What is the difference between holding shares as a
stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Stockholder of
Record
If your shares are registered
directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder
of record, and the Notice of Internet Availability has been sent directly to you. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant
your voting proxy directly to our designated proxies or to vote in person at the annual meeting.
Beneficial
Owner
Many of our stockholders hold
their shares through a broker, trustee or other nominee, rather than directly in their own name. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a
bank or another nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. The Notice of Internet Availability
has been forwarded to you by your broker, trustee or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of
record.
As a beneficial owner, you
have the right to direct your broker, trustee or other nominee on how to vote your shares. For directions on how to vote shares beneficially held in
street name, please refer to the voting instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee. You are also invited to attend the annual
meeting. However, because a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the annual meeting
unless you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the annual
meeting.
How can I contact Coparts transfer
agent?
You may contact our transfer
agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., by telephone at (877) 282-1168, by facsimile at (781) 575-3605 or by writing Computershare Trust Company,
N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island, 02940-3078. You may also access instructions with respect to certain stockholder matters (e.g.,
lost share certificates, change of address) via the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor.
How can I attend the annual
meeting?
You are invited to attend the
annual meeting if you were a stockholder of record as of the record date, October 9, 2012, you hold a valid proxy for the annual meeting, or you are a
beneficial owner as of the record date, October 9, 2012. If you are a stockholder of record, meaning you hold shares directly in your name with
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., please bring government-issued photo identification for entrance to the annual meeting. If you are not a stockholder
of record but hold shares as a beneficial owner in street name, you should provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the record date, such as your
most recent account statement reflecting stock ownership on the record date, October 9, 2012, together with a copy of the voting instruction card
provided by your broker, bank, or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership.
If you do not comply with the
procedures outlined above, you may not be admitted to the annual meeting.
Please let us know if you plan to
attend the meeting by marking the appropriate box on the proxy card or, if you vote by telephone, by indicating your plans when prompted, in either
case, if you requested to receive printed materials or, if you vote by Internet, by indicating your plans when prompted.
Will the annual meeting be
webcast?
We do not expect to webcast the
annual meeting.
How can I vote my shares in person at the annual
meeting?
Stockholders of record
Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted by you in person at the annual meeting.
3
Beneficial owners
Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted by you in person at the annual meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee,
or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.
Even if you plan to attend the
annual meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later
decide not to attend the annual meeting.
How can I vote my shares without attending the annual
meeting?
By mail
If you requested to receive
printed proxy materials, you can vote by mail. Please complete, sign and date the proxy or voting instruction card and return it in the prepaid
envelope. If you are a stockholder of record and you return your signed proxy card but do not indicate your voting preferences, the persons named in
the proxy card will vote the shares represented by your proxy card as recommended by our board of directors.
By
telephone
If you requested to receive
printed proxy materials, you may also vote by telephone. You can vote by calling the toll-free telephone number on your proxy card. Please have your
proxy card handy when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly
recorded.
By
Internet
The website for Internet voting
is provided in the Notice of Internet Availability. You can vote by proxy over the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice of
Internet Availability.
Telephone and Internet voting
facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day until 1:00 a.m., Central time, on December 5, 2012.
If you are a beneficial owner of
shares, your broker, trustee or nominee you may also vote by proxy by following the voting instructions provided to you by your broker, trustee or
nominee. The availability of telephone and Internet voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting processes of your broker, trustee or
nominee. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive.
If you vote by telephone or the
Internet, you do not have to return your proxy or voting instruction card.
Can I change my vote or revoke my
proxy?
Yes, you have the right to revoke
your proxy at any time prior to the time your shares are voted. If you are the stockholder of record, you may revoke your vote by (i) granting a new
proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above under the subheading How can
I vote my shares without attending the annual meeting? (and until the applicable deadline for each method), (ii) providing a written notice of
revocation to our corporate secretary at Copart, Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75254, Attn: Paul A. Styer, prior to your shares
being voted, or (iii) attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be
revoked unless you specifically so request.
For shares you hold beneficially
in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee, or nominee following the instructions they
provided or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, trustee, or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the annual
meeting and voting in person.
4
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at
the annual meeting?
The names of stockholders of
record entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available at the annual meeting and for ten days prior to the meeting for any purpose germane to
the meeting, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at our corporate headquarters located at 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas
75254, by contacting our corporate secretary.
Is my vote confidential?
Proxy instructions, ballots, and
voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed
either within Copart or to third parties, except as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, to allow for the tabulation of votes and
certification of the vote, or to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
How many shares must be present or represented to
conduct business at the annual meeting?
The quorum requirement for
holding the annual meeting and transacting business is that the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the shares of the stock entitled to
vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. If there is no quorum, the chairman of the annual meeting may adjourn
the meeting to another place, if any, date, or time. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining a quorum.
What is a broker non-vote?
If you are a beneficial owner
whose shares are held of record by a broker, trustee or nominee you must instruct the broker, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares. If you do not
provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is
called a broker non-vote. In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the annual meeting for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific authorization is required. If you are a
beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, trustee or nominee, your broker, trustee or nominee has discretionary voting authority to
vote your shares on the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3),
even if the broker has not received voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on the election of
directors (Proposal 1) or the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation (Proposal 2) without instructions from you, in which case a
broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted on these matters. Accordingly, if you are a beneficial owner, it is particularly important
that you provide your instructions for voting your shares on the election of directors (Proposal 1) and the advisory vote on the approval of executive
compensation (Proposal 2) to your broker, trustee, or other nominee.
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the
proposals?
Proposal
|
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Vote Required
|
|
Discretionary Voting Allowed?
|
Election
of directors |
|
|
|
Plurality of the votes cast |
|
No |
Advisory
Vote on Executive Compensation |
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|
Majority of the votes cast |
|
No |
Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP |
|
|
|
Majority of the votes cast |
|
Yes |
5
Election of
Directors
The nominees receiving the
highest number of affirmative FOR votes of the shares entitled to be voted at the annual meeting will be elected as directors. You may vote
FOR or WITHHOLD for each director nominee. A properly executed proxy marked WITHHOLD with respect to the election
of a director will not be voted with respect to such director although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors.
Advisory Vote on Approval of
Executive Compensation
Under our Bylaws, the votes cast
FOR must exceed the votes cast AGAINST to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers for
the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes FOR or AGAINST this
proposal.
Ratification of Appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP
Under our Bylaws, the votes cast
FOR must exceed the votes cast AGAINST to approve the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions are not counted as votes FOR or AGAINST this
proposal.
What happens if additional matters are presented at
the annual meeting?
Other than the items of business
described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the annual meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons
named as proxy holders, A. Jayson Adair and Paul A. Styer, or either of them, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters
properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If for any reason any of the nominees is not available as a candidate for director, the persons named as
proxy holders will vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates as may be nominated by our board of directors.
Who will count the votes?
A representative of our transfer
agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will tabulate the votes and act as inspector of election.
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the
annual meeting?
We will pay the entire cost of
preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. If you choose to access the proxy materials
and/or vote over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet access charges you may incur. If you choose to vote by telephone, you are responsible
for telephone charges you may incur. In addition, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone, or by electronic
communication, by our directors, officers, and employees. None of those directors, officers or employees will receive any additional compensation for
such solicitation activities. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks, and other nominee holders of record for the cost of forwarding proxy
materials to beneficial owners.
Where can I find the voting results of the annual
meeting?
We will announce preliminary
voting results at the annual meeting. We will also disclose voting results on a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four
business days after the annual meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K, we will file a
Current Report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after final results are known, file an additional Current
Report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.
6
What is householding and how does it
affect me?
We have adopted a procedure
called householding, which has been approved by the SEC. Under this procedure, we deliver only one copy of the Notice of Internet
Availability, or proxy materials, if applicable, to multiple stockholders who share the same address and have the same last name, unless we have
received contrary instructions from an affected stockholder. This procedure reduces our printing costs, mailing costs, and fees. Stockholders who
participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards.
We will deliver, promptly upon
written or oral request, a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability and/or the proxy materials, as applicable, to any stockholder at a
shared address to which a single copy of the Notice of Internet Availability and/or the proxy materials, as applicable, were delivered. To receive a
separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability and/or the proxy materials, as applicable, you may write to or call our Investor Relations
Department at 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75254, telephone (972) 391-5000. Any such request should be made promptly in order to
ensure timely delivery. Any stockholders of record who (i) share the same address and currently receive multiple copies of the Notice of Internet
Availability or proxy materials, as applicable, and (ii) wish to receive only one copy of the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy materials, as
applicable, per household in the future may contact our Investor Relations Department at the address or telephone number listed above to participate in
the householding program.
A number of brokerage firms have
instituted householding. If you hold your shares beneficially in street name, please contact your bank, broker, or other holder of record to request
information about householding.
What is the deadline to propose actions for
consideration at next years annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?
Requirements for Stockholder
Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in Our Proxy Materials
Stockholders may present proper
proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at the next annual meeting of stockholders by submitting their proposals in
writing to our corporate secretary in a timely manner. For a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2013
annual meeting of stockholders, our corporate secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal executive offices not later than September
4, 2013; provided, however, that in the event that we hold our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders more than 30 days from the one-year
anniversary date of the 2013 annual meeting, we will disclose the new deadline by which stockholders proposals must be received under Item 5 of our
earliest possible Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or, if impracticable, by any means reasonably calculated to inform stockholders. All stockholder
proposals must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the inclusion of
stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to:
Copart, Inc.
Attn: Corporate Secretary
14185 Dallas
Parkway, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75254
The submission of a stockholder
proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in Coparts proxy statement or proxy.
Requirements for Stockholder
Proposals to be Brought Before the 2013 Annual Meeting
Our bylaws also establish an
advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proposal before an annual meeting of stockholders, but do not intend for the proposal
to be included in our proxy statement. Our bylaws provide that the only business that may be conducted at an annual meeting is business that is (i)
specified in our proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board
of directors, or (iii) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting who has delivered timely
written notice to our corporate secretary, which notice must
7
contain the information
specified in our bylaws. To be timely for our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, our corporate secretary must receive the written notice at our
principal executive offices:
|
|
not earlier than August 5, 2013, and |
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not later than the close of business on September 4,
2013. |
In the event that we hold our
2013 annual meeting of stockholders more than 30 days before or after the one-year anniversary date of the 2012 annual meeting, then notice of a
stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement must be received not later than the close of business on the later of
the following two dates:
|
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the 90th day before such annual meeting: or |
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the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of
the date of such meeting is first made. |
If a stockholder who has notified
us of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting does not appear to present his or her proposal at such meeting, we are not
required to present the proposal for a vote at such meeting.
Nomination of Director
Candidates
Our bylaws permit stockholders to
nominate directors for election at an annual meeting of stockholders. To nominate a director, the stockholder must provide the information required by
our bylaws. In addition, the stockholder must give timely notice to our corporate secretary in accordance with our bylaws, which, in general, require
that the notice be received by our corporate secretary within the time period described above under Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be
Brought Before the 2013 Annual Meeting for stockholder proposals that are not intended to be included in our proxy statement.
In addition, it is the policy of
our nominating and governance committee to consider recommendations for candidates to the board of directors from stockholders holding not less than
one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least twelve (12) months prior to the date of submission of the
recommendation or nomination. Any such recommendations should include the nominees name and qualifications for membership on our board of
directors, and should be directed to our general counsel at our address set forth above for our corporate secretary. For additional information
regarding stockholder recommendations for director candidates, please see the sections entitled Corporate Governance and Board of Directors
Director Nomination Process and Corporate Governance and Board of Directors Considerations in Identifying and Evaluation
Director Nominees.
Availability of
Bylaws
A copy of our current bylaws may
be obtained free of charge by written request to our Investor Relations Department c/o Copart, Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas
75254.
8
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors Composition, Meetings, and Board
Committees
Our board of directors is
currently comprised of eight members. Our bylaws permit our board to establish the authorized number of directors within a range from five to nine
members, and eight directors are currently authorized.
All directors elected at an
annual meeting are elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the earlier of the next annual meeting of stockholders following
such election or their resignation or removal. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of each of our incumbent directors expire and all
members of our board of directors are elected.
Fiscal 2012 Board Meetings
During fiscal 2012, our board of
directors held seven meetings. Each of our directors attended or participated in 75% or more of the total number of meetings of our board of directors,
and 75% or more of the meetings held by all committees of our board of directors on which he served during the past fiscal year.
Board Leadership Structure
Our board of directors believes
that it is important to retain its flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the positions of the chairman of our board and chief executive
officer in a way that it believes is in our best interests. Currently, the roles of chairman of our board and chief executive officer have been
separated by our board of directors. Willis J. Johnson is our executive chairman, and A. Jayson Adair is our chief executive officer. Our board
believes that the separation of the offices of chairman and chief executive officer is appropriate at this time because it allows our chief executive
officer to focus primarily on our business strategy, operations, and corporate vision while the chairman provides guidance to the chief executive
officer, sets the agenda for board meetings, and presides over meetings of the full board. Our boards administration of risk oversight has not
affected its leadership structure.
