DEF 14A of Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.
Filed Mar 29, 2024 · FY20230000950170-24-038688
Directors
Directors Our Board currently consists of 11 directors. Members of our Board are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Our Board has nominated for election each of the current directors. The biography of each of the nominees below contains information regarding the person’s service as director, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years, and the experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills that caused the Board to determine that the person should serve as a director.
Directors
| Grant E. Belanger | Director Since 2016 |
Directors
Grant E. Belanger, age 63, is currently the principal of G. Belanger Consultants LLC, a management consulting firm. Mr. Belanger retired in 2015 from Ford Motor Company. There, he held various management positions for 30 years, including executive director of Material Planning and Logistics. Mr. Belanger previously served as a member of the board of directors of Ford Otosan, a publicly traded joint venture between Ford and Koc Holding located in Kocaeli, Turkey. He currently serves on our Audit Committee. Mr. Belanger brings to the Board demonstrated leadership abilities and a keen understanding of the transportation, logistics, and manufacturing businesses, both domestically and internationally. His ability to offer the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) perspective on critical business issues is invaluable to the Board.
Directors
| Frederick P. Calderone | Director Since 2009 |
Directors
Frederick P. Calderone, age 73, retired in 2016 after over 20 years of service as a vice president of a diversified holding company headquartered in Warren, Michigan. During his career, Mr. Calderone was widely recognized for his expertise in corporate, partnership and individual income tax matters; estate planning; tax planning for multinational businesses; mergers, acquisitions and commercial transactions; tax controversies and litigation; and corporate accounting. Earlier in his career, Mr. Calderone was a partner with Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells. Mr. Calderone has also served as a member of the board of directors of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTSI) since 1998. Mr. Calderone possesses a long history of advising and providing executive oversight to transportation and logistics companies. With his thorough understanding of financial reporting, generally accepted accounting principles, financial analytics, taxation, and budgeting, Mr. Calderone brings to the board a unique combination of expertise in accounting, strategic planning, and finance.
Directors
| Daniel J. Deane | Director Since 2009 |
Directors
Daniel J. Deane, age 68, has served as president of Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company since 1990. Mr. Deane also serves as president of Shamrock Chartering Company and has been a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers since 1985. He is a member of the International Stevedoring Council. Previously, Mr. Deane served on the board of Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber and is a past president of the Port of Detroit Operators Association. He currently serves on our Audit Committee. Mr. Deane possesses significant experience in operations, management, finance, and strategic planning for various companies in the transportation industry. His deep knowledge of not only operators providing numerous modes of transportation services but also the practices and procedures of OEMs and other shippers qualifies Mr. Deane as an instrumental resource in his capacity as a director.
Directors
| Clarence W. Gooden | Director Since 2018 |
Directors
Clarence W. Gooden, age 72, retired from CSX Corporation in May 2017. During his 47 years at CSX, Mr. Gooden held numerous leadership positions, including vice chairman and president from September 2015 through February 2017. Mr. Gooden currently serves on the advisory board of Argo Consulting, LLC, an operations improvements consulting firm. He previously served as a director of the National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company, and the National Freight Transportation Association and as a member of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s Trade and Transportation Advisory Council. Mr. Gooden possesses extensive experience and a network of relationships in railroads, transportation, logistics, finance, energy, and commodities. A proven industry leader, he brings the perspective and insight of a successful transportation executive to the board’s role in formulating and evaluating the Company’s business planning and execution.
Directors
| Marcus D. Hudson | Director Since 2023 |
Directors
Marcus D. Hudson, age 53, is a Senior Managing Director of Calderone Advisory Group. Mr. Hudson has more than 25 years of financial executive leadership, consulting and advisory experience across a broad range of industries including manufacturing, municipalities, and utilities. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at both the Wayne County Airport Authority and the Detroit Water and Sewer System. Before his time in these roles, Mr. Hudson served in senior leadership at Tecumseh Products Company, a global manufacturer of residential and commercial refrigeration compressors, and BBK, Ltd., a boutique financial advisory and turnaround firm. Mr. Hudson is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Managerial Accountant, Certified Turnaround Professional, Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor, and series-3 Certified Trading Advisor. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business (M.B.A.) and Michigan State University (B.A., Accounting). Mr. Hudson has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of not only finance and accounting but also the Company’s customer base. His extensive experience brings a unique perspective that will enhance the Board during a transformational time in the transportation industry.
