UNITED STATES SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ______)
Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
AMERCO
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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Amount previously paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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NOTICE OF THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF AMERCO
DATE: Thursday, August 30, 2012
TIME: 9 a.m. PDT/12 noon EDT
PLACE: U-Haul Central Towers
2721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
and webcast live at amerco.com
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
July 18, 2012
We look forward to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AMERCO (the “Company”) and are pleased to once again offer our meeting materials over the internet and to webcast the meeting. We believe that using the internet to distribute our materials and to host the meeting will allow more stockholders to participate in the meeting. We also expect that this approach will lower costs associated with the meeting and is consistent with our environmental sustainability initiatives.
During the meeting, five proposals will be presented for your consideration and approval:
Proposal 1:
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The re-election of two Class II directors: M. Frank Lyons and Edward J. Shoen.
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Proposal 2:
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An advisory vote on the approval of compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.
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Proposal 3:
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The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2013.
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Proposal 4:
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A proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to ratify and affirm the decisions and actions taken by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and executive officers of the Company with respect to AMERCO and its subsidiaries, for the time frame of April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.
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Proposal 5:
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A proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to request that AMERCO amend its written equal employment opportunity policy to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to substantially implement the policy.
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I encourage you to read the Proxy Statement for more information on each of these proposals.
In addition, stockholders may also vote on any other business as may properly come before the 2012 Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. On such other business, to the maximum extent allowed by the SEC’s proxy and NASDAQ rules, any proxy holders will vote as they determine in their discretion.
I encourage stockholders to participate in the 2012 Annual Meeting via the webcast, in order to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to the meeting. I also encourage you to vote, whether or not you attend or participate in the meeting. The Board has fixed the close of business on July 2, 2012 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you vote over the internet or telephone, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 29, 2012 to be counted. Mail-in ballots should be mailed by August 18, 2012.
Sincerely yours,
Edward J. “Joe” Shoen
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Questions and Answers about these Proxy Materials and Voting
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1
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Corporate Governance
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5
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Proposal 1 – Re-Election of Directors
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“Controlled Company” Status and Director Independence
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Other Information Regarding the Board of Directors
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Director Nomination Process
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Communications with the Board of Directors
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
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Compensation Committee Report
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on the Approval of Compensation Paid to
the Company’s Named Executive Officers
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Audit Committee Report
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Executive Officers of the Company
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
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Derivative Action
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Relationship with independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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Proposal 3 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
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Proposal 4 – Stockholder Proposal Regarding Ratification of the Board of
Directors of AMERCO and Executive Officers Decisions and Actions April 1, 2011
Through March 31, 2012
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Proposal 5 – Stockholder Proposal to Amend the Company’s Written Equal
Employment Opportunity Policy to Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
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Stockholder Proposals for Next Annual Meeting
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Other Matters
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Exhibit A – Meeting Procedures
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Exhibit B – Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
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Exhibit C – Proxy Card
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PROXY STATEMENT
2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AMERCO, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), with respect to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AMERCO and any adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting are: (i) the re-election of two directors, (ii) an advisory vote on the approval of compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, (iii) the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”), (iv) a proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to ratify and affirm the decisions and actions taken by the Board and executive officers with respect to AMERCO and its subsidiaries, for the time frame of April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012 and (v) a proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to amend the Company’s written equal employment opportunity policy to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to substantially implement the policy.
The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) is first being sent to stockholders on or about July 18, 2012. The Proxy Statement and the form of proxy relating to the Annual Meeting are first being made available to stockholders on July 18, 2012.
The Board has fixed the close of business on July 2, 2012 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Record Date”). As of the Record Date, there were 19,607,788 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Why am I being provided with these materials?
Owners of record of AMERCO common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote in connection with the Annual Meeting. As a stockholder, you are requested to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement describes the proposals presented for stockholder action at our Annual Meeting and includes information required to be disclosed to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting.
Why have I received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?
In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, we are permitted to furnish proxy materials to our stockholders on the internet, in lieu of mailing printed copies of the documents. You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, unless you request a printed copy. The Notice instructs you as to how to access the proxy materials on the internet. The Notice also instructs you as to how to vote. However, if you would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice. You may also download or print these materials, or any portion thereof, from any computer with internet access and a printer.
Who can vote in connection with the Annual Meeting?
You may vote if you were the record or beneficial owner of AMERCO common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date. As of the Record Date, there were 19,607,788 shares of
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be webcast live over the internet at
amerco.com
and will be hosted at the U-Haul Central Towers, 2721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, at 9:00 a.m., local time, on August 30, 2012. Rather than physically attending the Annual Meeting, we encourage stockholders to attend the Annual Meeting via the live webcast. We believe this is one way to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to the Annual Meeting. In-person attendance at the Annual Meeting is limited to stockholders as of the Record Date or their legal proxies, and valid photo identification and a copy of such proxy, if applicable, is required for any such attendee. If your shares are held in “street name” (for instance, through a brokerage firm or bank), you will also need to bring evidence of your beneficial ownership, such as a recent statement from your brokerage account. We discuss holders in “street name” in more detail below.
What am I voting on?
You are voting on:
Proposal 1:
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The re-election of two Class II directors: M. Frank Lyons and Edward J. Shoen.
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Proposal 2:
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An advisory vote on the approval of compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.
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Proposal 3:
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The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2013.
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Proposal 4:
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A proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to ratify and affirm the decisions and actions taken by the Board and executive officers of the Company, with respect to AMERCO and its subsidiaries, for the time frame of April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.
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Proposal 5:
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A proposal received from Company stockholder proponents to amend the Company’s written equal employment opportunity policy to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to substantially implement the policy.
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In addition, stockholders may also vote on any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. On such other business, to the maximum extent allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”) proxy and NASDAQ rules, any proxy holders will vote as they determine in their discretion.
How does the Board recommend that I vote my shares?
The Board recommendations are as follows:
Proposal 1: The Board recommends a vote “FOR” such proposal;
Proposal 2:
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The Board recommends a vote “FOR” such proposal;
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Proposal 3: The Board recommends a vote “FOR” such proposal,
Proposal 4: The Board recommends a vote “FOR” such proposal; and
Proposal 5: The Board makes no recommendation with respect to this proposal.
We encourage all stockholders to vote their shares. If you own your shares pursuant to the AMERCO Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and you do not vote, the ESOP Trustee will vote your shares on your behalf, in its discretion. If you own your shares in “street name” we encourage you to specifically direct your broker (or other record holder) to vote your shares by
returning appropriate voting instructions which will be provided to you from such broker or other record holder. The Board is soliciting proxies from stockholders and directors, officers or other employees may assist in such effort by mail, email, telephone, facsimile or in person. We are not paying any specific third-party to solicit proxies on behalf of the Board, but should any costs arise related to the solicitation of proxies then the Company shall bear such costs. We will not provide compensation, other than usual compensation to our directors, officers and other employees who solicit proxies.
What types of votes are permitted on each Item?
Proposal 1:
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You may either vote “FOR” all the nominees to the Board, you may “WITHHOLD” for all nominees, or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote from any nominee you specify.
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Proposal 2: You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”.
Proposal 3: You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”.
Proposal 4: You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”.
Proposal 5: You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”.
If you vote “WITHHOLD” (in the case of Proposal 1) or “ABSTAIN” (in the case of Proposals 2, 3, 4 or 5) your vote will not be counted as votes cast on such Proposal.
How many votes are needed to approve each Item?
Proposal 1:
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The two nominees receiving the most “FOR” votes will be elected.
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Proposal 2:
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There must be a “FOR” vote from the majority of votes cast and entitled to vote.
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Proposal 3:
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There must be a “FOR” vote from the majority of votes cast and entitled to vote.
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Proposal 4:
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There must be a “FOR” vote from the majority of votes cast and entitled to vote.
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Proposal 5:
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There must be a “FOR” vote from the majority of votes cast and entitled to vote.
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How many votes must be present, whether in person or by proxy, to hold the Annual Meeting?
In order for the Annual Meeting to proceed, holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company entitled to vote must be present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. This is referred to as a quorum. Abstentions, withheld votes, and broker non-votes are included and counted for purposes of establishing a quorum at the meeting.
What are broker non-votes?
Broker non-votes occur with respect to shares held in “street name”, in cases where the record owner (for instance, the brokerage firm or bank) does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary voting authority with respect to those shares. Brokerage firms and banks are deemed to have discretionary voting authority to vote with respect to “routine” matters; however they do not have discretionary authority to vote on “non-routine” matters. We believe that the following proposals will be considered “non-routine” and therefore your broker will not be able to vote your shares with respect to these proposals unless the broker receives specific voting instructions from you: Proposal 1 (Re-Election of Directors), Proposal 2 (Advisory Vote on the Approval of Compensation Paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers), Proposal 4 (Stockholder Proposal to Ratify and Affirm the Decisions and Actions Taken by the Board and Executive Officers with respect to AMERCO and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012) and Proposal 5 (Stockholder Proposal to Amend the Company’s Written Equal Employment Opportunity Policy to Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and to Substantially Implement the Policy). Broker non-votes will not be counted towards any of the foregoing proposals and will
have no effect on the outcome of such proposals. However, broker non-votes (as well as “abstain votes”) will be counted towards the presence of a quorum.
What if my AMERCO shares are not registered directly in my name?
If the record owner of your shares is a brokerage firm or bank, then your shares are held in “street name”. If at the Record Date your shares were held in “street name” or you otherwise were not the record holder of such shares, then you are the beneficial owner of such shares, and such shares are not registered directly in your name. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares in your account. You will receive the Notice and other proxy materials if requested, as well as voting instructions, directly from that organization. As discussed directly above, if you own your shares in “street name” and do not instruct your broker, banker or other designated record holder of the shares as to how to vote, such person or entity will only have discretion to vote on Proposal 3 which is considered to be a “routine” matter. Recent rule changes have eliminated broker discretionary voting with respect to the election of directors. We encourage you to specifically direct your broker (or other designated record holder) as to how to vote your shares by returning your voting instructions form or other documents so requested from your broker.
