def14a
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
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
BROOKFIELD HOMES CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
|
|
|
1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined): |
|
|
|
4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
|
o |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
|
|
o |
|
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. |
|
|
|
1) |
|
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
|
2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement
No.: |
BROOKFIELD HOMES CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On
May 4, 2007
Fellow Stockholders of Brookfield Homes Corporation:
You are invited to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Brookfield Homes
Corporation. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner Hotel, 7920 Jones
Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia on May 4, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following
purposes:
|
|
|
to elect nine directors; |
|
|
|
|
to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for 2007; and |
|
|
|
|
to conduct other business properly brought before the meeting. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2007, are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
While we would like to have each of you attend the meeting and vote your shares in person, we
realize this may not be possible. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very
important. A form of proxy on which to indicate your vote and an envelope, postage prepaid, in
which to return your proxy are enclosed. WE URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED
FORM OF PROXY SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. If you later decide to attend the Annual
Meeting, you may revoke your proxy at that time and vote your shares in person.
If you desire any additional information concerning the Annual Meeting or the matters to be
acted upon at the meeting, we would be glad to hear from you. Please contact the undersigned at
858-481-2965.
Yours very truly,
Shane D. Pearson
Secretary to the Board of Directors
Fairfax, Virginia
March 23, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cover |
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
BROOKFIELD HOMES CORPORATION
8500 Executive Park Avenue, Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 4, 2007
GENERAL
Time, Place and Purposes of Meeting
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Brookfield Homes Corporation will be held on May 4, 2007
at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner Hotel, 7920 Jones Branch Drive,
McLean, Virginia (in this proxy statement, unless the context requires otherwise, references to
we, our, us, and Company refer to Brookfield Homes Corporation). The purposes of the Annual
Meeting are set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to which this proxy statement
is attached.
Solicitation of Proxies
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of
directors. We expect that this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy will first be
mailed on or about March 23, 2007 to each stockholder of record on March 12, 2007. We will bear the
entire cost of this solicitation. The solicitation of proxies will be made primarily by use of the
mail. In addition, our directors, officers and regular employees may make solicitations by
telephone, telegraph, e-mail or personal interview, and may request banks, brokers, fiduciaries and
other persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of their nominees, to forward proxies
and proxy materials to their principals and obtain authorization for the execution and return of
such proxies. We will reimburse such banks, brokers and fiduciaries for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
Revocation and Voting of Proxies
A proxy for use at the Annual Meeting is enclosed. Any proxy given may be revoked by you at any
time before it is exercised by filing with us a notice in writing revoking it or by duly executing
a proxy bearing a later date. Proxies also may be revoked in person at the Annual Meeting if you
desire to vote your shares in person. Subject to such revocation and except as otherwise stated
herein or in the form of proxy, all proxies duly executed and received prior to, or at the time of,
the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the specifications of the proxies. If no
specification is made, proxies will be voted for the nominees for election of directors set forth
elsewhere herein (see PROPOSAL ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS) and for the ratification of the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for 2007 (see PROPOSAL TWO -
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS) and, at the discretion of the proxy holders,
on all other matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights
March 12, 2007 has been set as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. There were 26,627,825 shares of our common stock,
$0.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding on February 15, 2007. On any matter submitted to
a stockholder vote, each holder of our common stock will be entitled to one vote, in person or by
proxy, for each share of common stock registered in his, her or its name on the books of our
Company as of the record date. A list of such stockholders will be available for examination by any
stockholder at our Fairfax, Virginia office, 8500 Executive Park Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax,
Virginia, for at least ten days before the Annual Meeting.
Quorum Requirement
Our By-laws provide that at any meeting of stockholders, there must be present, either in person or
by proxy, in order to constitute a quorum, stockholders owning a majority of our issued and
outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at said meeting.
1
Vote Required
If a broker holds your shares, this proxy statement and a proxy card have been sent to the broker.
You may have received this proxy statement directly from your broker, together with instructions as
to how to direct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not give your broker instructions or
discretionary authority to vote your shares on the Proposals and your broker returns the proxy card
indicating such lack of authority, your shares will be broker non-votes with respect to the
Proposals for which the broker does not have authority to vote. Broker non-votes will be counted
as present for purposes of determining a quorum, but will not be counted as shares entitled to
vote. If you abstain from voting on the Proposals, your shares will be counted as present at the
meeting, for purposes of determining a quorum, and entitled to vote. As a result, abstentions will
have no effect on the election of directors but will have the effect of a vote against the other
proposal being considered at the meeting.
In the election for directors, the nine persons receiving the highest number of for votes will be
elected.
The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for 2007
requires approval by a majority of shares of common stock entitled to vote on the Proposal and
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
If any other proposals are properly presented to the stockholders at the meeting, the number of
votes required for approval will depend upon the nature of the proposal. Generally, under Delaware
law the number of votes required to approve a proposal is a majority of the shares of common stock
entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy represented at the Annual Meeting. The enclosed
proxy card gives discretionary authority to the proxy holders to vote on any matter not included in
this proxy statement that is properly presented to the stockholders at the meeting.
Stockholders Sharing Same Address
In some cases, only one copy of this proxy statement and our 2006 Annual Report is being delivered
to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless we have received contrary instructions from one
or more of the stockholders. Upon written or oral request, we will promptly deliver a separate
copy of this proxy statement and our 2006 Annual Report to a stockholder at a shared address to
which a single copy was delivered. You can notify us that you wish to receive a separate copy of
our proxy statements and annual reports in the future, or alternatively, that you wish to receive a
single copy of the materials instead of multiple copies. Contact information for these purposes is:
Brookfield Homes Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 12865 Pointe Del Mar, Suite 200, Del
Mar, CA, 92014, telephone number: 858-481-2567, or email: lnorthwood@brookfieldhomes.com.
PROPOSAL ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors has nominated the nine persons set forth below for election as our
directors at the Annual Meeting, a majority of whom are independent. All of the nominees are
currently serving as our directors.
Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying proxy, the shares voted pursuant thereto will be
voted for each of the persons named below as nominees for election as directors. All directors are
elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and their successors have been
elected and qualified. If any nominee is unable to serve, the proxies will be voted by the proxy
holders in their discretion for another person. The board of directors has no reason to believe
that any nominee will not be able to serve as a director for his or her prescribed term.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Since |
|
Principal Occupation and Business Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian G. Cockwell
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Ian Cockwell was appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer in October 2002. From 1994 to
2002, Mr. Cockwell served in various senior
executive positions with Brookfield Residential
Group, a division of Brookfield Properties
Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange listed
company. From 1998 until 2002, Mr. Cockwell was
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer responsible
for Brookfield Properties master-planned
communities business. |
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Since |
|
Principal Occupation and Business Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joan H. Fallon
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Joan Fallon became a director in December 2005.
Ms. Fallon is a principal of JH Fallon and
Associates, a real estate consulting firm that
she established in 2003. From 1995 to 2003, she
served as Portfolio Manager/Managing Director of
the TIAA Real Estate Account, a separate account
of TIAA-CREF. From 1980 to 1995, Ms. Fallon held
various positions within the real estate division
of TIAA-CREF and prior to that, within the
pension and insurance divisions of TIAA-CREF. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Ferchat
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Robert Ferchat became a director in December 2002.
Mr. Ferchat was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of BCE Mobile Communications, Inc. from
1994 until 1999.
Mr. Ferchat served as a director of Brookfield
Properties from 1997 until 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Bruce Flatt
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Bruce Flatt was appointed Chairman of our board
of directors in October 2002. Since February
2002, Mr. Flatt has served as Managing Partner
and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Asset
Management Inc., prior to which he served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Brookfield Properties beginning in April 2000.
Between August 1995 and April 2000, Mr. Flatt
served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Brookfield Properties. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce T. Lehman
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Bruce Lehman became a director in December 2002.
Mr. Lehman is a principal in Armada LLC, an
investor and principal in residential real
estate. Prior to this, Mr. Lehman was an
independent consultant, providing strategic
advice to clients in the homebuilding industry
from 2000 to 2002.
Mr. Lehman was President-Merchant Housing
Division, of Catellus Residential Group, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Catellus Development
Corp. from 1996 until 2000. Mr. Lehman also held
this position with Catellus Residential Groups
predecessor company Akins Real Estate Group, from
1989 until 2000. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Norris
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
Alan Norris became a director in February 2003.
Mr. Norris is President and Chief Executive
Officer of Carma Group, a developer of
master-planned communities wholly-owned by
Brookfield Properties. Mr. Norris joined Carma
in 1983 and assumed increasingly senior positions
over the next 11 years when he was promoted to
his current position. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Sherman
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
David Sherman became a director in February 2003.
Mr. Sherman is a Co-Managing Member of
Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Management, LLC,
a real estate fund-of-funds manager, a position
he has held since the firms inception in 2002.
Since 2000, Mr. Sherman has also served as an
adjunct professor of real estate at Columbia
University Graduate School of Business
Administration. Mr. Sherman was the Managing
Director, and head of REIT Equity Research at
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. from 1995 until 2000.
Prior to this, Mr. Sherman held various positions
in real estate investment banking and finance. |
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Since |
|
Principal Occupation and Business Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Stelzl
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Robert Stelzl became a director in December 2002.
Mr. Stelzl is President of Rivas Capital, a
private real estate investor and fund manager.
Mr. Stelzl recently retired from Colony Capital
LLC, a global real estate private equity investor
where he was a Principal since 1995. Mr. Stelzl
is currently a director of Brookfield Properties. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael D. Young
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Michael Young was re-appointed to the board in
February, 2007. Mr. Young is President of
Quadrant Capital Partners, Inc., a private equity
firm with offices in Dallas and Toronto. Mr.