Directors
| Matthew T. Moroun | Director Since 2004 |
Directors
Matthew T. Moroun, age 50, is chairman of our Board. He is also currently chairman of our executive committee and our Compensation Committee. Mr. Moroun significantly influences the management and operating policies of other family-owned businesses engaged in transportation, insurance, business services, and real estate development and management. He has served as a director of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTSI) since 1992 and its chairman since 2007. Mr. Moroun is the father of Matthew J. Moroun, a member of our Board. Mr. Moroun’s long-term, substantive leadership experience allows him to provide operational, financial, business, capital markets, and strategic expertise to our Board. He possesses first-hand knowledge of market-leading practices in our industry. His perspective on transportation, automotive, real estate, infrastructure, and government relations enhances the Board’s ability to oversee and direct our strategy, business planning, and execution.
Directors
| Matthew J. Moroun | Director Since 2020 |
Directors
Matthew J. Moroun, age 23, is a director of Universal. He is also employed in other Moroun family-owned businesses engaged in transportation and business services. Mr. Moroun has served as a director of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTSI) since 2020. Mr. Moroun holds a B.B.A. in Finance from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Moroun is the son of our Chairman, Matthew T. Moroun. Mr. Moroun provides an important perspective to the Board during this period of disruption and transformation in the industry. Additionally, Moroun family members have a special interest in the continuing success of the Company and have always played an important role in the business. Mr. Moroun’s participation on the Board will ensure that the tradition of family stewardship continues.
Directors
| Tim Phillips | Director Since 2020 |
Directors
Tim Phillips, age 58, became our president and chief executive officer in January 2020. He previously served as Universal’s executive vice president of transportation since January 2019. From October 2009 to January 2019, Mr. Phillips held the position of president of Universal Intermodal Services, Inc., the Company’s intermodal subsidiary. Prior to that role, he served as president of a predecessor to UACL Logistics, LLC from January 2007 to September 2009. He also served as vice president of a predecessor to Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. from October 2004 to December 2006 and held various operational positions there beginning in August 1989. Mr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University. His wealth of experience at Universal across several operating segments, along with his knowledge of the day-to-day management of the Company, provides the board an important perspective in establishing and overseeing the financial, operational, and strategic direction of the Company.
Directors
| Michael A. Regan | Director Since 2013 |
Directors
Michael A. Regan, age 69, is the chief relationship development officer of TranzAct Technologies, Inc., a privately held logistics information company that he co-founded in 1984. Mr. Regan was chief executive officer and chairman of the board for TranzAct until 2011. Prior to starting TranzAct, Mr. Regan worked for Bank of America, PriceWaterhouse, and the Union Pacific Corporation. He is a certified public accountant with a B.S.B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He serves or has served on the boards of numerous industry groups including the American Society of Transportation & Logistics, National Industrial Transportation League and the National Association of Strategic Shippers. He is the past chairman of the Transportation Intermediaries Association Foundation and was the recipient of the 2014 Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Regan’s extensive experience in the logistics industry and his background and experience in both internal and external auditing make him uniquely qualified to serve on our Board.
Directors
| Richard P. Urban | Director Since 2004 |
Directors
Richard P. Urban, age 82, is chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Urban previously served as an executive in various supply and logistics capacities at DaimlerChrysler AG and several of its predecessor companies. He has an M.B.A. from Michigan State University. Mr. Urban brings to the board a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the transportation industry. His management experience with supply and logistics operations not only provide him with insight into our financial affairs but also enable him to conduct effective oversight of the Company’s actions.
Directors
| H. E. Scott Wolfe | Director Since 2014 |
Directors
H. E. Scott Wolfe, age 78, served as our chief executive officer from December 2012 through December 2014. Mr. Wolfe also served as president and chief executive officer of LINC Logistics Company since its formation in March 2002. Mr. Wolfe led the development of Logistics Insight Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary, and was president of this subsidiary from its formation in 1992 until his retirement in December 2014. Earlier in his career, he was manager of inbound transportation at American Motors Corporation, where he established that company’s first corporate programs for logistics and transportation management. For 15 years, Mr. Wolfe was employed at General Motors, where he held various plant, divisional and corporate responsibilities. Mr. Wolfe has taught college courses in logistics and transportation management. Mr. Wolfe brings to the Board significant insight into our asset-light business model and extensive personal leadership skills.
Director Compensation
Director Compensation The following table sets forth the compensation information for the one-year period ending December 31, 2023, for each non-employee director who served during such period.
