|
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
|
|
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
|
||
|
Filed by registrant: ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant: ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Check the appropriate box:
☒ No Fee Required
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11
|
|
About MGE Energy
MGE Energy, Inc. (MGE Energy or the Company), is an investor-owned public utility holding company headquartered in the state capital of Madison, Wis. MGE Energy is the parent company of Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE), your community energy company. With roots in the community dating back more than 150 years, the utility provides affordable natural gas and electric service in south-central and western Wisconsin. |
Our Mission
MGE is committed to industry leadership, |
Our Decarbonization Strategies
Your community energy company is pursuing globally recognized strategies to achieve our goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.
On behalf of all customers, by 2030, MGE expects to deliver electricity with 80% fewer carbon emissions, compared to 2005 levels.
To achieve our sustainability goals, we are: • Decarbonizing our energy supply cost-effectively. • Partnering with our customers in new, innovative ways to help • Electrifying transportation, the largest source of direct greenhouse • Building a more dynamic, integrated grid to enable new • Balancing this transition to a net-zero carbon future to ensure all |
Our Values |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
Safety |
Reliability |
Sustainability |
Equity |
Engagement |
Safety is a core value at MGE. The safety of our employees, customers and communities is our top priority. |
We invest in our people and in our systems to help ensure top-ranked energy reliability that helps to maintain the economic health |
With a commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, we take a holistic and proactive approach to sustainable practices companywide. |
We are committed to equity and inclusion in our service to our customers, in our workplace and in our broader community, and we value diverse perspectives, ideas, cultures and backgrounds.
|
We are dedicated to engagement, partnership and collaboration to best serve our customers and the broader community. |
From Our Chairman, President and CEO
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
Please join us online at this year’s MGE Energy Annual Meeting of Shareholders
MGE Energy continues to succeed. In 2024, we continued to grow our use of
Within the last year, we continued our energy supply transition to enable deep decarbonization. Those generation investments included: |
|
|
|
Jeff Keebler |
|
|
Chairman, President and CEO |
We also introduced and began to enroll customers in MGE’s renewable natural gas (RNG) option. This program offering is similar to MGE’s Green Power Tomorrow (GPT) program for electric customers. GPT RNG, as the program is known, offers customers an easy way to offset their emissions from their use of natural gas. MGE is the first utility in Wisconsin to offer this type of program for natural gas customers who wish to offset their natural gas emissions.
MGE also continues to innovate in how we work to advance the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging. Transportation is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
In 2024, we filed for regulatory approval for a program to help business customers who want to install EV charging to manage the up-front costs of the chargers. We also continued to expand our network of publicly available fast-charging stations.
Regular engagement with our customers helps to inform our programs, products and services to better serve them, our communities, and you, our shareholders. As your community energy company, engagement is one of our core values. It is part of how we fulfill our obligation and part of how we will achieve our goals.
Electrification and energy efficiency—two key decarbonization strategies—become more powerful as we decarbonize our grid. We’ll continue to work with our customers to advance these strategies in pursuit of our shared goals for a more sustainable future.
MGE Energy also continues to deliver consistent financial performance with another year of strong earnings. We also continue to maintain top credit ratings, helping to enable our ongoing generation transformation.
Thank you for choosing MGE Energy for your investment. It is a privilege and honor to serve you and our broader community of customers.
Sincerely,
|
Jeff M. Keebler
Chairman, President and CEO
April 4, 2025
From Our Lead Independent Director
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your investment in MGE Energy and for the trust you place in each of us to serve in this capacity. We encourage you to attend the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting.
It has been my honor to serve as Lead Independent Director since May 2024. As Lead Independent Director, one of my responsibilities is chairing our Corporate Governance Committee, which works to ensure the board is structured to provide for strong and consistent independent oversight as well as transparency and accountability. Since 2018, the board has welcomed six new directors who add talent, broad experience and diverse expertise to our board.
Every year, the committee conducts an assessment of the board’s effectiveness as a whole. Our board is active and engaged in overseeing the Company's long-term strategic direction and effectively providing long-term value to both customers and shareholders. |
|
|
|
Jim Possin |
|
|
Lead Independent Director |
Executive leadership, senior management and external subject matter experts regularly attend board meetings to address matters of strategic importance, which aid the directors in oversight and decision-making. In late summer 2024, the board held a strategic planning and review session with Company officers.
The board also holds a comprehensive risk assessment twice a year, which complements a broad-based exercise on risk that is conducted by directors with all Company officers every other year. These periodic sessions offer directors the opportunity to engage MGE executives directly on corporate strategy and the long-term risks and opportunities faced by the Company.
Oversight of historic capital investment
MGE Energy and MGE are undergoing a historic transformation in how the utility serves its communities with safe, reliable energy. The board is committed to its fundamental oversight role in ensuring the Company’s long-term strategic direction is executed responsibly and effectively to provide long-term value to both customers and shareholders. More than half of the Company’s projected capital expenditures from 2025 through 2029 will support cost-effective generation investments to achieve MGE’s science-based carbon reduction goals. Through sound governance policies and practices, your board is well equipped to oversee the Company's long-term strategy and to evaluate its performance throughout this ongoing transformation.
This Proxy Statement includes more information about MGE Energy’s financial performance as well as our oversight of the Company. Please review it and vote your shares promptly. We value our shareholders’ perspectives, which help to inform the Company’s policies and practices. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
|
James L. Possin
Lead Independent Director
April 4, 2025
Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the MGE Energy, Inc., 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting), please take a moment to vote your proxy.