If I am a stockholder of record of AMERCO, how do I cast my vote?
There are several ways to cast your vote:
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You may vote over the internet, by going to
proxyvote.com
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You will need to
type in the Control Number indicated on your proxy card and follow the instructions.
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You may vote over the telephone by dialing 1-800-690-6903 and follow the recorded instructions. You will need the Control Number indicated on your proxy card.
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You may vote by mailing in the proxy card ballot. To vote by mail, complete, sign and date your proxy card and mail it to AMERCO c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.
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You may vote in person, at the commencement of the Annual Meeting.
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If you vote over the internet or telephone, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 29, 2012 to be counted. If you vote by mail, please ensure that your completed Proxy Card is mailed no later than August 18, 2012.
How do I vote if I hold my stock through the AMERCO ESOP?
If you hold your stock through the ESOP, you may vote in the same manner as stockholders of record, as described immediately above. If you do not vote your stock held through the ESOP, the ESOP Trustee will vote your shares for you, in the Trustee’s discretion.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of our common stock that you owned as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Who tabulates the votes cast at the Annual Meeting?
We have hired Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. or its designee (“Broadridge”) to tabulate the votes cast in connection with the Annual Meeting. In addition, an employee of Broadridge will be present at the meeting to serve as the Inspector of Elections.
Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?
We are not aware of any other matters that will be considered at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, all shares validly represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with the discretion of the appointed proxy holder.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice or Proxy Card?
If you receive more than one Notice or Proxy Card, your shares are owned in more than one name or in multiple accounts. In order to ensure that all of your shares are voted, you must follow the voting instructions included in each
Notice and Proxy Card.
How will I know the voting results?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final results will be published on Form 8-K shortly following the Annual Meeting.
How can I access the Proxy Statement and Annual Report electronically?
To access the Proxy Statement and Annual Report electronically, please visit
proxyvote.com
or the Company’s Investor Relations website,
amerco.com
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You may also consent to receive all future Company proxy statements and annual reports electronically via e-mail. To sign up for e-delivery, please go to
amerco.com
, and click on the yellow “Electronic Delivery Enrollment” box toward the top of the page and follow the instructions.
How can I revoke my Proxy?
You may change or revoke your vote by filing with the Company’s Secretary by the close of business on August 29, 2012 either a notice of revocation or a signed Proxy Card bearing a later date or by later re-voting by telephone or over the internet. The powers of the Proxy Holder will be suspended with respect to your shares if you attend the Annual Meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy absent specific action on your part.
Who will pay the costs of soliciting these Proxies?
We are not paying any specific third-party to solicit proxies on behalf of the Board, but should any costs arise related to the solicitation of proxies then the Company shall bear such costs. We will not provide compensation, other than usual compensation to our directors, officers and other employees who solicit proxies.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Diversity
The Company does not have a specific written policy regarding Board diversity as it relates to the selection of nominees for the Board. However, Board diversity is considered by our Board to be desirable. We believe Board diversity strengthens our alignment with our constituencies and fosters improved decision making, goal setting and resource allocation. Board candidates are considered based upon various criteria, including, but not limited to, their broad-based business and professional skills and experiences, viewpoints and perspectives, concern for the long-term interests of our constituencies, and their personal integrity. The Board considers each nominee in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of assembling a Board that can best maintain the success of our business. For instance, we believe our directors are knowledgeable and experienced in various business sectors and governmental or academic endeavors, which further illustrates the diversity present on our Board and the ultimate benefit to our Company.
Leadership Structure and the Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
Currently, the roles of President and Board Chairman are combined, which we believe fosters clear accountability, effective decision-making, and alignment on corporate strategy. Specifically, our Board believes that its current leadership structure, with Edward J. Shoen serving as both President and Board Chairman, is appropriate and best serves the interests of our Company and our stockholders. The Company does not have a lead independent director.
Management is responsible for managing the risks that the Company faces. The Board is responsible for overseeing management’s approach to risk management and supports the achievement of the Company's objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term performance and enhance stockholder value. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding the risks the Company faces and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the full Board in reviewing our strategic objectives and plans is a key part of the Board’s assessment of management’s approach and tolerance to risk. While the Board has ultimate oversight responsibility for overseeing management’s risk management process, various committees of the Board assist them in fulfilling that responsibility.
The Board has delegated to its various committees the oversight of risk management practices for categories of risk relevant to their functions. For example, through its Audit Committee, our Board oversees the management by our financial reporting group of our financial statement disclosure controls, systems of internal control over financial reporting, significant financial and accounting matters, as well as the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Through its Compensation Committee, our Board manages potential business risks inherent in our compensation programs to ensure that they do not encourage unacceptable levels of risk. The Executive Finance Committee oversees risks associated with the Company’s credit and debt positions and liquidity, monitors the level of risk associated with investment policies and investment portfolios, and evaluates current strategic endeavors by evaluating both short and long term debt structures.
PROPOSAL 1 – RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company’s Board currently consists of eight directors. The Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws both provide for the division of the Board into four classes, designated as Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV. Subject to applicable law, each class consists, as nearly as may be possible, of one-fourth of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board. The term of each directorship is four years and the terms of the four classes are staggered in a manner so that typically only one class is elected by the stockholders each year. At the Annual Meeting, two Class II directors will be elected to serve until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the shares represented at the meeting, whether in person or by proxy. Votes may be cast “FOR” all nominees, “WITHHOLD” for all nominees, or “WITHHOLD” as to specific nominees. The two Class II nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast “FOR” the election of such nominees shall be elected as directors.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee.
Nominees for Election as Class II Directors
The independent directors have approved the nomination of the following individuals to serve until the 2016 Annual Meeting:
M. Frank Lyons
Edward J. Shoen
M. FRANK LYONS
, 76, has served as a Director of the Company since 2002. Mr. Lyons served in various positions with the Company from 1959 until 1991, including 25 years as the President of Warrington Manufacturing, one of the Company’s assembly/manufacturing facilities. From 1991 until his retirement in 2000, he was President of Evergreen Realty, Inc. Mr. Lyons has been associated with the Company for 53 of the 67 years of the Company’s existence. This experience provides Mr. Lyons with substantial knowledge of the Company’s business operations.
EDWARD J. (“JOE”) SHOEN
, 63, has served as Chairman of the Board since 1986 and President of the Company since 1987, as a Director of U-Haul International, Inc. (“U-Haul”) since 1990, as a Director of Amerco Real Estate Company (“Real Estate”) since 1988 and as a Director of Repwest Insurance Company (“Repwest”) since 1997. Mr. Shoen has been associated with the Company since 1971. Mr. Shoen’s length of service and substantial involvement with the day to day operations of the Company places him in a unique position of understanding the numerous aspects of the moving and storage business. Additionally, Mr. Shoen holds a significant equity ownership interest in the Company. Mr. Shoen holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University.
Directors Continuing In Office
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Term Expires
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Class III
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John M. Dodds
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2013
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Class III
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James P. Shoen
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2013
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Class IV
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Charles J. Bayer
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2014
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Class IV
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Michael L. Gallagher
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2014
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Class I
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John P. Brogan
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2015
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Class I
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Daniel R. Mullen
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2015
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JOHN M. DODDS
, 75, has 46 years of experience with the Company, including serving in various capacities as manager of numerous subsidiaries and operating divisions. This experience includes several years as senior executive vice president in charge of national field operations, placing him in a position of significant knowledge of the business. Mr. Dodds has served as a Director of the Company since 1987 and as Director of the Company’s subsidiaries, U-Haul and Real Estate since 1990. Mr. Dodds began his U-Haul affiliation as a service station operator and U-Haul dealer. He has served in numerous capacities at U-Haul. He served in regional field operations until 1986 and served in national field operations until 1994. Mr. Dodds retired from the Company in 1994.
JAMES P. SHOEN
, 52, has served as a Director of the Company since 1986 and was Vice President of the Company from 1989 to 2000. Mr. Shoen has been associated with the Company since 1976, and worked at a U-Haul store for more than nine years. He served from 1990 to 2000 as Executive Vice President of U-Haul. He is currently Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants, a subsidiary of the Company. Additionally, Mr. Shoen holds a significant equity ownership interest in the Company. His many years of involvement with the Company provide Mr. Shoen with significant insight and understanding of the business.
CHARLES J. BAYER
, 72, has served as a Director of the Company since 1990 and has been associated with the Company since 1967. Mr. Bayer has served in various executive positions for the Company, including controller, director of U-Haul product design and as President of Real Estate from 1990 until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Bayer holds an MBA from Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business and has taken various continuing education courses through the SEC Institute. His 45 years of experience with the Company provide Mr. Bayer with a unique insight with respect to many of the Company’s product lines and the moving and storage industry. Mr. Bayer served two combat tours in Viet Nam and commanded his own ship.
MICHAEL L. GALLAGHER
, 68, has served as a Director of the Company since 2007. Mr. Gallagher served on the AMERCO Advisory Board from 2003 until his appointment to the AMERCO Board. Mr. Gallagher is Chairman Emeritus of the law firm Gallagher & Kennedy. Mr. Gallagher is a member of the board of directors of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, a NYSE listed company, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Western Regional Medical Center and the Peter Kiewit Foundation. He is also a former director of Action Performance, a Nasdaq company, and a former advisory board member of AMEC, a multinational company headquartered in Europe. Mr. Gallagher has 40 years of experience as legal counsel to numerous public and private corporations in a variety of matters.
JOHN P. BROGAN
, 68, has served as a Director of the Company since 1998. Mr. Brogan holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Brogan had a seven year association with Alamo Rent-A-Car that ended in 1986 and has been investing in private equity for over 35 years. Mr. Brogan has served as the Chairman of Muench-Kreuzer Candle Company since 1980. As an investor, he has been on the board of directors of several companies and understands the role of an independent director.
