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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.

March 21, 2014

Dear Stockholder,

        You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd., which will take place on Monday, May 12, 2014, at our world headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A.

        Details of the business to be conducted at the meeting are in the formal notice of the annual meeting of stockholders and the proxy statement that accompany this letter.

        Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. I urge you to promptly vote and authorize your proxy instructions electronically through the internet, by telephone or, by signing, dating and returning the proxy card enclosed with the proxy statement. Voting through the internet or by phone will eliminate the need to return your proxy card.

        On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation to our employee stockholders for the hard work and dedication to making CH2M HILL the best place to work and one of the most respected companies in the industry.

    Sincerely,

 

 


GRAPHIC

 

 

Jacqueline C. Hinman
President and Chief Executive Officer

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NOTICE OF 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.
9191 South Jamaica Street
Englewood, CO 80112

9:00 a.m., May 12, 2014
CH2M HILL World Headquarters
9191 South Jamaica Street
Englewood, CO 80112

March 21, 2014

To our Stockholders:

        The 2014 annual meeting of stockholders of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd., a Delaware corporation, will be held at CH2M HILL world headquarters, 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A., on Monday, May 12, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

    1.
    To elect four directors from the nominees named in the attached Proxy Statement to serve for a three year term.

    2.
    To consider an advisory vote on executive compensation.

    3.
    To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors of CH2M HILL for the year ending December 31, 2014.

    4.
    To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting at the time and place scheduled or, should the meeting be adjourned, at such time and place as it may be resumed.

        Only stockholders of record owning shares of CH2M HILL's common stock at the close of business on March 13, 2014 will be entitled to vote at this meeting or at any postponements or adjournments thereof. You may vote your shares via the internet, by telephone or by proxy card. The Proxy Statement and 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/ch2m.

    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

Gregory S. Nixon
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

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PROXY STATEMENT
2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.
9191 South Jamaica Street
Englewood, Colorado 80112
March 21, 2014

CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.


GENERAL INFORMATION

        This proxy statement is being furnished to you by our Board of Directors in connection with the solicitation of your proxy to be voted at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CH2M HILL to be held on Monday, May 12, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, at 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, CO 80112. This proxy statement and the accompanying materials are being delivered electronically or mailed to stockholders on or about March 21, 2014.

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

        At our annual meeting, stockholders will have the opportunity to vote on the matters included in this proxy statement. We will also report on CH2M HILL's financial results and respond to questions from stockholders.

Who can attend the meeting?

        All stockholders of record as of March 13, 2014 or their duly appointed proxies may attend the meeting.

Who is entitled to vote?

        You are entitled to vote if our records show that you held your shares of CH2M HILL common stock at the close of business on March 13, 2014. This date is known as the "record date" for determining who receives notice of the meeting and who is entitled to vote. Each outstanding share entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter upon which to be voted.

What constitutes a quorum?

        A majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, 29,315,629 shares of CH2M HILL's common stock were outstanding. Proxies received but marked as abstentions will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

How do I vote?

        If you are a holder of record of CH2M HILL shares of common stock as of March 13, 2014, you can vote in one of four ways:

    1.
    Vote by internet—follow the instructions on the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/ch2m.

    2.
    Vote by phone—call 1 (800) 652-8683 (in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada) or (781) 575-2300 (outside the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada).

    3.
    Vote by proxy card—if you have requested and received a paper copy of the proxy materials, you can mark, sign, date and return the paper proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials in

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      accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy paper card; please note that if you vote through the internet or by phone, you do not need to return your proxy card.

    4.
    Vote in person—if you attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person or vote in person by completing the ballot form that will be provided.

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

        Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the Corporate Secretary of CH2M HILL at 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, CO 80112 either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date as long as it is received by May 12, 2014 at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time. Your proxy also will be revoked if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.

How do I vote my 401(k) Plan shares?

        If you participate in the CH2M HILL Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, you have the right, if you choose, to instruct the trustee of the Plan how to vote the shares of common stock credited to your Plan account as well as a pro-rata portion of common stock credited to the accounts of other Plan participants and beneficiaries for which no instructions are received. Your instructions to the trustee of the Plan should be made by voting as discussed above. The trustee of the Plan will vote your shares in accordance with your duly executed instructions which must be received by the trustee no later than 5:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, on May 5, 2014. If you do not send instructions regarding the voting of common stock credited to your Plan account, such shares shall be voted pro rata according to the voting instruction of other Plan participants. You may also revoke previously given instructions by filing with the trustee of the Plan no later than 5:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, on May 5, 2014, either written notice of revocation or a properly completed and signed voting instruction bearing a date later than the date of the prior instructions.

How will my proxy be voted?

        The persons named as proxy holder on the proxy card will vote in accordance with your instructions or, if none are provided, "FOR" each director nominee named in this proxy statement, "FOR" the advisory vote on executive compensation, and "FOR" ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2014, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion. All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes and abstentions.

How many votes are required for each proposal?

    Proposal 1: Election of Directors.
    Vote Required: Majority of votes cast. The votes that stockholders cast "for" the director nominee must exceed the votes cast "against" the nominee to elect the nominee as a director.

    Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation.
    Vote Required: Majority of the votes cast. The votes that stockholders cast "for" must exceed the votes that stockholders cast "against" to approve the advisory vote on executive compensation. Please note that this vote is advisory and it will not be binding on our Board. The Board will

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    review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

    Proposal 3: Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Auditors.
    Vote Required: Majority of votes cast. The votes that stockholders cast "for" must exceed the votes cast "against" to approve the ratification of KPMG LLP as CH2M HILL's independent auditors.

How are abstentions treated?

        A properly executed proxy marked "ABSTAIN" with respect to any matter will not be voted on that matter, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. The proposals will be determined by a majority of votes cast. Accordingly, an abstention vote will have no effect on the outcome of the proposals.

How will proxies be solicited?

        Proxies are being solicited by the Board on behalf of CH2M HILL. Proxies may be solicited by officers, directors, and employees of CH2M HILL, none of whom will receive any additional compensation for their services. These solicitations may be made personally or by mail, facsimile, telephone, email or the internet. The cost of solicitation of the proxies will be paid by CH2M HILL. CH2M HILL has no plans to retain any firms or otherwise incur any extraordinary expense in connection with the solicitation.



PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that our Board of Directors shall consist of no more than thirteen directors and not less than seven directors, provided that the majority of the Board consists of employee directors. The size of the Board may be changed from time-to-time by the resolution of the Board of Directors. At the February 2014 Board meeting, our Board determined the size of the 2014-2015 Board to be between eleven and thirteen Board members with a majority of the Board constituting employee directors. There are currently eleven members on our Board with five outside independent directors and six employee directors.

Director Nominations

        According to our bylaws, director candidates are nominated by the CH2M HILL Board based on recommendations of the Governance Committee of the Board; provided that the Governance Committee's recommendations for employee director candidates are made taking into account the recommendations of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer which recommendations are developed based on the nomination solicitations from employee stockholders. The Governance Committee must consider, but is not obligated to follow, the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations as it must consider the needs of the company and the overall insider and outsider mix of the Board in its recommendations for the nomination slate. The Governance Committee recommended to the Board that J. Robert Berra and Elisa M. Speranza be nominated for election as employee directors as part of the 2014 nomination slate and that Charles O. Holliday, Jr. and Jerry D. Geist be nominated for election as outside directors as part of the 2014 nomination slate.

        The director candidates will each serve a three year term expiring in 2017, and until their earlier retirement, death, resignation or removal. In the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable to stand for election at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote for either (1) such other person, if any, as may be designated by our Board of Directors, in the place of any nominee who is unable to serve or (2) the balance of the nominees, leaving a vacancy. Alternatively, the Board may

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reduce the size of the Board. Our Board of Directors expects all of the nominees named below to be available for election. Incumbent directors will hold office until the annual meeting in the year their term expires and until their successors, if any, are elected and qualified, subject to the director's earlier death, retirement or removal.

Director Qualifications

        Each member appointed to the Board is qualified to serve as a director based on his or her experiences, attributes and skills. The principal employment and directorships held by the nominees for the past five years are set forth below. Specific experiences, attributes and skills that qualify each individual to serve as a director on the Board are also set forth below. In selecting the candidates, the Governance Committee and the Board considered the candidates' background and experience as well as diversity each would bring to our Board. We believe each director's professional experiences and attributes make him or her an asset to our Board and to the strategic direction of CH2M HILL.

        The following table lists our director nominees, as well as each of our continuing directors, and provides their respective ages and titles.

Name
  Age   Title   Director Since

Nominees whose term expires 2014

 

 

Jerry D. Geist (OD)

  79   Director   1989

Charles O. Holliday, Jr. (OD)

  66   Director   2009

New Nominees

 

 

J. Robert Berra

  46   Director nominee and Senior Vice President & Global Managing Director, Energy & Chemicals  

Elisa M. Speranza

  53   Director nominee and Senior Vice President & Global Managing Director, Corporate Affairs & Technology  

Directors whose term expires 2015

 

 

Lee A. McIntire

  65   Executive Chairman of the Board   2009

Michael E. McKelvy

  55   Director and Executive Vice President & Chief Delivery Officer   2010

Georgia R. Nelson (OD)

  64   Director   2010

Barry L. Williams (OD)

  69   Director   1995

Directors whose term expires 2016

 

 

Malcolm Brinded (OD)

  61   Director   2012

Jacqueline C. Hinman

  52   Director and President & Chief Executive Officer   2008

Gregory T. McIntyre

  55   Director and President Water Market   2013

OD = Outside Director

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Nominees for Election as Directors


 


GRAPHIC

 

J. Robert Berra is a new director nominee.

Mr. Berra has been the Senior Vice President and Global Managing Director of Energy and Chemicals of CH2M HILL since November 2012. Prior to joining CH2M HILL in 2012, he was Executive Vice President of Willbros Group (energy infrastructure services company) from 2011 until 2012 where he was responsible for all activities related to sales, marketing, strategy and business development. Mr. Berra was also Senior Vice President—Commercial Operations of Foster Wheeler USA (oil and energy company) from January 2009 until 2011 where he was additionally responsible for the proprietary technology portfolio. He has worked for several major engineering and construction contractors in executive roles and has experience working in senior global roles as a client at ConocoPhillips.


Qualifications: Mr. Berra is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience and skills in the Energy and Chemicals industry through all services and submarkets that CH2M HILL provides and with experience in environmental, power and government markets. For most of his career, Mr. Berra has worked for large publicly traded companies and has demonstrated substantial experience working with Board of Directors for these companies. His background provides CH2M HILL with additional perspectives and prior experience with Board governance and management. In addition, Mr. Berra has served on industry association boards and was elected to the chairman position by industry peer companies. Mr. Berra has demonstrated successful operations leadership during his tenure with CH2M HILL.


 


GRAPHIC

 

Jerry D. Geist has served as a director of CH2M HILL since 1989.

Mr. Geist has been Chairman of Santa Fe Center Enterprises,  Inc. since 1990 and Chief Executive Officer of Howard International Utilities from 1994 through 2000. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy & Technology Company, Ltd. until 2003. Mr. Geist served as a Director of the Davis Family of Mutual Funds serving as independent Lead Director until retiring as Director Emeritus on January 1, 2009. Mr. Geist had been the CH2M HILL Board's independent Lead Director from 2004 to 2011.


Mr. Geist has served as Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute and is the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of New Mexico hospital and now on the Board of the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center.


Qualifications: Mr. Geist is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive public company experience as a director and as an executive, his experience as a member of our Board for over twenty years, and his considerable experience in the energy sector.


 

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GRAPHIC

 

Charles "Chad" O. Holliday, Jr. has served as a director of CH2M HILL since 2009.

Mr. Holliday was a member of the Board of Directors for E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) from 1997 through 2009 and served as its Chairman from 1999 through 2009. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank of America and also a member of the Board of Directors for Deere & Company and Royal Dutch Shell plc. Mr. Holliday served as Chief Executive Officer of DuPont from February 1998 through January 2009. Mr. Holliday has been the CH2M HILL Board's independent Lead Director since January 1, 2012.