Director Compensation
| Name (1) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Fees Earned or Paid in Stock ($) (4) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | | Grant E. Belanger (2) | 47,169 | 11,998 | - | 59,167 | | Frederick P. Calderone | 35,002 | 14,998 | - | 50,000 | | Daniel J. Deane | 55,000 | - | - | 55,000 | | Clarence W. Gooden | 50,000 | - | - | 50,000 | | Marcus D. Hudson (3) | 33,430 | 8,237 | - | 41,667 | | Matthew J. Moroun | 35,002 | 14,998 | - | 50,000 | | Matthew T. Moroun | 85,002 | 14,998 | - | 100,000 | | Michael A. Regan | 40,010 | 9,990 | - | 50,000 | | Richard P. Urban | 50,002 | 14,998 | - | 65,000 | | H.E. Scott Wolfe | 50,000 | - | - | 50,000 |
Director Compensation
(1) Our chief executive officer, Mr. Tim Phillips, serves on our Board. He has been omitted from this table since he is an employee of the Company and did not receive any additional compensation for his board service. Mr. Phillips’ compensation is included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 19 of this Proxy Statement. (2) The Board appointed Mr. Belanger as its representative to the Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance Committee effective July 26, 2023, and the Company prorated an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for this role to reflect his partial year of service in 2023. (3) The board of directors elected Mr. Hudson to the board effective as of April 27, 2023, and the Company prorated his annual compensation for his partial year of service in 2023. This column reflects the value of shares of common stock granted as part of the annual retainer paid to non-employee directors based on the closing market price of $25.42 per share of our common stock on May 8, 2023, which was the date of the grant, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. Compensation Arrangements for Non-Employee Directors Director compensation is determined by our Board. For 2023, we paid our non-employee directors an annual retainer of $50,000. We paid the Chairman, which is a non-officer position, an annual retainer of $100,000. We paid the Chairman of our Audit Committee an additional annual retainer of $15,000, and we paid the other members of the Audit Committee an additional retainer of $5,000. We also paid the Board representative on our Environmental, Social and Governance Committee an additional retainer of $10,000, which was prorated in 2023 for a partial year of service. Each director may elect for the Company to pay up to $15,000 of the annual retainer in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company pays the cash portion of the annual retainer in two installments, and it pays the stock portion, if any, once annually. We also reimbursed our directors for expenses they incurred in attending board and committee meetings, including expenses for food, lodging, and transportation.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
___________________________ Tim Phillips. Mr. Phillips has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2020. He previously served for one year as our Executive Vice president of Transportation. From October 2009 to January 2019, Mr. Phillips held the position of President of Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. Prior to that role, he served as President of the predecessor to UACL Logistics, LLC from January 2007 to September 2009. He also served as Vice President of the predecessor to Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. from October 2004 to December 2006 and held various operational positions there beginning in August 1989. Mr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University. Jude M. Beres. Mr. Beres has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since March 2016. He previously served as the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer from April 2015 to March 2016. From 1997 to April 2015, Mr. Beres worked for multiple affiliated companies in finance and accounting. Mr. Beres has over 20 years of experience in the less-than-truckload, truckload, intermodal, and logistics industries. He holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from Walsh College. Elements of Compensation We have three key elements of compensation: annual base salary, cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentives. The annual base salary is intended to attract and retain talented executives and reward them for annual achievement. Cash incentive compensation is intended to motivate our executive officers to achieve specified financial results or superior performance. Long-term equity incentives are intended to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders by linking compensation to stock price appreciation. In addition, when the criteria for vesting of equity awards includes achieving specified financial results, the equity awards also serve the purpose of motivating our executive officers to achieve those results. Determining Compensation Historically, the compensation of our executive officers has been based primarily on the judgment of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer serve on the Compensation Committee in accordance with the exemption from the Compensation Committee independence requirements for controlled companies under NASDAQ Rule 5615(c). Currently, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation for our officers and key employees other than the Chief Executive Officer, while the Board makes all decisions regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation and approves the equity awards to the named executive officers. In determining compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee and the Board consider competitive market compensation paid by other companies, including other transportation and logistics companies, but do not attempt to maintain a specified target percentile within a peer group or otherwise rely on compensation paid by other companies to determine our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board review and evaluate many factors, including: • Universal’s performance and growth • Financial measurements such as revenue, revenue growth, net operating income and operating ratio, and trends in those measurements • Leadership qualities • Ability to achieve strategic objectives • Scope and performance of business responsibilities • Management experience and effectiveness • Individual performance and performance as a management team • Current compensation arrangements • Long-term potential to maintain and enhance value for our shareholders Our Board generally does not adhere to rigid formulas or react to short-term changes in business performance in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements but strives to achieve an appropriate mix between annual base salary, cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentives to meet our objectives. The Board receives regular updates on our business results from management and reviews the quarterly financial statements and projections to assess whether executive compensation continues to be properly balanced with and supportive of our business objectives. The Board may also review information, such as reported revenue, profit levels, market capitalization, and disclosed governance practices, regarding comparably sized companies in our industry to assess our comparative performance and organizational