Young served as Managing Director of CIBC World
Markets Inc., a financial services firm, from
1994 until 2003. Mr. Young has been a trustee of
IPC US Real Estate Investment Trust since 2002
and a trustee of Calloway Real Estate Investment
Trust since 2003. Mr. Young was recommended as a
nominee to serve on the Companys board of
directors by the Companys Governance and
Nominating Committee. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
4
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of shares of our outstanding common stock as of
February 15, 2007 by:
|
|
|
each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; |
|
|
|
|
each of our directors and director nominees; |
|
|
|
|
each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 19 under EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION; and |
|
|
|
|
all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities (refer to
footnote 1 to the table for additional information about how beneficial ownership is calculated).
Unless stated otherwise, the shares are owned directly and the named beneficial owners possess sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth in the table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
|
Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Percentage |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned (1) (2) |
|
of Class (3) |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (4)
Suite 300, BCE Place
181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3 |
|
|
14,140,893 |
(5) |
|
|
53.11 |
|
Morgan Stanley
1585 Broadway Avenue
New York, New York 10036 |
|
|
4,053,484 |
(6) |
|
|
15.22 |
|
Baron
Capital Group, Inc. 767 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York 10153 |
|
|
2,382,300 |
(7) |
|
|
8.95 |
|
Alson Capital Partners, LLC
810 Seventh Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, New York 10019 |
|
|
1,365,182 |
(8) |
|
|
5.13 |
|
Ian G. Cockwell (9) |
|
|
15,050,860 |
|
|
|
56.35 |
|
Joan H. Fallon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert A. Ferchat |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
J. Bruce Flatt (9) |
|
|
14,176,925 |
|
|
|
53.24 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
306,825 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
Bruce T. Lehman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan Norris |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
19,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
David M. Sherman |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert L. Stelzl |
|
|
2,600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael D. Young |
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and officers as a group (11 persons) |
|
|
15,434,317 |
|
|
|
57.57 |
|
(1) |
|
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the determination of
beneficial ownership of securities, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a
security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to
direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose
of or to direct the disposition of the security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial
owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership
within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of
the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to
which the person has no economic interest. |
5
(2) |
|
Beneficial ownership includes shares held indirectly through Partners Limited, which is
described in note 4 below. Beneficial ownership also includes shares that the executive
officers and directors could acquire by exercising stock options on, or within 60 days after,
February 15, 2007 as follows: Mr. Cockwell 82,000;
Mr. Kerrigan 82,207; and Mr. Seith 19,000. Refer to the section of this proxy statement
entitled Executive Compensation for details of issued stock options. No shares are pledged as
security by any of the named executive officers or directors other than 129,618 shares pledged
as security by Mr. Kerrigan. |
(3) |
|
The percentages are calculated based on the 26,627,825 shares of our common stock that are
outstanding as of February 15, 2007. For each person, separately, his or her percentage was
calculated by including his or her options as set forth in footnote (2) in both the numerator
and the denominator, and for the group, the percentage was calculated by including the
aggregate number of options set forth in footnote (2) in both the numerator and the
denominator. |
(4) |
|
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) is an asset management company listed on the
New York and Toronto stock exchanges. J. Bruce Flatt, the Chairman of our board of directors,
is also a director and Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield. We are
advised by Brookfield that its major shareholder is Partners Limited (Partners). Partners
and its shareholders, collectively own, directly or indirectly, exercise control or direction
over, or have options and warrants to acquire, approximately 45 million Class A Limited Voting
Shares, representing approximately 17% of the outstanding Class A Limited Voting Shares of
Brookfield on a fully diluted basis, and 85,120 Class B Limited Voting Shares, representing
100% of the Class B Limited Voting Shares of Brookfield. Messrs. Cockwell and Flatt, who are
directors and officers of our company, are also shareholders of Partners and may be deemed to
share beneficial ownership of our common stock with Brookfield. There are 45 shareholders of
Partners, none of whom hold more than a 15% effective equity interest. To the extent any of
such shareholders is deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock held by
Brookfield, such person disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares of our common stock. |
(5) |
|
Based solely upon information contained in the Schedule 13G/A of Brookfield filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) with respect to common stock owned as of
December 31, 2006. |
(6) |
|
Based solely upon information contained in the Schedule 13G/A of Morgan Stanley filed with
the SEC with respect to common stock owned as of December 31, 2006. |
(7) |
|
Based solely upon information contained in the Schedule 13G of Baron Capital Group, Inc.,
filed with the SEC with respect to common stock owned as of December 31, 2006. |
(8) |
|
Based solely upon information contained in the Schedule 13G of Alson Capital Partners, LLC
filed with the SEC with respect to common stock owned as of January 11, 2007. |
(9) |
|
Includes 14,140,893 shares beneficially owned by Brookfield. Messrs. Cockwell and Flatt
disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock held by Brookfield. |
6
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Corporate Governance Standards
The board of directors has adopted a Statement of Corporate Governance Practices which contains a
number of corporate governance standards designed to comply with the New York Stock Exchanges
Corporate Governance Rules (the NYSE Rules) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC Rules). The significant corporate governance standards adopted by
the board of directors are discussed below. The Statement of Corporate Governance Practices is
posted on our website under the Investor Relations and Corporate Governance links and is available
in print to any stockholder who so requests. Our website is www.brookfieldhomes.com.
Controlled Company
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. exercises voting power over approximately 53% of our outstanding
common shares. As such, we are a Controlled Company under NYSE Rules. At present, we have not
elected to utilize any of the controlled company corporate governance exemptions available to us
under the NYSE Rules.
Director Independence
The board has adopted a set of Independence Standards consistent with the NYSE Rules, to assist
it in determining whether a member of the board is independent under the NYSE Rules. The
Independence Standards are available on our website under the Investor Relations and Corporate
Governance links and are contained in our Statement of Corporate Governance Practices. In order to
be determined to be independent in accordance with these Independence Standards, a director must
have no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or
officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company), other than as a director of
the Company. The Independence Standards specify the criteria by which the independence of our
directors will be determined, including guidelines for directors and their immediate families with
respect to past employment or affiliation with the Company, its management or its independent
auditor. To assist it in determining director independence, a director is not independent if:
|
|
the director is or has been within the last three years, an employee
of the Company, or an immediate family member is, or has been within
the last three years, an executive officer of the Company; |
|
|
the director has received, or has an immediate family member who has
received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years,
more than $100,000 in direct compensation from the Company, other than
director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred
compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not
contingent in any way on continued service); |
|
|
(a) the director or an immediate family member is a current partner of a firm that is the
Companys internal or external auditor; (b) the director is a current employee of such a firm;
(c) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and
who participates in the firms audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning)
practice; or (d) the director or an immediate family member was within the last three years
(but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the Companys
audit within that time; |
|
|
the director or an immediate family member is, or has been within the
last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company
where any of the Companys present executive officers at the same time
serves or served on that companys compensation committee; or |
|
|
the director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a
current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or
received payments from, the Company for property or services in an
amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the
greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other companys consolidated
gross revenues. |
Based on the Independence Standards, the board has determined that Joan H. Fallon, Robert A.
Ferchat, Bruce T. Lehman, David M. Sherman and Robert L. Stelzl are independent, for purposes of serving as
independent members of the board of directors, the Management Resources and Compensation Committee
and the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee Independence, Financial Literacy and Audit Committee Financial Expert
In addition to being independent based on the Independence Standards, the NYSE Rules and related
SEC Rules require that each member of an audit committee satisfy additional independence and
financial literacy requirements, and at least one of these members must satisfy the additional
requirement of having accounting or related financial
7
management expertise. This additional requirement can be satisfied by the board determining that
at least one Audit Committee member is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of
the SEC Rules. Accordingly, the Audit Committee Charter contains a set of standards that relate to
audit committee independence, financial literacy and audit committee accounting and financial
management expertise. See Committees of the Board Audit Committee for further information
about the independence of the Audit Committee.
Regular Meetings of Non-Management and Independent Directors
Consistent with our present practice and in accordance with the NYSE Rules, at the time of each
regularly scheduled board meeting, the non-management directors as well as the independent
directors ordinarily will each meet separately for a period of time. Annually, the board of
directors appoints an independent director who presides over both non-management and independent
director sessions and is referred to as the Presiding Director. Presently, the Audit Committee
Chairman serves as the Presiding Director. The non-management and the independent directors may
also meet at such other times as determined by the Presiding Director or at the request of any
non-management or independent director.
Shareholder Communications
Stockholders may send communications to the board of directors by writing to the Companys
Corporate Secretary, 12865 Pointe Del Mar, Suite 200, Del Mar, CA, 92014. Communications will be
reviewed and investigated and referred to the board of directors for appropriate action. Interested
parties with a good faith concern about the Companys conduct and who wish to contact the Presiding
Director directly may do so by writing to: Presiding Director, Brookfield Homes Corporation, 12865
Pointe Del Mar, Suite 200, Del Mar, CA, 92014. The status of all outstanding concerns addressed to
the Presiding Director will be reported to the directors as appropriate, on at least a quarterly
basis.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our employees, officers and directors, including
our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer. The code of ethics
is available on our website at www.brookfieldhomes.com and is available in print to any shareholder
who requests it. Any amendments to, or waivers from, our code of ethics, as they relate to any
executive officer or director, including our principal executive officer and principal financial
and accounting officer must be approved by the board of directors or a committee thereof and be
promptly disclosed to shareholders. We plan to disclose such waivers and amendments on our website,
as well as to comply with other applicable requirements.
