common Shares (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,045
|
|
$
|
791,399
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,523
|
|
17,045
|
|
34,090
|
|
|
|
$
|
791,399
|
|
Total Grant Date Value of All Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,582,798
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
|
N/A
|
|
$
|
11,745
|
|
|
$
|
156,594
|
|
|
$
|
352,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards in Common Shares (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,711
|
|
$
|
543,742
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
4/1/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,856
|
|
11,711
|
|
23,422
|
|
|
|
$
|
543,742
|
|
Total Grant Date Value of All Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,087,484
|
|
Mr. Chambers is not included in this table, because he did not receive plan based awards in 2019 from U. S. Cellular.
Explanation of Columns:
|
|
(a) - (c)
|
The amounts shown reflect the number of U.S. Cellular Common Shares that may be earned by each officer. The actual number to be delivered will be determined by the performance of U.S. Cellular during the performance period.
|
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
Pursuant to the U.S. Cellular 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, on April 1, 2019, such executive officer was granted restricted stock units and performance share units.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Represents amounts payable under the U. S. Cellular 2019 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan.
|
Information Regarding Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End
The following table shows NEO outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end.
2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
Name
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options: (#) Exercisable
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options: (#) Unexercisable
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (1)
|
68,766
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
45.87
|
|
|
4/1/2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Options (2)
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
39.71
|
|
|
7/31/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,791
|
|
|
$
|
2,564,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,420
|
|
|
$
|
2,841,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,543
|
|
|
$
|
2,736,923
|
|
|
|
|
|
USM Bonus Match Units not vested (4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
556
|
|
|
$
|
20,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,435
|
|
|
$
|
2,443,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,818
|
|
|
$
|
4,413,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,013
|
|
|
$
|
3,514,781
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
193,766
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
511,576
|
|
|
$
|
18,534,412
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,692
|
|
|
$
|
604,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,335
|
|
|
$
|
664,277
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,986
|
|
|
$
|
687,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,901
|
|
|
$
|
576,093
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,481
|
|
|
$
|
1,031,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,383
|
|
|
$
|
883,396
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,778
|
|
|
$
|
4,448,247
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,739
|
|
|
$
|
99,234
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,256
|
|
|
$
|
154,195
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,995
|
|
|
$
|
253,429
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (1)
|
18,996
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
45.87
|
|
|
4/1/2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,754
|
|
|
$
|
643,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,408
|
|
|
$
|
703,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,850
|
|
|
$
|
719,166
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,913
|
|
|
$
|
612,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,148
|
|
|
$
|
1,092,262
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,491
|
|
|
$
|
923,539
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
18,996
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129,564
|
|
|
$
|
4,694,104
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
Name
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options: (#) Exercisable
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options: (#) Unexercisable
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (1)
|
18,683
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
45.87
|
|
|
4/1/2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,045
|
|
|
$
|
617,540
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,867
|
|
|
$
|
683,551
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,559
|
|
|
$
|
708,623
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,238
|
|
|
$
|
588,303
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,308
|
|
|
$
|
1,061,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,118
|
|
|
$
|
910,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
18,683
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
126,135
|
|
|
$
|
4,569,871
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Unit Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,711
|
|
|
$
|
424,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,018
|
|
|
$
|
435,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 RSUs (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,044
|
|
|
$
|
327,664
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Share Units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,156
|
|
|
$
|
404,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,669
|
|
|
$
|
676,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 PSUs (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,615
|
|
|
$
|
420,811
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,213
|
|
|
$
|
2,688,737
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
The 2016 Options were granted on April 1, 2016 and became exercisable in annual increments of one-third on April 1 of each year beginning in 2017 and ending in 2019.
|
|
|
(2)
|
The 2013 Meyers Options were granted on July 31, 2013 and became exercisable on June 22, 2019.
|
|
|
(3)
|
The restricted stock units were granted on April 1, 2019, April 2, 2018 and April 3, 2017 and become vested on April 1, 2022, April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, respectively.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Represents deferred compensation stock match units awarded to such NEO with respect to deferred bonus compensation. Represents the number of USM Common Shares underlying deferred compensation stock match units that have not vested. Generally, one-third of the deferred compensation stock match units become vested on each of the first three anniversaries of the last day of the year for which the applicable bonus is payable, provided that such officer is an employee of U.S. Cellular or an affiliate on such date. Upon separation from the Company, the company match is fully vested for employees who are Retirement Eligible under the TDS Pension Plan. Mr. Meyers qualifies as Retirement Eligible under the TDS Pension Plan.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Represents performance share units that have been adjusted for performance and are now time based. The performance share units were granted on April 1, 2019, April 2, 2018 and April 3, 2017 and become vested on April 1, 2022, April 2, 2021 and April 3, 2020, respectively.
|
Information Regarding 2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table shows NEO information regarding option exercises and stock vested in 2019.
