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Benefits of E-Delivery:
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immediate and convenient access to the materials
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helps us reduce our impact on the environment
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helps reduce our printing and mailing costs, which results in higher returns to our shareholders
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12 tons of wood saved; or the equivalent of 70 trees
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62,800 gallons of water saved; or the equivalent of 3 swimming pools
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74.8 million BTU’s saved; or the equivalent of 89 residential refrigerators operating for one year
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3,460 pounds of solid waste saved
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52,800 pounds of CO2 equivalent saved; or the equivalent of 5 cars operating for one year
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4.7 pounds of hazardous air pollutants saved
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Trust
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We conduct ourselves with honesty, openness and in a manner that is predictable and builds trust.
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Respect
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We treat each other as we want to be treated (golden rule). When appropriate, we disagree without being disagreeable.
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Accountability
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We take responsibility for our actions and ownership of results. We do what we commit to, both personally and as a team.
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Integrity
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We are honest, trustworthy and respectful to each other and ethical in all our activities.
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Teamwork
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We value collaboration at all levels. We believe that working as a team is more impactful and efficient than working alone.
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Sustainability
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AZZ employees must work safely at all times and fully abide by safety, health and environmental policies of the Company while looking out for our co-workers.
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Thomas E. Ferguson
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Daniel R. Feehan
Chair of the Board of Directors |
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![]() Time and Date:
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![]() Location:
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![]() Record Date:
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Tuesday, July 8, 2025,
10:00 a.m., local time |
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One Museum Place,
3100 West 7th Street, 4th Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 |
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You can attend and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting if you were a shareholder of record of the Company’s Common Stock on the close of business on May 8, 2025 (the “Record Date”).
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS
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PROPOSALS
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Board Recommendation
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Page
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I.
Elect the seven (7) director nominees named in this Proxy Statement to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, each for a one-year term.
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II.
Vote for an advisory approval of a non-binding resolution approving the Company’s executive compensation program.
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III.
Vote for the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026.
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IV.
To transact any other business which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
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AZZ’s Fiscal Year 2025 Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com
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| INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | | | | | 85 | | |
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| ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION AND OTHER MATTERS | | | | | 87 | | |
| APPENDIX A: DEFINITION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES | | | | | A-1 | | |
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![]() Date and Time
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![]() Notice
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![]() Voting
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![]() Record Date
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July 8, 2025,
10:00 a.m., local time |
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AZZ Inc.,
One Museum Place, 4th Floor, 3100 West 7th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 |
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We distributed a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) on or about May 27, 2025.
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Holders of shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date are entitled to vote on all matters.
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May 8, 2025
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VOTING MATTERS
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Item
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Company Proposals
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Board Vote
Recommendation |
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Page
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1.
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| | | Election of seven (7) director nominees named in this Proxy Statement. | | | |
FOR
each director nominee
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2.
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| | | Approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company’s executive compensation program. | | | |
FOR
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3.
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Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton, LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026.
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FOR
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YOU CAN VOTE BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
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![]() QR Code
Scan the QR code provided to vote online (www.proxyvote.com);
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![]() Internet
(www.proxyvote.com) until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on July 7, 2025;
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![]() By Mail
Completing, signing and returning your proxy or voting instruction card before July 8, 2025;
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![]() Telephone
(1-800-690-6903) until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on July 7, 2025; or
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In person, at the Annual Meeting, if you are a shareholder of record as of the Record Date. You may deliver a completed proxy card or vote by ballot at the meeting.
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1
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Name
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Age
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Director Since
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Independent
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Other
Public Company Boards |
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Primary Occupation
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DANIEL E. BERCE
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71
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2000
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1
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Former President and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Financial Company
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DANIEL R. FEEHAN
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74
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2000
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2
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Chairman of the Board, FirstCash, Inc.
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THOMAS E. FERGUSON
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68
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2013
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—
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—
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| | | President and Chief Executive Officer, AZZ Inc. | |
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CLIVE A. GRANNUM
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59
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2021
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—
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President and Chief Executive Officer, North American Stainless, Inc.
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CAROL R. JACKSON
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53
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2021
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1
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Former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, HarbisonWalker International
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ED MCGOUGH
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64
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2017
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—
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Senior Advisor, Alcon, Inc.
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STEVEN R. PURVIS
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60
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2015
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—
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Former Principal, Luther King Capital Management
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2
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2025 Proxy Statement
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HOW WE
THINK ABOUT BOARD REFRESHMENT |
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Mandatory Retirement
Age of 75 |
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Two of our highly qualified Directors have joined AZZ’s Board over the past four years.
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For FY2025, the average tenure of our Director Nominees is 12.5 years.
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PRACTICE
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DESCRIPTION
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BOARD EVALUATIONS AND REFRESHMENT
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The Board of Directors annually evaluates its performance as well as each committee and individual director performance is evaluated bi-annnually. As part of the Board’s evaluation process, directors consider various topics related to Board composition, structure, effectiveness and responsibilities, as well as the overall mix of director skills, experience and backgrounds.
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ANNUAL ELECTIONS
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All directors are elected annually, which reinforces our Board of Directors’ accountability to our shareholders.
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MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD
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Our Bylaws require that, in an uncontested election, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast. The number of shares voted “FOR” a director must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” that director.
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DIRECTOR RESIGNATION POLICY
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If a nominee in an uncontested election does not receive a majority of the votes cast, the director is required to promptly tender a resignation to the Board of Directors that is subject to acceptance or rejection by the Board of Directors within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results.
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EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
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The independent Board members meet regularly in executive session.
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15% SPECIAL MEETING THRESHOLD
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Shareholders owning 15% or more of AZZ’s outstanding Common Stock have the right to call a special meeting of shareholders.
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ONE SHARE, ONE VOTE
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Each share of AZZ Common Stock is entitled to one vote.
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3
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PRACTICE
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DESCRIPTION
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INDEPENDENCE
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A majority of our Directors must be independent. All of our current Directors, including those who are nominees, other than our CEO are independent, and all of our committees consist exclusively of independent directors.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP ROTATIONS
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and recommends committee membership. The Board of Directors appoint members of its committees annually and rotates committee and committee chair assignments periodically.
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DIVERSITY
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The Board of Directors, acting through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, ensures the Company’s Board is diverse, including race, gender, tenure, age, professional expertise, skills, qualifications and backgrounds.
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MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR DIRECTORS
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The Company has a policy requiring its directors to retire at age 75. This encourages Board refreshment and provides additional opportunities to maintain a balanced mix of professional experience to effectively represent the long-term interests of shareholders.
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DIRECTOR MAXIMUM OUTSIDE BOARDS POLICY
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Directors are expected to serve on no more than four public company Boards (including our Board of Directors).
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DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s new director orientation program and reviewing the director continuing education process.
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STOCK OWNERSHIP
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The Company maintains stock ownership guidelines for the Company directors and executive officers.
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STRATEGY AND RISK OVERSIGHT
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The Board has oversight responsibility for management’s establishment and execution of corporate strategy and has overall responsibility for the effective oversight of enterprise risk, whether financial, operational or strategic.
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MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION PLANNING
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Our Board periodically reviews and discusses with the Compensation Committee, the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, potential successors to the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the Company’s executive management team.
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SUSTAINABILITY
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The Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides oversight of the Company’s sustainability policies and practices. With executive-level sponsorship and Board oversight of the programs, sustainability initiatives have top-down support and are part of the Company’s annual performance metrics.
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CAPITAL ALLOCATION
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We disclose our capital allocation policies and priorities to our shareholders and how they are overseen by our Board of Directors and its Committees.
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PERFORMANCE LINKED TO LONG-TERM STRATEGY DRIVES INCENTIVE AWARDS
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A significant portion of our executive officers’ total compensation is based on the Company’s financial performance and the payouts are contingent upon the attainment of certain pre-established performance metrics which are capped to minimize risk.
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4
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2025 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
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| Our key compensation objectives are to: | | |||||||||||||||
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attract and retain high performing, servant minded leaders;
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reward results, drive future strategic growth; and
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align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders.
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| A significant portion of our executive officers’ total compensation is based on the Company’s performance and the payouts are contingent upon the attainment of pre-established annual performance metrics and capped to minimize risk. | |
| Performance metrics are highly correlated to the creation of shareholder value. | |
| We review and benchmark pay relative to the market median of our executive compensation industry peer group on an annual basis. | |
| Our executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain high performing executive talent and drive long-term shareholder value. | |
| We use annual cash incentive opportunities and equity-based awards to balance the Company’s short- and long-term performance objectives. | |
| Our equity awards are equally weighed between time-vested restricted stock units, which vest ratably over a three-year period, and performance share units, which requires achievement of pre-determined financial performance metrics over a three-year performance period. | |
| The Compensation Committee engages an independent executive compensation consultant. | |
| Our Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of all executive compensation program components to ensure alignment with our strategic objectives and the Company’s industry peers. | |
| We have a Compensation Recovery Policy and an Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy to protect the Company in the event of a financial restatement, an executive officer, or another key level employee engages in serious misconduct. | |
| We provide a limited number of employment agreements and executive perquisites. | |
| We have stock ownership guidelines for directors, executive officers and other key management team members. | |
| We grant equity awards with “double-trigger” vesting upon a change in control. | |
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| We do not provide tax gross ups, except for relocation expenses. | |
| We do not recycle shares withheld for taxes. | |
| We do not permit pledging or hedging of Company securities. | |
| We do not pay accrued dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned RSUs or PSUs until such awards vest. | |
| We do not reprice underwater equity awards. | |
| We do not implement compensation or incentives that encourage or reward unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. | |
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5
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Category
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Compensation Element
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Description
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CASH
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Base Salary
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Fixed annual cash compensation based upon experience and the responsibilities of the position. Reviewed annually for potential adjustments based on market rates for each position, individual performance and changes in the scope of responsibilities.
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Annual Incentive Opportunity
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Annual cash incentive targets for the achievement of specific annual financial operating results and a qualitative component relating to the execution of individual performance goals which were consistent with completing AZZ’s fiscal year 2025 strategic business objectives specifically tailored to each NEO’s specialized skill set and responsibilities.
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LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
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Restricted Stock Units
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Vest ratably over a three-year period. Can be settled in shares of AZZ Common Stock or cash. Dividend equivalents accrue with respect to dividends awarded during the vesting period and are not settled until the underlying equity award vests.
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Performance Share Units
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Three-year pre-determined financial performance metrics and can be settled in shares of AZZ Common Stock or cash. Dividend equivalents accrue during the vesting period and are not paid and settled until the underlying equity award vests.
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RETIREMENT
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| | | 401(k) Plan | | | |
Qualified 401(k) plans that are generally available to all U.S. employees. For NEOs other than Mr. Russell, the Company matches 100% of the first 1% and 50% of contributions between 2% and 6% (with a potential total Company match of 3.5%). Mr. Russell participates in a separate 401(k) plan that we maintain for legacy Precoat Metals employees, under which the Company matches 100% of the first 3% and 50% of contributions between 4% and 5% (with a potential total Company match of 4%).