Director Independence
Of our incumbent directors,
Messrs. Blunt, Cohan, Englander, Meeks, and Tryforos have each been determined by our board to be an independent director as that term is
defined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, or NASDAQ.
Our board of directors has not
established categorical standards or guidelines to make director independence determinations but considers all relevant facts and circumstances. Our
board based its determinations primarily on a review of the responses of the directors to questions regarding employment and compensation history,
affiliations, family and other relationships, and on discussions with our directors. In making its independence determinations, our board considered
transactions between us and entities associated with the directors or members of their immediate family. All identified transactions that appear to
relate to us and a person or entity with a known connection to a director are presented to our board of directors for consideration. In making its
determination that certain directors are independent, our board of directors considered the transactions in the context of the NASDAQ rules, the
standards established by the SEC for members of audit committees, and the SEC and Internal Revenue Service standards for compensation committee
members.
Oversight of Risk Management
Our board of directors role
in our risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to us, including
operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks.
9
Our boards role in risk
oversight is consistent with our boards leadership structure, with the chief executive officer and other members of senior management having
responsibility for assessing and managing our risk exposure and our board and committees providing oversight in connection with those efforts. While
our board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for our risk management policies and processes, the committees of our board also have
responsibility for risk oversight with respect to certain matters.
Our audit committee oversees
management of financial risk exposures, including the integrity of our accounting and financial reporting processes and controls. As part of this
responsibility, our audit committee meets periodically with our independent auditors, our internal auditors, and our financial and accounting personnel
to discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control, and report these exposures. Additionally, our
audit committee reviews significant findings prepared by our independent auditors together with managements responses as well as significant
findings of our internal auditors. Our audit committee also oversees risk associated with related party transactions and business conduct
compliance.
Our compensation committee
considers the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices with respect to both executive compensation and employee compensation
generally. Our management has reviewed with our compensation committee the compensation plans and programs that could have a material impact on us. The
management review considered whether any of these plans or programs may encourage inappropriate risk-taking, whether any plan may give rise to risks
that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us, and whether our management would recommend any changes to the plans. Our management
also reviewed with our compensation committee risk-mitigating controls such as the degree of compensation committee and senior management oversight of
each program and the level and design of internal controls over such programs.
Our nominating and governance
committee oversees risks associated with our overall governance practices and the leadership structure of our board. Our board is kept informed of each
committees risk oversight and other activities via regular reports of the committee chairs to the full board.
Board Committees
Our board of directors maintains
three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and governance committee. Each committee has a written
charter, approved by our board of directors, outlining the principal responsibilities of the committee. Copies of the current committee charters are
available in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations page on our website at www.copart.com.
Our board committees are
comprised as follows:
Director Name
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee
|
|
Compensation Committee
|
|
Nominating and Governance Committee
|
Matt Blunt
|
|
|
|
Ö |
|
|
|
Ö |
Steven D.
Cohan |
|
|
|
Chair |
|
Ö |
|
|
Daniel J.
Englander |
|
|
|
Ö |
|
Chair |
|
Chair |
James E.
Meeks |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Ö |
Only directors deemed to be
independent (see below) serve on the audit, compensation, or nominating and governance committees. However, our board may create special
committees from time to time and our current employee directors or those deemed not to be independent under applicable rules and guidelines may be
appointed to serve on those special committees, as our board may determine.
Audit Committee. Our audit
committee is primarily responsible for (i) reviewing and approving the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, (ii)
reviewing our consolidated financial statements, and (iii) reviewing reports concerning our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting
procedures and controls. The purposes of our audit committee are, among other things, to:
|
|
oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and
audits of our consolidated financial statements; |
10
|
|
assist our board in overseeing and monitoring: (i) the integrity
of our consolidated financial statements; (ii) our internal accounting and financial controls; (iii) our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; and (iv) our independent auditors qualifications, independence, and performance; |
|
|
prepare the audit committee report that the rules of the SEC
require be included in our annual proxy statement; |
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|
provide our board with the result of its monitoring and any
recommendations derived from such monitoring; |
|
|
provide our board with additional information and materials as
our audit committee may determine to be necessary to make our board aware of significant financial matters requiring board attention; and |
|
|
function as our qualified legal compliance committee for the
purposes of reviewing and discussing any reports concerning material violations submitted to it by our attorneys or our outside counsel. |
Our audit committee held five
meetings during fiscal 2012. Our audit committee acts under a written charter adopted and approved by our board of directors, which charter can be
found at http://www.copart.com/c2/pdf/audit_cc.pdf.
The audit committee currently
consists of Steven D. Cohan, Daniel J. Englander and Matt Blunt. Mr. Cohan is the chair of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined
that each of the members of our audit committee are independent directors as contemplated by the NASDAQ listing rules and the rules of the
SEC relating to audit committee independence. Our board of directors has designated Mr. Cohan, the chairman of the committee, as an audit
committee financial expert as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. This designation is a disclosure requirement of
the SEC and does not impose upon Mr. Cohan any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than that which would otherwise be imposed by virtue of his
membership on our board or audit committee. In addition, this designation does not affect the duties, obligations, or liabilities of any other director
or audit committee member. Our board of directors has determined that each audit committee member has sufficient knowledge in reading and understanding
financial statements to serve on our audit committee.
Compensation Committee.
Our compensation committee is generally responsible for, among other things, (i) assisting our board of directors in providing oversight of our
compensation policies, plans and benefits programs and (ii) reviewing and approving, and, where appropriate, making recommendations to our board of
directors regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to all of our employees, directors and consultants, including stock compensation and
loans, and all bonus and stock compensation to all employees.
Our compensation committee held
five meetings during fiscal 2012. Our compensation committee acts under a written charter adopted and approved by our board of directors, which charter
can be found at http://www.copart.com/c2/pdf/compensation_cc.pdf.
The compensation committee
currently consists of Daniel J. Englander and Steven D. Cohan. Mr. Englander is the chair of our compensation committee. Our board of directors has
determined that each of the members of our compensation committee are (i) independent directors as contemplated by NASDAQ rules, (ii)
outside directors as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and (iii) non-employee
directors for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Nominating and Governance
Committee. Our board of directors established the nominating and governance committee to ensure that our board is properly constituted to meet its
fiduciary obligations to stockholders and that we have and follow appropriate governance standards. The committee is authorized to assist our board by
identifying prospective director nominees, to select the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders and to develop and recommend to
our board governance principles applicable to us.
Our nominating and governance
committee held two meetings during fiscal 2012. Our nominating and governance committee acts under a written charter adopted and approved by our board
of directors, which charter can be found at http://www.copart.com/c2/pdf/nominating_governance_cc.pdf.
The nominating and governance
committee consists of Daniel J. Englander, Matt Blunt and James E. Meeks. Mr. Englander is the chair of our nominating and governance committee. Our
board of directors has determined that each of the members of our nominating and governance committee were and are (i) independent
directors
11
as contemplated by NASDAQ
rules, (ii) outside directors as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code, and (iii) non-employee directors for purposes of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The compensation committee of our
board of directors consisted of Messrs. Cohan, Englander and Thomas W. Smith from August 1, 2011 until December 14, 2011 and Messrs. Cohan and
Englander from December 14, 2011 through the end of fiscal 2012. No member of our compensation committee was, at any time during fiscal 2012, an
officer or employee of Copart or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, no member of our compensation committee had any relationship requiring
disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC at the time such committee member served as a board member and committee member. The
disclosure with respect to Thomas W. Smith under the heading Related Person Transactions below occurred following the end of his
term as a member of our board of directors.
No interlocking relationship, as
described by the SEC, currently exists or existed during fiscal 2012 between any member of our compensation committee and any member of any other
companys board of directors or compensation committee.
Considerations in Identifying and Evaluating Director
Nominees
Our nominating and governance
committee has established policies and procedures relating to the consideration of any individual recommended as a prospective director nominee from
stockholders. Please see the section entitled Director Nomination Process below. The nominating and governance committee will
consider candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended to the committee from other sources.
In its evaluation of director
candidates, including the members of the board of directors eligible for reelection, our committee will consider the following:
|
|
The current size and composition of our board of directors and
the needs of the board and its respective committees; |
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|
Factors such as character, integrity, judgment, diversity of
experience, independence, area of expertise, corporate experience, length of service, potential conflicts of interest, other commitments and the like.
Our committee evaluates these factors, among others, and does not assign any particular weighting or priority to any of these factors; and |
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Other factors that our committee may consider
appropriate. |
Any nominee for a position on the
board must satisfy the following minimum qualifications:
|
|
The highest personal and professional ethics and
integrity; |
|
|
Proven achievement and competence in the nominees field
and the ability to exercise sound business judgment; |
|
|
Skills that are complementary to those of the existing
board; |
|
|
The ability to assist and support management and make
significant contributions to the companys success; and |
|
|
An understanding of the fiduciary responsibilities required of a
member of the board and the commitment of time and energy necessary to diligently carry out those responsibilities. |
If our committee determines that
an additional or replacement director is required, the committee may take such measures as it considers appropriate in connection with its evaluation
of a director candidate, including candidate interviews, inquiry of the person or persons making the recommendation or nomination, engagement of an
outside search firm to gather additional information, or reliance on the knowledge of the members of the committee, board or
management.
12
Director Nomination Process
Our nominating and governance
committee is responsible for, among other things, determining the criteria for membership to our board of directors and recommending candidates for
election to the board of directors. It is the policy of our nominating and governance committee to consider recommendations for candidates to the board
of directors from stockholders holding not less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least twelve
(12) months prior to the date of submission of the recommendation or nomination. Stockholder recommendations for candidates to the board of directors
must be directed in writing to Copart, Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75254, Attention: General Counsel, and must include the
candidates name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data, relevant qualifications, a signed letter from the candidate
confirming willingness to serve, information regarding any relationships between the candidate and Copart, and evidence of the recommending
stockholders ownership of our stock. Such recommendations must also include a statement from the recommending stockholder in support of the
candidate, particularly within the context of the criteria for board membership, including issues of character, integrity, judgment, diversity of
experience, independence, area of expertise, corporate experience, length of service, potential conflicts of interest, other commitments and the like,
and personal references. For details regarding the process to nominate a director directly for election to the board at an annual meeting of the
stockholders, please see the section entitled Questions and Answers About the Proxy Materials and Annual Meeting What is the deadline
to propose actions for consideration at next years annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?
Nomination of Director Candidates.
Director Attendance at Annual
Meetings
Although we do not have a formal
policy regarding attendance at stockholder meetings, our directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. Seven of our directors
attended our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Tryforos was not a director at the time of our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and did not
attend the 2011 annual meeting.
Stockholder Communications with our Board of
Directors
Our board of directors recommends
that stockholders who wish to communicate directly with our board should do so in writing. Our board of directors has approved the following procedure
for stockholders to communicate with our directors. Mail can be addressed to directors in care of Copart, Inc., Attn: General Counsel, 14185 Dallas
Parkway, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75254. All mail received will be logged in, opened and screened for security purposes. All mail, other than trivial or
obscene items, will be forwarded. Trivial items will be delivered to our directors at the next scheduled board meeting. Mail addressed to a particular
director will be forwarded or delivered to that director. Mail addressed to Outside Directors or Non-Management Directors will
be forwarded or delivered to the chairman of our nominating and governance committee. Mail addressed to the Board of Directors will be
forwarded or delivered to the chairman of our board and chief executive officer. Our General Counsel may decide in the exercise of his judgment whether
a response to any stockholder communication is necessary.
This procedure does not apply to
stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to our bylaws and Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, as discussed in this proxy statement under the caption
What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next years annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to
serve as directors?
13
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Our directors play a critical
role in guiding our strategic direction and overseeing our management. In connection therewith, our non-employee directors are eligible to receive cash
and equity compensation. Each non-employee director receives an annual directors fee, payable in quarterly installments. The annual non-employee
directors fee was $50,000 from August 1, 2011 until June 5, 2012; however, on June 5, 2012, our board increased the annual fee for non-employee
directors to $70,000, payable in quarterly installments. Mr. Cohan, who serves as chairman of our audit committee, receives an additional annual fee of
$10,000 for his services as chairman of our audit committee, payable in quarterly installments. In addition to cash compensation, pursuant to
procedures previously adopted by our board of directors, each non-employee director (other than newly appointed non-employee directors) receives an
annual option grant of 40,000 shares under our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which grant takes place on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders
each year. Newly appointed non-employee directors are awarded an initial grant of shares at the time of appointment and are not eligible for an
additional grant until the fiscal year following their appointment. The directors are also eligible for reimbursement of reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at board and committee meetings.
