prer14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1)
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per unit price of other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (sets forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
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RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST
31500 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY, SUITE 300
FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN 48334
Dear Shareholder:
We invite you to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ramco-Gershenson Properties
Trust (the Trust). The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at The Community House, 380
S. Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. During the 2010 annual
meeting, shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on each item of business described in the
enclosed notice of the 2010 annual meeting and accompanying proxy statement. Your Board of Trustees
and management look forward to greeting personally those shareholders who are able to attend.
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the annual meeting, whether or
not you plan to attend. You can vote in one of four ways as further described in the accompanying
proxy statement: (1) via the telephone; (2) via the Internet; (3) by signing, dating and returning
the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card; or (4) by casting your vote in person at the
annual meeting.
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Your continued interest and participation in the affairs of the Trust are greatly appreciated. |
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Sincerely,
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Dennis Gershenson
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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April [ ], 2010
RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST
NOTICE OF 2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 8, 2010
To the Shareholders of Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust:
Notice is hereby given that the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ramco-Gershenson
Properties Trust will be held at The Community House, 380 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan
48009 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the following purposes:
(1) To elect three Trustees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until the
2013 annual meeting of shareholders;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Trusts independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010;
(3) To approve an amendment to the Declaration of Trust for the purpose of declassifying
the Board of Trustees;
(4)
To approve an amendment to the Bylaws for the purpose of increasing the
percentage of votes necessary for shareholders to require the Trust to call a special
shareholder meeting; and
(5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
The
implementation of Proposals 3 and 4 is conditioned on the approval of
both Proposals. Thus, each of Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 will be
implemented only if both Proposals are approved by the applicable required
shareholder vote.
Your
Board of Trustees recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1, 2,
3 and 4. The accompanying
proxy statement, which forms a part of this Notice of 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, contains
additional information for your careful review. A copy of the Trusts annual report for 2009 is
also enclosed.
Shareholders of record of the Trusts common shares of beneficial interest at the close of
business on April 14, 2010 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting
and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Your vote is important. You can vote in one of four
ways as further described in the accompanying proxy statement: (1) via the telephone; (2) via the
Internet; (3) by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card;
or (4) by casting your vote in person at the annual meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Trustees
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Gregory R. Andrews
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Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-1 |
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RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST
31500 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY, SUITE 300
FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN 48334
PROXY STATEMENT
2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Board of Trustees (the Board) of Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust (the Trust) is
soliciting proxies for use at the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders of the Trust and any
adjournment or postponement thereof. The annual meeting will be held at The Community House, 380 S.
Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. The
Trust expects to first mail these proxy materials on or about April 30, 2010 to shareholders of
record of the Trusts common shares of beneficial interest (the Shares).
ABOUT THE MEETING
What is the purpose of the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders?
At the 2010 annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the
accompanying Notice of Meeting, including (1) the election of three Trustees named in the
accompanying proxy statement to serve until the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, (2) the
ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) as the Trusts independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010, (3) the approval of an
amendment to the Declaration of Trust, as amended (the Declaration of Trust), for the purpose of
declassifying the Board of Trustees, and (4) the approval of an amendment to the Bylaws, as amended and restated (the Bylaws), for
the purpose of increasing the percentage of votes necessary for
shareholders to require the Trust to call a
special shareholder meeting. The Board has determined that the
implementation of Proposals 3 and 4 is conditioned on the approval of
both of these Proposals. Thus, each of Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 will be implemented only if
both Proposals are approved by the applicable required shareholder
vote.
In addition, management will report on the performance of the Trust and will respond to
questions from shareholders. The Trust expects that representatives of Grant Thornton will be
present at the annual meeting and will be available to respond to questions. Such representatives
will also have an opportunity to make a statement.
What are the Boards recommendations?
The Board recommends a vote:
Proposal 1 FOR the re-election of the Board-nominated slate of Trustees.
Proposal 2 FOR the ratification of Grant Thornton as the Trusts independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010.
Proposal 3 FOR the approval of the amendment to the Declaration of Trust to declassify the
Board of Trustees.
Proposal
4 FOR the approval of an amendment to the Bylaws to increase the percentage of votes necessary
for shareholders to require the Trust to call a special shareholder meeting.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only record holders of Shares at the close of business on the record date of April 14, 2010
are entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote the Shares that they held on the
record date. Each outstanding Share is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted upon at the
annual meeting.
1
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
Shares outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum for all purposes. As of the record
date, 31,039,893 Shares were outstanding. Broker non-votes (defined below), and proxies marked with
abstentions or withhold votes, will be counted as present in determining whether or not there is a
quorum.
What is the difference between holding Shares as a shareholder of record and a beneficial owner?
Shareholders of Record. If your Shares are registered directly in your name with the Trusts
transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered the shareholder of
record with respect to those Shares, and these proxy materials (including a proxy card) are being
sent directly to you by the Trust. As the shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your
voting proxy directly to the Trust through the enclosed proxy card, through the Internet or by
telephone, or to vote in person at the annual meeting.
Beneficial Owners. Many of the Trusts shareholders hold their Shares through a broker, bank
or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. If your Shares are so held, you are
considered the beneficial owner of Shares, and these proxy materials (including a voting
instruction card) are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered the
shareholder of record with respect to those Shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to
direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote and are also invited to attend the annual
meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you can not vote these Shares in
person at the annual meeting unless you obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or nominee and bring
such proxy to the annual meeting. Your broker, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction
card for you to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your Shares.
Can I vote my Shares in person at the annual meeting?
Even if you plan to be present at the meeting, the Trust encourages you to vote your Shares
prior to the meeting.
You will need to present photo identification, such as a drivers license, and proof of Share
ownership as of the record date when you arrive at the meeting. If you hold your Shares through a
bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the annual meeting, you must present
proof of your ownership of Shares, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, in order to be
admitted to the meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags,
briefcases or packages will be permitted in the annual meeting.
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record and attend the annual meeting, you
can deliver your completed proxy card or vote by ballot in person at the annual meeting.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and want to
vote such Shares in person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or
other nominee giving you the power to vote such Shares and bring such proxy to the annual meeting.
Can I vote my shares without attending the annual meeting?
By Mail. You can vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card or voting
instruction card in the postage-paid envelope provided.
By telephone or through the Internet. You can vote by telephone or through the Internet as
indicated on your enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card.
Can I change my vote?
Shareholders of Record. You can change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by
filing with the Secretary of the Trust either a notice revoking the proxy or a new proxy that is
dated later than the proxy card. You can also change your vote through the Internet, by telephone
or by taking action at the annual meeting. If you attend the annual meeting, the individuals named
as proxy holders in the enclosed proxy card will nevertheless have
authority to vote your Shares in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card unless you properly file
such revocation notice or new proxy.
2
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you should
contact such person prior to the time such voting instructions are exercised.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card?
If you receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction card, it means that you have
multiple accounts with banks, brokers, other nominees and/or the Trusts transfer agent. Please
take action with respect to each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive. The Trust
recommends that you contact such persons to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the same
name and address.
What if I do not vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?
Shareholders of Record. Proxies that are properly executed without voting instructions on
certain matters will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on such matters.
With respect to any matter not set forth on the proxy card that properly comes before the annual
meeting, the proxy holders named in the proxy card will vote as the Board recommends or, if the
Board gives no recommendation, in their own discretion.
Beneficial Owners. If you hold your Shares in street name through a broker, bank or other
nominee and do not provide voting instructions for any or all matters, such nominee will determine
if it has the discretionary authority to vote your Shares. Under applicable law and New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) rules and regulations, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters,
such as the ratification of the appointment of the Trusts independent registered public accounting
firm, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters. Effective January 1, 2010, NYSE
and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule changes no longer permit a bank, broker or
nominee to vote on behalf of beneficial owners with respect to uncontested elections of Trustees if
you do not instruct your bank, broker or nominee on how to vote your Shares in the manner set forth
on your voting instruction card. In addition, the Trust believes that the approval of the
amendment to the Declaration of Trust and the amendment to the
Bylaws will also be considered non-routine matters. If you do not
provide voting instructions, your Shares will be considered broker non-votes with regard to the
non-routine proposals because the broker will not have discretionary authority to vote thereon.
Therefore, in particular, it is very important for you to vote your Shares for the election of
Trustees and the approval of the amendment to the Declaration of
Trust and the amendment to the Bylaws.
What vote is required to approve each item?
Proposal 1 Election of Trustees. The three nominees who receive the most votes cast FOR
at the annual meeting will be elected as Trustees. The Boards slate of nominees consists of Mr.
Dennis Gershenson, Mr. Robert Meister and Mr. Michael Ward, each nominated for three-year terms
ending at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will have no
effect on the outcome of the vote.
Proposal 2 Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will be necessary to
ratify the Audit Committees appointment of Grant Thornton as the Trusts independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. Abstentions will not be counted as
votes cast at the annual meeting and will have no effect on the result of the vote. Although
shareholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law and is not binding on the Trust,
the Audit Committee will take the appointment under advisement if such appointment is not so
ratified.
Proposal
3 Approval of Amendment to Declaration of Trust. The affirmative vote
of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the annual meeting will be necessary to approve
the amendment to the Declaration of Trust. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
have the same effect as votes against the proposal.
Proposal
4 Approval of Amendment to Bylaws. The affirmative vote of
a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will be necessary
to approve the amendment to the Bylaws. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as
votes cast at the annual meeting and will have no effect on the
result of the vote.
The
Board has determined that the implementation of Proposals 3 and 4 is
conditioned on the approval of both of these Proposals. Thus, each of
Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 will be implemented only if
both Proposals are approved by the applicable required shareholder
vote.
3
Other Matters. If any other matter is properly submitted to the shareholders at the annual
meeting, its adoption will generally require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
at the annual meeting. The Board does not propose to conduct any business at the annual meeting
other than as stated above.
How do I find out the voting results?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. In accordance with recent
rules enacted by the SEC, the Trust will publish the final voting results in a current report on
Form 8-K within four business days of the annual meeting.
How can I access the Trusts proxy materials and annual report on Form 10-K?
As a holder of Shares, you should have received a copy of the 2009 Annual Report to
Shareholders (which includes the Annual Report on Form 10-K, excluding certain exhibits) together
with this proxy statement. Such proxy materials are also available at www.proxyvote.com.
The Investor Info SEC Filings section of the Trusts website, www.rgpt.com,
provides access, free of charge, to SEC reports as soon as reasonably practicable after the Trust
electronically files such reports with, or furnishes such reports to, the SEC, including proxy
materials, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K
and amendments to these reports. In addition, a copy of the Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2009 will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written
request sent to the Trusts executive offices: Investor Relations, Ramco-Gershenson Properties
Trust, 31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Further, the SEC
maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Trust, at
www.sec.gov.
The references to the website addresses of the Trust and the SEC in this proxy statement are
not intended to function as a hyperlink and, except as specified herein, the information contained
on such websites are not part of this proxy statement.
4
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Shares as
of April 14, 2010 with respect to (i) each Trustee, nominee and named executive officer, (ii) all
of our Trustees and executive officers as a group, and (iii) to our knowledge, each beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each owner has sole
voting and investment powers with respect to the Shares listed below.
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Number of Shares |
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Which Can Be |
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Acquired Upon |
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Number of Shares |
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Exercise of Options |
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Number of |
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Trustees, Executive Officers and More |
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Owned Directly or |
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Exercisable Within |
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Shares Beneficially |
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Percent of |
Than 5% Shareholders (1) |
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Indirectly(2) |
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60 Days |
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Owned |
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Shares |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
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2,284,796 |
(3) |
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57,119 |
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2,341,915 |
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7.1 |
% |
Stephen R. Blank |
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13,600 |
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12,000 |
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25,600 |
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Arthur H. Goldberg |
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61,700 |
(4) |
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16,000 |
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77,700 |
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Robert A. Meister |
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39,475 |
(5) |
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11,000 |
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50,475 |
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David J. Nettina |
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12,000 |
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12,000 |
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Matthew L. Ostrower |
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5,000 |
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5,000 |
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Joel M. Pashcow |
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231,974 |
(6) |
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11,000 |
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242,974 |
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Mark K. Rosenfeld |
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31,600 |
(7) |
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12,000 |
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43,600 |
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Michael A. Ward |
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1,552,234 |
(8) |
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4,000 |
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1,556,234 |
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4.8 |
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Thomas W. Litzler |
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35,118 |
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14,926 |
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50,044 |
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James H. Smith |
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Richard J. Smith |
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24,858 |
(9) |
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27,436 |
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77,294 |
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* |
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Michael J. Sullivan |
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17,574 |
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9,205 |
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25,449 |
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* |
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Frederick A. Zantello |
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27,997 |
(10) |
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27,340 |
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52,397 |
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Trustees and Executive Officers as a
Group (16 Persons) |
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2,910,055 |
(11) |
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215,741 |
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3,125,796 |
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9.4 |
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More Than 5% Holders: |
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BlackRock, Inc. |
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3,674,979 |
(12) |
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3,674,979 |
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11.8 |
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40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022 |
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Deutsche Bank AG |
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3,042,274 |
(13) |
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3,042,274 |
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9.8 |
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Theodor-Heuss-Allee 70
60468 Frankfurt am Main
Federal Republic of Germany |
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The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
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2,527,065 |
(14) |
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2,527,065 |
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8.1 |
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100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355 |
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DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. |
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2,034,140 |
(15) |
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2,034,140 |
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6.6 |
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250 Park Ave South, Suite 250
Winter Park, FL 32789 |
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Joel D. Gershenson |
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1,971,940 |
(16) |
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1,971,940 |
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6.0 |
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31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 |
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Richard D. Gershenson |
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1,971,940 |
(16) |
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1,971,940 |
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6.0 |
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31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 |
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Bruce Gershenson |
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1,971,940 |
(16) |
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1,971,940 |
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6.0 |
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31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 |
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* |
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less than 1% |
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(1) |
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Percentages are based on 31,039,893 Shares outstanding as of April 14, 2010. Any Shares beneficially owned by a specified
person but not currently outstanding, including options exercisable within 60 days of the record date and Shares issuable
upon the exchange of units of limited partnership (OP Units) in the Trusts operating partnership, Ramco-Gershenson
Properties, L.P., are included in the percentage computation for such specified person, but are not included in the
computation for other persons. |
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(2) |
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Certain Shares included in this column are currently in the form of restricted stock, all owned directly by such person
except for Mr. Ward, who holds such Shares in a trust for the benefit of his grandchildren. Each share of restricted
stock represents the right to receive one Share upon vesting. During the vesting period, holders of restricted stock have
voting rights as if such restricted stock was vested. Holdings of restricted stock are as follows: Dennis Gershenson,
76,837 shares; Stephen Blank, 3,000 shares; Arthur Goldberg, 3,000 shares; Robert Meister, 3,000 shares; David Nettina,
2,000 shares; Matthew Ostrower, 2,000 shares; Joel Pashcow, 3,000 shares; Mark Rosenfeld, 3,000 shares; Thomas Litzler,
21,814 shares; Michael Sullivan, 14,289 shares; and Frederick Zantello, 18,590 shares. |
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(3) |
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Includes: (i) 15,800 Shares owned by a charitable trust of which Mr. Dennis Gershenson is a trustee; (ii) 8,375 Shares
owned by trusts for Mr. Dennis Gershensons children (shared voting and dispositive power); (iii) 1,958,350 Shares that
partnerships, of which Mr. Dennis Gershenson is a partner, have the right to acquire upon the exchange of 1,958,350 OP
Units owned by such partnerships pursuant |
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to the Exchange Rights Agreement with the Trust (the Exchange Rights
Agreement); and (iv) 13,590 Shares that Mr. Dennis Gershenson has the right to acquire upon the exchange of 13,590 OP
Units owned individually pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement.
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Mr. Dennis Gershenson disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by the trusts for his children and the charitable
trust. Messrs. Dennis Gershenson, Joel Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson are brothers, as well as
co-partners (together with Mr. Ward for a portion thereof) in the partnerships that own 1,958,350 OP Units (shared voting
and dispositive power). See Note 16 for a description of certain OP Units pledged by such partnerships. |
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(4) |
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Includes 48,700 Shares owned by Mr. Goldbergs wife. Mr. Goldberg disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by
his wife. Approximately 56,700 Shares owned by Mr. Goldberg or his wife are held in a margin account. |
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(5) |
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Includes 1,200 Shares owned by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Meisters family members. Mr. Meister disclaims beneficial
ownership of the Shares owned by the trust. |
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(6) |
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Includes 103,325 Shares owned by an irrevocable trust for Mr. Pashcows daughter and by a foundation of which Mr. Pashcow
is trustee (for each of which Mr. Pashcow has shared voting and investment powers). Mr. Pashcow disclaims beneficial
ownership of the Shares owned by the foundation and by the trust. Mr. Pashcow has pledged 208,349 Shares to JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. as collateral for a loan. |
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(7) |
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Includes 2,700 Shares owned by Mr. Rosenfelds wife and 900 Shares owned by Mr. Rosenfelds children. Mr. Rosenfeld
disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by his wife and his children. 16,700 Shares owned directly have been
pledged to Branch Banking and Trust Company as collateral for a loan. |
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(8) |
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Includes: (i) 10,584 Shares owned by a trust for Mr. Ward; (ii) 1,527,400 Shares that partnerships, of which Mr. Ward is a partner, have the right to acquire upon
the exchange of 1,527,400 OP Units owned by such partnerships
pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement; and (iii) 14,250
Shares that Mr. Ward has the right to acquire upon the exchange of 14,250 OP Units owned individually pursuant to the
Exchange Rights Agreement. Does not include 32,472 Shares that Mr. Ward has deferred the right to receive; see Named
Executive Officer Compensation Tables Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control Trust Share-Based
Plans Deferred Stock for information on similar arrangements made with named executive officers. Mr. Ward disclaims
beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by the trusts referred in (i) and (ii) above. Messrs. Dennis Gershenson, Joel
Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson are Mr. Wards co-partners in the partnerships that own 1,527,400 OP
Units (shared voting and dispositive power). See Note 16 for a description of certain OP Units pledged by such
partnerships. |
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(9) |
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Does not include 26,972 Shares that Mr. Smith has
deferred the right to receive; see Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control Trust Share-Based Plans Deferred
Stock for additional information. |
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(10) |
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Does not include 5,599 Shares that Mr. Zantello has deferred the right to receive; see Named Executive Officer
Compensation Tables Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control Trust Share-Based Plans Deferred
Stock for additional information. |
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(11) |
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Includes Trustees and executive officers as of April 14, 2010. An additional 36,200 shares are held in a margin account
by an executive officer. |
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(12) |
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Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
January 8, 2010. |
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(13) |
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Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2010 by Deutsche Bank AG and its subsidiaries including
Deutsche Asset Management Australia Ltd., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Investment Management Americas,
DWS Investments S.A., Luxembourg, and RREEF America, L.L.C. Deutsche Bank AG has sole voting and dispositive power of
3,042,274 Shares, Deutsche Asset Management Australia Ltd. has sole voting and dispositive power of 77,550 Shares,
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas has sole voting and dispositive power of 500 Shares, Deutsche Investment Management
Americas has sole voting and dispositive power of 85,700 Shares, DWS Investments S.A., Luxembourg has sole voting and
dispositive power of 8,050 Shares, and RREEF America, L.L.C. has sole
voting and dispositive power of 2,870,474 Shares. |
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(14) |
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Based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 3) filed with the SEC on February 3, 2010. The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole
voting power of 44,842 Shares, has sole dispositive power of 2,482,223 Shares, and has shared dispositive power of 44,842
Shares. |
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(15) |
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Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2010. |
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(16) |
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Based on the knowledge of the Trust without inquiry. Consists of: (i) 1,958,350 Shares that partnerships, of which
Messrs. Joel Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson are partners, have the right to acquire upon the
exchange of 1,958,350 OP Units owned by such partnerships pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement; and (ii) 13,590
Shares that each of such persons has the right to acquire upon the exchange of 13,590 OP Units owned individually
pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement.
Messrs. Dennis Gershenson, Joel Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson are brothers, as well as co-partners
(together with Mr. Ward, for a portion thereof) in the partnerships that own 1,958,350 OP Units (shared voting and
dispositive power).
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In April 2006, Messrs. Joel Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson pledged the following number of OP Units,
owned either individually or in the applicable partnerships (but only with respect to OP Units in which they had a
pecuniary interest), to J.P. Morgan as collateral for respective lines of credit: Joel Gershenson, 85,000 OP Units
pledged; Richard Gershenson, 85,000 OP Units pledged; and Bruce Gershenson, 85,000 OP Units pledged.
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In February 2009, Messrs. Joel Gershenson, Richard Gershenson and Bruce Gershenson pledged the following number of OP
Units, owned either individually or in the applicable partnerships (but only with respect to OP Units in which they had a
pecuniary interest), to The Huntington National Bank as collateral for respective lines of credit: Joel Gershenson,
120,000 OP Units pledged and 20,000 OP Units subject to a negative pledge; Richard Gershenson, 160,000 OP Units pledged
and 20,000 OP Units subject to a negative pledge; and Bruce Gershenson, 160,000 OP Units pledged and 20,000 OP Units
subject to a negative pledge.
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7
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
The Board currently consists of nine Trustees serving three-year staggered terms. Three Class
I Trustees are to be elected at the 2010 annual meeting to serve until the annual meeting of
shareholders in 2013 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until any such
Trustees earlier resignation, retirement or other termination of service. The three nominees who
receive the most votes cast at the annual meeting will be elected as Trustees. The Board has
re-nominated Dennis Gershenson, Robert A. Meister and Michael A. Ward. The Board recommends that
you vote FOR the re-election of the Boards nominees.
Each of the nominees below has consented to serve a three-year term and has consented to be
named in this proxy statement. If for any reason any of the nominees becomes unavailable for
election, the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In such case, the persons named as proxies
in the accompanying proxy card will vote for the Boards substitute nominee. Alternatively, the
Board may reduce the size of the Board or leave the position vacant.
Trustees and Nominees
The Trustees and nominees of the Trust are as follows:
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Class/Term |
Name |
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Age |
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Title |
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Ending |
Dennis E. Gershenson
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66 |
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Trustee; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust
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Class I 2010 |
Robert A. Meister
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68 |
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Trustee
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Class I2010 |
Michael A. Ward
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67 |
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Trustee
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Class I 2010 |
Arthur H. Goldberg
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67 |
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Trustee
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Class II 2011 |
Mark K. Rosenfeld
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64 |
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Trustee
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Class II2011 |
David J. Nettina
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57 |
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Trustee
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Class II2011 |
Stephen R. Blank
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64 |
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Chairman of the Board
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Class III2012 |
Matthew L. Ostrower
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39 |
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Trustee
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Class III2012 |
Joel M. Pashcow
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67 |
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Trustee
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Class III2012 |
Trustee Background and Qualifications. The following sets forth the business experience
during at least the past five years of each Board nominee and each of the Trustees whose term of
office will continue after the annual meeting. The years of Trustee service include service for
the Trusts predecessors.
In addition, the following includes a brief discussion of the specific experience,
qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that the Trustees and nominees
should serve on the Board at this time. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers the
experience, mix of skills and other qualities of the existing Board to ensure appropriate Board
composition. The Board believes that the Trustees and nominees have an appropriate balance of
knowledge, experience, attributes, skills, independence from management and expertise as a whole to
ensure the Board appropriately fulfills its oversight responsibilities and acts in the best
interests of shareholders.