DANIEL R. MULLEN
, 71, has served as a Director of the Company since 2005. Mr. Mullen served as a member of the AMERCO Advisory Board from 2004 until his appointment to the AMERCO Board and has served as a Director of U-Haul since 2004, as a Director of Oxford Life Insurance Company (“Oxford”) since 2005 and as a Director of Real Estate since 2008. He has served as Director and President of Continental Leasing Co. since 1970. He was Vice President and Treasurer of Talley Industries, Inc., a multi-industry conglomerate from 1982 to 1998. Mr. Mullen was employed by the Company from 1968 until 1982. His previous years of service to AMERCO and its affiliates have contributed to Mr. Mullen’s knowledge of the moving and storage industry.
“CONTROLLED COMPANY” STATUS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE”
As of July 2, 2012, Edward J. Shoen, Chairman of the Board and President of AMERCO, James P. Shoen, a Director of AMERCO, and Mark V. Shoen collectively are the beneficial owners of 10,897,237 shares (approximately 55.6%) of the outstanding common shares of
AMERCO. Edward J. Shoen, James P. Shoen, Mark V. Shoen, Rosemarie T. Donovan (Trustee of the Shoen Irrevocable Trusts) and Dunham Trust Company (Successor Trustee of the Irrevocable “C” Trusts) (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) are parties to a stockholder agreement dated June 30, 2006, (the “Stockholder Agreement”) in which the Reporting Persons agreed to vote their shares as one block as provided in the Stockholder Agreement. Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement, a collective 10,897,237 shares of the Company’s common stock are voted at the direction of a majority in interest of the Reporting Persons. For additional information, refer to the Schedule 13Ds filed on July 13, 2006, March 9, 2007 and on June 26, 2009 with the SEC.
As a result of their stock ownership and the Stockholder Agreement, Edward J. Shoen, Mark V. Shoen and James P. Shoen are in a position to significantly influence the business affairs and policies of the Company, including the approval of significant transactions, the election of the members of the Board and other matters submitted to our stockholders. There can be no assurance that the interests of the Reporting Persons will not conflict with the interest of our other stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of the Reporting Persons’ voting power, the Company is a “controlled company” as defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rules and, therefore, may avail itself of certain exemptions under Nasdaq rules, including exemptions from the rules that require the Company to have (i) a majority of independent directors on the Board; (ii) independent director oversight of executive officer compensation; and (iii) independent director oversight of director nominations. Of the above available exemptions, the Company currently avails itself of the exemption from independent director oversight of executive officer compensation, other than with respect to the compensation of the President of AMERCO.
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The full Board of the Company met in regularly scheduled Board meetings six times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”). For Fiscal 2012, each director attended at least 85% of the scheduled Board meetings and committee meetings for the committees on which such respective individual served. The independent Directors met in executive session, without the presence of management, as part of each regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Directors are encouraged to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Participation via the webcast is encouraged, particularly in cases where travel from out of town would otherwise be required. All directors attended our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was held on August 25, 2011.
The Board has established the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Executive Finance Committee, Compensation Committee and Independent Governance Committee. The Company also has an Advisory Board, which is comprised of non-director members. The Company does not have a nominating committee. Currently, the responsibility for director nominations is vested in the independent members of the Board; however, as a “controlled company” the Company is not required to do so under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, and the Company reserves the right to cease having the responsibility for director nominations vested in the independent members of the Board. The Board does not believe that a nominating committee is necessary because the independent directors participate in the nominating process. The Board has adopted a resolution addressing the director nomination process and related matters; however, the Board may, in the future, choose to change its director nomination policy, including its policy related to stockholder nomination of directors. This process is described below, under the heading “Director Nomination Process.”
See page 21 of this Proxy Statement for a discussion on director compensation.
Listed below are descriptions of the Company’s committees and the Advisory Board, and the memberships thereof. The Charters for the various committees are available at
amerco.com
.
Member
|
Audit
|
Executive
Finance
|
Compensation
|
Independent
Governance
|
Advisory
Board
|
Charles J. Bayer
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
Paul A. Bible *
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
John P. Brogan
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
John M. Dodds
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
|
Michael L. Gallagher
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
Thomas W. Hayes *
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
Daniel R. Mullen
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Edward J. Shoen
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
James P. Shoen
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Barbara S. Campbell *
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
Richard J. Herrera *
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
*Non-Director Members
Audit Committee
. The Audit Committee is comprised of Charles J. Bayer, John P. Brogan, John M. Dodds and Daniel R. Mullen. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities as to financial reporting, audit functions and risk management. The Audit Committee monitors the financial information that is provided to stockholders and others, the independence and performance of the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and internal audit department and the systems of internal control established by management and the Board. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter approved by the Board. The Board has determined that each member meets the applicable requirements of audit committee members under Nasdaq Listing Rules. Mr. Mullen is designated the Audit Committee “financial expert” and is independent as defined by the rules of the SEC and the other similar financial sophistication rules under Nasdaq regulations. Stockholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. Mullen’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose on Mr. Mullen any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board, and his designation as an “audit committee financial expert” pursuant to SEC and Nasdaq requirements does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board. Messrs. Brogan and Bayer have been determined by the Board to meet the qualifications of “audit committee financial expert” as well and are independent as defined by the rules of the SEC and the other similar financial sophistication rules under Nasdaq regulations. The Audit Committee met seven times during Fiscal 2012.
Executive Finance Committee
. The Executive Finance Committee is comprised of Charles J. Bayer, John P. Brogan, Edward J. Shoen, and James P. Shoen. The Executive Finance Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board in approving any transaction involving the finances of the Company. The committee has the authority to give final approval for the borrowing of funds on behalf of the Company without further action or approval of the
Board. This committee acted by unanimous written consent on eight occasions during Fiscal 2012.
Compensation Committee
. The Compensation Committee is comprised of John P. Brogan and John M. Dodds. The Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s executive compensation plans and policies, including benefits and incentives, to ensure that they are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Company. The committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding management recommendations for changes in executive compensation and monitors management plans and programs for the retention, motivation and development of senior management. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a written charter that can be found on the Company’s website, and met twice during Fiscal 2012.
Independent Governance Committee
. The Independent Governance Committee is comprised of Paul A. Bible, Michael L. Gallagher and Thomas W. Hayes. Mr. Bible and Mr. Hayes are not members of the Company’s Board. The Independent Governance Committee monitors and evaluates the Company’s corporate governance principles and standards and proposes to the Board any modifications which are deemed appropriate for sound corporate governance. The committee may review other matters as referred to it by the Board. The committee has the authority and a budget from which to retain professionals. Each member of the Independent Governance Committee is determined by the Board to be free of any relationship that would interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment as a member of this committee. The Independent Governance Committee met twice during Fiscal 2012. Additionally, the non-Board members of the Independent Governance Committee are encouraged to attend all Board meetings of the Company.
Mr. Hayes has served as a member of the Independent Governance Committee since 2003 and brings to AMERCO over 30 years of broad executive and financial management experience. He is the former Treasurer, Auditor General and Director of Finance for the State of California. He was also the President of a multibillion dollar investment management company and has held leadership positions in restructuring troubled public and private sector entities and is designated as an audit committee financial expert by Fremont General, a NYSE listed firm. In addition, Mr. Hayes is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran.
Mr. Bible has served as a member of the Independent Governance Committee since 2003. He is an attorney with the law firm Lewis & Roca, and currently serves as the chairman of the compliance committee for (i) H Group Holding, Inc., an affiliate of the Hyatt Corporation; (ii) Jacobs Entertainment, Inc., the holding company of Black Hawk Gaming & Development Company, Inc. (iii) Colony Resorts LVH Acquisitions, LLC and (iv) RIH Resorts, LLC. He is the former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, and is the former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Mr. Bible also serves on the board of directors of Fisher Communications, Inc., a publicly traded communications company that owns and manages radio and television stations.
Advisory Board Members
. The Advisory Board is comprised of Barbara S. Campbell and Richard J. Herrera. Advisory Board members do not vote, but are given full access to the affairs of the Board, including all meetings and votes of the Board and are treated in all other respects as a Board member. The Board has authorized up to two Advisory Board members who serve at the will of the Board.
Ms. Campbell has been a member of the Advisory Board since 2005. She is President and founder of Consensus, LLC, a consulting firm that provides Nevada based strategic tax planning. Prior to founding Consensus, LLC, Ms. Campbell served as the chairman of the board for the State of Nevada Tax Commission and concurrently was the director of finance for Mandalay Development. As past Chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission, Ms. Campbell brings to the Company over 20 years of experience in the area of taxation and regulatory matters. As Vice President of Finance of MGM Mirage, she brings over 30 years of experience in construction and development, having managed over four billion dollars in projects in multiple jurisdictions. Ms. Campbell also currently serves as a board member of American Pacific Corporation, a Nasdaq listed company, and sits on the board of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Herrera joined the Advisory Board in 2007. Mr. Herrera has a long history in the retail industry, most recently as Executive Vice President of Eastern Seaboard Packaging and Executive Vice President of ABUS Lock USA. Mr. Herrera was employed as Marketing Vice President/Retail Sales Manager for U-Haul from 1988-2001, and served on the Company’s Board of Directors from 1993-2001 and the U-Haul Board from 1990-2001. Mr. Herrera’s years of service to the Company have provided him with significant knowledge of the business. Mr. Herrera’s current position involving the development of a business plan and financing strategy for a small business provides him with insight into regulatory compliance issues and has fostered creativity in identifying business solutions.
See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” for additional information relating to the directors.