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually, using the same format as last year's meeting. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the meeting date.
|
Meeting Information The meeting will be held as follows: Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Time: 11:00 a.m., Central Time Place: Online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MGEE2025 |
Instructions on attending the virtual shareholder meeting are provided in the Questions and Answers under the "Proxy Summary" section of this Proxy Statement. To participate, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy materials. A recorded version of the Annual Meeting will be available online afterward. |
Items of Business
• To elect the three Class III directors named in this Proxy Statement to terms of office expiring at the 2028 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, • To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2025, |
You may vote: |
|
• Advisory vote to approve executive compensation, and • To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
|
|
Using the Internet |
Record Date
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2025, are entitled to vote at the meeting. |
|
By telephone |
Voting by Proxy
Our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting. Your vote is important. The matters to be acted upon at the meeting are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
|
By returning the proxy card in the envelope provided |
By Order of the Board of Directors,
|
Cari Anne Renlund
Vice President General Counsel and Secretary
|
This notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card are first being mailed on or about April 4, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2025, the record date for this meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on May 20, 2025:
This Proxy Statement and our 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.mgeenergy.com/proxy.
|
Table of Contents
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
Proxy Summary |
Voting Matters
This summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in the Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of MGE Energy. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider and you should read the entire Proxy Statement and our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K before casting your vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board Vote Recommendation |
Page Reference |
1 |
Election of Directors |
FOR each nominee |
Page 8 |
2 |
Ratification of Independent Accounting Firm |
FOR |
Page 27 |
3 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay) |
FOR |
Page 29 |
How To Vote
|
By Internet proxyvote.com/MGEE |
|
By Phone 1-800-690-6903 |
|
By Mail Vote Processing c/o Broadridge 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717
|
See the section entitled "Voting Information" in this Proxy Statement for further instructions on voting your proxy and to see how your votes are counted. |
|||||
Question: How can I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held online. Shareholders are encouraged to participate by visiting the following website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/mgee2025. To fully participate in the meeting, you will need your 16-digit control number from your proxy materials. See the Notice of Annual Meeting Shareholders at the beginning of this Proxy Statement for more information.
Question: How do I participate in the Annual Meeting?
Shareholders will be able to join via a webcast. An audio broadcast of the Annual Meeting also will be available by telephone
toll-free at 1-877-328-2502. Shareholders of record as of close of business on March 21, 2025, are entitled to participate in and to submit questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/mgee2025.
To participate in the online Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy materials. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., Central Time (CT). Online check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT. Please allow yourself time to log in to the virtual meeting.
Question: Why is it important to vote?
Your broker is not permitted to vote on your behalf on the election of directors or the advisory vote related to executive compensation matters. Thus, your broker needs your instructions in order for your shares to be voted on these matters. For your vote to be counted, you must communicate your voting instructions to your broker, bank or other financial institution before the date of the Annual Meeting. If you do not vote, your shares may not be represented at the Annual Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting
to be Held on May 20, 2025
This Proxy Statement and our 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.mgeenergy.com/proxy. Shareholders can elect to receive email alerts when proxy and Annual Meeting materials are available on the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. Please consider visiting www.mgeenergy.com/paperless to sign up for next year. Email delivery of your proxy materials will help us reduce costs and the amount of resources used in connection with the Annual Meeting.
1
Business Overview |
Our Business
MGE Energy is an investor-owned public utility holding company headquartered in the state capital of
More than 98% of MGE Energy assets are dedicated to regulated and quasi-regulated utility operations • Regulated electric utility operations – generating, purchasing and distributing electricity through MGE. • Regulated gas utility operations – purchasing and distributing natural gas through MGE. • Nonregulated energy operations – owning and leasing electric generating capacity that assists MGE • Transmission investments – representing our investment in American Transmission Company LLC, |
|
Our People |
Our industry is ever-changing. Executive management believes it is important to continue to develop the Company's workforce to meet the evolving needs and preferences of our customers and communities. MGE has 717 employees, more than 40% of whom are covered by collective bargaining agreements. |
We Power Safety We power safety. Work safe. Home safe. That is our commitment at MGE, and it is embraced by MGE employees. Our Occupational Health and Safety Policy recognizes occupational health and safety risks and embraces safe work practices and environments as fundamental values at MGE. |
Employee Engagement MGE is committed to sustainable workforce practices, such as career development and training. All employees have the opportunity to learn and grow, whether to increase job proficiency, improve decision-making skills or prepare for new roles and responsibilities. |
Workplace Culture MGE supports an inclusive, respectful work environment where individuals and groups can achieve their full potential. All employees have equitable access to employment and development opportunities. An employee-led team, with representation from various parts of the Company, works to engage employees and to identify opportunities for supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our workforce. |
Our Engagement and Partnerships
MGE seeks to engage all our customers in a variety of ways to ensure all customers experience MGE as their community energy company. Understanding and deepening our engagement with our customers and communities are at the core of MGE's mission as a critical services provider and community partner. We work to build and maintain relationships, advance shared goals and invest in our communities. Our communities continue to grow and to become more richly diverse. MGE works to develop culturally competent initiatives, communications and services for our customers. |
MGE is committed to helping improve the quality of life for all those we serve. MGE contributes to and helps to better our communities through our charitable foundation, corporate giving and partnerships, and the volunteerism |
|
The MGE Foundation has given more than |
2
Our Industry Leadership
Service Reliability MGE is a national leader in electric reliability. MGE has ranked in the top three investor-owned utilities in the country for the fewest number of outages per customer in each of the last 17 years, ranking 2nd in 2023.
