Table of Contents
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant |
☒ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
☐ |
|
Check
the appropriate box:
|
☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|
☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
|
☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
|
☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials |
|
☐ |
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
GETTY REALTY CORP.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
|
☐ |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
☐ |
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
GETTY
REALTY CORP.
292
MADISON AVENUE, 9TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017-6376
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 25, 2023
To
our Stockholders:
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Getty Realty Corp., a Maryland corporation
(the “Company”), will be held on April 25, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time in a virtual format only. You will not be able
to attend the Annual Meeting in person. To be admitted to the virtual Annual Meeting, you should go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GTY2023
and enter the control number found on your proxy card (“Proxy Card”), voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials. You will be deemed present and may vote at the virtual Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on
the meeting website during the meeting.
As
set forth in the attached proxy statement, the Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
|
(1) |
to elect a Board of Directors of six directors to hold office until our 2024 annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
|
(2) |
to hold an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; |
|
(3) |
to hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation; and |
|
(4) |
to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. |
We
will also transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The
Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice more fully describes the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2023 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
On
or about March 16, 2023, we are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders through the internet as permitted under the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules, many stockholders will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials”) instead of a paper copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement, our Proxy Card, and our Annual Report to Stockholders. We believe that this process gives us the opportunity to
serve our stockholders more efficiently by making the proxy materials available quickly online and reducing costs associated with printing
and postage. Stockholders who do not receive a Notice of Internet
Availability
of Proxy Materials will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instructs
you how to access and review the proxy materials and our Annual Report beginning on March 16, 2023. The Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials also instructs you how you may submit your proxy over the internet.
New York, New York |
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
March 15, 2023 |
|
|
/s/ Joshua Dicker |
|
|
|
Joshua Dicker
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND COMPLETE A PROXY CARD FOR YOUR SHARES AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE. YOU MAY VIA THE INTERNET AUTHORIZE A PROXY HOLDER TO VOTE YOUR SHARES BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE WEBSITE INDICATED
IN THE NOTICE MAILED TO YOU REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS. IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK,
NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BROKER, BANK, NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION ON HOW TO VOTE YOUR
SHARES. YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST A PAPER PROXY CARD TO SUBMIT YOUR VOTE BY MAIL. IF YOU VIRTUALLY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTE VIA
THE MEETING WEBSITE, THAT VOTE WILL REVOKE ANY PROXY YOU MAY HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED. IF YOU HOLD SHARES IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE
FIRM, BANK, NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION, THEN, IN ORDER TO VOTE YOUR SHARES VIA THE MEETING WEBSITE DURING THE MEETING, YOU MUST ENTER
THE CONTROL NUMBER FOUND ON YOUR PROXY CARD, VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM OR NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS.
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.
4 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Table of Contents |
|
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
5 |
6 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Proxy
Summary
2023
Annual Meeting Of Stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date and Time:
April 25, 2023
at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time
|
|
Place:
Virtually at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GTY2023
|
|
Record Date:
March 6, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
This
Proxy Summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all the information that
you should consider before voting. Please carefully read the complete Proxy Statement and Getty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K before
voting.
Annual
Meeting Information
This
Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Getty Realty
Corp. (hereinafter called the “Company” or “Getty”), to be voted at the Company’s Annual Meeting to be
held in a virtual format only at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GTY2023 on April 25, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), for the purposes of (1) electing six directors to Getty’s
Board of Directors; (2) holding an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation; (3) holding an advisory vote on the
frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation; and (4) ratifying the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm. We will also transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
Record
Date, Voting Rights, Outstanding Shares and Quorum
At
the close of business on March 6, 2023, the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, there
were 46,775,037 shares of Getty common stock outstanding. Only the holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business
on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Each
outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote. The shares of common stock vote as a single class. In order to constitute
a quorum at the Annual Meeting, there must be present virtually or represented by proxy stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all
the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting as of the record date.
Under
Maryland law, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by a broker,
bank, nominee or other record holder which are present virtually or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, but with respect to which such broker,
bank, nominee or other record holder lacks discretionary authority to vote the shares and has not received voting instructions from the
beneficial owner of the shares to vote on a particular proposal and is thus not empowered by the beneficial owner to vote the shares
on such proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Voting
Requirements
If
your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, nominee or other record holder, you will receive instructions from the holder of
record on how to vote your shares. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. If
your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting, you
should go to the meeting website and enter the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”).
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
7 |
If
your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, you are a “stockholder of record,” and you may
vote your shares:
|
■ |
Online: Go to http://www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions |
|
■ |
By Telephone: Call toll-free 1-800-690-6903 and follow the instructions |
|
■ |
By Mail: Complete, sign, date and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope |
|
■ |
Virtually In-Person: Virtually attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares |
All
valid proxies received, and not revoked, before the Annual Meeting will be exercised. All shares represented by a valid proxy will be
voted, and where a proxy specifies a stockholder’s choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted
in accordance with that specification. If no choice is indicated on the proxy with respect to any one or more of the proposals, the shares
will be voted in favor of such proposal(s). At the discretion of the persons named on the enclosed proxy card or vote instruction form,
such proxy holder may also vote on any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
Vote
Required
If
a quorum is achieved at the Annual Meeting, the following voting requirements will apply:
|
1. |
Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present is required for the election of each nominee to our
Board of Directors. With respect to each director nominee, you may vote “for” such nominee or “withhold” your vote as to such nominee. If you “withhold” authority to vote with respect to one or more director nominees, your vote will have no
effect on the election of such nominees. Director nominees with the most votes cast “for” such nominee’s election will be elected to our Board of Directors. |
|
■ |
For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the
result of the vote. |
|
2. |
Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary
to approve the advisory vote on named executive compensation. |
|
■ |
For purposes of the advisory vote to approve the named executive officer compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and
will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
This
vote on named executive officer compensation is not binding on the Board of Directors or Getty. The Board of Directors, however, will
consider the results of the vote when considering future named executive compensation arrangements.
|
3. |
Advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is
present is necessary to approve the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation. If no option receives a majority of the votes cast, the option that receives the most votes will be considered the option
selected by stockholders. |
|
■ |
For purposes of the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered
votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
This
vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation is not binding on the Board of Directors or Getty. The Board of
Directors, however, will consider the results of the vote when considering the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation
in the future.
|
4. |
Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present is required to ratify
the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm. |
|
■ |
For purposes of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, abstentions are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of this
proposal. (The ratification of the appointment of auditors is considered a “routine” matter under The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules for which brokers, banks, nominees or other record holders have discretionary authority to vote
without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. See “Broker Non-Votes” below for further information.) |
8 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Broker
Non-Votes
Broker
non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker, bank, nominee
or other record holder holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine” under NYSE rules and, therefore,
lacks discretionary authority to vote the shares without voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Generally, if shares are held
in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker, bank, nominee or other record
holder holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker, bank, nominee or other record holder
can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine” under NYSE rules but cannot vote the
shares with respect to “non-routine” matters. With respect to the four proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement, only
Proposal 4 – Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – is considered to be “routine”
and brokers, banks, nominees or other record holders will have discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal. We encourage
you to provide instructions to your broker, bank, nominee or other record holder regarding the voting of your shares in order to ensure
that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. See “Vote Required” section above for the treatment of broker non-votes
with respect to each of the four proposals.
If
you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card (your “proxies” or “proxy holders”) will vote your
shares in the manner you indicate.
Revocation
of Proxies
You
may revoke your proxy at any time prior to it being exercised. Record holders may revoke their proxy by voting via the website during
the meeting or by submitting a new proxy, dated after the date of the proxy to be revoked, to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s
address shown on the cover page of this Proxy Statement, prior to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in “street name,”
you must contact your broker, bank, nominee or other record holder for instructions on revoking your proxy.
Solicitation
of Proxies
We
will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail through our employees, we will request brokers,
banks, nominees or other record holders, custodians and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock, and we will reimburse
them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We may also use the services of our officers,
directors and others to solicit proxies personally or by telephone, without additional compensation.
Notice
Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
From
the date of mailing of the Notice of Internet Availability through the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be able to
access all of the proxy materials on the internet at www.proxyvote.com. The proxy materials will be available free of charge.
The Notice of Internet Availability will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained
in the proxy materials (including our Annual Report to Stockholders) over the internet or through other methods specified at the website
designated in the Notice of Internet Availability. The designated website contains instructions as to how to vote your shares over the
internet or by telephone. The Notice of Internet Availability also instructs you as to how you may request a paper or email copy of the
proxy card. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability and would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, you should
follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice of Internet Availability.
The
rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permit us to deliver a single Notice
of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. We have delivered
only one copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or set of Annual Meeting materials to multiple stockholders who share the same address,
unless we received contrary instructions from the affected stockholders prior to the mailing date. We will promptly deliver, upon written
or oral request, a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or set of proxy materials to any stockholder at the shared address
to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the Notice of Internet Availability
or sets of proxy materials, contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) at 1-800-542-1061, or in writing
at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51
Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive
only one copy of future Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of proxy materials for your household, please contact
Broadridge at the above phone number or address.
The
Notice of Internet Availability or set of proxy materials will be sent to stockholders, and will be available on the internet, on or
about March 16, 2023.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
9 |
Voting
Items and Board of Directors Recommendations
|
Proposal Description |
Board Vote
Recommendation |
Page Number
with More
Information |
Proposal 1 |
Election of six Directors |
“FOR” all nominees |
17 |
Proposal 2 |
Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation |
“FOR” |
51 |
Proposal 3 |
Advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive
compensation |
“FOR” |
52 |
Proposal 4 |
Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023 |
“FOR” |
56 |
Performance
Highlights
We
maintained our positive earnings trajectory in 2022, as measured by Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) per share, which
supported another material increase in cash dividends to common stockholders.
AFFO
Per Share |
Dividends Paid Per Share |
|
|
Our
emphasis on expanding our platform and growing our portfolio drove another diverse set of acquisitions in 2022. We allocated approximately
30% of our investment spending to convenience stores, and more than 70% to other convenience and automotive retail real estate (express
car washes, auto service centers, and drive-thru quick serve restaurants). We also added four new tenants to the portfolio and meaningfully
expanded our relationships with several existing tenants. Finally, we grew our presence in a number of attractive metropolitan areas
including Austin, Charleston (South Carolina), Charlotte, Las Vegas, and San Antonio.
2022
INVESTMENT VOLUME BY PROPERTY TYPE
We
demonstrated our strong access to capital and our continued commitment to an investment grade credit profile in 2022, raising more than
$340 million of permanent debt and equity capital and maintaining strong credit metrics.
Equity |
Debt |
Credit Metrics
|
■ Sold an aggregate of 3.7 million shares of
common stock for anticipated gross proceeds of $117.6 million under forward sale agreements through our ATM program
|
■ Completed the private placement of $225 million
of senior unsecured notes due 2032 & 2033 at a blended interest rate of 3.56%
|
■ BBB-Fitch rating affirmed
■ 5.1x net debt / EBITDA
■ 3.9x fixed charge coverage
|
10 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation Highlights
Our
executive compensation program currently involves a combination of annual cash compensation, discretionary incentive compensation, including
both cash and equity incentive awards, retirement and other plans, and perquisites and other benefits.
We
aim to develop and implement compensation programs that are designed to encourage high performance, promote accountability, and assure
that executives’ interests continue to be aligned with the interests of our stockholders.
The
majority of the compensation awarded to executives is variable in nature and dependent on Company and individual performance. Additionally,
more than half of 2022 executive compensation was in the form of equity incentive awards, further aligning executives’ interests
with stockholders.
CEO PAY MIX* |
OTHER NEO PAY MIX* |
|
|
*
Equity incentive award data is based on the value of restricted stock units granted in February 2022 based on 2021 performance
In
making executive compensation determinations, we also consider the results of the non-binding, advisory stockholder votes on our executive
compensation program. Our stockholders have approved our executive compensation program each year since the advisory vote was first sought,
including by at least 93% of votes cast in each of the last three years.
Say On Pay Vote |
|
Please
see the section of this Proxy Statement below titled “Executive Compensation” for a detailed discussion of our executive
compensation program and compensation philosophy, including detailed information regarding 2022 compensation of our Named Executive Officers.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
11 |
Business
Philosophy
Our
objective is to generate sustained earnings growth, which in turn drives sustained growth of cash dividends to common stockholders,
and to do so over the long term without negatively altering our risk profile. To this end, our investment strategy combines comprehensive
transaction underwriting and lease structuring with certain macro perspectives that guide capital allocation decisions across property
types, tenants and transactions. We focus our efforts on freestanding retail properties that are tied to convenience and automobility,
exhibit strong underlying real estate characteristics – including access, visibility and synergies with nearby retailers –
are located in high-density metropolitan areas, and are leased to national and regional operators.
|
|
|
|
Getty Realty Investment Perspectives |
|
|
|
|
■ |
Automobility is power agnostic and remains the dominant form of consumer transportation |
|
■ |
Mobile consumers increasingly prioritize convenience, service, and speed |
|
■ |
Convenience & automotive retailers are essential businesses, and e-commerce & recession resistant |
|
■ |
Markets experiencing population and traffic growth realize increased consumer demand |
|
■ |
Institutional consolidation of fragmented sectors creates transaction opportunities |
|
■ |
Versatile real estate retains land value and provides alternate use potential |
We
seek to grow and enhance our portfolio through accretive investments and active asset management. We acquire new properties through sale
leaseback transactions, development funding for new-to-industry construction, and the acquisition of properties with in-place leases,
and also selectively redevelop assets within our existing portfolio.
We
place a premium on establishing long-term relationships with tenants and regularly seek to form new relationships. We believe that a
relationship-driven approach mitigates risk and drives efficiencies for originating and underwriting new investment opportunities given
our familiarity with the underlying tenant credit and business operations.
Lastly,
we are committed to maintaining an investment grade credit profile, including low-to-moderate leverage, ample liquidity and access to
capital, and a flexible, unencumbered balance sheet. We believe that this capital structure philosophy helps to facilitate growth and
mitigate risk across fluctuating market cycles.
Corporate
Responsibility
We
are committed to good corporate citizenship and business practices that serve all of our stakeholders. We recognize the importance of
environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues and incorporate ESG considerations into our business practices and decision-making
processes. We believe the growth and sustainability of our business depends on a broad array of factors, including a continuing focus
on investments in our people, ethics and integrity, and support of our environmental programs.