Mr. Johnson is an executive
officer, though not considered one of our named executive officers. As an employee director he does not receive any cash, equity or other compensation
for his service as a member of our board of directors. In that respect, we have not listed him in either table in this section of our proxy
statement.
The following table presents
information relating to total compensation paid or accrued for services rendered to us in all capacities by our non-employee directors for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 2012.
Name
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1)
|
|
Total ($)
|
Matt Blunt
|
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
229,408 |
|
|
|
284,408 |
|
Steven D.
Cohan |
|
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
229,408 |
|
|
|
294,408 |
|
Daniel J.
Englander |
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
229,408 |
|
|
|
284,408 |
|
James E.
Meeks |
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
229,408 |
|
|
|
284,408 |
|
Thomas W.
Smith (2) |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Thomas N.
Tryforos |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
249,276 |
|
|
|
249,276 |
|
(1) |
|
Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair values of
awards of stock options granted in fiscal 2012, which were computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards
Codification Topic 718, Stock Compensation, as amended, without regard to estimated forfeitures, or, with respect to re-priced options, the incremental
fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. There can be no assurances that the amounts disclosed will ever be realized. Assumptions
used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Stock Compensation to
our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012. |
(2) |
|
Did not stand for reelection at the 2011 annual
meeting. |
As of July 31, 2012, the end of
our 2012 fiscal year, the aggregate number of stock options outstanding for each non-employee director was as follows:
Name
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Number of Shares Underlying Options
|
Matt Blunt
|
|
|
|
120,000 |
Steven D.
Cohan |
|
|
|
300,000 |
Daniel J.
Englander |
|
|
|
240,000 |
James E. Meeks
|
|
|
|
324,168 |
Thomas N.
Tryforos |
|
|
|
40,000 |
14
Under procedures previously
adopted by our board of directors, each member of our board of directors (other than newly appointed non-employee directors) receives an option grant
of 40,000 shares of our common stock on the date of our annual stockholder meeting. On December 14, 2011, the date of our 2011 annual shareholder
meeting, each of Messrs. Blunt, Cohan, Englander and Meeks were granted options to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock under our 2007 Equity
Incentive Plan as part of their annual board compensation for fiscal 2012, at an exercise price of $22.59 per share, which was the closing price of our
common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares subject to each option vest 12 months from the
date of grant and 1/24th of the total number of shares underlying each option vest each month thereafter, such that the options will be fully vested
two years from the date of grant. Vesting of the options may accelerate if any successor corporation does not assume the options in the event of a
change in control.
In addition, on September 22,
2011, our board of directors exercised its discretion pursuant to the terms of our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan to accelerate the vesting of all unvested
shares of our common stock subject to options held by Mr. Smith, effective upon the termination of his membership on our board. As of December 14,
2011, the date on which Mr. Smith ceased to be a member of our board, Mr. Smith held options to acquire 80,000 shares of our common stock, of which
10,000 were otherwise unvested. In addition, our board approved amendments to outstanding option agreements with Mr. Smith to extend the period in
which he will be able to exercise his stock options until the earlier of the fifth anniversary of Mr. Smiths termination as a director or the
date the option would otherwise have terminated by its terms assuming he had continued to serve as a member of our board.
15
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
One of the purposes of our annual
meeting is to elect directors to hold office until the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and have
been qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of each of our incumbent directors expires and all members of our board of directors
are elected. Our bylaws permit our board to establish the authorized number of directors within a range from five to nine members. Eight directors are
currently authorized.
Nominees
Our nominating and governance
committee has nominated the eight individuals listed below for election as directors, including Thomas N. Tryforos who was appointed by our board of
directors in June 2012. All of the nominees for election at the annual meeting are currently our directors. All of the nominees were approved by our
nominating and governance committee. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and we have no reason to believe that any
nominee will be unavailable to serve. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote all submitted proxies FOR the eight nominees named
below. In the event that additional persons are nominated for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in
such a manner (in accordance with cumulative voting) as will ensure the election of as many of the nominees listed below as possible. In such event,
the specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the proxy holders. Directors must be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the annual
meeting. Accordingly, the eight candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting will
be elected to our board of directors.
Each of the following nominees is
currently one of our directors. Please see Biographical Information below for information concerning each of the following directors
standing for election. Please note that all ages set forth below are as of October 9, 2012.
Name
|
|
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Director Since
|
Willis J.
Johnson |
|
|
|
65 |
|
Chairman
of the Board |
|
1982 |
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
42 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Director |
|
1992 |
Matt Blunt
|
|
|
|
41 |
|
Director
|
|
2009 |
Steven D.
Cohan |
|
|
|
51 |
|
Director
|
|
2004 |
Daniel J.
Englander |
|
|
|
43 |
|
Director
|
|
2006 |
James E. Meeks
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
Director
|
|
1996 |
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
49 |
|
President
|
|
2011 |
Thomas N.
Tryforos |
|
|
|
54 |
|
Director
|
|
2012 |
Biographical Information
Willis J. Johnson, founder
of Copart, has, since January 2004, served as chairman of our board of directors. From 1982 until February 2010, Mr. Johnson served as our chief
executive officer and from 1986 until 1995, he also served as our president. Mr. Johnson was an officer and director of U-Pull-It, Inc. (UPI), a
self-service auto dismantler, which he co-founded, from 1982 through September 1994. Mr. Johnson sold his entire interest in UPI in September
1994.
Mr. Johnson has over 30 years of
experience in owning and operating auto dismantling companies and has overseen our growth from a single salvage facility in California to 156 salvage
facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. As such, he brings to our board significant institutional
history as well as extensive knowledge of the industry and our operations.
16
A. Jayson Adair has served
as our chief executive officer since February 2010. From November 1996 to February 2010, Mr. Adair served as our president. From 1995 until 1996, Mr.
Adair served as our executive vice president. From 1990 until 1995, Mr. Adair served as our vice president of sales and operations, and from 1989 to
1990, Mr. Adair served as our manager of operations.
Mr. Adairs considerable
knowledge and understanding of our company and our businesses together with his extensive experience managing crucial aspects of our business provide
our board with significant insight into our businesses and operations.
Matt Blunt served as the
Governor of the State of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Prior to serving as the Governor of Missouri, Mr. Blunt served as a member of the Missouri General
Assembly from 1999 through 2001 and as Missouris Secretary of State from 2001 through his inauguration as Governor in 2005. Since leaving the
Office of the Governor of the State of Missouri, Mr. Blunt has served as a senior advisor to government affairs and financial firms. Since February
2011, Mr. Blunt has served as the president of the American Automobile Policy Council, which represents the public policy interests of Chrysler Group,
LLC, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Company. He is a 1993 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and received four Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medals during his military service as well as numerous other awards.
Mr. Blunt brings to our board
extensive experience in government and public policy as a result of his service as the Governor of Missouri, a member of the Missouri General Assembly,
and his military training. As such, he provides our board with a unique and broad perspective on the issues we face.
Steven D. Cohan has served
as the chief executive officer and president and as a director of Loco Ventures, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of food products in Northern
California, since 1997. From 1992 to 1994, he served as our vice president of finance and principal accounting officer and, from 1994 to 1996, he
served as our vice president of corporate development. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of San Francisco and a B.A. in Economics from the
University of California, Los Angeles. He is a certified public accountant.
Mr. Cohan brings to our board of
directors a deep understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting rules and regulations. He acquired this knowledge in the course of
serving as our principal accounting officer and his training as a certified public accountant.
Daniel J. Englander is
managing partner of Ursula Capital Partners, an investment management firm that he founded in May 2004. In addition, since 2007, Mr. Englander has
served as a director of Americas Car-Mart, Inc., an automotive retailer based in Bentonville, Arkansas; and he served as a director of
Ambassadors International, a cruise ship operator based in Seattle, Washington from 2009 through May 2011. From October 1994 until January 2004, Mr.
Englander was employed as an investment banker with Allen & Company, a New York-based merchant bank, serving as a Managing Director from September
2002 until his departure. He holds a B.A. from Yale University.
Mr. Englanders background
in investment management and finance enables him to be a valuable resource to our board and to our company with respect to financial and business
issues.
James E. Meeks served as
our chief operating officer from 1992, when he joined us in connection with our purchase of South Bay Salvage Pool, until his retirement in 2007. From
1995 to 1996, Mr. Meeks also served as our senior vice president and from 1996 until 2007 he served as our executive vice president. From 1986 to 1992,
Mr. Meeks, together with his family, owned and operated the South Bay Salvage Pool, a salvage yard company. From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Meeks was an
officer, director and part owner of CAS & Meeks, Inc., a towing and subhauling service company. On August 1, 2007, Mr. Meeks relinquished the
titles and responsibilities of executive vice president and chief operating officer, and he retired from employment with us on December 31,
2007.
With over 30 years of experience
in vehicle dismantling business and extensive experience in the subhauling business as well as his knowledge of our businesses and operations, Mr.
Meeks brings to our board deep understanding of many aspects of the salvage market.
Vincent W. Mitz has served
as our president since February 2010. From August 2007 to February 2010, Mr. Mitz served as our executive vice president. From May 1995 until July
2007, Mr. Mitz served as our senior
17
vice president of marketing.
Previously, Mr. Mitz was employed by NER Auction Systems Inc. (NER), an automotive auction company, from 1981 until its acquisition by us in 1995. At
NER, Mr. Mitz held numerous positions, most recently as Vice President of Sales and Operations for NERs New York region from 1990 to 1993 and
Vice President of Sales & Marketing from 1993 to 1995.
With over 30 years of experience
in the automotive auction industry, including 17 years with Copart, Mr. Mitzs understanding of our business, operations, and strategy enables him
to provide significant insight into our business and operations.
Thomas N. Tryforos has
been a private investor since 2005. Between May 1991 and September 2004, Mr. Tryforos was a General Partner at Prescott Investors, Inc., a private
investment firm. Mr. Tryforos also serves as a director of Credit Acceptance Corporation, a publicly-traded indirect auto finance company. Mr. Tryforos
received a B.A. from Columbia College in 1981. He received an MBA in accounting and finance from Columbia Business School in 1984.
Mr. Tryforos significant
experience in investing and financial matters enables him to provide insight and be a valuable resource to our board of directors and our company with
respect to investment and financial matters.
There are no family relationships
among any of our directors or executive officers, except that A. Jayson Adair is the son-in-law of Willis J. Johnson.
Required Vote
The eight director nominees
receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, will be
elected as directors at the annual meeting.
Recommendation of our Board of
Directors
Our board of directors
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of the eight nominees listed above.
* * * * *
18
ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
This year we are asking our
stockholders to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers identified in the Fiscal Year 2012 Summary
Compensation Table in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act. Section
14A was added to the Exchange Act by Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The advisory vote
on the approval of executive compensation is a non-binding vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative
disclosure, set forth in this proxy statement. The Dodd-Frank Act requires us to hold the advisory vote on the approval of execution compensation at
least once every three years.
At our 2011 annual meeting of
shareholders, we provided our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as
disclosed in the proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, and our shareholders overwhelmingly approved the proposal, with more than
98% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal to approve the executive compensation of our named executive officers. At our 2011 annual meeting of
shareholders, we also asked our shareholders to indicate if we should hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers
every one, two, or three years, with our board of directors recommending an annual advisory vote. Because our board of directors views it as a good
corporate governance practice, and because more than 92% of the votes cast were in favor of an annual advisory vote, we are again asking our
stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.
Compensation Program and Philosophy
Our executive compensation
program is designed to:
|
|
to attract and retain talented and experienced
executives; |
|
|
to motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and
performance are critical to our success; and |
|
|
to incentivize our executives to manage our business to meet our
long-term objectives and the long-term objectives of our stockholders. |
Under this program, our named
executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific short-term and long-term goals that enhance stockholder value. Stockholders are urged
to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, which describes our executive compensation program and contains
information about the fiscal 2012 compensation of our named executive officers. Our compensation committee and our board of directors believe that our
compensation design and practices are effective in implementing our executive compensation goals.
We are asking our stockholders to
indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by voting in favor of the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, that the
stockholders approve, on an advisory basis in a non-binding vote, the compensation of Copart, Inc.s named executive officers as disclosed
pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables
and narrative disclosures set forth in the proxy statement relating to Coparts 2012 annual meeting of stockholders.
19
Required Vote
The affirmative FOR
votes must exceed the votes cast AGAINST to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation awarded to our named executive officers for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2012. You may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN on this proposal. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are not counted as votes FOR or AGAINST this proposal.
Even though this say-on-pay vote
is advisory and, therefore, will not be binding on us, our compensation committee and our board of directors value the opinions of our stockholders.
Accordingly, to the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of our named executive officers, we will consider our
stockholders concerns, and our compensation committee will evaluate what actions may be necessary or appropriate to address those
concerns.
Recommendation of our Board of
Directors
Our board of directors
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy
statement.