Complaint Procedures Regarding Accounting, Internal Control, Auditing and Financial Matters
In accordance with SEC Rules, the Audit Committee has established the following procedures for (i)
the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls, or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees
concerning questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Interested parties may report complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or
auditing matters involving Brookfield Homes by writing to the Chairman of the Audit Committee,
Brookfield Homes Corporation, 12865 Pointe Del Mar, Suite 200, Del Mar, CA, 92014. Complaints will
be reviewed and investigated as appropriate. Employees who wish to submit concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters and who wish to do so confidentially and anonymously,
may follow the procedures described above, omitting any return address or other identifying
feature.
Procedures Regarding Director Candidates Recommended by Stockholders
The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider a candidate recommended for the board of
directors by stockholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company if such
recommending stockholder or stockholders follow the procedures set forth below. In order to
recommend a nominee for a director position, a stockholder must be a stockholder of record at the
time it gives its notice of recommendation and must be entitled to vote for the election of
directors at the meeting at which such nominee will be considered. Stockholder recommendations must
be made pursuant to written notice delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Company (i) in the case of a nomination for election at an annual meeting, not less
than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the Companys
notice of annual meeting for the preceding years annual meeting; and (ii) in the case of a special
meeting at which directors are to be elected, not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public
disclosure of the date was made. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is
8
changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the preceding years annual meeting, the
stockholder notice described above will be deemed timely if it is received not later than the close
of business on the tenth day following the earlier of the date on which notice of the date of the
meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made of the date.
The stockholder notice must set forth the following:
|
|
As to the person the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election as a director, all
information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed or is otherwise
required pursuant to Regulation 14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the Exchange Act), which must include the
written consent of the nominee to serve as a
director if elected; |
|
|
As to the nominating stockholder, such
stockholders name and address as they appear
on the Companys books, the class and number of shares of the Companys common stock which are
beneficially owned by such stockholder and
which are owned of record by such stockholder;
and |
|
|
As to any other beneficial owner of the stock
on whose behalf the nomination is made, the
name and address of such person and the class
and number of shares of the Companys common
stock they beneficially own. |
In addition to complying with the foregoing procedures, any stockholder nominating a director must
also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is directed to determine the appropriate characteristics,
skills and experience for each director position and for the board as a whole. Directors should
possess the highest personal, professional and ethical standards, integrity and values, and be
committed to representing the long-term interests of the stockholders. If a director candidate is
recommended by a stockholder, the Governance and Nominating Committee expects that it would
evaluate such candidate in the same manner it evaluates director candidates identified by the
Committee.
Meetings of the Board
The board of directors meets at least once in each quarter, with additional meetings held when
appropriate. The board also annually reviews and approves our business plan and long-term strategy.
In addition, directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. During the 2006
fiscal year, the board met five times, including four regularly scheduled quarterly meetings and
one special meeting, and acted four times by written consent. Each director attended 100 percent of
the board and committee meetings for which they were a member during the 2006 fiscal year with the
exception of one director who was unable to attend one board meeting and one committee meeting out
of five board and seven committee meetings for which he was a member. Eight directors attended the
annual meeting of stockholders held in May 2006, with one director unable to attend. Four regular
meetings are scheduled for 2007. Meeting frequency and agenda items may change depending on the
opportunities or risks that we are facing.
At the time of each regularly scheduled board meeting, the non-management directors as well as the
independent directors ordinarily will each meet separately for a period of time. The Presiding
Director will preside over both non-management and independent director sessions.
Committees of the Board
The board of directors believes that committees assist in the effective functioning of the board
and that the composition of board committees should ensure that the views of independent directors
are effectively represented. The board has three committees: the Governance and Nominating
Committee, the Audit Committee and the Management Resources and Compensation Committee. Each
committee operates pursuant to a written charter. Each charter is posted on our website under the
Corporate Governance link and is available in print to any stockholder who so requests. Special
committees may be formed from time to time as required to review particular matters or
transactions. While the board retains overall responsibility for corporate governance matters, the
Governance and Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Management Resources and
Compensation Committee each have specific responsibilities for certain aspects of corporate
governance as described below.
Governance and Nominating Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the board of directors to assist the board
in carrying out its responsibilities by reviewing corporate governance and board nominee issues and
making recommendations
9
to the board as appropriate. In particular, the Committee is responsible for identifying
individuals qualified to become board members consistent with criteria approved by the board,
recommending to the board proposed nominees for election to the board at the next annual meeting of
stockholders, developing and recommending to the board corporate governance principles, and
overseeing the evaluation of the board and management. The Committees Charter is available on our
website at www.brookfieldhomes.com. The Governance and Nominating Committee is comprised of three
directors: David M. Sherman (Chairman), Robert A. Ferchat and Bruce T. Lehman. Each member of the
Governance and Nominating Committee has been determined by the board to be independent within the
meaning of the NYSE Rules. The Governance and Nominating Committee met twice during the 2006 fiscal
year.
Audit Committee
We have a separately designated Audit Committee established in accordance with the Exchange Act.
The Audit Committee is appointed by the board of directors to assist it in monitoring: (1) the
integrity of our financial statements, including audits thereof; (2) our accounting and financial
reporting processes and system of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and
accounting compliance; (3) the independent auditors qualifications and independence; (4) the
performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors; (5) our compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements; (6) our relationship with the independent auditors; and (7) our
principal financial risks and the processes employed to manage such risks. The Audit Committee of
the board is currently comprised of three directors: Robert A. Ferchat (Chairman), Joan H. Fallon
and Robert L. Stelzl. Each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by the board to be
independent and financially literate within the meaning of the NYSE Rules and SEC Rules. The
board has determined that the Audit Committee Chairman, Mr. Ferchat, is an audit committee
financial expert within the meaning of such rules. The Audit Committee met four times during the
2006 fiscal year, and acted once by written consent.
Management Resources and Compensation Committee
The Management Resources and Compensation Committee is appointed by the board of directors to
assist the board in carrying out its responsibilities by reviewing management resources and
compensation issues and making recommendations to the board as appropriate. The role of the
Management and Resources and Compensation Committee is described in greater detail under the
section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis, together with a description of the
Companys procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation. The
Management Resources and Compensation Committee upon majority approval of its members, may delegate
its duties and responsibilities to sub-committees of the Committee. No such authority has been
delegated. The Management Resources and Compensation Committee is comprised of the following three
directors: Bruce T. Lehman (Chairman), David M. Sherman and Robert L. Stelzl. Each member of the
Management Resources and Compensation Committee has been determined by the board to be independent
within the meaning of the NYSE Rules. The Management Resources and Compensation Committee met three
times during the 2006 fiscal year.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Bruce T. Lehman, David M. Sherman and Robert L. Stelzl served as members of the Management
Resources and Compensation Committee during the 2006 fiscal year, none of whom has served
Brookfield Homes in any capacity other than as a member of the board or a member of a committee
thereof. There are no other relationships requiring disclosure under this item.
10
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the material elements of the Companys
compensation arrangements for the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and
other executive officer (the named executive officers). Additional disclosure is provided on
page 18 regarding the material compensation arrangements for the senior operating employees of our
business units, none of whom are executive officers of the Company (the Senior Operating
Management).
Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses the following topics relating to the
compensation of our named executive officers:
|
|
our compensation-setting process; |
|
|
|
our compensation objectives and related policies; |
|
|
each element of our compensation program and how we determine the amounts
payable under each element; and |
|
|
our compensation decisions for fiscal year 2006. |
The Compensation Process
The Role of the Management Resources and Compensation Committee
The Management Resources and Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee or Committee)
is appointed by the Board of Directors of Brookfield Homes to assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities by reviewing or approving management resources and compensation issues and making
recommendations to the Board as appropriate. In particular, the Compensation Committee is
responsible for discharging the Boards responsibilities relating to compensation of the Companys
named executive officers, including the responsibility to:
|
|
review the adequacy and form of, and recommend to the Board or approve the
compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and any
other named executive officers; |
|
|
review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Companys
stock option and deferred share unit plans, and approve any proposed awards under such
plans; |
|
|
ensure that all equity-compensation plans and material revisions to such plans
are approved by the Companys stockholders; |
|
|
review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to any change to the
Companys compensation plans involving a material annual change in cost to the Company; |
|
|
review corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company; and |
|
|
evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in light of such goals
and objectives. |
Committee Meetings
The Compensation Committee meets as often as it determines, but not less frequently than
semi-annually. The Committee held three meetings during fiscal 2006 and has held one meeting thus
far in 2007. The Committee Chairman works with the Chief Executive Officer to establish the
meeting agenda. The Committee typically meets with the Chief Executive Officer present. The
Committee also regularly meets in executive sessions without management present.
The Committee receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting. These materials include
any materials that the Committee has specifically requested as well as information that will be
helpful to the Committee in the compensation-setting process. Depending on the agenda for the
particular meeting, these materials as they relate to compensation of the named executive officers
may include:
|
|
a compensation summary, or tally sheet, detailing the total actual and
proposed compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and any other
named executive officers, including base salary, annual bonus award and long-term ownership
participation (stock option and deferred share unit awards), and any other compensation; |
11
|
|
total long-term shareholder returns of the Company compared to the S&P 500
Index and S&P 500 Homebuilding Index; |
|
|
review of corporate performance objectives for the upcoming fiscal year; |
|
|
|
named executive officer performance and progress in meeting corporate performance objectives; |
|
|
|
industry comparison and any other relevant information; and |
|
|
details of the Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers unvested
stock option and deferred share unit holdings and changes in stock ownership. |
Compensation Committee Advisors
The Compensation Committee Charter grants the Committee the sole authority to retain and terminate
any consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of named executive officer compensation,
including sole authority to approve any consultants fees and other retention terms. The
Compensation Committee did not retain an advisor with respect to the compensation arrangements of
the Companys named executive officers in 2006. However, the Committee did engage an advisor
during 2006 to assist the Company in amending the terms of the Senior Operating Management
Long-Term Participation Plan (see Senior Operating Management Long-Term Participation Plan) for
details. This engagement has been completed.