We
reached an important milestone in 2022 with the release of our inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report, which gave us an opportunity
to more fully discuss our approach to corporate responsibility and the emphasis we place on our people, our planet, and our business
practices. Notable ESG initiatives conducted in 2022 and into 2023 included:
|
■ |
Launching our Getty Green Loans program which offers low-cost loans to our tenants for qualified environmental and sustainability projects; |
12 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
|
■ |
Engaging with an outside consultant to conduct a Materiality Assessment to identify ESG topics most relevant to our internal and external stakeholders, in
order to evaluate alignment with our ESG strategies and identify potential ESG opportunities; |
|
■ |
Engaging with an outside consultant to conduct a formal Tenant Survey seeking our tenants’ feedback regarding sustainability measures and initiatives
implemented or that may be implemented at our properties, in order to identify potential ESG opportunities; and |
|
■ |
Successfully completing the inaugural year of our Getty Gives campaign and pro bono legal program, which were both launched in 2022 to provide our team
with Company sponsorship to support causes dear to us and the communities in which we live and work, including corporate donations to charitable organizations selected by our employees, company matching for employee charitable donations,
legal services to advance the public interest, and additional paid time off for employee volunteer opportunities. |
We
look forward to sharing additional details on these efforts and our ongoing commitment to effective ESG practices in our 2023 Corporate
Responsibility Report, scheduled to be published in June 2023.
Our
People: Social Responsibility and Human Capital Development
We
believe that our people are the foundation of our success, and we are committed to ensuring that they are provided a safe and healthy
workplace and are engaged professionally and socially. Our Business Conduct Guidelines and Employee Handbook govern our professional
conduct and ethics with respect to our people, our partners, our health and safety, and our information technology security.
Employee
Health and Wellness
During
2022, Getty’s business operations were not significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as patterns of work and social conduct
continued to adjust toward normalization. However, the Company maintained its COVID-19 protocols to help protect our team, including
policies relating to self-monitoring of symptoms, testing, and work from home when appropriate. In addition, the Company’s headquarters
adheres to health and safety best practices, and we also have adopted a permanent hybrid work policy allowing all employees the flexibility
to work from home up to two days per week. The Company remains committed to the prioritization of empathy and flexibility to support
the safety, health, and security of each member of our team and has worked to ensure that all Getty employees are able to meet their
personal and family needs, as well as their professional goals.
|
|
|
|
Health and Wellness Highlights |
|
|
|
|
■ |
Expansive paid time-off benefits and flexible work schedules |
|
■ |
Programs for paid parental leave and adoption assistance reimbursement |
|
■ |
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance with substantially all premiums paid by the Company |
|
■ |
Company-funded healthcare reimbursement accounts and pre-tax employee-funded flexible spending accounts |
Employee
Benefits and Compensation
In
addition to programs to support their health and wellness, our team members are provided a comprehensive compensation and benefits package,
including competitive base salaries, cash and equity incentive awards, multiple retirement
savings programs and commuter benefits programs. Further, we encourage the professional development of our employees through in-person
trainings and online learning resources and regularly support and pay for external education programs requested by our employees, as
well as higher-education tuition reimbursement, if doing so will advance their work-related skills or professional development.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
13 |
|
|
|
|
Benefits and Compensation Highlights |
|
|
|
|
■ |
Cash and equity incentive awards for all team members |
|
■ |
Profit sharing program and 401(k) plan with partial Company match |
|
■ |
Company-funded commuter reimbursement accounts and a pre-tax employee-funded commuter benefits program |
|
■ |
Company-funding for professional development and qualified tuition reimbursement |
|
■ |
Comprehensive health and wellness benefits as highlighted above |
Diversity
and Inclusion
We
aim to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment. Women currently comprise 47% of our full-time team at various levels throughout
our organization. We expect our workplace to be free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of color, race, sex, national origin,
ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, and any other legally-protected status. Our
Business Conduct Guidelines and Employee Handbook govern our professional conduct and ethics and we conduct annual training to prevent
harassment and discrimination and monitor employee conduct year-round.
Corporate
Citizenship and Philanthropy
We
appreciate the important role that our team and the Company can play in the communities in which we live and operate.
We
support individual volunteerism and provide team members with work schedule flexibility to support causes and organizations that are
meaningful to them. In 2022, we launched our Getty Gives campaign to provide our team with a formal program to support causes dear to
them and the communities in which we live and work. Getty Gives includes corporate donations to charitable organizations selected by
our employees, company matching for employee charitable donations, and additional paid time off for employee volunteer opportunities.
In 2022, our Getty Gives program led to corporate charitable donations to two charitable organizations selected by our employees, and
matching employee charitable donations to many other worthy causes.
In
2022, we also launched our inaugural pro bono legal services program to advance the public interest by serving organizations in need
and at the same time provide opportunities for personal philanthropic fulfillment to in-house members of our legal team. Getty considers
in-house pro bono activity to be an important part of its commitment to philanthropic initiatives and is committed to continuing efforts
to help our communities through pro bono legal engagement.
We
will continue to support individual volunteerism and provide Company employees with work schedule flexibility to support causes and organizations
that are meaningful to them. In the years ahead we will maintain our Getty Gives campaign and seek to expand our corporate citizenship
and philanthropic efforts by evaluating opportunities to support organizations selected by our team through corporate volunteerism.
Our
Planet: Environmental Stewardship
As
an organization, we place a high priority on the protection of our assets, communities, and the environment. Our team includes full-time
environmental experts who perform due diligence to support our investment activity and actively manage a program to oversee legacy environmental
remediation for which we are responsible. In addition, our leases require tenants to comply with environmental laws and regulations,
and, for operations with environmental susceptibility, to have insurance to protect against environmental impacts that arise during their
tenancy. We also emphasize sustainability at our corporate headquarters where we utilize energy efficient computer equipment, filtered
water machines and timed or sensor-controlled HVAC and lighting systems, among other sustainability practices.
14 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Environmental
Due Diligence
Our
acquisition due diligence process includes thorough environmental review and analysis, including environmental site assessments to understand
the environmental condition of the property, including whether there is indication of any release of hazardous substances, chemical or
waste storage, or other environmental concerns or risks, and to determine whether the property and the operations thereon meet environmental
standards.
Environmental
Compliance
Our
properties are leased to tenants under triple-net leases which make tenants contractually responsible for compliance with environmental
laws and regulations and for remediation of all environmental contamination that arises from their occupancy, and, in most cases, that
may be discovered during their occupancy even if it pre-dated their occupancy. We take appropriate measures, including enforcement when
necessary, to assure that our tenants comply with these contractual provisions for the benefit of the environment. Our leases also require
tenants who conduct environmentally susceptible operations to have comprehensive insurance, and we maintain additional pollution coverage
throughout our portfolio for properties with higher environmental risk exposure.
In
addition, we maintain a robust, well-staffed and actively managed program to oversee environmental remediation for which the Company
may be held responsible, develop strategies and enhance processes for compliance with environmental laws and regulations by the Company
and our tenants, and conduct appropriate operational surveillance of environmental risk and exposure for our real estate holdings.
Sustainability
at Our Properties
Under
our triple-net leases, tenants are responsible for operating the businesses conducted at our sites, keeping the properties in good order
and repair, and making capital investments as they deem appropriate to optimize their business operations. As such, it is our tenants
who control the environmental impact of their operations, including energy efficiency, water usage, and waste and recycling practices,
and decide when and how to adopt environmentally sustainable practices and make related investments.
In
2022, we partnered with an outside Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) consulting firm to develop and conduct
a formal Tenant Survey seeking our tenants’ input regarding sustainability measures and initiatives already implemented at our
properties, or that may be implemented at our properties, as well as information regarding our tenants’ current ESG policies and
practices. The Tenant Survey results will assist us in identifying additional potential ESG opportunities to support our business and
our tenants’ businesses.
We
appreciate that many of our tenants have completed “green” projects at our properties with their own capital and/or have
taken advantage of government and other subsidies for qualifying renewable energy technologies and projects. While we have always supported
and encouraged these tenant investments, as part of our commitment to ESG, we implemented our “Getty Green Loans” program
to provide low-cost loans to our tenants for the express purpose of investing in environmental and sustainability projects. As a net
lease landlord, we trust our tenants to identify the investments they deem appropriate to successfully operate their businesses at sites
we own. With Getty Green Loans, we hope to reinforce our position as a business partner, while providing additional incentive to our
tenants to prioritize green projects as they continue to enhance their operations and our properties.
Sustainability
at Our Corporate Headquarters
We
emphasize sustainability at our corporate office space in New York City and through our office policies. Our office space is
outfitted with energy efficient computer equipment, filtered water machines, and timed or sensor-controlled HVAC and lighting
systems. Our office policies include various recycling programs, no plastic cups, dishes, or utensils, and a commitment to reduce
paper use. Our commuter benefits program encourages the use of public transportation or ride sharing, and our headquarters boasts a
Redfin Walk Score® ranking of 99 and Transit Score® rating of 100, leading to reduced use of single occupancy vehicles in
commuting by our employees.
Our
Practices: Corporate Governance and Ethical Business Practices
We
are dedicated to maintaining high standards for corporate governance predicated on integrity and transparency. Our Board of Directors
is directly engaged with the critical initiatives that help us establish and maintain our policies related to sustainability, corporate
citizenship, and effective governance. In that regard, our Board has delegated oversight of our ESG efforts to our Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee, and oversight of enterprise risk management and risk mitigation to our Audit Committee, including with respect
to (i) information security and data protection, and (ii) climate related risks in the Company’s financial statements as and to
the extent required by the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
or Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
15 |
|
|
|
|
Corporate Governance Highlights |
|
|
|
|
■ |
We have an independent Board of Directors, including our Chairman and all of our committees |
|
■ |
We hold annual elections for all of our Directors |
|
■ |
We have restrictions on over-boarding |
|
■ |
We maintain anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies |
|
■ |
We have no poison pill provisions |
|
■ |
Our Charter and Bylaws allow stockholders the authority to amend our Bylaws |
|
■ |
We have opted out of applicable provisions of the Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act (MUTA) relating to our Board’s right to
self-classify |
|
■ |
Our Board of Directors and executive management team maintain significant stock and/or stock-equivalent
ownership in our Company |
Board
Composition
We
value independence and are committed to broadening diversity on our Board of Directors. Excluding our Chief Executive Officer who sits
on our Board, all of our current Directors, including our Chairman, are independent (as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE)
and all of our committees are comprised solely of independent Directors. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines affirm that diversity (based
on factors commonly associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation or identity, as
well as on broader principles such as diversity of perspective and experience) is one of the elements to be considered in evaluating
a particular director candidate, and our Board of Directors is committed to prioritizing diversity in connection with any future consideration
of a candidate for the Board of Directors.
We seek to ensure our Board of Directors has diversity of background, expertise,
perspective, age, gender
identity, ethnicity, and tenure on the Board
|
33%
of our Board identify as female
|
17%
of our Board identifies
as racially or ethnically
diverse
|
|
83% Independent
All of our directors other than our CEO are independent
|
16 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Proposal
No. 1
Election
of Directors (Item No. 1 on the Proxy Card)
Nominees
for Election at the Annual Meeting
Getty’s
directors are elected at each annual meeting of stockholders and hold office for a term of one year and until their respective successors
are elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated six candidates for election as directors for a one-year term ending at
the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders or when their successors are duly elected and qualified. As discussed below,
effective February 21, 2023, Richard E. Montag retired from the Board of Directors, resulting in a vacancy on the Board of Directors.
The
affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of each nominee to our Board of
Directors. With respect to each director, you may vote “for” such nominee or “withhold” your vote as to such
nominee. Director nominees with the most votes cast “for” such nominee’s election will be elected to our Board of Directors.
Accordingly, if you “withhold” authority to vote with respect to one or more nominees, your vote will have no effect on the
election of such nominees. For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as
votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
You
may use the proxy card furnished to you to cast your votes for the election of the Director nominees named in the table below. If any
of the nominees should become unable or unwilling to serve as a director prior to the Annual Meeting, we intend to vote your proxy “for”
the election of the substitute nominee, if any, who is designated by the Board of Directors (unless the proxy contains instructions to
the contrary). For additional information about how we identify and evaluate nominees for director, see “Committees – Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee” at page 25 of this Proxy Statement.
Set
forth below is information regarding the directors nominated for election at the Annual Meeting, including background information and
information regarding the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that support the conclusion that these nominees
should serve as directors of Getty. We believe that our Board of Directors is comprised of a makeup of individuals with a diversity of
professional, personal, and experiential backgrounds, including with respect to skills, education, industry experience, and demographic
characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity and geographic location. For additional information regarding the particular skills represented
on our Board of Directors, see the “Experience and Qualifications Represented on our Board of Directors” section below on
page 21 of this Proxy Statement.
Christopher J. Constant – 44 |
|
|
Mr. Constant has served as a director of Getty since January 1, 2016, concurrent with his
appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company at such time. Mr. Constant joined the Company in November 2010 as Director of Planning and Corporate Development and advanced within the Company to Treasurer in May 2012,
Vice President in May 2013, Chief Financial Officer in December 2013, and President and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2016.
Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Constant was a Vice President in the corporate finance
department of Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. and began his career in the corporate finance department at ING Barings. Mr. Constant holds an A.B. from Princeton University.
Mr. Constant’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his past
experience in investment banking, totaling over ten years, including his past leadership role as Vice President in the investment banking firm Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc., and his diverse knowledge of financial and capital markets and
corporate development strategies, specifically as they relate to the real estate industry and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). In addition, Mr. Constant has extensive knowledge of the Company’s business strategies, finances and
operations cultivated through his years of service as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2016 and in various other executive capacities with the Company since 2010. Mr. Constant has been a driving force behind the development and
execution of numerous projects and strategic initiatives during his tenure at Getty. His knowledge of our business, finances, operations and compliance requirements, and his demonstrated effective leadership within the Company, qualify Mr.
Constant as a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
|
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
17 |
Milton Cooper – 94 |
|
|
Mr. Cooper has served as a director of Getty since 1971 and as Chairman of the
Compensation Committee since 2006.
Mr. Cooper is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors for Kimco Realty
Corporation (“Kimco”), a NYSE listed REIT, which is one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of neighborhood and community shopping centers. Mr. Cooper has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
of Kimco from its initial public offering in 1991 to 2009 and was a director and President of Kimco prior thereto. In 1956, Mr. Cooper co-founded the predecessor business that became Kimco.
Mr.
Cooper is a nationally recognized leader of the modern REIT industry. He has received the National Association of Real Estate Investment
Trusts Industry Leadership Award for his significant and lasting contribution to the REIT industry. From 1983 through April 2012, he
was also a director of Blue Ridge Real Estate/Big Boulder Corporation, a real estate management and land development firm. Mr. Cooper
has also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment
Trusts. Mr. Cooper holds degrees from City College in New York and Brooklyn Law School.
|
Philip E. Coviello – 79
|
|
|
Mr. Coviello has served as a director of Getty since 1996 and as
Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2000. Mr. Coviello has also served on the Compensation Committee since 2007 and on the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee since 1999.