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS
Director Qualifications
. Persons nominated to the Board should have personal integrity and high ethical character. Candidates should not have any interests that would materially impair his or her ability to exercise independent judgment or otherwise discharge the fiduciary duties owed by a director to the Company and its stockholders. Candidates must be able to represent fairly and equally all stockholders of the Company without favoring any particular stockholder group or other constituency of the Company and must be prepared to devote adequate time to the Board and its committees. In selecting nominees for director, the Board will assure that:
·
at least three of the directors satisfy the financial literacy requirements required for service on the Audit Committee; and
·
at least one of the directors qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations.
Identifying Director Candidates
. The Board utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees to serve as directors. The Board has a policy of re-nominating incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Board’s criteria for membership and whom the directors believe continue to make important contributions to the Board and who consent to continue their service on the Board.
In filling vacancies of the Board, the directors will solicit recommendations for nominees from the persons the directors believe are likely to be familiar with (i) the needs of the Company
and (ii) qualified candidates. These persons may include members of the Board and management of the Company. The directors may also engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates.
In evaluating potential nominees, the directors will oversee the collection of information concerning the background and qualifications of the candidate and determine whether the candidate satisfies the minimum qualifications required by the Board for election as director and whether the candidate possesses any of the specific skills or qualities that under the Board’s policies must be possessed by one or more members of the Board.
The directors may interview any proposed candidate and may solicit the views about the candidate’s qualifications and suitability from the Company’s chief executive officer and other senior members of management. Diversity in terms of business and professional skills and experience, viewpoints, perspective, education and other factors, is considered in the decision making process.
The directors will make their selections based on all the available information and relevant considerations. The directors’ selection will be based on who, in the view of the directors, will be best suited for membership on the Board.
In making its selection, the directors will evaluate candidates proposed by stockholders under criteria similar to other candidates, except that the directors may consider, as one of the factors in their evaluation, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder in the stock of the Company. The directors may also consider the extent to which the recommending stockholder intends to continue to hold its interest in the Company, including whether the recommending stockholder intends to continue holding its interest at least through the time of the meeting at which the candidate is to be elected.
Stockholder Nominees
. The policy of the Board is to consider properly submitted stockholder recommendations for candidates for membership on the Board as described below. The evaluation process for such nominations is overseen by the Company’s independent directors. In evaluating such nominations, the independent directors seek to achieve qualified directors who can represent fairly and equally all stockholders of the Company and based on the membership qualifications and criteria described above. Any stockholder nominations for consideration by the independent directors should be mailed or delivered to the Company’s Secretary at 2721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. The recommendation must be accompanied by the following information about the stockholder:
·
the stockholder’s name, address and telephone number;
·
the number of shares of the Company’s stock owned by the recommending stockholder and the time period for which such shares have been held;
·
if the recommending stockholder is not a stockholder of record, a statement from the record holder of the shares (usually a broker or bank) verifying the holdings of the stockholder and a statement from the recommending stockholder of the length of time that the shares have been held; and
·
a statement from the stockholder as to whether the stockholder has a good faith intention to continue to hold the reported shares through the date of the next annual meeting at which the candidate would be elected.
If the recommendation is submitted by a group of two or more stockholders, the above information must be submitted with respect to each stockholder in the group. The recommendation must be received by the Company not later than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior annual meeting, except in the event that the date of the annual meeting for the current year is moved more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the annual meeting for the prior year, the submission will be considered timely if it is submitted a reasonable time in advance of the mailing of the Company’s proxy statement for the annual meeting for the current year. The recommendation must be accompanied by consent of the proposed nominee to be interviewed by the independent directors and other Board members and to serve as director of the Company.
The recommendation must also contain information about the proposed nominee, including:
·
the proposed nominee’s name and address;
·
the information required by Items 401, 403 and 404 of SEC Regulation S-K (generally providing for disclosure of arrangements or understandings regarding the nomination, the business experience of the proposed nominee, legal proceedings involving the proposed nominee, the proposed nominee’s ownership of securities of the Company, and transactions and relationships between the proposed nominee and the Company);
·
a description of all relationships between the proposed nominee and any of the Company’s competitors, customers, suppliers, labor unions or other persons with special interests regarding the Company;
·
the qualifications of the proposed nominee; and
·
a statement from the recommending stockholder that in his or her view, the nominee, if elected, would represent all the stockholders and not serve for the purpose of advancing or favoring any particular stockholder or other constituency of the Company.
The Secretary will forward all recommendations to the independent directors. The acceptance of a recommendation from a stockholder does not imply that the independent directors will recommend to the Board the nomination of the stockholder recommended candidate. In addition, the Company’s Bylaws permit stockholders to nominate directors at an annual meeting and nothing in the above procedures is intended to conflict with the provisions of the Company’s Bylaws governing nominations by stockholders.
The information contained in this Proxy Statement about the Company’s nominations process is just a summary. A complete copy of the policies and procedures with respect to stockholder director nominations can be obtained from the Company, free of charge, by writing to our Secretary at the address listed below.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stockholders may communicate with the Board by addressing communications to the Board of Directors of AMERCO c/o the Secretary of AMERCO at 2721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. All such communications, or summaries thereof, will be relayed to the Board.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, the following table lists, as of July 2, 2012 the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock of (i) each director and director nominee of the Company, (ii) (A) all persons serving as the Company’s principal executive officer or as principal financial officer during Fiscal 2012; and (B) the three most highly paid executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of Fiscal 2012 other than the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer (together with the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the “Named Executive Officers”) and (iii) all directors and Named Executive Officers of the Company as a group. The table also lists, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, those persons who beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s common stock. The percentages of class amounts set forth in the following table are based on 19,607,788 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on July 2, 2012. Stockholders may communicate with the beneficial owners and executive officers by writing to the Company Secretary at 2721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. All such communications, or summaries thereof, will be relayed to the beneficial owners or executive officers.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially
Owned
|
|
|
Percentage of Common
Stock
Class
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles J. Bayer
Director
|
|
|
2,286
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Brogan
Director
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Dodds
Director
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael L. Gallagher
Director
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Frank Lyons
Director and Director Nominee
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel R. Mullen
Director
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officers:
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially
Owned
|
|
|
Percentage of Common
Stock
Class
|
|
Edward J. Shoen
(1)
Chairman and President of AMERCO
and U-Haul, Director and Director Nominee
|
|
|
10,897,237
|
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Shoen
(1)
Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants,
Director
|
|
|
10,897,237
|
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark V. Shoen
(1)
Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants *
|
|
|
10,897,237
|
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John C. Taylor
President of U-Haul
|
|
|
2,083
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jason A. Berg
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of AMERCO
|
|
|
740
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officers and Directors as a group - 11 persons.
(2)
|
|
|
10,915,846
|
|
|
|
55.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Beneficial Owners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dunham Trust Company
(1)
as Trustee under the “C” Irrevocable Trusts dated
December 20, 1982
|
|
|
10,897,237
|
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
Rosemarie T. Donovan
(1)
As Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust dated
November 2, 1998
|
|
|
10,897,237
|
|
|
|
55.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The AMERCO Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(3)
|
|
|
1,464,127
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sophia M. Shoen
5104 N. 32
nd
Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
|
|
|
1,377,406
|
|
|
|
7.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
(4)
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas 78746
|
|
|
1,067,832
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Retired June 6, 2012.
|
|
**The percentage of the referenced class beneficially owned is less than one percent.
|
|
(1) This consists of 10,897,237 shares subject to the Stockholder Agreement, which includes shares beneficially owned by Edward J. Shoen (3,458,337); Mark V. Shoen (3,813,559); James P. Shoen (1,950,618); Rosemarie T. Donovan, as Trustee of the Irrevocable Trusts dated November 2, 1998
|
|
(250,250); and Dunham Trust Company, as Trustee under the “C” Irrevocable Trusts dated December 20, 1982 (1,424,473).
(2) The 10,915,846 shares constitute the shares beneficially owned by the directors and Named Executive Officers of the Company as a group, including the 10,897,273 shares subject to the Stockholder Agreement discussed in footnote 1 above.
(3) The ESOP Trustee consists of three individuals without a past or present employment history or business relationship with the Company and such individuals are appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the ESOP, each participant (or such participant’s beneficiary) in the ESOP is entitled to direct the ESOP Trustee with respect to the voting of the common stock allocated to such participant’s account. In the event such participant does not provide such direction to the ESOP Trustee, the ESOP Trustee votes such participant’s shares in the ESOP Trustee’s discretion. In addition, all shares in the ESOP not allocated to participants are voted by the ESOP Trustee in the ESOP Trustee’s discretion. As of July 2, 2012, of the 1,494,822 shares of common stock held by the ESOP, 1,371,251 shares were allocated to participants and 123,571 shares remained unallocated. The number of shares reported as beneficially owned by Edward J. Shoen, Mark V. Shoen, James P. Shoen, and Sophia M. Shoen include common stock held directly by those individuals and 4,656; 4,378; 4,304 and 199 shares of common stock, respectively, allocated by the ESOP to those individuals. Those shares are also included in the 1,494,822 of shares held by the ESOP. The number of shares beneficially owned by the other directors and Named Executive Officers was 4,949, which are also included in the 1,494,822 of shares held by the ESOP.
(4) Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Schedule 13G/A, dated February 14, 2012, reports beneficial ownership collectively of 1,067,832 shares of common stock with sole voting power as to 1,036,191 shares and sole dispotive power as to 1,067,832 shares.
|
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no arrangements giving any stockholder the right to acquire the beneficial ownership of any shares owned by any other stockholder.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
The purpose of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) is to provide material information about the Company’s compensation philosophy, objectives and other relevant policies and to explain and put into context the material elements of the disclosure that follows in this Proxy Statement with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. For Fiscal 2012, the Company’s Named Executive Officers were:
Edward J. Shoen, Chairman and President of AMERCO;
Mark V. Shoen, Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants;
James P. Shoen, Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants;
John C. Taylor, President of U-Haul; and
Jason A. Berg, Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of AMERCO.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program are to retain current executive officers, to encourage existing personnel to self-develop and magnify functional responsibilities and to entice qualified executives to join the Company in executive positions as such positions are created or vacated. The compensation program encourages an environment of teamwork, loyalty and fairness at all levels of the Company.
