Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On May 31, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Lance E. Iserman as Executive Vice President, Sales and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective June 1, 2017. Mr. Iserman, age 52, has served as President of the Company’s Western Region, with responsibility for stores located in the western region of the United States, since October 2014. From August 2001 through September 2014, Mr. Iserman served in various roles within the Company, including as Market President with responsibility for stores located in southern California from November 2011 through September 2014, and as Market President with responsibility for stores located in Phoenix, Arizona and Tucson, Arizona from October 2006 through October 2011.
In connection with his promotion, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board approved a new compensation arrangement for Mr. Iserman. Effective June 1, 2017, Mr. Iserman will be entitled to receive an annual base salary of $750,000. In addition, Mr. Iserman will participate in the 2017 annual incentive program established by the Committee with a 2017 target award equal to 70% of his annual base salary, based on the same performance goals approved by the Committee for the other executive officers of the Company and pro-rated based on time served in his new position during 2017. Mr. Iserman also received a one-time award of 6,505 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on June 1, 2017. The RSUs will vest in 25% annual increments on each of the first four anniversaries of March 1, 2017.
On May 31, 2017, the Board appointed Mike Jackson as President of the Company, in addition to his current positions as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective June 1, 2017. Mike Jackson, age 68, has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Director since September 1999 and as the Company’s Chairman of the Board since January 2003.
On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims (the “Agreement”) with William R. Berman in connection with his resignation as President and Chief Operating Officer effective May 15, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, in consideration for, among other things, his compliance with non-solicitation, no-hire, confidentiality, and cooperation obligations, as well as his compliance with all other agreements between him and the Company, including non-competition agreements, and subject to his re-execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, Mr. Berman will receive severance compensation equal to $2,775,000, less applicable taxes and withholdings, payable in 36 semi-monthly installments over 18 months following his separation of employment with the Company on June 30, 2017. In addition, the Company agreed to pay to Mr. Berman a pro-rated annual bonus for 2017, based on the Company’s actual performance for 2017 and payable at the same time bonuses are paid to the other executive officers of the Company. Mr. Berman’s outstanding equity awards will be governed by the terms of his award agreements and the Company’s equity plans.
The foregoing summary of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Agreement. The Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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10.1
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Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims, dated May 31, 2017, by and between AutoNation, Inc. and William R. Berman.
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