* * * * *
20
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General
Our audit committee has appointed
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the current fiscal year
ending July 31, 2013. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a
statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. Our audit committee is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to the
stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.
In the event our stockholders
fail to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, our audit committee will reconsider its selection. Even if the selection of the independent
registered public accounting firm is ratified by our stockholders, our audit committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different
independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it feels that such a change would be in the best interests of the company
and our stockholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative FOR
votes must exceed the votes cast AGAINST to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation awarded to our named executive officers for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2013. You may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN on this proposal. Abstentions are not
counted as votes FOR or AGAINST this proposal.
Recommendation of our Board of
Directors
Our board of directors
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2013.
Auditor Fees and Services
The following table sets forth
the aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements by our independent registered
public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, for fiscal years ended July 31, 2012 and 2011. The table also includes fees billed for audit services,
audit-related services, tax services and all other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal years ended July 31, 2012 and
2011:
Nature of Service
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2012
|
|
Fiscal Year 2011
|
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,534,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,538,500 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees(2) |
|
|
|
$ |
13,200 |
|
|
$ |
26,500 |
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
|
|
|
$ |
167,800 |
|
|
$ |
175,100 |
|
All Other
Fees(4) |
|
|
|
$ |
2,300 |
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
Total Fees
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,717,600 |
|
|
$ |
1,742,100 |
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services
rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and review of our interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly
reports and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
21
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and
related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and that are not
reported under Audit Fees. These services include employee benefit plan audits, accounting consultations in connection with acquisitions,
attest services that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. |
(3) |
|
Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state, and international tax compliance, tax audit
defense, customs and duties, mergers and acquisitions, and international tax planning. |
(4) |
|
Consists of fees for products and services other than the
services reported above. |
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and
Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our audit committees policy
is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (or subsequently approving
audit and permitted non-audit services in those circumstances where a subsequent approval is necessary and permissible). These services may include
audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year. Our independent
registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to our audit committee regarding the extent of services provided
by our independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval. Our audit committee may also pre-approve particular services
on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the charter of our audit committee provides that our audit committee may delegate to one or more designated
members the authority to pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services, provided such pre-approval decision is presented to our audit committee
at its scheduled meetings.
Report of the Audit Committee
The audit committee of
Coparts board of directors consists of Messrs. Cohan, Englander and Blunt. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed with management and
Ernst & Young LLP Coparts audited consolidated financial statements and financial reporting processes. Coparts management has the
primary responsibility for Coparts financial statements and financial reporting processes, including the system of internal controls. Ernst &
Young LLP, Coparts current independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of Coparts
consolidated financial statements and for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting
principles. The audit committee reviews and monitors these processes and receives reports from Ernst & Young LLP and management. The audit
committee also discusses with Ernst & Young LLP the overall scope and plans of their audits, their evaluation of our internal controls, and the
overall quality of Coparts financial reporting processes.
In accordance with the statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Rule 3200T, the audit committee had discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm
regarding the acceptability and the quality of the accounting principles used in the reports. These discussions included the clarity of the disclosures
made therein, the underlying estimates and assumptions used in the financial reporting, and the reasonableness of the significant judgments and
management decisions made in developing the financial statements. In addition, the audit committee has discussed with the independent registered public
accounting firm their independence from Copart and its management and the independent registered public accounting firm provided the written
disclosures and the letter required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning
Independence and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent registered public accounting firms
independence.
On an annual basis, the audit
committee obtains from the independent registered public accounting firm a written communication delineating all their relationships and professional
services as required by The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning
Independence. In addition, the audit committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm the nature and scope of any
disclosed relationships or professional services and took, or recommended that Coparts
22
board of directors take,
appropriate action to ensure the continuing independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.
Based upon the reviews,
discussions and considerations referred to above, the audit committee has recommended to the board of directors that Coparts audited consolidated
financial statements be included in Coparts Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2012, and that Ernst & Young LLP be appointed as the
independent registered public accounting firm for Copart for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2013.
|
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted by: |
|
|
|
|
|
The audit committee of the board of directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Steven D. Cohan (chairman) Daniel J. Englander Matt Blunt |
The preceding report of the
audit committee shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C
(17 CFR 240.14a-1 through 240.14b-2 or 240.14c-1 through 240.14c-101), other than as provided in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities
of section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), except to the extent we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material
or specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Such information will not be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by
reference.
23
Our executive officers and their ages as of October 9, 2012
were as follows:
Name
|
|
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Willis J.
Johnson |
|
|
|
65 |
|
Chairman of the Board |
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
42 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
49 |
|
President |
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
56 |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Paul A. Styer
|
|
|
|
56 |
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Robert H.
Vannuccini |
|
|
|
46 |
|
Senior Vice President, Sales |
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
53 |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Thomas E.
Wylie |
|
|
|
61 |
|
Senior Vice President, Human Resources |
Vincent J.
Phillips |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer |
Matthew M.
Burgener |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Senior Vice President, Marketing |
Anthony F.
Cristello |
|
|
|
43 |
|
Senior Vice President, Business Development |
Simon E. Rote
|
|
|
|
40 |
|
Vice President, Finance |
Willis J. Johnson, founder of Copart, has, since
January 2004, served as chairman of our board of directors. From 1982 until February 2010, Mr. Johnson served as our chief executive officer and from
1986 until 1995, he also served as our president. Mr. Johnson was an officer and director of U-Pull-It, Inc. (UPI), a self-service auto dismantler,
which he co-founded, from 1982 through September 1994. Mr. Johnson sold his entire interest in UPI in September 1994.
A. Jayson Adair has served as our chief executive
officer since February 2010. From November 1996 to February 2010, Mr. Adair served as our president. From 1995 until 1996, Mr. Adair served as our
executive vice president. From 1990 until 1995, Mr. Adair served as our vice president of sales and operations, and from 1989 to 1990, Mr. Adair served
as our manager of operations.
Vincent W. Mitz has served as our president since
February 2010. From August 2007 to February 2010, Mr. Mitz served as our executive vice president. From May 1995 until July 2007, Mr. Mitz served as
our senior vice president of marketing. Previously, Mr. Mitz was employed by NER Auction Systems Inc. (NER), an automotive auction company, from 1981
until its acquisition by Copart in 1995. At NER, Mr. Mitz held numerous positions, most recently as Vice President of Sales and Operations for
NERs New York region from 1990 to 1993 and Vice President of Sales & Marketing from 1993 to 1995.
William E. Franklin has served as our senior vice
president and chief financial officer since March 2004. Mr. Franklin has over 20 years of international finance and executive management experience.
From October 2001 to March 2004, Mr. Franklin served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ptek Holdings, Inc., an international telecommunications
company. Prior to that he was the President and CEO of Clifford Electronics, an international consumer electronics company. Mr. Franklin received a
Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from
California State University, Bakersfield. Mr. Franklin is a certified public accountant.
Paul A. Styer has served as our general counsel
since September 1992, our corporate secretary since October 1993, and our senior vice president since April 1995. From September 1992 until April 1995,
Mr. Styer served as our vice president. Mr. Styer served as one of our directors from September 1992 until October 1993. From August 1990 to September
1992, Mr. Styer conducted an independent law practice. Mr. Styer received a B.A. from the University of California, Davis and a J.D. from the
University of the Pacific. Mr. Styer is a member of the State Bar of California.
Robert H. Vannuccini has served as our senior vice
president, sales since July 2007. From 1999 to 2007, Mr. Vannuccini served as our vice president of national accounts. From 1995 to 1999, Mr.
Vannuccini served as our Midwest Regional Account Manager. Prior to that, Mr. Vannuccini was employed by NER as the Midwest
24
Regional Account Manager from 1994 until its
acquisition by Copart in 1995. Prior to his experience at NER, Mr. Vannuccini was an Assistant Vice President with Fleet Financial Group, a
northeastern bank that was acquired by Bank of America, N.A. in 2004, from 1991 to 1994. Mr. Vannuccini received his Bachelor of Business
Administration degree in Banking and Finance from Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York in 1988.
Russell D. Lowy has served as our senior vice
president and chief operating officer since July 2007. From July 2002 to July 2007, Mr. Lowy served as our senior vice president of operations. Mr.
Lowy served as our vice president of operations, eastern division from December 1999 to July 2002. From December 1998 to December 1999, Mr. Lowy served
as our director of training and auditing. Mr. Lowy served as our assistant vice president of operations from 1996 to 1997, regional manager of northern
California from 1995 to 1996, and marketing manager from 1993 to 1994. Prior to joining us, Mr. Lowy spent nine years with ADP Claims Solutions
Group, a provider of computing services to automobile dealers. Mr. Lowy received a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University,
Chico in 1982.
Thomas E. Wylie has served as our senior vice
president, human resources since November 2003. Mr. Wylie has over 25 years of human resources and organizational change management experience. From
January 2001 to November 2003 he served as Vice President, Human Resources, Systems and Administration for the California Division of Kaiser
Permanente, a health care organization headquartered in Oakland, California. Prior to that he was the Vice President of Human Resources for Global
Business Services, a division of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), a diversified technology and manufacturing company, in Morristown, New
Jersey. He held several other positions with Honeywell starting in 1979. Mr. Wylie received a Bachelors degree from Hamline University in St.
Paul, Minnesota.
Vincent J. Phillips has served as our senior vice
president and chief information officer since April 2010. Prior thereto in 2009, Mr. Phillips was Vice President of Product Development of Charles
River Development, a provider of technology systems and services to the financial industry. From 1989 to 2008, Mr. Phillips was employed by The Charles
Schwab Corporation, an online trading and investing company, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Cybertrader, Inc. Mr. Phillips
received a Bachelors degree from the University of California, San Diego.
Matthew M. Burgener has served as our senior vice
president, marketing since July 2011. Mr. Burgener has over 12 years of digital marketing and ecommerce experience. From 2008 to July 2011, he was
Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing at Bank of America, N.A., and from 2006 to 2007, Mr. Burgener was the Vice President, eCommerce Sales and
Fulfillment at Bank of America, N.A. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Burgener was the Senior Marketing Manager for LendingTree, LLC, an online home mortgage
marketplace. Mr. Burgener received a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Virginias Darden School of Business
and a Bachelors degree from Colby College.
Anthony F. Cristello has served as our senior vice
president, business development since March 2012. From January 2010 to February 2012, Mr. Cristello served as Managing Director-Head of Consumer
Research Group at BB&T Capital Markets (BBT), a part of BB&T Corporation, publicly traded financial services holding company. From April
2005 to December 2009, Mr. Cristello served as Senior Vice President, Equity Analyst at BBT and from November 2000 through April 2005, he served
as Vice President, Equity Analyst at BBT. Mr. Cristello received a Bachelors degree from Virginia Commonwealth
University.
Simon E. Rote has served as our vice president of
finance since March 2003. Prior thereto, Mr. Rote served as our controller from December 1998 to March 2003, and as our assistant controller from
December 1997 to December 1998. Mr. Rote was an auditor with KPMG LLP, an auditing and tax advisory firm, from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Rote received a B.S.
in Accounting from St. Marys College in 1994.
Our executive officers are
elected by our board of directors and serve at the discretion of our board. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive
officers, except that A. Jayson Adair is the son-in-law of Willis J. Johnson.
25
Forward-Looking Statements
This proxy statement,
including the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth below, contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements are based on our current expectations
and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements may include statements regarding actions to be taken by us in the future. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements should be evaluated together
with the many uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the section on forward-looking statements and in the risk factors
in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 and in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on
Form 8-K as filed with the SEC.
Compensation Discussion and
Analysis
Overview of Executive
Compensation Programs
This section of our proxy
statement provides an overview of our executive compensation programs, the material decisions we have made with respect to each element of our
executive compensation program, and the material factors we considered when making those decisions. Following this discussion, you will find further
information in the executive compensation tables about the compensation earned by or paid to each of our named executive officers,
including details of fiscal 2012 compensation of our named executive officers in the Fiscal Year 2012 Summary Compensation Table. Currently, we have
twelve executive officers, five of which are our named executive officers. For fiscal 2012, our named executive officers consist of (i) our chief
executive officer, (ii) our chief financial officer, and (iii) our three most highly compensated executive officers other than our chief executive
officer and chief financial officer, each of whom was serving as an executive officer on July 31, 2012, the end of our 2012 fiscal year. For fiscal
2012, our named executive officers were A. Jayson Adair, our chief executive officer; William E. Franklin, our chief financial officer; Vincent W.
Mitz, our president; Robert H. Vannuccini, our senior vice president, sales; and Russell D. Lowy, our senior vice president and chief operating
officer.