2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
|
|
Value Realized Upon Exercise
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
|
|
Value Realized on Vesting
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Exercises (Date of Exercise):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (1/24/19)
|
|
137,534
|
|
|
$
|
1,814,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards Vested (Date of Vesting):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Restricted Stock Units (6/22/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,174,850
|
|
2016 Restricted Stock Units (4/1/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,609
|
|
|
$
|
2,628,356
|
|
USM Bonus Match Units (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,134
|
|
|
$
|
41,092
|
|
Total
|
|
137,534
|
|
|
$
|
1,814,073
|
|
|
102,743
|
|
|
$
|
4,844,298
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Exercises (Date of Exercise):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (5/3/19)
|
|
54,350
|
|
|
$
|
248,923
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011 Options (5/3/19)
|
|
30,196
|
|
|
$
|
176,949
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards Vested (Date of Vesting):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Restricted Stock Units (4/1/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,400
|
|
|
$
|
900,742
|
|
Total
|
|
84,546
|
|
|
$
|
425,872
|
|
|
19,400
|
|
|
$
|
900,742
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards Vested (Date of Vesting):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Restricted Stock Units (4/1/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,316
|
|
|
$
|
943,272
|
|
Total
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
20,316
|
|
|
$
|
943,272
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards Vested (Date of Vesting):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Restricted Stock Units (4/1/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,006
|
|
|
$
|
928,879
|
|
Total
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
20,006
|
|
|
$
|
928,879
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Exercises (Date of Exercise):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Options (5/3/19)
|
|
8,625
|
|
|
$
|
39,503
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards Vested (Date of Vesting):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 Restricted Stock Units (4/1/19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,235
|
|
|
$
|
428,781
|
|
Total
|
|
8,625
|
|
|
$
|
39,503
|
|
|
9,235
|
|
|
$
|
428,781
|
|
____________________________
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
Includes deferred compensation stock match units that became vested during 2019. Pursuant to U.S. Cellular's LTIP the deferred compensation stock match units generally vest one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the last day of the year for which the applicable bonus is payable. Upon separation from the Company, the company match is fully vested for employees who are retirement eligible under the TDS pension plan. Mr. Meyers qualifies as retirement eligible under the TDS Pension Plan.
|
From time to time, U.S. Cellular authorizes its executive officers to enter into plans under Section 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These plans may include specific instructions for the broker to exercise stock options and/or sell stock on behalf of the executive based on a pre-determined schedule or formula. The purpose of such plans is to enable executive officers to recognize the value of their compensation and sell their holdings of U.S. Cellular common stock during periods in which the officer would otherwise be unable to buy or sell such stock because important information about U.S. Cellular has not been publicly released.
Information Regarding 2019 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The following table shows NEO information regarding nonqualified deferred compensation for the year ended December 31, 2019.
2019 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Executive Contributions in Last FY
|
|
Registrant Contributions in Last FY
|
|
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY
|
|
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions
|
|
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
48,525
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,137,756
|
|
U.S. Cellular Salary and Bonus Deferral Interest Account (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Salary (3)
|
|
$
|
163,249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Bonus (3)
|
|
$
|
640,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
81,206
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,475,706
|
|
Bonus Deferral and Company Match into USM Deferred Compensation Stock Units (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in Value in 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(482,782
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Balance at Year End:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,113 vested USM Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,090,994
|
|
556 unvested USM Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
20,144
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
803,449
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
$
|
(353,051
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,724,600
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,738
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
533,520
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
$
|
21,738
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
533,520
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
19,433
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,705
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
57,889
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
19,433
|
|
|
$
|
1,705
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
57,889
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Executive Contributions in Last FY
|
|
Registrant Contributions in Last FY
|
|
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY
|
|
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions
|
|
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
247,354
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
$
|
9,052
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
247,354
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
29,953
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
718,823
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
43,187
|
|
|
$
|
29,953
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
718,823
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERP (1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
33,272
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,558
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at year end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
113,536
|
|
Aggregate Total (4)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
33,272
|
|
|
$
|
3,558
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
113,536
|
|
____________________________
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
The NEOs participated in the SERP during 2019.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Represents deferred salary and/or bonus accounts pursuant to interest-bearing deferred compensation agreements. Pursuant to the deferred compensation agreements, the deferred compensation account is credited with interest compounded monthly, computed at a rate using a Treasury Bond rate plus 1.25 percentage points until the deferred compensation amount is paid to such person.
|
Only Mr. Meyers deferred a portion of his salary and bonus in 2019.
|
|
(3)
|
Represent deferrals of salary and/or bonus, if any. Such amounts can be deferred into an interest account, or the bonus can also be deferred into a deferred compensation stock unit deferral arrangement.
|
|
|
(4)
|
The following is a summary of the total deferred compensation balances, which include compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table in 2019 and in years prior to 2019. The below amounts do not include previously reported deferred compensation that has been distributed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
Aggregate Deferred Balances 12/31/18 (includes amounts reported as compensation in years prior to 2018)
|
$
|
4,231,015
|
|
|
$
|
468,595
|
|
|
$
|
36,751
|
|
|
$
|
195,115
|
|
|
$
|
645,683
|
|
|
$
|
76,706
|
|
Net amount reported in above table for 2019 (includes amounts reported as compensation in 2019)
|
493,585
|
|
|
64,925
|
|
|
21,138
|
|
|
52,239
|
|
|
73,140
|
|
|
36,830
|
|
Aggregate Deferred Balances 12/31/19
|
$
|
4,724,600
|
|
|
$
|
533,520
|
|
|
$
|
57,889
|
|
|
$
|
247,354
|
|
|
$
|
718,823
|
|
|
$
|
113,536
|
|
Change in Control
The following summarizes the change in control provisions of the 2013 LTIP:
Generally, a "change in control" is defined in the 2013 LTIP ("2013 LTIP Change in Control") as: (i) an acquisition by a person or entity of the then outstanding securities of U.S. Cellular (the "Outstanding Voting Securities") having sufficient voting power of all classes of capital stock of U.S. Cellular to elect at least 50% or more of the members of the board of directors or having 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Outstanding Voting Securities entitled to vote generally on matters (without regard to the election of directors), subject to certain exceptions; (ii) unapproved changes in the majority of the members of the board of directors; (iii) certain corporate restructurings, including certain reorganizations, mergers, consolidations or sales or other dispositions of all or substantially all of the assets of U.S. Cellular; or (iv) approval by the shareholders of U.S. Cellular of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of U.S. Cellular.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the 2013 LTIP or any agreement, in the event of a 2013 LTIP Change in Control, the board of directors (as constituted prior to the 2013 LTIP Change in Control) may in its discretion, but will not be required to, make such adjustments to outstanding awards under the 2013 LTIP as it deems appropriate, including without limitation, (i) accelerating the vesting or exercisability of some or all outstanding awards, and/or to the extent legally permissible, causing any applicable restriction or performance period to lapse in full or part; (ii) causing any applicable performance measures to be deemed satisfied at the target, maximum or any other level determined by the board of directors (as constituted prior to the 2013 LTIP Change in Control); (iii) requiring that the shares of stock into which Common Shares are converted pursuant to the 2013 LTIP Change in Control be substituted for some or all of the Common Shares subject to outstanding awards, with an appropriate adjustment as determined by the LTICC; and/or (iv) requiring outstanding awards, in whole or part, to be surrendered to U.S. Cellular in exchange for a payment of cash, shares of capital stock of the company resulting from or succeeding to the business of U.S. Cellular in connection with the 2013 LTIP Change in Control, or the parent thereof, or a combination of cash and shares.
Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The following table summarizes the estimated payments to be made under each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement which provides for payments to a NEO at, following, or in connection with any termination of employment including by resignation, severance, retirement, disability or a constructive termination of a NEO, or a change in control or a change in the NEO's responsibilities. Also, the following table does not repeat information disclosed above under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table or Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End table, except to the extent that the amount payable to the NEO would be enhanced or accelerated by the termination event or change in control.
The following table provides quantitative disclosure, assuming that the triggering event took place on December 31, 2019, the last business day of 2019 and, if applicable, that the price per share of the U.S. Cellular Common Shares was $36.23, the closing market price as of December 31, 2019.
Additional payments may become due under the 2013 LTIP as a result of the acceleration of the vesting of stock options, performance share units, restricted stock units and/or bonus match units upon the following triggering events: (i) a qualified disability (but not for options granted before March 14, 2016), (ii) death (but not for options granted before March 14, 2016), (iii) a change in control, and (iv) a qualified retirement.
2019 Table of Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Early Vesting of Options
|
|
Early Vesting of Stock Awards
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth R. Meyers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Year of Current Salary as Severance (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 225,310 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,162,981
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,162,981
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 286,266 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,371,417
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,371,417
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
18,534,398
|
|
|
$
|
1,095,000
|
|
|
$
|
19,629,398
|
|
Steven T. Campbell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 54,013 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,956,891
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,956,891
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 68,765 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,491,356
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,491,356
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,448,247
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,448,247
|
|
Douglas W. Chambers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 2,739 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
99,234
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
99,234
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 4,256 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
154,195
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
154,195
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
253,429
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
253,429
|
|
Jay M. Ellison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 57,012 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,065,545
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,065,545
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 72,552 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,628,559
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,628,559
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,694,104
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,694,104
|
|
Michael S. Irizarry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 55,471 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,009,714
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,009,714
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 70,664 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,560,157
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,560,157
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,569,871
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,569,871
|
|
Deirdre C. Drake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Stock Awards for 32,773 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,187,366
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,187,366
|
|
Unvested Performance Shares for 41,440 Common Shares (2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,501,371
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,501,371
|
|
Aggregate Totals
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,688,737
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,688,737
|
|
___________________________
|
|
(a)
|
Represents the maximum potential value of accelerated stock options assuming that a Triggering Event took place on December 31, 2019 and that the price per share of the registrant's securities was $36.23, the closing market price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares as of December 31, 2019, the last business day of 2019. Includes only the aggregate difference between the exercise price of such stock options and such year-end stock price. No dollar amount is indicated if the exercise price of such stock options exceeded such year-end stock price.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Represents the maximum potential value of accelerated restricted stock units, performance share units and any bonus match units assuming that a Triggering Event took place on December 31, 2019 and that the price per share of the registrant's securities was $36.23, the closing market price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares as of December 31, 2019.
|
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
See Meyers Letter Agreement described in Agreements with Executive Officers.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Represents unvested restricted stock units, performance share units and any unvested match units.
|
Long Term Incentive Compensation Committee
The principal functions of the LTICC are to discharge the board of directors' responsibilities relating to the long-term equity-based compensation of the executive officers and other key employees of U.S. Cellular; to perform all functions designated to be performed by a committee of the board of directors under U.S. Cellular's LTIP; to review and recommend to the board of directors the LTIPs for employees of U.S. Cellular (including changes thereto); and to report on long-term equity-based compensation in U.S. Cellular's annual proxy statement or otherwise to the extent required under any applicable rules and regulations. The charter for the LTICC provides that the committee will interpret and administer U.S. Cellular's LTIP, including selecting employees who will be granted awards, establishing performance measures and restriction periods, and determining the form, amount and timing of each grant of an award, the number of shares of stock subject to an award, the purchase price or base price per share of stock associated with an award, the exercise price of an option award, the time and conditions of exercise or settlement of an award and all other terms and conditions of an award.
Under its charter, the LTICC may delegate some or all of its responsibilities and duties with respect to U.S. Cellular's LTIP to the Chairman of U.S. Cellular or any executive officer of U.S. Cellular as the committee deems appropriate, to the extent permitted by law, applicable listing standards and the applicable LTIP, but not regarding any award to officers of U.S. Cellular who are subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The LTICC has not delegated any authority with respect to the officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table or any other executive officers identified in this 2020 Proxy Statement. The LTICC has delegated authority to the Chairman or the Chairman and the President and CEO of U.S. Cellular only with respect to persons who are not executive officers.
The Chairman, the President and CEO and/or the LTICC may rely on the services of U.S. Cellular's compensation and employee benefits consultant, Willis Towers Watson.