structure. The Board uses management updates and peer information as tools to evaluate the connection between executive compensation and our performance as a business. This information is reviewed in a subjective manner. There is no implied direct or formulaic linkage between peer information and our compensation decisions. Our Board takes the view that a close connection between compensation and performance objectives encourages our executive officers to make decisions that will result in significant positive short-term and long-term returns for our business and our shareholders without providing an incentive either to take unnecessary risks or to avoid opportunities to achieve long-term benefits even though they may reduce short-term benefits for the executive officers, the business, or our shareholders. Based on this information, the Board regularly evaluates both the short-term and long-term performance compensation for the executive officers to ensure alignment with our business objectives. The Committee also works closely with management regarding long-term equity incentives, which emphasize shareholder returns while providing enhanced retention value for key executives. Risk Assessment of Compensation Programs We have conducted a review of our compensation programs, including our annual cash and other compensation programs. We believe that our policies and practices are designed to reward individual performance based on our overall Company performance and are aligned with the achievement of both long-term and short-term company goals. Our base salaries are consistent with similar positions at comparable companies and the two components of our bonus programs, operating ratios and revenue growth, are directly tied to the overall success of the organization. Based on our review of our programs, including the above noted items, we have concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Annual Cash Compensation Base Salary. Our named executive officers receive an annual base salary for services performed during the year. The base salary is established based on the scope of responsibilities, level of experience and expertise, and ability to lead and direct the Company and achieve various financial and operational objectives. Our general compensation philosophy is to pay executive base salaries that are competitive with the salaries of executives in similar positions, with similar responsibilities, at comparable companies. We have not benchmarked our named executive officer base salaries against the base salaries at any particular company or group of companies. The base salaries of our named executive officers are typically established in accordance with their respective employment agreements. They are reviewed and adjusted by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as applicable, on an annual basis after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance, and expectations. The base salaries paid to our named executive officers are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 19.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. The practice of the Compensation Committee and the Board is to award an annual cash bonus to each of the named executive officers as part of the officer’s annual compensation. Bonuses are intended to provide the executive with an opportunity to receive additional cash compensation and are based on individual performance and the Company’s performance. The Committee and the Board believe this practice provides an incentive for strong financial and operating performance and aligns the interests of management with the interests of our shareholders. During 2023, we awarded discretionary cash bonuses to Messrs. Phillips and Beres in the amount of $378,000 and $246,000, respectively. The awards were subject to their continued employment with us, and we paid the awards in March 2024. During 2022, we awarded discretionary cash bonuses to Messrs. Phillips and Beres in the amount of $588,000 and $349,315, respectively. The awards were subject to their continued employment with us, and we paid the awards in March 2023. During 2021, we awarded discretionary cash bonuses to Messrs. Phillips and Beres in the amount of $500,000 and $415,000, respectively. The terms of the awards provided that 20% of the total bonus amounts would be paid in equal installments of 20% during each of the five succeeding years starting in 2022, subject to the recipient’s continued employment with us Other Compensation Long-Term Equity Grants. Long-term equity incentives are awarded to our named executive officers under our Stock Incentive Plan as part of our overall compensation package. The Plan authorizes grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, and unrestricted common stock. In recent years, the Compensation Committee and the Board have generally utilized long-term equity incentives in the form of restricted stock for our named executive officers. At the time of the Plan’s adoption, a total of 500,000 shares of our common stock, subject to adjustments, were reserved for the issuance of equity awards under the Plan. As of March 8, 2024, there were 233,603 shares available for issuance under the Plan. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that long-term equity incentives, such as awards of restricted stock, are consistent with the Company’s philosophy and represent an additional vehicle for aligning management’s interests with the interests of our shareholders. When determining the amounts and vesting conditions of long-term incentive grants to be awarded to our named executive officers, the Board considers, among other factors, the business performance of the Company, the responsibilities and performance of the executive, and the performance of our stock price. The long-term incentive grants, if any, awarded to Messrs. Phillips and Beres in 2023 are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 19. The Company granted no plan-based awards to our named executive officers in 2022 and 2021. Retirement and Health Benefits. We sponsor retirement savings plans for all of our eligible employees, including our executive officers. The plans qualify under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”). The plans include different matching provisions depending on which subsidiary or affiliate is involved. Eligible employees, including our executive officers, are allowed to make tax deductible contributions to the plan. For employees considered highly compensated, including our executive officers, we do not match plan contributions. We also offer health, vision and dental insurance to our executive officers. Perquisites. Our policy is to provide minimal, if any, perquisites for our executive officers. This helps set an example for all employees that personal expenses are not payable from Company funds and helps to control expenses. Post-Employment Compensation. We do not provide a defined benefit pension plan or post-retirement health insurance coverage for our executive officers or any of our other employees. We do not offer deferred compensation plans and do not have agreements that provide compensation to our executive officers based upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. However, our chief executive officer, Mr. Phillips, would be entitled to receive certain compensation if we terminate his employment based on a determination that it would be in our best interest. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control – Payments Upon Termination Based on Our Best Interest” on page 21. Tax Considerations Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a federal income tax deduction to public companies for compensation greater than $1 million paid in any tax year to covered executive officers. As a general matter, while tax deductibility is one of several relevant factors considered by the Committee in determining compensation, we believe that the tax deduction limitation imposed by Section 162(m) should not compromise our access to compensation arrangements that will attract and retain a high level of executive talent. Accordingly, the Committee and our Board will take into consideration a multitude of factors in making executive compensation decisions and may approve executive compensation that is not tax deductible. Clawback Policy We adopted a compensation recoupment policy with respect to certain annual incentive payments or long-term incentive payments that may be received by an executive officer, where the payment would be predicated upon achieving certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a restatement of our financial statements, and a lower payment would have been made to the executive based upon the restated financial results. In such a case, the Board has the authority to seek to recover from the executive officer the amount by which the officer’s incentive payments for the relevant period exceeded the lower payment that would have been made based on the restated financial results. Share Ownership Guidelines We do not have share ownership requirements for our executive officers. Role of Executive Officers in the Compensation Process The elements of executive compensation are discussed at meetings of the Compensation Committee and the Board, with significant input from our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer. Base salary is generally determined annually but may be determined for a multi-year period at the time employment agreements are negotiated with our executive officers. Cash incentive compensation and other bonuses and forms of stock-based compensation are discussed from time to time, but there is no set schedule for making determinations regarding these types of compensation. The Committee and the Board retain considerable flexibility in deciding when to address these matters. In making its compensation decisions, the Board will usually seek input from the executive officers. However, the Board makes the final decisions on the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and on equity awards to our executive officers, and the Committee makes the final decisions on other compensation to our executive officers. The Committee is authorized to utilize compensation consultants. Neither the Committee nor the Board utilized a compensation consultant regarding 2023 executive compensation. Shareholder Approval of the Company’s Compensation Programs
Summary Compensation Table
Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 concerning the compensation of our named executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus(1) ($) | Stock Awards(2) ($) | All Other Compensation(3) ($) | Total ($) | | Tim Phillips Chief Executive Officer and President | 2023 | 601,950 | 378,000 | 252,007 | 133 | 1,232,090 | | | 2022 | 559,269 | 588,000 | - | 133 | 1,147,402 | | | 2021 | 500,032 | 500,000 | - | 133 | 1,000,165 | | Jude Beres Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 2023 | 503,373 | 246,000 | 232,887 | 133 | 982,393 | | | 2022 | 479,375 | 349,315 | - | 133 | 828,823 | | | 2021 | 456,521 | 415,000 | - | 133 | 871,654 |
Summary Compensation Table
(1) The amounts shown for 2023 represent discretionary cash bonuses paid in March 2024. The amounts shown for 2022 represent discretionary cash bonuses paid in March 2023. The amount shown for 2021 represent discretionary cash bonuses payable in equal installments of 20% during each of the five succeeding years starting in 2022, subject to the recipient’s continued employment with us. (2) The amounts in the stock awards columns relate to time-based restricted stock awards granted in the year represented by the applicable row of the table. The dollar amounts reported represent the fair value of the awards on the grant dates, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, as computed in accordance with FASB Topic 718. Assumptions used in the valuation are discussed in Note 14, “Stock Based Compensation,” to the Financial Statements included in Item 15 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. (3) The amounts shown represent term life insurance premiums. Employment Agreements Tim Phillips. Under our employment agreement with Mr. Phillips, we agreed to pay him an annual salary. Effective December 5, 2022, Mr. Phillips’ base salary was increased to $600,028. The employment agreement also contemplates a restricted stock award of 60,000 shares, which vests in installments of 20,000 shares on January 10, 2024 and January 10, 2026, and installments of 10,000 shares on January 10, 2027 and January 10, 2028. Vesting is subject to his continued employment with the Company. The employment agreement includes provisions regarding termination of employment and non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations to the Company. Jude Beres. The Company does not have a written employment agreement with Mr. Beres. Effective March 20, 2023, Mr. Beres’ annual base salary was increased to $509,444. Our executive officers may participate in bonus and other incentive plans that are approved from time to time by our Board or Compensation Committee. The executive officers are also entitled to any fringe benefits that we may provide for our employees in the normal course of our business. Salary and Bonus Compared to Total Compensation We have not established a proportion that salary and bonus should be of our executive officers’ total compensation. With respect to Mr. Phillips in 2023, his base salary and discretionary cash bonus constituted 48.9% and 30.7% of his total compensation, respectively. For Mr. Beres in 2023, his base salary and discretionary cash bonus constituted 51.2% and 25.0% of his total compensation, respectively.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End The following table provides information as of December 31, 2023, regarding outstanding equity awards for each of the named executive officers.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
| | Option Awards | | | | | Stock Awards | | | | | Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | | Tim Phillips | - | - | - | - | - | 69,134 (2) | 1,937,135 | - | - | | Jude Beres | - | - | - | - | - | 13,441 (3) | 376,617 | - | - |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
(1) Based on the closing market price of $28.02 per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 29, 2023. (2) Includes an award of 60,000 shares that vests in installments of 20,000 shares on January 10 in 2024 and 2026 and installments of 10,000 shares on January 10 in 2027 and 2028. Also includes an award of 9,134 shares that vests in four 25% installments on March 15 in 2024 through 2027. (3) Includes an award of 5,000 shares that vests on February 20, 2024 and an award of 8,441 shares that vests in four 25% installments on March 15 in 2024 through 2027.