Managements Role in the Compensation Process
The Chief Executive Officer plays a role in the compensation-review process. The most significant
aspects of his role are:
|
|
recommending base salary levels, annual bonus awards and long-term
participation levels for executive officers and senior operating management; and |
|
|
outlining performance and progress in meeting corporate objectives. |
The Chief Executive Officer prepares meeting information for each Compensation Committee meeting
and is expected to be available to attend meetings or portions thereof upon request of the
Committee to answer Committee questions arising out of the materials presented to the Committee.
Compensation Decisions
Compensation decisions are made in the first quarter of the fiscal year, at the time of the
approval of the previous years financial statements. At this first quarter Compensation Committee
meeting, the performance of the named executive officers for the previous fiscal year is evaluated,
and annual bonus, stock option and deferred share unit awards are granted with respect to
performance in that year. Also at this meeting, base salaries are set for the upcoming fiscal
year. Compensation decisions are approved by the Compensation Committee in an executive session,
without management present.
Compensation Objectives and Policies
Overview
Compensation of the named executive officers is determined based primarily on the Companys
objective of improving long-term shareholder value. The Company also considers the performance of
the named executive officers collectively in meeting corporate performance objectives, the relative
roles and responsibilities of the executive officer as compared to other executive officers in the
Company and the performance of the Company relative to the industry. A specific objective of the
Company is to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated individuals and to encourage a
strong team approach. Accordingly, compensation levels are monitored to ensure they meet the
Companys objectives and are competitive within the homebuilding industry.
Compensation Objective
The Companys objective in setting compensation is to improve long-term shareholder value,
represented by the growth in the value of the Companys common stock, as the principal measure of
success of the Company. Accordingly, the Companys compensation policies for its named executive
officers are designed to provide an overall competitive compensation package with a higher
proportion of total compensation derived from long-term ownership participation.
12
Allocation Between Short-Term Compensation and Long-Term Ownership Participation
In order to achieve its compensation objective, the Company maintains its short-term cash
compensation (base salaries and annual bonus awards) for its named executive officers below the
median level of total cash compensation for comparable companies within the homebuilding industry
(see Benchmarking below), in return for opportunities to participate in the growth in value of
the Companys common stock (stock option and deferred share unit awards). For the named executive
officers, this results in stock options and deferred share units being targeted at the upper
quartile level for these similar companies. These plans are more fully described below under
Long-Term Share Ownership Participation.
Relative Position and Responsibility
In order to foster a team-based approach, which the Company believes is fundamental to meeting its
objective of improving long-term shareholder value, the difference between the base salaries and
annual bonus awards of the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers is
significantly less than in comparable companies. Total compensation is targeted at a higher level
for named executive officers with greater responsibility and ability to influence the Companys
achievement of its corporate performance objectives, particularly with respect to long-term
ownership participation.
Pay-for-Performance
The Company also believes that compensation arrangements for its named executive officers should be
related to the achievement of the Companys corporate performance objectives reviewed by the
Compensation Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Companys pay-for-performance
philosophy is reflected in our compensation practices, which link a portion of executive
compensation to the achievement of short-term and long-term objectives. Furthering the Companys
pay-for-performance objectives:
|
|
a significant portion of compensation for the named executive officers is
contingent on, and variable with, the long-term share price performance of the Company; |
|
|
compensation of the named executive officers is at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee; and |
|
|
we do not currently have any employment, severance or change-in-control
agreements with any of our named executive officers other than a stock option plan and a
deferred share unit plan that provide for accelerated vesting on a change-in-control for
all participants in such plans. |
Other Compensation Policies
Benchmarking
In furtherance of our compensation objectives outlined above, we compare our compensation levels
with those of other companies within the homebuilding industry. This benchmarking is done with
respect to each of the key elements of our compensation program (base salary, annual bonus and
long-term ownership participation), as well as the compensation of individual named executive
officers where job descriptions are sufficiently similar. As outlined in our compensation
objectives, we target base salary and annual bonus awards below the median level of total cash
compensation for comparable companies in return for an opportunity to participate in the growth in
value of our common stock.
The group of comparable companies used for fiscal year 2006 was comprised of the 42 homebuilding
companies surveyed in a 2006 national compensation survey for the single-family and multi-family
housing industry prepared by a California-based executive compensation and advisory services firm.
With respect to total cash compensation (base salary and bonus) we further separated this group and
analyzed our compensation levels against the 24 public homebuilding companies surveyed. These
companies are not identified by name.
Individual Compensation Summaries
To assist it in its review of executive compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee reviews
for each named executive officer a compensation summary (or tally sheet), that sets forth the
total dollar value of the named executive officers annual compensation, including base salary,
annual bonus award, and long-term ownership participation (stock option and deferred share unit
grants) and any other compensation. The Committee uses tally
13
sheets to estimate total annual compensation to the named executive officers and to utilize in its
benchmarking exercise. While the Committee considers from time-to-time compensation previously
paid to the named executive officers, the primary focus of the Committees compensation actions is
on motivating the future performance of the named executive officers.
Share Ownership Policy
In order to promote equity ownership and further align the interests of our Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer with Brookfield Homes stockholders, we have adopted share ownership
guidelines for these individuals. Under these guidelines, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer are expected to hold an investment equal to five times their base salary, based
on the market value of the shares or deferred share units held, to be attained over a three year
period from being appointed to such position. The Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial
Officers shareholdings are currently in excess of these investment guidelines.
Brookfield Homes prohibits our named executive officers from engaging in options, puts, calls or
other transactions that are intended to hedge against the economic risk of owning Brookfield Homes
shares, unless disclosed to the Compensation Committee prior to a transaction.
Timing of Stock Option and Deferred Share Unit Grants
We have established a policy and procedure on stock option and deferred share unit grants that
includes the following provisions governing the timing of such grants:
|
|
The Compensation Committee determines and approves its annual award of stock
options and deferred share units (whether to the named executive officers or other
employees) at a Committee meeting held during the first quarter of the fiscal year at the
time of the approval of the year-end financial statements; |
|
|
The grant date of stock options or deferred share units is always the date of the approval of the grants; |
|
|
|
Management has no control over selecting the grant date; |
|
|
Pursuant to the stock option plan, the exercise price of the stock options is
the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) of the underlying common
stock on the grant date; |
|
|
Pursuant to the deferred share unit plan, deferred share unit grants are
calculated using the closing price on the NYSE of a share of our common stock on the grant
date; |
|
|
Stock option and deferred share unit awards are promptly reported on Form 4
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for all named executive officers and directors. |
An annual grant of stock options and deferred share unit awards is made at the time of our earnings
release for the fiscal year. As a result, the Committee may be in possession of material
non-public information on the grant date. However, as the approval and grant date is always the
date of our earnings release for the fiscal year, the Company does not time these grants or the
annual earnings release in order to impact the value of executive compensation either positively or
negatively.
Tax Deductibility of Compensation
The Company considers the deductibility for tax purposes of all material elements of its
compensation arrangements. We review our compensation plans in light of applicable tax provisions,
including Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which generally disallows a tax deduction to
public companies for non-qualifying compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to any such persons
in any fiscal year.
Elements of Compensation
The compensation arrangements of the Company for its named executive officers are focused on
aligning their interests with those of our stockholders and are comprised of two components:
|
|
short-term compensation (base salary and annual bonus award); and |
|
|
|
long-term ownership participation (stock options and deferred share units). |
14
(i) Short-Term Compensation
Short-term compensation arrangements for the named executive officers consist of a base salary
and an annual bonus award. Base salaries are intended to provide the executive with a base level
of annual income that is not contingent on Brookfield Homes performance. Annual bonus awards are
intended to compensate the named executive officers for annual performance. Base salary and annual
bonus award recommendations are submitted to the Compensation Committee for its consideration by
the Chief Executive Officer in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
The Company believes that (a) base salaries and bonus awards for the named executive officers
should be set below the median level for comparable companies within the homebuilding industry, in
return for the opportunity for these individuals to participate at a higher level in the long-term
share ownership plans; and (b) in order to foster a team-based approach, which the Company believes
is fundamental to meeting its long-term objectives, the difference between the base salaries and
annual bonus awards of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer are relatively
small.
Base salaries are reviewed annually to ensure that they reflect the relative contribution of each
individual and the principles set forth in (a) and (b) above. The determination of relative
contribution is a subjective evaluation based on an individuals contribution, experience, and
level of responsibility. No quantitative relative weights are assigned to these factors when
setting base salaries.
Annual bonus awards are reviewed annually and are determined based primarily on the named executive
officers performance in meeting the Companys overall corporate performance objectives (outlined
below under 2006 and 2007 Short-Term Compensation Decisions for Named Executive Officers ), the
Companys performance relative to the industry, and the principles set forth in (a) and (b) above.
The performance of the Company is measured by the achievement of financial and other objectives
reviewed at the beginning of the fiscal year. No quantitative relative weights are assigned to
these factors when setting annual bonus awards.
In order to further the Companys overall compensation objective of aligning the Chief Executive
Officers and Chief Financial Officers objectives with those of the shareholders, these
individuals may elect to receive all or a portion of their annual bonus awards in deferred share
units of the Company, as described below under Long-Term Share Ownership.