Role of Our Compensation
Committee
The compensation committee of our
board of directors administers our executive compensation programs. The compensation committee seeks to ensure that the total compensation paid to our
executive officers is fair and reasonable, and serves the best interests of Copart and our stockholders. In carrying out its responsibilities, the
committee:
|
|
participates in the continuing development of, and reviews and
approves changes in, our compensation policies; |
|
|
reviews and approves each element of executive compensation,
taking into consideration management recommendations; and |
|
|
administers our equity incentive plans, for which it retains
authority to approve grants of awards to any of our executive officers. |
Our compensation committee
consisted of Messrs. Cohan, Englander and Thomas W. Smith from August 1, 2011 until December 14, 2011 and Messrs. Cohan and Englander from December 14,
2011 through the end of fiscal 2012. Our board of directors has determined that each of the foregoing members of the compensation committee were or are
an independent director under NASDAQ rules, an outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and a
non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
26
Our compensation committee
operates according to a charter that details its specific duties and responsibilities. A copy of the charter is available in the Investor Relations
section of our corporate website at http://www.copart.com/c2/pdf/compensation_cc.pdf.
Role of Management in Compensation
Process
Our chief executive officer,
president, chief financial officer, and senior vice president of human resources support our compensation committees work by providing our
compensation committee with information related to our financial plans, performance assessments of our executive officers, and other personnel-related
data.
Each executive officer
participates in our annual goal-setting and performance measurement process applicable to all employees. As part of this annual process, each executive
officer proposes qualitative, individual goals and objectives for the coming fiscal year that are intended to promote continuing organizational and
process improvements and contribute to our financial strength. These proposed goals are then reviewed with each executive officer, and are subsequently
approved following that review, by our chief executive officer and our president. Our compensation committee does not participate in the setting of
qualitative goals and objectives for our executive officers. Each officers goals are specifically tailored to his or her function and may vary
from year to year. Our chief executive officer, as the person to whom our other officers directly report, is responsible for evaluating individual
officers contributions to corporate objectives as well as their performance relative to individual objectives. Assessment of individual
performance may include objective criteria, such as the execution of projects in a timely manner, but is largely subjective.
Following the end of each fiscal
year and after the completion of the performance measurement process described above, our chairman and chief executive officer make recommendations to
our compensation committee with respect to all elements of compensation for each of our executive officers other than themselves. Our compensation
committee then discusses these recommendations, first with the chairman and chief executive officer present and then in executive session without
members of management present. Members of management do not participate in final determinations of their own compensation. Our compensation committee
is solely responsible for the final approval of all forms of executive compensation and, while the committee considers the recommendations of
management, it does not always follow those recommendations.
Our compensation committee has
the authority under its charter to engage the services of outside advisors for assistance. Our compensation committee has neither relied on nor has it
retained outside advisors for purposes of making determinations with respect to executive compensation.
Compensation Philosophy and Program
Design
The principal objectives of our
compensation and benefits programs for executive officers are to:
|
|
attract and retain senior executive management; |
|
|
motivate their performance toward corporate objectives;
and |
|
|
align their long-term interests with those of our
stockholders. |
Our compensation committee
believes that maintaining and improving the quality and skills of our management team and appropriately providing incentives for their performance are
critical factors that will affect the long-term value realized by our stockholders.
As further described below,
compensation for our executive officers has historically consisted of four main elements: base salary, cash bonus, equity-based incentive awards, and
benefits and perquisites. Other than with respect to Mr. Adair, whose equity compensation program is described below, our compensation committee has
not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between cash and equity compensation or among different forms of
non-equity compensation for our executive officers. Our compensation committee believes that a substantial portion of an executive officers
compensation should be performance-based, whether in the form of cash bonus or equity compensation. We consider performance-based
compensation to be the portion of an executives total compensation that is determined based on the executives individual
contribution
27
to our strategic goals and
operating results, as in the case of discretionary cash bonuses and equity awarded in recognition of individual performance. As discussed below, Mr.
Adairs compensation program is entirely performance based as his ability to realize any material compensation from us during the five year period
from April 2009 to April 2014 depends on the price performance of our common stock. Our other executive officers also participate in our equity
compensation programs, and we have historically paid discretionary cash bonuses based principally on the recommendation of our chief executive officer
and largely subjective reviews by our compensation committee of corporate and individual performance.
Historically, we have not
determined our compensation levels based on specific peer company benchmarks or analyses prepared by outside compensation consultants. Rather, our
compensation committee has based its determinations on the committees collective assessment of quantitative as well as subjective factors
relating to corporate and individual performance and on the committees experience and view of appropriate levels of compensation in light of our
size and operating budgets, the historically increasing scope of our operations, including its increased geographic scope, and the responsibilities and
performance of the individual officer.
Our compensation committee
traditionally makes its determinations concerning base salary, cash bonuses and additional equity incentive awards annually after the end of each
fiscal year, based on a review of our financial performance during the prior fiscal year as measured against the operating plan approved by the board
of directors for the applicable fiscal year, each individual officers contribution toward that performance, and the recommendations of our
chairman and chief executive officer. Although the committee has historically not identified specific financial performance targets, its annual
analysis has focused on quantitative factors such as trends in our revenues and earnings per share. Our compensation committee does not take a
formulaic approach to setting compensation for our executive officers but does consider whether we have met or exceeded our operating plan for a
particular fiscal year when making its determinations of appropriate levels of compensation for our executive officers. The committee also reviews
subjective factors such as the growth in the scope of our operations, our performance in effectively integrating acquisitions, and our performance in
implementing key corporate strategic initiatives.
Our compensation committee
believes that our historic levels of executive compensation have been reasonable and appropriate in light of the size of our business, both financially
and operationally, the substantial contribution of our long-tenured executive team in contributing to our historical growth, and the need to retain our
key executive officers who have substantial levels of industry and Copart-specific experience. With the exception of our chief financial officer, each
of our named executive officers has been employed with us for over a decade and with either us or a company we acquired for tenures ranging from 19 to
over 30 years.
2011 Advisory Stockholder Vote on Executive
Compensation
We value the opinions of our
stockholders, and, as noted above, our compensation committee considers whether our executive compensation serves the best interests of our
stockholders. In that respect, as part of its ongoing review of our executive compensation, the compensation committee considered the results of our
2011 say-on-pay vote. At our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, more than 98% of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal were in favor of the
executive compensation of our named executive officers described in last years proxy statement. In light of this strong stockholder support, our
compensation committee affirmed our general principles and objectives relating to executive compensation and continues to apply such principles and
objectives to our executive compensation program.
Compensation of Mr. Adair
In 2008, Willis J. Johnson, then
our chairman and chief executive officer, and Mr. Adair, then our president, presented our compensation committee with a proposal for a compensation
arrangement in which they would forego all salary and bonus compensation other than $1.00 per year in exchange for a sizable stock option grant. In
addition, they would agree to forego any additional equity incentives until the options were fully vested. Our compensation committee believed the
proposal demonstrated an extraordinary senior management commitment to us and our stockholders and offered strong evidence of managements
conviction concerning our strategy and prospects.
28
Over the course of the next
several months, members of our compensation committee, individually among themselves and in periodic meetings, further discussed managements
proposal concerning equity in lieu of cash and other equity compensation. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adair participated in several, but not all, of these
discussions. Among the factors discussed and considered by our compensation committee in making its final determination were the
following:
|
|
the extent to which the proposal achieved our compensation
committees objective of aligning management interests with stockholder interests; |
|
|
the accounting implications and associated non-cash compensation
expense of the equity proposal as compared to the cash and non-cash compensation expense that would result from continuing current compensation
arrangements; |
|
|
the impact of the equity proposal on our cash position relative
to the anticipated impact of continuing current compensation arrangements; and |
|
|
the terms and conditions of the equity incentive, including
whether it consisted of stock options or restricted stock and the vesting terms and conditions of the proposed equity issuance. |
Following extensive analysis and
discussions among our compensation committee member, our compensation committee met and approved a stock option in lieu of cash or additional equity
compensation program on March 4, 2009. Specifically, subject to stockholder approval, our compensation committee and board of directors, excluding Mr.
Johnson and Mr. Adair, approved the grant of a non-qualified stock option to each of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adair on the following terms:
Number of
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Subject to
Option |
|
|
|
4,000,000 (1) shares of our common stock for each of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adair. |
|
Exercise
Price |
|
|
|
Equal
to the closing price of our common stock in trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant. |
|
Vesting
|
|
|
|
20%
of the shares become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant; the balance of the shares become exercisable on a monthly basis over 48
months at the rate of 66,666 shares per month. |
|
Vesting
Acceleration Triggers |
|
|
|
Upon
a termination of the officers employment by us without cause (as defined) before or following a change in control or resignation for good reason
(as defined) following a change in control, the option would become fully vested. |
|
Option
Term |
|
|
|
10
years; provided that in the event of a voluntary termination (other than for good reason following a change-in-control) or involuntary termination for
cause at any time, to the extent vested, within twelve (12) months of the date of termination. |
(1) |
|
Throughout this proxy statement all share and per share amounts
have been adjusted as appropriate to reflect our two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend, which was distributed after close of
trading on March 28, 2012 to stockholders of record as of March 23, 2012. |
On April 14, 2009, our
stockholders (with Messrs. Johnson and Adair abstaining from the vote) approved the equity grants for our chief executive officer and president
described above, and each was granted an option to purchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock on the terms and conditions set forth above with an
exercise price of $15.11 per share, which equaled the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. As a result, Messrs. Johnson and
Adair are not eligible to be considered for any additional compensation other than their salaries of $1.00 per year and appropriate benefits and
perquisites during the five-year vesting term of the stock options.
29
Principal Components of Executive
Compensation
The following discussion outlines
the principal elements of executive compensation for our named executive officers other than Mr. Adair.
Base
Salary
We pay an annual base salary to
each of our executive officers (other than Messrs. Johnson and Adair) in order to provide them with a fixed rate of cash compensation during the year.
Base salary for our executive officers reflects the scope of their respective responsibilities, seniority, and competitive market factors. Salary
adjustments are determined by our compensation committee, generally following its review of recommendations from the chairman and chief executive
officer. Any adjustments are made following consideration of competitive factors, our overall financial results, our budget requirements and the
committees assessment of individual performance.
2012 Base Salary. In
October 2011, our compensation committee met to review base salaries for the named executive officers and approved base salaries for our named
executive officers for fiscal 2012. At that meeting, the committee determined that it would not adjust current base salaries for fiscal 2012 given the
committees belief that existing base salaries remained competitive and appropriate. Moreover, the committee believes that each named executive
officers agreement to relocate to Texas with Copart evidenced their commitment and lack of retention issues. The committee also noted that we
were offering favorable relocation benefits in connection with the move, including a home purchase program for executive officers.
2013 Base Salary. Our
compensation committee met again in October 2012, in part to consider executive officer base salaries for fiscal 2013. At that meeting, the committee
determined that it would increase base salaries because of the increased responsibilities with respect to international operations and increased unit
volume in North America. The base salary increases were made retroactive to September 28, 2012. The compensation committee did not increase the base
salary of Mr. Mitz as it determined the overall compensation package provided to him was competitive. The compensation committee did not rely on any
formal compensation survey data in making its assessment.
The following table presents base
salary information for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2012 and 2013:
Named Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
2012 Base Salary
|
|
2013 Base Salary
|
|
Change
|
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
|
|
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
$ |
310,000 |
|
|
$ |
325,000 |
|
|
4.8% |
Robert H.
Vannuccini |
|
|
|
$ |
260,000 |
|
|
$ |
275,000 |
|
|
5.8% |
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
$ |
275,000 |
|
|
$ |
290,000 |
|
|
5.5% |
Discretionary Cash
Bonuses
Our annual discretionary cash
bonus program for our officers and other employees is designed to reward performance that has furthered key corporate objectives, including financial
objectives and those based on individual contributions to strategic initiatives.
We did not adopt a formal bonus
plan for or during fiscal 2012 and do not expect to adopt any formal program for fiscal 2013. As a result, for fiscal 2012, our bonus program consisted
of discretionary bonuses as determined by our compensation committee. In October 2012, as part of its annual review of executive compensation, our
compensation committee met to consider cash bonus awards for our named executive officers.
We believe the use of a
discretionary bonus program provides our compensation committee with the flexibility needed to address pay-for-performance as well as recruiting and
retention goals. The amount of a discretionary bonus, if any, to be awarded to an executive officer is based on our compensation committees
review of individual and corporate performance and the recommendations of our chief executive officer.
30
In determining 2012 cash bonus
awards for our named executive officers (other than Mr. Adair), our compensation committee considered individual contributions to corporate financial
and business performance during fiscal 2012, including our operating results, expense management initiatives, and corporate business development
projects. For the benefit of the committee, Mr. Adair reviewed each individual officers performance relative to the categories, with specific
discussion of how individual functional areas contributed to the larger corporate strategic objectives. Mr. Mitzs performance was principally
evaluated by our compensation committee with respect to objectives relating to development of our strategic goals and performance objectives for our
executive officers as well as his role in reducing expenses and developing the Companys programs to increase revenues across all areas of our
business. Mr. Franklins performance was principally evaluated with respect to objectives relating to the development of associates in our
corporate finance function, financial reporting to the board, audit committee, and expense management. Mr. Vannuccinis performance was evaluated
with respect to revenue growth. Mr. Lowys performance was evaluated largely with respect to factors relating to facility condition, management of
new accounts, and cost control at our facility level and per car detail, as well as his ability to reduce expenses of our field operations and
administer and manage the field operations budget. The compensation committee determined that the increase in bonus amounts from fiscal 2011 were
appropriate in light of recommendations made by the chief executive officer with respect to reviews of the individual performance of each named
executive officer, increased responsibilities of each named executive officer with respect to international operations and unit volume in North America
and the lack of equity grants for fiscal 2012.