When mitigating or responding to potential natural gas emergencies, MGE crews continue to earn high marks. In 2023, MGE's response times and frequency of third-party damages were among the lowest in the country
These rankings are reflective of MGE's dedicated employees who always
|
|
Energy Affordability Maintaining energy affordability remains important to MGE. Since announcing our Energy 2030 framework in 2015, we have made significant investments in cleaner energy generation and grown the Company while managing impacts to electric rates. Renewable energy carries no fuel costs, which helps to reduce rate volatility and manage long-term costs into the future. |
An MGE residential electric bill as a is below the Wisconsin utility peer average of percentages based on data as of 12/31/2023
|
Our Sustainability Commitments
Our commitment to sustainability is part of our long-term business strategy for continued success and for meeting our customers' needs cost-effectively. MGE's Energy 2030 framework for a more sustainable future, introduced in November 2015, continues to guide our work with customers to achieve the Company's sustainability goals, including the
|
Targeting Carbon Emissions
Our net-zero goal includes our fossil-fueled electric generation |
On behalf of all customers, by 2030, By 2050, we expect to deliver net-zero carbon electricity. |
|
A foundational objective in MGE's Energy 2030 framework is ensuring all customers enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of the Company's ongoing clean energy transition. As the conductor of our community grid, MGE is working to build and to manage an increasingly dynamic, integrated grid and to maintain its safety, security and efficiency.
MGE also is addressing emissions associated with the purchase and distribution of natural gas. MGE is committed to strategies for working with suppliers, pipeline operators, customers, regulators and other industry stakeholders and to the exploration of new and emerging technologies, such as renewable natural gas, to serve customers more sustainably. |
|
3
Financial Performance |
|
Return on Investment
MGE Energy's total shareholder returns have exceeded or been in line with both the EEI Index and the Russell 2000 over the last three, five and ten years. MGE Energy has increased the dividend for 49 consecutive years and paid dividends for more than 110 years. We believe our recent and planned investments in cost-effective generation are enabling the decarbonization of our energy supply while ensuring ongoing energy reliability.
|
|
Annualized Total Shareholder Return
|
Earnings and Dividends per Share Growth
|
5-Year Asset Growth (in millions)
|
Plans to Invest Nearly $850 million in
|
4
Your Board of Directors |
Our board takes seriously its responsibility to shareholders and appreciates the confidence that shareholders have placed in corporate leadership to oversee the Company and to manage investors' capital wisely. Each director is committed to the highest ethical standards, accountability and open dialogue with one another and with management. The board believes that the skills and perspectives represented among our directors help provide effective oversight.
The board is elected to oversee management's performance, although management is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Company. The board reviews the Company's long-term strategic plan, business initiatives, major capital projects and budget matters. Also included in the areas over which our board provides oversight are the Company's environmental and sustainability performance, enterprise-wide risk assessment (including with respect to cybersecurity), strategic projects and investments, and trends in new technologies and industry changes.
Board Leadership
The position of Board Chairman and CEO may be combined or separated as deemed appropriate by the board. If the Chairman and the CEO are the same person, the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee serves in the role of Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director also will serve as a liaison between the board and the CEO. Currently, our CEO serves as Chairman and guides the board along with the Lead Independent Director. Given the complexity of the industry, its operations and the regulatory environment, the board believes having an experienced industry executive as our Chairman, combined with a strong Lead Independent Director, is the appropriate structure for the Company.
Chairman
Jeffrey M. Keebler
Role of Our Chairman and CEO
As the individual with primary responsibility for managing the Company's day-to-day operations and for executing on the Company's vision and strategy, our CEO is best positioned to chair regular board meetings as we discuss key business and strategic issues. Our CEO brings Company-specific experience to help the board focus on those issues of greatest importance to the Company and its shareholders.
Lead Independent Director
James L. Possin
Role of Our Lead Independent Director
Director Possin, who is an independent member of our board as determined under the guidelines adopted by the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq), serves as our Lead Independent Director. Director Possin has served as a board member since 2009 and has served as our Lead Independent Director since May 2024.
Our Lead Independent Director has extensive authority and responsibility in ensuring the board meets its responsibilities for Company oversight. The board has structured the role of our Lead Independent Director to fulfill the important requirements of strong, independent leadership on the board. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for the following:
Experience and Skills of the Board of Directors
Board members bring a breadth of experience and diversity to their service as directors, which helps them in their oversight of the Company. In addition, directors are kept informed and educated through collaboration with and numerous presentations by officers of the Company and various subject matter experts, including experts from outside the Company, industry and director training opportunities, and reports provided to them by senior management on a regular basis.
The board conducts an annual self-assessment. The assessment includes an extensive survey that covers board structure and composition, board meetings, board committees, key board responsibilities and board management. In addition, the board periodically evaluates the directors' expertise and experience.
5
A peer evaluation occurs annually for the directors up for election before being nominated for election and as part of succession planning to consider and to select new directors. This evaluation covers key professional skills, diversity of backgrounds, and breadth of community and other business experience and knowledge. In addition, each director conducts an individual self-assessment once every three years to evaluate their skills and experience relative to their board service.
Effective oversight comes from a board that represents a diverse range of experience and perspectives that provides the collective qualifications, attributes, skills and experience necessary for sound governance. The percentages below are based on MGE Energy's 10 directors.