Dennis E. Gershenson has been a Trustee since 1996 and was Chairman of the Board from June
2006 to September 2009. In addition to Mr. Gershensons leadership, strategic planning and
extensive knowledge of the day to day operations of the Trust for over 30 years, he has served in
leadership positions of many real estate and shopping center industry associations and civic and
charitable organizations. He also has Board and committee experience with another public company
REIT.
Mr. Gershenson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust since May 1996.
He served as Vice President Finance and Treasurer of Ramco-Gershenson, Inc. from 1976 to 1996
and arranged the financing of Ramcos initial developments, expansions and acquisitions. Mr.
Gershenson has served as a member of the Board of Directors of National Retail Properties, Inc.
since February 2008 (currently a member of its Governance and Nominating and Compensation
Committees). Mr. Gershenson also is a member of the Board of Directors of Oakland Family Services
and the Board of Governors of Cranbrook Academy of Art. He is a former Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Hospice of Michigan and served on the Board of Directors of the Merrill Palmer
Institute and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. He has also served as Regional Director of the
International Council of Shopping Centers, also known as the ICSC.
8
Robert A. Meister has been a Trustee since 1996. Mr. Meister also has extensive knowledge and
experience in risk management and insurance. He also has extensive experience in Board and Board
committee service of other public companies.
From March 1991 to January 2010, Mr. Meister was the Vice Chairman of Aon Group, Inc., an
insurance brokerage, risk consulting, reinsurance and employee benefits company and a subsidiary of
Aon Corporation. Mr. Meister became Vice Chairman Emeritus of Aon Group, Inc. in January 2010.
Mr. Meister has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Centerline Holding Company since November
2003 (currently a member of its Nominating and Governance and Compensation Committees). He served
on the Board of Directors of Universal Health Services, Inc. from July 2004 to May 2008.
Michael A. Ward has been a Trustee since 2006. Mr. Ward has over 40 years of providing
leadership to the Trust through executive management and Board service. Mr. Ward has extensive
knowledge and experience in strategic planning, asset management, and retail.
Mr. Ward is currently a private investor. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Trust from 1996 to 2005, as well as Executive Vice President of
Ramco-Gershenson, Inc. from 1966 to 1996.
Arthur H. Goldberg has been a Trustee since 1988. Mr. Goldberg has extensive knowledge and
experience in executive management, finance, investment banking, accounting and capital markets.
Mr. Goldberg qualifies as a financial expert under SEC rules based on such experience, as detailed
below. He also has extensive ongoing Board and Board committee experience through his current and
prior service on the Boards of other public companies.
Mr. Goldberg has been a Managing Director of Corporate Solutions Group, LLC, an investment
banking and advisory firm, since January 2002. Mr. Goldberg served as President of Manhattan
Associates, LLC, a merchant and investment banking firm, from 1994 to 2002. He also served as
Chairman of Reich & Company, Inc. (formerly Vantage Securities, Inc.), a securities and investment
brokerage firm, from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Goldberg has served on the Board of Directors of Avantair,
Inc. (formerly known as Ardent Acquisition Corp.) since 2003 (currently a member of its Audit,
Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees). He also served on the Board of
Directors of North Shore Acquisition Corp. from November 2007 to August 2009 and Atlantic Realty
Trust from May 1996 to April 2006.
Mark K. Rosenfeld has been a Trustee since 1996. Mr. Rosenfeld has extensive knowledge and
experience in executive management, retail, and accounting. Mr. Rosenfeld qualifies as a financial
expert under SEC rules based on such experience, as detailed below.
Mr. Rosenfeld has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wilherst Developers Inc., a
real estate development firm, since July 1997. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Jacobson Stores Inc., a retail fashion merchandiser, from 1992 to 1993 and as Chairman of the
Board (where he served as a member of the executive committee) and Chief Executive Officer from
1993 to 1996.
David J. Nettina has been a Trustee since 2009. Mr. Nettina has extensive knowledge and
experience in executive management (including REITs in particular), finance, accounting and
capital markets. Mr. Nettina qualifies as a financial expert under SEC rules based on such
experience, as detailed below.
Mr. Nettina currently is the President and co-Chief Executive Officer of Career Management,
LLC, an emerging technology company, where he has been employed since February 2009. Mr. Nettina
served as a senior executive with American Financial Realty Trust, a publicly-traded real estate
investment trust, from March 2005 to April 2008, most recently as its President and Chief
Financial Officer. From September 2002 to January 2005, he served as an adjunct professor of
finance at Siena College. Mr. Nettina also served as an executive officer of SL Green Realty
Corp., a publicly-traded real estate investment trust from 1997 to 2001, including as its
President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his service at SL Green
Realty Corp., Mr. Nettina held various executive management positions for more than 10 years with
The Pyramid Companies, a developer, owner and operator of 20 regional malls in the Northeast,
including as the Chief Financial Officer and a development partner. Mr. Nettina is currently a
member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.
9
Stephen R. Blank has been a Trustee since 1988, including as Chairman of the Board since
September 2009, and previously as Lead Trustee of the Board from June 2006 to September 2009. Mr.
Blank has extensive knowledge and experience in executive management (including REITs in
particular), finance, accounting and capital markets. Mr. Blank qualifies as a financial expert
under SEC rules based on such experience, as detailed below. He also has extensive ongoing Board
and Board committee experience through his current and prior service on the Boards of other public
companies. Further, he has served in leadership positions of real estate industry associations.
Mr. Blank has been a Senior Fellow, Finance at the Urban Land Institute since December 1998.
Mr. Blank was a Managing Director Real Estate Investment Banking of CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. from
1993 to 1998, Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.s Real Estate Corporate Finance
Department from 1989 to 1993, Managing DirectorReal Estate Investment Banking of Kidder, Peabody
& Co., Incorporated from 1979 to 1989, and Vice President, Direct Investment Group of Bache & Co.,
Incorporated from 1973 to 1979. Mr. Blank has served on the Board of Directors of MFA Investments,
Inc., a real estate investment trust, since 2002 (currently a member of its Audit and Compensation
Committees), and Home Properties, Inc., an apartment real estate investment trust, since January
2009 (currently a member of its Audit and Compensation Committees). He previously served on the
Board of Directors of BNP Residential Properties, Inc. from May 1999 to February 2007 and Atlantic
Realty Trust from May 1996 to April 2006.
Matthew L. Ostrower has been a Trustee since 2009. Mr. Ostrower has extensive knowledge and
experience of finance, REIT equity investing, and the securities investment industry generally.
Mr. Ostrower is currently a consultant to The Gerrity Group and is pursuing opportunities in
the commercial real estate industry. Mr. Ostrower was a Member of Morgan Stanleys Equity Research
department from July 2000 to April 2008. He served as a Vice President, Executive Director and,
most recently, a Managing Director responsible for coverage of REITs, publishing research opinions
and investment recommendations from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Ostrower assumed leadership of the REIT
research group in 2006 and initiated coverage of a wider range of companies. He also served as
analyst and then portfolio manager of Pioneer Real Estate Shares mutual fund from 1996 to 2000.
Mr. Ostrower is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Joel M. Pashcow has been a Trustee since 1980. Mr. Pashcow has extensive knowledge and
experience in executive management (including REITs in particular), real estate, the investment
industry, finance and capital markets. Further, he has served in leadership positions of real
estate industry associations.
Mr. Pashcow has been a Managing Member of Nassau Capital LLC, a real estate and securities
investment firm, since April 2006. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Atlantic
Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust, from May 1996 to April 2006. Mr. Pashcow served as
Chairman of the predecessor of the Trust from 1988 to May 1996. He is also a former Governor of
the Real Estate Securities Institute and director of the National Realty Committee.
Trustee Independence. The NYSE listing standards set forth objective requirements for a
Trustee to satisfy, at a minimum, in order to be determined independent by the Board. In addition,
the NYSE listing standards require the Board to consider all relevant facts and circumstances,
including the Trustees commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable
and familial relationships, and such other criteria as the Board may determine from time to time.
The Board has determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that each
of Messrs. Blank, Goldberg, Meister, Nettina, Ostrower, Pashcow, Rosenfeld and Ward are independent
Trustees and therefore the Trust satisfies the requirements of the NYSE listing standards and the
Trusts Corporate Governance Guidelines that at least a majority of the Trustees be independent.
In particular, the Board considered the following matters:
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The Board considered the transactions set forth in Related Person Transactions with
respect to Mr. Pashcow and Mr. Goldberg and determined that such transactions did not
impede their independence. |
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The Board considered Mr. Wards prior service to the Trust as an employee and officer,
as well as the partnerships of which he and Mr. Dennis Gershenson are partners, among
others, and which hold a significant amount of OP Units, and determined that such
relationships did not impede his independence. |
10
The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee are
composed entirely of independent Trustees. In addition, after considering all of the relevant facts
and circumstances, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee of the Board
qualifies under the Audit Committee independence standards established by the SEC and the NYSE.
The Board of Trustees
The Board has general oversight responsibility of the Trusts affairs and the Trustees, in
exercising their fiduciary duties, represent and act on behalf of the shareholders. Although the
Board does not have responsibility for the Trusts day-to-day management, it stays regularly
informed about the Trusts business and provides guidance to management through periodic meetings
and other informal communications. The Board is significantly involved in, among other things, the
Trusts strategic and financial planning process, leadership development, as well as other
functions carried out through the Board committees as described below. The Board, led by the
Nominating and Governance Committee, also performs an annual performance review of the Board and
individual Trustees.
Board Leadership. The Board does not have a specific policy on whether the Chairman should be
a non-employee Trustee or if the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate.
In accordance with the Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairman is also the Chief Executive
Officer of the Trust, then one of the independent members of the Board will be named as Lead
Trustee and have the responsibilities set forth below. The Board believes either circumstance
provides sufficient checks and balances and is appropriate to further the interests of
shareholders of the Trust. Further, in either case, the Board believes that its independent
Trustees, who represent eight of nine members of the Board, are deeply engaged and provide
significant independent leadership and direction given their executive and Board experience noted
above. See Trustee Background and Qualifications above. The independent Trustees are the
sole members of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance committees, which oversee
critical matters of the Trust such as the integrity of the Trusts financial statements, the
compensation of executive management, the selection and evaluation of Trustees, and the development
and implementation of the Trusts corporate governance policies and structures. The independent
Trustees also meet regularly in executive session at Board and committee meetings and have access
to independent advisors as they deem appropriate. Management supports this oversight role through
its tone-at-the-top and open communication.
Mr. Blank has served as the independent Chairman of the Board since September 2009. From June
2006 to September 2009, Mr. Gershenson was the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Blank served as Lead
Trustee.
If there is a Lead Trustee, the Lead Trustee is to be elected annually (or at any time there
is a vacancy) by the independent Trustees after consultation with the Nominating and Governance
Committee and must be fully independent of management of the Trust. The term of the Lead Trustees
service will commence upon his or her election and conclude upon the occurrence of the Trusts next
regularly scheduled meeting of shareholders. The name of, and a means of directly contacting, the
Lead Trustee will be made public. The Lead Trustee may be removed at any time by action of a
majority of the independent Trustees. The Lead Trustee, if any, will:
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chair meetings of the independent Trustees and act as a liaison between the independent
Trustees and the Chairman in the communication of the results of such
meetings; |
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assist the Chairman in developing Board meeting agendas and will chair Board meetings in
the absence of the Chairman; |
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assist the Chairman in preparing materials for distribution to the independent Trustees
between regularly scheduled Board meetings; |
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work to establish open, one-on-one, communication between the Chairman, senior managers
of the Trust, and the independent Trustees; |
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work to become sufficiently informed about executive and Board committee activities so
as to be able to substitute for the Chairman on short notice or in the event of a
succession or transition event; |
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coordinate and lead the annual performance evaluation of the
Chairman; and |
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be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Board and will be invited to attend
meetings of committees. |
11
Oversight of Risk Management. The Board oversees the Trusts risk management. This oversight
is administered primarily through the following:
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the Boards review and approval of the management annual business plan and long-term
strategic plan; |
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at least quarterly review by the Board of business developments, strategic plans and
implementation, liquidity and financial results; |
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the Boards oversight of succession planning; |
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the Boards oversight of capital spending and financings; |
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the Audit Committees oversight of the Trusts internal controls over financial
reporting and its discussions with management and the independent accountants regarding the
quality and adequacy of internal controls and financial reporting (and related reports to
the full Board); |
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the Nominating and Governance Committees leadership in the self-evaluation assessments
of the Board and committees; and |
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the Compensation Committees review and approvals regarding executive officer
compensation and its relationship to the Trusts business plan, as well its review of
compensation plans generally and the related risks. |
Meetings. The Board consisted of seven Trustees until the June 2009 annual meeting and
thereafter consisted of nine Trustees. In 2009, the Board held 12 meetings. Non-management
Trustees hold regularly scheduled executive sessions in which non-management Trustees meet without
the presence of management. These executive sessions generally occur around regularly scheduled
meetings of the Board. Mr. Blank presides at such executive sessions. In furtherance of his role as
Chairman, Mr. Blank attended the 2009 Annual Boardroom Summit in New York, New York, a RiskMetrics
accredited director education program.
Trustees are expected to attend all Board and committee meetings, as well as the Trusts
annual meeting of shareholders. In 2009, all of the Trustees attended at least 75% of the aggregate
of the meetings of the Board and all committees of the Board on which they served. All of the
Trustees attended the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, except for Mr. Meister.
Committees of the Board
The Board has delegated various responsibilities and authority to Board committees and each
committee regularly reports on its activities to the Board. Each committee, except the Executive
Committee, has regularly scheduled meetings. Each committee operates under a written charter
approved by the Board, which is reviewed annually by the respective committees and the Board and is
available on the Trusts website under Investor Info Corporate Overview Governance Documents
at www.rgpt.com. The table below sets forth the current membership and 2009 meeting
information for the four standing committees of the Board:
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Nominating and |
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Name |
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Audit |
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Compensation |
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Governance |
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Executive |
Stephen R. Blank |
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Chair |
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X |
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Dennis E. Gershenson |
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X |
Arthur H. Goldberg |
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X |
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Chair |
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Robert A. Meister |
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X |
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X |
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David J. Nettina |
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X |
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Matthew L. Ostrower |
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X |
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X |
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Joel M. Pashcow |
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X |
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Chair |
Mark K. Rosenfeld |
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X |
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Chair |
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Michael A. Ward |
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X |
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X |
Meetings |
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13 |
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6 |
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3 |
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12
Audit Committee. The Trust has a separately-designated Audit Committee established in
accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is responsible for
providing independent, objective oversight and review of the Trusts consolidated financial statements, the Trusts system of
internal controls, the Trusts risk management system, the qualifications, performance and
independence of the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of the
Trusts internal audit function and the Trusts compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee also has the sole authority and responsibility to appoint, determine the
compensation of, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Trusts independent registered public
accounting firm. See Audit Committee Disclosure, Report of the Audit Committee and the Audit
Committees charter for additional information on the responsibilities and activities of the Audit
Committee.
The Board has determined that Messrs. Blank, Goldberg, Nettina and Rosenfeld are each
financially literate and have the accounting or related financial management expertise in
accordance with NYSE listing standards, and are each an audit committee financial expert as defined
in the rules and regulations of the SEC. See Trustees and Nominees for a description of their
relevant business experience. The designation of an audit committee financial expert does not
impose upon such person any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than are generally
imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board, and such designation does
not affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee or the
Board.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee administers the executive compensation
program of the Trust. The Compensation Committees responsibilities include recommending and
overseeing compensation and benefit plans and policies, approving equity grants and otherwise
administering share-based plans, and reviewing annually all compensation decisions relating to the
Trusts executive officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and discusses, at least
annually, the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and
the Trusts compensation programs. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Compensation
Committee Report and the Compensation Committees charter for additional information on the
responsibilities and activities of the Compensation Committee.
Role of Management. Similar to prior years, the Compensation Committee took
significant direction from the recommendations of Mr. Gershenson with respect to the design and
implementation of the Trusts 2009 executive compensation program. See Compensation Discussion and
Analysis Advisors Utilized in Compensation Determinations for further information.
Role of Compensation Consultant. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to
engage outside advisors and establish the terms of such engagement, including compensatory fees.
The Compensation Committee determined to re-engage Mercer (US) Inc. (Mercer) as its compensation
consultant for 2009 with respect to executive compensation program generally. The Compensation
Committee works with management to determine Mercers responsibilities and direct its work product,
but the Compensation Committee is responsible for the formal approval of the annual work plan.
With respect to the 2009 executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee engaged
Mercer to discuss best-practices and market trends in compensation.
Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible
for identifying and nominating individuals qualified to serve as Board members, recommending
Trustees for each Board committee and overseeing the Trusts Corporate Governance Guidelines and
related corporate governance issues. The Nominating and Governance Committee also is responsible
for the Trusts Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and considers any requests for waivers from
such code. See the Nominating and Governance Committees charter for additional information on its
responsibilities and activities.
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers the experience, mix of skills and other
qualities of the existing Board to ensure appropriate Board composition. The Nominating and
Governance Committee does not have a specific diversity policy underlying its nomination process,
although it seeks to ensure the Board includes members with diverse backgrounds, qualifications,
skills and experience, including appropriate financial, governance, capital market, real estate,
retail and other expertise relevant to the Trusts business. Generally, the Nominating and
Governance Committee will re-nominate incumbent Trustees who continue to satisfy its criteria for
members of the Board, who it believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board
and who consent to continue their service on the Board. If a vacancy on the Board occurs, the
Nominating and Governance Committee will review the experience, mix of skills and background,
independence and other qualities of a nominee to assure appropriate Board composition after taking into account the current Board members and the
specific needs of the Trust and Board.
13
The Nominating and Governance Committee generally relies on multiple sources for identifying
and evaluating nominees, including referrals from the Board and the Trusts management. The
Nominating and Governance Committee did not engage a search firm or pay fees to other third parties
in connection with identifying or evaluating Board nominees set forth in this proxy statement. The
Nominating and Governance Committee does not solicit Trustee nominations, but will consider nominee
recommendations by shareholders with respect to elections to be held at an annual meeting, so long
as such recommendations are timely made and otherwise in accordance with the Trusts Bylaws and
applicable law. Such recommendations will be evaluated against the same criteria used to evaluate
other nominees. The Trust did not receive any nominations of Trustees by shareholders for the 2010
annual meeting of shareholders.
Under the Bylaws, shareholders must follow an advance notice procedure to nominate candidates
for election as Trustees or to bring other business before an annual meeting. The advanced notice
procedures set forth in the Bylaws do not affect the right of shareholders to request the inclusion
of proposals in the Trusts proxy statement and form of proxy pursuant to SEC rules. See
Additional InformationPresentation of Shareholder Proposals and Nominations at 2011 Annual
Meeting for information regarding providing timely notice of shareholder proposals and
nominations.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is permitted to exercise all of the powers and
authority of the Board, except as limited by applicable law and the Bylaws. The Executive
Committee generally acts pursuant to unanimous written consents.
Trustee Compensation
The Nominating and Governance Committee annually reviews Trustee compensation and makes
recommendations to the Board, the body responsible for approving Trustee compensation, as
appropriate. The Nominating and Governance Committee has not engaged a compensation consultant with
respect to the Trustee compensation program. The Nominating and Governance Committee and Board
believe that Trustees should receive a mix of cash and equity. Compensation paid to the
non-employee Trustees is intended to provide incentives to such persons to continue to serve on the
Board, to further align the interests of the Board and shareholders and to attract new Trustees
with outstanding qualifications. Trustees who are employees or officers of the Trust or any of its
subsidiaries do not receive any compensation for serving on the Board or any committees thereof;
therefore, Mr. Gershenson is excluded from the Trustee compensation table below.
2009 Non-Employee Trustee Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation
program for non-employee Trustees in 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
Annual cash retainer (paid quarterly): |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Additional cash retainer: |
|
|
|
|
Chairman |
|
|
100,000 |
|
Audit Committee chair(1) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Audit Committee members(1) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
Executive Committee members(1) |
|
|
2,500 |
|
Attendance fees per Board or Committee meeting: |
|
|
|
|
In person |
|
|
1,500 |
|
Via telephone |
|
|
750 |
|
Annual equity retainer (shares of restricted stock)(2) |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Payment is subject to attendance by the Trustee at 75% or more of the applicable
committee meetings during the applicable calendar year. |
|
(2) |
|
Grants are made under the Trusts 2008 Restricted Share Plan for Non-Employee Trustees.
The shares of restricted stock vest over three years. The grant is made on June 30th or, if
not a business day, the business day prior to June 30th. |
The Trust also reimburses all Trustees for all expenses incurred in connection with
attending any meetings or performing their duties as Trustees.
14
Stock Ownership Guidelines. Effective September 2008, the Compensation Committee approved
stock ownership guidelines for the Trustees. The guidelines require such persons to hold a number
of Shares having a market value equal to three times the then current annual stock grant
denominated in Shares for all Trustees. Trustees have a five-year period to comply with the
guidelines, with the initial compliance deadline being September 2013. The Compensation Committee
will review the minimum equity holding level and other market trends and practices on a periodic
basis. The Compensation Committee has confirmed that all Trustees currently satisfy the guidelines
or are making significant progress toward the guidelines.
Deferred Fee Plan. In 2008, the Board approved the Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Deferred
Fee Plan for Trustees. A Trustee may elect to defer fees earned for services provided during a
subsequent calendar year (Deferral Year) by completing and filing a proper deferred fee agreement
with the Secretary of the Trust no later than December 31 of the year prior to the Deferral Year. A
Trustee may elect to credit any cash fees to a stock account or a cash account. Stock fees deferred
can only be credited to the stock account. Shares in the stock account will receive distributions,
which at the Trustees election will either be paid in cash or will be reinvested in Shares. Cash
in the cash account will accrue interest at JP Morgan Chases prime rate. A Trustee may modify or
revoke his or her existing fee deferral election only on a prospective basis, and only for fees to
be earned in a subsequent calendar year, and only if the Trustee executes a new deferred fee
agreement or revokes his or her existing deferred fee agreement in writing by December 31 of the
year preceding the calendar year for which such modification or revocation is to be effective. The
Trustee must elect the end of the deferral period at the time of such election and, except for a
few circumstances, no Trustee shall have any right to make any early withdrawals from the Trustees
deferred fee accounts.
2009 Trustee Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or |
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in Cash |
|
Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) (1) |
|
($) (2)(3)(4) |
|
Other ($) |
|
($) |
Stephen R. Blank |
|
|
80,375 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,395 |
|
Arthur H. Goldberg |
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,020 |
|
Robert A. Meister |
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,020 |
|
David J. Nettina |
|
|
21,667 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,687 |
|
Matthew L. Ostrower |
|
|
17,750 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,770 |
|
Joel M. Pashcow |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,020 |
|
Mark K. Rosenfeld |
|
|
29,500 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,520 |
|
Michael A. Ward |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
22,470 |
(5) |
|
|
69,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
255,292 |
|
|
|
160,160 |
|
|
|
22,470 |
|
|
|
437,922 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents amounts earned in cash in 2009 with respect to the cash retainers and meeting fees. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects shares of restricted stock granted in 2009 under the 2008 Restricted Share Plan for Non-Employee Trustees.