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OTHER
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Employment Agreements
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Sets standard benefits for a limited number of officers and the CEO in the event of termination of employment from the Company.
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Executive Officer Severance Plan
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Sets standard benefit guidelines for executive officers in the event of termination or upon a change in control (for all NEOs except for the Company’s CEO).
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Change-in-Control Terms
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Sets Change-in-Control benefits for the Company’s CEO upon a change in control as defined in his Second Amended CEO Agreement, and other NEOs pursuant to the Executive Officer Severance Plan.
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| Other Benefits | | | |
Executive supplemental disability insurance, financial planning services and annual physical exam.
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6
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2025 Proxy Statement
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
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7
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DANIEL E. BERCE
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![]() Age: 71
Director Since: 2000
Board Committees:
•
Audit Committee (Chair)
•
Compensation Committee
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Professional Highlights
Daniel E. Berce formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Financial Company, Inc., a global provider of auto finance (formerly AmeriCredit Corp.) from its acquisition by General Motors Company in October 2010 until April 2025.
Mr. Berce also served as AmeriCredit Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer from 2005 until 2010, President from 2003 until 2010 and Chief Financial Officer from 1990 until 2003. He served as a director of Americredit Corp. from 1990 to 2010.
•
Before joining Americredit Corp., Mr. Berce was a partner with Coopers & Lybrand, an independent registered accounting firm.
•
Mr. Berce currently serves as a director of FirstCash, Inc., a publicly held international operator of retail pawn stores and a provider of retail point of sale payment solutions in the U.S. and Latin America.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. Berce’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his executive level leadership experience, his experience serving as a Chief Executive Officer of a publicly held company and as a director of multiple publicly held companies, as well as his knowledge of corporate governance, executive compensation, and his accounting and financial expertise.
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DANIEL R. FEEHAN
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![]() Age: 74
Director Since: 2000
Chairman of the
Board Since: 2019 Board Committees:
•
Compensation Committee
•
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Professional Highlights
Daniel R. Feehan serves as Chairman of the Board of FirstCash, Inc., a publicly held international operator of retail pawn stores and a provider of retail point of sale payment solutions in the U.S and Latin America. Previously, Mr. Feehan served as a director of Cash America International, Inc. (“Cash America”) since 1984 and was Cash America’s Executive Chairman from November 2015 until Cash America’s merger with First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (now FirstCash, Inc.) in September 2016.
•
From 2000 to 2015, Mr. Feehan served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cash America.
•
From 1990 to 2000, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cash America.
•
Mr. Feehan also currently serves as a director of Enova International Inc., a publicly held leading provider of online financial services to non-prime consumers and small businesses.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. Feehan’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his executive level leadership experience and ability to provide direction and oversight to the Company’s transformative initiatives, specifically his experience as a Chief Executive Officer of a publicly held company, experience in finance, accounting, strategic planning and experience serving as a director of multiple publicly held companies.
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8
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2025 Proxy Statement
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THOMAS E. FERGUSON
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![]() Age: 68
Director Since: 2013
Board Committees:
•
None
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Professional Highlights
Thomas E. Ferguson has served as a non-independent director and as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since 2013.
•
Prior to joining AZZ, he was a consultant and served as interim Chief Executive Officer of FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc., a provider of pipeline technology products and services in 2013.
•
Mr. Ferguson has also served in various executive level leadership roles with Flowserve Corporation, a publicly held global provider of fluid motion and control products, including Senior Vice President from 2006 to 2010, as President of Flow Solutions Group from 2010 to 2012, as President of Flowserve Pump Division from 2003 to 2009, as President of Flow Solutions Division from 2000 to 2002, as Vice President and General Manager of Flow Solutions Division North America from 1999 to 2000 and as Vice President of Marketing and Technology for Flow Solutions Division from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Ferguson retired from Flowserve Corporation in 2012.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. Ferguson’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his considerable global business and leadership experience serving as an executive officer of a public company, his domestic and international strategic experience both in the industries in which AZZ operates, and his track record for helping businesses achieve exponential growth, both organically and through acquisitions.
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CLIVE A. GRANNUM
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![]() Age: 59
Director Since: 2021
Board Committees:
•
Audit Committee
•
Compensation Committee
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Professional Highlights
Clive A. Grannum has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of North American Stainless, Inc., the largest fully integrated stainless-steel producer in the U.S. and a leading provider of high-quality stainless steel and performance alloys since April 2025.
•
Prior to joining North American Stainless, Mr. Grannum served as President of Performance Materials for Materion Corporation, a leading advanced materials supplier, from 2018 to April 2025.
•
Prior to joining Materion, Mr. Grannum served as Corporate Vice President, Corporate Officer and President — Global Chlorinated Organics at Olin Corporation, a global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products, from 2015 to 2016.
•
Prior to joining Olin, Mr. Grannum held a number of senior leadership roles at Dow Chemical Company, including President, Global Chlorinated Organics and SAFECHEM from 2014 to 2015; Global Managing Director, Plastics Additives, Global Chlorinated Organics and SAFECHEM from 2011 to 2014; and Vice President, Corporate Officer and Global Business Director, Plastics Additives from 2008 to 2011.
•
Prior to joining Dow Chemical, he served as the Vice President of Plastic Additives for Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty chemical producer, from 2007 to 2008.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. Grannum’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include his considerable executive leadership experience, experience in global manufacturing and strategic mergers and acquisitions, business development, process improvement, financial experience and transformational growth in manufacturing-based industries.
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9
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CAROL R. JACKSON
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![]() Age: 53
Director Since: 2021
Board Committees:
•
Compensation Committee
•
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
(Chair)
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| |
Professional Highlights
Carol R. Jackson formerly served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of HarbisonWalker International, the largest supplier of ceramic refractories in the U.S. with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia and commercial interests globally, from 2017 to 2023 and served as Corporate Officer, Senior Vice President and General Manager from 2014 to 2017.
•
Prior to joining HarbisonWalker, Ms. Jackson served as Corporate Officer, Vice President and General Manager of Carpenter Technology Corporation, a global leader in the development, manufacture, and distribution of cast/wrought and powder metal stainless steels and specialty alloys from 2011 to 2013.
•
Prior to joining Carpenter Technology, Ms. Jackson held various positions with PPG Industries, Inc., a global supplier of paints, chemicals, optical and specialty products and glass, from 1999-2011.
•
Ms. Jackson currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, and Scientific Advisory Committees of Sensient Technologies Corporation, a publicly held leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of colors, flavors, and fragrances.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Ms. Jackson’s qualifications to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors include the depth and breadth of her experience in global business operations and industrial manufacturing, executive level leadership experience, mergers and acquisitions, legal experience and prior public Board experience in the steel and coatings industries.
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ED MCGOUGH
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![]() Age: 64
Director Since: 2017
Board Committees:
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Compensation Committee (Chair)
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Professional Highlights
Ed McGough has served as a Senior Advisor at Alcon, Inc. (“Alcon”), since January 2025. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Technical Operations from 2008 to 2025. Alcon is the global leader in eye care developing, manufacturing and distributing innovative medical devices for eye care needs. Mr. McGough joined Alcon in 1991 as a Manager of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs in Alcon’s Pennsylvania facility. He has held various other leadership positions at Alcon in both Fort Worth, Texas and Puerto Rico, including: Director of Quality Assurance from 1992 to 1994; Director of Operations from 1994 to 1996; Director of Manufacturing from 1996 to 2000; and Vice President and General Manager of Manufacturing in Fort Worth, Texas and Houston, Texas from 2000 to 2006. Following these roles, he has served as Vice President, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Operations, responsible for Alcon’s pharmaceutical plants in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Belgium and France. Additionally, he led the separation of the Alcon manufacturing plant operational systems from the company network to establish a more robust cyber security environment.
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Prior to joining Alcon, Mr. McGough served in various quality engineering and management roles with Baxter Healthcare Corporation from 1983 to 1991.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. McGough’s qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors include: (i) his executive level leadership and international experience in global manufacturing, distribution and global supply chain; (ii) his experience integrating acquired medical device companies into Alcon which aligns well with our Company’s long term acquisition strategy; and (iii) executive level experience with global environmental sustainability strategy and execution.
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10
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2025 Proxy Statement
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STEVEN R. PURVIS
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![]() Age: 60
Director Since: 2015
Board Committees:
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Audit Committee
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Professional Highlights
Steven R. Purvis formerly served as a Principal of Luther King Capital Management, a provider of investment management services (“LKCM”), as an Equity Portfolio Manager responsible for the firm’s Small Cap, Small-Mid Cap and Mid Cap Investment Strategies until 2021. Mr. Purvis joined LKCM in 1996 and continues to serve as a Trustee to the LKCM Funds.
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His prior roles include investment analyst responsibilities at Roulston Research from 1993 to 1996 and Waddell & Reed, Inc. from 1990 to 1993.
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Mr. Purvis brings over 35 years of public market investment experience to the Company’s Board of Directors and has led and participated in many venture capital, private equity, and real estate investments.
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Mr. Purvis currently serves as a Trustee for the Fort Worth Employees Retirement Fund.
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Mr. Purvis is a Chartered Financial Analyst and earned both his B.A. and M.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri.
Reason for Nomination
We believe Mr. Purvis’s qualifications for serving on the Board of Directors includes his distinguished career as a portfolio manager in the public equity markets with a focus on small to mid-cap companies, experience in analyzing corporate strategy and investment decisions across multiple industries and his ability to add an additional layer of financial analytics to the Board’s deliberations.
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11
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SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS |
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BERCE
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FEEHAN
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FERGUSON
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GRANNUM
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JACKSON
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MCGOUGH
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PURVIS
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CEO/SENIOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
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FINANCIAL EXPERTISE
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MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION EXPERTISE
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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OVERSIGHT
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
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DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
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RACE/ETHNICITY
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AFRICAN AMERICAN
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ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER
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WHITE/CAUCASIAN
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HISPANIC/LATINO
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NATIVE AMERICAN
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GENDER
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MALE
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FEMALE
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12
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2025 Proxy Statement
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HOW WE THINK ABOUT BOARD REFRESHMENT
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Mandatory Retirement
Age of 75 |
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Two of our highly qualified Directors joined AZZ’s Board over the past four years.
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For FY2025, the Average tenure of our Director Nominees is 12.5 years.
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13
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YOU MAY ALSO OBTAIN A COPY OF THESE DOCUMENTS BY MAKING A REQUEST TO:
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AZZ Inc.
Investor Relations One Museum Place, Suite 500 3100 West 7th Street Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
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Telephone: 817-810-0095
Fax: 817-336-5354 Email: info@azz.com |
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14
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2025 Proxy Statement
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SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK FOCUS AREAS
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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| We strive to provide high quality products and solutions to customers while maintaining compliance with environmental requirements and to use raw materials in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. | | | | We believe that investing in our people, our communities and our business sustainably will drive long-term value for AZZ and its shareholders. | | | | The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides Board-level oversight to the Sustainability Council and AZZ’s ESG policies and practices. | |
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Please refer to our website to view our most recent Sustainability Report. References to our website in this Proxy Statement are provided as a convenience and the Company’s website and the information posted on our website including, but not limited to our Sustainability Report, is neither a part of the Proxy Statement nor is it incorporated herein.