Mr. Holliday is a Chairman of the National Academy of Engineering, is the former Chairman of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, and is a founding member of the International Business Council. He formerly served as the Chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Business Roundtable's Task Force for Environment, Technology and Economy. Mr. Holliday is the author of "Walking the Talk," a book that makes the business case for sustainable development and corporate responsibility.


Qualifications: Mr. Holliday is qualified to serve on our Board based on his experience as a public company director on various Fortune 100 public company boards, as well as his engineering background and leadership in sustainability.


 


GRAPHIC

 

Elisa M. Speranza is a new director nominee.

Ms. Speranza has been the Senior Vice President of the Corporate Affairs and Technology function and Global Managing Director since January 1, 2014. She previously served as President of the Operations & Maintenance business group of CH2M HILL from 2008 until 2013. Ms. Speranza joined CH2M HILL in 2001 and has served in various roles during her tenure including as service team leader for utility management solutions in the Water business group from 2005 until 2007 and market segment leader for drinking water from 2001 until 2004. She is the President of the CH2M HILL Foundation and recently completed her tenure as Chairperson of the global non-governmental organization Water for People.


Ms. Speranza recently completed the Women's Director Development Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.


Qualifications: Ms. Speranza is qualified to serve on our Board based on her extensive experience and skills in various senior management roles at CH2M HILL in the water and operations management business groups and her experience in the industry in general. She also brings important diversity to our Board as a female executive in the engineering industry.


 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of each nominee to the Board of Directors.


 

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Continuing Directors    


 


GRAPHIC

 

Malcolm Brinded has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2012.

Mr. Brinded had a 37 year career with Shell, a global oil and gas company, where he worked in the United Kingdom, Brunei, the Netherlands, and Oman. Mr. Brinded served on Royal Dutch Shell plc's board of directors between 2002 and 2012, during which period he was Shell's Executive Director for global Exploration and Production from 2004 to 2009, and for their Upstream International business from 2009 to 2012. Mr. Brinded has been a Non-Executive Director of Network Rail in the U.K. since 2010; he chairs their HSE Committee.


Since 2009, he has served as the Chairman of the Shell Foundation.


Mr. Brinded graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in engineering. He is a Fellow of the U.K. Institutions of Civil and Mechanical Engineers and the U.K. Royal Academy of Engineering, and Vice President of the U.K. Energy Institute. In 2002, Mr. Brinded was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the U.K. Oil and Gas Industry.


Qualifications: Mr. Brinded is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience as a public company director and executive officer, as well as his engineering background, and extensive work in the energy sector critical to our business. Mr. Brinded's extensive experience in key international markets is very valuable to our Board. He also brings diversity to our Board as a non-U.S. national with extensive background of living and working outside of the U.S.


Mr. Brinded's term expires in 2016.


 


GRAPHIC

 

Jacqueline C. Hinman has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2008.

Ms. Hinman serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL since January 1, 2014. She previously served as Senior Vice President and the President of the International Division of CH2M HILL from 2011 and as the President of the Facilities and Infrastructure Division from 2009 until 2011 and as Vice President, Major Programs Group and Executive Director for Mergers and Acquisitions between 2009 and 2010. Between 2007 and 2009, Ms. Hinman led our Center for Project Excellence.


Ms. Hinman is a member of the Board of Catalyst Europe.


Qualifications: Ms. Hinman is qualified to serve on our Board based on her role as the Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL, and based on her more than twenty years of industry experience, and her extensive infrastructure, environmental services, mergers and acquisitions and international experience. She also brings valuable diversity to our Board as a senior engineer and female executive in a predominantly male field.


Ms. Hinman's term expires in 2016.


 

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GRAPHIC

 

Lee A. McIntire has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2009.

Mr. McIntire serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of CH2M HILL since January 1, 2014. He previously served as Chairman of the Board since 2010 and the Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL from 2009 through 2013. Mr. McIntire joined CH2M HILL as the President and Chief Operating Officer in 2006. Before joining CH2M HILL, Mr. McIntire spent more than 15 years with Bechtel Group Inc., where he served as a partner and as president of several businesses and as a member of its Board of Directors between 1999 and 2004.


Between 2004 and 2006, Mr. McIntire was a Professor and Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis. Mr. McIntire is currently serving as a member of the board of BAE Systems plc.


Qualifications: Mr. McIntire is qualified to serve on our Board based on his prior role as the chief executive officer of CH2M HILL and because of his extensive experience in the engineering and construction industry.


Mr. McIntire's term expires in 2015.


 


GRAPHIC

 

Gregory T. McIntyre has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2013, and from 2001 and 2003.

Mr. McIntyre serves as the President Water Market of CH2M HILL since January 1, 2014 and had been the Managing Director of CH2M HILL's International Infrastructure business in 2012. Prior to that role, Mr. McIntyre served as the Managing Director of Halcrow, acquired by CH2M HILL in 2011, and a member of its board of directors, and oversaw the integration of the Halcrow operations into CH2M HILL. He was the Deputy Program Manager and CH2M HILL Managing Director for CLM Delivery Partner, the delivery partner to Olympic Delivery Authority for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, between 2010 and 2011. Mr. McIntyre also served as the Global Operations Director for CH2M HILL's water business between 2004 and 2010. Mr. McIntyre joined CH2M HILL in 1981 and has been a long-term member of CH2M HILL's senior executive team.


Qualifications: Mr. McIntyre is qualified to serve on our Board based on his over thirty years of experience with CH2M HILL in senor roles, his extensive water and infrastructure industry experience, and because of his recent and varied major programs and international experience.


Mr. McIntyre's term expires in 2016.


 

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GRAPHIC

 

Michael E. McKelvy has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2010.

Mr. McKelvy serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer of CH2M HILL since January 1, 2014. He joined CH2M HILL in 2003 in connection with our acquisition of Lockwood Greene and had been President of the Government, Environment and Infrastructure Division of CH2M HILL (and its predecessor business unit) from 2009 to 2012. Prior to that role, Mr. McKelvy was the President and Group Chief Executive for the Industrial Client Group between 2006 and 2009, and President for the Manufacturing and Life Sciences business since 2005.


Between 2000 and 2003, Mr. McKelvy was a member of the Board of Directors for Green Diamond/Columbia Ventures in Columbia, SC and is a current board member for the Professional Services Corporation in D.C. He is a Registered Architect in over 25 states and an active member of multiple professional societies and organizations.


Qualifications: Mr. McKelvy is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive engineering and construction industry experience, and his experience with industrial and U.S. government business.


Mr. McKelvy's term expires in 2015.


 


GRAPHIC

 

Georgia R. Nelson has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 2010.

Ms. Nelson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of PTI Resources, LLC, an energy and environmental consulting firm, since 2005. Ms. Nelson has spent more than 30 years in the power generation industry serving in various senior executive capacities for Edison International and its subsidiaries between 1971 and 2005, including President of Midwest Generation Edison Mission Energy (EME) and General Manager of EME Americas. In her role she was responsible for power plant construction and facilities management in the United States, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and Italy. Ms. Nelson is a member of the Board of Directors of Cummins Inc., where she has been serving since 2004. Ms. Nelson served as a Director of Nicor, Inc. from 2005 until 2011. Ms. Nelson is also a Director of Ball Corporation, where she has been serving since 2006.


Ms. Nelson is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Coal Council, an industry advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Energy, which she chaired from May 2006 to May 2008.


Qualifications: Ms. Nelson is qualified to serve on our Board based on her experience as a public company director, and based on her experience in the international power generation industry. She also brings important diversity to our Board as a senior female executive with extensive experience in predominantly male industries.


Ms. Nelson's term expires in 2015.


 

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GRAPHIC

 

Barry L. Williams has served as a director of the Board of CH2M HILL since 1995.

Mr. Williams is the retired managing general partner of Williams Pacific Ventures, Inc. (business investment and consulting), where he served since 1986. Between 2000 and 2001, Mr. Williams served as the President and CEO of American Management Association International. He has served as Senior Mediator for JAMS/Endispute from 1993 to 2002 and a visiting lecturer for the Haas Graduate School of Business, University of California from 1993 to 2000. Mr. Williams has acted as a general partner of WDG, a California limited partnership, from 1987 to 2002 and a general partner of Oakland Alameda Coliseum Joint Venture since 1998.


Mr. Williams also serves as a Director of PG&E Corporation, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Simpson Manufacturing Company Inc., SLM Corporation and several not-for-profit organizations.


Qualifications: Mr. Williams is qualified to serve on our Board based on his significant financial experience, his public company experience as a member of several public company boards, and his over eighteen years experience on our Board. He also brings important diversity to our Board.


Mr. William's term expires in 2015.


 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors

        CH2M HILL is governed by our Board of Directors. Our Board held a total of six meetings in 2013, five regularly scheduled and one special meeting. All directors attended 75 percent or more of the aggregate Board and Committee meetings of which they are members. CH2M HILL does not have a policy regarding Board members attending the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We had five Board members attend last year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders in person and seven members via telephone.

Corporate Governance Principles

        CH2M HILL is committed to best practices in corporate governance and maintains a business environment of uncompromising integrity. We continue to implement this commitment through, among other things, our Governance Principles, practices and compliance with the relevant provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and other laws and regulations that regulate CH2M HILL and our business. Our Board has formalized our standards of corporate governance that are reflected in our Governance Principles. Our Governance Principles, some of which are discussed below, are available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/governance.asp. Our governance policies are reviewed annually by the Governance Committee of our Board to determine whether they continue to advance the best interests of CH2M HILL and our stockholders, and whether they comply with the relevant laws that regulate our business.

Director Independence

        CH2M HILL's common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange and, as a result, our directors are not subject to the independence requirements of the national stock exchanges. CH2M HILL believes, however, that outside directors should not have any material relationship with CH2M HILL. There are currently eleven members on our Board, five of whom are outside independent directors and six are employee directors. At the February 2014 Board meeting, our Board determined the size of the 2014-2015 Board to be between eleven and thirteen Board members, with a majority of the Board constituting employee directors. In 2011, the Board adopted independence standards to assist the Board in determining director independence which are consistent with the independence tests under the corporate governance rules for listed companies of the New York Stock Exchange. The Governance Committee of the Board reviews our Board independence standards annually to confirm their appropriateness for the company. Under our Board's standards, a director is not independent if:

    The director is, or has been within the last three years, an employee of CH2M HILL, or any of the director's immediate family members is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of CH2M HILL.

    The director, or any immediate family member of the director, has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $120,000 in direct compensation from CH2M HILL, 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).

    (1) The director is a current partner or employee of a firm that is the internal or external auditor of the CH2M HILL; (2) the director has an immediate family member who is a current partner of such a firm; (3) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who personally works on the CH2M HILL audit; or (4) the

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      director, or any immediate family member of the director, was within the last three years a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on CH2M HILL audit within that time.

    The director, or any immediate family member of the director, is, or has been within the last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of CH2M HILL's executive officers at the same time serves or served on the other company's compensation committee.

    The director is a current employee of, or any immediate family member of the director, is a current executive officer of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, CH2M HILL for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeded two percent (2%) or $1,000,000, whichever is greater, of such other company's consolidated gross revenues.

        Our outside independent directors include Malcolm Brinded, Jerry Geist, Charles "Chad" Holliday, Jr., Georgia Nelson, and Barry Williams. The Board has made a determination that all of these outside directors are "independent" pursuant to the independence standards. The Board has also determined that all the members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are independent pursuant to these guidelines.

Board Leadership Structure

        Under our Board's Governance Principles, our Board has the ability to change its leadership structure in the best interest of CH2M HILL at any given point in time. Our Board is led by a Chairman elected annually by the directors. Mr. McIntire has served as Chairman since 2010, and Ms. Hinman has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL since January 1, 2014.

        Our Board does not have a policy with respect to combining or separating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions. Beginning on January 1, 2014, the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer have been separated in that Mr. McIntire serves as Executive Chairman of the CH2M HILL Board of Directors and Ms. Hinman serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL and a member of the Board of Directors. The Board believes the separation of these positions is currently in the best interests of CH2M HILL and its stockholders and it provides for continuity with Mr. McIntire's leadership on the Board and experience leading CH2M HILL and allows Ms. Hinman to transition efficiently and effectively in her new role as Chief Executive Officer. For these reasons, our Board believes that separating the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board is appropriate at this time and is in the best interest of CH2M HILL.