Stock Vested in 2023
Stock Vested in 2023 The following table contains information about restricted stock awards vested by each of our named executive officers during 2023.
Stock Vested in 2023
| Name | Option Awards | | Stock Awards | | | | Number of shares acquired on exercise | Value realized on exercise ($) | Number of shares acquired on vesting | Value realized on vesting ($) (1) | | Tim Phillips | - | - | 2,500 | 70,050 | | Jude Beres | - | - | 2,500 | 70,050 |
Stock Vested in 2023
The value is based on the closing market price of $28.02 per share of our common stock on December 29, 2023 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control Generally, the employment agreements that we enter into with our named executive officers provide for payments that may be made to them following termination of their employment. We discuss below and quantify in the tables that follow the potential payments under our employment agreement with our chief executive officer and the other payments to which our named executive officers would have been entitled upon termination as of December 31, 2023. We do not currently have an employment agreement in place for Mr. Beres, and we do not have any agreements or plans that provide for payments to any of our named executive officers based on the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. No Payments If There Is a Termination for Just Cause In the event that one of our named executive officers is terminated for just cause, including conviction of a crime, moral turpitude, gross negligence in the performance of duties, intentional failure to perform duties, insubordination, or dishonesty, we would have no obligation to pay base salary, bonuses or benefits beyond the last day worked. Payments Upon Death In the event of the death of one of our named executive officers, we would pay the executive officer his base salary through the date of death. Payments Upon Disability In the event that a named executive officer becomes disabled and is unable to perform his duties, we may terminate his employment. If Mr. Phillips’ employment had been terminated due to disability, he would have been entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for three months following the date of disability, plus any bonus earned but not yet paid. We would pay the remaining bonus amounts in one or more installments on the dates contemplated at the time of the awards. Payments Upon Termination Based on Our Best Interest In the event that a named executive officer is terminated by our board of directors based upon a determination that such action would serve the Company’s best interest, we would generally have no obligation to pay base salary or benefits beyond the last day worked. However, Mr. Phillips would have been entitled to receive his base salary and COBRA benefits for a period of 12 months following the termination of his employment, subject to his execution of a separation agreement with the Company within 21 days. Payments Upon Resignation, Including Retirement Mr. Phillips had the right to resign by providing three months’ written notice of his intent to resign. Following such notice, we were entitled to terminate his employment before the end of the three-month notice period. In the event Mr. Phillips resigned with the required three months’ notice or was terminated following such notice, Mr. Phillips would have been entitled to receive his base salary and COBRA benefits through the end of the three-month notice period. Upon retirement, a named executive officer would also be entitled to receive any bonus amounts earned, but not yet paid. We would pay the remaining bonus amounts in one or more installments on the dates contemplated at the time of the awards. Employee Obligations Under his employment agreement, Mr. Phillips agreed not to compete with, or solicit or retain business that is competitive with, our business, or that of specified affiliates of our chairman of the board, Mr. Matthew T. Moroun, for 12 months after his employment with us terminates. Mr. Phillips also agreed that he will not for two years after his employment with us terminates encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any of our employees or any employees of the specified affiliates to leave our employment or employment with the specified affiliates. If Mr. Phillips hires one of our employees, he must pay us 30% of the employee’s first year’s gross compensation. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Phillips also agreed to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information. Stock Awards Unvested shares of restricted stock are generally forfeited at the time of termination. However, certain awards of restricted stock to our named executive officers contain provisions under which the unvested shares will either continue to vest or automatically vest upon a termination due to death, disability, termination without cause, retirement after reaching a specified age or in other circumstances at the discretion of the board of directors or the compensation committee. Our restricted stock bonus award agreements with Mr. Phillips provides that, subject to his compliance with the covenants in his employment agreement that survive his retirement, any unvested shares of restricted stock granted under the agreement will continue to vest in accordance with the agreement’s vesting schedule if Mr. Phillips’ continued service with us terminates due to his voluntary retirement after he reaches the age of 62. Phillips Employment Agreement We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Phillips on January 10, 2020. Mr. Phillips has agreed not to compete with, or solicit or retain business that is competitive with, our business or that of specified affiliates for a period of six months after Mr. Phillips’ employment with us terminates. In the event that Mr. Phillips is terminated in the best interest of the Company, the duration of his covenant not to compete can be extended for one year, in which case Mr. Phillips will be entitled to receive a base salary for a period of 12 months. Mr. Phillips has also agreed that he will not, for a period of 24 months after termination, encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any of our employees or any employees of the specified affiliates to leave our employment or employment with the specified affiliates. If Mr. Phillips hires, directly or indirectly, an employee from us or a specified affiliate during the restricted period, Mr. Phillips has agreed to pay us or our affiliate 30% of the employee’s first year’s gross compensation. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Phillips has also agreed to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information. Table of Payments Upon Termination of Employment The following tables provide information regarding amounts payable to each of our named executive officers for 2023 in connection with the termination of his employment. The amounts shown assume that termination of employment was effective as of December 31, 2023, the last business day of our 2023 fiscal year, and include estimates of the amounts that would have been paid. Except as indicated below, amounts payable under employment agreements would be paid in equal installments pursuant to the Company’s regularly scheduled payrolls. The actual amounts would only be determined upon an officer’s termination of employment.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
| | Tim Phillips | | | | | | | Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($)(1) | Resignation ($)(2) | Retirement ($) | | Base Salary | - | - | 150,007 | 600,028 | 150,007 | 150,007 | | Continuation of Medical and Dental Benefits (3) | - | - | 3,935 | 15,740 | - | - | | Continuation of Cash Bonus Awards (4) | - | - | 288,000 | - | - | 288,000 | | Acceleration of Restricted Stock Awards (5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Total: | - | - | 441,942 | 615,768 | 150,007 | 438,007 |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
(1) Mr. Phillips is entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of 12 months following termination in the best interest of the Company. (2) Assumes we would have terminated employment immediately following receipt of notice of intent to resign. (3) Represents value of COBRA payments to which Mr. Phillips would have been entitled. (4) Upon disability or retirement, Mr. Phillips is entitled to receive any discretionary cash bonus amounts earned but not yet paid. We would pay the remaining bonus amounts in one or more installments on the dates contemplated at the time of the awards. Accelerated vesting of any unvested restricted stock awards following voluntary retirement is contingent on Mr. Phillips reaching age 62.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
| | Jude Beres | | | | | | | Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) | | Base Salary | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Continuation of Medical and Dental Benefits | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Continuation of Cash Bonus Awards (1) | - | - | - | - | - | 465,000 | | Acceleration of Restricted Stock Awards | - | - | - | - | - | - | | Total: | - | - | - | - | - | 465,000 |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
Upon retirement, Mr. Beres is entitled to receive any discretionary cash bonus amounts earned but not yet paid. We would pay the remaining bonus amounts in one or more installments on the dates contemplated at the time of the awards. Pension Benefits Table We do not offer, and the named executive officers did not participate in, any pension plan during any period while employed by us. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation We do not offer, and the named executive officers did not participate in, any non-qualified deferred compensation programs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Pay-Ratio Disclosure The following information relates to the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees to the annual total compensation of our chief executive officer (“CEO”) for 2023 as calculated in accordance with Regulation S-K. We provide fair and equitable compensation to our employees through a combination of competitive base pay, incentives, retirement plans, and other benefits. We are disclosing the following pay ratio and supporting information, which compares the annual total compensation of our employees other than our CEO (including full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees) and the annual total compensation of our CEO as required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. For 2023, our last completed fiscal year: • The median annual total compensation of all employees other than our CEO was $56,157. • The total compensation of our CEO was $1,232,090. Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median annual total compensation of all employees was 22 to 1. Our median employee was originally determined as of December 31, 2022. For 2023, we used the same median employee, as there has been no change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we believe would significantly impact the pay ratio disclosure. We calculated our median employee’s annual total compensation in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, resulting in that employee’s annual total compensation of $56,157. The median employee’s annual total compensation includes salary, wages, and tips as reflected in our payroll records. During this analysis, we annualized the compensation for employees hired during the year. We excluded equity awards and bonus payments from our compensation measure because we did not widely distribute such awards and bonuses to our employees. We identified our median employee using this compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all our employees included in the calculation.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Pay Versus Performance Table The following table sets forth information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 concerning the compensation of our named executive officers relative to our performance.