|
Financial Acumen |
|
|
Customer/Community/ |
100% Directors with financial acumen |
Experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant or auditor. Experience in analyzing or evaluating financial statements, large capital projects, financings and/or budgets. |
|
100% Directors with customer, |
Understanding of and experience in working in the business and political environment of the Company's customer base. An understanding of customer service, experience and expectations and of community issues, needs and interests. Community involvement through nonprofit, business and civic organizations. Experience in and understanding of employee relations, workplace environment and our unique community culture. |
|
||||
|
Technology/Security |
|
||
40% Directors with technology and security experience |
Experience in and understanding of the business and operations technical systems, including financial systems, grid operations and customer information systems. Understanding of the potential for physical and cyber threat to critical infrastructure and digital systems and the risk mitigation plans. |
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental/Safety |
||
|
70% Directors with environmental and safety experience |
Experience in and understanding of environmental policy and compliance, impacts and risk, and emerging issues and opportunities for greater sustainability. Experience in and understanding of workplace and/or public safety related to critical infrastructure and operations of essential services. |
||
|
||||
|
Strategic Leadership/Governance |
|
||
100% Directors with |
Experience as executive officer and/or senior leader in business or public service with an understanding of how to oversee complex organizations, provide effective corporate governance and enable a strong corporate culture. |
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
Operations |
||
|
50% Directors with operations experience |
Experience in the energy or utility industry or development, construction, manufacturing or essential services. Knowledge of electric generation and distribution or gas operations and distribution systems. Understanding of the technical issues and risks associated with the reliability, resiliency and safety of such systems. |
||
|
Legal/Regulated Industry |
|
||
100% Directors with legal and regulatory experience |
Experience working closely with government agencies and in a highly regulated business. Having worked in public policy for an organization that operates within the public policy and regulatory process. |
|
||
|
6
Board Information
|
|
|
Experience/Skills |
||||||
Director: |
Age: |
Director Since: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia K. Ackerman |
64 |
2024 |
• |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
• |
Marcia M. Anderson |
67 |
2018 |
• |
|
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
James G. Berbee |
61 |
2018 |
• |
• |
• |
• |
|
|
• |
Londa J. Dewey |
64 |
2008 |
• |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
• |
Jeffrey M. Keebler (C) |
53 |
2017 |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
Daniel J. Kelly |
62 |
2024 |
• |
|
• |
• |
|
|
• |
James L. Possin ( L ) |
73 |
2009 |
• |
|
• |
• |
|
|
• |
Angela S. Rieger |
57 |
2024 |
• |
|
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
Gary J. Wolter |
70 |
2000 |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
Noble L. Wray |
64 |
2021 |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
• |
C - Chairman L - Lead Independent Director
|
|
|
|||
|
Financial Acumen |
|
Technology/Security |
|
Strategic Leadership/Governance |
|
Legal/Regulated Industry |
|
Environmental/Safety |
|
Operations |
|
Customer/Community/Workforce (Social) |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board Committees
Director: |
Audit |
Human Resources and Compensation |
Executive |
Corporate Governance |
Patricia K. Ackerman |
• C |
|
|
|
Marcia M. Anderson |
|
• C |
|
|
James G. Berbee |
|
• |
|
• |
Londa J. Dewey |
|
|
• |
|
Jeffrey M. Keebler |
|
|
• |
|
Daniel J. Kelly |
• |
• |
|
|
James L. Possin ( L ) |
• |
|
• C |
• C |
Angela S. Rieger |
|
• |
|
• |
Gary J. Wolter |
|
|
• |
|
Noble L. Wray |
• |
|
|
• |
Meetings in 2024 |
5 |
6 |
— |
2 |
C - Committee Chairperson L - Lead Independent Director
Board Practices
▪ Ten full board meetings per year; 13 committee meetings in 2024 ▪ Annual board self-assessment covering board structure, meetings, committees, responsibilities and management of the board ▪ Board oversight of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters and regular engagement with management ▪ Periodic strategic planning and review sessions with Company officers ▪ Director orientation and opportunities for continuing director education on key topics and emerging issues ▪ Biannual risk assessments and biennial risk exercise with Company officers (see Risk Assessment and Oversight) ▪ Board oversight of human resource strategies |
Board Accountability
▪ Shareholder engagement and outreach program ▪ Peer evaluation and individual self-assessment annually for the directors up for election before being nominated for election and as part of succession planning ▪ Anti-pledging and hedging policies ▪ Overboarding policy ▪ Stock ownership guidelines ▪ Retirement guidelines for directors at age 75 ▪ Majority vote standard in uncontested director elections within resignation policy ▪ Code of Ethics affirmation by all MGE Energy directors (as well as MGE officers and employees)
|
7
Proposal 1 |
Election of Directors |
Our Board consists of 10 directors divided into three classes. One class is elected each year for a term of three years.
You are being asked to vote on the three nominees named below to serve as Class III directors. If elected, each nominee will serve for a three-year term to expire at the 2028 Annual Meeting. Each director will hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until the director's earlier resignation or removal. Your proxy may not be voted for a greater number of persons than the three nominees below.
All our directors serve concurrently as directors of MGE Energy's wholly owned subsidiary, MGE. Our board has determined that all of our current directors, other than Directors Keebler and Wolter, are independent as defined in the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and reflected in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Our Director Nominees
Directors Kelly, Possin and Wray are currently Class III directors whose terms expire at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and who have been recommended by our Corporate Governance Committee and nominated by our board for reelection.
Each of the nominees has indicated a willingness to serve if elected, and the board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable for that service. If any nominee should become unable to serve, it is presently intended that your proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the board. Under the Company's retirement guidelines, directors are expected to retire no later than the date and time of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the date on which he or she attains the age of 75, unless requested to remain by the board.
The balanced tenure of our directors promotes experience and stability while also allowing for a broader understanding of the issues that affect our business. We have a mix of seasoned directors who provide in-depth knowledge and historical perspective of the industry and of new directors who bring fresh ideas. The board believes the directors of MGE Energy collectively have backgrounds and skills important for MGE Energy's business and the makeup of the board serves to ensure that members are able to provide oversight and guidance, balanced with our overall Company strategies.
Majority Vote Resignation Policy
Under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, any incumbent nominee for director in an uncontested election who does not receive a greater number of votes "for" election than votes "against" such election is required to tender promptly an offer of resignation. The Board's Corporate Governance Committee will consider that resignation and recommend to our Board of Directors, based on all relevant factors, whether to accept the tendered resignation or to pursue another action. Our Board will then act on that recommendation no later than 90 days following the certification of the shareholder vote. We will promptly publicly disclose the Board's decision and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the resignation or pursuing another action. The full details of our director resignation policy are set forth in our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are available on our website at www.mgeenergy.com/governance and also found under the "Corporate Governance Committee" caption.