Mr. Coviello has served as a director of Kimco since 2008, serves as Chairman of Kimco’s
Audit Committee and also serves on Kimco’s Executive Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Coviello was a partner in Latham & Watkins LLP, an international law firm, until his retirement from the firm
as of December 31, 2003. Mr. Coviello holds an A.B. from Princeton University, an L.L.B. from Columbia University School of Law, and an M.B.A. from Columbia University Business School.
Mr. Coviello’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his many years
of legal experience counseling boards of directors and senior management of public and private companies on a wide range of corporate and securities law issues, including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and corporate
governance, regulatory compliance and other matters.
|
18 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Evelyn León Infurna – 59 |
|
|
Ms. Infurna was appointed to serve as a director of Getty in July 2021 and has
served as a member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee since that time. Ms. Infurna has also served as a member of the Compensation Committee since October, 2022, and as a member of the Audit Committee since February, 2023.
Ms. Infurna is a Vice President of Investor Relations with Northern Oil and Gas,
Inc., a NYSE listed energy investment company. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Investor Relations with SmartRent. com Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Infurna was a Managing Director with ICR, LLC specializing in strategic
communications, capital markets advisory and investor engagement for REITs and other real estate companies. Preceding her tenure with ICR, Ms. Infurna was a Managing Director in Equity Capital Markets with Citigroup where she was
responsible for raising equity capital for companies in the real estate and lodging sectors. Ms. Infurna spent over a decade as a portfolio manager and analyst managing real estate and related securities portfolios with Diamondback, Moore
Capital, Amaranth and Barings/ Cornerstone Advisers. She commenced her real estate capital markets career as a Director in equity research with Deutsche Bank. From 2018 through 2021, Ms. Infurna served as an advisory board member to Accesso
Partners, a private real estate asset manager based in Miami. Ms. Infurna holds a B.S. from New York University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.
Ms. Infurna’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include her
experience as a senior officer of a public company, her communications, advisory and investor engagement experience for REITs and other public companies in the real estate industry. Ms. Infurna has robust real estate capital markets
expertise and asset management. Ms. Infurna is an accomplished leader and an experienced board member who brings a unique and independent perspective to our Board of Directors.
|
Mary Lou Malanoski – 66 |
|
|
Ms. Malanoski has served as a director of Getty since October 2018. She has also
served as a member of the Audit Committee since October 2018, and as Chair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee since April 2021.
Ms. Malanoski is currently Chief Financial Officer of S2K Partners Co. LLC.
Previously, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Joseph TriArtisan, an investment bank focused on the mid-market, where she also had served as Head of Banking and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Morgan Joseph TriArtisan, she was
a founder and principal of New Street Advisors, a boutique broker-dealer, and New Street Investments, a firm focused primarily on non-control investments in private companies. Prior to New Street Advisors, she was a senior team member at
New Street Capital, a private investment firm which managed the assets of the reorganized Drexel Burnham Lambert. Ms. Malanoski began her career as an investment banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. She is also a member of the Board of
Directors for Phibro Animal Health Corporation and served as a member of the Board of Directors for Morgan Joseph TriArtisan from November 2005 until August 2021. Ms. Malanoski holds a B.A. from the Rosemont College and an M.B.A. from The
Johnson School of Cornell University.
Ms. Malanoski’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include her over 30
years of experience on Wall Street in various roles. Ms. Malanoski is an accomplished leader and an experienced board member who brings a unique and independent perspective to our Board of Directors.
|
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
19 |
Howard B. Safenowitz – 64 |
|
|
Mr. Safenowitz has served as a director of Getty since December 1998 and was
appointed as Chairman of the Board in April 2021. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, Mr. Safenowitz served as Lead Independent Director of Getty from February 2010 to March 2021, Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
from 2005 to March 2021, a member of the Compensation Committee from 1999 to March 2021, and a member of the Audit Committee from 2005 to March 2021.
Together with attributed family interests, Mr. Safenowitz is
one of the Company’s largest stockholders. Mr. Safenowitz is the President of Safenowitz Family Corp., an investment firm, since 1997. From 1990 to 2003, he was employed by The Walt Disney Company where he served as Senior Vice President,
Business Affairs of Buena Vista Motion Pictures from March 2001 until April 2003 and
prior thereto as Vice President, Business Affairs of Walt Disney Pictures and Television from 1996 until 2001. Mr. Safenowitz practiced corporate and transactional law in New York and California from 1983 until joining The Walt Disney
Company in 1990. He also served as a director of Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. from December 1998 until December 2000. Mr. Safenowitz holds a B.A. from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.
Mr. Safenowitz’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his
significant experience with and knowledge of Getty, along with his prior service as a director of Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. until December 2000, which together provide him with a valuable perspective on core business matters that face
our Company. In addition, his experience as a corporate lawyer, as well as his position as the president of Safenowitz Family Corp. and his past leadership experience at The Walt Disney Company, have provided Mr. Safenowitz demonstrated
leadership and management skills contributing to his value as an advisor to our Company.
|
Committee
Composition of our Board of Directors
The
table below sets forth the Committee appointments of our current directors as of March 6, 2023.
|
Compensation Committee |
Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee |
Audit Committee |
Evelyn León Infurna |
ü |
ü |
ü |
Mary Lou Malanoski |
|
ü CC |
ü |
Philip E. Coviello Jr. |
ü |
ü |
ü CC |
Milton Cooper |
ü CC |
|
|
20 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Experience
and Qualifications Represented on our Board of Directors
The
matrix below represents some of the key experience and qualifications that our Board of Directors and Nominating/ Corporate Governance
Committee has identified as particularly valuable to the effective oversight of the Company and the execution of our strategy. This matrix
highlights the depth and breadth of experience and qualifications of our current directors.
Experience/Qualification |
Christopher
J.
Constant |
|
Milton
Cooper |
|
Philip E.
Coviello Jr. |
|
Evelyn
León Infurna |
|
Mary Lou
Malanoski |
|
Howard B.
Safenowitz |
Age |
44 |
|
94 |
|
79 |
|
59 |
|
66 |
|
64 |
Gender |
Male |
|
Male |
|
Male |
|
Female |
|
Female |
|
Male |
Director Since |
2016 |
|
1971 |
|
1996 |
|
2021 |
|
2018 |
|
1998 |
Independent (NYSE standards) |
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
REIT/Real Estate Experience |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
Public Company Board Experience |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
Public Company Executive Leadership |
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
Financially Literate |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
Audit Committee Financial Expert |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
Accounting Oversight |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
Risk Oversight |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
Capital Markets |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
Mergers & Acquisitions |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
Business Acumen/Leadership |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
Legal/Compliance Oversight |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
Corporate Governance/Ethics |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
Human Resources/Compensation Practice |
ü |
|
ü |
|
ü |
|
|
|
ü |
|
ü |
Contributes to Board Diversity (based on race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or identity, but excluding gender) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ü |
|
|
|
|
Recommendation
The
Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each nominee for director.
Former
Director
Richard E. Montag – 90 |
|
|
At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 21, 2023, Mr. Montag
retired from his role as a director of the Company and as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Montag had served as a director of Getty and a member of the Audit Committee since 2010. He had also served as a member of the Compensation
Committee from 2010 to October 2022.
Mr. Montag was a director of FNC Realty Corporation (f/k/a Frank’s Nursery
& Crafts, Inc.) from 2004 until 2005; Enterprise Asset Management, Inc. from 2003 until 2004; Hills Stores Company from 1997 to 1998, and Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. from 1996 until 2000. From 1982 until 1998, Mr. Montag was the Vice
President of Real Estate Development for The Richard E. Jacobs Group, one of the most respected owners, developers, and managers of commercial real estate.
|
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
21 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters
Board
of Directors and Board Leadership Structure
At
the meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 21, 2023, Richard E. Montag retired from the Board of Directors. Accordingly,
our Board of Directors is currently comprised of Christopher J. Constant, Milton Cooper, Philip E. Coviello, Evelyn León Infurna,
Mary Lou Malanoski, and Howard B. Safenowitz. Our Board of Directors is elected by the stockholders to oversee the performance of the
Company’s business affairs and to set broad strategy for the Company’s growth. The Board of Directors acts as an advisor
to senior management and monitors its performance. It also oversees the Company’s compliance efforts. To help discharge its responsibilities,
the Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines on significant corporate governance issues. The Corporate Governance
Guidelines address, among other things, the size and composition of the Board of Directors, director independence, committee membership
and structure, meetings and executive sessions, and director selection and training.
The
Board of Directors and the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are committed to the needs of the Board of Directors and in evaluating
possible director candidates will, pursuant to the Director Qualification Standards section of the Company’s Corporate Governance
Guidelines, consider multiple factors including the independence, knowledge and judgment, financial literacy, breadth of skills, experience,
perspective, and other attributes of a candidate, as well as diversity criteria such as race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion,
or sexual orientation or identity. The Board of Directors and the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee do not assign specific weight
to any particular criteria; the goal is to identify nominees that, considered as a group, will possess the skill sets and characteristics
required of the Board of Directors to fulfill its responsibilities. However, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is committed
to prioritizing for nominations qualified director candidates who are “independent” as defined in the listing standards of
the NYSE and who bring diversity to the Board of Directors on the basis of race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or sexual
orientation or identity.
For
the year ended December 31, 2022, our Board of Directors had seven members. Due to the retirement of Mr. Montag from the Board of Directors
effective February 21, 2023, there is presently one vacancy on our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has nominated six candidates
for election as directors for a one-year term ending at the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders and when their successors
are duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has not undertaken to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Montag’s retirement.
The Board may reevaluate the size of the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors decides to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Montag’s
retirement, our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is committed to prioritizing for nomination a qualified director candidate
who is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and who brings diversity to the Board of Directors on
the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or identity, in addition to satisfying criteria based on
relevant experience and breadth of skills. (For additional information regarding the factors considered in evaluating our director candidates,
see “Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee” discussion on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.)
The
Charters for each of the committees of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Getty’s Business Conduct
Guidelines (which serve as our code of ethics under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and our code of business conduct and ethics under
NYSE rules, and covers officers, employees and directors), may all be accessed through the Getty website at www.gettyrealty.com by clicking
on “Investors/Corporate Governance”. In addition to our website availability, copies of any of the Charters for each of the
committees of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and/or Getty’s Business Conduct Guidelines may also
be obtained by submitting a written request to Mr. Joshua Dicker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, at the address
for Getty’s executive offices provided in this Proxy Statement. The Business Conduct Guidelines apply to all employees, officers
and directors of the Company and waivers of the Business Conduct Guidelines for directors or executive officers, if any, will be disclosed
as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. There were no such waivers in 2022.
The
Board of Directors does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chairman
of the Board, as the Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of the Company for the Board of Directors to have the flexibility
to make the determination whether the same person should serve as both the CEO and Chairman of the Board at any given point in time,
or whether the roles should be separate, depending on, among other factors, the position and direction of the Company and the membership
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that its current leadership structure, with separate Chairman and CEO positions,
is appropriate for the Company because it separates the leadership of the Board of Directors from the day-to-day leadership of the Company.
The Board of Directors believes that separating the position of Chairman from the CEO better positions the Board of
Directors to evaluate the performance of management and enables the Chairman to provide guidance to the CEO.
22 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
Mr.
Safenowitz was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board in April 2021. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, Mr. Safenowitz
served as the Company’s Lead Independent Director and in that capacity presided over executive sessions of the Company’s
independent Directors, facilitated information flow and communication among the Directors, and performed such other Lead Independent
Director duties as were specified by the Board of Directors. In view of the facts that the Company currently has separate CEO and Chairman
positions and that the Company’s Chairman is an “independent” director as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE
and satisfies duties otherwise applicable to the Lead Independent Director, the Board of Directors has determined not to designate a
separate Lead Independent Director but reserves the right to do so in the future.
In
his role as the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Safenowitz is responsible for enhancing the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, in particular
by ensuring that the Board of Directors works as a cohesive team; ensuring that the Board of Directors has adequate resources and that
there is a process in place to assure that the Board of Directors is presented with full, timely and relevant information; ensuring that
there is a process in place to monitor best practices that relate to the responsibilities of the Board of Directors; and assessing the
effectiveness of the overall Board of Directors and individual directors on a regular basis. The Chairman is also responsible for management
of the Board of Directors, in particular by providing oversight on the agendas for Board of Directors meetings; consulting with the CEO
regarding the membership and the chairs for Board of Directors committees; ensuring that the independent directors meet regularly without
management present to discuss the effectiveness of the CEO and the Board of Directors; and by chairing Board of Directors meetings and
executive sessions of the Company’s independent Directors. The Chairman is invited to attend all meetings of Committees of the
Board and receives corresponding Committee documentation in advance of the meetings.
In
his role as the CEO, Mr. Constant is responsible for setting a strategic vision for the Company and seeking to align the Company, internally
and externally, with that strategic vision. In addition, Mr. Constant, as CEO, is responsible for day-to-day leadership of the Company,
promoting Company performance through his leadership, and leading the Company in the execution of its business plan. Our CEO also serves
on our Board of Directors, which we believe helps the CEO to serve as a bridge between management and the Board of Directors, ensuring
that both groups act with a common purpose. We believe that the CEO’s presence on the Board of Directors enhances his ability to
provide insight and direction on important strategic initiatives to both management and the independent directors and, at the same time,
ensures that the appropriate level of independent oversight is applied to all decisions by the Board of Directors.
Role
of Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
It
is management’s responsibility to assess and manage the various risks the Company faces and the Board of Directors’
responsibility to oversee management in this effort. In exercising its oversight, the Board of Directors has delegated primary
responsibility for risk assessment and risk management oversight to the Audit Committee. Under its Charter, the Audit
Committee’s responsibilities include discussing with management the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment
and risk management and the Company’s material financial risk exposures and the actions management has taken to limit, monitor
or control such exposures. The Audit Committee also oversees risk and conducts reviews on a quarterly, or as needed, basis,
including by working with management, and reviewing cybersecurity risk mitigation policies and initiatives and information security
risks. The Audit Committee receives quarterly reports from management on the Company’s enterprise risk management practices
and risk mitigation efforts. These quarterly reports from management to the Audit Committee also cover the Company’s risk
assessment and risk management actions regarding information security and data privacy risks. In 2022, the Company engaged an
outside consultant to conduct a cybersecurity assessment, the methodology for which was based on information security frameworks and
guidelines such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Center for Information Security (CIS), and ISO27001.