Pay Versus Performance Table
| | | | | | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: | | | | | Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for CEO (1) | Compensation Actually Paid to CEO (2) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-CEO NEOs (3) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-CEO NEOs (2)(3) | Total Shareholder Return (4) | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return (5) | Net Income | Operating Margin (7) | | 2023 | 1,232,090 | 908,818 | 982,393 | 956,923 | 157 | 131 | 92,901,000 | 8.8% | | 2022 | 1,147,402 | 2,055,927 | 828,823 | 935,448 | 185 | 98 | 168,632,000 | 11.9% | | 2021 | 1,000,165 | 896,040 | 871,654 | 862,679 | 103 | 120 | 73,733,000 | 5.9% | | 2020 | 2,067,833 | 2,186,333 | 904,712 | 931,262 | 110 | 106 | 48,132,000 | 5.8% |
Pay Versus Performance Table
(1) Total compensation of Mr. Phillips, our CEO, for all periods presented. (2) SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine “compensation actually paid.” The Reconciliation of Compensation Actually Paid Adjustments table below details the applicable adjustments that were made to determine “compensation actually paid." (3) Since Jude Beres, our CFO, is our only non-CEO named executive officer, the dollar amounts reported for the non-CEO NEOs represent amounts for Mr. Beres for all periods presented. The Reconciliation of Compensation Actually Paid Adjustments table below details the applicable adjustments that were made to determine “compensation actually paid.” (4) Total shareholder return is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between our stock price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by our stock price at the beginning of the measurement period. (5) The peer group used by the Company consists of the companies used in the Company’s performance graph as required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K and reported in Part II, Item 5 of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, namely the Nasdaq Transportation Index. (6) Operating margin is calculated as income from operations divided by total revenues, as included in our annual financial statements.
Pay Versus Performance Table
| Year | Summary Compensation Table “Total” Column ($) | Subtract Summary Compensation Table “Stock Awards” Column ($) | Add Year-End Fair Value of Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Year ($) | Add / (Subtract) Year Over Year Change in Fair Value of Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years ($) | Add / (Subtract) Year Over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in Year ($) | Compensation Actually Paid ($) | | CEO | | | | | | | | 2023 | 1,232,090 | (252,007) | 255,935 | (325,200) | (2,000) | 908,818 | | 2022 | 1,147,402 | - | - | 911,250 | (2,725) | 2,055,927 | | 2021 | 1,000,165 | - | - | (112,450) | 8,325 | 896,040 | | 2020 | 2,067,833 | (1,129,200) | 1,235,400 | 12,225 | 75 | 2,186,333 | | Non-CEO NEOs (1) | | | | | | | | 2023 | 982,393 | (232,887) | 236,517 | (27,100) | (2,000) | 956,923 | | 2022 | 828,823 | - | - | 109,350 | (2,725) | 935,448 | | 2021 | 871,654 | - | - | (17,300) | 8,325 | 862,679 | | 2020 | 904,712 | (88,700) | 102,950 | 12,225 | 75 | 931,262 |
Pay Versus Performance Table
Since Jude Beres, our CFO, is our only non-CEO named executive officer, the dollar amounts reported for the non-CEO NEOs represent amounts for Mr. Beres for all periods presented.
Relationship between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance
Relationship between “Compensation Actually Paid” and Performance The following graphs represent the relationship between the compensation “actually paid” as disclosed in the Pay vs. Performance Table and the Company TSR, Peer Group Index TSR, Net Income, and Operating Margin: Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and ULH TSR Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Peer Group TSR Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Operating Margin
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors Our board of directors has nominated for election at the Annual Meeting each of the following persons to serve until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified: Grant E. Belanger Frederick P. Calderone Daniel J. Deane Clarence W. Gooden Marcus D. Hudson Matthew J. Moroun Matthew T. Moroun Timothy Phillips Michael A. Regan Richard P. Urban H. E. Scott Wolfe Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named as proxies intend to vote all proxies received for the election of the 11 director nominees. All of the nominees have indicated their willingness to serve on the Board. If any nominee should become unwilling or unavailable to serve, our Board may select a substitute nominee, and in that event the proxies intend to vote all proxies for the person selected. If a substitute nominee is not selected, the proxies intend to vote for the election of the remaining nominees. Our Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable to serve. Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees listed above to our Board of Directors.