While this CD&A focuses on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the philosophy and objectives we discuss are generally applicable to all of the Company’s senior officers.
Implementation of Objectives
It is the duty of the Compensation Committee to review and determine the annual compensation paid to the President and review the general compensation policies for the Company’s other executive officers regularly. The Compensation Committee and the President implement these policies while keeping in mind the Company’s approach to overhead costs and such executive officer’s impact on the Company’s objective of providing customers with an affordable product and service. The Compensation Committee traditionally delegates significant responsibility to the President for establishing and reviewing the performance of the other Named Executive Officers, appropriate levels and components of compensation, and any other items as the Compensation Committee may request.
The Compensation Committee evaluates the compensation of the President at least annually to ensure that it is fair, reasonable and aligned with the Company’s overall objectives. The President performs this function for the remainder of the Named Executive Officers.
The Compensation Committee did not utilize any benchmarking measure in Fiscal 2012 and traditionally has not tied compensation directly to a specific profitability measurement, market value of the Company’s common stock or benchmark related to any established peer or industry group. Rather, the Company generally seeks to compensate individual executives commensurate with historic pay levels for such position, adjusted for time and tenure with the Company. Salary increases are strongly correlated to the President’s assessment of each Named Executive Officer’s performance and his recommendation on the appropriateness of any increase. The Company also generally seeks to increase or decrease compensation, as appropriate, based upon changes in an executive officer’s functional responsibilities within the Company.
The intention of the Company has been to compensate the Named Executive Officers in a manner that maximizes the Company’s ability to deduct such compensation expenses for federal income tax purposes. However, the Compensation Committee and the President have the discretion to provide compensation that is not “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code when they determine that such compensation is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. For Fiscal 2012, the Company expects to deduct all compensation expenses paid to the Named Executive Officers.
Elements Used to Achieve Compensation Objectives
The principal components of the Company’s compensation program in Fiscal 2012 were:
·
|
Discretionary cash bonus;
|
·
|
Certain long-term incentives; and
|
Base Salary
. The Company pays its Named Executive Officers base salaries commensurate with the scope of their job responsibilities, individual experience, performance,
and the period of time over which they have performed their duties. The base salary is typically reviewed annually with adjustments made based upon an analysis of performance and the addition or removal of functional responsibilities. There are no guarantees of base salary adjustments. The amount of base salary paid to each of the Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 2012 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”).
Discretionary Cash Bonus
. Discretionary cash bonuses are awarded on occasion to Named Executive Officers based upon subjective criteria determined by the Compensation Committee. These criteria may include such factors as level of responsibility, contributions to results, and retention considerations. The Company has not entered into any agreements stipulating or guaranteeing bonuses for any of its Named Executive Officers. The amount of discretionary cash bonuses paid to each of the Named Executive Officers during Fiscal 2012 is shown in the SCT.
Certain Long-Term Incentives
. The Company did not grant in Fiscal 2012 equity interests to Named Executive Officers other than through its ESOP, which is available to all employees of the Company. The Company has not implemented any specific policy requiring its Named Executive Officers or other officers and/or employees to own the Company’s common stock.
Other Benefits
. The Named Executive Officers participate in employee benefits plans generally available to all full-time employees of the Company on a non-discriminatory basis including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan, vacation and sick pay, and postretirement benefits. The Company does not provide other perquisites to its executive officers; therefore such additional tables are not provided as they are inapplicable.
Compensation Risk Assessment
The Company has assessed the risks that could arise from its compensation policies for all employees, including employees who are not Named Executive Officers, and has concluded that such polices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In consideration of these matters and after reviewing each element of the Company’s compensation programs including base salary, cash incentives and equity compensation, we determined that (i) our Named Executive Officers' compensation, including incentive compensation, is not a significant percentage of revenue for the Company or any applicable subsidiary’s revenue, (ii) due in large part to the equity ownership of three of our five Named Executive Officers, our Company is a Controlled Company which creates a strong alignment between the interests of management and stockholders, and (iii) due to the limited nature of our incentive compensation and range of potential increases in salaries year over year, as well as our overall conservative approach to compensation, our policies and programs do not encourage excessive risk-taking by our management or our Board and result in a strong alignment between the interests of management and stockholders.
2011 Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers
AMERCO provided stockholders with an advisory vote on its compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers in 2011. At our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, more than 97% of the votes cast on this proposal were in favor of our executive compensation program and policies. The Compensation Committee evaluated the results of the vote and considering the substantial support of our executive compensation program, it did not make any
significant changes to our executive compensation program and policies for 2012 compensation. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of future advisory votes when making future compensation decisions for the Named Executive Officers.
Analysis of Fiscal 2012 Compensation Decisions
The compensation amounts for Edward J. Shoen, the Chairman and President of AMERCO, is established by the Compensation Committee. The compensation for the remaining Named Executive Officers is determined by the President. Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers did not materially change in Fiscal 2012 at the discretion of the President, except for the salary of Jason A. Berg.
A discretionary bonus was paid to John C. (“JT”) Taylor in Fiscal 2012 in recognition of his service to the Company as determined by the President. JT started with the Company in 1981 and has been President of U-Haul since 2006. The Company does not have an established bonus plan for its Named Executive Officers. Such discretionary cash bonuses are determined by the President using his best judgment in light of the situation as he sees it.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Stock Awards (1)
|
|
|
All Other Compensation (2)
|
|
|
Total Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward J. Shoen
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
662,504
|
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
9,793
|
|
|
$
|
90,000
|
|
|
$
|
765,797
|
|
Chairman and President of AMERCO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
675,004
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
871,242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
675,004
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,337
|
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
768,341
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark V. Shoen
|
|
2012
|
|
|
623,077
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9,518
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
632,595
|
|
Vice President of U-Haul Business
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consultants *
|
|
2011
|
|
|
623,077
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
629,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
623,077
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,337
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
626,414
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Shoen
|
|
2012
|
|
|
565,962
|
|
|
|
3,500
|
|
|
|
9,445
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
658,907
|
|
Vice President of U-Haul Business
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consultants
|
|
2011
|
|
|
565,962
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
75,833
|
|
|
|
648,033
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
565,962
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,337
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
624,299
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John C. Taylor
|
|
2012
|
|
|
285,581
|
|
|
|
153,000
|
|
|
|
7,091
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
455,672
|
|
President of U-Haul
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
289,812
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
416,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jason A. Berg
|
|
2012
|
|
|
325,215
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5,921
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
331,136
|
|
Principal Financial Officer and Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounting Officer of AMERCO
|
|
2011
|
|
|
205,638
|
|
|
|
70,000
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
281,876
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
204,865
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,790
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
207,655
|
|
* Retired June 6, 2012
(1) Amounts in this column represent the compensation cost recognized for financial statement reporting purposes under ASC:
718 Compensation—Stock Compensation
for Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 with respect to common stock allocated under the ESOP. Grant date fair value is the closing price on date of grant for stock, and also includes a $1.00 per share common stock dividend for the ESOP shares beneficially owned as of December 23, 2011 record date for such dividend.
(2) Amounts in this column represent annual fees paid to each Named Executive Officer in his capacity as a Director of the Company or U-Haul or as a member of a committee of the AMERCO Board.
Director Compensation
The Company’s director compensation program is designed to fairly pay Directors for their time and efforts on behalf of AMERCO and its direct subsidiaries, as the case may be, in recognition of their fiduciary obligations to stockholders and for their liability exposure. Directors are compensated in the form of a cash fee. The Company offers no stock options or grants to its Directors. For Fiscal 2012, the annual fee for all services as a Director of the Company was $55,000. Additionally, Audit Committee, Advisory Board and Independent Governance Committee members receive a $55,000 annual fee for service on such committee, and
Executive Finance Committee and Compensation Committee members receive a $25,000 annual fee. These amounts are paid in equal monthly installments. The Company also reimburses Directors and the non-director committee members for the incidental costs associated with their attendance at Board and committee meetings. Director fees paid to Edward J. Shoen and James P. Shoen are included in the Summary Compensation Table.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Name of Director
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in
Cash
|
|
|
Stock Awards (a)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles J. Bayer (1), (2), (3)
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
135,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,661
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
137,661
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Brogan (1), (2), (3), (4)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
160,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
160,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Dodds (1), (2), (4), (7), (9)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
145,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
145,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael L. Gallagher (1), (5)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Frank Lyons (1)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel R. Mullen (1), (2), (7), (8), (9)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
126,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
126,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul A. Bible (5)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barbara S. Campbell (6)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Hayes (5)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Herrera (6)
|
|
2012
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
(1) AMERCO Director
|
(6) Advisory Board Member
|
(2) Audit Committee Member
|
(7) U-Haul Board Member
|
(3) Executive Finance Committee Member
|
(8) Oxford Board Member
|
(4) Compensation Committee Member
|
(9) Real Estate Board Member
|
(5) Independent Governance Committee Member
|
|
(a)
|
Includes a $1.00 per share common stock dividend for the ESOP shares beneficially owned as of the December 23, 2011 record date for such dividend.
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the CD&A prepared by management and included in this Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In reliance on these reviews and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of AMERCO, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the CD&A be included in the Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for filing with the SEC.
This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee.
John P. Brogan John M. Dodds
Pursuant to Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K this “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be filed with the SEC for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), nor shall such report be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any past or future filing by the Company under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), unless the intention to do so is expressly indicated.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDERS PARTICIPATION
During Fiscal 2012, our Compensation Committee was comprised of John P. Brogan and John M. Dodds. None of the directors that were a member of the Compensation Committee during Fiscal 2012 was an officer or employee of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2 – ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION PAID TO THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which were added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”)) and the related rules of the SEC, the Company is providing stockholders the opportunity to vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed on page 20 of this Proxy Statement (commonly referred to as "say-on-pay"), including the CD&A, the tabular disclosures regarding compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the narrative disclosure accompanying these tables.