The amounts reported reflect the grant date fair value of each award of $10.01, the closing price of the Shares on the
NYSE on June 30, 2009. |
|
(3) |
|
In 2009, the following Trustees elected to defer the receipt of all of their equity retainer under the
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Deferred Fee Plan for Trustees. However, such Trustees elected to receive the
dividend equivalents related to such notional shares in cash. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 Stock Deferrals |
|
|
Name |
|
($) |
|
Notional Shares Credited |
Stephen R. Blank |
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Mark K. Rosenfeld |
|
|
20,020 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
As of December 31, 2009, each non-employee Trustee had
the following number of stock options outstanding: Stephen Blank,
12,000; Arthur Goldberg, 16,000; Robert Meister, 11,000; Joel Pashcow, 11,000; Mark Rosenfeld,
12,000; and Michael Ward, 4,000. As of December 31, 2009, each non-employee Trustee had the following number of
shares of restricted stock outstanding (including stock deferrals): Stephen Blank, 3,000 shares; Arthur Goldberg,
3,000 shares; Robert Meister, 3,000 shares; David Nettina, 2,000 shares; Matthew Ostrower, 2,000 shares; Joel Pashcow,
3,000 shares; and Mark Rosenfeld, 3,000 shares. |
|
(5) |
|
Consists of full payment of health care premiums pursuant to the post-termination provisions of an employment
agreement with the Trust. |
15
Corporate Governance
The Board and management are committed to responsible corporate governance to ensure that the
Trust is managed for the benefit of its shareholders. To that end, the Board and management
periodically review and update the Trusts corporate governance policies and practices as
appropriate or required by applicable law, the NYSE listing standards or SEC regulations.
The Trust has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which sets forth basic principles
to guide the conduct of Trustees and the Trusts employees, including its principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons
serving similar functions. The code covers numerous topics including illegal or unethical behavior,
conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, corporate opportunities and confidentiality. A copy of
the Trusts Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Trusts website under Investor
InfoCorporate OverviewGovernance Documents at www.rgpt.com. Any waiver or material
amendment that relates to the Trustees or certain executive officers of the Trust will be publicly
disclosed in such subsection on the Trusts website within four business days of such action. See
Related Person Transactions for additional information regarding policies and procedures
specifically addressing related person transactions.
The Trust has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which address, among other things,
a Trustees responsibilities, qualifications (including independence), compensation and access to
management and advisors. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing and
reviewing these guidelines and recommending any changes to the Board. A copy of the Trusts
Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on the Trusts website under Investor Info
Corporate Overview Governance Documents at www.rgpt.com.
A copy of the Trusts committee charters, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate
Governance Guidelines will be sent to any shareholder, without charge, upon written request sent to
the Trusts executive offices: Investor Relations, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, 31500
Northwestern Highway, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334.
Communication with the Board
Any shareholder or interested party who desires to communicate with the Board or any specific
Trustee(s) can write to the Board at the following address: Board of Trustees, c/o Secretary,
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, 31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 300, Farmington Hills,
Michigan 48334. All communications received by the Trusts Secretary which are addressed to the
Board will be forwarded directly to the members of the Board.
Shareholders, Trust employees, officers, Trustees or any other interested persons who have
concerns or complaints regarding accounting or auditing matters of the Trust are encouraged to
contact, anonymously or otherwise, the Chairman of the Audit Committee (or any Trustee who is a
member of the Audit Committee). Such admissions will be treated confidentially.
16
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board. The executive
officers of the Trust are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Title |
Dennis E. Gershenson.
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
Trustee; President and Chief Executive Officer |
Gregory R. Andrews
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary |
Catherine J. Clark
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Acquisitions |
Thomas W. Litzler
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Executive Vice President Development and New Business Initiatives |
Michael J. Sullivan
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Asset Management |
Frederick A. Zantello
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
See Proposal 1Election of TrusteesTrustees and Nominees for biographical and other
information regarding Mr. Gershenson.
Gregory R. Andrews has been Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since March 2010.
Previously, Mr. Andrews served as Executive Vice President of Finance of the Trust from February to
March 2010. Mr. Andrews has over 20 years of real estate experience, including executive
management positions with Equity One, Inc., another publicly traded REIT, from November 2006 to
April 2009 (including as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) and Green Street
Advisors, Inc., an investment advisory firm, from March 1997 to November 2006. Mr. Andrews was
also previously a vice president in the commercial real estate group at Bank of America.
Catherine J. Clark has been Senior Vice President Acquisitions since June 2005. Ms. Clark
has been employed with the Trust since 1997 in various acquisition roles. Previously, Ms. Clark
was a Vice President with Farmington Mortgage, a subsidiary of the Fourmidable Group, and Vice
President with Amurcon Corporation. Ms. Clark has over 25 years of experience in the real estate
industry.
Thomas W. Litzler has been Executive Vice President Development and New Business
Initiatives since February 2006. Mr. Litzler was Senior Vice President, Asset Manager for New
Plan Excel Realty Trusts Midwest Region from 2003 to 2006, and was Vice President of Development
for A&Ps Midwest region from 1994 to 2002. Mr. Litzler is a member of the Michigan Committee for
the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Michael J. Sullivan has been Senior Vice President Asset Management since August 2005.
Previously, Mr. Sullivan was Senior Vice President of Operations for Restaurant Associates Sports
& Entertainment division, a subsidiary of Compass Group PLC. Mr. Sullivan holds a baccalaureate
in International Relations from St. Josephs University in Pennsylvania. His professional
affiliations include the International Council of Shopping Centers and National Association of
Concessionaires.
Frederick A. Zantello has been an Executive Vice President since June 2005. Mr. Zantello has
been employed with the Trust since April 1997, including serving as Executive Vice President of
Development and Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President of Asset Management,
respectively. Previously, Mr. Zantello was the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
with Glimcher Realty Trust and Director of Real Estate with Federated Department Stores. Mr.
Zantello is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and has over 30 years of
experience in the real estate industry.
17
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Compensation Committee of the Board (referred to as the Committee in this section),
composed entirely of independent Trustees, administers the executive compensation program of the
Trust. The Committees responsibilities include recommending and overseeing compensation and
benefit plans and policies, reviewing and approving equity grants and otherwise administering
share-based compensation plans, and reviewing and approving annually all compensation decisions
relating to the Trusts executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and the other executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the
named executive officers). This section of the proxy statement explains how the Trusts
compensation programs are designed and operated in practice with respect to the named executive
officers.
Mr. Richard Smith resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on November 16, 2009 and
entered into a Separation and Release Agreement (the Separation Agreement) on December 23, 2009.
See Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-ControlRichard Smiths Severance Agreement
for a description of the terms of the Separation Agreement.
On November 17, 2009, the Trust appointed James H. Smith to serve as Interim Chief Financial
Officer subsequent to the resignation of Mr. Richard Smith. The Trust paid CFO Synergy, Inc., a
consulting company for which Mr. James Smith serves as President, $275 per hour as well as
reimbursement for specified expenses. All references in this CD&A exclude the foregoing
compensation arrangement for Mr. James Smith.
Mr. Gregory R. Andrews was appointed Executive Vice President of Finance in February 2010 and
became Chief Financial Officer and Secretary in March 2010, replacing Mr. James Smith. See the
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 19, 2010, for a description of Mr. Andrews employment
agreement with the Trust.
Executive Summary
Compensation Program and Philosophy. The Trusts compensation program for named executive
officers is designed to:
|
|
|
establish and reinforce the Trusts pay-for-performance philosophy; |
|
|
|
|
motivate and reward the achievement of specific annual and long-term financial and
strategic goals of the Trust; |
|
|
|
|
attract, retain and motivate key executives critical to the Trusts operations and
strategies; and |
|
|
|
|
be competitive relative to peer companies. |
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Trusts compensation program for named executive
officers historically has consisted of a base salary, an annual bonus, long-term incentive
compensation and certain other benefits. The Trust also provides certain deferred compensation and
severance arrangements.
The Committee recognizes that a compensation program must be flexible to address all of its
objectives. The Committee historically has used market data as a compensation guideline, and the
Committee also considers Trust performance, individual performance reviews, hiring and retention
needs and other market factors in finalizing its compensation determinations. The Committee
customarily takes significant direction from the recommendations of Mr. Gershenson and market data
from third party consultants to determine the amount and form of compensation utilized in the
executive compensation program. See Advisors Utilized in Compensation Determinations below.
2009 Compensation Summary for Named Executive Officers. As of the time the Committee
deliberated regarding the 2009 compensation program for the named executive officers in late 2008
and early 2009, forecasts for 2009 generally projected a continued weakening economy in the United
States, with the continuation of a severe economic recession. Although management was unable to
predict the duration and depth of the economic slowdown and the precise impact on the Trusts
business at such time, management noted that a continuing weak economy would strain the resources
of the Trusts tenants and their customers, as well as the Trusts joint venture partners, and
negatively impact the Trusts ongoing business and future operations. In addition, there were a
significant number of economic indicators, general and industry specific, that indicated the shopping
center industry and the real estate sector would be negatively affected for a number of years in
terms of operations, liquidity and access to the capital markets. As of March 4, 2009, when the
Committee finalized the 2009 compensation program for the named executive officers, the Shares
closed at $5.48, approximately 11% lower from December 31, 2008 and 75% lower from March 3, 2008,
the date the Committee finalized the 2008 compensation program for the named executive officers.
18
The foregoing factors materially affected the Committees design and implementation of the
2009 compensation program. The Committee was challenged to balance the need to properly attract,
motivate and retain the named executive officers, the importance of being fiscally conservative and
reducing cash and non-cash compensation expense, and ensuring alignment with shareholders. The
Committees key determinations for the 2009 compensation program included:
|
|
|
to freeze or reduce base salaries for all named executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
to reduce the target annual bonuses by 50% for 2009 for Mr. Zantello, Mr. Litzler and
Mr. Sullivan; |
|
|
|
|
to obtain the agreement from Mr. Gershenson to eliminate his guaranteed bonus, which was
established pursuant to his continuing employment agreement, although such bonus remained
discretionary for 2009; and |
|
|
|
|
to issue no equity awards under long-term incentive program for 2009. |
Material Changes for 2010 Compensation Program. See Material Changes for 2010 Compensation
Program for Named Executive Officers below for a summary of material changes to the annual bonus
program for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the long-term incentive
compensation program and the Change of Control Policy.
Advisors Utilized in Compensation Determinations
Management and Other Employees. The Committee takes significant direction from the
recommendations of Mr. Gershenson regarding the design and implementation of the executive
compensation program because he has significant involvement in and knowledge of the Trusts
business goals, strategies and performance, the overall effectiveness of the executive officers and
each persons individual contribution to the Trusts performance. For each named executive officer,
the Committee is provided a compensation recommendation as well as information regarding historical
earned compensation, the individuals experience, current performance, potential for advancement
and other subjective factors. Mr. Gershenson also provides recommendations for the performance
metrics to be utilized in the incentive compensation programs, the appropriate performance targets
and an analysis of whether such performance targets have been achieved (including recommended
adjustments). The Committee retains the discretion to modify the recommendations of Mr. Gershenson
and reviews such recommendations for their reasonableness based on the Trusts compensation
philosophy and related considerations.
Generally, the Committee sets the meeting dates and agendas for Committee meetings and Mr.
Gershenson is invited to attend many of such meetings. The Committee also meets regularly in
executive session outside the presence of management to discuss compensation issues generally, as
well as to review the performance of and determine the compensation of Mr. Gershenson. The Trusts
legal advisors, human resources department and corporate accounting department support the
Committee in its work in developing and administering the compensation plans and programs.
Third-Party Consultants. With respect to the 2009 executive compensation program, the
Compensation Committee engaged Mercer to discuss best-practices and market trends in compensation.
Benchmarking. The Committee and Mr. Gershenson historically have used market data as
an important guideline in establishing target compensation, with the objective of having various
compensation elements at or slightly above the market median. However, the Committee determined not
to benchmark compensation for named executive officers for 2009 in light of the overriding concerns
regarding the recession and economic and capital market uncertainties.
19
2009 Compensation Components for Named Executive Officers
The principal components of the 2009 compensation program for the named executive officers
were primarily base salary and an annual bonus. In addition, named executive officers received
limited perquisites. The Trust also provides certain named executive officers with deferred
compensation arrangements. Further, Mr. Gershenson has an employment agreement with the Trust
(which includes specified severance benefits), and all named executive officers are beneficiaries
of the Trusts change in control policy adopted in July 2007.
The following table sets forth how each element of compensation in the 2009 executive
compensation program is intended to satisfy one or more of the Trusts compensation objectives, as
well as key features of the compensation elements that address such objectives. The table also
includes the compensation objectives of long-term share-based equity awards, given that awards from
prior years continued to serve the Committees compensation objectives in 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Element of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
Compensation Objectives |
|
|
|
Key Features |
Base Salary
|
|
|
|
Provide a minimum, fixed level of cash compensation
|
|
|
|
Changes based on an evaluation of
the individuals experience, current
performance,
potential for
advancement,
internal pay equity
and comparison to
peer groups |
|
|
|
|
Important factor in retaining and attracting key
employees in a competitive marketplace
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preserve an employees commitment during downturns
in the general economy, the REIT industry and/or
equity markets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Bonus Program
|
|
|
|
Incentive for the achievement of short-term Trust
performance
|
|
|
|
Messrs.
Gershenson and Richard Smith were
eligible for discretionary
bonuses. Other named executive
officers were had
target bonuses of
0% to 30% of base
salary, although
bonuses remained
discretionary. |
|
|
|
|
Assist in retaining, attracting and motivating
employees in the near term
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To the extent paid in cash,
provides a balance for volatile equity compensation
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock,
granted as part of
2007 and 2008
bonuses, remains
outstanding |
|
|
|
|
To the extent paid in restricted stock, ensures
shareholder-management alignment and focus on
long-term fundamentals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Share-Based
Incentive Awards
|
|
|
|
Provide incentive for employees to focus on
long-term fundamentals and thereby create long-term
shareholder value
|
|
|
|
Stock ownership
guidelines
reinforce focus on long-term
fundamentals |
|
|
|
|
Maintain shareholder-management alignment
|
|
|
|
Although no 2009
grants were made,
outstanding
long-term
share-based
incentive awards
made in prior years
continue to serve
the programs
objectives |
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|
Service-Based
Restricted Stock
|
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|
Provides upside incentive, with some down market
protection
|
|
|
|
50% of long-term
incentive
compensation award
|
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|
Vests in five
equal installments
on anniversary of
grant date |
|
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|
Performance-Based
Restricted Stock
|
|
|
|
Enhances pay-for-performance objective
Incentive for the achievement of three-year
performance goals
|
|
|
|
50% of long-term
incentive
compensation award
Earned over
three-year period
based on diluted
FFO per share
growth. Can earn 0%
to 150% of target
based on
performance
|
|
|
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|
|
As of the date
the Committee
determines the
satisfaction of the
performance
measure, 50% of the
award is granted
immediately in
Shares, and 50% of
the award is
granted as
service-based
restricted stock
with vesting on
first anniversary
of the Share grant
date |
|
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|
Perquisites and
Other Benefits
|
|
|
|
Assist in retaining and attracting employees in
competitive marketplace, with indirect benefit to
Trust
|
|
|
|
May include
health care
premiums, life
insurance premiums,
matching
contributions in
401(k) |
20
|
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|
Element of |
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|
Compensation |
|
|
|
Compensation Objectives |
|
|
|
Key Features |
|
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|
|
|
|
plan,
holiday cards,
housing allowance
and mileage
reimbursement |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Change of control
policy or arrangements
|
|
|
|
Ensure continued dedication of employees in case
of personal uncertainties or risk of job loss
|
|
|
|
Double trigger
(change of control and actual or
constructive termination of
employment)
required for
benefits |
|
|
|
|
Ensure compensation and benefits expectations are
satisfied
|
|
|
|
All executive
officers
participate in such
policy |
|
|
|
|
Retain and attract employees in a competitive
market
|
|
|
|
Mr. Gershenson is
eligible for a full
tax-gross up |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Employment
agreements
|
|
|
|
Retain and attract employees in a competitive
market
|
|
|
|
Mr. Gershenson
has an employment agreement |
|
|
|
|
Ensure continued dedication of employees in case
of personal uncertainties or risk of job loss
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation Differences Among Named Executive Officers. Benchmarking by job
responsibilities and position had been a significant factor in the Trusts compensation program for
named executive officers in prior years, but it was not a direct factor in the 2009 compensation
determinations. However, such benchmarking in prior years continued to impact the 2009 program, as
the Committee generally committed to maintain 2008 base salaries and the eligible bonuses for
certain named executive officers were based on a percentage of base salary. The job
responsibilities and positions of the named executive officers are as follows. Mr. Gershenson,
President and Chief Executive Officer, leads the management of the Trust across all departments as
well as serving as managements representative on the Board. Mr. Richard Smith, Former Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary, was primarily responsible for financial matters of the Trust and
also shared significant responsibilities and leadership with Mr. Gershenson in his core areas of
responsibility as well as the Trust as a whole. The other named executive officers are responsible
for key operating divisions of the Trust.
The Committee also utilized internal pay equity as an additional data point, but the Committee
does not target specific internal pay equity metrics.
Base Salary. The base salaries of named executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis,
as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities. Annual merit increases
are generally effective January of the applicable year.
Historically, the Committee relies primarily on peer group analyses in determining annual
salary increases while also considering the Trusts overall performance. The Committee also
considers the individuals experience, current performance and potential for advancement.
For the reasons noted above, the Committee determined to freeze base salaries of the named
executive officers for 2009, except Mr. Zantellos salary was reduced to $250,000 as part of a
rebalancing of his 2009 compensation components. The following table sets forth the base salaries
approved for the named executive officers in 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
2009 Base Salary ($) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
465,660 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
323,502 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
250,000 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
317,566 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
244,007 |
|
Annual Bonus.
Target BonusMr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith. Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard
Smith have historically received discretionary bonuses, which have been primarily based upon the
peer group analyses and a review of the Trusts overall performance. In 2009, Mr. Gershenson
agreed to waive his guaranteed minimum annual bonus of $350,000 for the remainder of the term of
his employment agreement.
21
Target BonusOther Named Executive Officers. The target bonus for the other named
executive officers, which is also discretionary, is calculated based on a percentage of such
persons base salary. The annual cash bonus program is based upon the Committees subjective
review of a variety of corporate, department and individual factors, along with the Committees
view of the market and of the Trusts need to retain its key executives.
Payment Method. Historically, the annual bonus has been paid in cash. In 2007, the
Committee determined to issue restricted stock, with vesting in equal installments over two years,
in lieu of all or a portion of the cash bonuses otherwise payable to named executive officers. In
particular, Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith were granted restricted stock in lieu of 100% of
the 2007 bonuses and 662/3% of the 2008 bonuses, and the other named executive officers were granted
restricted stock in lieu of 25% of their 2007 and 2008 bonuses. The Committee had expressed its
intention to continue this practice through at least the bonus relating to the 2009 executive
compensation program, with 25% of the bonuses of all named executive officers paid in the form of
restricted stock. However, the Committee determined to pay all 2009 bonuses in cash.
Set forth below are the annual bonuses of the named executive officers for 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned Annual Bonus |
|
2009 Target |
|
Earned Annual Bonus |
Name |
|
2008 ($)(1) |
|
Annual Bonus |
|
2009 ($) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
375,391 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
139,320 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
102,540 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
83,592 |
|
|
|
63,513 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
60,372 |
|
|
|
48,801 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the cash value of the 2008 annual bonus and special discretionary bonus. The
annual bonus was paid 662/3% in restricted stock to Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith and 25% in
restricted stock to the other named executive officers. The special discretionary bonus was paid
100% in restricted stock. The dollar value of the special grants made to each named executive
officer was generally equal to 54.8% of the amount paid to such person under the 2008 annual bonus
program. However, Mr. Zantello received a grant equal to 127.9% of his 2008 annual bonus. |
Earned 2009 Bonus. For 2009, the Committee particularly noted Mr. Gershensons
important role in leading the Board in a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives and the
successful completion of an equity offering. Mr. Richard Smith did not receive a bonus in 2009 due
to the termination of his employment.
For 2009, earned bonuses for Mr. Zantello, Mr. Litzler and Mr. Sullivan were approximately
34% to 71% lower than 2008 earned bonuses, which primarily reflected the 50% reduction in
target annual bonuses and the discretionary bonus grant in 2008. Mr. Sullivans bonus was a higher
percentage of his target bonus generally due to the relative performance of the asset management
department in 2009.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. In light of the global economic and financial crisis, and
the resulting impact on the operations and liquidity of the Trust and difficulty in forecasting
operating performance for 2009 and thereafter, the Committee determined to suspend the long-term
incentive compensation program for 2009. Therefore, no long-term performance target awards were
made in March 2009.
The Committee continues to believe in the importance of share-based awards. However, the
Committee determined that existing service-based and performance-based restricted stock awards were
sufficient to temporarily satisfy the objectives of its long-term incentive compensation program
until the prospects for the economy and the Trusts business stabilized. In particular, there
remained a significant number of existing awards previously granted in lieu of cash bonuses in 2007
and 2008, as well in connection with prior long-term incentive programs.
2007 Awards. Under the prior long-term incentive program, no cash payouts or
restricted stock grants were earned for the 2007 to 2009 performance period.
22
Equity
CompensationOther Policies.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. Effective September 2008, the Committee approved
stock ownership guidelines for the executive officers. The guidelines require such persons to hold
a number of Shares having a market value equal to a multiple of their then current base salary; Mr.
Gershensons multiple is five and all other executive officers multiple is three. Covered
employees have a five-year period to comply with the guidelines, with the initial compliance
deadline being September 2013. The Committee will review the minimum equity holding level and other
market trends and practices on a periodic basis. The Committee has confirmed that all employees
currently satisfy the guidelines or are making significant progress toward the guidelines.
Timing and Pricing of Share-Based Grants. The Trust does not coordinate the timing of
share-based grants with the release of material non-public information. Annual stock option or
restricted stock grants for executive officers and other employees are generally made at the first
Committee meeting each year with a grant date as of such approval or shortly thereafter. Further,
restricted stock awards that are subject to performance measures are generally granted at the first
Committee meeting of the year following satisfaction of such performance measures. The Committee
generally establishes dates for regularly scheduled meetings at least a year in advance.
In accordance with the Trusts compensation plans, the exercise price of each stock option is
the closing price of the Shares (as reported by the NYSE) on the grant date (which date is not
earlier than the date the Committee approved such grant). The Committee is prohibited from
repricing options, both directly (by lowering the exercise price) and indirectly (by canceling an
outstanding option and granting a replacement stock option with a lower exercise price), without
shareholder approval, except in limited circumstances such as a stock split, stock dividend,
special dividend or distribution or similar transactions.
Trading Limitations. In addition to the restrictions set forth in SEC regulations,
the Trust has an insider trading policy, which among other things, prohibits Trustees, executive
officers and other employees from engaging in short sales, trading in options or participating in
any other speculative investments relating to the Trusts stock.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits. The Trust historically provides named executive
officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Committee believes are reasonable
and consistent with its overall compensation program to enable the Trust to attract and retain
employees for key positions. See the Summary Compensation Table for a description of certain
perquisites provided to named executive officers in 2009.
Deferred Stock. The Committee believes nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements are a
useful tool to assist in tax planning and ensure retirement income for its named executive
officers. Existing deferred compensation arrangements do not provide for above-market or
preferential earnings as defined under SEC regulations.