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FISCAL YEAR 2025 ESG HIGHLIGHTS
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During fiscal year 2025, we made significant progress on a number of sustainability initiatives.
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Published our fourth corporate sustainability report, covering fiscal years 2022 through 2024.
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Completed four Industrial Assessment Center (“IAC”) audits during FY2025 to identify several capital investment projects that will enhance energy usage and produce future energy costs savings.
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Improved TRIR workplace incident rate by 26% from FY2024, DART by 44% and LTIR by 47%.
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Achieved our goal of developing methodologies for AZZ’s business segments to identify and track their green sales into low carbon economy markets.
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AZZ was named as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2025 by Newsweek; for the third consecutive year.
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During FY2025, we increased green sales into the low carbon economy markets by 8%.
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15
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16
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2025 Proxy Statement
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OUR FOCUS CONTINUES TO BE TO ENHANCE OUR SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE BY:
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developing and setting targets for AZZ’s ESG focus areas;
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enhancing strategies for performance efficiency improvements; and
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evaluating our clean technology investment opportunities that are consistent with our corporate strategy.
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WE STRIVE TO:
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improve the efficiency of our operations;
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focus on increasing energy and natural resource efficiency;
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lower greenhouse gas emissions;
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reduce water consumption; and
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provide sustainable, unmatched metal coating solutions that enhance the longevity and appearance of buildings, products and infrastructure that are essential to everyday life.
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AZZ Inc. was named in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., based upon publicly available key performance indicators derived from sustainability reports and independent corporate reputation surveys about U.S. Citizens’ perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility.
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Caring is part of AZZ’s culture. AZZ established the AZZ Cares Foundation in 2018, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing charitable support and assistance to AZZ employees and their families when they have been impacted by an emergency, disaster, or personal hardship. The Foundation also provides charitable financial support to other non-profits located in the communities in which AZZ employees live and work. More information on the AZZ Cares Foundation may be found at www.azzcaresfoundation.org.
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17
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AZZ believes in investing in the next generation of industry professionals. This commitment led AZZ to establish two fellowships in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University. The AZZ Faculty Fellowship in Materials Science and Engineering and the AZZ Graduate Fellowship in Materials Science and Engineering provide funds to support faculty and students in these departments.
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Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted hundreds of thousands of one-of-a-kind wish experiences worldwide. Last year, Make-A-Wish of North Texas granted 630 wishes with the help of volunteers, donors and the community. AZZ contributes to Make-A-Wish of North Texas’s two major fundraisers — Wranglers and Wishes and Wish Upon a Par. For the past several years, in addition to being a wish grantor, AZZ’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations has served as a Council Member on the Southwest Regional Council of Make-A-Wish for over a decade.
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Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth is a local charitable organization that provides a home away from home for families of critically ill children that are admitted into one of the local hospitals in Fort Worth. The Ronald McDonald House co-located with the Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth frequently hosts families of hospitalized children for meals and a gathering place when not at the hospital with their child. Additionally, the Ronald McDonald House has two major fundraisers every year — Roadhouse and Wild Game Dinner — for which AZZ is a sponsor.
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The AZZ Care Team’s (ACT) are a network of site-formed teams of servant leaders who discern the personal, professional and spiritual needs of their co-workers, their families and communities, and channel support to meet those needs when possible and appropriate. The purpose of ACT is to demonstrate unconditional care to every employee to foster a culture in which people have an opportunity to grow spiritually, personally and professionally.
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18
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2025 Proxy Statement
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BOARD-DRIVEN ENGAGEMENT
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Our Board of Directors oversees the shareholder engagement process and regularly reviews and assesses shareholders’ feedback. Our Compensation Committee receives regular reports on shareholders’ input on compensation. Both our Chair of the Board and our executive officers play a central role in our Board of Directors’ shareholder engagement efforts.
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COMMITMENT CODIFIED IN
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS |
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Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s charter codify our Board of Directors’ oversight of shareholder engagement; they reflect our Board’s understanding of the critical role shareholder engagement has on our governance.
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PROCESS OVERVIEW
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| Our Chair of the Board and members of our executive management team regularly engage with shareholders on a variety of topics and carefully consider the feedback we receive to take action when appropriate. | |
| We have increased our shareholder engagement communications, enhanced the Company’s strategic disclosures and built stronger relationships with the investor community through our Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations. | |
| The feedback we receive from our shareholder engagement meetings provides our Board and executive management team with insights into the scope of topics important to our shareholders. | |
| KEY ENGAGEMENT TOPICS DISCUSSED WITH SHAREHOLDERS |
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Board Composition Refreshment
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Board Oversight of Corporate Strategy and Risk Management
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Human Capital Management
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Sustainability Disclosure and Reporting
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Environmental and Social Matters
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Shareholder Engagement and Activism
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YEAR-ROUND ENGAGEMENT AND
BOARD REPORTING |
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Our Investor Relations team conducts regular, year-round outreach to shareholders through in-person meetings, video conferences and by phone to obtain their feedback on our short- and long-term strategies and how the Company’s strategic initiatives align with macro and micro economic trends in the markets that we sell into and service. Our Investor Relations team provides periodic Company updates throughout the year to our institutional shareholders, driving awareness of our significant corporate transactions and initiatives, corporate governance, and environmental and market trends and any applicable changes in our Board or executive officers.
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TRANSPARENT AND INFORMED
GOVERNANCE ENHANCEMENTS |
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Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee routinely reviews and provides feedback on our governance practices and policies, including our shareholder engagement practices. Shareholders’ feedback is regularly shared with our Board of Directors, its committees and management. In addition to shareholders’ sentiments, our Board of Directors considers trends in governance practices and regularly reviews the voting results of our shareholders’ meetings, the governance practices of our peers and current best practices in governance.
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19
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20
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2025 Proxy Statement
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Employees
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Customers
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Investors
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Community
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Method of
Communication |
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Employee Surveys
Internal Social Media Annual Performance Reviews Employee Bulletins CEO Town Halls |
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Informal Conversation
Customer Satisfaction Surveys Social Media Company Website Negotiations |
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Investor Calls and One-on-One
Meetings Quarterly Earnings Calls Annual Shareholders Meeting Investor Conferences and Events Company Website Press Releases SEC Filings |
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Volunteering
Philanthropy Disaster Preparedness Social Media Company Website AZZ Cares Foundation AZZ Care Teams |
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Topics
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Benefits
Compensation Safety Career Development/ Succession Planning Training |
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Customer Service
Products Pricing Policies Safety |
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Financials
Capital Investments Strategy Execution Corporate Governance Mergers & Acquisitions |
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Volunteering
Disaster Relief Community Involvement |
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Each director who was a member of the Board in fiscal year 2025 attended more than 75% of the regularly scheduled and special Board and Board committee meetings on which he or she served that were held during the fiscal year.
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21
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AUDIT COMMITTEE
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![]() Daniel E. Berce* (Chair)
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Clive A. Grannum
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Steven R. Purvis*
Independent Members: 3
*Financial Experts: 2
Number of Meetings
in FY2025: 5 |
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Key Audit Committee Responsibilities
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Oversees the Company’s accounting, auditing, financial reporting, systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting and corporate finance strategy;
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Directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm;
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Pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor;
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Reviews and discusses with management (i) the guidelines and policies that govern the processes by which the Company assesses and manages its exposure to risk; and (ii) the Company’s major financial and other risk exposures including cybersecurity risk, and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures;
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Meets regularly in executive session with the Company’s management, internal and independent auditors; and
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Reviews and approves any proposed related-party transactions consistent with the Company’s policy regarding such transactions and reports any findings to the full Board.
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Reviews outstanding legal matters and alertline submissions.
Independence / Qualifications
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All Committee members are independent under the NYSE listing standards and the independence requirements applicable to Audit Committee members under SEC rules.
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All Committee members are financially literate in accordance with NYSE listing standards and two members qualify as Audit Committee financial experts under SEC rules.
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22
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2025 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
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![]() Ed McGough (Chair)
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Daniel E. Berce
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Daniel R. Feehan
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Clive A. Grannum
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Carol R. Jackson
Independent Members: 5
Number of Meetings
in FY2025: 5 |
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Key Compensation Committee Responsibilities
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Establishes, oversees and adjusts the Company’s incentive-based compensation plans, sets compensation for our CEO and approves compensation for the other executive officers;
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Reviews and discusses with management the Compensation Discussion & Analysis to be included in the Company’s annual report and proxy statement;
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Reviews and approves employment agreements, severance agreements or other significant matters relating to the Company’s CEO and other executive officers, including the annual performance review of the CEO;
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Assists the Board in its oversight of the development, implementation and effectiveness of our policies and strategies relating to our human capital management function, (including recruiting; retention; career development; senior management succession; and the Company’s employment practices);
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Reviews with management and recommends to the Board changes in the Company’s compensation programs and based upon the Company’s competitiveness as an employer; and
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Administers the Company’s Compensation Recovery Policy and Executive Officer Compensation Recovery Policy allowing AZZ to recoup incentive-based compensation paid to applicable officers and employees in the event of a financial restatement or misconduct.
Independence / Qualifications
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All Committee members are independent under the NYSE listing standards and the independence requirements applicable to Compensation Committee members under NYSE rules and the heightened independence requirements under SEC rules and qualify as “non-employee directors” under SEC Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
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NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE(1)
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![]() Carol R. Jackson (Chair)
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Daniel R. Feehan
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Ed McGough
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Steven R. Purvis
Independent Members: 4
Number of Meetings
in FY2025: 4 |
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Key Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Responsibilities
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Identifies potential individuals qualified to become members of the Board consistent with criteria approved by the Board;
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Recommends director candidates to the Board for election at the annual meetings of shareholders or to fill vacancies pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws;
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Recommends director nominees to the Board for each Board committee and the Chair of the Board;
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Responsible for establishing and overseeing AZZ’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct and the director nomination process;
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Provides regular oversight of AZZ’s sustainability policies and practices that are of significance to the Company and its shareholders;
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Regularly reviews industry data and makes recommendations to the Board regarding director compensation;
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Leads an annual process for evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole and each of the Board committees and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board; and
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Conducts a bi-annual Board peer evaluation process.
Independence / Qualifications
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All Committee members are independent under the NYSE listing standards.