2006 and 2007 Short-Term Compensation Decisions for the Named Executive Officers
The Company set 2007 base salaries and 2006 annual bonus awards in the first quarter of 2007 based
on the Compensation Committees consideration of the Companys overall compensation objectives
together with the specific base salary and annual bonus award compensation objectives outlined
above. The following table details base salaries and annual bonus awards for our named executive
officers for the 2006 fiscal year, together with the median base salaries and annual bonus awards
earned by executives holding similar positions at comparable companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Median Base Salary and
Bonus |
Name |
|
2006 Base Salary and Bonus |
|
Benchmarked Companies |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
$ |
460,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,213,000 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
$ |
343,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,173,000 |
|
William B. Seith |
|
$ |
260,000 |
|
|
$ |
545,000 |
|
|
In setting 2006 base salaries and annual bonus awards, the Compensation Committee considered
in particular, the following:
|
|
|
that the base salaries and annual bonus awards of between $260,000 and $460,000
for the named executive officers were below the median base salaries and annual bonus
awards earned by executives holding similar positions at comparable companies; |
|
|
|
|
that the difference between the base salary and annual bonus awards of the
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial officer of $117,000, was significantly
lower than the difference for comparable companies; |
|
|
|
|
the named executive officers achievement in meeting the Companys corporate
performance objectives which included the following corporate performance achievements: |
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 Year |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Long Term |
|
Performance Measure |
|
Average |
|
|
Actual |
|
|
Targets |
|
|
Return on Average Net Assets |
|
|
46 |
% |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
Inventory Turnover |
|
|
1.4 |
x |
|
|
0.9 |
x |
|
|
1.5 |
x |
Interest Coverage Ratio |
|
|
8.3 |
x |
|
|
4.5 |
x |
|
|
6.0 |
x |
Return on
Opening Stockholders Equity |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
53 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
Earning Per Share Growth |
|
|
31 |
% |
|
|
-27 |
% |
|
|
10%
15 |
% |
|
|
|
|
the Companys performance relative to the industry; and |
|
|
|
|
the individual contribution, experience, level of responsibility and potential
for contribution of each individual. |
For 2006 and prior years, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each elected to
receive their annual bonus awards in deferred share units, and for 2006 their bonus awards of
$160,000 and $120,000 increased their deferred share units by 8,789 and 6,592, respectively.
Pursuant to the deferred share unit plan, bonus amounts elected to be received in units were
increased by a factor of two times for purposes of calculating the number of units allocated.
(ii) Long-Term Share Ownership Participation
Long-term share ownership plans for the named executive officers consist of a stock option
plan and a deferred share unit plan and are intended to reward them based on increases in the value
of the Companys common stock. The purpose of these arrangements is to achieve a commonality of
interest between shareholders and the named executive officers and to motivate them to improve the
Companys long-term financial success, measured in terms of enhanced shareholder wealth over the
long term.
We use stock options and deferred share units as long-term incentive vehicles because:
|
|
|
they align the interests of the named executive officers with those of the
shareholders, foster stock ownership, and focus the executives on creating value for the
shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
they are performance based. All the value received by the recipient from a
stock option or deferred share unit is based on the growth of the stock price above the
option or initial unit price; and |
|
|
|
|
the five year period for vesting creates an incentive for increases in
shareholder value over a longer term and encourages retention of the named executive
officers. |
The Companys stock option plan and deferred share unit plans are described below:
Stock Option Plan
Pursuant to the Companys stock option plan, the Company may grant options to purchase shares of
the Companys common stock at the market price on the day the options are granted. A maximum of
two million shares (7.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at February 15,
2007) are authorized for issuance under the plan of which 640,375 remain available for future
issuance as of February 15, 2007.
Options are granted to the named executive officers by the Compensation Committee generally once
a year, upon the approval of the year-end financial statements. The number of options granted
to the named executive officers is discretionary, based upon a subjective evaluation of the
executive officers performance in meeting the Companys corporate performance objectives and
the Companys performance relative to the industry.
All stock options granted under our stock option plan incorporate the following material terms:
|
|
|
the exercise price of the option is not less than the closing market price on
the New York Stock Exchange of a share of our common stock on the date of grant; |
|
|
|
|
options vest as to 20% over a five year period commencing with the date of grant; and |
|
|
|
|
options are not exercisable later than 10 years after the date of grant. |
16
Deferred Share Unit Plan (DSUs)
The Companys deferred share unit plan provides that the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer may, at their option, receive up to all of their annual bonus awards in the
form of deferred share units (DSUs, or units). The annual bonus awards are converted to
units based on the closing price of the Companys shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the
date of the award. The portion of the annual bonus award elected to be received in units by the
executive may be increased by a factor of up to two times for purposes of calculating the number
of units to be allocated under the plan. An executive who holds units will receive additional
units as dividends are paid on shares of the Companys common stock, on the same basis as if the
dividends were reinvested. In 2006, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
received 6,283 additional units under this feature, representing dividends of $220,577.
Participants are only allowed to redeem vested units upon cessation of employment through
retirement, termination or death. The cash value of the units when redeemed will be equivalent
to the closing price on the NYSE of an equivalent number of shares of the Companys common
stock. There will be no shares of the Companys common stock issued in connection with units
allocated. Under no circumstances will units be considered shares of common stock, or entitle
any participant to the exercise of voting rights.
2006 and 2007 Long-Term Share Ownership Decisions for the Named Executive Officers
Stock option awards in respect of the 2006 fiscal year were granted in the first quarter of 2007
based on the Compensation Committees consideration of the Companys overall compensation
objectives. The number of options granted to the named executive officers totaled 190,000 (representing 73% of all stock options granted to the Companys employees). The stock options were
awarded on a discretionary basis reflecting the performance of the Company in 2006 relative to the
industry and the named executive officers performance in meeting the Companys corporate
performance objectives.
The following table details the grant date fair value of the stock option and deferred units awards
granted to our named executive officers in 2007 in respect of the 2006 fiscal year, and granted in
2006 in respect of the 2005 fiscal year, together with the median value of long-term participation
awards granted to executives holding similar positions at comparable companies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Share Ownership Grants |
|
Median Long Term Incentive Awards- |
Name |
|
2006 (1) |
|
2005 (2) |
|
Benchmarked Companies 2005 |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
$ |
1,211,900 |
|
|
$ |
1,072,400 |
|
|
$ |
2,340,000 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
$ |
1,032,800 |
|
|
$ |
701,600 |
|
|
$ |
852,000 |
|
William B. Seith |
|
$ |
328,800 |
|
|
$ |
108,800 |
|
|
$ |
42,000 |
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents grant date fair value of stock option and deferred share unit awards granted
February 1, 2007 as follows: Ian Cockwell 90,000 stock options and 8,789 deferred share
units; Paul Kerrigan 80,000 stock options and 6,592 deferred share units; and William Seith
20,000 stock options. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents grant date fair value of stock option and deferred share unit awards granted
February 1, 2006 as follows: Ian Cockwell 60,000 stock options and 6,154 deferred share
units; Paul Kerrigan 40,000 stock options and 3,846 deferred share units; and William Seith
5,000 stock options. |
The exercise price for each of the option grants was based on the closing price of the Companys
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Compensation Committee approved the
grant, and each of the options granted vests over five years.
For 2006 and prior years, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each elected to
receive all of their annual bonus in the form of deferred share units, and for 2006 their bonus
awards of $160,000 and $120,000 increased their deferred share units by 8,789 units and 6,592
units, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the deferred share unit plan, amounts elected to be
received in units were increased by a factor of two times for purposes of calculating the number of
units allocated.
17
Additional Senior Operating Management Compensation Disclosure
The compensation arrangements of the Company for its Senior Operating Management are focused
on rewarding performance in their business unit and comprise:
|
|
|
short-term compensation (base salary); and |
|
|
|
|
participation in the net income of their business unit. |
The Company maintains short-term cash compensation (base salaries) for its Senior Operating
Management below the median level of total cash compensation for comparable companies within the
homebuilding industry, in return for the opportunity to participate in the long term
value creation through a participation in the net earnings of their business unit. Senior
Operating Management do not receive an annual bonus award.
Senior Operating Management Teams participation in the net earnings of their business unit align
them with shareholders in participating in the return from the assets they manage at a level higher
than the upper quartile level for similar companies. The Senior Operating Management Long-Term
Participation Plan is described below.
Senior Operating Management Long-Term Participation Plan
Certain Senior Operating Management employees, none of whom are executive officers of the Company,
participate in the Senior Operating Management Long-Term Participation Plan. This Plan was
established to attract and retain entrepreneurial management teams to profitably manage and grow
our business operations through a decentralized local management structure. The Plan was amended
in 2006 to further align Senior Operating Management compensation with the creation of value for
shareholders. The Plan provides total compensation that is exceptional when business unit returns
are exceptional, drives performance and helps retain entrepreneurial operating management teams.
For 2006, there were 28 participants in the Plan.
The Plan provides for participation in a business units annual net earnings by the business unit
management team on the following basis 10% of net earnings after a capital charge on assets is
exceeded and corporate overhead is covered, increasing to 15% of net earnings once the capital
charge plus 5% is exceeded. No incentive is paid until the capital charge is exceeded. For 2006
the capital charge on assets was approximately 10%. Returns are measured on a net earnings basis
upon approval of the year end financial statements. The capital charge was established at a level
that is intended to encourage a conservative investment approach, rather than providing an
incentive for management to pursue high-risk investments in order to exceed a high capital charge
before they participate.
In order to encourage senior management retention and a longer term focus on value creation,
amounts that individuals receive under the Plan vest over a four year period at a rate of 40% in
cash payable following the approval of the year end financial statements, with the remaining 60%
vesting over three years, annually thereafter, at the rate of 30%, 20%, and 10%, respectively.
Payment of these unvested amounts will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in deferred share units of the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The amounts payable in deferred share units
will be phased in over three years, with 10%, 20% and 30% of the participation amount to be
received in units for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31,
2008 respectively. Deferred share units granted to the Senior Operating Management employees are
subject to a three year hold period from the date of vesting. Our senior operating management
retention rate provides stability and we believe has brought a longer term value creation focus to
our operations.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Management Resources and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management, and based on this review and discussion has
recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in
the Companys proxy statement.