Messrs. Zantello and Richard Smith are, and Mr. Gershenson was (prior to the end of the
deferral period in December 2009), party to deferral agreements with the Trust whereby they
irrevocably committed to defer the gain on the exercise of specified stock options. See Named
Executive Officer Compensation Tables Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Trust Share-Based Plans Deferred Stock for additional information.
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers (the Officer Deferred
Compensation Plan), an officer can elect to defer restricted shares which may be granted during a
subsequent calendar year (Deferral Year) by completing and filing a proper deferred compensation
agreement with the Secretary of the Trust no later than December 31 of the year prior to the
Deferral Year. Restricted shares deferred will be credited to a stock account in the name of the
applicable officer. Shares in the stock account will receive distributions, which at the officers
election will either be paid in cash or will be reinvested in shares. An officer can modify or
revoke his or her existing deferral election only on a prospective basis, and only for restricted
shares to be granted in a subsequent calendar year, and only if the officer executes a new deferred
compensation agreement or revokes his or her existing deferred compensation agreement in writing by
December 31 of the year preceding the calendar year for which such modification or revocation is to
be effective. The officer must elect the end of the deferral period at the time of such election
and, except for a few circumstances, no officer shall have any right to make any early withdrawals
from the officers deferred compensation accounts. No executive officers elected to defer their
restricted share grants in 2009.
23
Contingent Compensation. The Trust has an employment agreement with Mr. Gershenson which
provides for specified severance benefits, including termination upon a change of control. Mr.
Gershensons agreement includes a full tax gross-up regarding change of control payments, which
reinforces the purpose of the change of control benefit.
In addition, effective July 10, 2007, the Trust established a Change of Control Policy for the
benefit of the executive officers of the Trust. The policy provides for payments of specified
amounts if such persons employment with the Trust or any subsidiary is terminated in specified
circumstances following a change of control, but does not include a tax gross-up. The Trust
believes this policy would be instrumental in the success of the Trust in the event of any future
hostile takeover bid and would ensure the continued dedication of employees, notwithstanding the
possibility, threat or occurrence of a change of control. Further, it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of such employees by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created
by a pending or threatened change of control, and to provide such employees with compensation and
benefits upon a change of control that ensure that such employees compensation and benefits
expectations are satisfied. Finally, many competitors have change of control arrangements with
named executive officers and such policy ensures the Trust will be competitive in its compensation
program. See Named Executive Officer Compensation TablesPotential Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control for further information.
As noted earlier, Mr. Richard Smith resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on
November 16, 2009 and entered into the Separation Agreement on December 23, 2009. See Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-ControlRichard Smiths Severance Agreement for a
description of the terms of the Separation Agreement.
Material Changes for 2010 Compensation Program for Named Executive Officers
Annual Bonus. On March 1, 2010, the Committee approved the adoption of the 2010 Executive
Incentive Plan for the Trusts Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The purpose of
such plan is to enhance pay-for-performance compensation and to ensure greater transparency.
Both Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Andrews will participate in the short-term incentive program, the
components of which are based 40% on change in funds from operations per share, 30% on balance
sheet improvement, and 30% on individual/strategic goals. Each of the components is analyzed
independently of the others. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer will have
target short-term incentive opportunities equal to 100% and 60% of base salary, respectively.
Threshold payout (50% of target incentive), target payout (100% of target incentive) and maximum
payout (200% of target incentive) will be determined by the Committee based on its assessment of
the achievement of individual and strategic goals established in advance by the Committee.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program. In 2010, the Committee re-implemented the Trusts
long-term incentive compensation program, with approved long-term incentive targets of 75% to 120%
of base salary for the named executive officers, which generally is consistent with the historical
long-term incentive program. The long-term incentive program consists of service-based restricted
stock and performance-based restricted stock. In 2010, the Committee determined that service-based
restricted stock grants and performance-based restricted stock grants each would correspond to 50%
of the long-term incentive dollar target.
The performance-based restricted stock is earned based on the achievement of specific
performance measures over a period of three calendar years (with such measures established by the
Committee at the beginning of the three-year period). For 2010 awards, the sole performance measure
is relative total shareholder return over a three-year period. The Committee revised the
applicable performance goal from FFO per diluted share, which was utilized for grants made in 2008,
to relative total shareholder return based on the Committees current view that a relative
performance measure was more meaningful to long-term investors. The twelve peer companies for 2010
are publicly traded shopping center REITs, which were selected based on the Committees view that
such REITs were the Trusts primary competitors for shareholder investment: Kimco Realty
Corporation, Developers Diversified Realty Corporation, Weingarten Realty Investors, Regency
Centers Corporation, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Equity One, Inc., Cedar Shopping Centers,
Inc., Acadia Realty Trust, Inland Real Estate Corporation, Kite Realty Group Trust, Saul Centers,
Inc., and Urstadt Biddle Properties.
24
Contingent Compensation. Effective March 1, 2010, the Trust amended its Change in Control
Policy applicable to the Trusts Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, executive vice
president or any senior vice president. As of the date hereof, the covered officers are: Dennis
Gershenson, Gregory R. Andrews, Frederick A. Zantello, Thomas W. Litzler, Catherine J. Clark and
Michael J. Sullivan. The policy provides for payment of specified amounts to the covered officers
if such persons employment with the Trust or any subsidiary is terminated in specified
circumstances following a change in control (as defined in the policy). The primary purpose of
the 2010 amendment was to revise the amounts payable thereunder, which now equals the product of
(x) for the Chief Executive Officer, 2.99, and for the Chief Financial Officer, an executive vice
president or a senior vice president, 2.0, and (y) the base amount under Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC). The 2010 amendment also revised the definition
of a change of control to eliminate the trigger caused by the election or appointment to the Board
of any Trustee whose appointment or election to the Board or nomination for election by the Trusts
shareholders was not approved by a vote of at least a majority of specified Trustees.
Policy Regarding Retroactive Adjustment
Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 authorizes a company to require the return of
certain incentive-based compensation and stock profits of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer if the company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the
material noncompliance of the company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting
requirement under the securities laws. The Committee does not otherwise have a formal policy
regarding whether it will make retroactive adjustments to, or attempt to recover, cash or
share-based incentive compensation granted or paid to executive officers in which the payment was
predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that are subsequently the subject of a
restatement. The Committee may seek to recover any amount determined to have been inappropriately
received by any executive officer to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation. The Committee has reviewed the Trusts compensation
policies in light of Section 162(m) of the IRC, which generally limits deductions by a
publicly-held corporation for compensation paid to certain executive officers to $1,000,000 per
annum, subject to specified exceptions (the most significant of which is performance-based
compensation), and has determined that the compensation levels of the Trusts executive officers
were not at a level that would be materially affected by such provisions. Even if the Trusts
compensation expense deduction were limited by Section 162(m), as long as the Trust continues to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the IRC, the payment of non-deductible compensation
should not have a material adverse impact on the Trust. The Committee intends to continue to review
the application of Section 162(m) with respect to any future compensation arrangements considered
by the Trust.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. Section 409A of the IRC provides that amounts deferred
under nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements will be included in an employees income when
vested unless certain conditions are met. If the certain conditions are not satisfied, amounts
subject to such arrangements will be immediately taxable and employees will be subject to
additional income tax, penalties and a further additional income tax calculated as interest on
income taxes deferred under the arrangement. In December 2008, the Trust revised certain of its
compensation agreements to ensure that the Trusts employment, severance and deferred compensation
arrangements satisfy the requirements of Section 409A to allow for deferral without accelerated
taxation, penalties or interest.
Change of Control Payments. Section 280G of the IRC disallows a companys tax deduction for
excess parachute payments, generally defined as payments to specified persons that are contingent
upon a change of control in an amount equal to or greater than three times the persons base amount
(the five-year average of Form W-2 compensation). Additionally, IRC Section 4999 imposes a 20%
excise tax on any person who receives such excess parachute payments.
The Trusts share-based plans entitle participants to payments in connection with a change of
control that may result in excess parachute payments. Further, Mr. Gershensons employment
agreement, along with the Change of Control Policy for the benefit of executive officers, entitle such persons to payments upon
termination of their employment following a change of control that may qualify as excess parachute
payments. As noted earlier, Mr. Gershensons employment agreement provides for a full tax-gross up
on benefits that exceed limits set forth in Section 280G of the IRC.
25
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis (CD&A) in this proxy statement with management, including the Chief Executive Officer.
Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the
CD&A be included in the Trusts annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and
the proxy statement for the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Compensation Committee
Arthur H. Goldberg (Chairman)
Stephen R. Blank
Robert A. Meister
Matthew L. Ostrower
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During 2009, none of the Trusts executive officers served on the board of directors or
compensation committee (or committee performing equivalent functions) of any other company that had
one or more executive officers serving on the Board or Compensation Committee.
Mr. Ward previously was an officer of the Trust; none of the other members of the Compensation
Committee is or has been an officer or an employee of the Trust.
26
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION TABLES
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by the named executive
officers in 2009, 2008 and 2007.
|
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|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Compensati |
|
Compensati |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
on |
|
on |
|
Total |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
483,570 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
294,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,974 |
|
|
|
1,202,083 |
|
President and CEO |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
464,971 |
|
|
|
80,850 |
|
|
|
1,043,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,529 |
|
|
|
1,620,138 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
441,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
392,907 |
|
|
|
99,057 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,130 |
|
|
|
960,123 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
308,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,227 |
|
|
|
469,113 |
|
Former CFO and Secretary |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
323,024 |
|
|
|
30,006 |
|
|
|
471,174 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,924 |
|
|
|
855,128 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
310,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,295 |
|
|
|
52,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,970 |
|
|
|
513,705 |
|
James H. Smith |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
45,736 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,736 |
|
Interim CFO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
275,113 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
68,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,350 |
|
|
|
431,253 |
|
Executive VP |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
307,219 |
|
|
|
33,750 |
|
|
|
253,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,174 |
|
|
|
656,331 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
298,271 |
|
|
|
67,500 |
|
|
|
113,259 |
|
|
|
39,328 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,452 |
|
|
|
579,810 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
329,780 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
43,095 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
407,875 |
|
Executive VP-Development |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
316,984 |
|
|
|
40,500 |
|
|
|
314,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,875 |
|
|
|
677,903 |
|
and New Business Initiatives |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
302,158 |
|
|
|
86,250 |
|
|
|
114,734 |
|
|
|
33,443 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,314 |
|
|
|
554,899 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
253,392 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
31,121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
324,513 |
|
Senior VPAsset |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
243,734 |
|
|
|
29,250 |
|
|
|
199,247 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,875 |
|
|
|
478,106 |
|
Management |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
236,635 |
|
|
|
48,750 |
|
|
|
74,877 |
|
|
|
21,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,314 |
|
|
|
399,979 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts reported reflect the grant date fair value (excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures). All awards in the Stock Awards column for 2009 relate to restricted
stock granted in 2009 under the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The grant date fair value of each share of restricted stock is calculated as the closing price of the Shares as
of the grant date. |
|
(2) |
|
For 2009, this column consists of: |
|
|
|
Dennis Gershenson full payment of health care premiums and life insurance premiums. |
|
|
|
Richard Smith cash severance and COBRA of $28,986 through December 31, 2009, a car allowance, life insurance premiums and full payment of health care premiums. |
|
|
|
Frederick Zantello housing allowance and mileage reimbursement of $42,830 and full payment of health care premiums. |
Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table.
Employment Agreement Mr. Gershenson. See Potential Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control for a description of the material terms of Mr. Gershensons employment
agreement.
Separation and Release Agreement Mr. Richard Smith. See Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control for a description of the material terms of Mr. Richard Smiths
separation and release agreement.
Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith2008 Stock Awards. The 2008 Stock Awards column for Mr.
Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith, in particular, include restricted stock grants related to a
number of different programs. The programs and related grant date fair value are noted in the
table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Purpose |
|
Mr. Gershenson |
|
Mr. Richard Smith |
100% of 2007 annual bonus paid in
restricted stock |
|
$ |
425,000 |
|
|
$ |
180,004 |
|
Additional 2007 annual bonus award |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2008 long-term incentive program: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service-based restricted stock |
|
|
279,394 |
|
|
|
145,585 |
|
Performance-based restricted stock |
|
|
279,394 |
|
|
|
145,585 |
|
27
James H. Smith. On November 17, 2009, the Trust appointed James H. Smith to serve as Interim
Chief Financial Officer. The amounts noted above for 2009 represent the amount that the Trust paid
CFO Synergy, Inc., a consulting company for which Mr. James Smith serves as President, for Mr.
Smiths service as Interim Chief Financial Officer. The consulting agreement provided for payment
of $275 per hour as well as reimbursement for specified expenses.
Bonus. For 2009, Mr. Gershensons bonus was paid all in cash and is reported in the Bonus
column. For 2008, one-third of the bonuses of Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard Smith were paid in
cash, with grant date fair value reflected in the Bonus column for 2008. The remaining two-thirds
of such bonus was paid in restricted stock at the election of the Trust, and the grant date fair
value is reflected in the Stock Awards column in 2009. In 2007, 100% of the annual bonus was paid
in restricted stock. Therefore no amounts were reported in the Bonus column for 2007 and the
grant date fair value was reflected in the Stock Awards column in 2008. The foregoing partially
explains the significant increase in reported compensation for Messrs. Gershenson and Richard Smith
from 2007 to 2008.
Mr. Zantello, Mr. Litzler and Mr. Sullivan earned the cash bonuses specified above in the
Bonus column for 2009. For 2008 and 2007, 75% of such bonus was paid in cash, with such amounts
reflected in the Bonus column for such years. The remaining 25% of such bonus for 2008 and 2007
was paid in restricted stock at the election of the Trust, and the grant date fair value is
reflected in the Stock Awards column in 2009 and 2008, respectively, which reflects the year such
shares were granted.
2008 Special Discretionary Grant of Restricted Stock. In addition to the amounts noted
above, each named executive officer received a special discretionary grant of restricted stock on
March 4, 2009 as part of their 2008 bonus, having a cash value of: Mr. Gershenson, $132,890; Mr.
Richard Smith, $49,320; Mr. Zantello, $57,540; Mr. Litzler, $29,592; and Mr. Sullivan, $21,372. The
grant date fair value is reflected in the Stock Awards column for 2009.
Long-Term Incentive Program. In 2007, the long-term incentive program consisted of a
long-term incentive dollar target that was divided into three components: stock option grants, cash
target awards and performance-based restricted stock target awards (generally 25%, 25% and 50%,
respectively, of the long-term incentive dollar target). No cash or restricted stock awards were
earned for the 2007 to 2009 performance period. In 2008, the program was revised to provide 50% of
the long-term incentive dollar target in each of service-based restricted stock and
performance-based restricted stock, respectively. There were no grants under the long-term
incentive program for 2009 for named executive officers.
28
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009
The following table provides information about equity awards granted to the named executive
officers in 2009. There were no non-equity incentive awards in 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Stock Awards: |
|
Stock and |
|
|
Grant |
|
Number of Shares of Stock |
|
Option |
Name |
|
Date |
|
or Units |
|
Awards ($)(1) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
3/4/09 |
(2) |
|
|
24,250 |
|
|
|
132,890 |
|
|
|
|
3/4/09 |
(3) |
|
|
29,498 |
|
|
|
161,649 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
3/4/09 |
(2) |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
49,320 |
|
|
|
|
3/4/09 |
(3) |
|
|
10,948 |
|
|
|
59,995 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
3/4/09 |
(2) |
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
57,540 |
|
|
|
|
3/4/09 |
(3) |
|
|
2,053 |
|
|
|
11,250 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
3/4/09 |
(2) |
|
|
5,400 |
|
|
|
29,592 |
|
|
|
|
3/4/09 |
(3) |
|
|
2,464 |
|
|
|
13,503 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
3/4/09 |
(2) |
|
|
3,900 |
|
|
|
21,372 |
|
|
|
|
3/4/09 |
(3) |
|
|
1,779 |
|
|
|
9,749 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The grant date fair value of each share of restricted stock is calculated as the
closing price of the Shares as of the grant date. Each share of restricted stock
had a grant-date fair value of $5.48. The aggregate grant-date fair value is such
stock price multiplied by the target award. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents special discretionary stock grants relating to the 2008 annual bonus plan. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents restricted stock grants relating to the 2008 annual bonus plan. For Mr.
Zantello, Mr. Litzler and Mr. Sullivan, the threshold, target and maximum amounts in
cash were disclosed as Equity Incentive Plan Awards in the Grants of Plan-Based
Awards table in the 2008 proxy statement; the Shares referenced in the table above
represent Shares actually earned thereunder and granted in 2009. |
Narrative Discussion of Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009 Table.
Annual Bonus Program. For 2008, one-third of the bonuses of Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Richard
Smith were paid in cash, with such amounts reflected in the Bonus column for 2008 in the Summary
Compensation Table. The remaining two-thirds of such bonus was granted in restricted stock in March
2009 at the election of the Trust, and the grant date fair value is reflected in the Stock Awards
column for 2009 in the Summary Compensation Table as well as the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in
2009 table above.
For 2008, 75% of the bonuses of Mr. Zantello, Mr. Litzler and Mr. Sullivan were paid in
cash, with such amounts reported in the Bonus column for 2008 in the Summary Compensation Table.
The remaining 25% of such bonus was granted in restricted stock in March 2009 at the election of
the Trust, and the grant date fair value is reflected in the Stock Awards column for 2009 in the
Summary Compensation Table as well as the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009 table above.
29
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2009
The following table provides information on the holdings of stock option and stock awards by
the named executive officers as of December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Plan |
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares |
|
Market |
|
Unearned |
|
Market or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of |
|
or Units |
|
Value of |
|
Shares, |
|
Payout Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
of Stock |
|
Shares or |
|
Units or |
|
of Unearned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In-The-Money |
|
That |
|
Units of |
|
Other |
|
Shares, Units |
|
|
Grant |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
Options/SARs |
|
Have |
|
Stock That |
|
Rights |
|
or Other |
|
|
Date/ |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
At Fiscal |
|
Not |
|
Have Not |
|
That Have |
|
Rights That |
|
|
Performance |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
|
Year End |
|
Vested |
|
Vested |
|
Not Vested |
|
Have Not |
Name |
|
Period |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
($)(1) |
|
(#) |
|
($)(1) |
|
(#) |
|
Vested ($)(1) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
|
|
15,894 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
7,346 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,059 |
|
|
|
95,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,563 |
|
|
|
91,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/04/08 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
|
12,965 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,250 |
|
|
|
231,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,498 |
|
|
|
281,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01/01/08- 12/31/10 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,287 |
|
|
|
59,978 |
|
|
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
14,810 |
|
|
|
7,405 |
|
|
|
34.30 |
|
|
|
03/08/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
02/28/06 |
|
|
|
13,458 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.06 |
|
|
|
02/28/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/01/05 |
|
|
|
14,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.11 |
|
|
|
04/01/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/04 |
|
|
|
7,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.96 |
|
|
|
03/03/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Smith(6) |
|
|
03/08/07 |
|
|
|
7,884 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34.30 |
|
|
|
03/08/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
02/28/06 |
|
|
|
7,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.06 |
|
|
|
02/28/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/01/05 |
|
|
|
7,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.11 |
|
|
|
04/01/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/04 |
|
|
|
4,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.96 |
|
|
|
03/03/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/08/00 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.06 |
|
|
|
03/08/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
385 |
|
|
|
3,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,152 |
|
|
|
39,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
4,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
42,930 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,053 |
|
|
|
19,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
57,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01/01/08- 12/31/10 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596 |
|
|
|
24,766 |
|
|
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
5,880 |
|
|
|
2,940 |
|
|
|
34.30 |
|
|
|
03/08/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
02/28/06 |
|
|
|
7,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.06 |
|
|
|
02/28/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/01/05 |
|
|
|
7,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.11 |
|
|
|
04/01/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/04 |
|
|
|
3,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.96 |
|
|
|
03/03/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
03/03/08 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,144 |
|
|
|
49,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
6,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,400 |
|
|
|
51,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,464 |
|
|
|
23,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01/01/08- 12/31/10 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,216 |
|
|
|
30,681 |
|
|
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
34.30 |
|
|
|
03/08/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
02/28/06 |
|
|
|
7,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.06 |
|
|
|
02/28/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
03/03/08 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,294 |
|
|
|
31,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/03/08 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
3,482 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,900 |
|
|
|
37,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/04/09 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,779 |
|
|
|
16,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01/01/08- 12/31/10 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,059 |
|
|
|
19,643 |
|
|
|
|
03/08/07 |
(2) |
|
|
3,200 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
34.30 |
|
|
|
03/08/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
02/28/06 |
|
|
|
4,405 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.06 |
|
|
|
02/28/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based upon the closing price of the Shares on the NYSE on December 31, 2009 of $9.54. |
30
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Restricted stock or stock options vests one-third per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. |
|
(3) |
|
Restricted stock vests one-fifth per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. |
|
(4) |
|
Restricted stock vests one-half per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. |
|
(5) |
|
Restricted stock with performance component subject to satisfaction of applicable performance measures. As of
Compensation Committee approval of satisfaction of performance measure, 50% granted immediately in Shares, and 50%
granted as service-based restricted stock with vesting on first anniversary of the Share grant date.
|
|
|
|
Under the long-term incentive program, the Committee determined that the aggregate achievement for the 2007-2009
performance period was below the threshold award; therefore, this table assumes that the restricted stock awards
under the long-term incentive program for the 2008-2010 performance period will be at the threshold level. |
|
(6) |
|
All of Mr. Richard Smiths restricted shares vested as of December 23, 2009 pursuant the Separation Agreement,
dated December 23, 2009, between the Trust and Mr. Smith. Also, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Smiths
rights as to options vested as of November 20, 2009 to purchase a total of 52,436 Shares under the Trusts stock
option plans will continue until terminated or expired in accordance with the provisions of such plans and the
related stock options agreements. |
31
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2009
No stock options were exercised in 2009. The following table provides information on
restricted stock awards that vested in 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized |
|
|
Acquired on Vesting |
|
on Vesting |
Name |
|
(#)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
15,875 |
|
|
$ |
82,731 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
35,528 |
|
|
|
308,176 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
1,933 |
|
|
|
9,680 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
3,169 |
|
|
|
22,951 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
6,295 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The Shares vested in the following amounts on the following dates in 2009. The Shares that
vested on December 23, 2009 are pursuant to Mr. Richard Smiths Separation Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
March 3 |
|
March 8 |
|
April 4 |
|
June 12 |
|
December 23 |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
12,079 |
|
|
|
2,437 |
|
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
5,362 |
|
|
|
464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,702 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
1,546 |
|
|
|
387 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Litzler |
|
|
1,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Sullivan |
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The value realized is based upon the number of Shares received on the vesting date multiplied
by the closing price of the Shares on the NYSE on the vesting date. If the NYSE was closed on
the vesting date, the closing price of the preceding business day was used. The applicable
NYSE closing prices are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Vesting Date |
|
Closing Price |
03/03/09 |
|
$ |
5.29 |
|
03/08/09 |
|
|
3.88 |
|
04/04/09 |
|
|
6.90 |
|
06/12/09 |
|
|
10.30 |
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
9.36 |
|
32
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2009
The table below provides information on the nonqualified deferred compensation of the named
executive officers in 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
Balance at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Last FY |
|
Distributions |
|
Last FYE |
Name |
|
Plan |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
Stock option deferral |
|
|
139,436 |
|
|
|
(375,790 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
Stock option deferral |
|
|
111,910 |
|
|
|
(21,284 |
) |
|
|
257,313 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
Stock option deferral |
|
|
23,230 |
|
|
|
(4,418 |
) |
|
|
53,414 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The deferred shares are represented by notional shares in the deferral accounts.