        Our Board believes that as an employee controlled company, CH2M HILL is best served by a Board where an employee Board member, as opposed to an independent outside Board member, serves as the chair of the Board. Under our Board's Governance Principles, the outside directors of our Board also designate one of the independent directors as Lead Director to provide independent leadership on the Board. The Lead Director presides at the meetings of outside directors, and facilitates communications between the outside independent directors, the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, provides input to the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer on CH2M HILL's governance, performance issues, Board meeting structure and agendas and acts as a liaison to stockholders who wish to communicate with outside directors. Charles "Chad" Holliday, Jr. has served as the Lead Director since his election in January 2012. The outside directors may retain or change this appointment after the nominees are elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

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Board's Role in Risk Oversight

        Our Board oversees and reviews CH2M HILL's risk management process directly and through its Audit and Risk Committees to ensure that the appropriate risks are timely considered and robust mitigation strategies are implemented. In addition, our Board routinely engages in the review of CH2M HILL's enterprise risk, as part of its oversight of CH2M HILL's strategy and capital planning activities. The Risk Committee of the Board is tasked with overseeing CH2M HILL's enterprise risk management systems and processes including the identification of major risks facing our industry and our Company and the impact of the risks on the business including portfolio and project risks. The Risk Committee provides periodic reports to our Board on the enterprise risk management program and offers review and guidance to our management on our approach and process to assess and analyze project and program related risks across the enterprise. The Audit Committee reviews policies regarding risk assessment and risk management, reviews financial and ethical risks and reviews major financial risk exposures and steps taken to monitor and control the exposures. The Audit and Risk Committees provide periodic reports to our Board on how CH2M HILL manages these risks.

Communications with the Board

        Stockholders may communicate with our Board by writing to them in care of Gregory S. Nixon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CH2M HILL, 901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 4000 East, Washington DC 20001 or to the Lead Director at 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, CO 80112. All communications should indicate whether they are intended for the full Board, for outside independent directors only, or for any particular Board member. The inquiries will be directed to the appropriate Board member or members who will reply to stockholders directly.

Nominations of Directors

        Our Governance Committee identifies and recommends for nomination individuals it believes are qualified to be inside and outside Board members and who are best suited to contribute to the Board's activities given CH2M HILL's needs and objectives. The Board seeks directors with diverse professional backgrounds and reputation for integrity who combine a broad spectrum of experience and expertise that is important to CH2M HILL's short and long term interests. Diversity of background has always been and shall continue to be an important objective in the selection of directors. A candidate for director should have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and be selected based upon contributions they can make to the Board and upon their willingness to devote adequate time and effort to Board responsibilities. In making this assessment, the Governance Committee considers the candidates' knowledge of our industry and markets, and our clients' industries and markets, the number of other boards on which the candidate serves, and the other business and professional commitments of the candidate. The candidate should also have the ability to exercise sound business judgment to act in what he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of CH2M HILL and our stockholders.

        The Governance Committee of our Board makes recommendations to the full Board about outside director candidate nominees. In reviewing and selecting the outside director nominees for Board consideration, the Committee considers a variety of factors including outside director performance, any special expertise and how the expertise fits with the needs of CH2M HILL. Candidates for outside director positions must fulfill the Board's independence standards for outside directors as described above and included in the Governance Principles which are available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/governance.asp.

        In selecting employee directors for consideration, the Governance Committee takes into account the recommendation of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer based on input they receive from our employee stockholders. The process for annual board nominations for employee director candidates commences with the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer

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sending a detailed description of the nominating process and qualification requirements for Board membership to all employee stockholders. They share these recommendations with the Governance Committee which makes its own recommendations to the full Board. The Governance Committee of the Board carefully reviews the recommendations from the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer and recommends to the Board a slate of candidates for employee director slots. The Governance Committee considers the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations in its deliberations, but is not bound by them.

        The criteria for employee director nominees includes, among other things:

    Personal characteristics of the highest caliber, including personal and professional ethics,

    Have proven leadership abilities, including demonstrated teamwork skills,

    Experience and capabilities similar to those required of senior corporate officers, including at least fifteen years experience in the engineering and construction related businesses,

    Bring diversity of gender, race, culture, background or experience to the Board's deliberations to broaden the Board's perspective and to reflect the diversity of our clients and stakeholders,

    Knowledge of CH2M HILL's organization and culture, and

    Brings special skills to the Board based on issues facing CH2M HILL during the relevant Board term.

Code of Ethics

        We have adopted a code of ethics and business conduct for our executive and financial officers entitled "CH2M HILL Executive and Financial Officers' Code of Ethics." It applies to all of our senior executives and financial officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Treasurer, and Presidents of our operating markets. The code is available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/business_ethics.asp. A hard copy is also available without charge to any stockholder upon request by writing to Gregory S. Nixon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CH2M HILL, 901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 4000 East, Washington DC 20001. We will disclose any future changes of the Code of Ethics on our website.

        We also have ethics policies that are applicable to all employees entitled "CH2M HILL Employee Ethics and Business Conduct Principles" that mandates rules of conduct to all CH2M HILL employees including all senior executives and financial officers. It is also available on our website by following the same links as described above and will be available in hard copy. We maintain a confidential telephone and web-based hotline, where employees can seek guidance or report potential violations of laws, CH2M HILL policies or rules of conduct.

Committees of the Board

        In 2013, the Board of Directors had five committees: Audit, Compensation, Executive, Governance and Risk Committees. The Audit and Compensation Committees are comprised solely of outside independent directors. Below is a chart showing current committee members and a summary of the functions performed by the committees during 2013.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

 
  Audit   Compensation   Executive   Governance   Risk

Robert Bailey

                  X

Malcolm Brinded (OD)

  X   X       C    

Jerry Geist (OD)

  X   C   X   X    

Jacqueline Hinman

          X   X    

Charles Holliday, Jr. (OD)

  X   X   X   X    

Lee McIntire

          C        

Gregory McIntyre

                  X

Michael McKelvy

          X       X

Georgia Nelson (OD)

  X   X           C

Michael Szomjassy

              X    

Barry Williams (OD)

  C   X           X

OD = Outside Director

C = Chairperson

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee met eight times during 2013. The Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/leadership.asp.

        The Board of Directors determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent in accordance with the independence criteria established by the Board consistent with the independence definition under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, and complies with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Board designated Barry Williams as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. The Audit Committee is responsible for CH2M HILL's financial processes and internal control environment including, among other things:

    Reviewing the financial statements with management and the independent auditors,

    Reviewing CH2M HILL's process and compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act surrounding internal controls prior to filing quarterly Form 10-Qs and the annual Form 10-K,

    Appointing CH2M HILL's independent auditors,

    Reviewing and evaluating the work and performance of CH2M HILL's internal auditors and its independent auditors,

    Establishing procedures for (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by CH2M HILL regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of CH2M HILL of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, and

    Conferring with CH2M HILL's independent auditors and its internal auditors and financial officers to monitor CH2M HILL's internal accounting methods and procedures and evaluating any recommended changes.

Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee met six times during 2013. The Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/leadership.asp. The

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Compensation Committee consists entirely of outside independent directors. Its responsibilities include, among other things:

    Determining the senior executive compensation programs, including that of the Chief Executive Officer, and other senior executive officers of CH2M HILL,

    Setting compensation for the Chief Executive Officer in light of the performance evaluation conducted by the Board,

    Providing input to the Chief Executive Officer on compensation of our senior executives,

    Overseeing the CH2M HILL equity based compensation and incentive plans, and

    Managing the succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer.

Committee Role in Determining Director Compensation

        The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending compensation for outside directors. It periodically assesses the structure of the compensation for outside directors in relation to director compensation of our peer group companies. The Committee has engaged outside compensation consultants from time-to-time to advise on executive and director compensation matters. These matters include, among other things, a review and market analysis of board of director pay and benefits.

Committee Role in Determining Executive Compensation

        The role of the Compensation Committee in determining executive compensation and the use of compensation consultants is set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis which follows.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        No interlocking relationship exists between any member of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company.

Executive Committee

        The Executive Committee did not meet during 2013. The Committee does not have a written charter and serves at the pleasure of our Board based on expressly delegated authority. The Committee is authorized to exercise any powers, subject to certain limitations, of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of CH2M HILL, as delegated by our Board of Directors.

Governance Committee

        The Governance Committee met five times during 2013. The Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/leadership.asp. The Committee's responsibilities include, among other things:

    Directing corporate governance,

    Assessing and recommending to the full Board candidates for nomination of directors,

    Overseeing Board succession planning,

    Establishing and reviewing criteria for Board membership,

    Recommending Board committee assignments, and

    Establishing Board performance objectives and conducting annual Board evaluations.

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Risk Committee

        The Risk Committee met four times during 2013. The Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/about_us/leadership.asp. The Committee's responsibilities include, among other things:

    Reviewing and overseeing CH2M HILL's activities with respect to significant material risks,

    Reviewing CH2M HILL's enterprise portfolio risks,

    Reviewing CH2M HILL's approach to project risk management, and

    Reviewing and overseeing scenario planning for major disruptive events.

INFORMATION RELATED TO THE BOARD, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

        In 2013, CH2M HILL had one related party transaction. On August 27, 2013, CH2M HILL purchased 15,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, from Mr. McIntire at a market value price of $59.60 per share for a total of $894,000. The ByLaws of CH2M HILL at the time of the transaction provided that no one person could own more than one percent of the outstanding shares of CH2M HILL. The transaction with Mr. McIntire occurred because his ownership was approaching the one percent limitation. Subsequent to the transaction, the ByLaws were amended to change the limitation on ownership to the greater of (i) one percent of the outstanding shares, or (ii) 350,000 shares of CH2M HILL stock.

        Our written Related Party Policy provides that any transaction that exceeds $120,000 between CH2M HILL and any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial owners of at least 5% of our common stock is considered to be a "related party" transaction. The policy also provides that all related party transactions are required to be reviewed by the senior leadership team, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Legal Officer. The Audit Committee is made aware of any related party transactions.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

Security Ownership of Certain Stockholders

        The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock by any person or group known to us as of March 13, 2014, to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any of our common stock.

Name and Address of Stockholder
  Title of
Class
  Number of
Shares Held
  Percent
of Class
 

Trustees of the CH2M HILL Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan

  Common     16,598,222 (1)   56.62 %

9191 South Jamaica Street

                 

Englewood, CO 80112

                 

Trustee of the CH2M HILL Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Common

   
1,792,552

(2)
 
6.11

%

9191 South Jamaica Street

                 

Englewood, CO 80112

                 

(1)
Common shares are held of record by the Trustees for the accounts of participants in the Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and will be voted in accordance with instructions received from participants. Shares as to which no instructions are received will be voted pro rata in accordance with the voting instructions submitted by all other plan participants.

(2)
Common shares are held of record by the Trustee for the accounts of participants in the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan and will be voted as directed by CH2M HILL as the owner of the assets of the trust.

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Security Ownership of Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth information as of March 13, 2014 as to the beneficial ownership of our equity securities by (a) each director and director nominee, (b) each executive officer listed in the summary compensation table and (c) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. None of the individuals listed below owns directly more than 1% of the outstanding shares of CH2M HILL. As a group, all directors, director nominees, and executive officers own 4.0% of the outstanding shares of CH2M HILL, including stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 13, 2014.

Name of Beneficial Owner
  Common
Stock Held
Directly(1)
  Common
Stock Held
Indirectly(2)
  Stock Options
Exercisable
Within 60 Days
  Total
Beneficial
Ownership
 

Robert W. Bailey

    63,765     31,494     9,708     104,967  

J. Robert Berra

    3,228     215     618     4,061  

Malcolm Brinded

    13,675             13,675  

Jerry D. Geist

    32,646             32,646  

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    49,715     10,522     25,270     85,507  

Charles O. Holliday, Jr. 