MANAGEMENT RESOURCES & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Bruce T. Lehman, Chairman
David M. Sherman
Robert L. Stelzl
18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table details the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and our other most highly compensated executive officer for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006 (the named executive officers):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non- |
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
Option |
|
Compen- |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($) |
|
(DSUs)($) (2) |
|
Awards ($)(3) |
|
sation ($) |
|
Earnings ($) |
|
($)(4) |
|
Total ($) |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
320,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
(2,769,497 |
) |
|
$ |
(317,418 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
169,997 |
|
|
$ |
(2,296,918 |
) |
President & Chief |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
223,000 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
(1,192,774 |
) |
|
$ |
(178,872 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
78,233 |
|
|
$ |
(830,413 |
) |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & Chief |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
190,000 |
|
|
$ |
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(78,986 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,555 |
|
|
$ |
190,569 |
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President, Risk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Messrs. Cockwell and Kerrigan elected on February 1, 2007 to receive all of their annual
bonus award for the 2006 fiscal year of $160,000 and $120,000 in deferred share units,
increasing their deferred share units by 8,789 and 6,592, respectively. Pursuant to the
deferred share unit plan, amounts elected to be received in units were increased by a factor
of two times for purposes of calculating the number of units allocated. The grant date fair
value of these awards was $320,000 and $240,000, respectively. |
|
2) |
|
Dollar amounts in the Stock Awards column reflect the compensation expense/(income)
recognized by Brookfield Homes for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to
deferred share units during the 2006 fiscal year in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123R, Share-Based Payment. For a discussion of the
assumptions made in the valuation, refer to Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. |
|
3) |
|
Dollar amounts in the Option Awards column reflect the compensation expense/(income)
recognized by Brookfield Homes for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to
stock options during the 2006 fiscal year in accordance with SFAS 123R. For a discussion of
the assumptions made in the valuation, refer to Note 7 to our consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. |
|
4) |
|
Refer to the All Other Compensation Table below for details of amounts paid. |
ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table details each item of compensation of our named executive officers for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, required to be included in the All Other Compensation column
in the Summary Compensation Table above:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company Contributions to Retirement Savings |
|
Dividends Received on Deferred |
Name |
|
Plan and Life Insurance Premiums(1) |
|
Share Unit Awards (2) |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
$ |
16,895 |
|
|
$ |
153,102 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
$ |
10,758 |
|
|
$ |
67,475 |
|
William B. Seith |
|
$ |
9,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
The Companys named executive officers do not participate in any defined benefit, actuarial
pension plan or any other post-retirement supplementary compensation plans. Executive
officers receive an annual contribution to their retirement savings plans equal to a
percentage of annual base salary and the Company pays a life |
19
|
|
insurance premium annually on
behalf of the named executive officers as follows: Ian Cockwell $1,023; Paul Kerrigan $527
and William Seith $266. |
2) |
|
Pursuant to the Companys deferred share unit plan, additional units representing dividends
paid on the Companys common stock on the same basis as if the dividends were reinvested in
units accrued as follows: Mr. Cockwell 4,361 and Mr. Kerrigan 1,922. Amounts in this
column reflect the dollar value of the additional units determined on the date of grant in
accordance with SFAS 123R. The additional units are only redeemable upon retirement,
termination or death and are otherwise subject to the terms of the plan. Refer to the Grants
of Plan-Based Awards Table. |
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table details each grant of an award to a named executive officer in the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006 under the Companys stock option and deferred share units plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Stock |
|
Awards: Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: Number |
|
of Securities |
|
Exercise or Base |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares of Stock |
|
Underlying Options |
|
Price of Option |
|
Stock (DSUs) and Option |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
or Units (DSUs) (#) |
|
(#) (3) |
|
Awards ($/Sh) |
|
Awards(4)(5) |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
$ |
752,400 |
|
|
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
6,154 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
320,000 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
2,316 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
76,312 |
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
2,045 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
76,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
$ |
501,600 |
|
|
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
3,846 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
1,021 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
33,642 |
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
901 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
33,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
$ |
108,800 |
|
|
1) |
|
Messrs. Cockwell and Kerrigan each elected on February 1, 2006 to receive all of their
annual bonus award of $160,000 and $100,000, respectively, for the 2005 fiscal year in
deferred share units. Pursuant to the deferred share unit plan, amounts elected to be
received in units were increased by a factor of two times for purposes of calculating the
number of units allocated. |
2) |
|
Additional deferred share units representing dividends paid on the Companys common stock on
June 30, 2006 and December 29, 2006 on the same basis as if the dividends were reinvested in
units accrued as indicated. |
3) |
|
The stock options were granted under our stock option plan on February 1, 2006. The above
options do not include 190,000 options granted February 1, 2007 at an exercise price of $36.41
per share as follows: Ian Cockwell 90,000; Paul Kerrigan 80,000; and William Seith
20,000. The options vest as to 20% over a five year period at the end of each year
commencing February 1, 2006 and February 1, 2007 respectively, and are exercisable over a
10-year period from the date of grant. |
4) |
|
The grant date fair value of the stock option awards are determined in accordance with SFAS
123R using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. For a discussion of the assumptions made in
the valuation, refer to Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006. |
5) |
|
The grant date fair value of the deferred share unit awards are determined in accordance with
SFAS 123R. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation, refer to Note 7 to our
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation and Plan-Based Awards Tables
During the 2006 fiscal year, in accordance with our compensation objectives and policies described
in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, our named executive officers received compensation
comprised of base salary, an annual bonus award and an allocation of stock options. Our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each elected to receive all of their annual bonus
award for the 2006 fiscal year of $160,000 and $120,000, respectively, in deferred share units,
further aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. Pursuant to the terms of the
deferred share unit plan, amounts elected to be received in units were increased by a factor of two
times for purposes of calculating the number of units allocated. The grant date fair value of
these grants was $320,000 and $240,000, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the deferred share
unit plan, these executives also received during 2006 an aggregate of 6,283 deferred share units
with a grant date fair value of $220,567 in 2006, representing
20
dividends paid on shares of our
common stock on the same basis as if the dividends were reinvested in units. Material terms of our
stock option and deferred share unit plans follow:
Stock option plan
Our stock option plan permits the Company to grant
options to purchase shares of the Companys common stock
at the market price on the day the options are granted.
Stock options vest as to 20% over a five year period at
the end of each year commencing with the date of grant,
and are exercisable over a 10-year period from that
date. A maximum of two million shares (7.5% of the
issued and outstanding shares of the Company at February
15, 2007) are authorized for issuance under the plan of
which 640,375 remain available for future issuance as of
February 15, 2007. Upon exercise of a vested option and
upon payment to the Company of the exercise price,
participants will receive one share of the Companys
common stock. The Compensation Committee may permit
participants to, rather than exercising an in-the-money
option (in-the-money means the market value of shares
under the option exceeds the exercise price of the
options prior to related income taxes), receive an
amount either in cash or in shares equal to the
difference between the market price of the shares
underlying the options and the exercise price of the
option.
Deferred Share Unit Plan(DSUs)
The deferred share unit plan is a plan under which the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer may,
at their option, receive up to all of their annual bonus
awards in the form of deferred share units (DSUs, or
units). The annual bonus awards are converted to
units based on the closing price of the Companys shares
on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the award.
The portion of the annual bonus award elected to be
received in
units by the executive may, at the discretion of the board, be increased by a factor of up to
two times for purposes of calculating the number of units to be allocated under the plan An
executive who holds units will receive additional units as dividends are paid on shares of the
Companys common stock, on the same basis as if the dividends were reinvested. In 2006, 6,283
such units were awarded to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under this
feature with an aggregate grant date fair value of $220,567.
The units vest as to 20% over a five year period. The units are only redeemable upon
retirement, termination or death. The cash value of the units when redeemed will be
equivalent to the closing price on the NYSE of an equivalent number of shares of our common
stock. There will be no shares of common stock issued, authorized, reserved, purchased or
sold at any time in connection with units allocated. Under no circumstances will units be
considered shares of common stock, or entitle any participant to the exercise of voting
rights.
Total compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer was negative for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. This is primarily the result of our stock option and deferred
share unit awards being classified as liabilities for financial reporting purposes, requiring us to
re-measure the cost of such awards at each financial statement reporting date. As a result, the
stock option and deferred share unit compensation costs recognized by the Company and attributed to
each named executive officer for purposes of the Summary Compensation Table will fluctuate from
year to year based on the value of the shares of our common stock and other factors.
21
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table details information about unexercised stock options on an award-by-award basis
and the total number of deferred share units that have not vested for each named executive officer
as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards (1) |
|
Stock Awards (DSUs) (1) |
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value |
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares or |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units of |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Number of Shares or |
|
Stock That |
|
|
Options(#) |
|
Options(#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Units of Stock That Have |
|
Have Not |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
Not Vested (#)(2) |
|
Vested ($)(3) |
|
|
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
|
2/01/2016 |
|
|
|
136,490 |
|
|
$ |
5,125,200 |
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
36.25 |
|
|
|
2/15/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
21.94 |
|
|
|
2/18/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.74 |
|
|
|
2/13/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,319 |
|
|
|
73,319 |
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
|
|
12/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
|
2/01/2016 |
|
|
|
64,196 |
|
|
$ |
2,410,560 |
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
36.25 |
|
|
|
2/15/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
21.94 |
|
|
|
2/18/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.74 |
|
|
|
2/13/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,207 |
|
|
|
35,206 |
|
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
|
|
12/03/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
|
2/01/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
$ |
36.25 |
|
|
|
2/15/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
$ |
21.94 |
|
|
|
2/18/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.74 |
|
|
|
2/13/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Stock options and deferred share units vest over a five year period as to 20% at the end of
each year commencing with the date of grant. |
|
2) |
|
The units indicated under the Stock Awards column are deferred share units granted under our
deferred share unit plan that are unvested. |
|
3) |
|
Market value calculated by multiplying the closing market price of our common stock at the
end of the fiscal year by the total number of deferred share units that have not vested as of
such date. |
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table provides information regarding each exercise of stock options and the aggregate
number of deferred share units that vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for each
of the named executive officers on an aggregated basis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards (DSUs) |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
Value Realized on |
|
Number of Units |
|
Value Realized on Vesting |
Name |
|
(#)(1) |
|
Exercise ($) |
|
Acquired on Vesting (#) (2) |
|
($)(2) |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
|
89,319 |
|
|
$ |
4,223,434 |
|
|
|
75,081 |
|
|
$ |
2,890,566 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
47,206 |
|
|
$ |
2,201,757 |
|
|
|
32,869 |
|
|
$ |
1,294,720 |
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All shares acquired on exercise of options were owned by the executive as of the date of
this proxy statement. |
|
(2) |
|
Vested deferred share units are only redeemable upon retirement, termination or death.