The Company received the results of the assessment in December 2022, which management reviewed with the Audit Committee during the
first quarter of 2023. For additional information regarding the Audit Committee’s role in assisting the Board of Directors in
its oversight of risk assessment and risk mitigation, including with respect to information security and data protection, see the
“Report of the Audit Committee—Oversight Responsibilities—Enterprise Risk Management” and
“—Information Security and Data Protection” sections on page 54 of this Proxy Statement. Effective as of
February 21, 2023, the Audit Committee’s Charter was revised to clarify that the Audit Committee’s oversight
responsibilities for risk assessment and risk management expressly includes responsibility for climate related
risks in the Company’s financial statements as and to the extent required by the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by
the SEC or FASB. The Audit Committee also oversees the Company’s legal and regulatory requirements, the
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
23 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
independent auditors’
qualifications and independence, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and the independent auditors, and the
Company’s compliance programs, including the Company’s Business Conduct Guidelines, and Complaint and Investigation Procedures.
Our full Board of Directors regularly reviews the Company’s strategic plans and objectives, including the risks that may affect
the achievement of these strategic plans and objectives.
Independence
of Directors
The
Board of Directors has determined that Mses. Malanoski and Infurna, and Messrs. Cooper, Coviello and Safenowitz, are “independent”
as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. During his tenure on the Board of Directors since the 2022 annual meeting, Mr. Montag
was also determined by the Board of Directors to be “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. In making
these determinations, the Board of Directors considered all relevant facts and circumstances, including the independence standards set
forth in Section 303A.02 of the rules of the NYSE. The Board of Directors affirmatively determined that none of the directors, or any
of their respective family members, other than Mr. Constant, has had any relationship with Getty (either directly or as a partner, stockholder
or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Getty), other than as a stockholder and director of Getty. Accordingly, the
Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each of the directors, other than Mr. Constant, is “independent.”
It
has been and will continue to be the practice of the Board of Directors to meet at least quarterly each year and have the Chairman of
the Board of Directors chair such meetings. Additionally, it has been the practice of the independent directors to meet in executive
session at least quarterly each year. Mr. Safenowitz chaired executive sessions of the Company’s independent Directors in his capacity
as the Company’s Lead Independent Director between February 2010 and March 2021 and has continued to do so as an independent Director
since his appointment to the position of Chairman of the Board in April 2021.
Directors’
Meetings
During
the year ended December 31, 2022, the Board of Directors held four (4) meetings. Each of the directors nominated for election at the
Annual Meeting attended all of the 2022 meetings of the Board of Directors, and all of the 2022 meetings of Committees of the Board of
Directors on which such director served at the time such meeting was held. Each of the directors nominated for election at the Annual
Meeting also attended the annual meeting of stockholders in April 2022.
The
Board of Directors encourages all of its director nominees for election or reelection at its annual meetings to attend such annual meeting.
Committees
The
Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee, the membership and
functions of which are described below.
Audit
Committee
The
Audit Committee met four (4) times in 2022. The Audit Committee for the year ended December 31, 2022, consisted of Mr. Coviello (Chairman),
Mr. Montag and Ms. Malanoski. Mr. Montag retired from the Board of Directors and resigned as a member of the Audit Committee on February
21, 2023, and immediately following his resignation Ms. Infurna was appointed to the Audit Committee to fill the vacancy. Accordingly,
as of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Audit Committee is comprised of Mr. Coviello (Chairman), and Mses. Malanoski and Infurna.
The Audit Committee selects the independent registered public accounting firm that audits the consolidated financial statements of Getty
and its subsidiaries, discusses the scope and the results of the audit with our independent registered public accounting firm, and monitors
Getty’s financial accounting and reporting practices. The Audit Committee also examines and discusses the adequacy of Getty’s
internal control over financial reporting with the independent registered public accounting firm, our internal auditors, and with management.
The Board of Directors has designated the Audit Committee to take the lead in overseeing our risk assessment and risk management, including
with respect to information security and data protection and climate related risks in the Company’s financial statements as and
to the extent required by the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC or FASB. The Board of Directors has also designated
the Audit Committee to oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditors’ qualifications and
independence, the performance of the Company’s internal
audit function and the independent auditors, and the Company’s compliance programs, including the Company’s
24 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
Business
Conduct Guidelines, and Complaint and Investigation Procedures. In addition to regular meetings, at least one Audit Committee member
(historically, the Chairman) meets telephonically with management and Getty’s independent auditors to review the
Company’s quarterly reports and other reports, as appropriate, prior to their full presentation to the Audit Committee and
subsequent filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee met with management and Getty’s independent auditors to review the
Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and recommended to the Board of Directors that the
financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for such year. See “Role of Board of
Directors in Risk Oversight” on page 23 of this Proxy Statement and the “Report of the Audit Committee—Oversight
Responsibilities—Enterprise Risk Management” on page 53 of this Proxy Statement for a discussion of the Audit
Committee’s role in risk assessment and risk management oversight. Additionally, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses
with management management’s specific disclosures contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Please also see the
“Report of the Audit Committee” included at page 53 in this Proxy Statement.
The
Board of Directors determined that for the year ended December 31, 2022, each member of the Audit Committee (a) was (1) “independent”
and (2) “financially literate” as such terms are defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and (b) met the independence
tests set forth in Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC and the criteria applicable
to members of the Audit Committee under NYSE rules. The Board of Directors also determined that for the year ended December 31, 2022,
Ms. Malanoski and Mr. Coviello, and, as of her appointment to the Audit Committee on February 21, 2023, Ms. Infurna, each qualified as
an “audit committee financial expert” under the relevant rules of the SEC, and that each of Ms. Malanoski, Mr. Coviello and
Ms. Infurna have the requisite accounting/ financial management expertise required by the listing standards of the NYSE.
The
Charter of the Audit Committee provides that members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the audit committee of more than two
other public companies unless such other memberships have been disclosed to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors has determined
that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of such member to serve effectively on the Audit Committee. None of the Audit
Committee members served on the audit committee of more than two other public companies during 2022.
In
February 2023, the Audit Committee revised the Audit Committee’s Charter to clarify that the Audit Committee’s long-standing
practice of overseeing the Company’s policies and procedures related to risk assessment and risk management expressly includes
responsibility for climate related risks in the Company’s financial statements as and to the extent required by the applicable
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC or FASB, in addition to its then existing risk oversight responsibilities with respect to
information security and data protection. For additional information regarding the Audit Committee’s role in assisting the Board
of Directors in its oversight of risk assessment and risk mitigation, including with respect to information security and data protection,
see the “Report of the Audit Committee—Oversight Responsibilities—Enterprise Risk Management” and “—Information
Security and Data Protection” sections on page 53 and 54 of this Proxy Statement.
Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee
The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee met two (2) times in 2022. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee for the year ended
December 31, 2022 consisted of Ms. Malanoski (Chair), Mr. Coviello and Ms. Infurna. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee recommends
nominees for election to the Board of Directors and reviews the role, composition and structure of the Board of Directors and its committees.
As part of this review, the Committee evaluates (i) whether to have a Lead Independent Director, (ii) the responsibilities of the positions
of Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director, and (iii) the qualifications for those positions, including whether the position
of Chairman of the Board of Directors should be held by the Chief Executive Officer, an independent director, or a non-independent director
other than the Chief Executive Officer. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also recommends candidates to the Board of Directors
for election as officers.
Responsibility
for Director Nominations
For
a discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors,
see the “Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting” and “Experience and Qualifications Represented on our Board of
Directors” sections beginning on pages 17 and 21, respectively, of this Proxy Statement.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
25 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
The
Director Qualification Standards section of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines affirms the benefits of diversity among
the Board of Directors by specifically stating that (i) diversity (based on factors commonly associated with diversity such as race,
gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation or identity, as well as on broader principles such as diversity of
perspective and experience) is one of the elements to be considered in evaluating a particular director candidate, and (ii) the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of skills and characteristics required of members of the Board
of Directors and will actively seek to broaden the diversity composition of the Board of Directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee does not assign specific weight to any particular criteria; the goal is to identify nominees that, considered as a group, will
possess the skills and characteristics required of the Board of Directors to fulfill its responsibilities. Consistent with these guiding
principles, the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee again recommended that the Board of Directors nominate for continued service
as directors all six of our current directors, based upon their respective (i) personal and professional integrity, ethics and values,
(ii) educational and professional background, (iii) experience in corporate management and/or experience as a board member, (iv) experience
in the real estate industry and/or other relevant industry experience, (v) high level of financial literacy (including all six of our
current director nominees having been determined by the Board of Directors to be “financially literate,” as such term is
defined in the listing standards of the NYSE), and (vi) ability to foster a diverse viewpoint based on gender and other factors commonly
associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Moreover, the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee again recommended that the Board of Directors nominate for continued service as directors five out of six of our
current directors for their “independence,” as defined by the NYSE listing standards. In addition, while our Board of Directors
may elect to reevaluate the size of the Board of Directors, if the Board of Directors elects to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors
created by Mr. Montag’s retirement the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is committed to prioritizing for nomination a
qualified director candidate who is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and who brings diversity
to the Board of Directors on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation or identity, in addition to
satisfying criteria based on relevant experience and breadth of skills. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reserves the right
to recommend and nominate additional members to the Board of Directors from time to time.
The
Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines do not include mandatory retirement ages or term limits applicable to directors. The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews the performance and qualifications of each current director and considers
the results of such evaluation when determining whether or not to recommend the nomination of such director for an additional term. In
addition, although the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers length of service when recommending candidates for re-election,
the Board of Directors does not believe that adopting a set term limit for directors serves the interests of the Company. Such limits
may result in the loss of contributions from directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into
the Company, its operations and its strategic direction. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews these policies as part
of its annual governance review and will consider modifications to these policies as it deems necessary or appropriate and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The
Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is “independent” as such
term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter includes policies with regard
to stockholder recommendations of nominees to the Board of Directors.
Stockholders
wishing to recommend candidates for election to the Board of Directors must supply information in writing regarding the candidate to
Mr. Joshua Dicker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, at the Company’s executive offices.
This information should include the candidate’s name, biographical data and an analysis of the candidate based on the director
candidate criteria described below. The recommendation must also include all information relating to the proposed director nominee that
would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies for election of directors in an election contest under applicable securities
law. Stockholders wishing to nominate a candidate must comply with the advance notice requirements in our Bylaws. Please refer to our
Bylaws for more specific information. Our Bylaws were publicly filed with the SEC on November 14, 2011, as amended February 26, 2019
and February 23, 2022, and publicly filed with the SEC on February 27, 2019 and February 25, 2022. In addition to satisfying the requirements
of our Bylaws, in order to comply with universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees
other than the Company’s must also provide notice that sets forth the information required in and meets the advance notice requirements
of Rule 14a-19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additional information regarding any proposed nominees may be requested
by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee.
26 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
Pursuant
to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter and/or the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, each nominee must
possess fundamental qualities of intelligence, honesty, good judgment, and high standards of ethics, integrity, fairness and responsibility.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will also consider the following criteria in addition to other criteria the Committee deems
appropriate, including the specific needs of the Board of Directors at the time:
|
■ |
personal and professional integrity, ethics, and values; |
|
■ |
experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company; |
|
■ |
the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board of Directors (if applicable); |
|
■ |
ability to make independent analytical inquiries, general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly
traded company in today’s business environment; |
|
■ |
experience in our industry and with relevant social policy concerns; |
|
■ |
understanding of our business on a technical level; |
|
■ |
educational and professional background and/or academic experience in an area of our operations; |
|
■ |
experience as a board member of another publicly held company; |
|
■ |
practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries; |
|
■ |
“independence,” as defined by the NYSE listing standards; |
|
■ |
standing in the community; |
|
■ |
diversity based on factors commonly associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or
sexual orientation or identity, as well as on broader principles such as diversity of perspective and experience; and |
|
■ |
ability to complement the Board of Directors’ existing strengths. |
In
reviewing prospective nominees, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the number of public company boards on which
a director nominee serves to determine if the nominee will have the ability to devote adequate time to the work of the Board of Directors
and its committees. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Company’s Audit Committee Charter provide that
members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the audit committee of more than two other public companies unless such other memberships
have been disclosed to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors has determined that such simultaneous service does not impair
the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. In addition, the Company’s Corporate Governance
Guidelines provide that non-management directors may not serve on more than four other boards of public companies (excluding the Company’s
Board of Directors) and that management directors may not serve on more than two boards of public companies (including the Company’s
Board of Directors).
On
the basis of the information gathered in this process, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will determine which nominees to
recommend for election to the Board of Directors. Recommendations and related information received prior to any Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee meeting where director nominees are to be considered will be considered at that meeting. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee uses the same process for evaluating all nominees, regardless of the source of the recommendation. This process
includes, among other things, personal interviews, discussions with professional references, background checks, credit checks and resume
verification.
The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has not received any recommendation for a director nominee for the Annual Meeting from any
stockholder or group of stockholders.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
27 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
Governance
Oversight—Sustainability Reporting and Policies and Procedures; Stockholder Ability to Amend the Company’s Bylaws; Opt Out
of the Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act
On
February 23, 2022, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee amended the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s Charter
to codify the Committee’s role overseeing the Company’s sustainability reporting and its policies and procedures with respect
to its sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities. In June 2022, under the expanded oversight of the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee, the Company published its inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report. For additional information regarding the Company’s
sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities, see the “Corporate Responsibility—Environmental Practices,
Social Responsibility and Governance” section on page 30 of this Proxy Statement.
In
addition, based upon the recommendation of our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors amended Article XIV
of the Bylaws to provide that in addition to the power of our Board of Directors to alter, repeal, amend or rescind any provision of
the Bylaws and to make new Bylaws, the Company’s stockholders have the power to alter, repeal, amend or rescind the Bylaws or
to make new Bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
entitled to vote on the matter pursuant to a binding proposal timely submitted by a stockholder (or stockholder group) that
satisfies the ownership and other eligibility requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the
periods and as of the dates specified in Rule 14a-8. At our 2022 annual meeting, our stockholders approved an analogous amendment to
our Charter. (Additional information about the Charter Amendment is contained under the caption “Proposal 4: Approval of the
Charter Amendment Proposal” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2022.) In February 2022, our Board of Directors, based upon the recommendation of our
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, adopted a resolution prohibiting the Company from electing to be subject to the
provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporations Law (“MGCL”) contained in Section 3-803 of the
MGCL (relating to classification of the board), unless such election is first approved by the stockholders of the Company by the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors. As previously reported by the Company, Articles Supplementary memorializing the resolution were filed with the
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation on February 24, 2022.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee met two (2) times in 2022. The Compensation Committee for the year ended December 31, 2022, consisted of Messrs.