Unrealized Components of Compensation
The compensation reported under "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" in the Summary Compensation Table represents grant date accounting values as required by SEC rules and does not represent currently realized or realizable compensation. The NEOs will not realize cash from such awards unless and until any stock awards are vested and the shares received upon vesting are sold for cash, or unless and until any stock options become exercisable, are exercised and the shares received upon exercise are sold for cash. There is no assurance that this will occur. In general, awards are subject to a risk of forfeiture and the options will expire if not exercised during their term, which may occur if the stock price does not appreciate and/or remain above the exercise price during the option's term. The compensation actually realized by a NEO may be more or less than the amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table depending on the performance of the U.S. Cellular stock price and other factors. With respect to 2019, the amount of compensation realized by each NEO can be approximated by (i) deducting from the "Total" column in the 2019 Summary Compensation Table the amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" columns for such officer, and (ii) adding the values realized in 2019 by such officer from the 2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table above. However, other unrealized components of compensation may be included in the Summary Compensation Table, such as retirement plan contributions that are subject to a vesting schedule.
Compensation Consultant
Willis Towers Watson is U.S. Cellular's compensation consultant and is engaged by U.S. Cellular management. Although Willis Towers Watson is engaged by U.S. Cellular management, it also assists the LTICC with respect to long-term equity-based compensation, and the Chairman, who in effect functions as the compensation committee for executive compensation other than long-term equity-based compensation.
As required by SEC rules, the following discloses the role of Willis Towers Watson in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive officer compensation, the nature and scope of the assignment, and the material elements of the instructions or directions given to Willis Towers Watson with respect to the performance of its duties under its engagement. Willis Towers Watson provides external market compensation data to U.S. Cellular from its executive compensation survey database and, as requested, provides recommendations on the type and amount of compensation to be granted to officers and other award recipients. Willis Towers Watson generally does not provide other services to U.S. Cellular, except as may be requested from time to time with respect to specific matters. Willis Towers Watson did not provide any meaningful amount of other services to U.S. Cellular in 2019.
Willis Towers Watson also provides compensation consulting and other services to U.S. Cellular's parent company, TDS, which are described in the TDS proxy statement. The LTICC has no involvement in these services.
Compensation Consultant Conflicts of Interest
As required by SEC and NYSE rules, the Chairman and LTICC of U.S. Cellular considered if the work of Willis Towers Watson raised any conflict of interest. Based on their review, it was determined that the work did not raise any conflict of interest considering the factors identified in Rule 10C-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
As indicated under "Compensation Consultant," U.S. Cellular management retained Willis Towers Watson for compensation matters. Neither the U.S. Cellular LTICC nor the Chairman retained any compensation consultant but did receive advice from Willis Towers Watson.
Willis Towers Watson does not provide any advice as to director compensation.
Risks from Compensation Policies and Practices
Based on its assessment in 2019, U.S. Cellular does not believe that its compensation policies and practices risks are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company or that any portion of its compensation policies and practices encourage excessive risk taking. U.S. Cellular's compensation policies and practices have been developed over time with the assistance of Willis Tower Watson.
U.S. Cellular believes that its compensation program does not encourage excessive risk taking for the following reasons:
|
|
•
|
Our programs contain a mix of short and long-term compensation.
|
|
|
•
|
A portion of compensation is fixed salary, discouraging any risk taking.
|
|
|
•
|
Bonuses are not derived from a single performance measure which discourages risk taking. Individual and company performance components are utilized.
|
|
|
•
|
Half of target long-term incentive compensation is awarded in restricted stock units which have value, unlike stock options which might be unexercisable due to stock price.
|
|
|
•
|
Half of target long-term incentive compensation is awarded in performance share units, which utilize multiple and diverse performance metrics to promote progress toward financial goals. Multiple and diverse metrics discourage risk-taking.
|
|
|
•
|
We historically granted stock options with a ten year exercise period, which discourages short-term risk taking.
|
U.S. Cellular believes there is less risk related to compensation policies and practices for non-executive officers than executive officers.
In general, U.S. Cellular believes that its risks are similar to those at other publicly traded companies. As a wireless company, it also faces risks similar to other companies in the industry.
Another factor anticipated to discourage excessive risk taking is that, depending on the facts and circumstances, U.S. Cellular may seek to adjust or recover awards or payments if the relevant performance measures upon which they are based are restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of an award or payment.
Compensation of Directors
The following table shows, as to directors who are not executive officers of U.S. Cellular or TDS, certain information regarding director compensation paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
2019 Director Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Total
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
Walter C. D. Carlson
|
|
$
|
92,250
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
192,250
|
|
J. Samuel Crowley
|
|
$
|
137,000
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
237,000
|
|
Ronald E. Daley
|
|
$
|
108,000
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
208,000
|
|
Harry J. Harczak, Jr.
|
|
$
|
115,500
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
215,500
|
|
Gregory P. Josefowicz
|
|
$
|
136,500
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
236,500
|
|
Cecelia D. Stewart
|
|
$
|
131,250
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
231,250
|
|
____________________________
Explanation of Columns:
|
|
(a)
|
Includes each director unless such director is an executive officer whose compensation, including any compensation for service as a director, is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, except for directors who do not receive any compensation directly from U.S. Cellular as discussed in the next paragraph. Accordingly, the above includes only non-employee directors. Directors who are employees of TDS or its subsidiaries do not receive directors' fees or any compensation directly from U.S. Cellular.