Accordingly, the named executive officers receive no value until such time. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change-in-Control
We do not have any employment contracts, termination of employment or specific change of control
arrangements with any of our named executive officers.
However, our stock option and deferred share unit plans provide that upon a change of control, all
unvested stock options and deferred share units shall immediately vest. This accelerated vesting
occurs with respect to all stock option and deferred share unit awards granted by Brookfield Homes,
and not only those granted to the named executive officers. At December 31, 2006, the named
executive officers held the following in-the-money unvested stock options and deferred share units
that would become vested upon a change of control:
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options |
|
Stock Awards (DSUs) |
|
|
Shares Underlying |
|
Unrealized Value of |
|
Unvested Deferred |
|
Unrealized Value of Unvested |
Name |
|
Unvested Options(#) |
|
Unvested Options($)(1) |
|
Share Units (#) |
|
Deferred Share Units ($)(2) |
|
Ian G. Cockwell |
|
|
189,319 |
|
|
$ |
4,278,369 |
|
|
|
136,490 |
|
|
$ |
5,125,200 |
|
Paul G. Kerrigan |
|
|
98,206 |
|
|
$ |
2,411,569 |
|
|
|
64,196 |
|
|
$ |
2,410,560 |
|
William B. Seith |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
$ |
385,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The unrealized value of in-the-money unvested options was calculated by multiplying the
number of shares underlying in-the-money unvested options by the closing price of a share of
our common stock as of December 31, 2006, and then deducting the aggregate exercise price of
these options. |
|
(2) |
|
The unrealized value of unvested deferred share units was calculated by multiplying the
number of unvested deferred share units by the closing price of a share of our common stock as
of December 31, 2006. |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
During the 2006 fiscal year, directors who were not related to the Company received an annual
retainer of $50,000 paid 50% in cash and 50% in deferred share units of the Company. The
requirement to accept 50% of the annual retainer in deferred share units is designed to more
closely align the interests of directors with the interests of stockholders. Directors had the
option to elect to receive up to 100% of their annual retainer in deferred share units. The
Chairman of the Audit Committee earned an additional cash payment of $45,000, the chairmen of the
other board committees earned an annual cash payment of $5,000, and each independent director
earned an additional cash allocation of $5,000, reflecting their additional responsibilities.
Directors were reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses they incurred in attending
board and committee meetings.
The following table provides the compensation of our directors for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned or |
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Paid in |
|
Awards |
|
Option |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Name |
|
Cash ($)(1) |
|
(DSUs)($)(2) |
|
Awards ($) |
|
($) |
|
Earnings |
|
($)(3) |
|
Total ($) |
|
Joan H. Fallon |
|
$ |
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
15,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
386 |
|
|
$ |
70,508 |
|
Robert A. Ferchat |
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
(7,862 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,388 |
|
|
$ |
94,526 |
|
Bruce T. Lehman |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
(23,426 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,035 |
|
|
$ |
38,609 |
|
David M. Sherman |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
(23,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,985 |
|
|
$ |
39,481 |
|
Robert L. Stelzl |
|
$ |
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
(22,536 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,965 |
|
|
$ |
34,429 |
|
|
1) |
|
Directors received an annual retainer of $50,000 relating to the 2006 fiscal year, paid 50%
in cash and 50% in deferred share units, subject to their election to receive up to 100% of
their annual retainer in deferred share units. Refer to the Director Deferred Share Unit
Grants Table below for details. A fee of $45,000 was earned by Robert Ferchat for his
services as Audit Committee Chairman, $5,000 each was earned by Bruce Lehman and David Sherman
in consideration of their service as Management Resources and Compensation Committee and
Governance and Nominating Committee Chairmen, respectively, and each independent director
earned an additional cash allocation of $5,000. |
2) |
|
Dollar amounts in the Stock Awards column reflect the compensation expense/(income)
recognized by Brookfield Homes for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to
deferred share units during the 2006 fiscal year in accordance with SFAS 123R. For a
discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation, refer to Note 7 to our consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Refer to the Director
Deferred Share Unit Grants Table below for the aggregate number of deferred share units held
by each director at fiscal year-end. |
3) |
|
Pursuant to the Companys deferred share unit plan, additional units representing dividends
paid on the Companys common stock on the same basis as if the dividends were reinvested
accrued to each director as follows: Joan Fallon 11; Robert Ferchat 68; Bruce Lehman -
58; David Sherman 85; and Robert Stelzl 56. Amounts in this column reflect the grant date
dollar value of the additional units determined in accordance with SFAS 123R. Refer to the
Director Deferred Share Unit Grants Table below. |
23
The following table details grants of deferred share units to each independent director during the
2006 fiscal year and total deferred share units held by each director at fiscal year end:
Director Deferred Share Unit Grants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Share Units at |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Deferred Share Units (#)(1) |
|
Grant Date Fair Value(2) |
|
Fiscal Year End (#) |
|
Joan H. Fallon |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
973 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Ferchat |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
6,004 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
$ |
1,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
$ |
1,202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce T. Lehman |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
481 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
|
5,094 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
$ |
1,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
$ |
1,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Sherman |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
7,484 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
$ |
1,483 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
$ |
1,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Stelzl |
|
|
02/01/2006 |
|
|
|
481 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
|
4,997 |
|
|
|
|
06/30/2006 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
$ |
989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/2006 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
$ |
976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Deferred share units granted to independent directors in 2006 consisted of 50% of the 2006
annual retainer of $50,000 required to be received in deferred share units by each director
plus an additional amount up to 100% of the annual retainer elected to be received in deferred
share units by each director. Additional units representing dividends paid on the Companys
common stock as if the dividends were reinvested accrued to each director as indicated. |
2) |
|
The grant date fair value was determined in accordance with SFAS 123R. For a discussion of
the assumptions made in the grant date valuation, refer to Note 7 to our consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. |
24
Senior
Operating Management Long-Term Participation Plan and Summary Compensation Significant
Employees
Certain senior operating employees, none of whom are executive officers of the Company, participate
in the Senior Operating Management Long-Term Participation Plan. The plan provides for
participation in the net earnings of the business unit by each regional management team. For 2006,
28 participants in the plan were allocated a total of $24.9 million, of which $10.0 million, or 40%
vested upon approval of the 2006 year-end financial statements. The remaining 60% vests over the
following three years, annually, at the rate of 30%, 20% and 10%, respectively. Payment of these
unvested amounts will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in deferred share units of the Company for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The amounts payable in deferred share units will be phased
in over three years, with 10%, 20% and 30% of the participation amount to be received in units for
the fiscal years ending December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 respectively.
Total unvested amounts as at December 31, 2006 vest in accordance with the plan as follows: 2007 -
$47.9 million; 2008 $25.7 million; 2009 $11.8 million; and 2010 $2.5 million. For further
background and other information see Compensation Discussion and Analysis Senior Operating
Management Long-Term Participation Plan.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
The following table details the compensation of our significant employees for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, none of whom are named executive officers of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus/ |
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards/ |
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
Earnings ($) |
|
($) |
|
Total ($) |
|
Stephen P. Doyle |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,279,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,479,000 |
|
President, Brookfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Diego Holdings LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Hubbell |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,093,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,293,000 |
|
President, Brookfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Washington LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adrian Foley |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,249,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,449,000 |
|
President, Brookfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southland Holdings LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John J. Ryan |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,198,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,398,000 |
|
President, Brookfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bay Area Holdings LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts earned pursuant to the terms of the Senior Operating Management Long-Term
Participation Plan described above with respect to the 2006 fiscal year. Amounts that
individuals receive under the Plan with respect to a particular year vest 40% following
approval of the year end financial statements, with the remaining 60% vesting over three
years, annually thereafter, at the rate of 30%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. |
25
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We were a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Properties Corporation (Brookfield
Properties) until January 6, 2003, when we were spun-off as a separate publicly traded company
pursuant to a reorganization of Brookfield Properties homebuilding business (which we refer to as
the Spin-off). Brookfield Properties no longer holds any of our shares, nor is Brookfield
Properties able to exercise control over us. However, we and Brookfield Properties are
affiliates, as Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) directly and indirectly owns
approximately 50% of each corporation.
In connection with the Spin-off, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Brookfield Homes Holdings
Inc., entered into a license agreement with Brookfield Properties (US) Inc., a subsidiary of
Brookfield Properties, under which we, Brookfield Homes Holdings Inc. and our subsidiaries pay to
Brookfield Properties (US) Inc. an annual fee in the total amount of $50,000 for the right to use
the names Brookfield and Brookfield Homes. We expect that the license agreement will permit us
to use the Brookfield name in connection with our homebuilding business for an indefinite period
of time, subject to customary termination provisions including upon a change of control of our
company.