At our 2011 annual meeting, our stockholders supported an annual frequency for this advisory vote. The Board has determined that, until the next required stockholder vote on the frequency of future stockholder advisory approvals of our executive compensation or until the Board determines that such vote shall be conducted at a different interval, the Company will seek advisory approval of our executive compensation on an annual basis.
As discussed in the CD&A, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are focused on pay-for-performance principles and are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders. The objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program are to retain current executive officers, to encourage existing personnel to self-develop and magnify functional responsibilities and to entice qualified executives to join the Company in executive positions as such positions are created or vacated. The compensation program encourages an environment of teamwork, loyalty and fairness at all levels of the Company.
For these reasons, the Board recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal.
This proposal gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to express your views regarding the Company’s Fiscal 2012 executive compensation policies and procedures. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the policies and procedures described in this Proxy Statement.
Although this advisory vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee value the views of stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for Named Executive Officers.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is comprised of four independent directors and operates under a written charter recommended by the Audit Committee and adopted by the Board. Each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence and financial sophistication requirements of Nasdaq and the SEC rules and regulations.
Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In this context, management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm the matters required to be discussed by 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 in Rule 3200T.
The Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committee Concerning Independence) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm that firm’s independence.
Based on the Audit Committee’s discussions with management and the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and its review of the representation of management and the report of the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2012 as filed with the SEC.
Charles J. Bayer John P. Brogan John M. Dodds Daniel R. Mullen
Pursuant to Instruction 1 to Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, the information set forth under “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, other than as provided in Item 407 of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that 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 incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The Company’s executive officers are:
Name
|
Age *
|
Office
|
Edward J. Shoen
|
63
|
Chairman of the Board and President of AMERCO
|
Jason A. Berg
|
39
|
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of AMERCO
|
Laurence J. DeRespino
|
51
|
General Counsel
|
Mark A. Haydukovich
|
55
|
President of Oxford Life Insurance Company
|
Gary B. Horton
|
68
|
Treasurer of AMERCO and U-Haul
|
Robert T. Peterson
|
61
|
Controller of U-Haul
|
James P. Shoen
|
52
|
Vice President of U-Haul Business Consultants
|
Samuel J. Shoen
|
34
|
President of Repwest Insurance Company
|
John C. Taylor
|
54
|
President of U-Haul
|
Carlos Vizcarra
|
65
|
President of Amerco Real Estate Company
|
Rocky D. Wardrip
|
54
|
Assistant Treasurer of AMERCO and U-Haul
|
|
* Ages are as of May 31, 2012.
|
See “Election of Directors” for biographical information regarding Edward J. Shoen and James P. Shoen.
Jason A. Berg has served as Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since 2005. Prior to his appointment he served as Treasurer and Secretary of Oxford. He has been with the Company since 1996.
Laurence J. DeRespino has served as General Counsel for the Company since 2005. He has been an attorney for the Company since 2000.
Mark A. Haydukovich has served as President of Oxford since 1997. From 1980 to 1997 he served as Vice President of Oxford.
Gary B. Horton has served as Treasurer of the Company since 1982. He has been associated with the Company since 1969.
Robert T. Peterson has served as Controller of U-Haul since joining the Company in 2002. He has held a number of executive positions in the transportation industry and is presently Chief Financial Officer of U-Haul.
Samuel J. Shoen has been associated with the Company since 1990. He has served as a Director of U-Haul since 2005 and as Executive Vice President and chief of staff of U-Haul from 2006 through 2011. He was appointed President of Repwest in May 2010.
John C. (JT) Taylor has served as Director of U-Haul since 1990. He has been associated with the Company since 1981 and was appointed as President of U-Haul in 2006.
Carlos Vizcarra has served as President of Real Estate since 2000. He began his previous position as Vice President/Storage Product Group for U-Haul in 1988.
Rocky D. Wardrip has served as Assistant Treasurer of the Company since 1990. He has been associated with the Company since 1978 in various capacities within accounting and treasury operations.
Edward J., Mark V., and James P. Shoen are brothers. Samuel J. Shoen is the son of Edward J. Shoen. M. Frank Lyons, a Director of the Company, was married to an aunt of Edward J. and Mark V. Shoen.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
As set forth in the Audit Committee Charter and consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company’s Audit Committee reviews and maintains oversight over related party transactions which are required to be disclosed under the SEC rules and regulations. Accordingly, all such related party transactions are submitted to the Audit Committee for ongoing review and oversight. The Company’s internal processes ensure that the Company’s legal and/or finance departments identify and monitor potential related party transactions which may require disclosure and Audit Committee oversight.
AMERCO has engaged in related party transactions, and has continuing related party interests with certain major stockholders, directors and officers of the consolidated group as disclosed below. Management believes that the transactions described below were completed on terms equivalent to those that would prevail in arm’s-length transactions.
Samuel J. Shoen, the son of Edward J. Shoen, is President of Repwest, a subsidiary of AMERCO. Mr. Shoen was paid an aggregate salary, annual U-Haul Board fee and bonus of $303,080 for his services during Fiscal 2012.
Stuart M. Shoen, the son of Edward J. Shoen, is Executive Vice President of U-Haul. Mr. Shoen was paid an aggregate salary and bonus of $160,008 for his services during Fiscal 2012.
SAC Holding Corporation and SAC Holding II Corporation (collectively, “SAC Holdings”) were established in order to acquire self-storage properties. These properties are being managed by the Company pursuant to management agreements. In the past, the Company has sold various self-storage properties to SAC Holdings, and such sales provided significant cash flows to the Company.
Management believes that the sales of self-storage properties to SAC Holdings has provided a unique structure for the Company to earn moving equipment rental revenues and property management fee revenues from the SAC Holdings self-storage properties that the Company manages.
During Fiscal 2012, subsidiaries of the Company held various junior unsecured notes of SAC Holdings. Substantially all of the equity interest of SAC Holdings is controlled by Blackwater Investments, Inc. (“Blackwater”), which is wholly-owned by Mark V. Shoen, a significant stockholder and formerly an executive officer of AMERCO. The Company does not have an equity ownership interest in SAC Holdings. The Company recorded interest income of $19.4 million, $19.2 million and $18.9 million, and received cash interest payments of $17.8 million, $15.8 million and $13.9 million, from SAC Holdings during Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The largest aggregate amount of notes receivable outstanding during Fiscal 2012 was $196.2 million and the aggregate notes receivable balance at March 31, 2012 was $195.4
million. In accordance with the terms of these notes, SAC Holdings may prepay the notes without penalty or premium at any time. The scheduled maturities of these notes are between 2019 and 2024. Due to repayments in April 2012, May 2012 and June 2012, the total notes receivable balance decreased by $122.2 million.
Interest accrues on the outstanding principal balance of junior notes of SAC Holdings that the Company holds at a 9% rate per annum. A fixed portion of that basic interest is paid on a monthly basis. Of the $195.4 million junior notes at March 31, 2012, additional interest can be earned on notes totaling $122.2 million of principal depending upon the amount of remaining basic interest and the cash flow generated by the underlying property. This amount is referred to as the “cash flow-based calculation.” After the April 2012, May 2012 and June 2012 repayments this amount has been repaid in full.
To the extent that this cash flow-based calculation exceeds the amount of remaining basic interest, contingent interest would be paid on the same monthly date as the fixed portion of basic interest. To the extent that the cash flow-based calculation is less than the amount of remaining basic interest, the additional interest payable on the applicable monthly date is limited to the amount of that cash flow-based calculation. In such a case, the excess of the remaining basic interest over the cash flow-based calculation is deferred. In addition, subject to certain contingencies, the junior notes provide that the holder of the note is entitled to receive a portion of the appreciation realized upon, among other things, the sale of such property by SAC Holdings. To date, no excess cash flows related to these arrangements have been earned or paid.
During Fiscal 2012, AMERCO and U-Haul held various junior notes from Private Mini Storage Realty, L.P. (“Private Mini”). The equity interests of Private Mini are ultimately controlled by Blackwater. The Company recorded interest income of $5.4 million, $5.5 million and $5.3 million, and received cash interest payments of $5.4 million, $5.5 million and $5.3 million, from Private Mini during Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The largest aggregate amount outstanding during Fiscal 2012 was $66.7 million. The balance of notes receivable from Private Mini at March 31, 2012 was $66.3 million.
The Company currently manages the self-storage properties owned or leased by SAC Holdings, Mercury Partners, L.P. (“Mercury”), Four SAC Self-Storage Corporation (“4 SAC”), Five SAC Self-Storage Corporation (“5 SAC”), Galaxy Investments, L.P. (“Galaxy”), and Private Mini pursuant to a standard form of management agreement, under which the Company receives a management fee of between 4% and 10% of the gross receipts plus reimbursement for certain expenses. The Company received management fees, exclusive of reimbursed expenses, of $22.5 million, $22.0 million and $22.6 million from the above mentioned entities during Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This management fee is consistent with the fee received for other properties the Company previously managed for third parties. SAC Holdings, 4 SAC, 5 SAC, Galaxy and Private Mini are substantially controlled by Blackwater. Mercury is substantially controlled by Mark V. Shoen. James P. Shoen, a significant stockholder and director of AMERCO, has an interest in Mercury.
The Company leases space for marketing company offices, vehicle repair shops and hitch installation centers from subsidiaries of SAC Holdings, 5 SAC and Galaxy. Total lease payments pursuant to such leases were $2.4 million, $2.5 million and $2.4 million for Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The terms of the leases are similar to the terms of leases for other properties owned by unrelated parties that are leased to the Company.