    11,282             11,282  

Michael A. Lucki

    48,147     1,746     15,779     65,672  

Lee A. McIntire

    295,766     16,307     77,929     390,002  

Gregory T. McIntyre

    46,144     66,239     5,087     117,470  

Michael E. McKelvy

    49,379     8,159     16,101     73,639  

Georgia R. Nelson

    7,743             7,743  

Gregory S. Nixon

    20,513     31         20,544  

Elisa M. Speranza

    26,287     10,156     3,908     40,351  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    50,448     9,068     13,329     72,845  

Barry L. Williams

    28,565             28,565  

All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (17 people)

    785,762     174,612     196,952     1,157,326  

(1)
Includes restricted stock held by directors and executive officers over which they maintain sole voting power but no investment power.

(2)
Includes common stock held through the CH2M HILL Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan trust and the CH2M HILL Deferred Compensation Plan trust.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") requires our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities. These executive officers, directors and beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by the reporting persons. Based on our records, we believe that all Section 16(a) reporting requirements related to CH2M HILL directors and executive officers were timely fulfilled during 2013.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

        The following information is provided as of December 31, 2013 with respect to compensation plans pursuant to which CH2M HILL may grant equity awards to eligible persons. Please see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in CH2M HILL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for descriptions of the equity compensation plans.

Plan Category
  Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
 
 
  (a)
  (b)
  (c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

    2,417,021 (3) $ 50.61     17,179,934 (4)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)

    97,181 (5) $ 69.43     (6)
                 

Total

    2,514,202   $ 51.34     17,179,934  
                 
                 

(1)
The equity compensation plans approved by stockholders include the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Option Plan and the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Payroll Deduction Stock Purchase Plan as amended and restated effective January 1, 2004 (PDSPP).

(2)
The equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders include the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Amended and Restated Short Term Incentive Plan effective January 1, 2012 and the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan effective January 1, 2011.

(3)
Includes 2,417,021 of stock options outstanding. These options were granted prior to December 31, 2013.

(4)
Includes 5,884,954 shares reserved for future issuance under the Stock Option Plan and 11,294,980 shares available for purchase under the PDSPP.

(5)
Includes 97,181 shares issued under a long term incentive program paid or to be paid in 2014. These shares were earned in 2011 to 2013.

(6)
Shares available for future issuance under the long term and short term incentive programs (excluding shares reflected in column (a)) are not determinable until the end of each year.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) provides information about our compensation and benefit programs that were in place for our executive officers for 2013, and explains our compensation philosophy and objectives.

Executive Summary

        CH2M HILL has a pay-for-performance philosophy that seeks to link the interests of the named executive officers with the Company's strategic and operational objectives as well as with those of our stockholders. This philosophy helps guide the Compensation Committee's decisions regarding executive compensation. As a result, approximately 80% of the compensation of our named executive officers is linked to CH2M HILL performance objectives, individual objectives and stock price performance.

        The following elements comprise the total compensation awarded to our named executive officers: base salary, a cash-based annual incentive award, and equity-based long term incentives consisting of common stock, stock options and restricted stock as described below.

    Our compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, reward, and retain the most talented executives.

    We target all elements of our compensation program to provide compensation opportunity at the median of our peer companies. Actual payouts under these programs can be above or below the median based on CH2M HILL's performance and the executive's individual performance.

    Our long term incentive awards to our named executive officers are aligned directly to the annual goals and long term financial performance of CH2M HILL, in line with our "pay-for-performance" philosophy. The awards also help retain executives over time and provide a means by which executives can meet their respective stock ownership guidelines.

        One of our main objectives is to make sure that CH2M HILL's compensation policies and practices for its employees, in general, and its executive officers, in particular, optimize CH2M HILL's performance without encouraging unreasonable risks or incentivizing behavior which may result in a material adverse effect on the Company. The design of our executive compensation programs, which combines short term and long term incentives, places considerable compensation at-risk and aligns executive officers' interests with the interests of the Company's stockholders.

        For 2013, our named executive officers who appear in the Summary Compensation Table are:

    Lee A. McIntire, former President and Chief Executive Officer

    Michael A. Lucki, former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    Gregory S. Nixon, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

    Michael E. McKelvy, Senior Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer

    Michael A. Szomjassy, Senior Vice President and President, Energy Market

    Jacqueline C. Hinman, former Senior Vice President and Division President

        During the year ended December 31, 2013, Mr. McIntire served as our President and Chief Executive Officer. As previously announced, effective January 1, 2014, Ms. Hinman succeeded Mr. McIntire as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McIntire remains the Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors.

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        Mr. Lucki served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until his resignation from CH2M HILL and from the Board of Directors on February 6, 2014. JoAnn Shea currently serves as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of CH2M HILL until a replacement for the position is named.

        The following table summarizes the key elements of our executive compensation program.

Pay Element
  Primary Objective
  Factors Increasing
or Decreasing Reward

  Target Pay Position
Relative to Peer Group

Base Salary   Pay individuals for their roles, responsibilities, experience and performance  

Performance against objectives

Individual responsibilities and experience level

Competitive pay within the range

Company financial performance

  The Committee targets median pay for base salary
Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)   Motivate and reward achievement of annual financial objectives and individual performance goals  

Company earnings against Annual Business Plan

Year-end gross margin backlog against Annual Business Plan

Safety, cash flow, overhead cost management, cross business collaboration, year-over-year earnings growth and staff development

Achievement of individual performance goals

  Target median total cash compensation for target performance
Long term Incentives            

Long term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

 

Motivate and reward achievement of long term goals and increasing stockholder value over a three year period

 

Three year cumulative earnings growth

Year-end Gross Margin backlog CAGR

 

Total potential value is targeted at market median to provide competitive total direct compensation against our peer group

Stock Options

 

Incentivize focus on longer term strategic goals and creation of stockholder value

 

Change in stock price

   

Restricted Stock

 

Motivate and reward achievement of specified financial goals

 

Change in stock price

EBITDA as a percent of revenue at the end of a three year performance period

 

 

Benefits and Perquisites   Provide benefits to attract and retain executive to be competitive with our peer group  

Position

Years of service

  Competitive executive benefits
Change of Control   Bridge to future employment if change of control event occurs and employment is terminated  

None, only paid in the event the executive's employment is terminated in connection with a change of control

  Competitive with market benchmarks

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

        Our compensation philosophy is based on two fundamental principles: competitive market compensation and pay-for-performance. Our compensation programs are designed to attract and retain

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the most qualified and talented executives and employees in our industry, and to provide incentives that appropriately motivate them to achieve and exceed our short term and long term performance goals, thereby enhancing stockholder value.

    Competitive Market Compensation.  We pay our executives and other employees compensation that is comparable to compensation paid by our industry peers, because the market for qualified executives and employees in our industry is highly competitive. We also evaluate competitive pay practices among general industry for companies of similar size, complexity and performance as certain executives and other senior positions may be drawn from this broader market.

    Pay-for-Performance.  We align the interest of our executives and employees with the interest of our stockholders by paying for performance against agreed upon goals that tie with CH2M HILL's short and long term objectives and strategic plans. We place a substantial portion of our executive officers' compensation at-risk, where total compensation over time depends on each executive's performance against established goals and on the overall performance of the Company. Furthermore, a portion of all executives' compensation is provided in the form of CH2M HILL stock, stock options and restricted stock, which tie the total value of the compensation opportunity to CH2M HILL's overall stock performance.

        We review our compensation philosophy and objectives annually in light of our performance against our goals and performance of our peer companies. This process takes into account market risks and opportunities as well as the economic environment. We revise our compensation objectives, as appropriate, to focus on our strategic goals and objectives.

Role of the Board of Directors in Establishing Compensation

        Our Board of Directors delegated the responsibility for oversight of executive officers' compensation to its Compensation Committee. The Committee establishes total compensation for the Chief Executive Officer based on his performance, the Company's performance, and input the Committee receives from its compensation consultants. The Committee also reviews the CEO's compensation recommendations for other executive officers, establishes (based on market data provided by its compensation consultants) compensation for outside members of the Board of Directors, and considers and approves the equity-based incentive compensation plans that CH2M HILL uses to implement its compensation philosophy.

        In 2013, the Committee reviewed Mr. McIntire's 2013 total compensation against market data provided by its compensation consultants, considered Mr. McIntire's performance for the year and CH2M HILL's performance overall, and set Mr. McIntire's compensation, as presented in the Summary Compensation Table.

        The Compensation Committee reviews the competitiveness of CH2M HILL's executive compensation programs annually compared to that of executives in similar positions with companies we compete with in our industry and geographic markets. The competitive compensation comparison includes the peer group data, and published survey data for both our specific industry and general industry using companies of similar size and complexity.

        The Compensation Committee reviews executive compensation in light of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code which establishes a limit on the deductibility of annual compensation that exceeds $1,000,000 for certain executive officers. It is the general intention of the Committee to meet the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; however, the Committee reserves the right, where merited by changing business conditions or an executive's individual performance, to authorize compensation payments which may not be fully deductible by CH2M HILL. The Committee reviews this policy on an ongoing basis.

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Role of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes

        CH2M HILL provided stockholders a non-binding advisory "say-on-pay" vote on its executive compensation at its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholders overwhelmingly supported the compensation of our executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2011 meeting, with the proposal receiving support of approximately 90.5% of the votes cast. Following the 2011 say-on-pay vote, the Compensation Committee evaluated the results of the vote and considered other factors in evaluating CH2M HILL's executive compensation policies and practices for 2011, including the relationship of the CH2M HILL compensation programs to the company's business objectives for the year, a review of peer group data and the evaluation of CH2M HILL's compensation programs by its compensation consultant. Based on these considerations, including the vote results from the say-on-pay vote, the Compensation Committee determined that our stockholders support our executive compensation policies and practices and therefore, the Committee did not implement changes to our compensation program as a result of the vote. For the same reasons, the Compensation Committee did not make any changes for 2013 as a result of the 2011 vote.

        The stockholders are being asked to approve the non-binding advisory "say-on-pay" vote on executive compensation at the Annual Meeting in 2014 pursuant to the three year frequency approved by stockholders in 2011. The Committee will continue to consider the outcome of future say-on-pay votes when making future executive compensation decisions.

Role of Management in Establishing Compensation

        CH2M HILL's Chief Executive Officer reviews compensation data and analysis for direct reports, including all executive officers based on the information provided by CH2M HILL's Human Resources compensation staff and the compensation consultants. The CEO considers each component of executive compensation and determines how these components should be used to provide appropriate total compensation that motivates executive officers to optimize CH2M HILL's short term and long term operations and financial results in the best interest of CH2M HILL's stockholders. The CEO then provides an overview of performance and accomplishments for each executive officer and makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee about compensation levels and structure the CEO deems appropriate.

Role of Compensation Consultants

        The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain the services of outside compensation consultants to assist in the performance of its responsibilities. In 2013, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Sibson Consulting ("Sibson"). At the request of the Committee, Sibson updated the annual compensation assessment for the CEO and other executive officers. The review provides a comprehensive assessment of the various components of our executive compensation programs against relevant market compensation data and our peer companies (as further discussed below), as well as a recommended compensation range for our CEO and reference compensation ranges for our other executive officers. The Compensation Committee used this information to consider and set compensation for the CEO and to review the CEO's recommendations for other executive officers' compensation. As part of this process, Sibson also provided to the Committee compensation survey data for other key executives and managers at peer companies, which are used by the Company in considering compensation levels.

        In 2013, Sibson was engaged to, among other things, analyze projected compensation opportunities against delivered results for the performance provisions relating to the restricted stock grants and to review metrics associated with the Long Term Incentive Plan. In 2013, Sibson was engaged to provide a total compensation review for our executive officers. Sibson also provided a review of competitive

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compensation for CH2M HILL's outside directors. We paid Sibson approximately $137,117 for work performed in 2013.

        In 2013, the Compensation Committee carefully considered Sibson's independence and all the services that Sibson provides to CH2M HILL's management, such as benchmarking surveys for senior management roles and consulting regarding overall incentive strategy. The Committee determined that Sibson's services to the Company did not impair its independence because of the value of compensation that Sibson derives from such services was not significant. In addition, in September 2013, the Compensation Committee analyzed Sibson's work and determined it did not raise any conflicts of interest.