8
|
Your Board recommends a vote "For" each nominee. |
Nominee Biographies
Class III – Term Expiring in 2025
Daniel J. Kelly Director since 2024 Independent Age 62 |
|
Experience ▪ Senior Lecturer, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business, September 2021 to present ▪ Director Kelly held various executive leadership positions over his 36-year career with American Family Insurance, including: ▪ Chief Underwriting Officer from 2022 through 2023, where he was responsible for overseeing product management of the organization's property and casualty product portfolio ▪ Chief Financial Officer, from 2011 through 2021, where accountabilities included Controller, Enterprise Risk Management, Reinsurance, Investments, Internal Audit and Facilities ▪ Vice President of Human Resources from 2007 through 2011 ▪ Serves on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Board since 2023, the Risk Management and Insurance MBA Advisory Board since 2017 and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Advisory Board since 2020 ▪ Served on the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Dean's Advisory Board from 2012-2024 and Edgewood College School of Business Advisory Board from 2018-2020 ▪ Is a certified public accountant and has his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Kelly brings to the Board strong financial expertise and strategic leadership experience, particularly through his former roles at American Family Insurance. He also has extensive knowledge of public accounting, corporate reporting, financial services, risk management, operational oversight and corporate governance. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen
|
▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
|
||
James L. Possin Director since 2009 Independent Age 73 |
|
Experience ▪ Is a certified public accountant and holds a BBA in accounting and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ▪ Self-employed tax consultant with James L. Possin CPA LLC from 2008 through 2018 ▪ Former partner at Grant Thornton LLP where he advised on tax- and financial-related matters until his retirement in 2007 ▪ Was a past member of the Audit, Finance and Insurance Council of Oakwood Lutheran Homes Association, Inc.
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Possin brings to the Board extensive knowledge of public accounting, tax matters, corporate reporting, financial services and risk management through his certified public accounting background, as well as his audit committee experience. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen
|
▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce |
||
9
Noble L. Wray Director since 2021 Independent Age 64
|
|
Experience ▪ Served as Chief of Police, Practices and Accountability for the U.S. Department of Justice in 2016 ▪ Former Chief of Police, City of Madison, until his retirement in 2013 ▪ Helped lead the national initiative to implement the U.S. Department of Justice 21st Century policing reforms ▪ Currently serves on Wisconsin Governor's Pardon Advisory Board ▪ Co-chaired Wisconsin Governor Doyle's bipartisan State Commission on Reducing Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System ▪ Since 2014, has consulted as a subject matter expert on the use of force and organizational transformation for several police agencies nationally ▪ Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ▪ Graduate of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Executive Leadership Course ▪ Received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ▪ Certified trainer/consultant for both Stephen Covey and COPS Office Fair and Impartial Policing ▪ In addition to serving on many community boards, in 2014, served as Interim President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Wray is a community leader and brings to the Board significant leadership experience. Mr. Wray’s nonprofit and government board service give him significant expertise in effective governance and leadership, with a focus on community engagement. Mr. Wray also brings to the Board strong financial acumen. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce |
▪ Environmental/Safety ▪ Operations ▪ Technology/Security |
||
Other Members of the Board of Directors
James G. Berbee Director since 2018 Independent Age 61 |
|
Experience ▪ Chairman and co-founder of WiscMed LLC, a medical device company that designed the Wispr digital otoscope, from 2015 to present ▪ Licensed physician ▪ Former Chairman and CEO of Berbee Information Network Corp., a network integration services and e-business consulting company ▪ Former Chair of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and holds several patents ▪ Master of Science in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ▪ Graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Berbee brings to the Board extensive business experience, including with respect to leadership, strategic growth, operational oversight and corporate governance. Mr. Berbee also has significant technology and cybersecurity experience, bringing the Board valuable insight with respect to its risk oversight practices. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Technology/Security
Class I – Term Expiring in 2026 |
▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
|
||
10
Londa J. Dewey Director since 2008 Independent Age 64
|
|
Experience ▪ Chief Executive Officer of QTI Management Services, Inc., a human resources and staffing company, since 2007 ▪ Past President of the Private Client Group and Market President at U.S. Bank where she was an employee from 1982 to 2007 and an Officer from 1985 to 2007 ▪ Holds the following directorships: American Family Insurance; Wealth Management Company, Northwestern Mutual Life; and Puelicher Center (UW business school). Past directorships include: Board Chair Meriter Health Services and Meriter Hospital, Wausau Paper Inc., Board Chair Edgewood College, University of Wisconsin Family Business Center, Board Chair United Way of Dane County and Foundation, and Board Chair Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Qualifications ▪ Ms. Dewey brings significant strategic leadership and governance experience as a chief executive officer, as well as strong financial skills through her prior experience as President of the Private Client Group and Market President at U.S. Bank. She also has extensive experience serving on both for-profit and nonprofit boards, giving her a deep understanding of effective organizational oversight. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
Class I – Term Expiring in 2026 |
▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Environmental/Safety |
||
Angela S. Rieger Director since 2024 Independent Age 57 |
|