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23
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In evaluating Board member nominees, the crucial qualities considered by the committee include, among other things:
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes that the Board of Directors should be composed of individuals who have achieved a high level of distinction in their business career and who possess one or more of the following specific qualities or professional skills:
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24
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2025 Proxy Statement
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25
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26
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2025 Proxy Statement
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DIRECTORS STAND FOR ELECTION
ANNUALLY BY MAJORITY VOTE |
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| Pursuant to AZZ’s Bylaws, all members of its Board of Directors are elected annually. Our Bylaws require that we use a majority voting standard for director elections. | |
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OUR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS HOLD
REGULAR EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
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| AZZ’s non-employee directors meet in executive session at each regularly scheduled Board meeting without management present. | |
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27
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BOARD MEMBERS MAY SUBMIT AGENDA
ITEMS AND INFORMATION REQUESTS |
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| Each Board member may request items to be placed on the agenda for Board meetings, raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting or request information that has not otherwise been provided during the meeting. Additionally, the Chair of the Board reviews and approves all Board meeting schedules and agendas and consults with the CEO regarding other information sent to the Board in connection with Board meetings or other Board action items. | |
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BOARD MEMBERS MAY REQUEST
SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS |
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| Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chair of the Board or the Company’s CEO or Secretary at the request of any Board member. | |
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BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETE
ACCESS TO MANAGEMENT AND BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS |
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| Each Board member has complete and open access to any member of the Company’s management team regarding any matter they would like to inquire about and to the Chair of each Board committee for the purpose of discussing any matter related to the work of such committee. | |
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THE BOARD OR ANY BOARD
COMMITTEE MAY RETAIN INDEPENDENT ADVISORS |
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| The Board and each Board committee has the authority, at any time, to retain independent legal, financial and other advisors as they deem appropriate. | |
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INITIATION OF PROCESS
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| | | | The annual Board and Board committee evaluation process is reviewed with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in advance of distribution of the surveys. Each Board member also completes a bi-annual Board Peer Evaluation of all his or her peers, including functionality, effectiveness, preparedness, contributions and provides constructive feedback. The bi-annual Board Peer Evaluations are confidentially compiled by a third party and only shared with the Chair of the Board. | |
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DISCUSSION
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| | | The evaluation responses are confidentially compiled by a third party and a summary report is provided to the Chair of the Board and each committee chair prior to the discussion of the results with the Board members. Committee chairs lead their respective committee evaluation discussions during executive session. | |
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FOLLOW-UP
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| | | The Chair of the Board shares a summary of the Board evaluation results which addresses any requests or enhancements in practices that may be applicable to the future functionality of the Board or management’s quarterly reporting process. Committee chairs report on their respective committee evaluations to the full Board. | |
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28
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2025 Proxy Statement
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2025 Proxy Statement
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31
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Highlights of our Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
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No Fees for Board or Board Committee Meeting Attendance: Meeting attendance is an essential part of Board service, and directors are expected to attend all meetings.
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Emphasis on Equity: There is an emphasis on equity in the overall director compensation mix to further align their interests with our shareholders.
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Recognition of Special Roles: Special roles, such as Chair of the Board and Committee Chairs are fairly compensated for their additional time commitments and responsibilities.
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Robust Stock Ownership Guidelines: A guideline of five times the annual Board membership cash retainer supports alignment with shareholders’ interests.
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Formulaic Annual Equity Grants: Equity awards are granted annually on the day of the annual shareholders meeting under a fixed-value formula.
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Service
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Fee Amount
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| Annual Retainer for Board Service | | | | |
$
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|
| |
| Annual Retainer for Board Chair Service | | | | |
$
|
99,000
|
| |
|
Annual Audit Committee Chair Retainer
|
| | | | $ | 24,000 | | |
| Annual Audit Committee Member Retainer | | | | |
$
|
10,000
|
| |
| Annual Compensation Committee Chair Retainer | | | | |
$
|
16,250
|
| |
|
Annual Compensation Committee Member Retainer
|
| | | | $ | 5,000 | | |
| Annual Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair Retainer | | | | |
$
|
13,750
|
| |
|
Annual Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member Retainer
|
| | | | $ | 5,000 | | |
| |
|
32
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Name
|
| | |
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash |
| | |
Stock
Awards (1) |
| | |
Total
Compensation |
| |||||||||
|
Daniel E. Berce
|
| | | | $ | 114,000 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 238,933 | | |
|
Daniel R. Feehan
|
| | | | $ | 184,000 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 308,933 | | |
|
Clive A. Grannum
|
| | | | $ | 90,000 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 214,933 | | |
|
Carol R. Jackson
|
| | | | $ | 98,750 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 223,683 | | |
|
Ed McGough
|
| | | | $ | 101,250 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 226,183 | | |
|
Steven R. Purvis
|
| | | | $ | 90,000 | | | | | | $ | 124,933 | | | | | | $ | 214,933 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
33
|
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| | |
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1) |
| | |
Percent of
Common Stock Outstanding |
| | |
Shares of Unvested
RSUs and PSUs that Vest Within 60 Days of 4/30/2025 |
| |||||||||
|
Daniel E. Berce
|
| | | | | 57,988 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 11,498 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | 1,811(2) | | |
|
Daniel R. Feehan
|
| | | | | 78,738 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 211,458 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | 35,635(3) | | |
|
Clive A. Grannum
|
| | | | | 8,943 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Carol R. Jackson
|
| | | | | 8,943 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 26,129 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | 6,623(4) | | |
|
Ed McGough
|
| | | | | 18,104 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley(5)
|
| | | | | 9,202 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Steven R. Purvis
|
| | | | | 21,660 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 26,820 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Philip A. Schlom
|
| | | | | 27,245(6) | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | 6,124(7) | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 22,017 | | | | | | | * | | | | | | | 17,406(8) | | |
|
All Current Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(14 persons) |
| | | | | 529,682(9) | | | | | | | 1.77% | | | | | | | 67,599(10) | | |
| |
|
34
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stock
|
| ||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
| | | Date of Schedule 13G/A Filing |
| | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
| | | Percent of Class |
|
|
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
| | |
January 22, 2024
|
| | |
3,883,237(1)
|
| | |
15.5%(2)
|
|
|
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 |
| | |
February 13, 2024
|
| | |
2,697,428(1)
|
| | |
10.8%(2)
|
|
|
FMR LLC
245 Summer Street Boston, MA 02210 |
| | |
August 12, 2024
|
| | |
3,004,082(1)
|
| | |
10.075%(2)
|
|
|
T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc.
101 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| | |
November 14, 2024
|
| | |
2,604,895(1)
|
| | |
8.7%(2)
|
|
|
Beneficial Owner
|
| | |
Sole Power
to Vote |
| | |
Shared
Power to Vote |
| | |
Sole Power to
Dispose |
| | |
Shared
Power to Dispose |
| ||||||||||||
|
BlackRock, Inc.
|
| | | | | 3,828,175 | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | 3,883,237 | | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
|
| | | | | 0 | | | | | | | 30,107 | | | | | | | 2,642,350 | | | | | | | 55,078 | | |
|
FMR LLC
|
| | | | | 3,004,082 | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | 3,004,082 | | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc.
|
| | | | | 2,604,895 | | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | | 2,604,895 | | | | | | | 0 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
35
|
|
| |
|
36
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY BASIS, OF AZZ’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
37
|
|
|
FISCAL YEAR 2025 NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| | |
Age
|
| | |
Position
|
| | |
Since
|
| | |
Previous Position
|
|
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | 68 | | | |
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
| | |
2013
|
| | | Chief Executive Officer, FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc. | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | 52 | | | | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | | | |
2024
|
| | | Senior Vice President of Finance – Precoat Metals | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | 55 | | | | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | | | |
2014
|
| | | Chief Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary, First Parts, Inc. | |
|
Kurt Russell(1)
|
| | | 55 | | | | Chief Operating Officer – Precoat Metals | | | |
2022
|
| | | President – Precoat Metals Division of Sequa Corporation | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | 61 | | | | Chief Operating Officer – Metal Coatings | | | |
2020
|
| | | President – AZZ Galvanizing Solutions, AZZ Inc. | |
|
Philip Schlom(2)
|
| | | 60 | | | | Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | | | |
2020 – 2024
|
| | | Vice President – Finance, Audit, Controls and Continuous Improvement, Exterran Corporation | |
|
Tiffany Moseley(3)
|
| | | 53 | | | | Former Chief Accounting Officer | | | |
2023 – 2024
|
| | | Vice President, Business Risk Management, Valero Energy Corporation | |
| |
|
38
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE COMPANY:
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
increased total annual sales by 2.6% to $1.58 billion as compared to the prior year;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
returned cash to shareholders through cash dividend payments totaling $23.1 million;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
delivered strong sales in both business segments resulting in a 1.4% and 3.5% increase as compared to the prior fiscal year in the Metal Coatings and Precoat Metals segments, respectively;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
successful repricing of the Company’s Term Loan B and the $400 million Revolving Credit Facility resulting in a savings of approximately $9 million in annual interest expense;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
achieved over a 30% increase in company stock price during the fiscal year, reflecting significant growth in shareholder value;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
published the Company’s fourth Sustainability Report;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
reduced debt by $110 million resulting in net leverage of 2.5x; and
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
doubled our analyst coverage from 5 in FY2024 to 10 in FY2025.
|
|
|
WE FEEL THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL POSITIONED FOR THE FUTURE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO:
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
![]() |
| |
capture long-term growth drivers in end markets;
|
| |
![]() |
| |
seek additional strategic acquisition targets to support growth;
|
| |
![]() |
| |
expand our utilization of customer-centric technologies (DGS and Coil Zone);
|
| |
![]() |
| |
drive operational excellence with an ESG focus; and
|
| |
![]() |
| |
ensure the new aluminum coil coating facility reaches full production capacity within its inaugural year.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
39
|
|
|
Our NEOs’ total compensation is comprised of a mix of base salary, annual short-term cash incentive compensation, and long-term incentive equity awards, as well as certain benefits. The graph to the right illustrates the Chief Executive Officer’s total compensation for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 in comparison with the Company’s stock performance. For additional detail see also the section below titled “Performance-Based Incentive Compensation”.
|
| |
![]() |
|
| |
|
40
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
(Active) Named Executive Officer
|
| | |
Percent of Fiscal Year 2025
Pay At Risk |
| |||
| Thomas E. Ferguson | | | | |
|
82%
|
| |
| Jason Crawford | | | | |
|
69%
|
| |
| Tara D. Mackey | | | | |
|
68%
|
| |
| Kurt Russell | | | | |
|
69%
|
| |
| Bryan Stovall | | | | |
|
68%
|
| |
|
TSR Percentile
|
| | |
Payout
|
| |||
| 100% | | | | |
|
200%
|
| |
|
50%
|
| | | | | 100% | | |
| 25% | | | | |
|
50%
|
| |
| <25% | | | | |
|
0%
|
| |
|
•
Chart Industries
|
| |
•
LSI Industries Inc.
|
|
|
•
ESCO Technologies
|
| |
•
Powell Industries, Inc.
|
|
|
•
L.B. Foster Company
|
| |
•
Preformed Line Products Company
|
|
|
•
Frankline Electric Co., Inc.
|
| |
•
Team, Inc.
|
|
|
•
Generac Holdings, Inc.
|
| |
•
Valmont Industries, Inc.
|
|
|
•
Littelfuse, Inc.