Benchmarking

        The Compensation Committee uses market data as the primary tool in establishing compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, and in reviewing the CEO's recommendations for compensation of other executive officers. In establishing 2013 compensation, the Compensation Committee reviewed total compensation information of eleven peer companies as evaluated and recommended by the compensation consultant to the Committee. In considering which companies to include as its reference companies in this review, the Committee instructed Sibson to select companies that compete with CH2M HILL for executive talent in our industry and our geographic markets. Sibson provides an independent assessment of the peer group annually and recommends changes as appropriate, while recognizing the importance of year-over-year continuity. The Committee believes that the reference group of peer companies is appropriate for its compensation analysis. The full list of reference companies used in compensation considerations in 2013 is provided below.

Peer Companies

AECOM

 

Jacobs Engineering Group,  Inc.

The Babcock & Wilcox Co.

 

KBR, Inc.

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.

 

McDermott International,  Inc.

Emcor Group,  Inc.

 

Tetra Tech Inc.

Fluor Corporation

 

URS Corporation

Foster Wheeler Ltd.

   

        The Committee reviewed the available compensation and financial performance data for each of the peer companies and, with assistance of the independent compensation consultant, established that, for 2013, the appropriate market compensation range for our executive officers was between 16% below and 6% above the median compensation of the peer companies. The CEO's target total direct compensation (salary plus short and long term incentives) is 96% of the peer group median and 99% of the general industry survey median. As advised by the independent compensation consultant, a competitive range for any executive is plus or minus 15% of the median to account for differences in qualifications, experience and performance of our executives.

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Elements of Compensation

        The total compensation package for our executive officers consists of the following components:

    Base Salary—provides our executive officers with competitive base pay that is appropriate for their position in the Company and level of experience

    Short Term Incentive Compensation—provides incentives to our executive officers (and other employees) to focus on achieving our annual business plan and other quantitative and qualitative goals relevant for the current year

    Long Term Incentive Compensation—designed to incentivize our executive officers (and other senior leaders) to achieve our quantitative and qualitative objectives over a three year period that relate to our multi-year strategic plan (called the long term incentive program) and through equity participation in CH2M HILL's financial success by providing executives stock option and restricted stock grants designed to align our executives' interest with that of stockholders

    Benefits, Retirement, Retention and Perquisites—designed to assure market compensation, create longer term ties to the Company and aid in retention of existing executive officers and recruiting of new executives

2013 Average Pay Mix

        The key components of compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and named executive officers are shown below.

Chief Executive Officer:

GRAPHIC

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Other named executive officers:

GRAPHIC

        Please note that "fixed" compensation refers to base salary and "variable" compensation refers to performance based pay, which is the aggregate of stock, bonus and options shown in the first chart.

        The Compensation Committee does not have a policy to achieve or to maintain any particular ratio or weighting among the elements of compensation. Instead, the Committee considers the qualitative balance among all compensation components against our compensation philosophy and performance objectives each year and makes its decisions accordingly.

        We believe that by creating a total compensation package for executive officers that combines short term and long term incentives and equity compensation, we align their interests with the interests of CH2M HILL and its stockholders. We review our performance against our peer group of companies as a factor in determining our executive officers' total compensation. We also believe our pay-for-performance model appropriately motivates performance and encourages appropriate risk taking, while encouraging retention. As our financial performance increases relative to our performance goals, the executive officers' potential for additional compensation under our short and long term incentive programs increases as well. If our performance does not meet our goals, total compensation falls and incentive compensation may be reduced to zero.

Base Salary

        We provide our executive officers with base salary that we believe is appropriate for their roles, responsibilities and experience and is within a competitive market range, as determined by the Compensation Committee with input from its independent compensation consultant. The actual base salary is based on the experience of each executive officer, as well as the complexity and financial and strategic impact of his or her role.

        In 2013, the base salaries of the executive officers were adjusted to reflect their respective individual performance and the performance of CH2M HILL, and also to align the base salaries of some of the executive officers and senior operations executives with market compensation for their respective roles. The base salary increases made in 2013 for executive officers ranged between 0% and 11% depending on each individual executive's performance and based on market comparative data. Following an internal review of each executive's position in 2013, the executive's scope of responsibility, the executive's abilities and impact to CH2M HILL's organization, as well as market analysis, the base salaries for Ms. Hinman and Mr. Szomjassy increased significantly. The base salary increase of 11% for Mr. Szomjassy reflected better alignment to the market for his position and his time in the position and experience in our industry. The base salary increase of 10.5% for Ms. Hinman also reflects an

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adjustment for better alignment with the market and scope of responsibility within CH2M HILL. The remaining named executive officers received base salary increases of less than 4%.

        On November 14, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved changes to Jacqueline C. Hinman's compensation effective January 1, 2014 in connection with her appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL. Effective January 1, 2014, Ms. Hinman receives a base salary of $900,000, with a target incentive opportunity under the CH2M HILL Short Term Incentive Plan of 120% and a target incentive opportunity under the CH2M HILL Long Term Incentive Plan of 230%.

        Effective January 1, 2014, Lee A. McIntire was no longer the Chief Executive Officer of CH2M HILL and continues as Chairman of the Board in an executive capacity. There were no changes to his compensation arrangement as a result of this change in position.

        The Compensation Committee provides from time to time discretionary cash incentive bonuses to executive officers for circumstances warranting the payment, such as retention, market alignment and market opportunities.

Short Term Incentive Compensation

        Our short term incentive awards provide our executives with the ability to earn an annual incentive, based on the Company's performance, their respective business unit's performance, and their individual performance. Annual goals are established during the first quarter of each year and monitored throughout the year. The 2013 short term performance goals were based on an earnings target and year end gross margin backlog for the Company. The short term incentive awards are paid in cash in keeping with market practice of our reference group of peer companies.

        The 2013 short term incentive program's target for each named executive officer is based on the percentage of the officer's base salary set forth below:

Lee A. McIntire

    130 %

Michael A. Lucki

    90 %

Gregory S. Nixon

    75 %

Michael E. McKelvy

    80 %

Michael A. Szomjassy

    80 %

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    80 %

        CH2M HILL's incentive performance pool in 2013 increased approximately 1.0% year-over-year. As a result, the payouts for executive officers reflected actual performance against the above targets and ranged between 65% and 100% of target.

Long Term Incentive Compensation

        The long term component of our incentive compensation for executive officers is intended to reward our executive officers and other senior leaders for achieving CH2M HILL's long term goals and increasing stockholder value. Long term incentive compensation is intended to motivate our executives to focus on long term goals, to reward and retain top talent and to help our executives meet their Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines. Long term incentive mix depends upon the job level of each executive.

        There are three components that comprise long term compensation. They consist of:

    Long Term Incentive Plan which is paid out in a mix of cash and common stock or 100% in common stock,

    Stock options, and

    Restricted stock

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    Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

        In 2013, our executive officers received payments under the 2010 Long Term Incentive program. The program paid incentives based on CH2M HILL's performance against goals established in 2010 for the 2010-2012 performance period. The primary goal, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board, was an earnings growth goal for the Company. In addition, payouts for the 2010 program were modified upwards based on the achievement of a specified project investment ratio relating to effective cash management. At the February 2013 Compensation Committee meeting, the Committee confirmed that the 2010 goals were completed at a performance level that justified a 174.8% payout level. The long term incentive awards for the 2010 program were paid in 100% CH2M HILL common stock in March of 2013.

        On March 7, 2014, our executive officers received payments under the 2011 Long Term Incentive program. The program paid incentives based on CH2M HILL's performance against goals established in 2011 for the 2011-2013 performance period. The goals, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board, include an earnings growth goal for the Company and year end gross margin backlog compounded annual growth rate goal. In addition, the incentive opportunity under the 2011 program is subject to an individual modifier which can be applied to reduce the amount of the award. The long term incentive awards for the 2011 program were paid in March of 2014, in 100% CH2M HILL common stock.

        In 2013, the executive officers were granted the opportunity to earn long term incentive compensation payable in 2016 based on their performance during the 2013-2015 performance period. The performance targets approved by the Compensation Committee for the 2013 Long Term Incentive Program were based on a cumulative earnings growth goal for the Company as well as a year-end gross margin backlog compounded annual growth rate goal. In addition, the incentive opportunity under the 2013 program is subject to an individual modifier which can be applied to reduce the amount of the award. This award is expected to be paid in 100% CH2M HILL common stock.

        The 2013 Long Term Incentive Program's target for each named executive officer is based on the percentage, set forth below, of the officer's base salary, with each executive having an opportunity to earn up to 200% of these targets based on the Company's performance during the 2013-2015 performance period:

Lee A. McIntire

    230 %

Michael A. Lucki

    95 %

Michael E. McKelvy

    90 %

Michael A. Szomjassy

    75 %

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    80 %

        Consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy, the LTIP provides the Compensation Committee with discretion to reduce actual payouts to ensure that one operational performance goal is not achieved at the expense of other important strategic objectives.

    Stock Options

        Stock options are granted to our executives to provide an attractive incentive to focus on our longer term strategic goals and create stockholder value. Our stock option grants are made with the strike price equal to our stock value in effect at the time of the grant, vesting over a three year period in 25%, 25% and 50% increments each year all with an expiration date of five years from the date of grant. Although we are required to reflect compensation expense for stock options pursuant to applicable accounting rules, the granted stock options only have realized value to the executive to the extent that the CH2M HILL stock price actually increases during the term of the stock options. The

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stock options granted in 2013 to our named executive officers are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.

    Restricted Stock

        Restricted stock is granted to motivate and reward our executives for the achievement of specified financial goals. Restricted stock granted in 2013 to our named executive officers is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table. The grants provided to our executives in 2013 include a performance metric. The restrictions on these grants lapse at the end of a three year period in 2016 and the award will be increased or decreased at that time based on the achievement of a performance goal. The performance goal is a specified three-year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of revenue goal. If the goal is met the named executive officer will receive 100% of the target amount awarded. The award can be adjusted from 75% to 125% of the awarded amount based on actual results.

        The restricted stock grant issued to executives on February 16, 2011 included a performance feature based on the firm's EBITDA as a percent of revenue at the end of the performance period (January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013). The three-year EBITDA performance resulted in a payout of 87.5% of the target amount of shares.

        The Compensation Committee approved restricted stock grants in 2014 to our executive officers which includes this performance metric. The restrictions lapse at the end of the three year performance period from the date of grant and the initial grant award may be adjusted up or down based on the achievement of a specified EBITDA goal.

Benefits, Retirement, Retention and Perquisites

        Our executive officers are eligible to participate in benefit plans that are available to substantially all of our employees, including participation in our medical, dental and life insurance plans, and disability insurance programs. In addition to these general benefits, we offer financial planning consulting, executive physicals, and country club memberships for a few of our executive officers whose health and well being is essential to the success of CH2M HILL. Country club memberships are only a partial perquisite since they serve as a vehicle for client and community leader networking. In keeping with our philosophy of market competitive and pay-for-performance compensation, we have historically provided only modest executive benefits and perquisites and have not viewed these forms of compensation as a substantial part of the overall executive officers' compensation framework.

        One special benefit that we provide to certain of our executive officers is our Supplemental Executive Retirement and Retention Plan (SERRP). The SERRP is a non-qualified defined contribution plan under which CH2M HILL provides pre-tax contributions to certain executive officers that they can utilize only upon retiring with the Company at age 65 or thereafter. The plan provides those who are invited to participate in the plan with added incentives to continue in the service of the Company by providing an attractive retirement benefit. The SERRP is a part of our competitive market compensation strategy and it allows us to attract and retain executive officers and other senior executives. The company contribution to each participant's SERRP is 25% of base salary and short term incentive, except the company contributions to Mr. McIntire, Mr. Szomjassy, and Mr. Nixon are 60%, 15.7%, and 12.5%, respectively, of base salary and short term incentive. During the life of the SERRP the contribution levels may be set differently for different participants and at different percentages of base salary and short term incentives, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

        In addition, CH2M HILL provides for a payment of five times base salary (pre-tax) in a lump sum to the beneficiary of select CH2M HILL executives (including the named executive officers) upon his or her death. This is a pre-retirement employment benefit similar to term life insurance while the executive remains a CH2M HILL employee.