Based on its review of these
factors with our chief executive officer the compensation committee approved the following cash bonuses for our named executive
officers:
Named Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2012 Cash Bonus Amount
|
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
|
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
$600,000 |
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
$316,778 |
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
$280,540 |
Robert H.
Vannuccini |
|
|
|
$370,506 |
Equity-Based
Incentives
We grant equity-based incentives
to certain employees, including our executive officers, in order to foster a corporate culture that aligns employee interests with stockholder
interests. Our equity incentive plans have provided the principal method for our executive officers to acquire an equity position in our company.
Following approval by the stockholders of the option grant to Mr. Adair, our compensation committee deemed him ineligible to be awarded any additional
equity compensation for the five year period ending on April 14, 2014.
While we have not adopted any
specific stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers or directors, our executive officers and directors do own a substantial portion of our
common stock. As part of our insider trading policy we prohibit any member of the board of directors, officer, employee, consultant or other person
associated with us from trading in any interest or position relating to the future price of our securities, such as a put, call or short sale, or using
our stock as collateral for margin loans.
Only our compensation committee
is authorized to grant awards to our executive officers under our equity incentive plans. With respect to executive officers, our practice has been to
grant options to executive officers on an annual basis as part of the annual review process immediately after the end of each fiscal year, although we
have not always granted annual option awards to our executive officers. Generally, in making its determination concerning additional option grants, our
compensation committee considers individual performance, competitive factors, the individuals current level of compensation and equity
participation, and the recommendations of our chairman and chief executive officer.
To date, our equity incentive
awards to executive officers have been granted primarily with time-based vesting. Our option grants typically vest over a five-year period with 20% of
the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the remaining
four years. Although our practice in recent years has been to provide equity incentives to executives in the form of stock option
31
grants that vest over time,
our compensation committee may in the future consider alternative forms of equity grants, such as performance shares, restricted stock units,
restricted stock awards or other forms of equity grants as allowed under our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, with vesting of awards based on the
achievement of performance milestones or financial metrics.
Generally, our compensation
committee considers, and, if it determines appropriate, approves option grants for our executive officers following the end of each fiscal year. Our
compensation committee determines the size of these grants based on a number of subjective factors, including the individual executive officers
contribution to our performance in the prior fiscal year, and less subjective factors such as the relative vested versus unvested equity position of
the individual executive.
In October 2012, as part of its
annual review of executive compensation, our compensation committee determined that our named executive officers would not be granted stock options
because of the option grants (including the amount thereof) made in fiscal 2011 and the relative vested versus unvested equity incentive positions of
each of the named executive officers.
Benefits and
Perquisites
We provide the following benefits
to our named executive officers, including Mr. Adair, generally on the same basis provided to our other employees: health, dental and vision insurance,
medical and dependent care flexible spending account, short- and long-term disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and a
401(k) plan. We match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan at a rate of 20% of the first 15% of earnings per employee, up to a maximum of $3,300
for fiscal 2012.
During a portion of fiscal 2012,
we provided our chairman and chief executive officer with limited ability to use our corporate aircraft for personal purposes. Our compensation
committee authorized Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adair to use the aircraft for personal purposes for up to a total of 75 flight hours per fiscal year, to be
allocated between them as they deem appropriate. Hours not used during a fiscal year were to be carried over to the next fiscal year. Flight hours in
excess of these amounts required the additional approval of our compensation committee. We valued this benefit for compensation purposes on an annual
basis pursuant to guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Service, and Mr. Johnson and Mr. Adair remained responsible for all taxes resulting
from any deemed income arising from this benefit. On April 3, 2012 and July 25, 2012, respectively, we sold our corporate aircraft to third parties in
arms-length transactions and, therefore, we no longer provide this benefit to Mssrs. Johnson and Adair. However, we continue to provide Mr. Adair and
Mr. Mitz with company-owned automobiles that may be used for personal purposes and Mr. Franklin, Mr. Lowy, and Mr. Vannuccini with a monthly automobile
expense allowance.
Please see the column entitled
All Other Compensation in the summary compensation table set forth in this proxy statement for the amounts attributable to each named
executive officer with respect to benefits and perquisites.
Other Considerations:
Post-Employment
Obligations
Each of our executives is an
at will employee, and we are not party to written employment agreements with our named executive officers, other than with Mr. Franklin,
our chief financial officer, whose agreement provides, under certain circumstances, for certain payments upon involuntary termination of employment or
resignation for good reason (as defined in the agreement). In addition, we have entered into similar agreements with Thomas Wylie, our
senior vice president of human resources, Vincent Phillips, our senior vice president of information technology, and Matthew Burgener, our senior vice
president of marketing. Our compensation committee believes the terms of these agreements are fair and reasonable and are in our best interests and in
the best interests of our stockholders. For a description of the material terms of these agreements, please see Employment Contracts and
Severance Arrangements with Executive Officers in the section entitled Potential Post-Employment Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control included in this proxy statement.
32
Tax Deductibility of
Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Code limits
the tax deductibility of non-performance based compensation paid to our chief executive officer and to each of our four most highly compensated
officers to $1 million per person, unless certain exemption requirements are satisfied. Exemptions to this deductibility limit may be made for various
forms of performance-based compensation that are approved by our stockholders. Because our equity incentive plans have been approved by our
stockholders, awards under these plans in excess of $1 million should generally be deductible pursuant to section 162(m), provided the requirements of
section 162(m) are satisfied.
Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code
Section 409A imposes additional
significant taxes in the event an executive officer, director or other service provider for the company receives deferred compensation that
does not satisfy the requirements of section 409A. Although we do not maintain a traditional deferred compensation plan, section 409A may apply to
certain severance arrangements and equity awards. Consequently, to assist the affected employee in avoiding additional tax and penalties under section
409A, we developed the severance arrangements described above in Post-Employment Obligations to either avoid the application of section
409A or, to the extent doing so is not possible, comply with the applicable section 409A requirements.
Equity Grant
Practices
In June 2007, our compensation
committee and board of directors adopted a policy with respect to the grant of stock options and other equity incentive awards. Among other provisions,
the policy generally prohibits the grant of stock option or other equity awards to executive officers during closed quarterly trading windows (as
determined in accordance with our insider trading policy). In addition, the equity grant policy requires that all equity awards made to executive
officers be approved at meetings of our compensation committee rather than by written consent of the committee.
33
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
The compensation committee has
reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement immediately above. Based on this
review and discussion, the compensation committee has recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included
in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012.
|
|
|
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE Daniel J. Englander (chairman) Steven D. Cohan |
The preceding report of the
audit committee shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C
(17 CFR 240.14a-1 through 240.14b-2 or 240.14c-1 through 240.14c-101), other than as provided in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities
of section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), except to the extent we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material
or specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Such information will not be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by
reference.
34
Fiscal Year 2012 Summary Compensation
Table
The following table sets forth
information regarding all of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to (i) our chief executive officer, (ii) our chief financial officer, and
(iii) the three most highly compensated executive officers other than our chief executive officer and chief financial officer serving as executive
officers as of July 31, 2012, the end of our 2012 fiscal year. We refer to these officers as the named executive officers.
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Bonus ($)(1)
|
|
Option Awards ($)(2)
|
|
All Other Compen- sation ($)(3)
|
|
Total ($)
|
A. Jayson Adair
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
1 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,800 |
(5) |
|
|
10,801 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
1 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,018 |
|
|
|
71,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
1 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,897 |
|
|
|
49,898 |
|
|
Vincent W. Mitz
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
650,000 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,400 |
(6) |
|
|
1,263,400 |
|
President
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
640,384 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
4,789,415 |
|
|
|
16,962 |
|
|
|
5,946,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
488,462 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
2,553,213 |
|
|
|
16,354 |
|
|
|
3,558,029 |
|
|
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
310,000 |
|
|
|
316,778 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,550 |
(7) |
|
|
637,328 |
|
Senior
Vice President and
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
308,076 |
|
|
|
319,385 |
|
|
|
1,387,286 |
(8) |
|
|
9,300 |
|
|
|
2,024,047 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
(9) |
|
|
718,215 |
|
|
|
9,300 |
|
|
|
1,227,515 |
|
|
Russell D. Lowy
|
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
280,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,416 |
(10) |
|
|
563,956 |
|
Senior
Vice President,
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
270,192 |
|
|
|
207,551 |
|
|
|
1,393,780 |
|
|
|
6,841 |
|
|
|
1,878,364 |
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
718,215 |
|
|
|
6,720 |
|
|
|
1,174,935 |
|
|
Robert H.
Vannuccini* |
|
|
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
260,000 |
|
|
|
370,506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,850 |
(11) |
|
|
636,356 |
|
Senior
Vice President,
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
253,269 |
|
|
|
211,962 |
|
|
|
1,684,378 |
|
|
|
172,581 |
|
|
|
2,322,190 |
|
Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Mr. Vannuccini was not a named executive officer prior to fiscal
2011 and, in accordance with SEC guidance, no compensation information is included for fiscal 2010. |
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column represent discretionary bonuses
awarded for services performed during the applicable fiscal year. Annual bonuses earned during a fiscal year are generally paid in the first quarter of
the subsequent fiscal year. |
(2) |
|
There were no equity awards granted to named executive officers
in fiscal 2012. For the number of outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of July 31, 2012, see the Outstanding Equity
Awards table in this proxy statement. Each equity award listed in this column was granted under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and will become
exercisable for the option shares in installments over the executives period of service with us. Options vest over a five-year period from the
date grant, with the first 20% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remainder vesting monthly thereafter. Each option has a
maximum term of 10 years, subject to earlier termination in the event of the executives termination of employment with us. |
(3) |
|
We pay 401(k) matching contributions, life and health insurance
and short-term disability premiums on behalf of all of our employees, including our named executive officers. The amounts shown in this column, other
than the amounts for personal use of corporate aircraft discussed below, equal the actual cost to us of the particular benefit or perquisite provided.
Amounts in this column include the cost to us of a named executive officers (i) personal use of a company-owned automobile or (ii) an automobile
expense allowance. |
(4) |
|
For the period beginning on April 14, 2009 and ending on April
14, 2014, Mr. Adair receives $1 per year in salary. |
(5) |
|
Includes $10,800 related to personal use of a company-owned
automobile. |
35
(6) |
|
Includes $2,600 for 401(k) matching contribution paid by Copart
on behalf of Mr. Mitz and $10,800 related to personal use of a company-owned automobile. |
(7) |
|
Includes $3,300 for 401(k) matching contribution paid by Copart
on behalf of Mr. Franklin and $7,250 related to an automobile allowance. |
(8) |
|
Relates to options granted on October 4, 2010 with respect to
40,000 shares, options granted in March 4, 2011 with respect to 120,000 shares, together with the incremental value of the options granted on October
15, 2010 in lieu of the cash bonus for fiscal 2010, in each case, as reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table. |
(9) |
|
Mr. Franklin declined the cash payout of this cash bonus award
and instead received an option to purchase 80,000 shares of our common stock. The 80,000 share option grant is reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based
Awards table. The grant date fair value of the option to purchase 80,000 shares of our common stock computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 was
$484,104. This amount does not reflect compensation actually received by Mr. Franklin, and there can be no assurances that the amount disclosed will
ever be realized. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Stock Compensation to our consolidated financial statements include in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31,
2010. |
(10) |
|
Includes $1,621 for 401(k) matching contribution paid by Copart
on behalf of Mr. Lowy and $6,795 related to an automobile allowance. |
(11) |
|
Includes $5,850 related to an automobile allowance. |
For a description of the
components of our executive compensation program, including the process by which salaries and bonuses are determined, please see the section entitled
Compensation Philosophy and Program Design in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement. For a description
of our cash bonus program, please see the section entitled Discretionary Cash Bonuses in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section
of this proxy statement.
We are not a party to any written
employment agreements with any of our named executive officers, except for an employment agreement we entered into with William E. Franklin, our senior
vice president and chief financial officer, in fiscal 2004 which was subsequently amended in September 2008 to comply with section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code. For a description of the material terms of Mr. Franklins agreement with us, please see the section entitled Employment
Contracts and Severance Arrangements with Executive Officers contained in this proxy statement.