|
| |
•
Woodward, Inc.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
41
|
|
|
Name
|
| | |
Grant
Date Target Value |
| | |
Target #
of PSUs Granted at Target |
| | |
Payout
Total # of Shares Earned(1) |
| | |
Market
Value(2) |
| ||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | $ | 940,256 | | | | | | | 19,916 | | | | | | | 27,627 | | | | | | $ | 2,655,231 | | |
|
Jason Crawford(3)
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | $ | 166,146 | | | | | | | 3,519 | | | | | | | 4,881 | | | | | | $ | 469,113 | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | $ | 212,231 | | | | | | | 4.495 | | | | | | | 6,235 | | | | | | $ | 599,246 | | |
|
Philip Schlom
|
| | | | $ | 210,306 | | | | | | | 4,454 | | | | | | | 6,178 | | | | | | $ | 593,768 | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley(3)
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
![]() |
|
| A significant portion of our executive officers’ total compensation is based upon the Company’s performance, and the payouts are contingent upon the attainment of certain pre-established performance metrics and capped to minimize risk. | |
| The Compensation Committee engages an independent executive compensation consultant. | |
| Performance metrics are highly correlated to the creation of shareholder value. | |
| Our Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of all executive compensation program components to ensure alignment with our compensation objectives and current market trends in pay elements and mix. | |
| |
|
42
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| We review and benchmark pay relative to the market median of our executive compensation industry peer group on an annual basis. | |
| We have clawback policies to protect the Company in the event of a financial restatement or an executive officer or any other key level employee engages in serious misconduct. | |
| Our executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain high performance executive talent and drive long-term shareholder value. | |
| We provide a limited number of employment agreements and executive perquisites. | |
| We use annual cash incentive opportunities and equity-based awards to balance the Company’s short- and long-term performance objectives. | |
| We have stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers. | |
| Our equity awards are equally weighted between time vested RSUs, which vest ratably over a three-year period, and PSUs, which emphasize achievement of pre-determined financial performance metrics over a three-year performance period. | |
| We grant equity awards with “double-trigger” vesting upon a change in control. | |
|
![]() |
|
| We do not provide tax gross ups, except for relocation expenses. | |
| We do not pay accrued dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned RSUs or PSUs unless and until they vest. | |
| We do not recycle shares withheld for taxes. | |
| We do not reprice underwater equity awards. | |
| We do not permit pledging or hedging of Company securities. | |
| We do not implement compensation or incentives that encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. | |
| |
|
|
| |
43
|
|
|
•
Apogee Enterprises, Inc..
|
| |
•
Insteel Industries, Inc.
|
|
|
•
Arcosa, Inc.
|
| |
•
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation
|
|
|
•
Barnes Group Inc.(1)
|
| |
•
Materion Corporation
|
|
|
•
Carpenter Technology Corporation
|
| |
•
PGT Innovations, Inc.(1)
|
|
|
•
CSW Industrials, Inc.
|
| |
•
Radius Recycling, Inc. (formerly known as Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.)
|
|
|
•
Eagle Materials Inc.
|
| |
•
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.
|
|
|
•
Gibraltar Industries, Inc.
|
| |
•
Metallus Inc. (formerly known as TimkenSteel Corporation)
|
|
|
•
Hill & Smith PLC
|
| | | |
|
•
The executive’s contributions and performance;
|
|
|
•
Market levels of compensation for positions comparable to the executive’s position;
|
|
|
•
The executive’s roles and responsibilities, including the executive’s tenure in such role; and
|
|
|
•
The executive’s subject matter expertise and management responsibilities.
|
|
| |
|
44
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
98.6%
Shareholder Approval |
| | |
Shareholders demonstrated strong support of our executive compensation program, with 98.6% of the votes cast approving our “say-on-pay” proposal at our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
45
|
|
|
Category
|
| | |
Compensation Element
|
| | |
Description
|
|
|
CASH
|
| | |
Base Salary
|
| | |
Fixed annual cash compensation based upon experience and the responsibilities of the position. Reviewed annually for potential adjustments based on market rates for each position, individual performance and changes in the scope of responsibilities.
|
|
|
Annual Incentive Opportunity
|
| | |
Annual cash incentive for achievement of specific annual financial operating results and a qualitative component relating to the execution of individual performance goals which were consistent with completing AZZ’s fiscal year 2025 strategic business objectives specifically tailored to each NEO’s specialized skill set.
|
|
| |
|
46
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Category
|
| | |
Compensation Element
|
| | |
Description
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
|
| | |
Restricted Stock Units
|
| | |
Vest ratably over a three-year period. Can be settled in shares of AZZ Common Stock or cash. Dividend equivalents accrue with respect to dividends awarded during the vesting period and are not paid and settled until the underlying equity award vests.
|
|
|
Performance Share Units
|
| | |
Three-year pre-determined financial performance metrics settled in shares of AZZ Common Stock or cash. Dividend equivalents accrue during the vesting period and are not paid and settled until the underlying equity award vests.
|
| ||||
|
RETIREMENT
|
| | | 401(k)Plan | | | |
Qualified 401(k) plans that are generally available to all U.S. employees. For NEOs other than Mr. Russell, the Company matches 100% of the first 1% and 50% of contributions between 2% and 6% (with a potential total Company match of 3.5%). Mr. Russell participates in a separate 401(k) plan that we maintain for legacy Precoat Metals employees, under which the Company matches 100% of the first 3% and 50% of contributions between 4% and 5% (with a potential total Company match of 4%).
|
|
|
OTHER
|
| | |
Employment Agreements
|
| | |
Sets standard benefits for a limited number of officers and the CEO in the event of termination of employment from the Company.
|
|
|
Executive Officer Severance Plan
|
| | |
Sets standard benefits for executive officers in the event of a termination or upon a change in control (for all NEOs except for the Company’s CEO).
|
| ||||
|
Change-in-Control Terms
|
| | |
Sets change-in-control benefits for the Company’s CEO upon a change in control as defined in his Second Amended CEO Agreement, and other NEOs pursuant to the Executive Officer Severance Plan.
|
| ||||
| Other Benefits | | | |
Executive supplemental disability insurance, financial planning services and annual physical exam.
|
|
|
Name
|
| | |
FY2024 Base
Salary |
| | |
Percent
Change |
| | |
FY2025 Base
Salary |
| | |
Actual Base
Salary Earned During FY2025 |
| ||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | $ | 940,256 | | | | | | | 3% | | | | | | $ | 968,464 | | | | | | $ | 963,763 | | |
|
Jason Crawford(1)
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | | —% | | | | | | $ | 450,000 | | | | | | $ | 441,561 | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | $ | 414,387 | | | | | | | 4% | | | | | | $ | 430,962 | | | | | | $ | 428,200 | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | $ | 463,500 | | | | | | | 3% | | | | | | $ | 477,405 | | | | | | $ | 474,371 | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | $ | 449,931 | | | | | | | 4% | | | | | | $ | 472,427 | | | | | | $ | 468,678 | | |
|
Philip Schlom(2)
|
| | | | $ | 420,613 | | | | | | | 3.5% | | | | | | $ | 435,334 | | | | | | $ | 291,067 | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley(1)(2)
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | | —% | | | | | | $ | 350,200 | | | | | | $ | 138,550 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
47
|
|
|
![]() |
| |||
|
Mr. Ferguson
|
| | FY2025 Performance Results | |
| | | |
•
Successfully led a 4.6 million-share secondary public offering, strategically eliminating costly preferred shares ahead of schedule, significantly improving the Company’s financial position.
•
Led AZZ to its 38th consecutive year of profitability, surpassing the fiscal year 2025 operating plan, resulting in record annual sales across both business segments, with adjusted EBITDA of $347.9 million, adjusted EPS of $5.20, and $250 million in cash flows from operations.
•
Supported the successful completion of construction on Precoat Metal’s new $125 million aluminum coil coating factory, set to begin production in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
•
Contributed to the progress of AZZ’s ESG commitments by incorporating ESG initiative status updates into the Company’s quarterly business review process, enhancing accountability and ensuring a focused, quarterly assessment of the Company’s ESG goals.
•
Fostered the continued growth of the leadership bench by implementing strong succession planning, alongside comprehensive training and development programs.
|
|
|
![]() |
| |||
|
Mr. Crawford
|
| | FY2025 Performance Results | |
| | | |
•
Exceeded all financial targets for the Company, creating another record year in Sales (up 2.6%), Net Income (up 26.8%, prior to Preferred Stock Dividend and Redemption Premium) and Cash Flows from Operations (up 2.2%), which contributed to full year Adjusted Earnings per Share of $5.20, an increase of 14.8% compared to the prior year.
•
Provided leadership to the Company’s strategic goal to reduce its Leverage Ratio to a targeted range of 2.0x – 3.0x. In doing so simplified the Company’s capital structure, completed various debt refinancing, which contributed to lower interest rates (down 24.1%), reducing outstanding debt by $110M (down 10.9%) and driving Leverage Ratio down to 2.5 times, which is the mid-point of the Company’s targeted range.
•
Successfully assumed the CFO role, leading improvements in organizational structure and core financial processes while strengthening and enhancing a robust control environment.
•
Exceeded cash flow targets and successfully paid down $110 million in debt, while leading a strategic reorganization of the finance and accounting departments to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
•
Successfully repriced the Company’s Term Loan B and the $400 million Revolving Credit Facility, which reduced margins on both tranches of debt, providing interest savings opportunities for the Company of approximately $9 million annually.
|
|
| |
|
48
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
![]() |
| |||
|
Ms. Mackey
|
| | FY2025 Performance Results | |
| | | |
•
Managed all legal matters for the Company including the resolution of four material lawsuits.
•
Successfully led four Industrial Assessment Center (“IAC”) audits during FY2025 to identify several energy efficiency capital investment projects directly contributing in future energy costs savings and eligibility to federal grant money to fund a portion of the associated ESG capital improvements.
•
Championed a focused approach to ESG initiatives, integrating environmental, social, and governance considerations into financial strategy and organizational priorities resulting in significant increased data collection and disclosures.
•
Completed the secondary public offering for 4.6 million shares of AZZ common stock, the proceeds of which were used to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock.
•
Provided legal support to the repricing of the Term Loan B and Revolving Credit Facility resulting in lower interest rates for the Company.
•
Effectively managed the AZZ Cares Foundation, overseeing assistance applications, grant submissions, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of all annual registrations and regulatory filings.
|
|
|
![]() |
| |||
|
Mr. Russell
|
| | FY2025 Performance Results | |
| | | |
•
Managed the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities for Precoat Metals, contributing to record sales of $912.6 million and EBITDA of $179 million, marking significant growth and operational success.
•
Oversaw the update of AZZ’s strategic plan, shifting focus to a higher growth trajectory and revitalizing M&A activity, in line with AZZ’s accelerated debt reduction progress.
•
Led the successful execution of key components of the Precoat Metals succession plan, including the seamless transition of Jeff Vellines to the President role.