Cooper (Chairman) and Coviello, and Ms. Infurna. Ms. Infurna was elected to the Compensation Committee in October 2022, following Mr.
Montag’s resignation from such Committee. Ms. Infurna and Mr. Montag each attended one meeting of the Compensation Committee in
2022 in her or his respective capacity as a member of such Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for developing and,
with the approval of the Board of Directors, implementing the compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company and producing
an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials in accordance with applicable rules and
regulations. It is the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to ensure that compensation programs are designed to encourage high
performance and promote accountability and assure that employee interests are aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.
The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” as such term is defined
in the listing standards of the NYSE.
The
Compensation Committee also administers the Supplemental Retirement Plan for Executives of Getty Realty Corp. and Participating Subsidiaries
(the “Supplemental Retirement Plan”) and the Getty Realty Corp. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Omnibus Incentive Compensation
Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The Compensation Committee also reviews, approves and recommends to the Board of Directors for its
approval, the compensation of the directors and each of the named executive officers of Getty.
The
Compensation Committee’s Charter provides that the Committee may delegate any or all of its responsibilities, except that the Committee
may not delegate its responsibilities with respect to:
|
■ |
its annual review and recommendation to the Board for approval of compensation for Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”); |
|
■ |
its approval, evaluation and recommendation to the Board of all non-management director compensation; |
28 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
|
■ |
its management and annual review of, and responsibilities with respect to incentive compensation, equity-based compensation, and employee pension and
welfare benefit plans; or |
|
■ |
any other matters that involve executive officer compensation. |
The
compensation of Getty’s NEOs is recommended by the CEO to the Compensation Committee. The CEO reviews the performance of each NEO
(other than his own) with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee considers the CEO’s recommendations, evaluates
the CEO’s individual performance and establishes the compensation for each NEO, including the CEO. The CEO does not play any role
in the Compensation Committee’s deliberation of matters impacting his own compensation. No executive officer other than the CEO
plays a role in recommending the amount or form of executive compensation.
In
February 2022, in connection with its annual review, the Compensation Committee amended the Compensation Committee’s Charter to clarify its duties with respect to compensation for directors, executives, and employees, to update certain provisions
that are no
longer applicable, and to enhance its compliance with applicable rules and regulations of the NYSE and SEC. In February 2023, the Compensation
Committee further revised the charter to clarify such provisions and provide the Compensation Committee the authority to adopt or modify
clawback, anti-hedging, and anti-pledging policies to be recommended to the Board of Directors.
Contacting
the Board of Directors
Stockholders
and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by sending written communications to the
Board of Directors at the following address: Board of Directors, Getty Realty Corp., 292 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New
York 10017-6376. Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to direct their communications to only the independent
(non-management) directors of Getty may do so by sending written communications to the following address: Independent Directors, c/o
Getty Realty Corp., 292 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017-6376. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls
or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.
Executive
Officers
The
Company’s executive officers are as follows:
|
■ |
Mr. Christopher J. Constant, age 44, President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2016. Mr. Constant joined the Company in November 2010 as
Director of Planning and Corporate Development and was later promoted to Treasurer in May 2012, Vice President in May 2013 and Chief Financial Officer in December 2013. Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Constant was a Vice President in the
corporate finance department of Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. and began his career in the corporate finance department at ING Barings. Mr. Constant earned an A.B. from Princeton University. |
|
■ |
Mr. Joshua Dicker, age 62, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Getty (Executive Vice President since February 2017, Senior Vice
President since May 2012, Vice President since February 2009, General Counsel and Secretary since February 2008). Mr. Dicker joined Getty in February 2008. Prior to joining Getty, he was a partner in the law firm Arent Fox LLP, resident in
its New York City office, specializing in corporate and transactional matters. Mr. Dicker earned a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany, a JD magna cum laude from New York Law School and an LL.M. from New York University
School of Law. |
|
■ |
Mr. Brian R. Dickman, age 47, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Dickman assumed each of these roles when he joined the
Company in December 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Dickman served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Seritage Growth Properties, as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Agree Realty and as a real estate
investment banker covering public REITs and other real estate companies beginning at Lehman Brothers in 2005. He began his career in corporate finance at Intel Corporation in 1998. Mr. Dickman earned an MBA from the University of Michigan,
Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. |
|
■ |
Mr. Mark J. Olear, age 58, Executive Vice President since May 2014 and Chief Operating Officer since May 2015 (Chief Investment Officer since May 2014).
Prior to joining Getty, Mr. Olear held various positions of increasing |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
29 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
responsibility
over his 30-year career in real estate acquisitions, development and construction, most notably as Senior Director - Real Estate with
Home Depot and Senior Vice President Real Estate with TD Bank. Mr. Olear is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Springpoint Senior
Living. Mr. Olear earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Upsala College.
There
are no family relationships between any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.
Corporate
Responsibility—Environmental Practices, Social Responsibility and Governance
We
are committed to good corporate citizenship and business practices that serve all of our stakeholders. We recognize the importance of
environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues and incorporate ESG considerations into our business practices and decision-making
processes.
In
June 2022, we published our inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report which gave us an opportunity to more fully discuss our approach
to corporate responsibility and the emphasis we place on our people, our planet, and our business practices.
Notable
ESG initiatives conducted in 2022/2023 included:
|
■ |
Launching our Getty Green Loans program which offers low-cost loans to our tenants for qualified environmental and sustainability projects; |
|
■ |
Engaging with an outside consultant to conduct a Materiality Assessment to identify ESG topics most relevant to our internal and external stakeholders, in
order to evaluate alignment with our ESG strategies and identify potential ESG opportunities; |
|
■ |
Engaging with an outside consultant to conduct a formal Tenant Survey seeking our tenants’ feedback regarding sustainability measures and initiatives
already implemented or that may be implemented at our properties in order to identify potential ESG opportunities; and |
|
■ |
Achieving success with our inaugural Getty Gives campaign and pro bono legal program, both launched in June 2022 to provide our team with formal platforms
to support causes dear to us and the communities in which we live and work, including corporate donations to charitable organizations selected by our employees, company matching for employee charitable donations, legal services to advance the
public interest, and additional paid time off for employee volunteer opportunities. |
The
results of these initiatives will be discussed in our 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report, which is scheduled to be published in June
2023. We look forward to continuing our ESG efforts to demonstrate our commitment to effective ESG practices that support our business,
our communities, and our stakeholders.
Our
Planet: Environmental Stewardship
We
own assets subject to long-term, triple-net leases that generally require our tenants to maintain the properties they occupy, including
the environmental impact of their operations and any sustainability initiatives they choose to implement during the term of their tenancy.
We take appropriate measures, including enforcement when necessary, to assure that our tenants comply with these lease provisions for
the benefit of the environment and the communities in which our properties are located.
Our
Property Portfolio
We
are committed to investing responsibly and managing the environmental risks throughout our business practices.
Environmental
Due Diligence. Our acquisition due diligence process includes extensive environmental review and analysis conducted by experts
in convenience and automotive retail real estate. This process includes environmental site assessments of each property (Phase I) as
part of our analysis to understand the environmental condition of the property, including whether there is indication of any release
of hazardous substances, chemical or waste storage, or other environmental concerns or risks, and to determine whether the property and
the operations thereon meet environmental standards. We will not acquire a property unless we are satisfied with the results of our environmental
due diligence and, once closed, our leases require our tenants to comply with all environmental laws, rules and regulations.
30 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
Environmental
Compliance. Our asset management and environmental teams continuously monitor our properties for potential contamination, exposure
to natural disasters and other environmental risks, including:
|
■ |
Requiring comprehensive environmental provisions in our leases that require our tenants to comply with applicable environmental laws and remediate or take
other corrective action should any environmental issues arise; |
|
■ |
Maintaining comprehensive pollution insurance coverage for our properties with higher environmental risk exposure, thus ensuring that should an unforeseen
environmental issue arise there is supportive financial resources available to conduct safe and timely remediation; |
|
■ |
Preparing for natural disasters by carrying appropriate insurance coverage for our properties that we believe is adequate given the relative risk of loss,
insurance coverages provided by our tenants and industry best practices; and |
|
■ |
If applicable, requiring the seller to provide for remediation of environmental impacts in compliance with applicable laws prior to acquiring the
property. |
Sustainability
at Our Properties. We support and encourage our tenants’ sustainability initiatives and implemented our Getty Green Loans
program to make low-cost loans available to our tenants for the express purpose of investing in environmental and sustainability projects.
As a net lease landlord, we trust our tenants to identify the investments they deem appropriate to successfully operate their business
at properties we own. With Getty Green Loans, we hope to reinforce our commitment as a business partner, while providing additional incentive
to prioritize green projects as they continue to enhance their operations and our properties.
Sustainability
Reporting and Policies and Procedures. On February 23, 2022, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee amended the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee’s Charter to codify the Committee’s role overseeing the Company’s sustainability reporting and
its policies and procedures with respect to its sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities. In 2022, we provided disclosures
regarding our ESG programs on our website and in our quarterly corporate profile and expanded our sustainability reporting practices
with the publication of our inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report in June 2022.
In
2022, we also partnered with an outside Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) consulting firm to develop and conduct
a formal Tenant Survey seeking our tenants’ feedback regarding sustainability measures and initiatives implemented, or that may
be implemented, at our properties, as well as information regarding our tenants’ current ESG policies and practices. We expect
the Tenant Survey results to assist us in identifying potential ESG opportunities that support our business and our tenants’ businesses.
The Tenant Survey was distributed to 39 of our tenants, representing 952, or 92%, of our properties and $141 million, or 91%, of our
annual base rental income. We expect to provide additional information regarding our Tenant Survey in our 2023 Corporate
Responsibility Report.
We
also worked with our EHS&S consulting firm to develop and conduct a Materiality Assessment to help us identify the ESG topics most
relevant to our internal and external stakeholders. The Materiality Assessment included a survey distributed to select internal and external
stakeholders as well as interviews with select representative stakeholders. We expect that the results of this Materiality Assessment
will help us identify any gaps in our current ESG program and allow us to better understand additional opportunities that we could pursue
as part of our ESG efforts. The Materiality Assessment was distributed to 39 of our internal stakeholders (employees and Board of Directors)
and 62 of our select external stakeholders (tenants, investors, lenders, research analysts, and rating agencies). We expect to provide
additional information regarding our Materiality Assessment in our 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report.
Sustainability
at Our Corporate Headquarters
We
emphasize sustainability at our corporate headquarters, including:
|
■ |
Energy efficient computer equipment, filtered water machines to promote water conservation and eliminate single-use plastics, and timed or
sensor-controlled HVAC and lighting systems. |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
31 |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
|
■ |
Our office policies include various recycling programs (such as aluminum, paper, and plastic), no plastic cups, dishware, or utensils, and a commitment to
reduce paper use and use recycled paper where possible. |
|
■ |
Our commuter benefits program encourages the use of public transportation or ride sharing and our headquarters boasts a Redfin Walk Score® ranking of 99
and Transit Score® rating of 100, leading to reduced use of single occupancy vehicles in commuting by our employees. |
Our
People: Social Responsibility and Human Capital Development
We
believe that our people are the foundation of our success and are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace that allows our
team members to engage professionally and personally. We foster a diverse and inclusive work environment. Women currently comprise 47%
of our full-time team at various levels throughout our organization. We promote and fund professional development opportunities through
in-person trainings, online learning resources, and external classes and seminars requested by our employees, and higher-education tuition
reimbursement, if doing so will advance the work-related skills or professional development of our team. Our Business Conduct Guidelines
and our Employee Handbook govern our professional conduct and ethics with respect to our people, our partners, our health and safety,
and our information technology security.
In
June 2022, we launched our Getty Gives campaign to provide our team with a formal program to support causes dear to them and the communities
in which we live and work. Getty Gives includes corporate donations to charitable organizations selected by our employees, company matching
for employee charitable donations, and additional paid time off for employee volunteer opportunities. In 2022, our Getty Gives program
led to corporate charitable donations to two charitable organizations selected by our employees, and matching employee charitable donations
to many other worthy causes.
In
2022 we also launched our inaugural pro bono legal services program to advance the public interest by serving communities in need and
at the same time provide opportunities for personal philanthropic fulfillment to members of our in-house legal team. Getty considers
pro bono activity to be an important part of its commitment to philanthropic initiatives and is committed to continuing efforts to help
our communities through pro bono legal engagement.
Employee
Compensation and Welfare Programs
We
offer our employees a robust benefits package that includes:
|
■ |
Competitive base salaries, plus cash and equity incentive compensation opportunities; |
|
■ |
Profit sharing and 401(k) plan with partial Company match; |
|
■ |
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance with substantially all premiums paid by the Company; |
|
■ |
Company-funded healthcare reimbursement accounts and a pre-tax employee-funded flexible spending account; |
|
■ |
Company-funded commuter reimbursement accounts and a pre-tax employee-funded commuter benefits program; |
|
■ |
Expansive paid time-off benefits and flexible work schedules; and |
|
■ |
Programs for paid parental leave and adoption assistance reimbursement. |
Our
Practices: Corporate Governance and Ethical Business Practices
We
are dedicated to maintaining a high standard for corporate governance predicated on integrity, ethics, diversity and transparency.
Board
Independence. In particular, we value the independence of our directors, with approximately 83% of our directors (5 out of 6)
qualifying as independent, including the Chairman of our Board and all members of the committees of our Board of Directors.
Board
Composition. We are committed to diversity on our Board of Directors, with 33% of our directors being female. Moreover, the Director
Qualification Standards section of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines affirm that diversity (based on factors commonly
associated with diversity such as race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, or
32 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Corporate
Governance and Related Matters (continued)
sexual
orientation or identity, as well as on broader principles such as diversity of perspective and experience) is one of the elements to
be considered in evaluating a particular director candidate, in addition to other skills and characteristics required of members of
the Board of Directors to fulfill their obligations as directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will continue to
assess the appropriate balance of skills and characteristics required of members of the Board of Directors and, as opportunities
arise, will seek to broaden the diversity composition of the Board of Directors. (For additional information regarding the
evaluation of our director candidates and their specific experience and qualifications, see “Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee” discussion on page 25 of this Proxy Statement and “Experience and Qualifications Represented on our Board of
Directors” section on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.)