Experience ▪ Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer at Lands' End, a clothing and home decor retailer, from 2023 until an announced retirement in April 2025, where she is responsible for all aspects of the product life cycle, from initial development through final sale ▪ Prior to her current position, she held several progressively advanced leadership roles at Lands' End, including Senior Vice President of International and Wholesale from 2019 through 2022 and Senior Vice President Global Planning and Inventory from 2014 to 2019 ▪ Serves on boards of Thrivent Financial and American Family Children's Hospital Development Partners Advisory Board ▪ She previously served on the boards of Clean Lakes Alliance and Women in Retail Leadership
Qualifications ▪ Ms. Rieger brings to the Board extensive business experience, including with respect to strategy development, operations oversight and organizational leadership. She also brings strategic leadership and governance expertise gained through her several leadership roles at Lands’ End. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
Class I – Term Expiring in 2026 |
▪ Environmental/Safety ▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Operations |
||
11
Patricia K. Ackerman Director since 2024 Independent Age 64 |
|
Experience ▪ Retired Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, and Treasurer of A.O. Smith, a global water heater and boiler manufacturing company, from 2018 to 2022 ▪ Served as the Management representative for A.O. Smith's Audit Committee and ESG advisor to the Board ▪ Served on the board of directors and as Governance Committee Chair for the American Red Cross for Southeast Wisconsin, Investment Policy Committee for Aurora Healthcare and a Finance Committee Member for the Wisconsin Multiple Sclerosis Society ▪ External Advisory Board member for the University of Wisconsin School of Business and is past chair for Milwaukee Women, Inc. ▪ Has her MBA from Marquette University
Qualifications ▪ Ms. Ackerman brings a unique perspective to the Board as a former head of investor relations and with extensive experience in corporate responsibility and sustainability matters. She also has a background in financial management. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
Class II - Term Expiring in 2027 |
▪ Environmental/Safety ▪ Legal/Regulated Industry
|
||
Marcia M. Anderson Director since 2018 Independent Age 67 |
|
Experience ▪ Owner of Elan Solutions, LLC, a consulting service that provides services to organizations in human capital and strategic planning, from 2020 to present ▪ Former Clerk of Court of U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Wisconsin until her retirement in 2019 ▪ Has a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College ▪ Retired from the Army in May 2016 with a rank of Major General ▪ Worked for General Public Utilities Corporation early in her career ▪ Serves on the board of directors for the Green Bay Packers and Nicolet National Bank
Qualifications ▪ Ms. Anderson brings to the Board significant leadership experience through her extensive military service, in addition to experience with public utility operations. Ms. Anderson also has public board experience, giving her valuable corporate governance experience, and bringing to the Board key insights regarding corporate reporting. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce
Class II - Term Expiring in 2027 |
▪ Legal/Regulated Industry ▪ Operations ▪ Environmental/Safety |
||
12
Jeffrey M. Keebler Director since 2017 Age 53 |
|
Experience ▪ Chairman of MGE Energy, Inc., and Madison Gas and Electric Company since October 1, 2018 ▪ President and Chief Executive Officer of MGE Energy, Inc., and Madison Gas and Electric Company since March 1, 2017 ▪ Was Senior Vice President - Energy Supply and Planning of Madison Gas and Electric Company, a position he held since July 2015 ▪ Was Assistant Vice President - Energy Supply and Customer Service, a position he held since January 2012 ▪ Has been employed at Madison Gas and Electric Company since 1995 ▪ Has a Master of Business Administration and has been involved in the public utility business for more than 25 years ▪ Holds the following directorships: Director of ATC Management Inc. and ATC Development Manager Inc., Director of the University of Wisconsin Research Park and Director of United Way of Dane County
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Keebler has served in a wide variety of roles with increasing responsibility over almost three decades with MGE Energy and MGE. Mr. Keebler brings to the Board a deep understanding of the public utility space and insight into the business of MGE Energy and MGE. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce ▪ Legal/Regulated Industry
Class II - Term Expiring in 2027 |
▪ Technology/Security ▪ Operations ▪ Environmental/Safety |
||
Gary J. Wolter Director since 2000 Age 70
|
|
Experience ▪ Past Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGE Energy, Inc., and Madison Gas and Electric Company until March 1, 2017, and was an officer since 1989 and an employee since 1984 ▪ Was an attorney ▪ Has been involved in the public utility business for 40 years ▪ Holds or has held the following directorships: Chairman of National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Director of the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and former Chair of the Board of Authority for the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
Qualifications ▪ Mr. Wolter served in a number of roles throughout his more than 30 years with MGE Energy and MGE, including 28 years as an officer. Mr. Wolter brings to the Board a wealth of industry and company-specific knowledge, in addition to his financial and legal acumen. |
|
Skills ▪ Strategic Leadership/Governance ▪ Financial Acumen ▪ Customer/Community/Workforce ▪ Legal/Regulated Industry
Class II - Term Expiring in 2027 |
▪ Technology/Security ▪ Operations ▪ Environmental/Safety |
||
NOTES:
All current directors, besides Director Wolter, became directors of MGE simultaneously when they were elected directors of MGE Energy, Inc. Director Wolter became director of MGE Energy, Inc., when it became the holding company of MGE in August 2002.
13
Governance Snapshot |
Board Structure |
Board Independence
|
▪ Eight out of 10 directors are independent ▪ 100% independent key board committees: Corporate Governance, Audit, and Human Resources and Compensation ▪ Ongoing board refreshment: Six new directors since 2018 ▪ Strong Lead Independent Director role ▪ Director tenure average of eight years |
Gender Diversity |
Ethnic/Racial Diversity |
Director Tenure |
|
|
|
|
||
Board Refreshment 6 new directors since 2018 |
|
|
Board Diversity Matrix |
Female |
Male |
Gender Identity |
4 |
6 |
Demographic Information |
|
|
African American or Black |
1 |
1 |
White/Caucasian |
3 |
5 |
Directors who are military veterans: 1 |
|
|
14
Risk Assessment and Oversight |
Enterprise-wide risk assessment and oversight are fundamental responsibilities of our board. Directors are involved in the process of overseeing the primary risks we face in the conduct of our business. Trends in economic, business and commodity market conditions and trends in legislative and regulatory initiatives are reviewed by the board as part of the Company's Enterprise Risk Management program.