•
Completed the construction of a new greenfield aluminum coil coating line in Washington, MO, ensuring the project was finished on schedule and within budget. The facility is on track to begin production in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
|
|
|
![]() |
| |||
|
Mr. Stovall
|
| | FY2025 Performance Results | |
| | | |
•
Successfully led AZZ’s Metal Coatings segment to achieve its fourth consecutive record sales and EBITDA of $665.1 million and $205.4 million, respectively.
•
Led another year of record production for hot-dip galvanized steel and maintained profit margins while navigating inflationary cost increases in labor and raw materials, including zinc.
•
Expanded leadership training and development across all management levels, resulting in improved employee retention, increased internal promotions, and enhanced overall performance within the Metal Coatings segment.
•
Directed the Metal Coatings management team to strengthen safety and environmental programs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance across operations.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
49
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
| | |
FY2025 Target %
|
| |||
| Thomas E. Ferguson | | | | |
|
100%
|
| |
| Jason Crawford | | | | |
|
70%
|
| |
| Tara D. Mackey | | | | |
|
60%
|
| |
| Kurt Russell | | | | |
|
80%
|
| |
| Bryan Stovall | | | | |
|
80%
|
| |
| Philip A. Schlom | | | | |
|
70%
|
| |
| Tiffany Moseley | | | | |
|
60%
|
| |
| % of Performance Target Achievement |
| | | % of Target Bonus Opportunity Earned |
|
|
<81
|
| | |
0%
|
|
|
100
|
| | |
100%
|
|
|
120
|
| | |
200%
|
|
| |
|
50
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Named
Executive Officer |
| | |
Weight
|
| | |
Performance Measure
|
| | |
FY2025
Target Performance Goal |
| | |
FY2025
Achieved Performance |
| | |
% of
Target Performance Achieved |
| ||||||||||||
|
Mr. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | |
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (“Adjusted EPS”)(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 25% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 140.0% | | | ||||
|
Mr. Crawford
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 25% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 125.0% | | | ||||
|
Ms. Mackey
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 25% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 140.0% | | | ||||
|
Mr. Russell
|
| | | | | 20% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 15% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 25% | | | | | Precoat Metals Segment EBITDA(4) | | | | | $ | 166,862,000 | | | | | | $ | 179,023,000 | | | | | | | 107.3% | | | ||||
| | | 25% | | | | | Precoat Metals Segment Cash Flow(5) | | | | | $ | 84,400,000 | | | | | | $ | 86,560,000 | | | | | | | 103.1% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 103.1% | | | ||||
|
Mr. Stovall
|
| | | | | 20% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 15% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 25% | | | | | Metal Coatings Segment EBITDA(4) | | | | | $ | 196,520,000 | | | | | | $ | 205,362,000 | | | | | | | 104.5% | | | ||||
| | | 25% | | | | | Metal Coatings Segment Cash Flow(5) | | | | | $ | 172,200,000 | | | | | | $ | 176,770,000 | | | | | | | 102.6% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 125.0% | | | ||||
|
Mr. Schlom
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 25% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,710,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 100.0% | | | ||||
|
Ms. Moseley(6)
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | |
Adjusted EPS(1)
|
| | | | $ | 4.50 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | | | | | | 115.6% | | |
| | | 25% | | | | | FY2025 Cash Flow(2) | | | | | $ | 206,700,000 | | | | | | $ | 249,909,000 | | | | | | | 120.9% | | | ||||
| | | 15% | | | | | Qualitative(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | —% | | |
| |
|
|
| |
51
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
| | |
Target as a %
of Base Salary |
| | |
Actual Payout
as % of Base Salary |
| | |
Target
Amount ($) |
| | |
Actual Payout
($)(1) |
| ||||||||||||
|
Thomas Ferguson
|
| | | | | 100% | | | | | | | 177.8% | | | | | | | 968,464 | | | | | | | 1,713,571 | | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 70% | | | | | | | 175.6% | | | | | | | 315,000 | | | | | | | 542,767 | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | | | | 177.8% | | | | | | | 258,577 | | | | | | | 456,804 | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 80% | | | | | | | 146.4% | | | | | | | 381,924 | | | | | | | 555,583 | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 80% | | | | | | | 143.4% | | | | | | | 381,541 | | | | | | | 537,667 | | |
|
Philip Schlom
|
| | | | | 70% | | | | | | | 171.6% | | | | | | | 304,734 | | | | | | | 354,872(2) | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley(3)
|
| | | | | 60% | | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | | 210,120 | | | | | | | 83,794 | | |
| |
|
52
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
the practice of granting annual equity awards every year after annual financial operating results are released;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
the emphasis placed on equity in the mix of total compensation;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
the officer’s experience and performance;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
the scope, responsibility and the potential business impact of the NEO’s position;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
the perceived retention value of the total compensation package in light of the competitive labor market;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
alignment with AZZ’s compensation philosophy and objectives;
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
cost and dilution impact;
|
| | |
![]() |
| |
grant practices and award structures of our industry peer group; and
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
Position and peer data analytics and advice provided by Meridian.
|
| | | | | | | |
| |
|
|
| |
53
|
|
|
TSR
% Ranking Achieved |
| | |
% of Target Award
Payout |
|
|
<25%
|
| | |
0%
|
|
|
25%
|
| | |
50%
|
|
|
50%
|
| | |
100%
|
|
|
100%
|
| | |
200%
|
|
|
Adjusted ROIC
% Target Achieved |
| | |
% of Target Award
Payout |
|
|
<76%
|
| | |
0%
|
|
|
76%
|
| | |
4%
|
|
|
100%
|
| | |
100%
|
|
|
125%
|
| | |
200%
|
|
| |
|
54
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Name
|
| | |
% of
Base Salary |
| | |
TOTAL
RSU Grant Value(1) |
| | |
Number
of RSUs |
| | |
Total
PSU Grant Value(1) |
| | |
Number of
PSUs at Target |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Thomas Ferguson
|
| | | | | 275(2) | | | | | | $ | 1,331,546 | | | | | | | 17,248 | | | | | | $ | 1,331,546 | | | | | | | 17,248 | | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 100 | | | | | | $ | 224,961 | | | | | | | 2,914 | | | | | | $ | 224,961 | | | | | | | 2,914 | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 100(2) | | | | | | $ | 215,465 | | | | | | | 2,791 | | | | | | $ | 215,465 | | | | | | | 2,791 | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 100 | | | | | | $ | 238,625 | | | | | | | 3,091 | | | | | | $ | 238,625 | | | | | | | 3,091 | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 100 | | | | | | $ | 238,394 | | | | | | | 3,088 | | | | | | $ | 238,394 | | | | | | | 3,088 | | |
|
Philip Schlom
|
| | | | | 100 | | | | | | $ | 217,627 | | | | | | | 2,819 | | | | | | $ | 217,627 | | | | | | | 2,819 | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley
|
| | | | | 75 | | | | | | $ | 131,317 | | | | | | | 1,701 | | | | | | $ | 131,317 | | | | | | | 1,701 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
55
|
|
| |
|
56
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
57
|
|
|
Position
|
| | |
Ownership Requirement
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
| | |
4 x Base Salary or a Minimum of 100,000 Shares
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer,
and Senior Vice Presidents |
| | |
3 x Base Salary or a Minimum of 30,000 Shares
|
|
|
Vice Presidents and other Officers
|
| | |
1 x Base Salary or a Minimum of 7,500 Shares
|
|
| |
|
58
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
59
|
|
|
Ed McGough, (Chair)
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Daniel E. Berce | | |||
| Daniel R. Feehan | | |||
| Clive A. Grannum | | |||
| Carol R. Jackson | |
| |
|
60
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Name and
Principal Position |
| | |
Year
|
| | |
Salary
($) |
| | |
Bonus
($) |
| | |
Stock
Awards/ RSUs ($)(1) |
| | |
Option
/SARs Awards ($) |
| | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) |
| | |
Change in
Pension Value and Nonquali- fied Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
| | |
All Other
Compensation ($)(3) |
| | |
Total
($) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
President & Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 963,763 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,681,979 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,713,571 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 47,956 | | | | | | | 5,407,269 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | 940,256 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,172,335 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,234,556 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 33,829 | | | | | | | 4,380,976 | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | 932,794 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,146,657 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,119,353 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 29,977 | | | | | | | 4,228,781 | | | ||||
|
Jason Crawford
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 441,561 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 753,107 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 542,767 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 208,088 | | | | | | | 1,945,523 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
|
Tara D. Mackey
Chief Legal Officer & Secretary |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 428,200 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 433,987 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 456,804 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,406 | | | | | | | 1,322,397 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | 410,478 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 425,482 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 322,783 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 13,665 | | | | | | | 1,172,408 | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | 387,828 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 421,986 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 289,708 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 13,378 | | | | | | | 1,112,900 | | | ||||
|
Kurt Russell
Chief Operating Officer – Precoat Metals |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 474,371 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 480,635 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 555,583 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 14,776 | | | | | | | 1,525,335 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | 478,731 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 475,894 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 515,857 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,565 | | | | | | | 1,474,047 | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
|
Bryan Stovall
Chief Operating Officer – Metal Coatings |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 468,678 | | | | | | | 425,000(4) | | | | | | | 1,980,140 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 537,667 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 21,431 | | | | | | | 3,432,916 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | 445,686 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 461,940 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 531,953 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 14,126 | | | | | | | 1,453,705 | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | 418,032 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 524,800 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 550.130 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 14,424 | | | | | | | 1,507,386 | | | ||||
|
Philip Schlom
Former Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 291,067 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 438,341 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 354,872 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,564,647(5) | | | | | | | 2,648,927 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | 420,612 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 431,853 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 368,213 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 19,341 | | | | | | | 1,240,020 | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | 411,469 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 520,031 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 315,391 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 17,519 | | | | | | | 1,264,410 | | | ||||
|
Tiffany Moseley
Former Vice President & Accounting Officer |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | | | | 138,550 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,958,214(6) | | | | | | | 2,096,764 | | |
| | | 2024 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
| | | 2023 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| |
|
|
| |
61
|
|
| | | | |
Fiscal Year 2025 All Other Compensation
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| | |
Financial
Planning Services ($) |
| | |
Insurance
Benefits ($)(1) |
| | |
Club
Dues ($) |
| | |
Physical
Exams ($) |
| | |
Company
Contributions Under 401(K) Plan ($) |
| | |
Relocation
Services ($) |
| | |
All Other
Perquisites ($) |
| | |
Total
($) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 17,595 | | | | | | | 17,088 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,600 | | | | | | | 11,673 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 47,956 | | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,478 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 42,801(2) | | | | | | | 161,809(3) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 208,088 | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,406 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,406 | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 4,541 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 10,235 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 14,776 | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 8,700 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 12,731 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 21,431 | | |
|
Philip Schlom
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 7,250 | | | | | | | 6,159 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 10,673 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,540,565(4) | | | | | | | 1,564,647 | | |