|
In 2019, LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Peter L. Sereda, and Kurt B. Thaus did not receive any compensation directly from U.S. Cellular and instead were compensated by TDS in connection with their services as an officer of TDS and TDS subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular. A portion of their compensation expense incurred by TDS for 2019 was allocated to U.S. Cellular by TDS, along with other expenses of TDS. The allocation by TDS to U.S. Cellular was done in the form of a single allocation of cost pursuant to the Intercompany Agreement discussed below under "Intercompany Agreement." There was no identification or quantification of the compensation of such persons, or of any other allocated expense in this allocation of cost to U.S. Cellular. The allocation of cost was recorded as a single expense by U.S. Cellular. U.S. Cellular did not obtain details of the components that make up this allocation of cost and did not separate any part of the allocation of cost to other accounts such as compensation expense. Accordingly, the compensation expenses incurred by TDS with respect to such persons were not reported in the above table. However, for purposes of disclosure, approximately 64% of the compensation expense incurred by TDS in 2019 with respect to such three persons was included by TDS in the total allocation of cost to U.S. Cellular for 2019. Information with respect to TDS compensation for LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and Peter L. Sereda is included in TDS' 2020 proxy statement since each is a NEO of TDS.
|
|
(b)
|
Includes the aggregate dollar amount of all fees earned or paid in cash for services as a director during 2019, including annual retainer fees, committee and/or chairperson fees, and meeting fees.
|
|
|
(c)
|
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the annual stock awards. Pursuant to the terms of the Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended (see "Narrative Disclosure to Director Compensation Table" below), each non-employee director was entitled to receive an annual stock award having a value of $100,000 (including cash paid in lieu of any fractional share). Based on the closing price of $47.09 of a U.S. Cellular Common Share on March 1, 2019, the first trading day in March 2019, a total of 2,123 shares were issued to each of the above directors. The cash amount attributable to the fractional share payable to the non-employee directors is included in the Director Compensation table above in column (b), Fees Earned or Paid in Cash.
|
Narrative Disclosure to Director Compensation Table
Non-employee directors of U.S. Cellular participate in a compensation plan for non-employee directors (the "Non-Employee Directors' Plan"). A non-employee director is a director who is not an employee of U.S. Cellular, TDS, TDS Telecommunications LLC ("TDS Telecom") or any other subsidiary of TDS. The purpose of the Non-Employee Directors' Plan is to provide appropriate compensation in connection with services of non-employee directors to U.S. Cellular and to ensure that qualified persons serve as non-employee members of our board of directors. The following describes the plan.
Non-employee directors received an annual director's retainer fee of $80,000 paid in cash and an annual stock award of $100,000 paid in U.S. Cellular Common Shares.
The annual stock award is distributed in March on or prior to March 15 of each year, for services performed during the 12 month period that commenced on March 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year and ended on the last day of February of the calendar year of payment. The number of shares is determined on the basis of the closing price of U.S. Cellular Common Shares for the first trading day in March of the calendar year of payment.
The Audit Committee Chairperson receives an annual committee retainer fee of $22,000, while all other Audit committee members receive an annual committee retainer fee of $11,000.
The LTICC Committee Chairperson receives an annual committee retainer fee of $14,000, while all other LTICC committee members receive an annual committee retainer fee of $7,000.
Non-employee directors also receive a meeting fee of $1,750 for each board or committee meeting attended.
Under the Non-Employee Directors' Plan, annual retainers are paid quarterly in cash along with any board or committee meetings fees for meetings that occurred in the same quarter.
Directors have the authority without further shareholder approval to amend the Non-Employee Directors' Plan from time to time, including amendments to increase the amount of the compensation payable in Common Shares, provided that the total number of Common Shares issued under the plan may not exceed the number previously approved by shareholders.
In 2013, the board of directors and shareholders approved 200,000 Common Shares for issuance pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors' Plan. Of such Common Shares, 95,496 have been issued and 104,504 remain available for issuance as of the proxy date.
Directors are also reimbursed for travel and expenses incurred in attending board and committee meetings, director education and other board or company related matters pursuant to U.S. Cellular's travel and expense reimbursement policy.
None of the non-employee directors had stock awards or stock option awards outstanding at December 31, 2019.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. is a member of the board of directors of TDS and U.S. Cellular. Mr. Carlson is also the Chairman of U.S. Cellular and, as such, functions as the compensation committee of U.S. Cellular with respect to compensation other than long-term equity-based compensation. He is compensated by TDS for his services to TDS and all of its subsidiaries. However, as discussed above, a portion of Mr. Carlson's compensation paid by TDS is allocated to U.S. Cellular as part of the allocation of cost under the Intercompany Agreement described below. The President and CEO of U.S. Cellular also participates in executive compensation decisions for U.S. Cellular, other than with respect to the compensation of the President and CEO of U.S. Cellular.
Long-term equity-based compensation for executive officers is approved by our LTICC, which currently consists of Gregory P. Josefowicz (Chairperson), J. Samuel Crowley, Ronald E. Daly, and Cecelia D. Stewart. Our LTICC is comprised of members of our board of directors who are independent, as discussed above. None of such persons was, during 2019, an officer or employee of U.S. Cellular or its affiliates, was formerly an officer of U.S. Cellular or its affiliates or had any relationship requiring disclosure by U.S. Cellular under any paragraph of Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K.
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. and Walter C. D. Carlson, directors of U.S. Cellular, are trustees and beneficiaries of the voting trust which controls TDS, which controls U.S. Cellular. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" below.
Walter C. D. Carlson is a director and non-executive Chairman of the Board of TDS and a director of U.S. Cellular.
In addition, the following persons had the following relationships at TDS and U.S. Cellular during all or part of 2019:
Kenneth R. Meyers is a director of TDS and is also a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular and is compensated by U.S. Cellular. Steven T. Campbell is a director and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of U.S. Cellular and is compensated by U.S. Cellular.