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Mr. Lucki Compensation for 2013

        On November 14, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time discretionary cash bonus for Michael Lucki in the amount of $300,000 and a special one-time restricted stock grant of 2,024 shares valued at $125,000 at the time of grant, which shares vest on November 14, 2015 for retention purposes. These awards were approved by the Compensation Committee. Effective February 6, 2014, Mr. Lucki resigned from CH2M HILL as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors to pursue other opportunities.

Mr. Nixon Compensation for 2013

        Mr. Nixon joined CH2M HILL on November 4, 2013 as Chief Legal Officer. In order to recruit Mr. Nixon to CH2M HILL and match his then-current compensation with his prior employer, CH2M HILL provided a compensation package as described as follows: Mr. Nixon receives a base salary of $500,000, with a target incentive opportunity under the CH2M HILL Short Term Incentive Plan of 75% and a target incentive opportunity under the CH2M HILL Long Term Incentive Plan of 75%. Mr. Nixon received a guaranteed bonus under the CH2M HILL Short Term Incentive plan of $375,000 in March 2014 as part of his new hire package. In addition, as part of Mr. Nixon's employment package, he received a one-time restricted stock grant on November 14, 2013 for 19,433 shares valued at $1,200,000 at the time of grant, which shares vest one-third per year over three years on each anniversary date from the date of grant. He also received a one-time grant of 4,000 stock options on November 14, 2013 which vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, 25% on the second anniversary, and the final 50% on the third anniversary. As part of Mr. Nixon's new hire package, he also received a one-time cash employment incentive of $700,000, of which $200,000 was paid to him on November 15, 2013 and $200,000 will be paid on June 1, 2014, $150,000 will be paid on June 1, 2015 and $150,000 will be paid on June 1, 2016. These compensation arrangements were all approved by the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Szomjassy Compensation for 2013

        Mr. Szomjassy received a special one-time restricted stock grant on May 17, 2013 of 8,561 shares which vests March 31, 2014 for retention purposes. This award was approved by the Compensation Committee.

Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

        CH2M HILL's Board of Directors has established stock ownership guidelines for our senior executives. The guidelines are intended to encourage management to own a meaningful amount of CH2M HILL stock and therefore align individual financial goals with our Company's success. Executives will achieve their recommended levels of ownership within five years of being promoted into a role or assuming a new position which is subject to the guidelines. The CEO will review each participant's progress toward compliance with the guidelines and report to the Compensation Committee on the compliance status. The Committee reviews the executive stock ownership guidelines from time to time.

        The following table sets forth the current stock ownership guidelines as approved by the Compensation Committee:

Position
  Stock Ownership
(as a multiple of
Annual Base Salary)

Chief Executive Officer

  Five Times Salary

Other Named Executive Officers

  Three Times Salary

Other Senior Executives

  Two Times Salary

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Change of Control and Post-Termination Compensation

        Our CEO and each of the other named executive officers are party to a change of control agreement with the Company. Under the change in control agreements, CH2M HILL will provide each named executive officer with the following benefits in the event of termination of their employment (actual or constructive and other than for cause) by CH2M HILL or its successor in interest within twenty-four months of a change of control:

    For the CEO and very few select senior executives, lump-sum payments in the amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (a) annual base salary in effect at the time the change of control occurs and (b) target annual incentive bonus payable under the Short Term Incentive Plan;

    Continuation of health benefits for a period equal to the period the executive would be entitled to continuation coverage under a group health plan of CH2M HILL following the date of termination;

    Immediate vesting of all options, restricted stock and other incentive grants and long term incentive pay;

    Immediate vesting in all retirement plans;

    Pro-rata payout of amounts payable under the short term incentive plan for the year of termination; and

    Pro-rata payout of amounts payable under the long term incentive programs, as appropriate.

        For purposes of the change of control agreements, a "change of control" is defined generally to include:

    Acquisition of 50% (or more) of the fair value of the CH2M HILL stock;

    Acquisition of 30% (or more) of the voting securities of CH2M HILL;

    A change in the majority of the Board of Directors, not otherwise recommended by the Board of Directors, during the course of one year;

    Liquidation or dissolution of CH2M HILL, or direct or indirect sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of CH2M HILL.

Risks Inherent in Compensation Structure

        CH2M HILL's management considered CH2M HILL's compensation policies and practices for its executive officers and employees, in general, and determined that these policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. CH2M HILL believes that the design of the executive compensation that combines short term and long term incentives places considerable compensation at-risk, and aligns executive officers' interests with the interests of the Company's stockholders; thus, creating the environment that encourages executive officers and other key employees to carefully balance risks and rewards for the Company and not to assume unreasonable risks.

        CH2M HILL carefully reviewed all elements of executive compensation to determine whether any components of compensation encourage excessive risk taking and concluded that:

    Rolling three-year performance targets discourage short term risk taking and encourage longer term view,

    Substantial equity component of compensation and ownership guidelines discourages excessive risk taking, and

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    Significant portion of at-risk compensation focused on longer term strategic results creates appropriately measured approach to risk taking.

        Further, as described elsewhere in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the overall compensation decisions include subjective considerations, which prevent a formulaic approach to compensation setting and do not drive unreasonable short term focused business and risk taking decisions.


Compensation Committee Report

        We evaluate and establish compensation for CH2M HILL's executive officers and oversee the deferred compensation and equity based compensation plans, and other management incentive, benefit and perquisite programs. Management has the primary responsibility for CH2M HILL's financial statements and reporting process, including the disclosure of executive compensation. With this in mind, we have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this report. We are satisfied that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis fairly and completely represents the philosophy, intent, and actions of the Compensation Committee with regard to executive compensation. We recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Compensation Committee:
Jerry D. Geist, Chairman
Malcolm Brinded
Charles O. Holliday, Jr.
Georgia R. Nelson
Barry L. Williams

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

        The following table sets forth information regarding total compensation for the three one-year periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, which includes required disclosures for our CEO, CFO and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of CH2M HILL in 2013.

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)(2)
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)
  Option
Awards
($)(4)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(5)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(6)
  Total
($)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
  (f)
  (g)
  (h)
  (i)
  (j)
 

Lee A. McIntire

    2013     1,150,011     968,311     1,962,590     311,731             547,539     4,940,182  

Former President and Chief Executive Officer

    2012     1,150,011     1,202,469     4,595,170     313,698             735,467     7,996,815  

    2011     1,098,085     1,301,452     5,250,000     327,356             755,408     8,732,301  

Michael A. Lucki

   
2013
   
595,116
   
300,000
   
271,541
   
122,226
   
   
   
238,140
   
1,527,023
 

Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2012     577,512     444,432     144,375     121,175             99,111     1,386,605  

    2011     551,072     1,136,987     137,500     163,678             48,632     2,037,869  

Gregory S. Nixon(1)

   
2013
   
67,309
   
575,000
   
1,200,000
   
29,240
   
   
   
486
   
1,872,035
 

Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

                                                       

Michael E. McKelvy

   
2013
   
573,498
   
341,728
   
365,891
   
95,663
   
   
   
90,110
   
1,466,890
 

Senior Vice President

    2012     555,395     535,389     1,017,240     86,449             156,096     2,350,569  

    2011     500,588     392,817     812,500     119,039             236,900     2,061,844  

Michael A. Szomjassy(1)

   
2013
   
478,856
   
259,082
   
695,845
   
70,375
   
   
   
109,251
   
1,613,409
 

Senior Vice President

                                                       

Jacqueline C. Hinman

   
2013
   
509,886
   
312,839
   
305,090
   
81,612
   
   
(2,354

)
 
93,522
   
1,300,595
 

Former Senior Vice President

    2012     475,010     397,338     586,625     79,737         4,348     336,429     1,879,487  

    2011     414,910     390,703     600,000     98,204         1,980     294,165     1,799,962  

(1)
Messrs. Nixon and Szomjassy became one of our four other most highly compensated executive officers in 2013 and their respective 2012 and 2011 compensation is not included.

(2)
Bonus amounts in column (d) for fiscal year 2013, 2012 and 2011 consist of bonuses earned under the short term incentive plan and discretionary bonuses paid to Messrs. Nixon, McKelvy and Lucki as described below. The short term incentive awards were paid 100% in cash.

The following table provides a summary of the bonuses earned during the years ended December 31. Mr. Nixon received a one-time new hire incentive cash payment of $200,000 in 2013. Mr. McKelvy received a one-time discretionary cash payment of $100,000 in 2012. Mr. Lucki's discretionary bonus consists of a $600,000 incentive payment for joining CH2M HILL in November 2010 and a $100,000 payment for relocation purposes and a one-time discretionary cash bonus in November 2013 in the amount of $300,000.

 
  Short Term
Incentive Plan ($)
  Discretionary ($)   Total ($)  
Name
  2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011  

Lee A. McIntire

    968,311     1,202,469     1,301,452                 968,311     1,202,469     1,301,452  

Michael A. Lucki

        444,432     436,987     300,000         700,000     300,000     444,432     1,136,987  

Gregory S. Nixon

    375,000             200,000             575,000          

Michael E. McKelvy

    341,728     435,389     392,817         100,000         341,728     535,389     392,817  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    259,082                         259,082          

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    312,839     397,338     390,703                 312,839     397,338     390,703  
(3)
Amounts in column (e) represent stock issued in connection with the long term incentive plans, as well as restricted stock awards. The long term incentive award was paid 100% in stock.

The following table provides a summary of the stock awards earned during the years ended December 31:

 
  LTIP Awards ($)   Restricted Stock
Awards ($)(i)
  Total Stock Awards ($)  
Name
  2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011  

Lee A. McIntire

    1,588,841     4,221,420     4,975,000     373,750     373,750     275,000     1,962,591     4,595,170     5,250,000  

Michael A. Lucki

                271,541     144,375     137,500     271,541     144,375     137,500  

Gregory S. Nixon

                1,200,000             1,200,000          

Michael E. McKelvy

    251,196     664,240     712,500     114,695     353,000     100,000     365,891     1,017,240     812,500  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    111,470             584,375             695,845          

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    207,240     491,625     517,500     97,850     95,000     82,500     305,090     586,625     600,000  

(i)
Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of all restricted stock awards granted in the year shown. CH2M HILL calculates these amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under these rules, the grant date fair value of each award equals the number of shares granted multiplied by the stock price at the time of the grant. As part of Mr. Nixon's employment agreement, he received a one-time restricted stock grant on November 14, 2013 for 19,433 shares valued at $1,200,000 at the time of grant, which shares vest one-third per year over three years on each anniversary date from the date of grant.
(4)
Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of all awards granted in the year shown. CH2M HILL calculated these amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in CH2M HILL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, regarding the assumptions underlying the valuation of stock option awards.

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(5)
Amounts shown reflect the actuarial change in the present value of accrued benefits under the frozen defined benefit pension plan for Ms. Hinman. Amounts were calculated using interest rates and mortality assumptions consistent with those used in CH2M HILL's 2013, 2012 and 2011 consolidated financial statements. Please refer to Note 14 of the consolidated financial statements in CH2M HILL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 regarding the assumptions underlying the valuation of pension benefits.

(6)
Amounts shown for 2013, 2012 and 2011 include:

   
  Foreign
Service Income ($)(i)
  Perquisites and
Other Personal
Benefits ($)(ii)
  Registrant
Contributions
to Deferred
Compensation
Plans ($)(iii)
  Registrant
Contributions
to Defined
Contribution
Plans ($)
  Insurance
Premiums ($)
  Tax
Reimbursement
($)(iv)
  Total Other
Compensation ($)
 
 
Name
  2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011   2013   2012   2011  
 

Lee A. McIntire

                7,448     10,374     10,072     505,884     697,158     717,547     18,066     13,178     13,243     7,524     7,524     7,524     8,617     7,233     7,022     547,539     735,467     755,408  
 

Michael A. Lucki

                        4,825     215,533     83,916     27,423     18,066     10,800     7,539     4,541     4,395     5,481             3,364     238,140     99,111     48,632  
 

Gregory S. Nixon

                                                    486                         486          
 

Michael E. McKelvy

                7,300     6,565     6,280     52,670     132,668     210,453     22,118     10,358     14,178     2,101     1,952     1,610     5,921     4,553     4,379     90,110     156,096     263,900  
 

Michael A. Szomjassy

                10,416             71,928             18,066             3,404             5,437             109,251          
 

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    9,368     207,929     99,795     7,390     6,530     6,280     48,729     102,330     165,770     18,066     13,178     15,573     1,272     1,176     900     8,697     5,286     5,847     93,522     336,429     294,165  

(i)
Foreign service income includes compensation for tax equalization payments, housing and travel allowances, and other related items earned while on foreign assignment.