|
Tiffany Moseley
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,357 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,600 | | | | | | | 6,410 | | | | | | | 130,865(5) | | | | | | | 1,817,982(6) | | | | | | | 1,958,214 | | |
| |
|
62
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
| | |
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
| | |
All Other
Stock/ RSU Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(3) |
| | |
All Other
Option/ SARs Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options/ SARs (#) |
| | |
Exercise
or Base Price of Option/ SARs Awards ($/sh) |
| | |
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock/RSU and Option/ SARs Awards ($)(4) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| | |
Grant
Date |
| | |
Threshold
($) |
| | |
Target
($) |
| | |
Maximum
($) |
| | |
Threshold
(#) |
| | |
Target
(#) |
| | |
Maximum
(#) |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 784,456 | | | | | | | 968,464 | | | | | | | 1,936,928 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 17,248 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,263,244 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 345 | | | | | | | 17,248 | | | | | | | 34,496 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,418,735 | | | ||||
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 255,150 | | | | | | | 315,000 | | | | | | | 630,000 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,914 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 213,422 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 59 | | | | | | | 2,914 | | | | | | | 5,828 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 239,691 | | | ||||
| | | 07/15/24(5) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,607 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 299,994 | | | ||||
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 209,447 | | | | | | | 258,577 | | | | | | | 517,154 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,791 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 204,413 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 56 | | | | | | | 2,791 | | | | | | | 5,582 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 229,574 | | | ||||
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 309,358 | | | | | | | 381,924 | | | | | | | 763,848 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,091 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 226,385 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 62 | | | | | | | 3,091 | | | | | | | 6,182 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 254,250 | | | ||||
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 309,048 | | | | | | | 381,541 | | | | | | | 763,082 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 3,088 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 226,165 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 62 | | | | | | | 3,088 | | | | | | | 6,176 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 254,004 | | | ||||
| | | 07/15/24(6) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 18,035 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,499,971 | | | ||||
|
Phillip Schlom
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 246,835 | | | | | | | 304,734 | | | | | | | 609,468 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,819 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 206,464 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 57 | | | | | | | 2,819 | | | | | | | 5,638 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 231,877 | | | ||||
|
Tiffany Moseley
|
| | | | | 03/01/24 | | | | | | | 170,197 | | | | | | | 210,120 | | | | | | | 420,240 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 1,701 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 124,581 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/24 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 34 | | | | | | | 1,701 | | | | | | | 3,402 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 139,916 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
63
|
|
| |
|
64
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
STOCK AWARDS
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| | |
Grant Date
|
| | |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
| | |
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 (#)(4) |
| | |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 8,247(1)(2) | | | | | | | 792,619 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 27,627(5) | | | | | | | 2,655,231 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
| | | 04/28/2023 | | | | | | | 18,285(1)(2) | | | | | | | 1,757,371 | | | | | | | 27,427 | | | | | | | 2,636,009 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/2024 | | | | | | | 17,352(1)(2) | | | | | | | 1,667,701 | | | | | | | 17,352 | | | | | | | 1,667,701 | | | ||||
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 04/28/2023 | | | | | | | 2,268(1)(2) | | | | | | | 217,977 | | | | | | | 3,402 | | | | | | | 326,966 | | |
| | | 04/25/2024 | | | | | | | 2,931(1)(2) | | | | | | | 281,698 | | | | | | | 2,931 | | | | | | | 281,698 | | | ||||
| | | 07/15/2024 | | | | | | | 3,621(6) | | | | | | | 348,014 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 1,785(1)(2) | | | | | | | 171,556 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 4,881(5) | | | | | | | 469,113 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
| | | 04/28/2023 | | | | | | | 3,581(1)(2) | | | | | | | 344,170 | | | | | | | 5,371 | | | | | | | 516,207 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/2024 | | | | | | | 2,807(1)(2) | | | | | | | 269,781 | | | | | | | 2,807 | | | | | | | 269,781 | | | ||||
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 04/28/2023 | | | | | | | 4,006(1)(2) | | | | | | | 385,017 | | | | | | | 6,008 | | | | | | | 577,429 | | |
| | | 04/25/2024 | | | | | | | 3,109(1)(2) | | | | | | | 298,806 | | | | | | | 3,109 | | | | | | | 298,806 | | | ||||
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 2,171(1)(2) | | | | | | | 208,655 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 6,235(5) | | | | | | | 599,246 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
| | | 04/28/2023 | | | | | | | 3,888(1)(2) | | | | | | | 373,676 | | | | | | | 5,832 | | | | | | | 560,514 | | | ||||
| | | 04/25/2024 | | | | | | | 3,106(1)(2) | | | | | | | 298,518 | | | | | | | 3,106 | | | | | | | 298,518 | | | ||||
| | | 07/15/2025 | | | | | | | 18,106(7) | | | | | | | 1,740,168 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | ||||
|
Philip Schlom(8)
|
| | | | | 05/09/2022 | | | | | | | 6,178(5) | | | | | | | 593,768 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| | | 4/28/2023 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 5,452 | | | | | | | 523,992 | | | ||||
| | | 4/25/2024 | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | 2,836 | | | | | | | 272,568 | | | ||||
|
Tiffany Moseley(9)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | |
| |
|
|
| |
65
|
|
| |
|
66
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| | | | |
Stock Awards(1)
|
| ||||||||||
|
Name
|
| | |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#) |
| | |
Value Realized on
Vesting ($) |
| ||||||
|
Thomas E. Ferguson
|
| | | | | 47,801(2) | | | | | | | 3,579,032(3) | | |
|
Jason Crawford
|
| | | | | 4,968(4) | | | | | | | 374,613(5) | | |
|
Tara D. Mackey
|
| | | | | 8,945(6) | | | | | | | 670,202(7) | | |
|
Kurt Russell
|
| | | | | 17,362(8) | | | | | | | 1,319,017(9) | | |
|
Bryan Stovall
|
| | | | | 8,772(10) | | | | | | | 657,855(11) | | |
|
Philip Schlom
|
| | | | | 17,847(12) | | | | | | | 1,359,791(13) | | |
| Tiffany Moseley | | | | |
|
12,308(14)
|
| | | | |
|
982,103(15)
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
67
|
|
| |
|
68
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| In Mr. Ferguson’s Second Amended CEO Agreement, “Cause” is defined as: |
| | In Mr. Ferguson’s Second Amended CEO Agreement, “Good Reason” is defined as: |
|
|
(i)
his commission or conviction of, or the entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest by him with respect to, a felony, the equivalent thereof, any other crime with respect to which imprisonment is a possible punishment, or any other crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement, theft, or sexual harassment;
|
| |
(i)
the relocation by the Company of Mr. Ferguson’s principal place of employment of more than fifty (50) miles from the location of his principal place of employment as of the date of his Second Amended CEO Agreement, which relocation is not rescinded within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt by the Board from Mr. Ferguson of notice describing such relocation;
|
|
|
(ii)
excessive absenteeism by Mr. Ferguson not related to death or disability or otherwise permissible by applicable law or the Company’s policies for sick leave, vacations, or paid time off;
|
| |
(ii)
a reduction by the Company in Mr. Ferguson’s base salary, unless such reduction is rescinded within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt by the Board from Mr. Ferguson of notice referring to this provision and describing such reduction;
|
|
|
(iii)
Mr. Ferguson’s engaging in any activity (including, without limitation, alcohol or drug abuse or other self-induced affliction, or making disparaging remarks about the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, employees, managers, directors, members or shareholders) that injures (monetarily or otherwise), in a material respect, the reputation, business or a business relationship of the Company or of its affiliates;
|
| |
(iii)
a material diminution of Mr. Ferguson’s responsibilities or duties, which diminution is not rescinded within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt by the Board from Mr. Ferguson of notice describing such diminution;
|
|
|
(iv)
Mr. Ferguson’s gross negligence or material malfeasance (including, without limitation, commission of any intentional act of fraud, misappropriation or theft against the Company or its affiliates or his intentional misrepresentation of any material financial or operating results of the Company or any of its affiliates);
|
| |
(iv)
any other material breach by the Company of any material provision of Mr. Ferguson’s Second Amended CEO Agreement, which material breach is not corrected within fifteen (15) days after the date of receipt by the Board from Mr. Ferguson of a notice referring to this provision and describing such material breach; or
|
|
|
(v)
Mr. Ferguson’s significant violation of any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to the Company or any of its affiliates;
|
| |
(v)
a material breach by the Company of any equity award agreement (whether with respect to RSUs, PSUs or otherwise) by and between the Company and Mr. Ferguson then in effect or the terms of any equity plan incorporated therein, which material breach is not corrected within forty-five (45) days after the date of receipt by the Board from Mr. Ferguson of a notice describing such material breach.
|
|
|
(vi)
Mr. Ferguson’s material breach of any provision of his Second Amended CEO Agreement or of the Company’s written policies or code of conduct; or
|
| | | |
|
(vii)
Mr. Ferguson’s refusal or failure to carry out the legitimate directives or instructions of the Board (or such other person to whom he reports as may be designated from time to time by the Board) that are consistent with the scope and nature of his duties and responsibilities set forth in his employment agreement; provided that in the case of clause (ii), (vi) or (vii) above, only if such breach, refusal or failure has not been cured within fifteen (15) days after Mr. Ferguson’s receipt of written notice from the Company describing such breach or failure in reasonable detail; provided, further, that Mr. Ferguson shall be entitled to no more than one opportunity to cure such matters for any reason.
|
| | | |
| |
|
|
| |
69
|
|
| |
|
70
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
71
|
|
| Under the Executive Officer Severance Plan, “Cause” means in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion, any of the following has occurred: |
| | Under the Executive Officer Severance Plan, “Good Reason” means: |
|
|
(i)
an eligible executive’s commission or conviction of, or the entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest by an eligible executive with respect to, a felony, the equivalent thereof, any other crime with respect to which imprisonment is a possible punishment, or any other crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement, theft or sexual harassment;
|
| |
(i)
the relocation by the Company of an eligible executive’s principal place of employment of more than 50 miles from the location of the eligible executive’s principal place of employment, which relocation is not rescinded within 30 days after the date of receipt by the Company from the eligible executive of a Good Reason notice referring to this provision and describing such relocation;
|
|
|
(ii)
excessive absenteeism by an eligible executive not related to death or disability or otherwise permissible by applicable law or the Company’s policies for sick leave, vacation, or compensated time off;
|
| |
(ii)
a material reduction by the Company in an eligible executive’s annual base salary, unless such reduction is rescinded with 30 days after the date of receipt by the Company from the eligible executive of a Good Reason notice referring to this provision and describing such reduction;
|
|
|
(iii)
an eligible executive’s engaging in any activity (including, without limitation, alcohol or drug abuse or other self-induced affliction, or making disparaging remarks about the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, employees, managers, directors, members or shareholders) that injures (monetarily or otherwise), in a material respect, the reputation, business or a business relationship of the Company or any of its affiliates;
|
| |
(iii)
a material diminution of an eligible executive’s responsibilities or duties, which diminution is not rescinded within 30 days after the date of receipt by the Company from the eligible executive of a Good Reason notice referring to this provision and describing such diminution; or
|
|
|
(iv)
an eligible executive’s gross negligence or material malfeasance (including, without limitation, commission of any intentional act of fraud, misappropriation or theft against the Company or its affiliates or the eligible executive’s intentional misrepresentation of any material financial or operating results of the Company or any of its affiliates);
|
| |
(iv)
a material breach by the Company of any equity award agreement (whether with respect to stock appreciation rights, RSUs, PSUs or otherwise) by and between the Company and an eligible executive then in effect or the terms of any equity plan incorporated therein, which is not corrected within 45 days after the date of receipt by the Company from the eligible executive of a Good Reason notice referring to this provision and describing such material breach.