Distributions are paid in cash when, and in the amount of, cash dividends paid on the Shares.
None of the earnings set forth in the table are above-market or preferential, and therefore
none of such amounts are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The number of notional
shares held by named executive officers as of December 31, 2009 is: Dennis Gershenson, 0;
Rich Smith, 26,972; and Frederick Zantello, 5,599. |
|
The following table sets forth the components of aggregate earnings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain Due to |
|
|
Cash |
|
Increase in |
Name |
|
|
Distributions |
|
Share Price |
Dennis E. Gershenson |
|
|
$23,936 |
|
|
|
$115,500 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
21,284 |
|
|
|
90,626 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello |
|
|
4,418 |
|
|
|
18,812 |
|
33
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
The following section describes potential payments and benefits to the named executive
officers under the Trusts compensation and benefit plans and arrangements upon termination of
employment or a change of control of the Trust.
Mr. Gershenson is the only named executive officer with an employment agreement with the
Trust. The Trust also has a Change of Control Policy in effect for the named executive officers.
Further, certain of the Trusts benefit plans and arrangements contain provisions regarding
acceleration of vesting and payment upon specified termination events; see Trust Share-Based
Plans below. In addition, the Trust may authorize discretionary severance payments to its named
executive officers upon termination.
Mr. Richard Smith resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on November 16, 2009 and
entered into the Separation Agreement on December 23, 2009, the terms of which are described below.
On November 17, 2009, the Trust appointed James H. Smith to serve as Interim Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. James Smith is not eligible for payments upon termination or a change of control.
Trust Share-Based Plans
2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Upon a change in control, any nonqualified stock options and
restricted stock outstanding as of the change of control will immediately vest in full;
notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Compensation Committee may set forth alternative change of
control terms at the time of the grant and (ii) a vote by three-fourths of the Board may determine
alternative terms at any time, so long as a majority of Trustees then in office are continuing
trustees as defined therein. Further, during the 60-day period from and after a change of control,
the Compensation Committee may grant holders of stock options the right to surrender all or part of
such stock options to the Trust, whether or not the stock options are fully exercisable, in
exchange for cash per share equal to the fair market value less the exercise price.
Other than in connection with a change of control, if an employee is terminated for any
reason, any restricted stock will be forfeited; however, the Compensation Committee is authorized
to waive such forfeiture in the event of retirement, permanent disability, death or other special
circumstances as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
Other than in connection with a change of control, if an employee is terminated for cause,
such employees stock options, even if immediately exercisable, will terminate (although the
Committee retains discretion to permit the exercise of such stock options until the earlier of 30
days and the stock options expiration date). If an employee is terminated for any reason other
than a change of control, death or disability or for cause, then such employees stock options may
be exercised, to the extent such stock options were exercisable before termination, for the lesser
of six months (or longer, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee) or until the stock
options expiration date. Stock options held by an employee whose employment is terminated due to
death or disability will immediately vest in full, and the legal representative or beneficiary may
exercise such stock options until the lesser of one year (or longer, at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee) or the stock options expiration date. The foregoing terms are set forth in
the nonqualified stock option agreements covering all outstanding stock options granted under the
2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2009.
Incentive stock options are subject to different termination and change of control provisions,
but no incentive stock options have been granted under the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan as of
December 31, 2009.
2009 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. No equity awards were issued to the named executive
officers under the 2009 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2009.
34
Deferred Stock. Messrs. Zantello and Richard Smith entered into deferral agreements with the
Trust whereby they irrevocably committed to defer the gain on the exercise of specified stock
options until the earlier of a period of five years, a termination for cause, or upon a change of
control (if followed by termination of employment within six months of such change of control).
Such persons may irrevocably elect to extend the deferral period two times, in each case for a
period of at least 24 months, subject to specified requirements. In December 2008, Messrs. Zantello
and Richard Smith extended the deferral period of certain deferred gains from 2009 to 2011 and
2012, respectively, as permitted by the original deferral agreement. The Trust may accelerate the
payout of the deferred award in the event of specified circumstances. Persons are fully vested in
such deferral accounts. Until the deferred shares are issued, such persons receive distributions in
cash when, and in the amount of, cash dividends paid on the Shares. Such persons do not have rights
as a shareholder with respect to the deferral accounts.
Dennis Gershensons Employment Agreement
Effective August 1, 2007, the Trust entered into a new employment agreement with Mr.
Gershenson, the Trusts President and Chief Executive Officer. The initial term of the agreement is
five years, with unlimited one-year automatic extensions unless either party gives written notice
of non-extension at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the term. The employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of at least $447,750 (with adjustments to be considered annually
by the Committee), a discretionary annual bonus (due to Mr. Gershensons mid-2009 waiver of his
minimum bonus of $350,000 set forth in the agreement) as well as other fringe benefits and
perquisites as are generally made available to the Trusts executives (including $1 million of term
life insurance paid by the Trust). The Trust began paying the premiums on the life insurance in
2008. Mr. Gershenson will also participate in share-based programs established for the benefit of
employees.
If Mr. Gershensons employment is terminated due to death or permanent disability, Mr.
Gershenson (or his legal representative of beneficiary) will receive a lump sum equal to 12 months
base salary and bonus (paid within 60 days of such termination). In the event of a permanent
disability, he will also be entitled to receive the fringe benefits specified in the employment
agreement, including coverage under all insurance programs and plans, for 12 months following such
termination, subject to specified limitations.
If Mr. Gershensons employment is terminated for cause or he terminates such employment
without good reason, Mr. Gershenson will receive the accrued and unpaid portion of his base salary,
bonus and benefits through the date of termination (paid within 30 days of such termination).
If Mr. Gershensons employment is terminated without cause (other than due to death or
permanent disability) or he terminates such employment for good reason, including a change of
control, Mr. Gershenson will receive: (i) accrued base salary through the termination date; (ii) a
lump sum severance payment (no later than the 30th day following the date that is six months
following the date of termination) equal to the greater of (x) the aggregate of all compensation
due to Mr. Gershenson for the remainder of the term of his employment agreement (assuming an annual
bonus equal to the average bonus under the employment agreement prior to termination), or (y) 2.99
times the base amount, as defined by Section 280G of the IRC (or a similar amount if Section 280G
is repealed or is otherwise inapplicable); (iii) an amount equal to Mr. Gershensons tax liability
for an excess parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the IRC, and an amount
equal to Mr. Gershensons income taxes payable for such tax liability payment by the Trust (such
payment to be made no later than the end of his taxable year following the taxable year in which
such taxes are remitted); and (iv) fringe benefits and perquisites as are generally made available
to the Trusts executives for the duration of the term of the employment agreement (but not less
than 12 months), including under all insurance programs and plans, subject to specified
limitations.
None of the severance amounts will be mitigated by compensation earned by Mr. Gershenson as
result of other employment or retirement benefits after the termination date.
In accordance with such employment agreement, Mr. Gershenson has also entered into a
noncompetition agreement with the Trust. The noncompetition agreement provides that, following
termination of Mr. Gershensons employment, Mr. Gershenson, subject to specified limitations: (i)
will not hire any person that is, or was within the prior 12 months, a Trust employee making at
least $60,000 per year in base salary, and he will not solicit such person to leave the employ of
the Trust; (ii) will not, directly or indirectly, acquire, develop, construct, operate, manage or
lease any existing Trust property or project; (iii) will not compete with the Trust within a 200
mile radius of any
35
Trust property or project that existed within the prior 12 months; and (iv) will maintain the
confidential and/or proprietary information of the Trust. The provisions in clauses (i) (iii)
will terminate one year after Mr. Gershenson is no longer an officer or Trustee of the Trust.
Change of Control Policy
Effective July 10, 2007, the Trust established a Change of Control Policy for the benefit of
the executive officers of the Trust. The policy provides for payments of specified amounts if such
persons employment with the Trust or any subsidiary is terminated in specified circumstances
following a change of control. The policy contains a double trigger. First, the persons employment
must be terminated (a) by the Trust other than for cause or upon such persons death or permanent
disability or (b) by the person for good reason. Secondly, such termination must occur within one
year following a change of control; provided, however, if a persons employment or status as an
officer with the Trust or any subsidiary is terminated within six months prior to the date on which
a change of control occurs and such termination was not for cause or voluntary by such person, then
the change of control date will be the date immediately prior to the date of such termination.
If the double trigger is satisfied, the person will receive the following amounts no later
than the 30th day following the termination date, the product of: (x) for the chief executive
officer, 2.99; for the chief financial officer, 2.5; for an executive vice president, 2.0; and for
a senior vice president, 1.0; and (y) the base amount under Section 280G of the IRC (or a similar
amount if Section 280G is repealed or is otherwise inapplicable). The policy does not contain a tax
gross-up benefit. Further, the amount received under the policy will be reduced to the extent a
person receives other severance or separation payments from the Trust (excluding the vesting of any
options, shares or rights under any incentive plan of the Trust).
Richard Smiths Severance Agreement
On December 23, 2009, the Trust and Mr. Smith entered into a Separation Agreement and Release.
Pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Smith will receive:
|
|
|
Base salary (based on the annualized rate at the time of termination) for 30
months; |
|
|
|
|
Immediate vesting of 29,702 unvested restricted shares; |
|
|
|
|
Up to $35,000 for interim office expenses and for his legal fees in connection with the
agreement; |
|
|
|
|
COBRA payments until the earlier of 18 months and the date Mr. Smith is eligible for a
new plan; |
|
|
|
|
Accrued vacation pay and other accrued obligations of the Trust; |
|
|
|
|
The right to exercise options vested as of November 20, 2009 to purchase a total of
52,436 Shares until otherwise terminated or expired in accordance with the provisions of
such plans and the related stock options agreements; and |
|
|
|
|
A full general release and discharge of known claims and causes of action for the
benefit of Mr. Smith. |
As consideration for such compensation and benefits, Mr. Smith:
|
|
|
Provided a full general release and discharge of claims and causes of action for
the benefit of the Trust and any of its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessors and each
of their respective officers, employees, directors, trustees, shareholders and agents; |
|
|
|
|
Agreed to be bound by non-solicitation provisions for 24 months; and |
|
|
|
|
Agreed to customary confidentiality requirements. |
36
Change of Control/Severance Payment Table as of December 31, 2009
The following table estimates the potential payments and benefits to the named executive
officers upon termination of employment or a change of control, assuming such event occurs on
December 31, 2009. These estimates do not reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to such
persons, which would only be known at the time that they become eligible for payment and would only
be payable if the specified event occurs.
|
|
Items Not Reflected in Table. The following items are not reflected in the table set forth
below: |
|
|
|
Accrued salary, bonus (except to the extent specifically noted in an employment
agreement) and vacation. |
|
|
|
|
Costs of COBRA or any other mandated governmental assistance program to former
employees. |
|
|
|
|
Welfare benefits provided to all salaried employees having substantially the same value. |
|
|
|
|
Amounts outstanding under the Trusts 401(k) plan. |
|
|
|
|
Deferred Stock. The deferral period for the deferred stock arrangement of Mr.
Zantello will terminate, among other things, due to a termination for cause or upon a
change of control (if followed by termination of employment within six months of such
change of control). The aggregate balance for each person relating to the deferral
arrangements is set forth in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2009 table. |
Change of Control Payments IRC Section 280G valuation. IRC Section 280G imposes tax
sanctions for payments made by the Trust that are contingent upon a change of control and equal to
or greater than three times an executives most recent five-year average annual taxable
compensation (referred to as the base amount). If tax sanctions apply, contingent payments, to
the extent they exceed an allocable portion of the base amount, become subject to a 20% excise tax
(payable by the executive) and are ineligible for a tax deduction by the Trust. Key assumptions in
this analysis include:
|
|
|
A change of control, termination of employment and all related payments occur on
December 31, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
Federal and state income tax rates of 35% and 3.9%, respectively, and a social
security/Medicare rate of 1.45%. |
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock and cash awards under the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan, for
performance periods that have not closed prior to the date of the change in control: the
2007-2009 performance period is not paid out and the 2008-2010 performance period is, based
on current expectations, paid out at the threshold amount. |
|
|
|
|
The value of unvested, non-qualified stock options equals their value as determined
pursuant to the safe harbor method provided for in Revenue Procedure 2003-68. |
|
|
|
|
The value of Shares, on the date of the change in control is $9.54, the closing price on
such date as published by the NYSE. |
|
|
Other Notes Applicable to Table. |
|
|
|
The Acceleration of Share-Based Awards column in the table assumes the Compensation
Committees acceleration of long-term incentive compensation, including share-based awards,
for terminations specifically referenced in the table. The amounts set forth therein
represent the intrinsic value of such acceleration, which is (i) for each unvested stock
option, $9.54 less the exercise price, and (ii) for each unvested share of restricted
stock, $9.54. $9.54 represents the closing price on the NYSE on December 31, 2009. For
accelerated vesting of restricted stock awards subject to three-year performance metrics,
the table reflects (i) for awards made in 2007, no value (based on actual results) and (ii)
for awards made in 2008, payment for threshold grants (based on estimated results). |
|
|
|
|
Life insurance amounts only reflect policies paid for by the Trust (including an
additional $1,000,000 of term life insurance paid by the Trust for Mr. Gershenson). |
37
Change of Control and Severance Payments as of December 31, 2009
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Acceleration |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
of Share- |
|
Life |
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Based |
|
Insurance |
|
Disability |
|
280G Tax |
|
|
|
|
Severance ($) |
|
Awards ($) |
|
Proceeds ($) |
|
Benefits ($)(1) |
|
Gross Up ($) |
|
Total ($) |
Dennis E. Gershenson(2) |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
810,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
810,457 |
|
Death |
|
|
865,660 |
(3) |
|
|
810,457 |
|
|
|
1,250,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,953,117 |
|
Disability |
|
|
865,660 |
(3) |
|
|
810,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,784,117 |
|
Termination without
cause or for good
reason (including
change of control) |
|
|
2,495,761 |
(4) |
|
|
810,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
960,113 |
|
|
|
4,266,331 |
|
Richard J. Smith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance Agreement |
|
|
808,755 |
|
|
|
278,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
1,086,766 |
|
Frederick A. Zantello(5) |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,822 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,822 |
|
Death |
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,822 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
476,822 |
|
Disability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,822 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
108,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
307,822 |
|
Change of control |
|
|
837,795 |
(6) |
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|
199,822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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1,037,617 |
|
Thomas W. Litzler(5) |
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Retirement |
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|
|
|
|
|
160,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,949 |
|
Death |
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,949 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
437,949 |
|
Disability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
268,949 |
|
Change of control |
|
|
811,915 |
(6) |
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|
160,949 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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972,864 |
|
Michael J. Sullivan(5) |
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Retirement |
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|
108,727 |
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|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
108,727 |
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Death |
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|
|
|
|
|
108,727 |
|
|
|
241,878 |
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|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
377,605 |
|
Disability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
216,727 |
|
Change of control |
|
|
255,771 |
(6) |
|
|
108,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
364,498 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$27,000 represents the amount paid to a survivor if the employee
had been disabled for 180 consecutive days and the employee was
eligible to receive the long-term disability payments. $108,000
represents the aggregate of 12 monthly payments of $9,000 payable
as a long-term disability benefit (such payments would continue
for the length of the disability); if the disability was of a
short-term nature, such person may be eligible for wage
replacement for 13 weeks with a maximum weekly benefit of $4,154. |
|
(2) |
|
Except as noted in the table above or as specified in Items
Not Reflected in Table, Mr. Gershenson does not receive any
additional incremental value if (i) he voluntarily terminates his
employment, or (ii) his employment is terminated by the Trust with
cause. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents base salary as of December 31, 2009 and bonus earned
for 2009. In the event of a permanent disability, Mr. Gershenson
would also be entitled to 12 months of customary fringe benefits
in accordance with his employment agreement, which is not
reflected in this amount. |
|
(4) |
|
Assumes payment of the compensation due for the remainder of the
term of his employment agreement. Mr. Gershenson would also be
entitled to receive fringe benefits through the terms of his
employment agreement (but no less than 12 months), which is not
reflected in this amount. |
|
(5) |
|
Except as noted in the table above or as specified in Items
Not Reflected in Table, each of such persons do not receive any
additional incremental value if (i) he/she voluntarily terminates
his/her employment, or (ii) his/her employment is terminated by
the Trust with or without cause. |
|
(6) |
|
Assumes payment of the following amount times the base amount in
accordance with Section 280G of the IRC: Mr. Zantello, 2.0; Mr.
Litzler, 2.0; and Mr. Sullivan, 1.0. |
38
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Policies and Procedures
The Trust does not have a formal related person transaction policy in writing, although it has
the following customary policies and practices regarding such transactions. Trustees and executive
officers are required to complete an annual questionnaire in connection with the Trusts proxy
statement for its annual meeting of shareholders, which includes questions regarding related person
transactions. Trustees and executive officers are also required to provide written notice to the
Trusts outside general counsel of any updates to such information.
If a related person transaction is proposed, the Audit Committee and/or non-interested
Trustees of the Board review such business transaction to ensure that the Trusts involvement in
such transactions is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arms length dealings
with an unrelated third party and is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. When
necessary or appropriate, the Trust will engage third party consultants and special counsel, and
the Board may create a special committee, to review such transactions. Interested Trustees will
recuse themselves from the approval process by the Board or Audit Committee.
Related Person Transactions in 2009 and 2010
Ramco-Gershenson Inc. provides property management, accounting and other administrative
services to Ramco/ Shenandoah LLC, 60% of which is owned by an entity a portion of which is
beneficially owned by various family partnerships and trusts under the control of two uncles of Mr.
Pashcow, a Trustee, and a portion of which is beneficially owned by various trusts for the benefit
of members of Mr. Pashcows immediate family. Mr. Pashcow is a trustee of several of these trusts.
Ramco/Shenandoah LLC owns the Shenandoah Square shopping center which has approximately 124,000
square feet of gross leasable area. The Trust believes that the terms of the management agreement
with Ramco/Shenandoah LLC are no less favorable than terms that could be obtained on an arms
length basis. During the year ended December 31, 2009, Ramco-Gershenson Inc. charged approximately
$132,000 in respect of these services to Ramco/ Shenandoah LLC and was owed approximately $25,000
as of December 31, 2009 for those services.
William Gershenson, Director of Leasing of Ramco-Gershenson, Inc., is the son of Dennis
Gershenson, Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust. In 2009, William
Gershenson was paid $166,383 in base salary and leasing commissions and a bonus of $4,904.
The son-in-law of Mr. Goldberg, a Trustee, is an executive vice president of AON Risk
Services, Inc. of New York, a subsidiary of AON Corporation. In 2009, the Trust engaged AON as its
insurance broker for D&O and Employment Practices Liability insurance, for which AON received
commissions of approximately $106,000. In 2010, following a lengthy bidding process, the Trust
also engaged AON as its insurance broker for the remainder of its property and casualty insurance
programs. In 2010, the Trust estimates AON will receive commissions of approximately $267,000
related to the Trusts engagement. Certain of the commissions are paid by the insurance companies
directly.
39
AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Trusts consolidated
financial statements, the Trusts system of internal controls, the Trusts risk management system,
the qualifications, performance and independence of the Trusts independent registered public
accounting firm, the performance of the Trusts internal audit function and the Trusts compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee also has the sole authority and
responsibility to appoint, determine the compensation of, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace
the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm.
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of
internal controls, for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and for the report on the Trusts internal control over
financial reporting. The Trusts independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the Trusts annual consolidated financial statements and
expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and for
attesting to managements report on the Trusts internal control over financial reporting. The
Audit Committees responsibility is to oversee and review the financial reporting process and to
review and discuss managements report on the Trusts internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee is not, however, professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or
auditing and does not provide any expert or other special assurance as to such financial statements
concerning compliance with laws, regulations or generally accepted accounting principles or as to
auditor independence. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the
information provided to it and on the representations made by the Trusts management and the
independent registered public accounting firm.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and Non-Audit Services
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee must pre-approve the performance of audit and
non-audit services. In pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services, the Audit
Committee considers whether the provision of the permitted non-audit services is consistent with
applicable law and NYSE policies and with maintaining the independence of Trusts independent
registered public accounting firm.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in 2008 and 2009
The following information sets forth the fees that we were billed in 2008 and 2009 for audit
and other services provided by Grant Thornton, our independent registered public accounting firm
during such periods. The Audit Committee, based on its review and discussions with management and
Grant Thornton, determined that the provision of these services was compatible with maintaining
Grant Thorntons independence. All of such services were approved in conformity with the
pre-approval policies and procedures described above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
2008 |
|
|
(amounts in $) |
Audit Fees |
|
|
536,030 |
|
|
|
451,225 |
|
Audit-Related |
|
|
18,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
|
555,010 |
|
|
|
451,225 |
|
Audit Fees. Audit services consist of professional services rendered by Grant
Thornton for the audits of the Trusts annual financial statements and the effectiveness of the
Trusts internal control over financial reporting, review of the financial statements included in
the Trusts quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, services associated with
SEC registration statements and other documents issued in connection with the Trusts equity
offering, and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with these
filings and other filings. These amounts include reimbursable expenses of $24,595 and $18,725 in
2009 and 2008, respectively.
40
Audit-Related. Audit-related fees for 2009 consist of professional services rendered by Grant
Thornton regarding the Trusts responses to SEC comment letters.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
In connection with the Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2009, and the financial statements to be included therein, the Audit Committee has:
|
|
|
reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; |
|
|
|
|
discussed with Grant Thornton, the Trusts independent registered public accounting
firm, the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
as amended; and |
|
|
|
|
received the written disclosures and letter from Grant Thornton required by the
applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Grant Thorntons communications with the
Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Grant Thornton its
independence with respect to the Trust. |
Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that
the Trusts audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2009 filed with the SEC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members of the Audit Committee
Stephen R. Blank (Chairman)
Arthur H. Goldberg
David J. Nettina
Mark K. Rosenfeld
|
|
|
|
|
41
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Trustees recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of Grant Thornton
as the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010.
Although shareholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law and is not binding
on the Trust, the Audit Committee will take the appointment of Grant Thornton under advisement if
such appointment is not ratified. Grant Thornton has served as the Trusts independent registered
public accounting firm since 2005. The appointment of Grant Thornton was ratified by the Trusts
shareholders at annual meetings since 2006. See Audit Committee Disclosure for a description of
fees and other matters related to Grant Thorntons provision of services to the Trust.
The Trust expects that representatives of Grant Thornton will be present at the annual meeting
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Such representatives will also have an
opportunity to make a statement.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will be necessary
to ratify the Audit Committees appointment of Grant Thornton as the Trusts independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. Abstentions will not be counted as
votes cast at the annual meeting and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
42
PROPOSAL 3 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION
OF TRUST TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the amendment to the
Declaration of Trust for the purpose of declassifying the Board of Trustees.
Attached hereto as Appendix A is a copy of the form of Articles of Restatement, which reflects
the proposed amendment to Section 5.2 thereof in bold/underline for the purpose of declassifying
the Board.