Until our corporate aircraft were
sold on April 3, 2012 and July 25, 2012, respectively, we provided our chairman and our chief executive officer limited ability to use our corporate
aircraft for personal purposes, subject to the standards and limitations described under the caption Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Benefits and Perquisites, in this proxy statement. For purposes of the summary compensation table above, consistent with SEC guidelines, we have
valued this perquisite based on the incremental cost to us. For purposes of valuing personal use of corporate aircraft, we have used a method that
takes into account (i) landing/parking/flight planning services and expenses; (ii) crew travel expenses; (iii) supplies and catering; (iv) aircraft
fuel and oil expenses; (v) maintenance, parts and external labor; (vi) customs, foreign permit and similar fees, if any; and (vii) passenger ground
transportation. Incremental cost does not include an allocable share of the fixed costs associated with our ownership of the aircraft.
36
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2012 Fiscal Year
End
The following table presents
certain information concerning equity awards held by the named executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012. As noted above,
throughout this proxy statement, including, without limitation, each of the tables herein, all share and per share amounts have been adjusted as
appropriate to reflect our two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend, which was distributed after close of trading on March 28,
2012 to all stockholders of record as of March 23, 2012.This table includes unexercised and unvested option awards. Each equity grant is shown
separately for each named executive officer.
Named Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
|
|
Option Grant Date (1)
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
|
386,667 |
|
|
|
13,333 |
|
|
|
9/28/2007 |
|
|
|
17.195 |
|
|
|
9/28/2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
153,333 |
|
|
|
46,667 |
|
|
|
9/26/2008 |
|
|
|
19.775 |
|
|
|
9/26/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,600,000 |
|
|
|
1,400,000 |
|
|
|
4/14/2009 |
|
|
|
15.105 |
|
|
|
4/14/2019 |
|
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
|
192,203 |
|
|
|
7,797 |
|
|
|
9/28/2007 |
|
|
|
17.195 |
|
|
|
9/28/2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,333 |
|
|
|
18,667 |
|
|
|
9/26/2008 |
|
|
|
19.775 |
|
|
|
9/26/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
9/25/2009 |
|
|
|
16.43 |
|
|
|
9/25/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
93,333 |
|
|
|
106,667 |
|
|
|
3/4/2010 |
|
|
|
17.32 |
|
|
|
3/4/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
10/4/2010 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
10/4/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,333 |
|
|
|
366,667 |
|
|
|
3/4/2011 |
|
|
|
20.56 |
|
|
|
3/4/2021 |
|
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
|
27,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/15/2004 |
|
|
|
9.655 |
|
|
|
3/15/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/4/2005 |
|
|
|
12.015 |
|
|
|
10/4/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,667 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
9/28/2007 |
|
|
|
17.195 |
|
|
|
9/28/2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,667 |
|
|
|
43,333 |
|
|
|
9/25/2009 |
|
|
|
16.43 |
|
|
|
9/25/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
10/4/2010 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
10/4/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
52,000 |
|
|
|
10/15/2010 |
|
|
|
17.11 |
|
|
|
10/15/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
88,000 |
|
|
|
3/4/2011 |
|
|
|
20.56 |
|
|
|
3/4/2021 |
|
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/21/2002 |
|
|
|
5.495 |
|
|
|
10/21/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8/19/2003 |
|
|
|
4.40 |
|
|
|
8/19/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/22/2004 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
1/22/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/4/2005 |
|
|
|
12.015 |
|
|
|
10/4/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,667 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
9/28/2007 |
|
|
|
17,195 |
|
|
|
9/28/2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,667 |
|
|
|
43,333 |
|
|
|
9/25/2009 |
|
|
|
16.43 |
|
|
|
9/25/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
10/4/2010 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
10/4/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,666 |
|
|
|
117,334 |
|
|
|
3/4/2011 |
|
|
|
20.56 |
|
|
|
3/4/2021 |
|
Robert H.
Vannuccini |
|
|
|
|
96,667 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
9/28/2007 |
|
|
|
17.195 |
|
|
|
9/28/2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,667 |
|
|
|
9,333 |
|
|
|
9/26/2008 |
|
|
|
19.775 |
|
|
|
9/26/2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,667 |
|
|
|
43,333 |
|
|
|
9/25/2009 |
|
|
|
16.43 |
|
|
|
9/25/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
10/4/2010 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
10/4/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,333 |
|
|
|
146,667 |
|
|
|
3/4/2011 |
|
|
|
20.56 |
|
|
|
3/4/2021 |
|
(1) |
|
All option grants vest 20% on the one-year anniversary of the
grant date and 1.67% each month thereafter, subject to the executive officers continued service to us on each such vesting date. |
37
Option Exercises in Fiscal Year 2012
The following table provides
certain information concerning stock option exercises by each of the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, including the
number of shares acquired upon exercise and the value realized, before payment of any applicable withholding tax and brokers
commissions.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1)
|
A. Jayson
Adair |
|
|
|
440,926 |
|
|
7,622,015 |
|
Vincent W.
Mitz |
|
|
|
233,334 |
|
|
3,936,739 |
|
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert H.
Vannuccini |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
895,800 |
|
(1) |
|
Represents the fair market value of underlying securities on the
date of exercise, less the exercise price. |
Pension Benefits
We did not maintain any defined
pension or defined contribution plans, other than our tax-qualified 401(k) plan, during our fiscal year ended July 31, 2012.
Potential Post-Employment Payments upon Termination or
Change in Control
Employment Contracts and
Severance Arrangements with Executive Officers
We are not a party to any written
employment agreements with any of our named executive officers, except for an employment agreement we entered into in fiscal 2004 with William E.
Franklin, our senior vice president and chief financial officer. We entered into employment agreements with Thomas Wylie, our senior vice president of
human resources, Vincent Phillips, our senior vice president of information technology, and Matthew Burgener, our senior vice president of marketing,
in fiscal years 2003, 2010, and 2011, respectively. None of these executives is a named executive officer. Each employment agreement sets forth the
base salary, bonus opportunity, benefits and the responsibilities of each position in effect at the time of execution of the agreement. In addition,
each agreement requires us to provide compensation to these officers in the event of termination of employment under certain circumstances. The
employment agreements with Messrs. Franklin and Wylie were subsequently amended in September 2008 in order to comply with section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Each employment agreement with
Messrs. Franklin, Wylie, Phillips, and Burgener provides that in the event the executives employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or
the executive resigns from his employment for good reason, such executive officer will be entitled to payment of 12 months of his
then-current base salary payable after the date of termination according to a schedule that complies with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Each employment agreement also provides that in the event the executive officers employment is terminated for any reason other than as previously
described, including by reason of death or disability or cause, then the executive shall be entitled to receive severance benefits as
provided under our then-existing severance and benefit plans and policies at the time of termination.
In each employment agreement
described above, cause means any of the following: (i) willful or grossly negligent failure to substantially perform his duties; (ii)
commission of gross misconduct which is injurious to us; (iii) breach of a material provision of the employment agreement or agreements incorporated
therein; (iv) material violation of a federal or state law or regulation applicable to our business; (v) misappropriation or embezzlement of Company
funds or an act of fraud or dishonesty upon us made by the executive; (vi) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony; or (vii)
continued failure to comply with directives of senior management.
38
In each employment agreement
described above, good reason means the executives resignation, if one or more of the following events shall have occurred (unless
such event(s) applies generally to all of our senior management): without the executives prior written consent, (i) the assignment to the
executive of any duties or the reduction of the executives duties, either of which results in a material diminution in the executives
position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such assignment, or the removal of the executive from such position and responsibilities;
(ii) a material reduction by us in his base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; or (iii) any material breach by us of any material
provision of the employment agreement.
Change in Control
Provisions
The employment agreements entered
into with Messrs. Franklin, Wylie, Phillips and Burgener do not provide for severance payments or acceleration of vesting of equity awards in the event
of a change in control. Neither our 2001 Stock Option Plan nor our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan provide for the acceleration of outstanding options or
other equity incentive awards in the event of a change in control (as defined in the plans), except in the limited circumstance where the successor
corporation does not assume our outstanding options. When a successor corporation does not assume our options in the event of an acquisition or merger,
the optionee will have the right to exercise the option or stock purchase right as to all the shares underlying the applicable options, including
shares not otherwise vested or exercisable. The right to exercise the option or stock purchase right applies to all of our employees, including our
named executive officers.
In the event of a change in
control (as defined in the plans), if the awards to be granted are not assumed by the successor corporation, our compensation committee has the
authority as administrator of the equity plan to accelerate the vesting of the awards.
Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control
None of our executive officers
has an employment or other severance agreement that provides for payment of any amount in connection with termination of employment upon a change in
control of the company, other than those payments otherwise due to Messrs. Franklin, Wylie, Phillips, and Burgener upon an involuntary termination or
resignation for good reason (as defined in the agreements described above). Please see the section above entitled Employment
Contracts and Severance Agreements with Executive Officers above for detailed descriptions of the agreements with named executive officers that
govern post-employment payments and benefits. No payments are due in the event of voluntary termination of employment or termination of employment as a
result of death or disability or for cause (as defined in the agreements described above).
Assuming the involuntary
termination of employment (including resignation for good reason) of the named executive officers took place on July 31, 2012, no named
executive officer would be entitled to receive severance payments and benefits other than those provided under our then-existing severance and benefits
plans at the time of termination, except Mr. Franklin who would be eligible to receive payments totaling $310,000, the equivalent of twelve months of
his fiscal 2012 base salary.
Equity Compensation Plan
Information
The following table provides
information as of July 31, 2012 with respect to shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and similar rights under all
of our existing equity compensation plans, including our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, our 2001 Stock Option Plan, our 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
the Copart, Inc. stand alone stock option award agreement dated April 14, 2009 (as amended on June 9, 2010) between Copart, Inc. and Willis J. Johnson
(the Johnson Option Agreement), and the Copart, Inc. stand alone stock option award agreement dated April 14, 2009 (as amended on June 9,
2010) between Copart, Inc. and A. Jayson Adair (the Adair Option Agreement). Our 2001 Stock Option Plan was terminated in 2007; our 1992
Stock Option Plan was terminated in 2001; and our 1994 Director Option Plan was terminated in August 2003. No additional grants will be made under
these plans and no options remain outstanding under our 1992 Stock Option Plan or our 1994 Director Option Plan, but options granted prior to the
termination of our 2001 Stock Option Plan remain outstanding and are subject to the terms of the applicable plan.
39
Plan Category
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights(1)
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights(1)
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in the First Column)
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
16,179,036 |
(2) |
|
$ |
16.24 |
(3) |
|
|
3,317,156 |
(4) |
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
16,179,036 |
|
|
$ |
16.24 |
|
|
|
3,317,156 |
|
(1) |
|
We are unable to ascertain with specificity the number of
securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding rights under the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or the weighted average exercise price of
outstanding rights under that plan. The 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides that shares of our common stock may be purchased at a per share
price equal to 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the beginning of the offering period or a purchase date applicable to such offering
period, whichever is lower. |
(2) |
|
Reflects the number of shares of common stock to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding options under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, the Johnson Option Agreement, and the Adair Option
Agreement. |
(3) |
|
Reflects weighted average exercise price of outstanding options
under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, the Johnson Option Agreement, and the Adair Option Agreement. |
(4) |
|
Includes securities available for future issuance under the 1994
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. No securities are available for future issuance under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, 1992
Stock Option Plan and 1994 Director Option Plan. |
40
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Audit Committee Approval
Policy
Our audit committee is
responsible for the review, approval, or ratification of related person transactions between us and related persons. Under SEC rules, a
related person is any person who is or was since the beginning of the last fiscal year a director, officer, nominee for director, or 5% stockholder of
Copart (and any of his or her immediate family members).
In October 2012, our audit
committee adopted a revised written policy with respect to related person transactions. Under the policy, any request for us to enter into a
transaction with an executive officer, director, principal stockholder, or any of their immediate family members or affiliates, in which the amount
involved exceeds $120,000 must first be presented to our audit committee for review, consideration, and approval. In approving or rejecting any such
proposal, our audit committee is to consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to the audit committee, including, but
not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or
similar circumstances and the extent of the related partys interest in the transaction.
2012 Related Person
Transactions
During fiscal 2012, we engaged in
the related person transactions described in this section, all of which were approved by our audit committee. We believe that the terms of these
transactions were no less favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Related Party
Employment
We employ Brett Adair, the
brother of A. Jayson Adair, our chief executive officer, in a non-executive position. In fiscal 2012, we paid Mr. Adair a total of $279,846.10,
consisting of $179,846.10 in base salary and $100,000 as a cash bonus for fiscal 2011, which was paid in fiscal 2012. In addition, Mr. Adair is
provided the use of a company owned vehicle. On November 30, 2011, we granted to Mr. Adair options to acquire 40,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price per share of $22.465. We also granted to Mr. Adair options to acquire 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price per share
of $20.56 on January 26, 2012.