Other
Governance Practices. Additionally, as discussed in greater detail in the section of this Proxy Statement captioned “Corporate
Governance and Related Matters,” we hold annual elections for our entire Board of Directors, do not have a classified board of
directors, and have restrictions on over-boarding. We maintain anti-hedging & anti-pledging policies and have not adopted a poison
pill.
Stockholder
Ability to Amend Bylaws. In addition to the power of our Board of Directors to alter, repeal, amend or rescind any provision
of the Bylaws and to make new Bylaws, under both our Charter and Bylaws, the Company’s stockholders have the power to alter, repeal,
amend or rescind the Bylaws or to make new Bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company entitled to vote on the matter pursuant to a binding proposal timely submitted by a stockholder (or stockholder
group) that satisfies the ownership and other eligibility requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
for the periods and as of the dates specified in Rule 14a-8. (For additional information regarding the evaluation of our director candidates
and their specific experience and qualifications, see “Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee” discussion on page 25 of
this Proxy Statement.)
Opting
out of the Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act. Our Board of Directors adopted a resolution prohibiting the Company from electing
to be subject to the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL contained in Section 3-803 of the MGCL (relating to classification
of the board), unless such election is first approved by the stockholders of the Company by the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and filed Articles Supplementary
memorializing the resolution with the SDAT. (For additional information regarding the evaluation of our director candidates and their
specific experience and qualifications, see “Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee” discussion on page 25 of this Proxy
Statement.)
We
believe that sound corporate governance strengthens the accountability of our Board of Directors and management and promotes the long-term
interest of stockholders. For a more detailed description of our governance policies and procedures, please see the discussions above
in this “Corporate Governance and Related Matters” section at page 22 of this Proxy Statement.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
33 |
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management of Shares
The
following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Getty common stock as of March 6, 2023 of (i) each person who is a beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Getty common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) the Named Executive Officers (as defined
below), and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares column includes shares as to which voting power
and/or investment power may be acquired within 60 days of March 6, 2023 (inclusive of vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
– see footnote 2 below).
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
|
Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned |
Approximate
Percent of Class(2) |
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055 |
|
7,290,489 |
(3) |
15.60 |
The Vanguard Group
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355 |
|
6,891,298 |
(4) |
14.75 |
State Street Corporation
State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111 |
|
2,784,267 |
(5) |
5.96 |
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC
2000 Avenue of the Stars; Suite 1110
Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
|
2,765,813 |
(6) |
5.92 |
Howard B. Safenowitz, Director
Includes shares attributable to:
Safenowitz Family Corp. - 2,455,747(7) shares (5.25%) |
|
2,982,944 |
(8) |
6.37 |
Milton Cooper, Director
c/o Kimco Realty Corporation
500 North Broadway, Ste. 201
Jericho, NY 11753 |
|
1,396,036 |
(9) |
2.98 |
Philip E. Coviello, Director |
|
122,635 |
(10) |
* |
Evelyn León Infurna, Director |
|
2,100 |
(11) |
* |
Mary Lou Malanoski, Director |
|
17,000 |
(12) |
* |
Christopher J. Constant, Director, Chief
Executive Officer and President |
|
114,968 |
(13) |
* |
Mark J. Olear, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer |
|
84,700 |
(14) |
* |
Joshua Dicker, Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
88,281 |
(15) |
* |
Brian R. Dickman, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer |
|
17,160 |
(16) |
* |
Directors and executive officers as a group (10
persons)(17) |
|
4,855,344 |
|
10.38 |
*Total
shares beneficially owned constitute less than one percent of the outstanding shares.
|
(1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the named individuals is c/o Getty Realty Corp., 292 Madison Avenue,
9th Floor, New York, NY 10017-6376. |
|
(2) |
The percentage is determined for each stockholder listed by dividing (A) the number of shares shown for such stockholder,
by (B) the aggregate number of shares outstanding as of March 6, 2023 plus shares subject to RSUs granted under our 2004 Plan that are vested as of March 6, 2023. No additional RSUs will vest for any individual stockholder named above
within 60 days of March 6, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreements in effect from and after 2009, settlement of vested RSUs is deferred until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary
of the first vesting date for RSUs granted in 2016-2018) or termination of service. Settlement of RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the terms of the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. |
|
(3) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. on January 26, 2023. BlackRock, Inc. has sole
power to vote or to direct the vote of 7,183,088 shares and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 7,290,489 shares. |
|
(4) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) on February 9, 2023. Vanguard has
shared power to vote or direct to vote 66,111 shares; sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 6,785,984 shares; shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 105,314 shares. |
|
(5) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by State Street Corporation on February 1, 2023. State Street
Corporation has shared power to vote or to direct the vote of 2,192,788 shares and shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 2,784,267 shares. |
|
(6) |
The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC on February 14,
2023. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC has sole power to vote or to direct the vote of 1,564,024 shares; shared power to vote or to direct the vote of 803,811 shares; sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
1,962,002 shares and shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 803,811 shares. |
|
(7) |
Includes 1,848,092 shares held by Safenowitz Partners, LP, 517,857 shares held by Safenowitz Family Partnership, LP, and
89,798 shares held by Safenowitz Investment Partners. Safenowitz Family Corp. is the general partner of each of Safenowitz Partners, LP, Safenowitz Family Partnership, LP and Safenowitz Investment Partners. Mr. Safenowitz is the president
of Safenowitz Family Corp. |
34 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management of Shares
(continued)
|
(8) |
Includes 2,455,747 shares attributable to Safenowitz Family Corp. (see footnote 7 above). Also includes 11,586 shares
held by Mr. Safenowitz’s wife, as to which Mr. Safenowitz disclaims beneficial ownership, and 324,537 shares beneficially owned by The Marilyn Safenowitz Irrevocable Trust u/a/d 4/13/00, of which Mr. Safenowitz is the trustee (which Trust
shares include 308,097 shares held by CLS General Partnership Corp., of which the Trust is a stockholder). Also includes 42,500 vested RSUs. |
|
(9) |
Includes 77,354 shares held by Mr. Cooper’s wife as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership, 134,052 of the shares
held by CLS General Partnership Corp., of which Mr. Cooper is a stockholder and 1,096,053 shares beneficially owned by the Milton Cooper 2013 Revocable Trust u/a/d of which Mr. Cooper is the sole trustee. Also includes 42,500 vested RSUs. |
|
(10) |
Includes 25,983 shares held by a charitable remainder trust of which Mr. Coviello is the trustee, 42,500 vested RSUs, and
942 shares in a testamentary trust formed under Mr. Coviello’s father’s will for the benefit of Mr. Coviello and his children, of which he is a co-trustee. |
|
(11) |
Includes 2,100 vested RSUs. |
|
(12) |
Includes 17,000 vested RSUs. |
|
(13) |
Includes 114,000 vested RSUs. |
|
(14) |
Includes 84,540 vested RSUs. |
|
(15) |
Includes 88,040 vested RSUs. |
|
(16) |
Includes 17,100 vested RSUs. |
|
(17) |
Includes our Chief Accounting Officer who is an executive officer and reporting person for purposes of Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act
as of March 6, 2023. |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
35 |
Executive
Compensation
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
The
Compensation Committee is responsible for setting and administering the compensation policies and practices for the executive officers
of the Company. The Company’s executive compensation program consists primarily of the following elements: base salary, cash incentive
compensation, equity compensation and retirement plans. We do not utilize compensation policies or practices that create risks which
are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
This
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section describes generally the compensation policies and practices that the Company
applies to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Christopher J. Constant, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer,
Mark J. Olear, our General Counsel, Joshua Dicker, and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Brian R. Dickman (each of the
foregoing, a “Named Executive Officer” or “NEO”). For additional details about our NEOs for 2022, see “Executive
Officers” at page 29 of this Proxy Statement and “Summary Compensation Table” at page 42 of this Proxy Statement.
2022
Company Performance Highlights
The
following presents a summary of certain financial and operational highlights achieved by the Company in 2022 which, among other factors,
were considered by the Compensation Committee in reaching its determinations regarding the performance and compensation of our NEOs.
(See our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for additional details
regarding each of these highlights.)
|
■ |
Financial Performance. 2022 was a highly productive year for the Company, as our performance and market position yielded strong returns; the
Company maintained its positive earnings trajectory and delivered on its key financial objectives. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reported net earnings of $90.0 million, or $1.88 per diluted share, as compared to net
earnings of $62.9 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, in the prior year; funds from operations (“FFO”) of $117.1 million, or $2.44 per diluted share, as compared to FFO of $86.1 million, or $1.88 per diluted share, in the prior year;
adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) of $102.5 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, as compared to AFFO of $95.0 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, in the prior year.1 The Company also increased its dividend by 4.9% to an annualized rate
of $1.72 per share, making 2022 the eighth consecutive year that the Company’s Board of Directors significantly increased the Company’s recurring cash dividend. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company declared $79.4 million of
dividends, or $1.66 per share, as compared to $73.0 million of dividends, or $1.58 per share, in
the prior year, representing an increase of approximately 5.1% on a per share basis. |
|
■ |
Investment Activity. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company acquired 40 properties for $137.3 million, including 16 car wash
properties, nine convenience stores, 14 auto service centers, and one drive-thru quick service restaurant, further diversifying the Company’s geographic, tenant and assets class concentrations. The Company also funded construction loans
totaling $20.2 million for the development of nine new-to-industry car wash properties and three new-to-industry convenience stores. Through this investment activity, the Company added four new tenants to its portfolio, expanded its
relationships with several existing tenants, and grew its geographic presence in a number of high-growth metropolitan areas. |
|
■ |
Redevelopment Program. In 2022, the Company continued to execute on its redevelopment program, which seeks to unlock embedded value within its
existing net lease portfolio by taking certain of our undervalued gasoline and repair station properties and redeveloping them into either a new convenience and gasoline use or an alternative single-tenant net-lease retail use. In 2022, rent
commenced on two redevelopment projects, including a new-to-industry convenience store and a drive-thru bank branch. |
|
1 |
AFFO and FFO are non-GAAP measures. For a description of how Getty calculates AFFO and FFO and for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the
nearest comparable GAAP measure, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Annual Report on our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
36 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
|
■ |
Asset Management. The Company continued its portfolio management and optimization objectives during the year, including by: |
|
● |
Selling 24 properties (generating $26.0 million of gross proceeds) and exiting five third-party leases; |
|
● |
Concluding 2022 with a net lease portfolio occupancy rate of 99.8%, the highest level for the Company in more than ten years; and |
|
● |
Reducing the Company’s reported environmental liability by approximately $24.4 million, including by removing $23.5 million of unknown liability reserves during 2022. |
|
■ |
Capital Activities. The Company was active in the capital markets in 2022, raising more than $340 million of permanent debt and equity capital,
including by: |
|
● |
Entering into forward agreements to sell 3.7 million shares of common stock through the Company’s at-the-market equity offering program (or “ATM Program”), raising anticipated gross
proceeds of $117.6 million at an average per share price of $31.61; and |
|
● |
Proactively raising $225 million of senior unsecured notes in two tranches, including $100 million priced at 3.45% and funded in February 2022, and $125 million priced at 3.65% with
funding delayed until January 2023. |
Getty’s
Compensation Program
Getty’s
compensation program for executive officers is designed to effectively manage the Company’s aggregate annual compensation expense
while providing executive officers with a total compensation package that is competitive to retain them, encourage and motivate their
high performance and promote their accountability. Getty’s compensation policies are also designed to promote increased stockholder
value by aligning the financial interests of Getty’s executive officers with those of its stockholders. The Compensation Committee
believes that its current policies, plans and programs are appropriate for these purposes.
Getty’s
executive compensation program involves a combination of annual cash compensation, discretionary incentive compensation (cash incentive
awards and equity incentive awards such as RSUs with dividend equivalents), retirement and other plans, and perquisites and other benefits.
Although the Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal policies for allocating compensation among the foregoing compensation
components, in conducting its review and rendering its determinations, the Compensation Committee evaluates whether each NEO is provided
with a total compensation opportunity that achieves the key objectives of the compensation program while maintaining an appropriate cost
and risk management structure.
Base
salary levels for NEOs are, in combination with other compensation components, considered by the Compensation Committee to be sufficient
to achieve the objectives of Getty’s compensation program. Total compensation, including discretionary annual cash incentive awards
and RSU grants (including dividend equivalents paid with respect to such RSUs), are in aggregate amounts which the Compensation Committee
considers sufficient to retain the NEOs and to align their interests with those of Getty’s stockholders.
In
making executive compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee has also considered the results of the non-binding, advisory
stockholder votes on the Company’s executive compensation program. Our stockholders have approved the Company’s executive
compensation program each year since the advisory vote was first sought, most recently approving it by 93% of votes cast on the say-on-pay
proposal in our 2022 Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee was mindful of our stockholders’ endorsement of the Compensation
Committee’s decisions and policies and has maintained its general approach to executive compensation for decisions made to date.
The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the results from this year’s and future advisory stockholder votes regarding
the executive compensation program.
Total
compensation determinations by the Compensation Committee for each NEO are influenced in part by the particular responsibilities of the
applicable executive position with additional consideration given to such NEO’s individual performance. Our CEO reviews the performance
of each NEO (other than himself) and provides compensation recommendations for all NEOs (including himself) to the Compensation Committee
with respect to base salary amounts, cash bonuses and grants of equity-based awards under the 2004 Plan, consisting of RSUs (including
dividend equivalents with respect to such RSUs).