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Peter L. Sereda and Kurt B. Thaus are U.S. Cellular directors and did not receive any compensation directly from U.S. Cellular in their capacities as directors and/or executive officers of U.S. Cellular in 2019. Such persons were compensated by TDS in connection with their services as officers of TDS and TDS subsidiaries, including U.S. Cellular as applicable. A portion of such persons' compensation expense incurred by TDS was allocated to U.S. Cellular by TDS, along with other expenses of TDS. This allocation by TDS to U.S. Cellular was done in the form of a single allocation of cost pursuant to the Intercompany Agreement discussed below under "Intercompany Agreement." There was no identification or quantification of the compensation of such three persons, or of any other allocated expense in this allocation of cost to U.S. Cellular. The allocation of cost was recorded as a single expense by U.S. Cellular. U.S. Cellular did not obtain details of the components that make up this allocation of cost and did not separate any part of the cost allocation to other accounts such as compensation expense. However, for purposes of disclosure, approximately 64% of the compensation expense incurred by TDS was included in the total allocation of cost to U.S. Cellular for 2019. Douglas W. Chambers was employed by TDS through June 24, 2019 and a portion of his compensation expense was allocated to U.S. Cellular as part of the Intercompany Agreement. Information with respect to TDS compensation for LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., Douglas W. Chambers and Peter L. Sereda is included in TDS' proxy statement related to its 2020 annual meeting.
Other Relationships and Related Transactions
U.S. Cellular has entered into a number of arrangements and transactions with TDS. Some of these arrangements were established at a time prior to our initial public offering when TDS owned more than 90% of our outstanding capital stock and were not the result of arm's length negotiations. There can be no assurance that such arrangements will continue or that the terms of such arrangements will not be modified in the future. If additional transactions occur in the future, there can be no assurance that the terms of such future transactions will be favorable to us or will continue to provide us with the same level of support for our financing and other needs as TDS has provided in the past. The principal arrangements that exist between U.S. Cellular and TDS and the amounts paid by U.S. Cellular to TDS in 2019 are summarized below.
Exchange Agreement
U.S. Cellular and TDS are parties to an Exchange Agreement dated July 1, 1987, as amended as of April 7, 1988.
Common Share Purchase Rights; Potential Dilution. The Exchange Agreement granted TDS the right to purchase additional Common Shares of U.S. Cellular sold after our initial public offering, to the extent necessary for TDS to maintain its proportionate interest in our Common Shares. For purposes of calculating TDS' proportionate interest in our Common Shares, the Series A Common Shares are treated as if converted into Common Shares. Upon notice to U.S. Cellular, TDS is entitled to subscribe to each issuance in full or in part at its discretion. If TDS decides to waive, in whole or in part, one or more of its purchase opportunities, the number of Common Shares subject to purchase as a result of subsequent issuances will be reduced.
If TDS elects to exercise its purchase rights, it is required to pay cash for all Common Shares issued to it by us, unless otherwise agreed. In the case of sales by us of Common Shares for cash, TDS is required to pay the same price per Common Share as the other buyers. In the case of sales for consideration other than cash, TDS is required to pay cash equal to the fair market value of such other consideration as determined by our board of directors. Depending on the price per Common Share paid by TDS upon exercise of these rights, the issuance of Common Shares by us pursuant thereto could have a dilutive effect on our other shareholders. The purchase rights described above are in addition to the preemptive rights granted to TDS as a holder of Series A Common Shares under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
Funding of License Costs. Through the date of our initial public offering, TDS had funded or made provisions to fund all the legal, engineering and consulting expenses incurred in connection with the wireline application and settlement process and that portion of the price of cellular interests acquired by purchase that represented the cost of cellular licenses. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, TDS has agreed to fund as an additional capital contribution, without the issuance of additional stock or the payment of any other consideration to TDS, additional costs associated with the acquisition of the additional cellular interests that we had a right to acquire at the time of the initial public offering. Through 2019, TDS has funded approximately $67 million in license costs. TDS is obligated under the Exchange Agreement to make additional capital contributions to us under certain circumstances. Currently, TDS has no obligations with respect to additional capital contributions.
RSA Rights. Under the Exchange Agreement: (a) TDS retained all of its rights to file applications for and obtain the wireline licenses to operate cellular systems in Rural Service Areas ("RSAs"); (b) TDS retained the right to exchange these RSA rights for additional interests in cellular systems in which we have an interest or interests in cellular systems within the same or other Metropolitan Statistical Areas ("MSAs") or in RSAs; (c) TDS retained the right to acquire telephone, paging or other non-cellular companies with interests in cellular systems; (d) TDS retained the right to acquire interests in RSAs in which we indicated we did not desire to participate; and (e) the rights referred to in (a), (b), (c) and (d) above were to remain the property of TDS unless transferred to us for appropriate consideration.
Right of Negotiation. If TDS desires to sell certain of its RSA interests, TDS is required to give us the opportunity to negotiate for such interest, subject to TDS being legally able to transfer the interest free of any restrictions on its sale or transfer. If we desire to purchase any interest so offered, TDS is required to negotiate with us concerning the terms and conditions of the transaction, including the price and the method of payment. If we are unable to agree with TDS on the terms and conditions of the transaction during a 60-day negotiation period, TDS would thereafter be under no obligation to offer the interest to us, except if TDS proposed to sell the interest within a year after the end of the negotiation period at a price equal to or lower than our highest written offer during the negotiation period. In such case, we would have the right to purchase the interest at that price.
Corporate Opportunity Arrangements. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that, so long as at least 500,000 U.S. Cellular Series A Common Shares are outstanding, we may not, without the written consent of TDS, engage in any non-cellular activities. We have been informed that TDS intends to give its consent to the acquisition of any non-cellular interest that is incidental to the acquisition of a cellular interest. However, TDS could impose conditions on any such consent, including a requirement that we resell any non-cellular interest to TDS or that we give TDS the right of first refusal with respect to such sale.