(ii)
Except as otherwise stated below, the amounts shown reflect financial planning consulting fees. If no amount is shown, it is because the amount attributable to each perquisite or benefit does not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites received by the named executive officer.

(iii)
The amounts shown in this column represent the vested portion of the amount included in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table.

(iv)
Includes reimbursement due to an administrative error for FICA payments in 2013.

GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS IN 2013

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  All Other
Stock
Awards;
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(3)
  All Other
Option
Awards;
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(4)
   
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(5)
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 
 
   
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
 
 
  Grant
Date
 
Name
  Threshold($)   Target($)   Maximum($)   Threshold($)   Target($)   Maximum($)  
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
  (f)
  (g)
  (h)
  (i)
  (j)
  (k)
  (l)
 

Lee A. McIntire

    2/15/2013         1,495,000     2,990,000     1,322,500     2,645,000     5,290,000     6,484     48,632     57.64     311,731  

Michael A. Lucki

    2/15/2013         540,000     1,080,000     278,428     556,856     1,113,712     4,566     19,068     57.64     122,226  

Gregory S. Nixon

    11/14/2013         375,000                     19,433     4,000     61.75     29,240  

Michael E. McKelvy

    2/15/2013         458,784     917,568     258,066     516,128     1,032,256     1,990     14,924     57.64     95,663  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    2/15/2013         400,003     800,006     168,750     337,500     675,000     10,026     10,979     57.64     70,375  

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    2/15/2013         420,000     840,000     195,701     391,400     782,800     1,698     12,732     57.64     81,612  

(1)
Information set forth reflects the short term incentive plan opportunities that were granted in 2013 and were paid 100% in cash.

(2)
Information set forth reflects long term incentive program opportunities that were granted in 2013. The 2013 program will be paid out on or after the three year award period ending December 31, 2015. The payment of the awards will be 100% in common stock, valued at the date of payment.

(3)
Information set forth reflects restricted stock grants made in 2013.

(4)
Stock options generally become exercisable 25%, 25% and 50% after one, two and three years, respectively, and have a term of five years from the date of grant.

(5)
Grant date fair value of stock and option awards was calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The grant date fair value is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table in the year it is recognized. See Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in CH2M HILL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, regarding the assumptions underlying the valuation of stock awards.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2013

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Grant Date
MM/DD/YY
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)(1)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
  Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
that have
not vested
(#)(2)
  Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
that have
not vested
($)(3)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards;
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
that have
not vested
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards;
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
that have
not vested
($)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
  (f)
  (g)
  (h)
  (i)
  (j)
  (k)
 

Lee A. McIntire

  2/16/2011     11,029     22,059         46.75   2/16/2016     28,922     1,785,960          

  2/9/2012     12,293     36,876         57.01   2/9/2017                          

  2/15/2013         48,632         57.64   2/15/2018                          

Michael A. Lucki

 
2/16/2011
   
11,030
   
11,029
   
   
46.75
 
2/16/2016
   
10,040
   
619,986
   
   
 

  2/9/2012     4,749     14,244         57.01   2/9/2017                          

  2/15/2013         19,068         57.64   2/15/2018                          

Gregory S. Nixon

 
11/14/2013
   
   
4,000
   
   
61.75
 
11/14/2018
   
19,433
   
1,200,000
   
   
 

Michael E. McKelvy

 
2/16/2011
   
   
8,021
   
   
46.75
 
2/16/2016
   
11,128
   
687,166
   
   
 

  2/9/2012     962     10,162         57.01   2/9/2017                          

  2/15/2013         14,924         57.64   2/15/2018                          

Michael A. Szomjassy

 
2/15/2013
   
   
10,979
   
   
57.64
 
2/15/2018
   
12,488
   
771,158
   
   
 

Jacqueline C. Hinman

 
2/16/2011
   
6,618
   
6,617
   
   
46.75
 
2/16/2016
   
6,129
   
378,446
   
   
 

  2/9/2012     3,125     9,373         57.01   2/9/2017                      

  2/15/2013         12,732         57.64   2/15/2018                      

(1)
Stock options are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair value of CH2M HILL's common stock at the date of grant. Stock options generally become exercisable 25%, 25% and 50% after one, two and three years, respectively, and have a term of five years from the date of grant.

(2)
Vesting dates for the restricted stock are as follows: Mr. McIntire's 5,882 shares vest on 2/16/2014, 6,556 shares vest on 2/9/2015, 6,484 shares vest on 2/15/2016 and 10,000 shares vest on 5/7/2016; Mr. Lucki's 2,941 shares vest on 2/16/2014, 2,533 shares vest on 2/9/2015, 2,024 shares vest on 11/14/2015, and 2,542 shares vest on 2/15/2016; Mr. Nixon's 6,477 shares vest on 11/14/2014, 6,478 shares vest on 11/14/2015 and 6,478 shares vest on 11/14/2016; Mr. McKelvy's 2,139 shares vest on 2/16/2014, 2,192 shares vest on 2/23/2014, 1,807 shares vest on 2/9/2015, 1,990 shares vest on 2/15/2016; 3,000 shares vest on 3/9/2024; Mr. Szomjassy's 380 shares vest on 2/16/2014, 8,561 shares vest on 3/31/2014, 750 shares vest on 5/5/2014, 583 shares vest on 2/9/2015, 750 shares vest on 5/11/2015, and 1,464 shares vest on 2/15/2016; and Ms. Hinman's 1,765 shares vest on 2/16/2014, 1,666 shares vest on 2/9/2015, 1,698 shares vest on 2/15/2016 and 1,000 shares vest on 8/27/2026.

(3)
Market value is calculated based on the fair value of the Company's stock at December 31, 2013.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise (#)
  Value Realized
on Exercise ($)(1)
  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)
  Value Realized
on Vesting ($)(2)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
 

Lee A. McIntire

            19,435     1,062,503  

Michael A. Lucki

            7,170     427,332  

Gregory S. Nixon

                 

Michael E. McKelvy

    21,309     363,394     9,227     510,906  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    4,500     118,485     1,990     114,702  

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    20,000     569,800     5,000     273,350  

(1)
Represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the common stock on the date of exercise. It is not the grant date fair value or recognized compensation expense disclosed in other tables in this proxy statement.

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(2)
Represents the number of shares vested times the fair value of our common stock on the date the shares vest. It is not the grant date fair value or recognized compensation expense disclosed in other tables in this proxy statement.

PENSION BENEFITS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013

Name
  Plan Name   Number of
Years
Credited
Service (#)
  Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(1)
  Payments
During
Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
 

Jacqueline C. Hinman

  CH2M HILL Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Plan)     6     14,487      

(1)
Amounts shown reflect the actuarial present value of the named executive officer's benefits under all pension plans established by CH2M HILL determined using interest rates and mortality assumptions consistent with those used in CH2M HILL's 2013 consolidated financial statements.

        Ms. Hinman is a participant in the CH2M HILL Pension Plan. Benefits under the CH2M HILL Pension Plan are equal to one percent of the average highest base compensation over the last five years (up to $150,000) through 1991, multiplied by years of credited benefit service prior to 1992, plus one percent of each year's base compensation (up to $150,000) for each year of credited benefit service from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1993. CH2M HILL Pension Plan benefits were frozen as of December 31, 1993.

        Messrs. McIntire, Lucki, Nixon, McKelvy and Szomjassy are not participants in a company sponsored pension plan.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013

Name
  Aggregate
Balance
at Beginning
of Year ($)
  Executive
Contribution
During Year
($)
  Registrant
Contribution
During Year
($)(1)(2)(3)
  Aggregate
Earnings
During
Year
($)(4)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
During Year
($)
  Aggregate
Balance
at End of
Year ($)(5)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
  (f)
  (g)
 

Lee A. McIntire

    7,808,298     108,490     1,621,728     1,296,363         10,834,879  

Michael A. Lucki

    598,702     40,274     1,408,937     330,112         2,378,025  

Gregory S. Nixon

                         

Michael E. McKelvy

    1,457,112     39,162     328,104     137,217         1,961,595  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    1,167,118     25,962     175,842     206,193         1,575,115  

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    1,455,221     32,942     292,605     188,454         1,969,222  

(1)
Vested portion of company contributions in this column are also reported as compensation in column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)
Effective January 1, 2009, CH2M HILL amended and restated the Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan to form the SERRP. The SERRP is intended to be unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Under this plan, each participant's account consists of various contributions made to the account by CH2M HILL on behalf of the participant.

(3)
On April 1, 2013, Mr. Lucki received a discretionary company contribution into his SERRP account in the amount of $1,070,000 based on the Plan's objectives and calculation of estimated benefit at the time of normal retirement. This contribution had a vesting schedule of 20% per year over five years and was 20% vested when Mr. Lucki resigned from CH2M HILL.

(4)
Aggregate earnings are not included in the Summary Compensation table because the earnings are not above market or preferential in nature.

(5)
Vested balances are as follows: Mr. McIntire—$4,492,492; Mr. Lucki—$496,380; Mr. Nixon—$0; Mr. McKelvy—$882,692; Mr. Szomjassy—$1,448,937; and Ms. Hinman—$1,032,396.

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        Messrs. McIntire, Lucki, McKelvy, Szomjassy and Ms. Hinman are participants in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and received company contributions. Because the executive officers deferred the minimum required portion of their own 2013 base salary and 2012 Annual Incentive Plan awards, CH2M HILL contributed 10% of 2013 base pay in excess of the IRS limitation on compensation for qualified plans, as well as 10% of 2012 Annual Incentive Plan awards (earned in 2012 and paid in 2013). CH2M HILL may also make additional discretionary company contributions into the Plan.

        Participants are 100% vested at all times on deferrals and earnings on deferrals. Company contributions to the DCP made prior to January 1, 2011, and the earnings thereon, become 100% vested after the earlier of: (a) completion of six years of vesting service, (b) attainment of age 65, or (c) attainment of age 55 and completion of five years of vesting service. Prior to completion of any of the above events, company contributions made prior to January 1, 2012 vest according to the schedule below:

Years of Vesting Service
  Vested %  

Less than 2 years

    0 %

More than 2 but less than 3 years

    20 %

More than 3 but less than 4 years

    40 %

More than 4 but less than 5 years

    60 %

More than 5 but less than 6 years

    80 %

6 or more years

    100 %

Company contributions made after January 1, 2012 vest when the employee qualifies for retirement or as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.

        The CH2M HILL Deferred Compensation Plan serves two purposes. It allows CH2M HILL the opportunity to provide a company match for compensation deferrals made by highly compensated employees whose 401(k) Plan contributions are limited by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. It is also used by CH2M HILL to provide additional retirement benefits for certain of its senior executives at levels to be determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors. The deferred compensation plans have several hypothetical investment options that a participant may choose to invest the cash portion of their deferred compensation. All deferrals of common stock must remain invested in common stock and are distributed in common stock. While the Deferred Compensation Plan remains unfunded, a trust was established in 1999 to provide a source of funds to pay deferred compensation liabilities. All company contributions and participant deferrals are deposited into the trust. Participants can choose to start distributions upon retirement from CH2M HILL, or a date elected by the participant. Participants can choose payment in either a lump sum or through an annual distribution over five, ten or fifteen years.

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Potential Payments Under Change of Control Agreements as of December 31, 2013

        Had a change in control occurred on the last day of fiscal 2013 and had their employment been terminated twenty four months after such change in control, the named executive officers would have been eligible to receive the payments set forth in the table below.