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
37 |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
The
Compensation Committee reviews and deliberates upon the CEO recommendations, evaluates the CEO’s and each of the NEO’s individual
performances, and establishes the compensation for each NEO. The CEO does not play any role in the Compensation Committee’s deliberation
of matters impacting his own compensation. Although the Compensation Committee takes the CEO’s recommendations under advisement,
it independently evaluates the compensation recommendations for each NEO and in all instances exercises its discretion in making final
compensation decisions in accordance with its authority and formal responsibilities set forth in the Charter of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee has direct knowledge of the performance of each of the NEOs through regular and special reports by these executives
to the Board of Directors and Board Committees and through other interactions with these executives related to the Company’s operations
and performance. In reaching the executive compensation decisions described below, the Compensation Committee recognized the individual
contributions that each of Messrs. Constant, Olear, Dicker, and Dickman made towards the Company’s operational and financial achievements
highlighted above, while also recognizing each of their individual efforts, including the following notable accomplishments for each
NEO:
NEO |
|
2022 Individual Performance Highlights |
Mr. Christopher J. Constant
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
■ |
Successfully drove a year-long process to analyze the Company’s growth strategy and designed an action plan to improve the Company’s
competitive position in the public net lease REIT landscape; |
|
■ |
Achieved increased value for stockholders by growing the Company’s AFFO per share by approximately 3%; |
|
■ |
Delivered on increased returns to stockholders by growing the Company’s annual dividend rate by 4.9% to an annual rate of $1.72/share; |
|
■ |
Maintained the Company’s investment grade rating of BBB-IG with Fitch Ratings, demonstrating the Company’s continued financial stability and
investor reliability; |
|
■ |
Successfully expanded the Company’s investor outreach which further promoted the Company’s vision and performance; and |
|
■ |
Bolstered the Company’s talent pool by successfully recruiting new employees to better
position the Company for future growth and performance. |
Mr. Mark J. Olear
Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
■ |
Led sourcing, review and underwriting of over $6.0 billion in potential transactions, a 124% increase over the prior year. Successfully sourced
the most diverse set of investment opportunities in the Company’s history; |
|
■ |
Led the investment in 2022 of $157.5 million across 52 properties, which further diversified the Company’s properties by asset class and
geographic reach; |
|
■ |
Led the Company’s redevelopment program, overseeing the completion of two projects that produced a 15% return on invested capital, and oversaw
$1.1 million of investment in these and other redevelopment projects during 2022; |
|
■ |
Successfully managed the Company’s disposition program by selling 24 properties and generating proceeds of approximately $26 million; |
|
■ |
Oversaw a significant reduction in the Company’s reported environmental liability; and |
|
■ |
Effectively managed the Company’s assets, including exiting five third-party leased sites and increasing overall portfolio occupancy to 99.8%. |
38 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
NEO |
|
2022 Individual Performance Highlights |
Mr. Joshua Dicker
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
|
|
■ |
Led the Company’s legal compliance and regulatory affairs programs, achieving broad success with effective management of risk; |
|
■ |
Provided leadership in structuring, negotiation and documentation of the Company’s real estate transactions, resulting in numerous successful
acquisition, lease, redevelopment and disposition closings; |
|
■ |
Effectively managed the Company’s litigation portfolio and legal budgets, including the establishment of legal reserves and advancing or
resolving significant litigation matters; |
|
■ |
Provided effective corporate governance oversight and advice to the Company’s Board of Directors and Committees, including leading SEC and NYSE
compliance and disclosure management, corporate secretary functions, and successfully evaluating and implementing new governance policies to align with industry best practices; |
|
■ |
Enhanced the Company’s insurance and risk management programs, including by achieving significant cost reductions while maintaining Company risk
parameters; and |
|
■ |
Provided oversight of tenant lease compliance while maintaining positive tenant relations,
including management of regulatory, insurance and legal claims performance, enforcement decisions, and processing of lease expirations, renewals, amendments, and recaptures. |
Brian R. Dickman
Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer
|
|
■ |
Proactively raised $225 million of senior unsecured notes at a blended interest rate of 3.56% to facilitate the accretive refinancing of existing
notes and to match-fund investment activity; |
|
■ |
Raised more than $117 million of common equity by utilizing forward agreements under the Company’s ATM Program in order to match-fund investment
activity; |
|
■ |
Maintained the Company’s investment grade rating and strong credit profile, including leverage consistently within the Company’s target range,
ample liquidity and sustained capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility; |
|
■ |
Led the Company’s initial ESG disclosure efforts, including publication of the Company’s inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report in June 2022; |
|
■ |
Organized and participated in non-deal roadshows and investor conferences, and successfully converted multiple new investors; and |
|
■ |
Provided leadership and active management across the Company’s accounting, finance, and information technology
functions to drive process improvements and other enhancements to the Company’s reporting and analytical capabilities. |
The
compensation of the CEO is discussed, deliberated upon and approved solely by the Compensation Committee.
The
Compensation Committee may periodically engage outside professional firms to assist in understanding compensation levels and programs
in the broader marketplace and to provide advice on executive compensation. In 2022, the Compensation Committee did not engage the services
of a compensation consultant and did not benchmark compensation elements against a peer group.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
39 |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
The
primary elements of compensation for our NEOs are the following:
|
■ |
Incentive compensation (discretionary annual cash incentive awards and equity incentive awards like RSUs with dividend equivalents); |
|
■ |
Retirement and other plans; and |
|
■ |
Perquisites and other benefits. |
Base
Salary
The
Compensation Committee examines whether each NEO’s base salary is competitive and appropriate in view of such person’s role,
level of responsibility, experience and value to the Company, and relative to achieving the overall goals of the compensation program
for all NEOs. The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries annually and in the interim if an executive officer’s position or
responsibilities change or if the Compensation Committee believes it is otherwise necessary or appropriate to do so. Salaries are not
automatically increased on an annual basis if the Compensation Committee believes that a raise is not warranted by either individual
or Company performance, or that other forms of compensation are more appropriate to advance compensation program objectives.
Increases
made to 2022 base salary are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table below. With respect to 2023 base salary, as part of the Compensation
Committee’s process and in order to achieve the overall goals of Getty’s executive compensation program, the Compensation
Committee determined to increase base salaries in 2023 from those in effect in 2022 by the following amounts for the following NEOs:
Mr. Constant’s base salary for 2023 was increased by 6.7%, and base salaries for 2023 for each of Messrs. Olear, Dicker and Dickman
were increased by 4.3%, 4.7% and 4.7% respectively.
Incentive
Compensation
Cash
Bonus
The
Compensation Committee believes that discretionary cash bonuses are useful on a case-by-case basis to motivate and reward executives
for their contribution to annual operating results and Company achievements that help create value for our stockholders. Cash bonuses
for NEOs are not guaranteed but have been awarded at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In deciding whether to award discretionary
cash bonuses, the Compensation Committee makes its determinations as described above, based upon (i) recommendations from the Company’s
CEO, (ii) its review with the CEO of the performance of each NEO (other than the CEO himself), (iii) its evaluation of the CEO’s
individual performance, (iv) its informed judgment, in view of the Company’s financial and operational performance, of each NEO’s
responsibilities and efforts, such NEO’s contribution to the Company’s overall performance and success, and the complexity
or difficulty of the objectives that have been achieved by such NEO, (v) the relative significance of a cash bonus award toward meeting
the overall goals of Getty’s compensation program, and (vi) other relevant considerations. These factors are considered subjectively
and no one factor is accorded any specific weight. In February 2023, the Compensation Committee approved discretionary cash bonuses.
Specifically, Mr. Constant was paid a cash bonus of $485,000, Messrs. Olear and Dicker were each paid a cash bonus of $310,000, and Mr.
Dickman was paid a cash bonus of $320,000.
Equity
Incentive Awards
The
Company maintains the stockholder-approved 2004 Plan for officers and other valued employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and
members of the Board of Directors. The 2004 Plan allows for the grant of various types of stock-based awards, other than stock options,
to eligible individuals. The 2004 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has the power to determine eligibility, the
types and sizes of awards, the price and timing of awards, terms of vesting, the acceleration or waiver of any vesting restriction and
the timing and manner of settling vested awards.
Generally,
to better align the interests of the Company’s NEOs with the interests of the Company’s stockholders and to promote performance
that will have a positive long-term impact on total stockholder return, the Compensation Committee annually grants equity-based awards
under the 2004 Plan to the Company’s NEOs, consisting of time-based RSUs (including dividend equivalents paid with respect to such
RSUs). These RSU awards vest ratably over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date subject to continued
employment through each vesting date and, for all such RSU
40 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
awards
granted from and after 2009, are settled, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in cash or in shares of the Company’s
common stock upon the earlier of ten years after the grant date (or the first vesting date for RSU awards granted in 2016 - 2018) or
termination of employment. Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award
agreements in effect prior to 2009. All award agreements also provide for vesting of unvested RSUs in the discretion of, and subject
to approval by, the Compensation Committee, in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement) of the executive
officer.
The
Compensation Committee’s determination in February 2023 to grant RSUs under the annual equity grant program to Messrs. Constant,
Olear, Dicker and Dickman was in keeping with its annual practice of using RSUs as an important part of the total executive compensation
program and was based on the Compensation Committee’s determination that an annual grant of RSUs is equivalent to stock ownership
by the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee views the durations of the five-year vesting schedule and the 10-year
settlement schedule, together with the significant relative percentage of equity incentive awards as compared to the total compensation
mix for each NEO (in 2022, RSU grants awarded to each NEO represented more than half of such NEO’s respective overall compensation),
as ownership touchpoints to the Company’s long-term performance thereby aligning each NEO’s personal interests with the long-term
interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Compensation Committee also believes the annual equity award program encourages executive
retention because of the length of the vesting and settlement terms.
In
February 2023, the Compensation Committee approved RSU grants to the NEOs in accordance with its annual equity grant program based on
each NEO’s role and responsibilities, and such NEO’s individual performance during 2022, and in furtherance of the overall
goals of Getty’s executive compensation program as described above, in the following amounts: 47,500 RSUs to Mr. Constant, and
28,000 RSUs to each of Messrs. Olear, Dicker and Dickman. RSU grants to NEOs are reflected in the “2022 Grants of Plan- Based Awards”
table below. All such RSU grants include related dividend equivalents.
Retirement
Plans
Getty
sponsors a retirement and profit sharing plan with 401(k) deferred savings plan provisions (the “Retirement Plan”) for employees,
including our NEOs, meeting certain service requirements. An annual discretionary profit-sharing contribution to the Retirement Plan
is determined by the Board of Directors. The contribution is calculated as a percentage of the sum of (i) the employee’s compensation
(as defined in the Retirement Plan) up to the maximum allowed under Internal Revenue Service regulations, and (ii) the excess of that
amount over the social security taxable wage base. For 2022, the Board of Directors elected to contribute 1% of that sum for each eligible
employee. This percentage is consistent with prior years. Under the terms of the Retirement Plan, the Company matches 50% of each participating
employee’s elective contribution to the Retirement Plan, but in no event more than 3% of the employee’s compensation. The
Company’s contributions to the Retirement Plan vest in accordance with a six-year vesting schedule and are paid upon retirement,
death, disability, or termination of employment, as described more fully in the Retirement Plan.
Getty
also sponsors the Supplemental Retirement Plan for NEOs and other senior management employees. The Board of Directors has sole discretion
to select annually the eligible employees for whom contributions will be made. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which is not qualified
for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a participating employee may receive in his trust account an amount equal
to 10% of his compensation (as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan), reduced by the amount of any contributions allocated to
such employee by the Company under the Retirement Plan. The amounts held in trust under the Supplemental Retirement Plan may be used
to satisfy claims of general creditors in the event of bankruptcy of Getty or any of its subsidiaries. An employee’s account vests
in the same manner as under the Retirement Plan and is paid upon separation of service from the Company. Under the Supplemental Retirement
Plan, during any year, the Board of Directors may elect not to make any payment to the account of any or all eligible employees.
Anti-Hedging
and Anti-Pledging Policy
In
February 2019, the Company implemented an Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy (the “Policy”) that prohibits employees (including
our executive officers) and directors from (i) engaging in any short sales (including short sales “against the box”), transactions
in puts, calls or other derivative securities involving the Company’s securities, on an exchange or in any other organized market,
or hedging transactions and (ii) holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan.
All employees and directors are in full compliance with the Policy.
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
41 |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
Clawback
Policy
In
November 2022, the SEC issued final rulemaking that directed the listing exchanges, including the NYSE, to adopt rules requiring
listed companies to implement a clawback policy that requires recovery of incentive compensation erroneously paid during the three
completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which a listed company is required to prepare an accounting restatement to
correct an error that is material to the listed company’s previously issued financial statements. In 2023, the Company intends
to adopt a clawback policy when such NYSE rulemaking regarding recoupment policies becomes effective.
Compensation
Committee Report
The
Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management as required by Item 402(b)
of Regulation S-K, and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for filing with the SEC and incorporated by reference into the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Compensation
Committee:
Milton
Cooper (Chairman)
Philip E. Coviello
Evelyn León Infurna
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth information about the compensation of the CEO and each of the other Named Executive Officers for services
in all capacities to Getty and its subsidiaries during the periods indicated.