The board receives, on an ongoing basis, information from management related to key business risks and mitigation strategies. These business risks include existing and emerging risks related to environmental performance and sustainability, information technology systems and cybersecurity; operational risks; financial risks; reliability risks; and regulatory risks.
The Company's Internal Audit department, on behalf of MGE management and the board, facilitates an annual Enterprise Risk Management process with each officer of the Company. The sessions with individual Company officers and management update existing areas of risk; classify new or emerging areas of risk; and identify owners responsible for assessing, managing and/or mitigating areas of risk. This serves to complement ongoing and regular presentations and reports from Company officers and subject matter experts on risk and emerging risk identification, assessment and mitigation strategies.
In addition, the board engages in a biannual comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation exercise. On a biennial basis, the board conducts a broad-based exercise with Company officers on risk and emerging risk identification, assessment and mitigation strategies. The board last conducted this exercise in 2023, with particular focus on risks associated with the Company's ongoing transition toward deep decarbonization while maintaining safe, reliable and affordable service to customers.
Our comprehensive approach encourages all our directors to initiate discussion at any time, either directly or through our Lead Independent Director, on any areas of concern, including risk identification and assessment, controls, management and oversight.
Responsibility for risk is assigned as indicated in the table below.
Full Board |
||
Enterprise Risk Management Corporate Sustainability and ESG Customer and Community Engagement |
Financial Performance Operations Public and Regulatory Policy |
Security - Cyber and Physical Strategic Risk Management |
Committees |
||
Audit |
Human Resources and Compensation |
Governance |
Financial Reporting Compliance Code of Conduct Cyber Compliance Disclosure Ethics |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Human Resources Strategies
|
Board Succession and Composition Board and Corporate Governance CEO Succession |
15
Our investor relations efforts help Company officers and the board understand how investors view the Company's policies and practices, strategies and long-term direction and help leadership assess and address emerging areas of interest to investors. We are committed to accountability and transparency and believe that understanding and considering shareholder perspectives advance those priorities. Shareholder feedback from our shareholder engagement and outreach and our investor relations program is shared with board members.
How We Engage
Company officers engage shareholders in several ways, including through:
▪ In-person and virtual meetings with institutional shareholders and others. ▪ Presentations at industry conferences and investor meetings. ▪ Annual disclosure documents, including financial and corporate responsibility and sustainability reports and related disclosures. ▪ Annual Meeting of Shareholders, during which shareholders may ask questions, which are answered either at the meeting or in follow-up afterward. ▪ Review and board discussion of Annual Meeting proxy voting results to understand voting and any shareholder comments. ▪ Responses to inquiries taken through the Company's investor site, board email and in-house Shareholder Services staff. ▪ Annual shareholder newsletters and our investor website, which is updated regularly.
These efforts are in addition to the Company's regular and ongoing investor relations program. |
Who We Engage
Company officers and members of management engage with stakeholders, including:
▪ Institutional shareholders ▪ Retail shareholders ▪ Analysts and investment firms ▪ ESG ratings firms ▪ Proxy advisory firms |
Topics Discussed in 2024
▪ Our business strategy for a more sustainable future and related initiatives ▪ Investment opportunities ▪ Climate change and deep decarbonization ▪ Financial performance ▪ Board oversight and general corporate governance matters ▪ Executive compensation |
Engagement Calendar |
|||
Post-Annual Meeting:
▪ Review feedback and results from the Annual Meeting and continue to review the Company's governance and compensation practices. ▪ Start planning for fall engagement. ▪ Continue preparation of the Company's annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report. |
Fall:
▪ Corporate Governance Committee typically meets to review emerging governance issues. ▪ Management begins institutional shareholder engagement and outreach. ▪ Begin review of updates to our annual Proxy Statement. ▪ Share with investors our annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report. |
Winter:
▪ Shareholder feedback from the engagement discussions is shared with the board. ▪ The board considers any potential changes to governance, compensation or other proxy disclosures. ▪ Publish our Form 10-K. |
Pre-Annual Meeting:
▪ Publish our Annual Report and Proxy Statement. ▪ Conduct follow-up shareholder discussions, if warranted, to discuss important Annual Meeting matters. ▪ Host Annual Meeting of Shareholders, typically in mid-May. |
16
Sustainability Governance |
Our Company seeks to foster a proactive and forward-thinking approach to ESG-related matters, beginning with board oversight of and executive leadership on key topics and emerging issues. The board takes seriously its responsibility to oversee corporate responsibility and environmental performance of the Company. Our sustainability strategy is a part of our long-term business strategy to provide for long-term growth and to meet the needs and expectations of our customers and communities, many of which have sustainability goals.
Board members bring a variety of expertise to this responsibility; for example, oversight and administration related to environmental areas, education and training related to environmental matters, and experience holding managerial and/or public positions with environmental purview. The board also draws on external expertise as appropriate for education on key topics relevant to ESG matters and to its risk oversight responsibilities.
The board's engagement with management and the Company's participation in third-party benchmarking and evaluation programs help to assess performance and promote continuous improvement. Directors are kept informed and educated through collaboration with and numerous presentations by officers of the Company and various subject matter experts, including experts from outside the Company and through industry and director training opportunities and reports provided to them by senior management on a regular basis.
Our governance structure helps to ensure that oversight and management of ESG- and sustainability-related risks and initiatives throughout the Company are incorporated into our long-term strategy and day-to-day management and operations. Our approach to these matters extends from the Board of Directors to our executive officers to our Sustainability Steering Team, leaders and internal subject matter experts.