Name
  Salary &
Bonus
($)
  Immediate
Vesting
of Stock
Options &
Restricted Stock
($)(1)
  Immediate
Vesting of
Retirement
Benefits(2)
  Benefits
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (d)
  (e)
  (f)
 

Lee A. McIntire

    7,908,627     2,491,515     6,342,387     46,032     16,788,561  

Michael A. Lucki

    3,380,854     931,307     1,881,645     32,040     6,225,846  

Gregory S. Nixon

    2,616,250     1,200,000         1,200     3,817,450  

Michael E. McKelvy

    3,086,566     916,987     1,078,903     46,032     5,128,488  

Michael A. Szomjassy

    2,577,203     816,282     126,178     32,088     3,551,751  

Jacqueline C. Hinman

    3,354,030     574,458     936,826     32,040     4,897,354  

(1)
Accelerated vesting of restricted stock was determined by utilizing the fair value of CH2M HILL stock on December 31, 2013.

(2)
Represents vesting of company contributions to the deferred compensation plans.

(3)
Benefits relate to premiums for continuation of medical and dental coverage.

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PROPOSAL 2. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        We are seeking a non-binding advisory vote from our stockholders to approve the compensation of our executive officers as described under "Executive Compensation" and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officers compensation in this proxy statement. This proposal, known as a "Say on Pay" proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on CH2M HILL's executive compensation. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee and the Board will review the results of your vote and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote in future determinations concerning our executive compensation programs.

        As we discussed above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, we believe that our executive compensation programs are balanced and are focused on pay for performance principles and are strongly aligned with the long term interests of our stockholders and promote the core values and mission of CH2M HILL.

        The shareholders are being asked to vote to approve the following advisory resolution:

        "RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the company's named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED."


        The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation.


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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

        Our non-employee director compensation is reviewed by an independent compensation consultant at least on a bi-annual basis for competitiveness and appropriateness to peer and industry practices. Non-employee directors' compensation includes an annual retainer of $80,000. The chairperson of the Audit Committee will be paid an additional annual retainer of $15,000. Each chairperson of the Compensation, Governance and Risk Committees will be paid an additional annual retainer of $10,000.

        Non-employee directors who are members of a Board committee will receive an additional annual fee of $5,000 for each Committee on which they serve. Further, each non-employee director receives a restricted stock award equal to $105,000 which cliff vests on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The lead non-employee director receives an additional annual retainer of $17,500. We may, at our discretion, award cash and stock bonuses to non-employee directors from time to time.

        Our employee directors do not receive additional compensation for their Board service. All of our directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings and for their service on our Board. The following table details the non-employee director compensation for the year ended December 31, 2013 and includes any individual who served as a non-employee director during 2013.

Name
  Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 
(a)
  (b)
  (c)
  (g)
  (h)
 

Malcolm Brinded

    103,750     105,000         208,750  

Jerry D. Geist

    107,500     105,000         212,500  

Charles O. Holliday, Jr. 

    117,500     105,000         222,500  

Georgia R. Nelson

    102,500     105,000         207,500  

Barry L. Williams

    107,500     105,000         212,500  

(1)
Restricted stock awards were granted on May 17, 2013, with a vest date of May 17, 2014. Compensation amounts were calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP for awards issued pursuant to the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan. Under these rules, the grant date fair value of each award equals the number of shares granted multiplied by the stock price at the time of the grant.

        Our Board believes that its members should be long term stockholders of CH2M HILL and has adopted a policy requiring each non-employee director within five years of election and for the duration of his or her tenure to hold CH2M HILL equity in an amount equal to at least four times the annual retainer.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Report of the Audit Committee

        We have reviewed and discussed with management CH2M HILL's financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. CH2M HILL's independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

        We have reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. We have reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the review of our financial reporting and internal controls undertaken in connection with certifications by our Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in certain of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also reviewed and discussed other matters as deemed appropriate, involving our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules adopted or proposed to be adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, we have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, The Auditor's Communication With Those Charged With Governance.

        We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors' communications with us concerning independence, and have discussed with the auditors their independence from CH2M HILL and its management. We also have considered whether the independent auditors' provision of other non-audit services to CH2M HILL is compatible with the auditors' independence.

        Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in CH2M HILL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Submitted by the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Audit Committee:
Barry L. Williams, Chairman
Malcolm Brinded
Jerry D. Geist
Charles O. Holliday, Jr.
Georgia R. Nelson

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        The following table presents fees for services rendered by our independent auditors, KPMG LLP, during the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

 
  2013   2012  

Audit fees(1)

  $ 3,676   $ 3,556  

Audit related fees(2)

    164     213  
           

Audit and audit related fees

    3,840     3,769  

Tax fees(3)

    3,725     2,881  
           

Total fees

  $ 7,565   $ 6,650  
           
           

(1)
Audit fees include the annual audit of the consolidated financial statements, audit of our internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reviews of quarterly financial statements, statutory audits of subsidiaries, review of technical accounting and SEC issues, acquisition related services, and accounting consultations.

(2)
Audit related fees include government audits.

(3)
Tax fees consist of fees for domestic and international tax consultation, global tax compliance services, tax preparation services for expatriate employees in non-financial reporting oversight roles, and local country compliance and consulting.

        The Audit Committee has a policy on pre-approval of services of our independent auditor. The policy provides that all audit and non-audit services performed by our independent auditor regarding CH2M HILL and its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be pre-approved by the Audit Committee at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Audit Committee designated its Chairman, Barry L. Williams, to act in its stead in those rare instances when approval of such services must be considered between regularly scheduled meetings.

        All of the services in 2013 and 2012 under the categories described above have been approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


PROPOSAL 3. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP to audit the consolidated financial statements of CH2M HILL for the year ending December 31, 2014 and recommends that the stockholders vote in favor of the ratification of such appointment. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Board of Directors will reconsider its selection. A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.


The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the ratification of appointment of independent auditors.


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PROPOSAL 4. OTHER BUSINESS

        In addition to the proposals described above, stockholders may be asked to transact other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments. Management knows of no other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly introduced at the meeting for consideration, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the meeting to another time or place, the individuals named on the proxy card will have discretion to vote in accordance with their best judgment, unless otherwise restricted by law.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Advance Notice Procedures

        Under CH2M HILL's Bylaws, no business (including nominations for director) may be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder unless written notice is delivered to CH2M HILL's Secretary (containing certain information specified in the Bylaws about the stockholder and the proposed action) not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting—that is, with respect to the 2015 annual meeting, between January 12, 2015 and February 11, 2015. However, if the 2015 annual meeting is to be held on a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after May 12, 2015 (the first anniversary of the 2014 Annual Meeting), then such notice must be received not earlier than the 120th day and not later than the later of the 90th day prior to the date of the 2015 annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2015 annual meeting is first made by CH2M HILL.

        If a stockholder wishing to bring such a proposal does not provide notice of the proposal to the Corporate Secretary within the time period specified in our Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to declare that the proposed business will not be transacted at the 2014 Annual Meeting. These requirements are separate from the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to have a stockholder proposal included in our Proxy Statement. Any notices should be sent to Gregory S. Nixon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd., 901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 4000 East, Washington DC 20001.

Submission of Stockholder Proposals for the 2015 Annual Meeting

        Stockholders interested in submitting a Rule 14a-8 proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for the annual meeting of stockholders in 2015 may do so by following the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To be eligible for inclusion, stockholder proposals must be received by CH2M HILL's Secretary no later than November 21, 2014. Any proposals should be sent to Gregory S. Nixon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd., 901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 4000 East, Washington DC 20001.

Annual Report

        A copy of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2013, has been made available to you on or about March 21, 2014 with this Proxy Statement and is available at www.edocumentview.com/ch2m. Additional copies of the Annual Report and this Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, and accompanying proxy card may be obtained from Gregory S. Nixon, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, at CH2M HILL, 901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 4000 East, Washington DC 20001.

        COPIES OF OUR FORM 10-K FILED WITH THE SEC MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO CH2M HILL, C/O GREGORY S. NIXON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, 901 NEW YORK AVENUE N.W., SUITE 4000 EAST, WASHINGTON DC 20001 OR CALL (202) 393-2426. YOU CAN ALSO OBTAIN A COPY OF OUR FORM 10-K AND OTHER PERIODIC FILINGS AT THE CH2M HILL WEBSITE OR FROM THE SEC'S DATABASE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.

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IF YOU ARE NOT A PARTICIPANT IN THE CH2M HILL RETIREMENT AND
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN PLEASE DISREGARD THIS LETTER

CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd.
Participant Notice
Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan

March 21, 2014

Dear Plan Participant:

        The enclosed Proxy Statement and Confidential Voting Instructions have been furnished by CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. to be held on May 12, 2014, to elect directors and to conduct other business.

        While only the Trustee of the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan can actually vote the shares of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. stock (Company Stock) held in the Plan, you, as a participant or a beneficiary with Company Stock credited to your account under the Plan as of March 13, 2014 (the record date for the annual meeting) and a named fiduciary under the Plan, are entitled to instruct the Trustee of the Plan with respect to the following:

    1.
    The voting of Company Stock allocated to your account under the Plan on the record date.

    2.
    The voting of a pro-rata portion of Company Stock (based upon the ratio of the amount of Company Stock in your account under the Plan and the total amount of Company Stock in the Plan) allocated to the accounts under the Plan of other participants and beneficiaries for which no instructions are received.

        A named fiduciary is a person who under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 has the authority and responsibility (if he or she chooses to exercise it) to instruct the trustee of a plan regarding specific investments. Consequently, because of the provisions of the Plan, the Plan participant as a named fiduciary may (if he or she chooses) instruct the Trustee of the Plan as to how to vote shares of Company Stock allocated to his or her own Plan account and how to vote a pro-rata portion of those shares of Company Stock which are not voted by participants with such shares allocated to their accounts.

        If your voting instructions are not timely received, the Trustee will vote the Company Stock allocated to your account under the Plan and uninstructed Company Stock in the aggregate in accordance with timely instructions received from other Plan participants acting as named fiduciaries under the Plan. If the Voting Instruction Form is received after the close of business on May 5, 2014, the Trustee cannot ensure that your voting instructions will be followed.

        It should be noted that your instructions to the Trustee are strictly confidential. Under no circumstances will the Trustee or any of their agents disclose to CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. or any other party how, or if, you voted. The Trustee will supervise and control the distribution of all materials to Plan participants and the receipt of all voting instruction forms and will not disclose to any outside party the name and address of any Plan participant. You may, therefore, feel completely free to instruct the Trustee to vote these shares in the manner you think best.

        If you have any questions regarding the information provided to you, you may contact Erik Ammidown, Plan Administrator, 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, CO 80112, (720) 286-0163.

Trustee of the CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. Retirement and Tax-Deferred Savings Plan


Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X CH2M HILL COMPANIES, LTD. 01S6UB 1 U P X + Annual Meeting Proxy Card . Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. + B Non-Voting Items A Proposals — The Board recommends a vote FOR all 4 nominees listed below. 1.1 - J. Robert Berra 1.4 - Elisa M. Speranza 1.2 - Jerry D. Geist 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominees 2. TO CONSIDER AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 3. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF CH2M HILL FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014. The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 1.3 - Charles O. Holliday, Jr. qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 8, 2014. Vote by Internet • Go to www.envisionreports.com/ch2m • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone • Within USA, US territories & Canada, call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call. • Outside USA, US territories & Canada, call 1-781-575-2300 on a touch tone telephone. Standard rates will apply. • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.

 


PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 21, 2014 The undersigned shareholder of CH2M HILL COMPANIES, LTD. (the Company) hereby appoints Jacqueline C. Hinman, Gregory S. Nixon, and JoAnn Shea, and each of them, with full power of substitution to each, the true and lawful attorneys, agents and proxyholders of the undersigned and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as specified herein, all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned on March 13, 2014, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on May 12, 2014 at 9 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) at 9191 South Jamaica Street, Englewood, Colorado 80112 and any adjournment or postponement thereof. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, AND 3, AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. (Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side) . Proxy — CH2M HILL COMPANIES, LTD. Important notice regarding the internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Proxy Statement and the 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.edocumentview.com/ch2m. qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q