Name and act Principal Position |
Year |
|
Salary
($) |
|
Bonus
($) |
|
Stock
Awards(1)
($) |
|
Option
Awards ($) |
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($) |
|
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) |
|
All Other
Compensation(2) |
|
Total
Compensation |
|
Christopher J. Constant
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
2022 |
|
559,135 |
|
485,000 |
|
1,095,200 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
71,322 |
|
2,210,657 |
|
2021 |
|
543,077 |
|
450,000 |
|
854,700 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
70,072 |
|
1,917,849 |
|
2020 |
|
522,692 |
|
400,000 |
|
724,500 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
67,572 |
|
1,714,764 |
|
Mark J. Olear
Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief
Operating Officer
|
2022 |
|
457,308 |
|
310,000 |
|
698,190 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
56,872 |
|
1,522,370 |
|
2021 |
|
445,846 |
|
300,000 |
|
619,658 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
55,872 |
|
1,421,376 |
|
2020 |
|
433,269 |
|
270,000 |
|
533,232 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
54,372 |
|
1,290,873 |
|
Joshua Dicker
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
|
2022 |
|
422,308 |
|
310,000 |
|
698,190 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
53,372 |
|
1,483,870 |
|
2021 |
|
408,077 |
|
300,000 |
|
619,658 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
52,372 |
|
1,380,107 |
|
2020 |
|
388,269 |
|
270,000 |
|
533,232 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
49,872 |
|
1,241,373 |
|
Brian R. Dickman(3)
Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
2022 |
|
422,308 |
|
320,000 |
|
698,190 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
52,592 |
|
1,493,090 |
|
2021 |
|
415,000 |
|
300,000 |
|
427,350 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
51,592 |
|
1,193,942 |
|
2020 |
|
9,577 |
|
250,000 |
|
432,450 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
2,104 |
|
694,131 |
|
|
(1) |
Stock awards are in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). The amount reflected is the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The
value of future dividends is assumed to be reflected in the closing per share price of the common stock, and, consequently, in the fair value of each award. Therefore, the dividend equivalents paid on RSUs are not shown separately in this
table. The Company pays dividend equivalents on RSUs only to the extent dividends are declared on shares of its common stock. |
|
(2) |
All Other Compensation includes (a) profit sharing and Company matching contributions under the Retirement Plan, (b) contributions under the Supplemental Retirement
Plan, (c) life insurance premiums, and (d) perquisites and other personal benefits received by the NEOs that exceeded $10,000 in the aggregate for the year, which consist only of automobile allowances. See “All Other Compensation” table,
below. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Dickman was appointed Chief Financial Officer effective December 14, 2020. |
42 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
All
Other Compensation
The
following table sets forth information about amounts included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
Name |
Year |
|
Profit Sharing Contribution ($) |
|
Company Match Under 401(k)
Provisions
($)
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan
($)
|
|
Life Insurance(1)
($) |
|
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits(2)
($) |
|
Total All Other
Compensation ($) |
|
Christopher J. Constant |
2022 |
|
4,630 |
|
9,150 |
|
42,470 |
|
1,872 |
|
13,200 |
|
71,322 |
|
2021 |
|
4,372 |
|
8,700 |
|
41,928 |
|
1,872 |
|
13,200 |
|
70,072 |
|
2020 |
|
4,323 |
|
8,550 |
|
39,627 |
|
1,872 |
|
13,200 |
|
67,572 |
|
Mark J. Olear |
2022 |
|
4,630 |
|
9,150 |
|
32,220 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
56,872 |
|
2021 |
|
4,372 |
|
8,700 |
|
31,928 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
55,872 |
|
2020 |
|
4,323 |
|
8,550 |
|
30,627 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
54,372 |
|
Joshua Dicker |
2022 |
|
4,630 |
|
9,150 |
|
28,720 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
53,372 |
|
2021 |
|
4,372 |
|
8,700 |
|
28,428 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
52,372 |
|
2020 |
|
4,323 |
|
8,550 |
|
26,127 |
|
1,872 |
|
9,000 |
|
49,872 |
|
Brian R. Dickman |
2022 |
|
4,630 |
|
9,150 |
|
28,720 |
|
1,092 |
|
9,000 |
|
52,592 |
|
2021 |
|
4,372 |
|
8,700 |
|
28,428 |
|
1,092 |
|
9,000 |
|
51,592 |
|
2020 |
|
102 |
|
0 |
|
1,627 |
|
0 |
|
375 |
|
2,104 |
|
|
(1) |
All life insurance policy premiums relate to term life insurance policies. |
|
(2) |
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits consist only of an automobile allowance. |
2022
Grants of Plan Based Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(1) |
|
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#) |
|
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non
Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Name |
Grant
Date |
|
Threshold
($) |
|
Target
($) |
|
Maximum
($) |
|
Threshold
(#) |
|
Target
(#) |
|
Maximum
(#) |
|
Christopher J. Constant |
3/1/22 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
40,000 |
|
0 |
|
1,095,200 |
|
Mark J. Olear |
3/1/22 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
25,500 |
|
0 |
|
698,190 |
|
Joshua Dicker |
3/1/22 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
25,500 |
|
0 |
|
698,190 |
|
Brian R. Dickman |
3/1/22 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
25,500 |
|
0 |
|
698,190 |
|
|
(1) |
Stock awards are in the form of RSUs that vest ratably over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with accelerated vesting in the
event of death or termination of service by the Company without cause. |
|
(2) |
Grant date fair value is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
43 |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
2022
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End
The following table provides
information as to outstanding Stock Options and RSUs held by each of the NEOs as of December 31, 2022. In accordance with the rules promulgated
by the SEC, certain columns relating to information that is not applicable have been omitted from this table.
|
Stock Awards |
|
Name |
Grant
Date |
|
Number of Shares
or Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(1)
(#) |
|
Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That Have
Not Vested
($) |
|
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
($) |
|
Christopher J. Constant |
3/1/22 |
|
40,000 |
|
1,354,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/21 |
|
24,000 |
|
812,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/2/20 |
|
15,000 |
|
507,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/19 |
|
9,000 |
|
304,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/18 |
|
3,500 |
|
118,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark J. Olear |
3/1/22 |
|
25,500 |
|
863,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/21 |
|
17,400 |
|
588,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/2/20 |
|
11,040 |
|
373,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/19 |
|
6,600 |
|
223,410 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/18 |
|
2,600 |
|
88,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joshua Dicker |
3/1/22 |
|
25,500 |
|
863,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/21 |
|
17,400 |
|
588,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/2/20 |
|
11,040 |
|
373,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/19 |
|
6,600 |
|
223,410 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/18 |
|
2,600 |
|
88,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Brian R. Dickman |
3/1/22 |
|
25,500 |
|
863,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
3/1/21 |
|
12,000 |
|
406,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
12/14/20 |
|
9,000 |
|
304,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Stock awards are in the form of RSUs that vest ratably over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with accelerated vesting in the
event of death or termination of employment by the Company without cause. |
44 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
2022
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The
following Option Exercises and Stock Vested table provides additional information about the stock awards that vested during the year
ended December 31, 2022. In accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC, certain columns relating to information that is not applicable
have been omitted from this table.
|
Stock Awards |
Name |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)(1) |
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2) |
Christopher
J. Constant |
22,000 |
|
602,360 |
Mark
J. Olear |
16,130 |
|
441,639 |
Joshua
Dicker |
16,130 |
|
441,639 |
Brian
R. Dickman |
6,000 |
|
184,890 |
|
(1) |
Reflects the number of RSUs that vested during 2022. |
|
(2) |
Reflects an amount equal to the number of RSUs that vested in 2022 multiplied by the closing price of the underlying shares of Getty common stock on the applicable
vesting date. Settlement of these vested RSUs is deferred pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreement until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date for RSUs granted in
2016-2018), or the NEO’s termination of service. Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. The Value Realized on Vesting for all NEOs
is included as Registrant Contributions in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table, below. |
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Name |
|
Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($) |
|
Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($) |
|
Aggregate
Earnings (Loss)
in Last FY(2)
($) |
|
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
|
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE(3)
($) |
|
Christopher J. Constant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
|
0 |
|
41,928 |
|
(58,776) |
|
0 |
|
382,916 |
|
Vested RSUs |
|
0 |
|
602,360 |
|
188,395 |
|
0 |
|
3,173,438 |
|
Total |
|
0 |
|
644,288 |
|
129,618 |
|
0 |
|
3,556,353 |
|
Mark J. Olear |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
|
0 |
|
31,928 |
|
(13,885) |
|
0 |
|
330,276 |
|
Vested RSUs |
|
0 |
|
441,639 |
|
191,270 |
|
0 |
|
2,217,514 |
|
Total |
|
0 |
|
473,567 |
|
177,385 |
|
0 |
|
2,547,790 |
|
Joshua Dicker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
|
0 |
|
28,428 |
|
(38,046) |
|
0 |
|
398,904 |
|
Vested RSUs |
|
0 |
|
441,639 |
|
58,980 |
|
0 |
|
2,759,114 |
|
Total |
|
0 |
|
470,067 |
|
20,934 |
|
0 |
|
3,158,017 |
|
Brian R. Dickman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan |
|
0 |
|
28,428 |
|
(1,865) |
|
0 |
|
28,191 |
|
Vested RSUs |
|
0 |
|
184,890 |
|
23,490 |
|
0 |
|
304,650 |
|
Total |
|
0 |
|
213,318 |
|
21,625 |
|
0 |
|
332,841 |
|
|
(1) |
The amount reported for each executive in the column “Registrant Contributions in Last FY” for the Supplemental Retirement Plan represents the respective amount
reported for each executive for the prior year, 2021 in the column “Supplemental Retirement Plan” in the All Other Compensation Table above, and the amount reported for Vested RSUs is equal to the Value Realized on Vesting reflected in the
2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table above. |
|
(2) |
For RSUs, the aggregate earnings (loss) reflect the change in value of the shares of Getty common stock subject to the RSUs calculated based on the change in the
closing price from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, for RSUs that vested prior to 2022, and the change in the closing price from the vesting date to December 31, 2022 for RSUs that vested in 2022. Settlement of vested RSUs is
deferred pursuant to the terms of the RSU award agreement until the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or the NEO’s termination of service.
Settlement of vested RSUs granted prior to 2009 is deferred until termination of service pursuant to the award agreements in effect prior to 2009. |
|
(3) |
The Aggregate Balance includes the balances accumulated under the Supplemental Retirement Plan and the aggregate value of all vested RSUs for which settlement has been
deferred based on $33.85 per share, the closing price of Getty common stock on December 31, 2022. |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
45 |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
Getty
maintains the Supplemental Retirement Plan for NEOs and other senior management employees. The Board of Directors has sole discretion
to select annually the eligible employees for whom contributions will be made. Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which is not qualified
for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a participating employee may receive in his or her trust account an amount
equal to 10% of such employee’s compensation (as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan), reduced by the amount of any contributions
allocated to the employee by the Company under the Retirement Plan. Amounts contributed by the Company for 2022 to the Supplemental Retirement
Plan for our NEOs were calculated based upon the definition of eligible compensation in the Supplemental Retirement Plan which excludes
everything other than base salary as the basis for computation of eligible compensation. The amounts held in trust under the Supplemental
Retirement Plan may be used to satisfy claims of general creditors in the event of Getty’s or any of its subsidiaries’ bankruptcy.
An employee’s account vests in the same manner as under the Retirement Plan and is paid upon separation of service from the Company.
Under the Supplemental Retirement Plan, during any year the Board of Directors may elect not to make any payment to the account of any
or all eligible employees.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Each
of the award agreements for outstanding RSUs granted to our employees, including our NEOs, contains a provision that causes the
unvested RSUs to vest upon the NEO’s death or termination of the NEO’s employment without cause. The award agreements
also provide for optional vesting of unvested RSUs in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement)
of the subject employee, including our NEOs, if approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. In the event of a
termination of employment without cause, the value as of December 31, 2022 of RSUs that would vest upon such termination would be as
follows: Mr. Constant – $3,097,275; Mr. Olear – $2,137,289; Mr. Dicker – $2,137,289; and Mr. Dickman –
$1,574,205.
We
do not provide any compensation or benefits to any of our NEOs solely on account of the occurrence of a change in control of the Company.
The RSU award agreements do not provide for accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a change in control.
2022
Compensation Disclosure Ratio of the Median Annual Total Compensation of All Company Employees to the Annual Total Compensation of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer
Mr.
Christopher J. Constant, who serves as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, had fiscal 2022 total compensation
of $2,210,657, as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement. We estimate that the annual compensation
for the median employee of the Company, excluding our Chief Executive Officer, was $237,005 for 2022. As a result, Mr. Constant’s
2022 annual compensation was approximately 9.3 times that of the median employee.
To determine the annual total compensation of the
“median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments, and estimates that we used were as follows:
|
(1) |
For 2022, we used a determination date of December 31, 2022. For purposes of this disclosure, as permitted by SEC regulations, we used the same median employee as in our 2022 proxy
statement because there was no material change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements during 2022 that we reasonably believed would result in a significant change to our pay ratio disclosure. |
|
(2) |
For purposes of reporting the ratio of annual total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer to the median employee, both the Chief Executive Officer and the median employee’s total
compensation paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 were calculated consistent with the disclosure requirements of executive compensation under Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. The Company has not made any of the adjustments
permissible by the SEC, nor have any material assumptions or estimates been made to identify the median employee or to determine annual total compensation. Pay ratios that are reported by our peers may not be directly comparable to ours
because of differences in the composition of each company’s workforce, as well as the assumptions and methodologies used in calculating the pay ratio, as permitted by SEC rules. |
46 |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
Executive
Compensation (continued)
Director
Compensation
The
following text and table discuss the compensation paid to each of our non-employee directors for 2022:
For
2022 (i) all non-employee directors received an annual director fee of $40,000; (ii) Members of our Audit Committee received an annual
fee of $12,500, except for the Chairman of the Audit Committee, who received an annual fee of $20,000; (iii) Members of our Compensation
Committee received an annual fee of $5,000, except for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, who received an annual fee of $7,500;
and (iv) Members of our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee received an annual fee of $5,000, except for the Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee, who received an annual fee of $7,500. All annual fees payable to directors are paid in four equal quarterly installments
and prorated for partial years of service.
Non-employee
directors are also reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to Company business.
Mr. Safenowitz received an annual fee of $125,000
(paid quarterly) for his services as Chairman of the Board, in addition to the quarterly installments of the annual director fee paid
to all non-employee directors, as noted above. Mr. Constant is not separately compensated for his services on the Board of Directors;
his compensation for services as an employee is discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section on page 36
of this Proxy Statement.
Generally,
to better align the interests of our non-employee directors with the interests of the Company’s stockholders, the Compensation
Committee grants equity-based awards under the 2004 Plan to the Company’s non-employee directors consisting of RSUs (including
dividend equivalents paid with respect to such RSUs). RSU awards vest ratably over a five-year period commencing with the first anniversary
of the grant date. RSUs granted before 2009 provide for settlement upon termination of service as a director and RSUs granted in 2009
and thereafter provide for settlement upon the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the grant date (or the tenth anniversary of the first
vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or upon termination of service as a director. The award agreements also provide for optional
vesting of a director’s RSUs in the event of the “Retirement” (as defined in the award agreement) of the subject non-employee
director, if approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
In
February 2022, the Compensation Committee approved a grant of 7,000 RSUs to each of the non-employee directors. The
Compensation Committee’s determination to award RSUs was in order to further align the interests of directors with the
Company’s stockholders and also to provide additional value to directors for their contributions to the Company.
Name |
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($) |
|
Stock
Awards(1)
($) |
|
Option
Awards
($) |
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) |
|
Change in
Pension Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation |
|
All Other
Compensation
($) |
|
Total
($) |
|
Milton Cooper |
|
47,500 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
239,160 |
|
Philip E. Coviello |
|
70,000 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
261,660 |
|
Evelyn León Infurna |
|
46,250 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
237,910 |
|
Mary Lou Malanoski |
|
60,000 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
251,660 |
|
Richard E. Montag(2) |
|
56,250 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
247,910 |
|
Howard B. Safenowitz |
|
168,614 |
|
191,660 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
360,274 |
|
|
|
$448,614 |
|
$1,149,960 |
|
$0 |
|
$0 |
|
$0 |
|
$0 |
|
$1,598,574 |
|
|
(1) |
The Company granted 7,000 RSUs to each non-employee director in 2022, which is the same number granted to each non-employee director in 2021. The fair value of these
RSUs was determined based on the closing market price of Getty’s stock on the date of grant without consideration of the five-year vesting period of the restricted stock award. These RSUs provide for settlement, to the extent vested, upon
the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the date of grant (or the tenth anniversary of the first vesting date, for RSUs granted in 2016-2018), or the termination of service from the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2022, Messrs. Cooper,
Coviello, and Safenowitz each had 39,700 vested and 20,800 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which, in each case, 6,400 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, Mr. Montag had 37,200 vested and 20,800 unvested
RSUs outstanding, of which 6,400 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, Ms. Malanoski had 10,800 vested and 20,200 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which 4,800 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31,
2022. At December 31, 2022, Ms. Infurna had 700 vested and 9,800 unvested RSUs outstanding, of which 700 RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2022. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Montag retired in February 2023. |
GETTY REALTY 2023 Proxy Statement |
47 |