At March 31, 2012, subsidiaries of SAC Holdings, 4 SAC, 5 SAC, Galaxy and Private Mini acted as U-Haul independent dealers. The financial and other terms of the dealership contracts with the aforementioned companies and their subsidiaries are substantially identical to the terms of those with the Company’s other independent dealers whereby commissions are paid by the Company based upon equipment rental revenue. However, in some instances the dealership contracts with these entities is for a specified term of years, as opposed to being on a month-by-month term. The Company paid the above mentioned entities $41.7 million, $37.3 million and $34.7 million in commissions pursuant to such dealership contract during Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
These agreements and notes with subsidiaries of SAC Holdings, 4 SAC, 5 SAC, Galaxy and Private Mini, excluding Dealer Agreements, provided revenue of $45.3 million, expenses of $2.4 million and cash flows of $41.8 million during Fiscal 2012. Revenues and commission expenses related to the Dealer Agreements were $194.1 million and $41.7 million, respectively for Fiscal 2012.
In February 2011, the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”) entered into the U-Haul Investors Club Indenture. The Company and the Trustee entered into this indenture to provide for the issuance of notes (“U-Notes”) by us directly to investors over our proprietary website, uhaulinvestorsclub.com. The U-Notes are secured by various types of collateral including rental equipment and real estate. U-Notes are issued in smaller series that vary as to principal amount, interest rate and maturity. U-Notes are obligations of the Company and secured by the associated collateral; they are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s affiliates or subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2012, Edward J. Shoen had invested $1.1 million in the Company’s U-Notes and during Fiscal 2012 received principal payments of $31 thousand and interest payments of $22 thousand. As of March 31, 2012, James P. Shoen had invested $5.8 million in the Company’s U-Notes and during Fiscal 2012 received principal payments of $0.2 million and interest payments of $0.2 million.
DERIVATIVE ACTION
In September 2002, Paul F. Shoen filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit in the Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, Washoe County, captioned
Paul F. Shoen vs. SAC Holding Corporation et al
., CV 02-05602, seeking damages and equitable relief on behalf of AMERCO from SAC Holdings and certain current and former members of the AMERCO Board of Directors, including Edward J. Shoen, Mark V. Shoen and James P. Shoen as Defendants. AMERCO is named as a nominal Defendant in the case. The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, usurpation of corporate opportunities, wrongful interference with prospective economic advantage and unjust enrichment and seeks the unwinding of sales of self-storage properties by subsidiaries of AMERCO to SAC prior to the filing of the complaint. The complaint seeks a declaration that such transfers are void as well as unspecified damages. In October 2002, the Defendants filed motions to dismiss the complaint. Also in October 2002, Ron Belec filed a derivative action in the Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, Washoe County, captioned
Ron Belec vs. William E. Carty, et al
., CV 02-06331 and in January 2003, M.S. Management Company, Inc. filed a derivative action in the Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, Washoe County, captioned
M.S. Management Company, Inc. vs. William E. Carty, et al
., CV 03-00386. Two additional derivative suits were also filed against these parties. Each of these suits is substantially similar to the Paul F. Shoen case. The Court consolidated the five cases and thereafter dismissed these actions in May 2003, concluding that the AMERCO Board of Directors had the requisite level of independence required in order to have these claims resolved by the Board. Plaintiffs appealed
this decision and, in July 2006, the Nevada Supreme Court reversed the ruling of the trial court and remanded the case to the trial court for proceedings consistent with its ruling, allowing the Plaintiffs to file an amended complaint and plead in addition to substantive claims, demand futility.
In November 2006, the Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. In December 2006, the Defendants filed motions to dismiss, based on various legal theories. In March 2007, the Court denied AMERCO’s motion to dismiss regarding the issue of demand futility, stating that “Plaintiffs have satisfied the heightened pleading requirements of demand futility by showing a majority of the members of the AMERCO Board of Directors were interested parties in the SAC transactions.” The Court heard oral argument on the remainder of the Defendants’ motions to dismiss, including the motion (“Goldwasser Motion”) based on the fact that the subject matter of the lawsuit had been settled and dismissed in earlier litigation known as
Goldwasser v. Shoen
, C.V.N.-94-00810-ECR (D.Nev), Washoe County, Nevada. In addition, in September and October 2007, the Defendants filed Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings or in the Alternative Summary Judgment, based on the fact that the stockholders of the Company had ratified the underlying transactions at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders of AMERCO. In December 2007, the Court denied this motion. This ruling does not preclude a renewed motion for summary judgment after discovery and further proceedings on these issues. On April 7, 2008, the litigation was dismissed, on the basis of the Goldwasser Motion. On May 8, 2008, the Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of such dismissal to the Nevada Supreme Court. On May 20, 2008, AMERCO filed a cross appeal relating to the denial of its Motion to Dismiss in regard to demand futility.
On May 12, 2011, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded the case for further proceedings. First, the Court ruled that the Goldwasser settlement did not release claims that arose after the agreement and, therefore, reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the Complaint on that ground. Second, the Court affirmed the district court’s determination that the in pari delicto defense is available in a derivative suit and reversed and remanded to the district court to determine if the defense applies to this matter. Third, the Court remanded to the district court to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine whether demand upon the AMERCO Board was, in fact, futile. Fourth, the Court invited AMERCO to seek a ruling from the district court as to the legal effect of the AMERCO Shareholders’ 2008 ratification of the underlying AMERCO/SAC transactions.
Last, as to individual claims for relief, the Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty claims as to all defendants except Mark Shoen. The Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the breach of fiduciary duty: ultra vires Acts claim as to all defendants. The Court reversed the district court’s dismissal of aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment claims against the SAC entities. The Court reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the claim for wrongful interference with prospective economic advantage as to all defendants.
On remand, on July 22, 2011, AMERCO filed a Motion for Summary Judgment based upon the Shareholder’s Ratification of the SAC transactions. In addition, on August 29, 2011, certain defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Claim for Wrongful Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage. On August 31, 2011, the trial court held a status conference and entered an order setting forth the briefing schedule for the two motions. On December 23, 2011, the trial court denied AMERCO’s motion for summary judgment and certain defendants’ motion to dismiss. The court has set a discovery schedule on the limited issue of demand futility. A four day evidentiary hearing on demand futility is scheduled to begin August 20, 2012.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
BDO USA, LLP has served as the Company’s principal independent Registered Public Accounting firm since August 2002 and the Audit Committee has selected BDO USA, LLP to audit AMERCO’s financial statements for Fiscal 2013. The following table shows the fees that AMERCO and its consolidated entities paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by BDO USA, LLP for Fiscal 2012 and 2011.
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|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
$
|
2,678
|
|
|
$
|
2,861
|
|
Audit-related fees
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
All other fees
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,738
|
|
|
$
|
2,921
|
|
Audit Fees.
This category includes the audit of AMERCO’s annual financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of fiscal year end, review of financial statements included in AMERCO’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided by the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements, statutory audits required by U.S. jurisdictions and the preparation of an annual “management letter” on internal control matters.
Audit-Related Fees.
This category consists of assurance and related services provided by BDO USA, LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of AMERCO’s financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.” The services for the fees disclosed under this category include benefit plan audits.
Tax Fees.
This category consists of professional services provided by BDO USA, LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
Each year, the Audit Committee approves the annual audit engagement in advance. The Audit Committee also has established procedures to pre-approve all non-audit services provided by the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. All Fiscal 2012 non-audit services listed above were pre-approved. The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of services by BDO USA, LLP described in the preceding paragraphs were compatible with maintaining BDO USA, LLP’s independence as the Company’s principal independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
PROPOSAL 3 - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
BDO USA, LLP currently serves as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and has conducted the audit of the Company’s accounts since 2002. The Audit Committee has appointed BDO USA, LLP to serve as the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to conduct an audit of our accounts for Fiscal 2013.
Selection of the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is not required to be submitted to a vote of the stockholders for ratification. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the Audit Committee to be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the audit work of the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. However, the Board has elected to submit the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.
Accordingly, the Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.
Even if stockholders vote on an advisory basis in favor of the appointment, the 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 determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
Representatives of BDO USA, LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
PROPOSAL 4 - STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING RATIFICATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S OF AMERCO AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DECISIONS AND ACTIONS APRIL 1, 2011 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012
On September 24, 2008, the Company received a stockholder proposal which contained the motion detailed below:
Motion:
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We do here by submit a proposal for inclusion in the AMERCO Annual Meeting Proxy statement, that AMERCO include on the ballot and in the annual meeting materials for such respective annual meetings a stockholder proposal from the undersigned stockholder proponents (or such other stockholder proponent(s) as may make the request, or as a management proposal in the event the undersigned are no longer stockholders of the Company and no comparable proposal is received from another stockholder), that all decisions and actions made by the AMERCO Board of Directors and Executive Officers, with respect to AMERCO and its subsidiaries, for the time frame of April 1 of the year prior to the date of such Proxy Statement through March 31 of the year of such Proxy Statement, be ratified and affirmed.
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Reason for Making the Proposal:
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To support the AMERCO Board of Directors and Executive Officers on their decisions for these time periods. We believe the Company is headed in a positive direction due to their leadership and guidance.
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Relevant Notices:
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1) We do not have any material interest in the subject matter of the proposal.
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2) We are not members of any partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, relationship, understanding, or otherwise, whether or not in writing, organized in whole or in part for the purpose of acquiring, owning
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or voting shares of AMERCO stock.
3) The above stockholders have continuously held at least $2,000 in market value of AMERCO shares and we intend to hold the stock through the date of the annual meeting.
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In regard to this Stockholder Proposal, reference is hereby made to the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the Company’s other filings with the SEC, for disclosures relating to the Company.
The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.