Declassifying the Board
In accordance with the Bylaws and Declaration of Trust, the Board is divided into three
classes with Trustees elected to three-year staggered terms. This classified structure has been in
place since the Trusts founding and has been an integral part of the Trusts overall governance
structure.
In the Trusts 2008 proxy statement, in response to a non-binding shareholder proposal and
after a review of the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with eliminating the classified
board, the Board concluded that the classified board structure continued to be in the best
interests of the Trust and its shareholders. However, the Board noted at the time that if the
shareholder proposal received a majority of the votes cast in favor of the proposal, it was the
Boards intention to propose an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to eliminate the classified
board at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders. In the Trusts 2009 proxy statement, the Board
noted its determination to postpone its intent to declassify the Board in light of the indications
of interest at such time from third parties regarding potential transactions and the Boards
determination to undertake a review of potential strategic and financial alternatives to enhance
shareholder value.
The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee continue to regularly review the Trusts
corporate governance practices and have made changes over the last few years as standards of
corporate governance and views of shareholders have evolved. The Board and Nominating and
Governance Committee discussed viewpoints of proponents of classified and declassified boards,
which were noted in detail in the Trusts 2008 proxy statement. However, in furtherance of the
non-binding shareholder vote at the Trusts 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, the Board and
Nominating and Governance Committee have determined to recommend to shareholders that they approve
an amendment to the Declaration of Trust for the purpose of declassifying the Board.
If
this Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 are both approved by the shareholders and the amendment to Section 5.2 of our
Declaration of Trust becomes effective, which will occur upon acceptance by the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT) of Articles of Amendment setting forth the
aforesaid amendment, then beginning at the Trusts 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, the
nominees standing for election at each annual meeting will be elected to one-year terms and will
serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and
qualify. In addition, following such acceptance by the SDAT of such Articles of Amendment, the
Trust expects to file Articles of Restatement, the form of which is attached hereto as Appendix A,
with the SDAT to restate our Declaration of Trust, including the aforesaid amendment, in its
entirety. By the Trusts 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, all of the members of the Board will
stand for election for one-year terms. If this Proposal 3 and
Proposal 4 are not both approved by the applicable required vote,
the Trust will continue to have a classified Board.
Vote
Required
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at
the annual meeting will be necessary to approve the amendment to the
Declaration of Trust. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the
same effect as votes against the proposal.
The Board has determined that the implementation of Proposals 3 and
4 is conditioned on the approval of both of these Proposals. Thus,
each of Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 will be implemented only if
both Proposals are approved by the applicable required shareholder
vote.
43
PROPOSAL
4 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS TO
INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES NECESSARY FOR SHAREHOLDERS TO REQUIRE THE
TRUST TO CALL A SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING
The
Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the amendment to
the Bylaws for the purpose of increasing the percentage of votes necessary for shareholders to
require the Trust to call a special shareholder meeting.
Attached hereto as Appendix B is a copy of the form of Amended and Restated Bylaws,
which reflects the proposed amendment to Article II, Section 3 thereof in bold/underline for the
purpose of increasing the percentage of votes necessary for shareholders to require the Trust to
call a special shareholder meeting.
Increase in the Percentage of Votes Necessary for Shareholders to Require the Trust to Call a
Special Shareholder Meeting
In
accordance with Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws, the
current percentage of votes necessary for shareholders to require the
Trust to call a special shareholder meeting is 25% of all the votes entitled to
be cast at such meeting. If this Proposal 4 and Proposal 3 are both approved by the shareholders, the Board will amend and
restate the Bylaws, effective immediately, to increase the percentage of votes necessary for
shareholders to require the Trust to call a special shareholder meeting from 25% to a majority of
all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. The form of Amended and Restated Bylaws is
attached hereto as Appendix B. Coupled with the approval of the
aforementioned amendment to the Declaration of Trust, the Board believes that such action will ensure that the appropriate balance
is struck between the rights of shareholders and the prevention of waste of the Trusts resources,
such as loss of management and Board time and focus and substantial legal, administrative and
mailing expenses. Shareholder approval is required for the Board to amend Article II of the
Bylaws. If this Proposal 4 and Proposal 3 are not both approved by
the applicable required vote, the shareholders will continue to
be able to require the Trust to call a special shareholder meeting upon assembling the
current ownership percentage so
required.
Vote Required
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting will
be necessary to approve the amendment to the Bylaws. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast at the annual
meeting and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
The Board has determined that the implementation of Proposals 3 and 4
is conditioned on the approval of both of these Proposals. Thus, each
of Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 will be implemented only if
both Proposals are approved by the applicable required shareholder
vote.
44
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Trusts
executive officers and Trustees and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered
class of the Trusts equity securities (insiders) to file reports with the SEC regarding their
pecuniary interest in any of the Trusts equity securities and any changes thereto, and to furnish
copies of these reports to the Trust. Based on the Trusts review of the insiders forms furnished
to the Trust or filed with the SEC and representations made by the Trustees and executive officers
of the Trust, no insider failed to file on a timely basis a Section 16(a) report in 2009.
Cost of Proxy Solicitation
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement and all other costs in
connection with this solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting will be paid by the Trust. The
Trust will request banks, brokers and other nominees to send the proxy materials to, and to obtain
proxies from, the beneficial owners and will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable
expenses in doing so. In addition, the Trustees, officers and other employees of the Trust may
solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile or in person, but they will not receive any
additional compensation for such work.
Presentation of Shareholder Proposals and Nominations at 2011 Annual Meeting
Any shareholder proposal intended to be included in the Trusts proxy statement and form of
proxy for the 2011 annual meeting (pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) must be received by
the Trust at Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, Attention: Secretary, 31500 Northwestern Highway,
Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334 by the close of business on January 14, 2011 and must
otherwise be in compliance with the requirements of the SECs proxy rules.
Any Trustee nomination or shareholder proposal of other business intended to be presented for
consideration at the 2011 annual meeting, but not intended to be considered for inclusion in the
Trusts proxy statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting (i.e. not pursuant to Rule 14a-8
of the Exchange Act), must be received by the Trust at the address stated above between March [
], 2011 and the close of business on April [ ], 2011 to be considered timely. However, if the
2011 annual meeting occurs more than 30 days before or 60 days after June 8, 2011, the Trust must
receive nominations or proposals (A) not later than the close of business on the later of the
60th day prior to the date of the 2011 annual meeting or the 10th day
following the day on which public announcement is made of the date of the 2011 annual meeting, and
(B) not earlier than the 90th day prior to the 2011 annual meeting. Such nominations or
proposals must also be in compliance with the Bylaws.
Householding
The Trust may elect to send a single copy of its annual report and this proxy statement to any
household at which two or more shareholders reside, unless one of the shareholders at such address
notifies the Trust that he or she desires to receive individual copies. This householding
practice reduces the Trusts printing and postage costs. Shareholders may request to discontinue or
re-start householding, or to request a separate copy of the 2009 annual report or 2010 proxy
statement, as follows:
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Shareholders owning Shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record should
contact such record holder directly; and |
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Shareholders of record should contact the Trust at (248) 350-9900 or at Investor
Relations, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, 31500 Northwestern Highway, Suite 300,
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334. The Trust will promptly deliver such materials upon
request. |
Your cooperation in giving this matter your immediate attention and in voting your proxies
promptly will be appreciated.
45
2009 Annual Report
The annual report of the Trust for the year ended December 31, 2009, including the financial
statements for the three years ended December 31, 2009 audited by Grant Thornton, is being
furnished with this proxy statement. If you did not receive a copy of such annual report, you can
obtain a copy without charge at the Trusts website, www.rgpt.com, or by contacting the
Trust at (248) 350-9900 or Investor Relations, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, 31500
Northwestern Highway, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be
Held on June 8, 2010
See
www.proxyvote.com for a copy of the 2010 proxy statement and 2009 annual
report.
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By Order of the Board of Trustees
Gregory R. Andrews
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
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April [ ], 2010
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APPENDIX A
RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST
FORM OF ARTICLES OF RESTATEMENT
RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the Trust)
formed under Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland, hereby certifies to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (the
Department) that:
FIRST: The Trust desires to and does hereby restate its Declaration of Trust as currently in
effect, as hereinafter provided, pursuant to Section 8-501.2 of the Maryland REIT Law. The
provisions set forth in these Articles of Restatement are all of the provisions of the Declaration
of Trust currently in effect, and as hereinafter restated.
ARTICLE I
FORMATION
The Trust is a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Title 8. The Trust shall
not be deemed to be a general partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, joint stock company
or a corporation (but nothing herein shall preclude the Trust from being treated for tax purposes
as an association under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the
Code)).
ARTICLE II
NAME
The name of the Trust is:
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust
Under circumstances in which the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees or
Board) determines that the use of the name of the Trust is not practicable, the Trust may use any
other designation or name for the Trust.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND POWERS
SECTION 3.1 Purposes. The purposes for which the Trust is formed are to invest in and
to acquire, hold, manage, administer, control and dispose of property, including, without
limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Code.
SECTION 3.2 Powers. The Trust shall have all of the powers granted to real estate
investment trusts by Title 8 and all other powers set forth in this Declaration of Trust which are
not inconsistent with law and are appropriate to promote and attain the purposes set forth in this
Declaration of Trust.
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ARTICLE IV
RESIDENT AGENT
The name of the resident in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated whose
post office address is 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The resident agent is a
Maryland corporation. The Trust may have such offices or places of business within or outside the
State of Maryland as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 5.1 Powers. Subject to any express limitations contained in the Declaration
of Trust or in the Bylaws, (i) the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the
direction of the Board of Trustees and (ii) the Board shall have full, exclusive and absolute
power, control and authority over any and all property of the Trust. The Board may take any action
that in its sole judgment and discretion is necessary or appropriate to conduct the business and
affairs of the Trust. This Declaration of Trust shall be construed with a presumption in favor of
the grant of power and authority to the Board. Any construction of this Declaration of Trust or
determination made in good faith by the Board concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall
be conclusive. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Trustees included in
this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or
inference from the terms of this or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws
or construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers
conferred upon the Board or the Trustees under the general laws of the State of Maryland or any
other applicable laws.
The Board, without any action by the shareholders of the Trust, shall have and may exercise,
on behalf of the Trust, without limitation, the power to determine that compliance with any
restriction or limitation on ownership and transfers of shares of the Trusts beneficial interest
set forth in Article VII of this Declaration of Trust is no longer required in order for the Trust
to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT) under the Code; to adopt, amend and repeal
(but subject to the provisions of the Bylaws limiting adoption of provisions inconsistent with, or
the amendment or repeal of, certain specified provisions of the Bylaws) the Bylaws; to elect
officers in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws; to solicit proxies from holders of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust; and to do any other acts and execute and deliver any other
documents necessary or appropriate to the foregoing powers.
SECTION 5.2
Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be nine (9), which
number may be increased or decreased pursuant to the Bylaws of the Trust. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if for any reason any or all of the Trustees cease to be Trustees, such event shall not
terminate the Trust or affect the Declaration of Trust or the powers of the remaining Trustees.
Trustees shall be elected by the shareholders at every annual meeting thereof in the manner
provided in the Bylaws or, in order to fill any vacancy on the Board of Trustees, in the manner
provided in the Bylaws. The names of the nine (9) current Trustees (who shall serve until the
expiration of the respective terms for which they were elected, and until their successors are duly
elected and qualify), and the year in which the current term of each Trustee shall expire are:
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Name |
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Year of Expiration |
Dennis E. Gershenson
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2013 |
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Stephen R. Blank
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2012 |
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Arthur Goldberg
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2011 |
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Robert A. Meister
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2013 |
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Joel M. Pashcow
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2012 |
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Mark K. Rosenfeld
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2011 |
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Michael A. Ward
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2013 |
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David J. Nettina
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2012 |
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Matthew L. Ostrower
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2012 |
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Each Trustee, shall serve for the term of office for which he or she is elected, and until
his or her successor is duly elected and qualify, or until his or her earlier death, retirement,
resignation or removal. At each annual meeting of shareholders commencing with the annual meeting
of shareholders held in 2011, the successors to the Trustees whose term expires at such annual
meeting of shareholders shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Election of Trustees by
shareholders shall require the vote and be in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Bylaws.
It shall not be necessary to list in the Declaration of Trust the names of any Trustees
hereafter elected.
SECTION 5.3 Resignation or Removal. Any Trustee may resign by written notice to the
Board of Trustees, effective upon execution and delivery to the Trust of such written notice or
upon any future date specified in the notice. Subject to any rights of holders of one or more
classes or series of preferred shares to elect one or more Trustees, a Trustee may be removed at
any time, with or without cause, at a meeting of the shareholders, by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote generally
in the election of Trustees.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SECTION 6.1 Authorized Shares. The beneficial interest of the Trust shall be divided
into shares of beneficial interest (the Shares). The Trust has the authority to issue 45,000,000
common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.0l per share (Common Shares),
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and 10,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $.0l per share (Preferred
Shares).
The Board of Trustees, without the approval of the shareholders of the Trust, may amend the
Declaration of Trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or
the number of Shares of any class that the Trust has authority to issue.
SECTION 6.2 Common Shares. Subject to the provisions of Article VIII, each Common
Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter upon which the holders of Common
Shares are entitled to vote. The Board of Trustees may reclassify any unissued Common Shares from
time to time in one or more classes or series of Shares.
SECTION 6.3 Preferred Shares. The Board of Trustees may classify any unissued
Preferred Shares, and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any
class or series, from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Shares.
SECTION 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of classified or
reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board of Trustees by resolution shall (a) designate
that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the
number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set, subject to the provisions of
Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the
time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each
class or series; and (d) cause the Trust to file articles supplementary with the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT). Any of the terms of any class or series of
Shares set pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events
ascertainable outside the Declaration of Trust (including the occurrence of any event, including a
determination or action by the Trust or any other person or body) and may vary among holders
thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the
terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles
supplementary filed with the SDAT.
SECTION 6.5 Authorization by Board of Share Issuance. The Board of Trustees may
authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter
authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or
hereafter authorized, for such consideration (whether in cash, property, past or future services,
obligations for future payment or otherwise) as the Board of Trustees may deem advisable (or
without consideration in the case of a Share split or Share dividend), subject to such restrictions
or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of the Trust.
SECTION 6.6 Dividends and Distributions. The Board of Trustees may from time to time
authorize and declare to shareholders such dividends or distributions, in cash, property or other
assets of the Trust or in securities of the Trust or from any other source, as the Board of
Trustees in its discretion shall determine. The Board of Trustees shall endeavor to declare and
pay such dividends and distributions as shall be necessary for the Trust to qualify as a real
estate investment trust under the Code; however, shareholders shall have no right to any
dividend or
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distribution unless or until authorized and declared by the Board. The exercise of the powers
and rights of the Board of Trustees pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the provisions of
any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision in the
Declaration of Trust, no determination shall be made by the Board of Trustees nor shall any
transaction be entered into by the Trust which would cause any Shares or other beneficial interest
in the Trust not to constitute transferable shares or transferable certificates of beneficial
interest under Section 856(a)(2) of the Code or which would cause any distribution to constitute a
preferential dividend as described in Section 562(c) of the Code. The receipt by any Person in
whose name any Shares are registered on the records of the Trust or by his duly authorized agent
shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or distributions payable or deliverable in
respect of such Shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof.
SECTION 6.7 General Nature of Shares. All Shares shall be personal property entitling
the shareholders only to those rights provided in this Declaration of Trust. The shareholders
shall have no interest in the property of the Trust and shall have no right to compel any
partition, division, dividend or distribution of the Trust or of the property of the Trust. The
death of a shareholder shall not terminate the Trust. The Trust is entitled to treat as
shareholders only those persons in whose names Shares are registered as holders of Shares on the
beneficial interest ledger of the Trust.
SECTION 6.8 Fractional Shares. The Trust may, without the consent or approval of any
shareholder, issue fractional Shares, eliminate a fraction of a Share by rounding up or down to a
full Share, arrange for the disposition of a fraction of a Share by the person entitled to it, or
pay cash for the fair value of a fraction of a Share.
SECTION 6.9 Declaration and Bylaws. All shareholders are subject to the provisions of
the Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust.
SECTION 6.10 Divisions and Combinations of Shares. Subject to an express provision to
the contrary in the terms of any class or series of beneficial interest hereafter authorized, the
Board of Trustees shall have the power to divide or combine the outstanding shares of any class or
series of beneficial interest, without a vote of shareholders.
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
SECTION 7.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
Beneficial Ownership. The term Beneficial Ownership shall mean ownership of Shares
by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a
nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of
Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms Beneficial
Owner, Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Business Day. The term Business Day shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
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Charitable Beneficiary. The term Charitable Beneficiary shall mean one or more
beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each
such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such
organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of
the Code.
Charitable Trust. The term Charitable Trust shall mean any trust provided for in
Section 7.3.1.
Charitable Trustee. The term Charitable Trustee shall mean the Person unaffiliated
with the Trust and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Trust to serve as trustee of the
Charitable Trust.
Code. The term Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.
Constructive Ownership. The term Constructive Ownership shall mean ownership of
Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a
nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of
Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms Constructive
Owner, Constructively Owns and Constructively Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Declaration of Trust. The term Declaration of Trust shall mean this Declaration of
Trust as filed for record with the SDAT, and any amendments thereto.
Excepted Holder. The term Excepted Holder shall mean a shareholder of the Trust for
whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Article VII or by the Board of Trustees pursuant
to Section 7.2.7.
Excepted Holder Limit. The term Excepted Holder Limit shall mean, provided that the
affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of
Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2.7, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8, the
percentage limit established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2.7 upon the
affirmative vote of 75% of the Trustees entitled to vote thereon.
Initial Date. The term Initial Date shall mean the date upon which this Declaration
of Trust containing this Article VII is filed for record with the SDAT.
Market Price. The term Market Price on any date shall mean, with respect to any
class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The
Closing Price on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in
case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular
way, for such Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such
Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities
exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not listed
or admitted to
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trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the
average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is
no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if
such Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the
Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair
market value of Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
NYSE. The term NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Ownership Limit. The term Ownership Limit shall mean (i) with respect to the Common
Shares, 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding
Common Shares of the Trust; and (ii) with respect to any class or series of Preferred Shares, 9.8%
(in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such
class or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust.
Person. The term Person shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate,
trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a
trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section
642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the
Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for
purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to
which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.
Prohibited Owner. The term Prohibited Owner shall mean, with respect to any
purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own
or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who
would have been the record owner of Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
REIT. The term REIT shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of
Section 856 of the Code.
Restriction Termination Date. The term Restriction Termination Date shall mean the
first day after the Initial Date on which the Board determines (i) that it is no longer in the best
interests of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to qualify as, a REIT or (ii) that compliance
with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers
of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.
SDAT. The term SDAT shall mean the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of
Maryland.
Transfer. The term Transfer shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift,
assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to
acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions
or cause any such events, of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, including
(a) a change in the capital structure of the Trust, (b) a change in the relationship between two or
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more Persons which causes a change in ownership of Shares by application of Section 544 of the
Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code, (c) the granting or exercise of any option or
warrant (or any disposition of any option or warrant), pledge, security interest or similar right
to acquire Shares (d) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable
for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and
(e) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial or Constructive
Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record,
Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. For
purposes of this Article VII, the right of a limited partner in Ramco-Gershenson Properties, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership), to require the Partnership to redeem such
limited partners units of Partnership interest pursuant to Section ___ (or any successor section
thereto) of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ramco-Gershenson
Properties, L.P., as amended, shall not be considered to be an option or similar right to acquire
Shares of the Trust. The terms Transferring and Transferred shall have the correlative
meanings.
SECTION 7.2 Shares.
SECTION 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date
and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or
Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively own Shares to the extent that such
Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Trust (A) being closely held
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest
is held during the last half of a taxable year), or (B) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT
(including, but not limited to, Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Trust
owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section
856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust from such tenant would cause the Trust
to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).
(iii) No person shall Transfer any Shares if, as a result of the Transfer, the Shares would be
beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined without reference to the rules of
attribution under Section 544 of the Code). Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein,
any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into
through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated
inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned
by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall
be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such
Shares.
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(b) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is
the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national
securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would
result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section
7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii);
(i) then that number of Shares the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise
would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded to the nearest whole share
so that such violation is not in existence) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable
Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the
close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall
acquire no rights in such Shares; or
(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would
not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the
Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section
7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall
acquire no rights in such Shares.
SECTION 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Trustees or any duly authorized
committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has
taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has
attempted to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section
7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof
shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such
Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Trust to redeem Shares,
refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to
enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfers or
attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the
transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other
event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or
non-action) by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof.
SECTION 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or
intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may
violate Section 7.2.1(a), or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a transfer to
the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b), shall immediately give written
notice to the Trust of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give
at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Trust such other information as the
Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Trusts status
as a REIT.
SECTION 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior
to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or
the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding
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Shares, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the
Trust stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares and other Shares
Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held; provided that a
shareholder of record who holds outstanding Shares as nominee for another Person, which other
Person is required to include in gross income the dividends received on such Shares (an Actual
Owner), shall give written notice to the Trust stating the name and address of such Actual Owner
and the number of Shares of such Actual Owner with respect to which the shareholder of record is
nominee. Each such owner shall provide to the Trust such additional information as the Trust may
request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Trusts
status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
(b) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including
the shareholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall
provide to the Trust such information as the Trust may request, in good faith, in order to
determine the Trusts status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
SECTION 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit
the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable
to protect the Trust and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the Trusts status as a
REIT.
SECTION 7.2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the
provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board
of Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2
or Section 7.3 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section
7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Trustees and the Declaration of Trust fails to
provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power
to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of
Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3.
SECTION 7.2.7 Exceptions.
(a) The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion and upon the vote of 75% of the members of
the Board of Trustees entitled to vote thereon, may grant to any Person who makes a request
therefor an exception to the Ownership Limit with respect to the ownership of any series or class
of Preferred Shares, subject to the following conditions and limitations: (A) the Board of Trustees
shall have determined that (x) assuming such Person would Beneficially or Constructively Own the
maximum amount of Shares permitted as a result of the exception to be granted and (y) assuming that
all other Persons who would be treated as individuals for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the
Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would Beneficially or
Constructively Own the maximum amount of Common Shares and Preferred Shares permitted under this
Article VII (taking into account any exception, waiver or exemption granted under this Section
7.2.7 to (or with respect to) such Persons), the Trust would not be closely held within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (assuming that the ownership of Shares is determined during
the second half of a taxable year) and would not otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT; and (B) such
Person provides to the Board of Trustees
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such representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board of Trustees may, in its reasonable
discretion, determine to be necessary in order for the Board of Trustees to make the determination
that the conditions set forth in clause (A) above of this Section 7.2.7(a) have been and/or will
continue to be satisfied (including, without limitation, an agreement as to a reduced Ownership
Limit or Excepted Holder Limit for such Person with respect to the Beneficial or Constructive
Ownership of one or more other classes of Shares not subject to the exception), and such Person
agrees that any violation of such representations and undertakings or any attempted violation
thereof will result in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 7.2 with respect to
Shares held in excess of the Ownership Limit or the Excepted Holder Limit (as may be applicable)
with respect to such Person (determined without regard to the exception granted such Person under
this subparagraph (a)). If a member of the Board of Trustees requests that the Board of Trustees
grant an exception pursuant to this subparagraph (a) with respect to such member or with respect to
any other Person if such Board member would be considered to be the Beneficial or Constructive
Owner of Shares owned by such Person, such member of the Board shall not participate in the
decision of the Board of Trustees as to whether to grant any such exception.