We have entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Brookfield, whereby we can deposit cash on a
demand basis to earn LIBOR plus fifty basis points. At December 31, 2006, we had no funds on
deposit with this Brookfield subsidiary.
A subsidiary of Brookfield has provided us with an unsecured revolving credit facility that was amended in March, 2007.
The facility is in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100 million and is
repayable on or before December 15, 2008. The facility is in the form of a promissory
note that bears interest on the unpaid principal amount outstanding at LIBOR plus 2.5% and provides for a standby fee on the unused
portion of the facility. The facility contains covenants requiring the company to
maintain minimum stockholders equity of $200 million and a consolidated net debt to book capitalization ratio of no greater
than 70%.
We sublease our administrative offices in Toronto, Ontario from Brookfield, which leases the space
from Brookfield Properties. We are required to pay approximately $100,000 per year in rent under
our Toronto sublease, which expires in 2008.
Our Chairman and two of our directors serve as executive officers and/or directors of our
affiliates, outlined as follows:
|
|
J. Bruce Flatt is Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Brookfield,
a publicly traded company which owns approximately 53% of our outstanding shares, and is a
director of several of Brookfields affiliates; |
|
|
|
Alan Norris is an executive officer of Brookfield Properties, which is
an affiliate of Brookfield; and |
|
|
|
Robert L. Stelzl is an independent director of Brookfield Properties. |
Stephen Doyle, Robert Hubbell and John Ryan, Presidents of Brookfield San Diego Holdings LLC,
Brookfield Washington LLC and Brookfield Bay Area Holdings LLC, respectively, each own a 10%
interest in the LLC of which they are President. Richard Whitney, President of Brookfield
California Land Holdings LLC owns a 5% interest in this LLC.
The following individuals are beneficiaries of rabbi trusts owning interests in the respective LLC:
|
|
Adrian Foley, President of Brookfield Southland Holdings LLC, is the
sole beneficiary of a rabbi trust that currently owns 5% of Brookfield
Southland Holdings LLC. Brookfield Homes Holdings Inc. is the trustee
of the rabbi trust. We own the remaining 95% of Brookfield Southland
Holdings LLC; and |
|
|
|
Jeffrey J. Prostor, President of BH/JP Hawaii Holdings LLC, is the
sole beneficiary of a rabbi trust that currently owns 50% of BH/JP
Hawaii Holdings LLC. Brookfield Homes Holdings Inc. is the trustee of
the rabbi trust. We own the remaining 50% of BH/JP Hawaii Holdings
LLC. |
Pursuant to a written policy adopted by the Board of Directors, the independent directors of the
Board are responsible for the approval of any material transactions to be entered into between the
Company and any of its directors, executive officers, director nominees or our shareholders who are
known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common shares, and their
respective immediate family members. To help identify related party transactions, we require our
directors and executive officers to complete a director and officer questionnaire identifying any
transaction with us in which the director or officer or their immediate family member
26
has an
interest. There were no related party transactions required to be reported by us since the
beginning of our fiscal year that did not require review or approval pursuant to our policy or
where our policies were not followed.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written Audit Committee Charter. A copy of the
Audit Committee Charter has been posted on our website under the Corporate Governance link. Please
refer to the section of this proxy statement entitled Information Regarding the Board of Directors
Committees of the Board Audit Committee for a description of the Audit Committees primary
duties and responsibilities.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Companys audited consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Further, the Audit Committee has
discussed with the Companys independent auditor, the matters required to be discussed by Auditing
Standards Board Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended. Finally, the Audit Committee
has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditor
required by the Independence Standards Board Independence Standard No. 1, as amended, and has
discussed the auditors independence with the auditor. After consideration, the Audit Committee
has determined that the services related to the fees earned by the independent auditor under the
heading All Other Fees below are compatible with the auditors independence.
Based on its review and discussion as described above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the
board of directors that the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2006 be included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Further, the
Audit Committee approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent
auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Robert A. Ferchat, Chairman
Joan H. Fallon
Robert L. Stelzl
PROPOSAL TWO RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP audited our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005 and the Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche as our independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. In the event that ratification of this appointment of
auditors is not approved by a majority of the shares of common stock voting on this Proposal, the
Audit Committee will review its future appointment of independent auditors.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche attend all meetings of the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee reviews all services performed by Deloitte & Touche, as well as the fees charged by
Deloitte & Touche for such services. Additional information concerning the Audit Committee
and its activities with Deloitte & Touche can be found in this proxy statement under the headings
Information Regarding the Board of Directors Committees of the Board Audit Committee on page
10 and Audit Committee Report on page 27.
A representative of Deloitte & Touche plans to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an
opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Fees Paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP
The following table shows the fees that we paid or accrued for the audit and other services
provided by Deloitte & Touche during fiscal years 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
798,000 |
|
|
$ |
491,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
Fees |
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
830,000 |
|
|
$ |
520,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
Audit Fees include the fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements (including
quarterly reviews), the audit of our internal controls in connection with section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the audits of our 401K plan and certain subsidiaries.
All Other Fees consisted of fees related to services provided in connection with property taxes on
our housing and land assets.
Pre-Approval Policies
Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility
for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent auditor. In
recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve
audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.
In connection with the engagement of the independent auditor for the 2007 fiscal year, the Audit
Committee pre-approved specifically described services that are within the four categories of
services listed below, including the pre-approval of fee limits for the specifically described
services within each category. The Audit Committees pre-approval process of specific services and
fees includes a review of specific services to be performed, a review of fees incurred for such
services in the past, a review of expected fees to be incurred in fiscal year 2007 and a comparison
of fees incurred by other homebuilders for similar services. The term of any pre-approval is 12
months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a
different period. Fees for any of the above services that will exceed the pre-approval fee limits
must be separately approved by the Audit Committee. During the year, circumstances may arise when
it may become necessary to engage the independent auditor for additional services not contemplated
in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires separate
pre-approval before engaging the independent auditor.
1. |
|
Audit Services include audit work performed in the preparation of financial statements
(including quarterly reviews), as well as work that generally only the independent auditor can
reasonably be expected to provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits, and attest
services. |
|
2. |
|
Audit Related Services are for assurance and related services that are traditionally
performed by the independent auditor, including due diligence related to mergers and
acquisitions,
employee benefit plan audits, special procedures required to meet certain regulatory
requirements and consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting standards. |
|
3. |
|
Tax Services include all services performed by the independent auditors tax personnel except
those services specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, and include fees
in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. |
|
4. |
|
All Other Services are those associated with permitted services not included in the other
categories. |
The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member
or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit
Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee may not otherwise delegate its
responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management. No
services were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception to the
pre-approval requirements.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT
OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS BROOKFIELD HOMES INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 2007.
28
OTHER MATTERS
Management and the board of directors do not know of any matters other than those described in
this proxy statement which will be presented for action at the meeting. If any other matters
properly come before the meeting, or any adjournments, the person or persons voting the proxies
will vote them in accordance with their best judgment.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, certain of our officers, and persons
who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10 percent
stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all forms they file
pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us,
we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10
percent beneficial owners were complied with during the year ended December 31, 2006.
STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
No stockholder proposals were made for the 2007 Annual Meeting. Any stockholder who intends to
present a proposal for action at our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and to have us include
such proposal in the proxy soliciting materials must deliver a copy of the proposal to us not later
than November 26, 2007. Such proposal must comply with all applicable rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Submitting a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that we will include it
in our proxy statement. The Governance and Nominating Committee reviews all stockholder proposals
and makes recommendations to the board of directors for action on such proposals.
For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2008
Annual Meeting, but is instead sought to be presented directly at our 2008 Annual Meeting, SEC
rules permit proxy holders to vote proxies in their discretion if the Company: (1) receives notice
of the proposal before the close of business on February 7, 2008, and advises stockholders in the
proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting about the nature of the matter and how the proxy
holders intend to vote on such matter; or (2) does not receive notice of the proposal prior to the
close of business on February 7, 2008. Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2008 Annual
Meeting should be addressed to Shane D. Pearson, Vice President and Secretary, Brookfield Homes
Corporation, 12865 Pointe Del Mar, Suite 200, Del Mar, CA, 92014.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Shane D. Pearson
Vice President and Secretary
Fairfax, Virginia
March 23, 2007
29
BROOKFIELD HOMES CORPORATION 2007 PROXY
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 4, 2007
COMMON STOCK
Brookfield Homes Corporation
8500 Executive Park Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA, 22031
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints J. Bruce Flatt and Ian G. Cockwell,
and each of them, attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to represent and to vote as designated on the reverse side of this card on each of
the following matters, all shares of Common Stock of Brookfield Homes Corporation (the Company),
held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on March 12, 2007, at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2007, or any adjournments thereof.
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON REVERSE SIDE.
Please mark your votes as in this example. þ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR all nominees
|
|
WITHHOLD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed at right (except
|
|
AUTHORITY to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
as marked to the
|
|
vote for all nominees |
|
|
|
|
1. Election of Directors
|
|
contrary below)
o
|
|
listed at right
o
|
|
Nominees:
|
|
Ian G. Cockwell
Joan H. Fallon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Ferchat |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Bruce Flatt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce T. Lehman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Norris |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Sherman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Stelzl |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael D. Young |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee write that nominees name
on the line below.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Ratification of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appointment of
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
Independent Auditors
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
o |
|
|
3. |
|
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote in accordance with their judgment on
other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE NOMINEES AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and proxies, or any of
them, or their substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof, and hereby
revokes any and all proxies heretofore given by the undersigned to vote at said meeting. The
undersigned acknowledges receipt of the notice of said Annual Meeting and the proxy statement
accompanying said notice.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Signature)
(Signature)
Date:
Note: Please sign exactly as names appear herein. When shares are held by joint tenants, both
should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give
full titles as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.
30