PROPOSAL 5 - STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANY’S WRITTEN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY TO EXPLICITLY PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND TO SUBSTANTIALLY IMPLEMENT THE POLICY
The following proposal was submitted by the New York State Common Retirement Fund, 633 Third Avenue-31
st
Floor, New York, New York 10017, through its Sole Trustee, the Comptroller of the State of New York, the Honorable Thomas P. Dinapoli, owners of 45,000 shares of AMERCO common stock:
Whereas
: AMERCO does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in its written employment policy;
Over 89% of the Fortune 500 companies have adopted written nondiscrimination policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as have more than 95% of Fortune 100 companies, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Nearly 70% of the Fortune 100 and 43% of the Fortune 500 now prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression;
We believe that corporations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees from the widest talent pool;
According to an October 2009 survey by Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs, 44% of gay and lesbian workers in the United States reported an experience with some form of job discrimination related to sexual orientation; an earlier survey found that almost one out of every 10 gay or lesbian adults also stated that they had been fired or dismissed unfairly from a previous job, or pressured to quit a job because of their sexual orientation;
Twenty-one states, the District of Columbia and more than 160 cities and counties, have laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation; 12 states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles have adopted legislation restricting business with companies that do not guarantee equal treatment for gay and lesbian employees;
Our company has operations in, and makes sales to institutions in states and cities that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
National public opinion polls consistently find more than three quarters of the American people support equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals; for example, in a Gallup poll conducted in May 2009, 89% of respondents favored equal opportunity in employment for gays and lesbians;
Resolved
: That the Shareholders request that AMERCO amend its written equal employment opportunity policy to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to substantially implement the policy.
Supporting Statement:
Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity diminishes employee morale and productivity. Because state and local laws are inconsistent with respect to employment discrimination, our company would benefit from a consistent, corporate wide policy to enhance efforts to prevent discrimination, resolve complaints internally, and ensure a respectful and supportive atmosphere for all employees. AMERCO will enhance its competitive edge by joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing equal opportunity for all employees.
Board of Directors Position
As an equal employment opportunity employer, we believe in and practice fair and equal employment opportunities for all in our recruitment, hiring and employment of employees. We expressly prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any status protected by federal, state, local or provincial law.
In our recruitment, hiring and employment policies, we strive to ensure the entry and growth of all qualified persons in our work force. We vigorously enforce and implement our equal employment opportunity policy on an ongoing basis through training, employee communications and workplace postings. AMERCO takes discrimination claims very seriously. All complaints of discrimination are promptly investigated and, when warranted, corrective action is taken.
Our equal employment opportunity policies and procedures have resulted in our recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce of many different cultures, races and backgrounds, with employees contributing their unique experiences to AMERCO, its customers and its business operations.
The Board makes no recommendation with respect to this proposal.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, the Company’s securities with the SEC. Such directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders are also required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms received by it, the Company believes that during Fiscal 2012, all Section 16(a) filings applicable to its directors, officers and 10% stockholders were filed on a timely basis, except for one Form 3 filed on May 11, 2011 for Samuel J. Shoen that reported transactions which occurred on February 9, 2011.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
For inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AMERCO, a stockholder proposal intended for presentation at that meeting must be submitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the SEC and received by the Secretary of AMERCO, c/o U-Haul International, Inc., 2721 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, on or before March 20, 2013. Stockholder proposals submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 will be considered untimely if submitted after June 3, 2013. If a stockholder submits a proposal after the close of business on June 3, 2013, the Company’s proxy holders will be allowed to use their discretionary authority to vote against the proposal when and if the proposal is raised at the 2013 Annual Meeting. Proposals to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AMERCO that are not intended for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy must be submitted by that date and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s Bylaws, a copy of which is available upon written request, delivered to the Secretary of AMERCO at the address in the preceding sentence. The Company suggests that proponents submit their proposals to the Secretary of AMERCO by Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested.
OTHER MATTERS
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 2012 may be viewed and downloaded from
proxyvote.com
, from the Company’s Investor Relations website at
amerco.com
, may be requested via e-mail through either such website, or may be requested telephonically at 1-800-579-1639. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material.
With respect to Company stockholders’ meetings following the Annual Meeting, the Company anticipates to continue furnishing proxy materials to stockholders by posting such materials on an internet website in accordance with applicable laws, and providing stockholders with notice of internet availability of such materials. Paper copies of such materials will be available to stockholders on request, for a period of one year, at no cost, in accordance with applicable laws.
UPON REQUEST, THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE BY FIRST CLASS U.S. MAIL, TO EACH STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD AS OF THE RECORD DATE, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT, THE PROXY CARD, AND THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND MARCH 31, 2012, INCLUDING THE REQUIRED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL REPORTING, U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., P.O. BOX 21502, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85036-1502.
EXHIBIT A
AMERCO 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
August 30
,
2012
Phoenix, Arizona
MEETING PROCEDURES
In fairness to all stockholders attending the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of AMERCO, and in the interest of an orderly meeting, we ask you to honor the following:
A. The meeting will not be open to the public. Pursuant to Section 6 of Article II of AMERCO’s Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), attendance at the Annual Meeting is limited to (i) stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and (ii) the persons upon whom proxies valid for purposes of the meeting have been conferred or their duly appointed substitutes (if the related proxies confer a power of substitution). A person otherwise entitled to attend the Annual Meeting will cease to be so entitled if, in the judgment of the chairman of the meeting, such person engages in disorderly conduct impeding the proper conduct of the Annual Meeting. Stockholders of record or their proxies and beneficial owners may be asked to show proof of entitlement to attend the Annual Meeting. Stockholders of record voting by proxy will not be admitted to the meeting unless their proxies are revoked, in which case the holders of the revoked proxies will not be permitted to attend the meeting. In addition, the media will not be given access to the meeting. The meeting will be webcast over the internet at
amerco.com
and such webcast will be open to the public. We encourage stockholders and other stakeholders and media members to watch the Annual Meeting via our webcast. We believe this is one way to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to the Annual Meeting.
B. With the exception of cameras and recording devices provided by the Company, cameras and recording devices of all kinds (including stenographic) are prohibited in the meeting room.
C. Pursuant to Article II, Section 9 of the Bylaws after calling the meeting to order, the Chairman will require the registration of all stockholders intending to vote in person, and the filing of all proxies with the Inspector of Elections. After the announced time for such filing of proxies has ended, no further proxies or changes, substitutions, or revocations of proxies will be accepted.
D. Pursuant to Article II, Section 9 of the Bylaws the Chairman of the meeting has, among other things, absolute authority to determine the order of business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting and to establish rules for, and appoint personnel to assist in, preserving the orderly conduct of the business of the Annual Meeting (including any informal, or question-and answer, portions thereof).
E. When an item is before the Annual Meeting for consideration, questions and comments are to be confined to that item only.
F. Pursuant to Article II, Section 5 of the Bylaws, only such business (including director nominations) as shall have been properly brought before the meeting shall be conducted.
Pursuant to the Bylaws, in order to be properly brought before the meeting, such business must have either been (1) specified in the written notice of the meeting given to stockholders on the record date for such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), (2) brought before the meeting at the direction of the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Annual Meeting, or (3) specified in a written notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder on the record date for such meeting entitled to vote thereat or a duly authorized proxy for such stockholder, in accordance with all of the following requirements.
a) Such notice must have been delivered personally to, or mailed to and received at, the principal executive office of the corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary no later than March 16, 2012.
b) Such notice must have set forth:
|
i.
|
a full description of each such item of business proposed to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at such meeting,
|
|
ii.
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the name and address of the person proposing to bring such business before the meeting,
|
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iii.
|
the class and number of shares held of record, held beneficially, and represented by proxy by such person as of the record date for the meeting,
|
|
iv.
|
if any item of such business involves a nomination for director, all information regarding each such nominee that would be required to be set forth in a definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, as amended, or any successor thereto (the "Exchange Act"), and the written consent of each such nominee to serve if elected,
|
|
v.
|
any material interest of such stockholder in the specified business,
|
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vi.
|
whether or not such stockholder is a member of any partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, relationship, understanding, or otherwise, whether or not in writing, organized in whole or in part for the purpose of acquiring, owning, or voting shares of the corporation, and
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vii.
|
all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if, with respect to the business proposed to be brought before the meeting, the person proposing such business was a participant in a solicitation subject to the Exchange Act.
|
No business shall be brought before any meeting of the Company's stockholders otherwise than as provided in this Section. The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine that any proposed item of business or nomination as director was not brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the improper item of business or nomination shall be disregarded.
G. At the appropriate time, any stockholder who wishes to address the Annual Meeting should do so only upon being recognized by the Chairman of the meeting. After such recognition, please state your name, whether you are a stockholder or a proxy for a stockholder,
and, if you are a proxy, name the stockholder you represent. All matters should be concisely presented.
H. Pursuant to Article II, Section 6 of the Bylaws, a person otherwise entitled to attend the Annual Meeting will cease to be so entitled if, in the judgment of the Chairman of the meeting, such person engages in disorderly conduct impeding the proper conduct of the meeting against the interests of all stockholders as a group.
I. If there are any question’s remaining after the meeting is adjourned, please take them up with the representatives of the Company at the Secretary's desk. Also, any matters of a personal nature that concern you as a stockholder should be referred to these representatives after such meeting.
J. Pursuant to Article II, Section 12 of the Bylaws, all informalities or irregularities in any call or notice of a meeting, or in the areas of credentials, proxies, quorums, voting, and similar matters, will be deemed waived if no objection is made at the Annual Meeting.
K. The views, constructive comments and criticisms from stockholders are welcome. However, it is requested that no matter be brought up that is irrelevant to the business of the Company.
L. It is requested that common courtesy be observed at all times.
Our objective is to (1) encourage open communication and the free expression of ideas that are conducive to the best interests of stockholders of the Company, and (2) to conduct an informative and meaningful meeting in a fair and orderly manner. Your cooperation in accomplishing these objectives will be sincerely appreciated by the Company and its stockholders.
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT C
EXHIBIT C