(b) In addition to exceptions permitted under subparagraph (a) above, the Board of Trustees,
in its sole discretion and upon the vote of 75% of the members of the Board of Trustees entitled to
vote thereon, may except a Person from the Ownership Limit and any Excepted Holder Limit if: (i)
such Person submits to the Board of Trustees information satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, in
its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that such Person is not an individual for purposes of
Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code);
(ii) such Person submits to the Board of Trustees information satisfactory to the Board of
Trustees, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that no Person who is an individual for
purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of
the Code) would be considered to Beneficially Own Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit by reason
of the Excepted Holders ownership of Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to the
exception granted under this subparagraph (b); (iii) such Person submits to the Board of Trustees
information satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that
clause (2) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 7.2.1 will not be violated by reason of the Excepted
Holders ownership of Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to the exception granted
under this subparagraph (b); and (iv) such Person provides to the Board of Trustees such
representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board of Trustees may, in its reasonable
discretion, require to ensure that the conditions in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof are
satisfied and will continue to be satisfied throughout the period during which such Person owns
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to any exception thereto granted under this
subparagraph (b), and such Person agrees that any violation of such representations and
undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the application of the remedies set
forth in Section 7.2 with respect to Shares held in excess of the Ownership Limit with respect to
such Person (determined without regard to the exception granted such Person under this subparagraph
(b)).
(c) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a) or (b), the Board of Trustees
may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in
form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion, as it may deem
necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trusts
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status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Trustees
may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such
exception as may be necessary or desirable so that such exception does not adversely affect the
Trusts ability to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
(d) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter or placement agent which participates in a
public offering or a private placement of Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to
facilitate such public offering or private placement.
(e) The Board of Trustees may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder:
(1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection
with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder
Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Ownership Limit.
SECTION 7.2.8 Increase in Ownership Limit. The Board of Trustees may from time to
time increase the Ownership Limit other than as to persons which are Excepted Holders, subject to
the limitations provided in this Section 7.2.8.
(a) The Ownership Limit may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five
Persons who are considered individuals pursuant to Section 542 of the Code, as modified by Section
856(h)(3) of the Code (taking into account all of the Excepted Holders), could Beneficially Own, in
the aggregate, more than 49.5% of the value of the outstanding Shares.
(b) Prior to the modification of the Ownership Limit pursuant to this Section 7.2.8, the Board
of Trustees may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may
deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trusts status as a REIT if the
modification in the Ownership Limit were to be made.
SECTION 7.2.9 Legend. Each certificate for Shares shall bear the following legend:
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial
and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Trusts maintenance
of its status as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Subject to certain further
restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Trusts Declaration of Trust,
(i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Common Shares of the Trust in
excess of 9.8 percent (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding Common
Shares of the Trust unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the
Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or
Constructively Own any class or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust in excess of
9.8 percent (in value or number of shares) of the
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outstanding Shares of such class or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, unless
such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be
applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares that
would result in the Trust being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or
otherwise cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) no Person may
Transfer Shares if such Transfer would result in Shares of the Trust being owned by
fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or
attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares which cause or will cause a
Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the
above limitations must immediately notify the Trust. If any of the restrictions on
transfer or ownership are violated, the Shares represented hereby will be
automatically transferred to a Charitable Trustee of a Charitable Trust for the
benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, upon the occurrence
of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described
above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend
have the meanings defined in the Trusts Declaration of Trust, as the same may be
amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer
and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares of the Trust on request
and without charge.
SECTION 7.3 Transfer of Shares in Trust.
SECTION 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event
described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of Shares to a Charitable Trust, such
Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a
Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer
to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the
Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the
Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the
Trust and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable
Beneficiary shall be designated by the Trust as provided in Section 7.3.6.
SECTION 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee. Shares held by the
Charitable Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Shares of the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall
have no rights in the shares held by the Charitable Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not
benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall
have no rights to dividends and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable
to the shares held in the Charitable Trust.
SECTION 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Charitable Trustee shall have all
voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Shares held in the
Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable
Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that
Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid with respect to such Shares to
the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid
shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividends or distributions so paid over to
the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The
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Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable
Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been transferred to
the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable
Trustees sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the
discovery by the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to
recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of
the Charitable Beneficiary. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Trust
has received notification that Shares have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Trust
shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of
preparing lists of shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and
authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.
SECTION 7.3.4 Rights Upon Liquidation. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of or any distribution of the assets of the Trust, the Charitable Trustee
shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Shares of the class or series of
Shares that is held in the Charitable Trust, that portion of the assets of the Trust available for
distribution to holders of such class or series (determined based upon the ratio that the number of
Shares or such class or series of Shares held by Charitable Trustee bears to the total number of
Shares of such class or series of Shares then outstanding). The Charitable Trustee shall
distribute any such assets received in respect of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust in any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or distribution of the assets of the Trust, in
accordance with Section 7.3.5.
SECTION 7.3.5 Sale of Shares by the Charitable Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving
notice from the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable
Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a person,
designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership
limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable
Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net
proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this
Section 7.3.5. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the
Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in
connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case
of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the
event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by
the Charitable Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable
Trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be
immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Trust that
Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner,
then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii)
to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount
that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.5, such excess
shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.
SECTION 7.3.6 Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee. Shares
transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Trust,
or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share
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in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of
a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on
the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall have the right to accept
such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant
to Section 7.3.5. Upon such a sale to the Trust, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the
shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the
sale of the Prohibited Owner.
SECTION 7.3.7 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the
Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the
Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i) Shares held in the
Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of
such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3)
of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each
of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
SECTION 7.4 NYSE Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the
settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national
securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of
any transaction is permitted shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII
and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations
set forth in this Article VII.
SECTION 7.5 Enforcement. The Trust is authorized specifically to seek equitable
relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.
SECTION 7.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Trust or the Board of
Trustees in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Trust or
the Board of Trustees, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
ARTICLE VIII
SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION 8.1 Meetings. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders, to be
held on proper notice at such time (after delivery of the Trusts annual report) and convenient
location as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, for the election of
Trustees, if required, and for the transaction of any other business within the powers of the
Trust. Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust, special meetings of shareholders
may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws. If there are no Trustees, the officers of the
Trust shall promptly call a special meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote for the election
of successor Trustees. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Trustees determine or as
provided in the Bylaws.
SECTION 8.2 Voting Rights. Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares
then outstanding, the shareholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a)
election of Trustees as provided in Section 5.2 and the removal of Trustees as provided in Section
5.3; (b) amendment of this Declaration of Trust as provided in Article X and amendment
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of the Bylaws, to the extent that the Bylaws provide that certain provisions thereof may not
be amended without the consent of the shareholders; (c) termination of the Trust as provided in
Section 10.3; (d) merger or consolidation of the Trust or the sale or other disposition of
substantially all of the property of the Trust, as provided in Article XI; (e) such other matters
with respect to which the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed
action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the shareholders for approval or
ratification; and (f) such other matters as may be properly brought before a meeting by a
shareholder pursuant to the Bylaws. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken
by the shareholders will in any way bind the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 8.3 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board
of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 6.4 or by
way of contract in connection therewith, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, (a) have any
preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares of the Trust or any other
security of the Trust which it may issue or sell or (b), except as expressly required by Title 8,
have any right to require the Trust to pay him the fair value of his Shares in an appraisal or
similar proceeding.
SECTION 8.4 Extraordinary Actions. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Declaration of Trust (including without limitation, in those provisions relating to election and
removal of Trustees and as provided in Article XI), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting
or requiring any action to be taken or authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
greater number of votes, any action shall be effective and valid if taken or authorized by the
affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter,
including without limitation any transaction, approval of which requires by law the affirmative
vote of shareholders and pursuant to which the Trusts business and assets will be combined with
those of one or more other entities (whether by merger, sale or other transfer of assets,
consolidation or share exchange) (a Business Combination).
ARTICLE IX
LIABILITY LIMITATION, INDEMNIFICATION AND
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE TRUST
SECTION 9.1 Limitation of Shareholder Liability. No shareholder shall be liable for
any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the
Trust by reason of his being a shareholder, nor shall any shareholder be subject to any personal
liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any person or entity in connection with
the property or the affairs of the Trust by reason of his being a shareholder.
SECTION 9.2 Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability. To the maximum extent that
Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of trustees and
officers of a real estate investment trust, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to
the Trust or to any shareholder for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this
Section 9.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust
inconsistent with this Section 9.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of
the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such
amendment, repeal or adoption. In the absence of any Maryland statute limiting the liability of
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trustees and officers of a Maryland real estate investment trust for money damages in a suit
by or on behalf of the Trust or by any shareholder, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be
liable to the Trust or to any shareholder for money damages except to the extent that (a) the
Trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services,
for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received, or (b) a
judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee or officer is entered in a proceeding
based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustees or officers action or failure to act was
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated
in the proceeding.
SECTION 9.3 Indemnification. The Trust shall have the power, to the maximum extent
permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay
or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any
individual who is a present or former shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust or (b) any
individual who, while a Trustee of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served
as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise, from and against any claim or
liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his
status as a present or former shareholder, trustee or officer of the Trust. The Trust shall have
the power, with the approval of its Board of Trustees, to provide such indemnification and
advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities
described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the
Trust.
SECTION 9.4 Transactions Between the Trust and its Trustees, Officers, Employees and
Agents. Subject to any express restrictions in this Declaration of Trust or adopted by the
Trustees in the Bylaws or by resolution, the Trust may enter into any contract or transaction of
any kind with any person, including any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any
person affiliated with a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, whether or not any of
them has a financial interest in such transaction.
SECTION 9.5 Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments. The Board of Trustees shall
cause to be inserted in every written agreement, undertaking or obligation made or issued on behalf
of the Trust, an appropriate provision to the effect that neither the shareholders nor the
Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust shall be liable under any written instrument
creating an obligation of the Trust, and all Persons shall look solely to the property of the Trust
for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the
foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of such instrument and shall not render any shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable
thereunder to any third party nor shall the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust
be liable to anyone for such omission.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 10.1 General. The Trust reserves the right from time to time to make any
amendment to the Declaration of Trust, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any
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amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in this Declaration of
Trust, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by this Declaration of Trust on
shareholders, Trustees and officers are granted subject to this reservation. An amendment to the
Declaration of Trust (a) shall be signed and acknowledged by at least a majority of the Trustees,
or an officer duly authorized by at least a majority of the Trustees, (b) shall be filed for record
as provided in Section 13.5 and (c) shall become effective as of the later of the time the SDAT
accepts the amendment for record or the time established in the amendment, not to exceed 30 days
after the amendment is accepted for record. All references to the Declaration of Trust shall
include all amendments thereto.
SECTION 10.2 By Trustees. In addition to the rights of the Trustees to amend the
Declaration of Trust as provided in Section 6.1, the Trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust
from time to time, in the manner provided by Title 8, without any action by the shareholders, to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Code or under Title 8.
SECTION 10.3 By Shareholders. Except as provided in Section 6.1 and 10.2 of this
Declaration of Trust, any amendment to the Declaration of Trust, other than an amendment to Article
XI or Section 12.2 of this Declaration of Trust, shall be valid only if approved by the affirmative
vote of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Any amendment
to Article XI or to Section 12.2 of this Declaration of Trust shall be valid only if approved by
the affirmative vote of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (662/3%) of all the votes
entitled to be cast on such matter.
ARTICLE XI
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF TRUST PROPERTY
Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the Trust
may (a) merge the Trust into another entity, (b) consolidate the Trust with one or more other
entities into a new entity or (c) sell, lease, exchange or otherwise transfer all or substantially
all of the property of the Trust. Any such action must be approved by the Board of Trustees and,
after notice to all shareholders entitled to vote on the matter, by the affirmative vote of not
less than sixty-six and two thirds percent (662/3%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter.
ARTICLE XII
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 12.1 Duration of Trust. The Trust shall continue perpetually unless
terminated pursuant to Section 12.2 or pursuant to any applicable provision of Title 8.
SECTION 12.2 Termination.
(a) Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the
Trust may be terminated at any meeting of shareholders, by the affirmative vote of not less than
sixty-six and two thirds percent (662/3%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Upon
the termination of the Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs;
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(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust and all of the powers of
the Trustees under this Declaration of Trust shall continue, including the powers to fulfill or
discharge the Trusts contracts, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or
otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining property of the Trust to one or more persons
or entities at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of
cash, securities or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities and do all other
acts appropriate to liquidate its business; and
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities, and upon
receipt of such releases, indemnities and agreements as they deem necessary for their protection,
the Trust may distribute the remaining property of the Trust, among the shareholders so that after
payment in full or the setting apart for payment of such preferential amounts, if any, to which the
holders of any Shares at the time outstanding shall be entitled, the remaining property of the
Trust shall, subject to any participating or similar rights of Shares at the time outstanding, be
distributed ratably among the holders of Common Shares at the time outstanding.
(b) After termination of the Trust, the liquidation of its business, and the distribution to
the shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and file with the
Trusts records a document certifying that the Trust has been duly terminated, and the Trustees
shall be discharged from all liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of all
shareholders shall cease.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.1 Governing Law. This Declaration of Trust is executed by the undersigned
Trustees and delivered in the State of Maryland with reference to the laws thereof, and the rights
of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject
to and construed according to the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws
provisions thereof.
SECTION 13.2 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate shall be final and conclusive
as to any persons dealing with the Trust if executed by the President, Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Trust or a Trustee, and if certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees,
officers of the Trust or shareholders; (b) the due authorization of the execution of any document;
(c) the action or vote taken, and the existence of a quorum, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees
or shareholders; (d) a copy of this Declaration of Trust or of the Bylaws as a true and complete
copy as then in force; (e) an amendment to this Declaration of Trust; (f) the termination of the
Trust; or (g) the existence of any fact or facts which relate to the affairs of the Trust. No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction purporting to be made on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or by any
officer, employee or agent of the Trust.
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SECTION 13.3 Severability.
(a) The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Board of Trustees
shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of such provisions (the
Conflicting Provisions) are in conflict with the Code, Title 8 or other applicable federal or
state laws, the Conflicting Provisions, to the extent of the conflict, shall be deemed never to
have constituted a part of this Declaration of Trust, even without any amendment of this
Declaration of Trust pursuant to Article X and without affecting or impairing any of the remaining
provisions of this Declaration of Trust or rendering invalid or improper any action taken or
omitted prior to such determination. No Trustee shall be liable for making or failing to make such
a determination. In the event of any determination by the Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees
shall amend the Declaration of Trust in the manner provided in Article X, Section 10.2.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or
unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable such
provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any
jurisdiction.
SECTION 13.4 Construction. In this Declaration of Trust, unless the context otherwise
requires, words used in the singular or plural include both the plural and singular and words
denoting any gender include all genders. The title and headings of different parts are inserted
for convenience and shall not affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Declaration of
Trust. In defining or interpreting the powers and duties of the Trust and its Trustees and
officers, reference may be made by the Trustees or officers, to the extent appropriate and not
inconsistent with the Code or Title 8, to Titles 1 through 3 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing,
in accordance with the provisions of Title 3, Subtitles 6 and 7, of the Corporations and
Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Trust shall be included within the
definition of corporation for purposes of such provisions.
SECTION 13.5 Recordation. This Declaration of Trust and any amendment hereto shall be
filed for record with the SDAT and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the
Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to file for record this Declaration of Trust or any
amendment hereto in any office other than in the State of Maryland shall not affect or impair the
validity or effectiveness of this Declaration of Trust or any amendment hereto. A restated
Declaration of Trust shall, upon filing, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein
and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration of Trust and the various
amendments thereto.
SECOND: These Articles of Restatement do not amend the Declaration of Trust.
THIRD: Under Section 2-608(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, upon any restatement of
the Declaration of Trust, the Trust may omit from such restatement all provisions thereof that
relate solely to a class of shares of beneficial interest if, at the time, there are no shares of
the class outstanding and the Trust has no authority to issue any shares of such class. There are
no shares of the Trusts Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (the Series
A Preferred Shares), 9.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
(the Series B Preferred Shares), 7.95% Series C Cumulative
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Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (the Series C Preferred Shares) or
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (the Series A Junior
Preferred Shares) outstanding and the Trust has no authority to issue any Series A Preferred
Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares or Series A Junior Preferred Shares.
All Declaration of Trust provisions that relate solely to the Trusts Series A Preferred Shares,
Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares or Series A Junior Preferred Shares have been
omitted from the foregoing restatement of the Declaration of Trust.
FOURTH: The foregoing restatement of the Declaration of Trust has been approved by a majority
of the entire Board of Trustees.
FIFTH: The name and address of the Trusts current resident agent is as set forth in Article
IV of the foregoing restatement of the Declaration of Trust.
SIXTH: There are currently nine (9) trustees of the Trust, and the names of those trustees
currently in office are as follows: Dennis E. Gershenson, Stephen R. Blank, Arthur Goldberg,
Robert A. Meister, Joel M. Pashcow, Mark K. Rosenfeld, Michael A. Ward, David J. Nettina and
Matthew L. Ostrower.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment
trust, has caused these Articles of Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its
President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this day of
, 2010, and the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that
these Articles of Restatement are the real estate investment trust act of the Trust and, as to all
matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President and Chief Executive
Officer acknowledges that, under penalties of perjury, to the best of his knowledge, information
and belief such matters and facts are true in all material respects.
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ATTEST: |
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RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST,
a Maryland real estate investment trust |
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By |
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(SEAL) |
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Name: Dennis Gershenson
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Title: Secretary
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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APPENDIX B
RAMCO-GERSHENSON PROPERTIES TRUST
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Ramco-Gershenson Properties
Trust (the Trust) shall be located at such place or places as the Trustees may designate.
Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Trust may have additional offices at such places
as the Trustees may from time to time determine or the business of the Trust may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office
of the Trust or at such other place within the United States as shall be stated in the notice of
the meeting.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of
Trustees and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Trust shall be held during
the month of June of each year, after the delivery of the annual report, referred to in Section 12
of this Article II, or in such other month of each year at a convenient location and on proper
notice, on a date and at the time set by the Trustees. Failure to hold an annual meeting does not
invalidate the Trusts existence or affect any otherwise valid acts of the Trust.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS. The chairman of the board or the president or one-third
of the Trustees may call special meetings of the shareholders. Special meetings of shareholders
shall also be called by the secretary upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to
cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Such request
shall state the purpose of such meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at such meeting.
Within ten (10) days of the receipt of such request, the secretary shall inform such shareholders
of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing notice of the meeting and, upon payment
by such shareholders to the Trust of such costs, the secretary shall, within thirty (30) days of
such payment, or such longer period as may be necessitated by compliance with any applicable
statutory or regulatory requirements, give notice to each shareholder entitled to notice of the
meeting. Unless requested by shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to
be cast at such meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter (other than as
to the removal or election of Trustees) which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any
meeting of the shareholders held during the preceding twelve months.
Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of
shareholders, the secretary shall give to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to
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each shareholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting written or
printed notice stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or
as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, either by
mail or by presenting it to such shareholder personally or by leaving it at his residence or usual
place of business. If such notice relates to a special meeting called at the request of
shareholders in accordance with Section 3 of this Article II, the description of the purpose of
such meeting shall comport with the purpose stated for such meeting in the request therefor
referenced in Section 3 of this Article II. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given
when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at his post office address as
it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid.
Section 5. SCOPE OF NOTICE. Any business of the Trust may be transacted at an annual
meeting of shareholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business
as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a
special meeting of shareholders except as specifically designated in the notice.
Section 6. ORGANIZATION. At every meeting of the shareholders, the Chairman of the
Board, if there be one, or the President shall conduct the meeting or, in the case of vacancy in
office or absence of the Chairman of the Board and the President, one of the following officers
present shall conduct the meeting in the order stated: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there be
one, the Vice Presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or a Chairman chosen by the
shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all shareholders present in person or
by proxy are entitled to cast, shall act as Chairman, and the Secretary, or, in his absence, an
assistant secretary, or in the absence of both the Secretary and assistant secretaries, a person
appointed by the Chairman or the President shall act as Secretary.
Section 7. QUORUM. At any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy
of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting
shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or
the Declaration of Trust for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If, however, such
quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote
at such meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from
time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other
than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present,
any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
notified.
Section 8. VOTING. A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders
duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a Trustee. Each share
may be voted for as many individuals as there are Trustees to be elected and for whose election the
share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly
called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may
properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required herein
or by statute or by the Declaration of Trust. Unless otherwise provided in the Declaration of
Trust or any amendment thereto, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to
one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.
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Section 9. PROXIES. A shareholder may vote the shares owned of record by him either
in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney in
fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Trust before or at the time of the
meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution, unless
otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 10. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Shares of the Trust registered in
the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be
voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may
be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been
appointed to vote such shares pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing board of such
corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of the partnership presents a certified
copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such shares. Any
trustee or other fiduciary may vote shares registered in his name as such fiduciary, either in
person or by proxy.
Shares of the Trust directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and
shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at
any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted
and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
The Trustees may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a shareholder may certify in writing
to the Trust that any shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of
a specified person other than the shareholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of
shareholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made,
the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with
respect to a record date or closing of the share transfer books, the time after the record date or
closing of the share transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Trust;
and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Trustees consider necessary or
desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be
regarded as for the purposes set forth in the certification, the shareholder of record of the
specified shares in place of the shareholder who makes the certification.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws,
Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(or any successor statute of substantially similar import) shall not apply to any acquisition by
any person of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust. This section may not be repealed or
amended, nor may any provision inconsistent herewith be adopted in these Bylaws or the Declaration
of Trust except upon the affirmative vote of the shareholders of the Trust as provided in the
second sentence of Section 8 of Article II and, if so repealed or amended, shall not as so repealed
or amended apply to any acquisition of control shares which preceded the effective date of repeal
or of such amendment.
Section 11. INSPECTORS. At any meeting of shareholders, the chairman of the meeting
may, or upon the request of any shareholder shall, appoint one or more persons as inspectors for
such meeting. Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares
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represented at the meeting based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies, count all votes, report the results and perform such other acts as are proper to conduct
the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the shareholders.
Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or by a majority of them if
there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the
report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or
inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 12. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS.
(a) Not later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Trust and in any event
at or before the annual meeting of shareholders, the Trustees shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the shareholders a report of the business and operations of the Trustees during such
fiscal year containing a balance sheet and a statement of income and surplus of the Trust,
accompanied by the certification of an independent certified public accountant, and such further
information as the Trustees may determine is required pursuant to any law or regulation to which
the Trust is subject. A signed copy of the annual report and the accountants certificate shall,
simultaneously with such delivery to the shareholders, be filed by the Trustees with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, and with such other governmental agencies as
may be required by law and as the Trustees may deem appropriate.
(b) Not later than 90 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each
fiscal year, the Trustees shall deliver or cause to be delivered an interim report to the
shareholders containing unaudited financial statements for such quarter and for the period from the
beginning of the fiscal year to the end of such quarter, and such further information as the
Trustees may determine is required pursuant to any law or regulation to which the Trust is subject.