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, also restricts the circumstances under which we are entitled to claim that an opportunity, transaction, agreement or other arrangement to which TDS, or any person in which TDS has or acquires a financial interest, is or should be deemed to be a "corporate opportunity" of U.S. Cellular. In general, so long as at least 500,000 U.S. Cellular Series A Common Shares are outstanding, we will not be entitled to any such "corporate opportunity" unless it relates solely to the construction of, the ownership of interests in, and/or the management of, cellular telephone systems, and then only if such corporate opportunity did not arise in any way as a result of the rights otherwise retained by TDS. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, allows us to pursue future opportunities to provide cellular service and design, consulting, engineering and construction management services for cellular telecommunications systems located outside the United States. The foregoing provisions are also included in the Exchange Agreement.
Tax Allocation Agreement
We have entered into a Tax Allocation Agreement with TDS under which we have agreed to join in filing consolidated Federal income tax returns with the TDS affiliated group unless TDS requests otherwise. Pursuant to such agreement, TDS files Federal income tax returns and pays Federal income taxes for all members of the TDS consolidated group, including U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries. U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries pay TDS for Federal taxes based on the amount they would pay if they were filing a separate return as their own affiliated group and were not included in the TDS affiliated group. Any deficiency in tax thereafter proposed by the Internal Revenue Service for any consolidated return year that involves income, deductions or credits of U.S. Cellular or its subsidiaries, and any claim for refund of tax for any consolidated return year that involves such items, will be contested or prosecuted at the sole discretion of TDS and at our expense. To the extent that any deficiency in tax or refund of tax is finally determined to be attributable to the income, deductions or credits of U.S. Cellular, such deficiency or refund will be payable by or to us. Under the Tax Allocation Agreement, U.S. Cellular paid $71 million to TDS, net of refunds from TDS, for federal income taxes in 2019.
If we cease to be a member of the TDS affiliated group, and for a subsequent year U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries are required to pay a greater amount of Federal income tax than we would have paid if we had not been members of the TDS affiliated group after June 30, 1987, TDS will reimburse us for the excess amount of tax, without interest. In determining the amount of reimbursement, any profits or losses from new business activities acquired by us or our subsidiaries after we leave the TDS affiliated group will be disregarded. No reimbursement will be required if fewer than 500,000 U.S. Cellular Series A Common Shares are outstanding. In addition, reimbursement will not be required on account of the income of any subsidiary of U.S. Cellular if (i) more than 50% of the value of the assets of such subsidiary, or (ii) more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors of such subsidiary, is held by a person or group other than a person or group owning more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors of TDS.
Rules similar to those described above will be applied to any state or local franchise or income tax liabilities to which TDS and U.S. Cellular and their subsidiaries are subject and which are required to be determined on a unitary, combined or consolidated basis. Under such rules, U.S. Cellular paid $7 million to TDS, net of refunds from TDS, for such taxes in 2019.
Cash Management Agreement
We deposit our excess cash with TDS for investment under TDS' cash management program pursuant to the terms of a cash management and investment services agreement. Such deposits are available to us on demand and earn daily investment earnings based on our invested balance. Funds are invested in investments with the objective to preserve capital, provide adequate liquidity and earn a competitive rate of return.
Intercompany Agreement
In order to provide for certain transactions and relationships between the parties, U.S. Cellular and TDS have entered into an Intercompany Agreement, providing among other things, as follows:
Services. U.S. Cellular and TDS make available to each other from time to time services relating to operations, marketing, human resources, accounting, customer services, customer billing, finance, and general administration, among others. Unless otherwise provided by written agreement, services provided by TDS or any of its subsidiaries are charged and paid for in conformity with the customary practices of TDS for charging TDS subsidiaries. Payments by us to TDS, and TDS affiliates, for such services totaled $63 million in 2019. For services provided to TDS, we receive payment for the salaries of our employees and agents assigned to render such services (plus 40% of the cost of such salaries in respect of overhead) for the time spent rendering such services, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Payments by TDS to us for such services were nominal in 2019.
Equipment and Materials. We purchase materials and equipment from TDS and its subsidiaries on the same basis as materials and equipment are purchased by any TDS affiliate from another TDS affiliate. Purchases by us from TDS affiliates totaled $13 million in 2019.
Accountants and Legal Counsel. We have agreed to engage the firm of independent registered public accountants selected by TDS for purposes of auditing our financial statements, including the financial statements of our direct and indirect subsidiaries, and providing certain other services. We have also agreed that, in any case where legal counsel is to be engaged to represent the parties for any purpose, TDS has the right to select the counsel to be engaged, which may be the same counsel selected to represent TDS unless such counsel deems there to be a conflict. If we use the same counsel as TDS, each of U.S. Cellular and TDS is responsible for the portion of the fees and expenses of such counsel determined by such counsel to be allocable to each.
Indemnification. We have agreed to indemnify TDS against certain losses, claims, damages or liabilities, including those arising out of: (1) the conduct of our business (except where the loss, claim, damage or liability arises principally from TDS' gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (2) any inaccurate representation or breach of warranty under the Intercompany Agreement.
Disposal of Company Securities. TDS will not dispose of any of our securities held by it if such disposition would result in the loss of any license or other authorization held by us and such loss would have a material adverse effect on us.
Transfer of Assets. Without the prior written consent of TDS, we may not transfer (by sale, merger or otherwise) more than 15% of our consolidated assets unless the transferee agrees to become subject to the Intercompany Agreement.
Registration Rights Agreement; Other Sales of Common Shares
Under a Registration Rights Agreement, we have agreed, upon the request of TDS, to file one or more registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 or take other appropriate action under the laws of foreign jurisdictions in order to permit TDS to offer and sell, domestically or abroad, any of our debt or equity securities that TDS may hold at any time. TDS will pay all costs relating thereto and any underwriting discounts and commissions relating to any such offering, except that we will pay the fees of any counsel, accountants, trustees, transfer agents or other agents retained by U.S. Cellular in connection therewith. TDS has the right to select the counsel we retain to assist it to fulfill any of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.