|
|
|
(v)
an eligible executive’s significant violation of any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to the Company or any of its affiliates;
|
| |
In order to terminate for Good Reason, an eligible executive must provide 30 days’ (or, in the case of clause (iv), 45 days’) prior written notice to the Company, which notice must be given not later than 90 days after the initial occurrence of the event asserted by the eligible executive to form the basis for the Good Reason claim (any such written notice is referred to above as a “Good Reason notice”); and the eligible executive must terminate within 160 days after the initial occurrence of the event above resulting in Good Reason.
|
|
|
(vi)
an eligible executive’s material breach of any provision of the Company’s written policies or the Company’s code of conduct; or
|
| | | |
|
(vii)
an eligible executive’s refusal or failure to carry out the legitimate and lawful directives or instructions of the Company’s Board of directors or Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or such other person to whom the eligible executive reports as may be designated from time to time by the Board of directors) that are consistent with the scope and nature of the eligible executive’s duties and responsibilities; provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii), (vi) or (vii) above, only if such breach, refusal or failure has not been cured within 15 days after an eligible executive’s receipt of written notice from the Company describing such breach or failure in reasonable detail; provided, further, that
|
| | | |
| |
|
72
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| Under the Executive Officer Severance Plan, “Cause” means in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion, any of the following has occurred: |
| | Under the Executive Officer Severance Plan, “Good Reason” means: |
|
|
each eligible executive shall be entitled to no more than one opportunity to cure for any reason; provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit an eligible executive from providing testimony required by operation of law or legal process in connection with a proceeding in which the eligible executive is a witness.
|
| | | |
| | | | |
Termination of Employment Not In
Connection with Change in Control(1) |
| | |
Termination of Employment In
Connection with a Change in Control(2) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | |
Death/
Disability |
| | |
Termination for
Cause or Without Good Reason |
| | |
Termination Without
Cause or For Good Reason |
| | |
Death/
Disability |
| | |
Termination for
Cause or Without Good Reason |
| | |
Termination Without
Cause or For Good Reason |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Ferguson | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 3,655,834(6) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,895,707(7) | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs(8) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 4,217,691 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 4,217,691 | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
PSUs(9) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Health Benefits
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | —(5) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | —(3) | | |
|
TOTAL
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 7,873,525 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 7,113,398(4) | | |
| Jason Crawford | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,462,500(11) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,845,000(10) | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs(8) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 847,690 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 847,690 | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
PSUs(9) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Health Benefits
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 25,306(5) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 49,754(3) | | |
|
TOTAL
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,335,496 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,742,444(4) | | |
| Tara D. Mackey | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,292,886(11) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,637,655(10) | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs(8) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 785,507 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 785,507 | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
PSUs(9) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Health Benefits
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 14,695(5) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 28,905(3) | | |
|
TOTAL
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,093,088 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,452,067(4) | | |
| |
|
|
| |
73
|
|
| | | | |
Termination of Employment Not In
Connection with Change in Control(1) |
| | |
Termination of Employment In
Connection with a Change in Control(2) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | |
Death/
Disability |
| | |
Termination for
Cause or Without Good Reason |
| | |
Termination Without
Cause or For Good Reason |
| | |
Death/
Disability |
| | |
Termination for
Cause or Without Good Reason |
| | |
Termination Without
Cause or For Good Reason |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Kurt Russell | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,670,918(11) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,100,582(10) | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs(8) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 683,823 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 683,823 | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
PSUs(9) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Health Benefits
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 22,634(5) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 40,278(3) | | |
|
TOTAL
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,377,375 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,824,683(4) | | |
| Bryan Stovall | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 1,662,493(11) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,089,477(10) | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
RSUs(8) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,621,016 | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 2,621,016 | | |
|
Accelerated Vesting of
PSUs(9) |
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Health Benefits
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 16,384(5) | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | 32,115(3) | | |
|
TOTAL
|
| | | |
$
|
—
|
| | | | |
$
|
—
|
| | | | | $ | 4,299,893 | | | | | |
$
|
—
|
| | | | |
$
|
—
|
| | | | | $ | 4,742,608(4) | | |
| |
|
74
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Payments and Benefits
|
| |||||||
| Equity Value | | | | | | | | |
|
RSUs(1)
|
| | | |
$
|
666,440
|
| |
|
PSUs(2)
|
| | | |
$
|
796,560
|
| |
| Benefits | | | | | | | | |
|
Accrued Vacation
|
| | | | $ | 50,232 | | |
|
COBRA Coverage(3)
|
| | | | $ | 17,333 | | |
|
Additional Six (6) Months Cash Payment for COBRA Coverage
|
| | | | $ | 10,000 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
75
|
|
|
Payments and Benefits
|
| |||||||
| Cash Payments | | | | | | | | |
|
Cash Annual Incentive Payment for Fiscal Year 2025(1)
|
| | | | $ | 83,794 | | |
| Equity Value | | | | | | | | |
|
RSUs(2)
|
| | | | $ | 882,023 | | |
| Benefits | | | | | | | | |
|
Accrued Vacation
|
| | | | $ | 14,840 | | |
|
COBRA Coverage(3)
|
| | | | $ | 4,825 | | |
|
Severance(4)
|
| | | | $ | 832,320 | | |
|
Fiscal Year
|
| | |
Mr. Ferguson’s Total
Compensation ($)(1) |
| | |
Median Employee
Total Compensation ($) |
| | |
Pay Ratio of CEO
Compensation to Median Employee |
| |||||||||
|
2025
|
| | | | | 5,407,269 | | | | | | | 69,767 | | | | | | | 78:1 | | |
| |
|
76
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
77
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Fiscal Year | | | | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1) ($) | | | | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(2) ($) | | | | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(3) ($) | | | | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(4) ($) | | | | AZZ Total Shareholder Return(5) ($) | | | | S&P Composite 1500 Building Products Index Total Shareholder Return(5) ($) | | | | Net Income (Loss) ($ Millions) | | | | Adjusted EPS(7) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | |||||||
| 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | 2025 | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | | | 2022 | | | | 2021 | | |||||||||||||||
| Summary Compensation Table Total (“SCT”) Compensation | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | |||||
| Minus: RSU and PSU values reported in SCT for applicable fiscal year | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | |
| Plus: ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable fiscal year that vested during applicable fiscal year(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Plus or minus (as applicable): Change based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable fiscal year that remain unvested as of applicable fiscal year end(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Plus or minus (as applicable): Change in fair value of prior years’ equity awards that vested during applicable fiscal year | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | ||||
| Minus: fair value of prior year’s equity awards that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the current fiscal year | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | |||
| Plus: dividend equivalents earned during applicable fiscal year upon vesting | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Compensation Actually Paid | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | |
| |
|
78
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| | | | | 2025 | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | | | 2022 | | | | 2021 | | |||||||||||||||
| Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total Compensation | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | |||||
| Minus: RSU and PSU values reported in SCT for applicable fiscal year | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | |
| Plus: ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable fiscal year that vested during applicable fiscal year(b) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Plus or minus (as applicable): Change based on ASC 718 fair value of awards granted during applicable fiscal year that remain unvested as of applicable fiscal year end(b) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Plus or minus (as applicable): Change in fair value of prior years’ equity awards that vested during applicable fiscal year | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | ||
| Minus: fair value of prior year’s equity awards that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during applicable fiscal year | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ( | | | |||
| Plus: dividends equivalents earned during applicable fiscal year upon vesting | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Compensation Actually Paid | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | | |
| |
|
|
| |
79
|
|
| FY2025 Compensation Performance Measures | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
|
80
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
81
|
|
| |
|
82
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
83
|
|
|
Daniel E. Berce (Chair)
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Clive A. Grannum | | |||
| Steven R. Purvis | |
| |
|
84
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| | | | |
February 28,
2025 |
| | |
February 29,
2024 |
| ||||||
|
Audit Fees(1)
|
| | | | $ | 1,825,151 | | | | | | $ | 1,691,758 | | |
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
| | | | $ | 198,236 | | | | | | $ | 69,720 | | |
|
Tax Fees
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
All Other Fees
|
| | | | $ | — | | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Total Fees
|
| | | | $ | 2,023,386 | | | | | | $ | 1,761,478 | | |
| |
|
|
| |
85
|
|
|
![]() |
| |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF GT TO SERVE AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2026.
|
|
| |
|
86
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
87
|
|
| |
|
88
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
89
|
|
|
Proposal
|
| |
Voting Requirement
|
|
|
1. Election of seven (7) director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, each for a one-year term.
|
| | Each director must be elected by a majority of the votes cast. A majority of votes cast means that the number of shares voted “FOR” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that director. Any director not elected by a majority is expected to tender to the Board his or her resignation promptly following the certification of election results pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject such resignation. The Board will act on such recommendation and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this vote. | |
|
2. Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the Company’s executive compensation program.
|
| | To be approved, this proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present in person or represented by proxy, meaning that the votes cast by the shareholders “FOR” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this vote. | |
| 3. Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026. | | |
To be approved, this proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present in person or represented by proxy, meaning that the votes cast by the shareholders “FOR” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on this vote.
|
|
| |
|
90
|
| |
2025 Proxy Statement
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
91
|
|
| | | | |
For the year ended February 28, 2025
|
| ||||||||||
| | | | |
Amount
|
| | |
Per Diluted
Share(1) |
| ||||||
|
Net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for Adjusted net income calculation(2)
|
| | | | $ | 53,635 | | | | | | $ | 1.79 | | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Amortization of intangible assets
|
| | | | | 23,111 | | | | | | | 0.77 | | |
|
Legal settlement and accrual(3)
|
| | | | | 9,949 | | | | | | | 0.33 | | |
|
Retirement and other severance expense(4)
|
| | | | | 3,741 | | | | | | | 0.12 | | |
|
Redemption premium on Series A Preferred Stock(5)
|
| | | | | 75,198 | | | | | | | 2.50 | | |
|
Subtotal
|
| | | | | 111,999 | | | | | | | 3.72 | | |
|
Tax impact(6)
|
| | | | | (8,832) | | | | | | | (0.29) | | |
|
Total adjustments
|
| | | | | 103,167 | | | | | | | 3.42 | | |
|
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations (non-GAAP)
|
| | | | $ | 156,802 | | | | | | $ | 5.20 | | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted for Adjusted earnings per share(2) | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
30,134
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
A-1
|
|