Section 13. NOMINATIONS AND SHAREHOLDER BUSINESS.
(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders. (1) Nominations of persons for election to the
Board of Trustees and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at
an annual meeting of shareholders (i) pursuant to the Trusts notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of the Trustees or (iii) by any shareholder of the Trust who was a shareholder of record
both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 13(a) and at the time of the
annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures
set forth in this Section 13(a).
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) (1) of this Section 13, the shareholder must
have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Trust and such other business
must otherwise be a proper matter for action by shareholders. To be timely, a shareholders notice
shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than
the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior
to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided,
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however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30
days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date or if the Trust has not previously
held an annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier
than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the
close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day
following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the
Trust. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual
meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholders notice
as described above. Such shareholders notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the
shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Trustee all information relating
to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
Trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) (including such persons written consent to
being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected); (ii) as to
any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business
at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder and of the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the shareholder giving the
notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (x)
the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Trusts books, and of such
beneficial owner and (y) the number of each class of shares of the Trust which are owned
beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 13 to
the contrary, in the event that the number of Trustees to be elected to the Board of Trustees is
increased and there is no public announcement by the Trust naming all of the nominees for Trustee
or specifying the size of the increased Board of Trustees at least 70 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, a shareholders notice required by this Section
13(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions
created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive
offices of the Trust not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on
which such public announcement is first made by the Trust.
(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a
special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
Trusts notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Trustees may be
made at a special meeting of shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected (i) pursuant to the
Trusts notice of meeting (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or (iii) provided
that the Board of Trustees has determined that Trustees shall be elected at such special meeting,
by any shareholder of the Trust who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of
notice provided for in this Section 13(b) and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled
to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 13(b).
In the event the Trust calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or
more Trustees to the Board of Trustees, any such shareholder may nominate a person or persons (as
the case may be) for election to such position as specified in the Trusts notice of meeting, if
the shareholders notice containing the information required by paragraph (a) (2) of this Section
13 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Trust not earlier
than
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the close of business on the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the
close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day
following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and
of the nominees proposed by the Trustees to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the
public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting to a later date or time
commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholders notice as described above.
(c) General. (1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 13 shall be eligible to serve as Trustees and only such
business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the
meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13. The presiding officer of
the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business
proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth this
Section 13 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 13,
to declare that such defective nomination or proposal be disregarded.
(2) For purposes of this Section 13, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press
release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable news service or in a
document publicly filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13, a shareholder shall also
comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 13. Nothing in this
Section 13 shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals
in the Trusts proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
Section 14. INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting
forth such action, is signed by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter and any other
shareholder entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders (but not to vote thereat) has waived in
writing any right to dissent from such action, and such consent and waiver are filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the shareholders.
Section 15. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be
viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder shall demand
that voting be by ballot.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 1. GENERAL POWERS; QUALIFICATIONS; TRUSTEES HOLDING OVER. The business and
affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees. A Trustee
shall be an individual at least 21 years of age who is not under legal disability. In case of
failure to elect Trustees at an annual meeting of the shareholders, the
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Trustees holding over shall continue to direct the management of the business and affairs of
the Trust until their successors are elected and qualify.
Section 2. NUMBER. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that
purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Trustees may establish, increase or decrease the number
of Trustees.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Trustees shall be
held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders, no notice other
than this Bylaw being necessary. The Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place,
either within or without the State of Maryland, for the holding of regular meetings of the Trustees
without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Trustees may be called by or at
the request of the chairman of the board or the president or by a majority of the Trustees then in
office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Trustees may fix any
place, either within or without the State of Maryland, as the place for holding any special meeting
of the Trustees called by them.
Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting shall be given by written notice
delivered personally, telegraphed, facsimile-transmitted or mailed to each Trustee at his business
or residence address. Personally delivered or telegraphed notices shall be given at least two days
prior to the meeting. Notice by mail shall be given at least five days prior to the meeting.
Telephone or facsimile-transmission notice shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail
properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If given by telegram, such notice shall be
deemed to be given when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Telephone notice shall
be deemed given when the Trustee is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which he is
a party. Facsimile-transmission notice shall be deemed given upon completion of the transmission
of the message to the number given to the Trust by the Trustee and receipt of a completed
answer-back indicating receipt. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
annual, regular or special meeting of the Trustees need be stated in the notice, unless
specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
Section 6. QUORUM. The presence of at least a majority of the Board of Trustees then
in office shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Trustees,
provided that, if less than a majority of such Trustees are present at said meeting, a majority of
the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided
further that if, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority of a
particular group of Trustees is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority of such
group.
The Trustees present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Trustees to leave
less than a quorum.
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Section 7. VOTING. The action of the majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater
proportion is required for such action by applicable statute.
Section 8. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a
conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 9. INFORMAL ACTION BY TRUSTEES. Any action required or permitted to be taken
at any meeting of the Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing to such
action is signed by each Trustee and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings
of the Trustees.
Section 10. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the Trustees cease to be
Trustees, such event shall not terminate the Trust or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the
remaining Trustees hereunder (even if fewer than two Trustees remain). Any vacancy (including a
vacancy created by an increase in the number of Trustees), other than a vacancy created as a result
of the removal of any Trustee by action of the shareholders, shall be filled, at any regular
meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by a majority of the Trustees. Any
individual so elected as Trustee shall hold office for the unexpired term of the Trustee he is
replacing.
Section 11. COMPENSATION: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Compensation. Trustees shall not receive any stated salary for their services as
Trustees but, by resolution of the Trustees, may receive fixed sums per year and/or per meeting
and/or per visit to real property owned or to be acquired by the Trust and for any service or
activity they performed or engaged in as Trustees. Such fixed sums may be paid either in cash or
in shares of the Trust. Trustees may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each
annual, regular or special meeting of the Trustees or of any committee thereof; and for their
expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity
performed or engaged in as Trustees; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude
any Trustees from serving the Trust in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
(b) Financial Assistance to Trustees.. The Trust may lend money to, guarantee an
obligation of or otherwise assist a Trustee or a trustee or director of a direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Trust; provided, however, that such Trustee or other person is also an executive
officer of the Trust or of such subsidiary, or the loan, guarantee or other assistance is in
connection with the purchase of Shares. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or
without interest, unsecured, or secured in any manner that the Board of Trustees approves,
including a pledge of shares.
Section 12. REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES. The shareholders may, at any time, remove any
Trustee in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust and, if any Trustee shall be so removed,
may take action to fill the vacancy so created. Any individual so elected as Trustee shall hold
office for the unexpired term of the Trustee, the removal of which created the vacancy.
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Section 13. LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No Trustee shall be liable for any loss which may occur
by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other
institution with whom moneys or shares have been deposited.
Section 14. SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no Trustee shall be obligated to
give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his duties.
Section 15. RELIANCE. Each Trustee, officer, employee and agent of the Trust shall,
in the performance of his duties with respect to the Trust, be fully justified and protected with
regard to any act or failure to act in reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other
records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel or upon reports made to the Trust by any of its
officers or employees or by the adviser, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants
selected by the Trustees or officers of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may
also be a Trustee.
Section 16. INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRANSACTIONS. Section 2-419 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law (the MGCL) shall be available for and apply to any contract or other transaction
between the Trust and any of its Trustees or between the Trust and any other trust, corporation,
firm or other entity in which any of its Trustees is a trustee or director or has a material
financial interest.
Section 17. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Trustees
shall have no responsibility to devote their full time to the affairs of the Trust. Any Trustee or
officer, employee or agent of the Trust (other than a full-time officer, employee or agent of the
Trust), in his personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee or agent of any other
person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar or in
addition to those of or relating to the Trust.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Trustees may appoint from among its
members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and other committees,
each comprised of two or more Trustees, to serve at the pleasure of the Trustees.
Section 2. POWERS. The Trustees may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1
of this Article any of the powers of the Trustees, except as prohibited by law.
Section 3. MEETINGS. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members
thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another
Trustee to act in the place of such absent member. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in
the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Trustees.
One-third of the members of any committee shall be present in person at any meeting of such
committee in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the
act of a majority present shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Trustees may
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designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or any two members of any committee
may fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the
absence or disqualification of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any
meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another Trustee to act at the meeting in the place of such absent or disqualified members.
Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and shall report the same to the Board of
Trustees at the next succeeding meeting, and any action by the committee shall be subject to
revision and alteration by the Board of Trustees, provided that no rights of third persons shall be
affected by any such revision or alteration.
Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Trustees may participate
in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by
these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. INFORMAL ACTION BY COMMITTEES. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at any meeting of a committee of the Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in
writing to such action is signed by each member of the committee and such written consent is filed
with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Trustees shall
have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to
designate alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such
committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Trust shall include a president, a
secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a
chief executive officer, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more vice
presidents, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition,
the Trustees may from time to time appoint such other officers with such powers and duties as they
shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Trust shall be elected annually by the
Trustees at the first meeting of the Trustees held after each annual meeting of shareholders. If
the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon
thereafter as may be convenient. Each officer shall hold office until his successor is elected and
qualifies or until his death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two
or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. In their
discretion, the Trustees may leave unfilled any office except that of president and secretary.
Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Trust and
such officer or agent.
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Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Trust may be removed
by the Trustees if in their judgment the best interests of the Trust would be served thereby, but
such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the
Trustees, the chairman of the board, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take
effect at any time subsequent to the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become
effective is not specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. The acceptance of a resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such
resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Trust.
Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Trustees for the
balance of the term.
Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Trustees may designate a chief executive
officer from among the elected officers. The chief executive officer shall have responsibility for
implementation of the policies of the Trust, as determined by the Trustees, and for the
administration of the business affairs of the Trust. In the absence of both the chairman and vice
chairman of the board, the chief executive officer shall preside over the meetings of the Trustees
and of the shareholders at which he shall be present.
Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Trustees may designate a chief operating
officer from among the elected officers. Said officer will have the responsibilities and duties as
set forth by the Trustees or the chief executive officer.
Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Trustees may designate a chief financial
officer from among the elected officers. Said officer will have the responsibilities and duties as
set forth by the Trustees or the chief executive officer.
Section 7. CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the board shall
preside over the meetings of the Trustees and of the shareholders at which he shall be present and
shall in general oversee all of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of the
chairman of the board, the vice chairman of the board shall preside at such meetings at which he
shall be present. The chairman and the vice chairman of the board may execute any deed, mortgage,
bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly
delegated by the Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall
be required by law to be otherwise executed. The chairman of the board and the vice chairman of
the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or them by the Trustees.
Section 8. PRESIDENT. In the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board
and the chief executive officer, the president shall preside over the meetings of the Trustees and
of the shareholders at which he shall be present. In the absence of a designation of a chief
executive officer by the Trustees, the president shall be the chief executive officer and shall be
ex officio a member of all committees that may, from time to time, be constituted by the Trustees.
The president may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases
where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Trustees or by
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these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall be required by law to be
otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees from time to time.
Section 9. VICE PRESIDENT. In the absence of the president or in the event of a
vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president,
the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any
designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and
when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the
president or by the Trustees. The Trustees may designate one or more vice presidents as executive
vice president or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 10. SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of
the shareholders, the Trustees and committees of the Trustees in one or more books provided for
that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these
Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the trust records and of the seal of the Trust;
(d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the
secretary by such shareholder; (e) have general charge of the share transfer books of the Trust;
and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the
chief executive officer, the president or by the Trustees.
Section 11. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and
securities of the Trust and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in
books belonging to the Trust and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name
and to the credit of the Trust in such depositories as may be designated by the Trustees.
He shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may be ordered by the Trustees, taking proper
vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Trustees, at the regular
meetings of the Trustees or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as
treasurer and of the financial condition of the Trust.
If required by the Trustees, he shall give the Trust a bond in such sum and with such surety
or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Trustees for the faithful performance of the duties of
his office and for the restoration to the Trust, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or
removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, moneys and other property of whatever kind in
his possession or under his control belonging to the Trust.
Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries
and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the
secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the president or the Trustees. The assistant
treasurers shall, if required by the Trustees, give bonds for the faithful performance of their
duties in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Trustees.
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Section 13. SALARIES. The salaries and other compensation of the officers shall be
fixed from time to time by the Trustees and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such
salary or other compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a Trustee.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Trustees may authorize any officer or agent to enter into
any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and
such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage,
lease or other document executed by one or more of the Trustees or by an authorized person shall be
valid and binding upon the Trustees and upon the Trust when authorized or ratified by action of the
Trustees.
Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of
money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust shall be signed by
such officer or agent of the Trust in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the
Trustees.
Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Trust not otherwise employed shall be deposited
from time to time to the credit of the Trust in such banks, trust companies or other depositories
as the Trustees may designate.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, this Section 1
of Article VII of the Bylaws shall not be interpreted to limit the authority of the Board of
Trustees to issue some or all of the shares of beneficial interest of any or all of the Trusts
classes or series without certificates. In the event that the Trust issues shares of beneficial
interest of any class or series evidenced by certificates, each holder of such shares of such class
or series shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates which shall evidence and certify the
number of such shares of such class or series of beneficial interest held by such shareholder in
the Trust. Each certificate shall be signed by the chief executive officer, the president or a
vice president and countersigned by the secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an
assistant treasurer and may be sealed with the seal, if any, of the Trust. The signatures may be
either manual or facsimile. Certificates shall be consecutively numbered; and if the Trust shall,
from time to time, issue several classes or series of shares, each class and series may have its
own number series. A certificate is valid and may be issued whether or not an officer who signed
it is still an officer when it is issued. Each certificate representing shares which are
restricted as to their transferability or voting powers, which are preferred or limited as to their
dividends or as to their allocable portion of the assets upon liquidation or which are redeemable
at the option of the Trust, shall have a statement of such restriction, limitation, preference or
redemption provision, or a summary thereof, plainly stated on the certificate. In lieu of such
statement or summary, the Trust may set forth upon the face or back of the certificate a statement
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that the Trust will furnish to any shareholder, upon request and without charge, a full
statement of such information.
Section 2. TRANSFERS. Certificates shall be treated as negotiable and title thereto
and to the shares they represent shall be transferred by delivery thereof to the same extent as
those of a Maryland stock corporation. Upon surrender to the Trust or the transfer agent of the
Trust of a share certificate duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession,
assignment or authority to transfer, the Trust shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
The Trust shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares as the holder
in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to
or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be
subject in all respects to the Declaration of Trust and all of the terms and conditions contained
therein.
Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer designated by the Trustees may direct
a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate previously issued by the Trust alleged
to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing the issuance of a new
certificate, an officer designated by the Trustees may, in his discretion and as a condition
precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate
or the owners legal representative to advertise the same in such manner as he shall require and/or
to give bond, with sufficient surety, to the Trust to indemnify it against any loss or claim which
may arise as a result of the issuance of a new certificate.
Section 4. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Trustees may set,
in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of shareholders
for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business
on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a
meeting of shareholders not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular
action requiring such determination of shareholders of record is to be held or taken.
In lieu of fixing a record date, the Trustees may provide that the share transfer books shall
be closed for a stated period but not longer than 20 days. If the share transfer books are closed
for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten days before the date of such meeting.
If no record date is fixed and the share transfer books are not closed for the determination
of shareholders, (a) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or
B-14
to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the
notice of meeting is mailed or the 30th day before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the
meeting; and (b) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment
of a dividend or an allotment of any other rights shall be the close of business on the day on
which the resolution of the Trustees, declaring the dividend or allotment of rights, is adopted.
When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been
made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, except
when (i) the determination has been made through the closing of the transfer books and the stated
period of closing has expired or (ii) the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days after
the record date fixed for the original meeting, in either of which case a new record date shall be
determined as set forth herein.
Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Trust shall maintain at its principal office or at the
office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger
containing the name and address of each shareholder and the number of shares of each class held by
such shareholder.
Section 6. FRACTIONAL SHARES; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Trustees may issue fractional
shares or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they
may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws,
the Trustees may issue units consisting of different securities of the Trust. Any security issued
in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Trust,
except that the Trustees may provide that for a specified period securities of the Trust issued in
such unit may be transferred on the books of the Trust only in such unit.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTING YEAR
The Trustees shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Trust by a
duly adopted resolution.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust may be authorized and declared by the Trustees, subject to the
provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in
cash, property or shares of the Trust, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of
Trust.
Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions,
there may be set aside out of any funds of the Trust available for dividends or other distributions
such sum or sums as the Trustees may from time to time, in their absolute
B-15
discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or
other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Trust or for such other
purpose as the Trustees shall determine to be in the best interest of the Trust, and the Trustees
may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE X
PROHIBITED INVESTMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall not
enter into any transaction referred to in (i), (ii) or (iii) below which it does not believe is in
the best interests of the Trust, and will not, without the approval of a majority of the
disinterested Trustees, (i) acquire from or sell to any Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust,
any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in
which a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust owns more than a one percent interest or any
affiliate of any of the foregoing, any of the assets or other property of the Trust, except for the
acquisition directly or indirectly of certain properties or interest therein, directly or
indirectly, through entities in which it owns an interest in connection with the initial public
offering of shares by the Trust or pursuant to agreements entered into in connection with such
offering, which properties shall be described in the prospectus relating to such initial public
offering, (ii) make any loan to or borrow from any of the foregoing persons or (iii) engage in any
other transaction with any of the foregoing persons. Each such transaction will be in all respects
on such terms as are, at the time of the transaction and under the circumstances then prevailing,
fair and reasonable to the Trust. Subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the Board
of Trustees may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with
respect to investments by the Trust as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
SEAL
Section 1. SEAL. The Trustees may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Trust. The
seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Trust and the year of its formation. The
Trustees may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Trust is permitted or required to affix its
seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation
relating to a seal to place the word (SEAL) adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to
execute the document on behalf of the Trust.
ARTICLE XII
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCES FOR EXPENSES
To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Trust shall
indemnify (a) any Trustee, officer or shareholder or any former Trustee, officer or shareholder
(including among the foregoing, for all purposes of this Article XII and without
B-16
limitation, any individual who, while a Trustee, officer or shareholder and at the express
request of the Trust, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, shareholder, partner or
trustee of such corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise) who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to
which he was made a party by reason of service in such capacity, against reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with the proceeding, (b) any Trustee or officer or any former Trustee
or officer against any claim or liability to which he may become subject by reason of such status
unless it is established that (i) his act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the
proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty,
(ii) he actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in
the case of a criminal proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his act or omission was
unlawful and (c) each shareholder or former shareholder against any claim or liability to which he
may become subject by reason of such status. In addition, the Trust shall, without requiring a
preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse, in
advance of final disposition of a proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a Trustee, officer or
shareholder or former Trustee, officer or shareholder made a party to a proceeding by reason such
status, provided that, in the case of a Trustee or officer, the Trust shall have received (i) a
written affirmation by the Trustee or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the
applicable standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Trust as authorized by these
Bylaws and (ii) a written undertaking by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by
the Trust if it shall ultimately be determined that the applicable standard of conduct was not met.
The Trust may, with the approval of its Trustees, provide such indemnification or payment or
reimbursement of expenses to any Trustee, officer or shareholder or any former Trustee, officer or
shareholder who served a predecessor of the Trust and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a
predecessor of the Trust. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or
amendment of any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws inconsistent with this
Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of this Article with respect to
any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
Any indemnification or payment or reimbursement of the expenses permitted by these Bylaws
shall be furnished in accordance with the procedures provided for indemnification or payment or
reimbursement of expenses, as the case may be, under MGCL § 2-418 for directors of Maryland
corporations. The Trust may provide to Trustees, officers and shareholders such other and further
indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses, as the case may be, to the fullest extent
permitted by the MGCL, as in effect from time to time, for directors of Maryland corporations.
ARTICLE XIII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws or
pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled
to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the
giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose
B-17
of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by
statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Trustees may adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws;
provided, however, that Article II, Sections 2, 10 and 12 of Article III and this Article XIV of
these Bylaws shall not be amended without the consent of shareholders by a vote of a majority of
the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
All references to the Declaration of Trust shall include any amendments thereto.
B-18
lUHCOrBEKSHBiSOli fKdmflfS TMJST S1SOOl,HOKmKSrflOi:HlGH(MUIlTE3iO FAMtiNBTtW
HXLLSiTffTMSW VOTE BY INTERNET www.proxyvoto.com Use uib Internal to transmit your
voting instructions and for electronic delivery of Information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time
4p*Mp*«p*B*wfAM-Bir fch u.« nw**»dri» Have your proxy card In hand w W you access the web site and
follow the instructions to obtain your records Cj to create an electronic vo1n i Instruction
form. Electronic Delivery of Future PROXY MATERIALS ^ J '' If you would like to reduce the
costs Incurred by our compvy in mal Ing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future
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. . . . Mark, sigh and date your proxy card arid return it In the postage-pa d envelope we have
provided or return It to Vote Processing, c/6 Brbadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edfiewood, NY 11717.
-: . .. . . _Vp^___. f l . t* - * -,, .tm.j-mf)4fr~ _i»*
I 1KZKW1 TOV^E^^S^^O^B^N^O^: ^ ___KJ_EPJHI^PmnON2RYOURRECORC THIS PROXY CARD
IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONI For Withhold ForAII To
withhold authority to vote for any All All Except Individual nonlnee(s), nark For All The Board of
Trustees reconnends that you n1neesa)ndonWlthe line
beTo^1"' °f thB vote FOR the following: mx»1nees) on the line
below. 1. Election of Trustees ODD Nominees fr 01 Dennis iTGershenson 02 Robert A. Helster 03
Michael A. Ward The Board of Trustees recoanends you vote FOR the following proposal(s): For
Against Abstain 2 Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Trusts Independent
registered public accounting firm for 2010. 000 £5 T 3 Apprpval_oj_itu tiendnent to the
Declaration of Trust to declassify the Bonrfi »? Trustees *tf the anendnent to the Bylaws toj 000
liiln^fs tie perceivEag* of^ocf I necessary for sTiaieHiTTin *o r*qure ^Se Trust to caTT
a special shareholder neetlng. s* / : ~. * Q f~l T~) /NOTE: Such other business a»/may
properly cone before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. ^~- Please sign exactly as your
nane(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, adninistrator, or other fiduciary,
please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders roust sign.
If a corporation or ^parTtner.sMp,.4Lease^5l8i!Jn.luJl_opr;pprate-9 part ershjpjiame^by
autho Ued omoet,-, |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The/Ns4rt/&^roxy Statement/IQK Wrop iirare available at www.proxyvote.com. ^ RAMCO-GERSHENSON
PROPERTIES TRUST PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS June 8,2010 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES full power of subslilulion, as proxies of Ihe undersigned lo
vote ell common shores of beneficial Merest of the Trull which the undersigned Is entiled to vole
el the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ihe Trust to be held on Tuesday, June 8.2010,10:00 a.m.,
Eastern time, at The Community Haute, 380 S, Bales SlraeL Birmingham, Michigan 48009 and all
adjournments or postponements thereof, and to other represent Ihe undersigned at Ihe annual meeting
with all the powers possessed by Ihe undersigned if personally present at Ihe mealing. The
undersigned revokes any proxy previously given lo vole at such meeting. on any other mailers which
may property come before the mooting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when
properly executed, will bo voted as directed. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED EO& ALL NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 M*H. ___3 Continued and to be signed on
reverse side |