There is no limitation on the number or frequency of the occasions on which TDS may exercise its registration rights, except that we will not be required to comply with any registration request unless, in the case of a class of equity securities, the request involves at least the lesser of 1,000,000 shares or 1% of the total number of shares of such class then outstanding, or, in the case of a class of debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities covered by the request is at least $5,000,000. We have also granted TDS the right to include our securities owned by TDS in certain registration statements covering offerings by us and will pay all costs of such offerings other than incremental costs attributable to the inclusion of our securities owned by TDS in such registration statements.
We will indemnify TDS and its officers, directors and controlling persons against certain liabilities arising under the laws of any country in respect of any registration or other offering covered by the Registration Rights Agreement. We have the right to require TDS to delay any exercise by TDS of its rights to require registration and other actions for a period of up to 90 days if, in our judgment, any offering by us then being conducted or about to be conducted would be materially adversely affected. TDS has further agreed that it will not include any of our securities owned by TDS in any registration statement filed by us which, in the judgment of the managing underwriters, would materially adversely affect any offering by us. The rights of TDS under the Registration Rights Agreement are transferable to non-affiliates of TDS.
Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement
Pursuant to an Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement, we and our officers, directors and employees are afforded coverage under certain insurance policies purchased by TDS. A portion of the premiums payable under each such policy is allocated by TDS to us on the same basis as premiums were allocated before the Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement was entered into, if the policies are the same as or similar to the policies in effect before the Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement was entered into, or on such other reasonable basis as TDS may select from time to time. If TDS decides to change the allocation of premiums at any time, TDS will consult with us before the change is made, but the decision as to whether to make the change will be in the reasonable discretion of TDS. We believe that the amounts payable by us under the Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement are generally more favorable than the premiums we would pay if we were to obtain coverage under separate policies. Payments made by U.S. Cellular to TDS under the Insurance Cost Sharing Agreement totaled $6 million in 2019.
Employee Benefit Plans Agreement
Under an Employee Benefit Plans Agreement, our employees participate in certain TDS-sponsored employee benefit plans. We reimburse TDS for the costs associated with such participation. Payments made by U.S. Cellular to TDS under the Employee Benefit Plans Agreement were less than $1 million in 2019.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
In addition to the foregoing, U.S. Cellular may from time to time enter into certain arrangements and transactions with subsidiaries of TDS, including TDS Telecom, which includes Wireline and Cable segments, and subsidiaries included in TDS' Non-Reportable Segment, including Hosted and Managed Services (HMS) and Suttle-Straus, Inc. ("Suttle-Straus"), which provides printing and distribution services. The following describes certain relationships and related transactions between such TDS subsidiaries and U.S. Cellular since the beginning of 2019:
The following persons are partners of Sidley Austin LLP, the principal law firm of U.S. Cellular, TDS and their subsidiaries: Walter C. D. Carlson, a trustee and beneficiary of the voting trust that controls TDS, which controls U.S. Cellular, the non-executive Chairman of the Board and member of the board of directors of TDS and a director of U.S. Cellular; and Stephen P. Fitzell, the General Counsel and an Assistant Secretary of TDS and U.S. Cellular and certain other subsidiaries of TDS. Walter C. D. Carlson does not provide legal services to U.S. Cellular, TDS or their subsidiaries. U.S. Cellular and its subsidiaries incurred legal costs from Sidley Austin LLP of $7 million in 2019, $5 million in 2018, and $7 million in 2017.
The Audit Committee of the board of directors is generally responsible for the review and evaluation of all related party transactions, as such term is defined by the rules of the NYSE, except to the extent that the board of directors authorizes another committee to review specific related party transactions. In April 2019, a subsidiary of U.S. Cellular, of which TDS owns 14.286%, sold an FCC wireless license to a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular for $3.3 million. This transaction was reviewed by the audit committees of both U.S. Cellular and TDS.
Other than as described above, U.S. Cellular has no related party policies or procedures relating to (i) the types of transactions that are covered by such policies or procedures; (ii) the standards to be applied pursuant to such policies and procedures; or (iii) the persons or groups of persons on the board of directors or otherwise who are responsible for applying such policies and procedures, and U.S. Cellular does not maintain any written document evidencing such policies and procedures.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2019 regarding U.S. Cellular Common Shares that may be issued under equity compensation plans currently maintained by U.S. Cellular.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
(a)
Number of securities to be
issued upon the exercise of
outstanding options and rights
|
|
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options
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)
|
|
3,200,410
|
|
|
$42.20
|
|
7,402,378
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
3,200,410
|
|
|
$42.20
|
|
7,402,378
|
|
____________________________
(a) Represents the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or pursuant to unvested restricted stock units, unvested performance share units, and vested and unvested deferred compensation stock units.
Footnotes:
|
|
(1)
|
This includes the following plans that have been approved by U.S. Cellular shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
Number of securities to be
issued upon the exercise of
outstanding options and rights
|
|
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
(excluding securities reflected
in prior column)
|
|
Total
|
Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan
|
|
—
|
|
|
123,428
|
|
|
123,428
|
|
2005 LTIP
|
|
47,761
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
47,761
|
|
2013 LTIP
|
|
3,152,649
|
|
|
7,278,950
|
|
|
10,431,599
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
3,200,410
|
|
|
7,402,378
|
|
|
10,602,788
|
|
The above is based on information as of December 31, 2019 and does not reflect any changes or additions after that date.
See Note 17—Stock-Based Compensation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included as Exhibit 13 to the U.S. Cellular Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, for additional information about the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, the 2005 LTIP, and the 2013 LTIP.