In October 2012, our compensation
committee approved a grant to Mr. Adair of 10,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price per share of $27.39 and a cash bonus for fiscal 2012
in the amount of $50,000, which was paid to Mr. Adair in fiscal 2013.
Stock
Repurchases
Since February 2003, we have
maintained a stock repurchase program approved by our board of directors. As of October 9, 2012, the aggregate authorization under the program stood at
98.0 million shares, and we had repurchased approximately 50.3 million shares, leaving approximately 47.7 million shares available for
repurchase.
From time to time during the
course of our repurchase program, we have repurchased stock directly from our executive officers on terms approved by our audit committee. During
fiscal 2012, we purchased, as part of our on-going repurchase program, shares from certain executive officers described below:
|
|
On June 28, 2012, we acquired 2.8 million shares of our common
stock at a price of $23.22 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $65.0 million, from Willis J. Johnson, our chairman and a member of our board
of directors. The settlement date for the acquisition of the common stock was on or about June 28, 2012, and the purchase was made pursuant to our
existing stock repurchase program. The per share purchase price for the common stock to be acquired was based on the closing price of the
Companys common stock on June 28, 2012 (as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market). The repurchase was approved by the independent members
of our board of directors and our audit committee. |
41
|
|
On September 27, 2012, we acquired 500,000 shares of our common
stock at a price per share of $27.77 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $13.9 million, from Thomas W. Smith, a former member of our board of
directors, pursuant to which we acquired 500,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $27.77 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $13.9
million. The settlement date for the acquisition of the common stock was on or about September 27, 2012, and the purchase was made pursuant to our
existing stock repurchase program. The per share purchase price for the common stock to be acquired was based on the closing price of our common stock
on September 27, 2012 (as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market). The repurchase was approved by the independent members of our board of
directors and our audit committee. |
Home Relocation
Program
In connection with moving our
corporate headquarters from California to Texas, we implemented a non-compensatory relocation home purchase program for certain of our executive
officers in compliance with Internal Revenue Service Revenue Ruling 2005-74. Under the program, we entered into a binding contract with the executive
officer for the purchase of his personal residence in California based on separate appraisals of the property prepared by two licensed real estate
appraisers. In order for the appraisals to be used for purposes of entering a purchase agreement with the executive, the two appraised values could not
vary by more than five percent. Following the sale to us, the executive bore no risk with respect to future losses associated with our sale of the
property and would not benefit from any gains we may realize.
During fiscal 2012, we purchased
the following homes from our executive officers for the following prices:
Executive
|
|
|
|
Purchase Date
|
|
Purchase Price
|
William E.
Franklin |
|
|
|
August 4, 2011 |
|
$1,675,000 |
Paul A.
Styer |
|
|
|
September 7, 2011 |
|
$3,100,000 |
Russell D.
Lowy |
|
|
|
September 26, 2011 |
|
$
742,100 |
Change in Control
Agreements
We have entered into agreements
providing termination benefits to certain of our executive officers as described in the section entitled Potential Post-Employment Payments Upon
Termination or Change of Control above.
Indemnification
Agreements
We have entered into
indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws
require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
42
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of
our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and our other equity
securities. Officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file.
To our knowledge, based solely
upon review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended
July 31, 2012, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and holders of more than ten percent of our common stock
were satisfied, except that (i) the Form 3 filing by Mr. Thomas Tryforos upon becoming subject to Section 16 in June 2012, (ii) a Form 4 filing related
to the granting of options to purchase our common stock to Mr. Tryforos, and (iii) a Form 4 filing related to the granting of options to purchase our
common stock to Mr. Simon Rote were inadvertently filed late.
43
The following table sets forth
certain information known to us regarding the ownership of our common stock as of October 9, 2012 by (i) all persons known by us to be beneficial
owners of five percent or more of our common stock; (ii) each of our current directors and nominees for director; (iii) any other named executive
officers (as defined in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled Executive Compensation Summary Compensation Table); and (iv)
all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined based on SEC rules and includes certain stock options
exercisable within 60 days of October 9, 2012. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders has sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned
|
|
Percent of Total Shares Outstanding (2)
|
Named
executive officers and directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Willis J.
Johnson (3) |
|
|
|
|
14,189,272 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
A. Jayson
Adair (4) |
|
|
|
|
5,644,407 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
Robert H.
Vannuccini (5) |
|
|
|
|
285,155 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Daniel J.
Englander (6) |
|
|
|
|
457,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Vincent W.
Mitz (7) |
|
|
|
|
734,026 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven D.
Cohan (8) |
|
|
|
|
260,012 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James E.
Meeks (9) |
|
|
|
|
257,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William E.
Franklin (10) |
|
|
|
|
353,117 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Matt Blunt
(11) |
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Russell D.
Lowy (12) |
|
|
|
|
352,755 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Thomas N.
Tryforos (13) |
|
|
|
|
251,344 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) (14) |
|
|
|
|
23,586,269 |
|
|
|
17.6 |
% |
* |
|
Represents less than 1% of our outstanding common
stock. |
(1) |
|
Unless otherwise set forth, the mailing address for each of the
persons listed in this table is: c/o Copart, Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75254. |
(2) |
|
Based on 124,116,625 shares outstanding as of October 9,
2012. |
(3) |
|
Includes 7,033,071 shares held by the Willis J. Johnson and Reba
J. Johnson Revocable Trust DTD 1/16/1997, for which Mr. Johnson and his wife are trustees and 3,689,534 shares held by the Reba Family Limited
Partnership II, for which Mr. Johnson and his wife are the general partners. Also includes options to acquire 3,466,667 shares of common stock held by
Mr. Johnson that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(4) |
|
Includes 1,099,506 shares held directly, 713,232 shares held by
Mr. Adairs wife, 373,639 shares held by the A. Jayson Adair and Tammi L. Adair Revocable Trust, for which Mr. Adair and his wife are trustees,
and 24,696 shares held by irrevocable trusts for the benefit of members of Mr. Adairs immediate family. Also includes options to acquire
3,433,334 shares of common stock held by Mr. Adair that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(5) |
|
Includes 1,156 shares held directly, and options to acquire
283,999 shares of common stock held by Mr. Vannuccini that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(6) |
|
Includes 117,500 held by Ursula Capital Partners, for which Mr.
Englander is the sole general partner, 2,450 shares held by trusts for the benefit of members of Mr. Englanders immediately family and 9,000
shares held directly by Mr. Englander. Mr. Englander disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Ursula Capital |
44
|
|
Partners except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
Also includes options to acquire 200,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Englander that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9,
2012. |
(7) |
|
Includes 692 shares held directly and options to acquire 733,334
shares of common stock held by Mr. Mitz that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(8) |
|
Includes 12 shares owned directly and options to acquire 260,000
shares of common stock held by Mr. Cohan that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(9) |
|
Includes options to acquire 257,500 shares of common stock held
by Mr. Meeks that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(10) |
|
Includes 6,898 shares held directly and options to acquire
346,219 shares of common stock held by Mr. Franklin that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(11) |
|
Includes options to acquire 40,000 shares of common stock held
by Mr. Blunt that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(12) |
|
Includes 21,472 shares held directly and options to acquire
331,283 shares of common stock held by Mr. Lowy that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
(13) |
|
Includes 251,344 shares held by Elias Charles & Co. LLC, of
which Mr. Tryforos is a member. Mr. Tryforos disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Elias Charles & Co. LLC except to the extent of
his pecuniary interest. |
(14) |
|
Includes 13,597,935 shares and options to acquire 9,988,334
shares of common stock held by all executive officers and directors as a group that are exercisable within 60 days after October 9, 2012. |
45
OTHER MATTERS
We know of no other matters to be
submitted at the annual meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy
to vote the shares they represent as our board of directors may recommend. Discretionary authority with respect to such other matters is granted by the
execution of the proxy.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE 2012 ANNUAL
MEETING
In the event that there are not
sufficient votes to approve any proposal incorporated in this proxy statement at the time of the annual meeting, the annual meeting may be adjourned in
order to permit further solicitation of proxies from holders of our common stock. Proxies that are being solicited by our board of directors grant
discretionary authority to vote for any adjournment, if necessary.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of our Annual Report for
the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 is available as indicated in the Notice of Internet Availability and is available to the public at
https://materials.proxyvote.com/217204. The annual report is not incorporated into this proxy statement and is not proxy soliciting
material.
|
|
|
|
For the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
COPART, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul A. Styer, |
|
|
|
|
Secretary |
Dated: October 19, 2012
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF
PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING: The Proxy Statement and 2012 Annual Report are available free of charge
at http://materials.proxyvote.com/217204. |
46
Site of the Copart, Inc. 2012 Annual Stockholder
Meeting
Directions
to: |
|
|
|
Copart, Inc. Dallas Corporate Office 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75254 |
|
From: |
|
|
|
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport |
|
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|
|
|
Head
towards the north exit Take the ramp onto International Parkway (partial toll road) Continue onto TX-121 N Take the exit onto I-635 E
Take exit 22C to merge onto Dallas North Tollway N (partial toll road) Take the exit toward Spring Valley Rd/Quorum Dr/Verde Valley Lane (toll
road) Merge onto Dallas Parkway Turn left onto Spring Valley Road Turn left onto Dallas Parkway Destination will be on the
right |
47
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
|
000004
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ENDORSEMENT_LINE __________
SACKPACK __________
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MR A SAMPLE
DESIGNATION (IF ANY)
ADD 1
ADD 2
ADD 3
ADD 4
ADD 5
ADD 6
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Using
a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do
not write outside the designated areas.
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x
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C123456789
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000000000.000000
ext 000000000.000000
ext
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000000000.000000
ext 000000000.000000
ext
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000000000.000000
ext 000000000.000000
ext
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Electronic Voting Instructions
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|
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
|
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|
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below
to vote your proxy.
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VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
|
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|
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central
Time, on December 5, 2012.
|
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|
Vote by Internet
|
Go to www.investorvote.com/CPRT
|
Or scan the QR code with your
smartphone
|
Follow the steps outlined on
the secure website
|
|
|
Vote by telephone
|
|
|
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories &
Canada on a touch tone telephone
|
|
Follow the instructions provided by the
recorded message
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Annual Meeting
Proxy Card
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1234 5678 9012 345
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET
OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼
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A
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Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees
listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
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1. Election of
Directors:
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For
|
Withhold
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For
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Withhold
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For
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Withhold
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+
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01 - Willis J.
Johnson
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o
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o
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02 - A. Jayson
Adair
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o
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o
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03 - Matt
Blunt
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o
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o
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04 - Steven D.
Cohan
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o
|
o
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05 - Daniel J.
Englander
|
o
|
o
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06 - James E.
Meeks
|
o
|
o
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07 - Vincent
W. Mitz
|
o
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o
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08 - Thomas N.
Tryforos
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o
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o
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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2.
|
Advisory (non-binding) vote to approve executive
compensation for the year ended July 31, 2012 (say on pay vote).
|
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o
|
o
|
o
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3.
|
Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending July
31, 2013.
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o
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o
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o
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4.
|
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to
vote upon such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
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B
|
Non-Voting Items
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Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
|
|
Change of
Address Please print new
address below.
|
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o
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C
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Authorized
Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.
Date and Sign Below
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Sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your stock certificate. A corporation is
requested to sign its name by its President or other authorized officer, with
the office held designated. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. are
requested to so indicate when signing. If stock is registered in two names,
both should sign.
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print
date below.
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Signature 1 Please keep
signature within the box.
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Signature 2 Please keep
signature within the box.
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/ /
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C
1234567890 J N T
8 2 C V 1 4 5 9 9 7 1
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MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE
140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
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01J0ID
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET
OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼
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Proxy
Copart, Inc.
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Proxy
for 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders December 5, 2012
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THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COPART, INC.
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The
undersigned stockholder of Copart, Inc. (the Company) hereby revokes all
previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the notice of the 2012 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on December 5, 2012, and the proxy statement and
appoints A. Jayson Adair and Paul A. Styer or either of them, each with full
power of substitution, as the proxy and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned to
vote and otherwise represent all of the shares registered in the name of the
undersigned at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be
held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, at 14185 Dallas
Parkway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75254, and any adjournment thereof, with the
same effect as if the undersigned were present and voting such shares on the
following matters and in the following manner set forth on the reverse side.
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For
the proposals on the reverse side, the board of directors recommends that you
vote FOR all of the nominees for director in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2
and 3. This Proxy, when properly
executed, will be voted as specified on the reverse side.
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THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
SPECIFICATIONS MADE. IF NO DIRECTION IS
GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED: FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS LISTED IN
ITEM 1, FOR THE PROPOSAL LISTED IN ITEM 2, AND FOR THE PROPOSAL LISTED IN
ITEM 3; AND AS THE PROXY HOLDER MAY DETERMINE IN HIS DISCRETION WITH REGARD TO
ANY OTHER MATTER PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING.
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CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED
ON THE REVERSE SIDE
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SEE REVERSE SIDE
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