Environmental and
Our environmental and sustainability policy guides our commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental accountability |
Sustainability
▪ Has officer representation from across MGE to provide input and oversight to the Sustainability Steering Team ▪ Keeps the Board of Directors informed on sustainability initiatives and ESG-related matters |
Sustainability Steering Team
▪ Composed of employees from across the Company ▪ Supports sustainability engagement and benchmarking ▪ Assembles the Continuous Improvement Sustainability Teams, which address specific improvement initiatives and tasks ▪ Oversees MGE's Environmental Management System (EMS) |
|
ESG Library
Visit mgeenergy.com for the following:
▪ Environmental and Sustainability Policy ▪ Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report ▪ Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Report ▪ CDP Climate Change Questionnaire ▪ EEI-AGA ESG/Sustainability Reporting Templates ▪ 2024 EEO-1 Data Report ▪ Occupational Health and Safety Policy ▪ Statement on Human Rights
|
17
Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Performance
Board oversight includes review of environmental risks and mitigation as well as assessment of current and/or future environmental regulations. It also includes review of the Company's corporate responsibility, environmental and sustainability performance and MGE's annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report and related disclosures.
Our directors understand corporate responsibility and sustainability are integral to the Company's long-term success and share management's commitment in these areas, from long-term and strategic direction to day-to-day business practices throughout the organization. To help facilitate effective oversight of ESG-related matters, the board receives timely and relevant information on a regular basis related to the Company's sustainability initiatives and performance and a wide range of ESG topics, including workforce environment and culture, safety, human rights and other ESG topics.
Carbon Reduction Goal of 80% by 2030
Reducing carbon emissions is a key component of our strategic business planning. In early 2022, MGE increased its 2030 carbon emissions goal to reduce those emissions at least 80% by 2030 (from 2005 levels). MGE already has reduced its carbon emissions by about 40% since 2005, putting the Company halfway to its 2030 goal. The Company expects to achieve its 2030 carbon reduction goal due to a number of factors:
The proposals to retire Columbia and to transition Elm Road to natural gas are subject to State regulatory and other approvals.
Path Toward Net-Zero Carbon Electricity
In May 2019, MGE was one of the first utilities in the nation to announce a goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. The Company has said that if it can go further faster by working with its customers, it will. Achievement of the Company's net-zero carbon goal will depend on, among other things, the timing, scope and relative costs of technological developments, customer participation in programs and partnerships, and regulatory support.
Prior to announcing its net-zero carbon by 2050 goal in 2019, MGE already had been on a path to reduce carbon emissions at least 80% by 2050, which aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change to limit global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius.
MGE's net-zero carbon electricity by 2050 goal is consistent with the 1.5-degree scenario contemplated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) October 2018 special report. The IPCC report relies on decarbonizing electric generation, using energy efficiently and electrifying other energy uses, including transportation. These are the strategies MGE is pursuing and will continue to pursue to achieve deep decarbonization. Using these strategies, MGE expects to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as the state of evolving technology allows, consistent with meeting our obligation to serve our customers. To advance its goals of deep decarbonization, the Company's initiatives include:
18
The Company looks forward to additional cost-effective generation investments beyond what is currently planned to enable deep decarbonization.
Analysis of Net-Zero Carbon Goal
In fall 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies released its independent analysis of MGE's goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. The analysis, by Dr. Tracey Holloway at the Nelson Institute, compared the utility's goal to the modeled pathways for the electricity sector in industrialized nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Relative to publicly available model results for carbon reductions through 2050, the UW's analysis determined MGE's goal is in line with or more aggressive than these model benchmarks for climate solutions. In January 2021, Dr. Holloway presented the findings to our Board of Directors for discussion.
Energy 2030 Framework
MGE's Energy 2030 framework lays out foundational objectives and strategic direction for building customer and shareholder value in the Company's ongoing transition toward greater sustainability. Those objectives continue to guide the Company's long-term business strategy and help to ensure all our customers benefit from the Company's clean energy transition.
As part of its ongoing assessment of corporate performance, our Board of Directors regularly reviews how well the Company is advancing its overall goals around carbon emissions reductions as well as the progress on its specific strategies for deep decarbonization. Additional information related to the Company's carbon emissions reductions is available at mgeenergy.com/environment.
Natural Gas Emissions
The Company has completed an in-depth analysis and inventory of all its greenhouse gas emissions. Included in its study are emissions associated with the Company's electric generation and distribution, purchase and distribution of natural gas, and other sources.
Throughout MGE's natural gas distribution system, MGE already has replaced and upgraded all piping made of material considered to be leak-prone. Additionally, MGE's leak inspection schedule already exceeds federal requirements.
To further address emissions associated with MGE's purchase and distribution of natural gas, the Company is building on its Energy 2030 framework. MGE has committed to strategies for working with its suppliers, pipeline operators, customers, regulators and other industry stakeholders and to the exploration of new and emerging technologies, such as renewable natural gas, to serve its customers more sustainably.
In 2024, MGE introduced a Renewable Natural Gas rate for customers interested in offsetting their use of natural gas through Renewable Thermal Certificates purchased by MGE and tracked and retired by a third party. MGE is the first utility in the state to provide this option to customers looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Business Operations
In addition to its Energy 2030 framework and carbon reduction goals, the Company is committed to reducing its environmental impacts across all areas of the organization. For example, in 2024, the Company:
MGE Energy and MGE are committed to providing transparency and accountability in Company disclosures. To learn more about the Company's initiatives, please see our annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report and ESG Data Center at mgeenergy.com/environment.
19
Board of Directors Information
|
How Our Board Operates
Board meetings are typically held at the Company's corporate headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. Board meetings are structured to provide for regular presentations by and active dialogue with MGE management. Subject matter experts from across the Company regularly present to the board on issues of strategic importance. These regular interactions provide useful information and insight relative to critical business initiatives and corporate strategy, including financial performance, environmental performance and sustainability, risk management and oversight, and corporate succession planning. In addition, the board takes advantage of external expertise as needed on key strategic topics.
The board holds strategic planning sessions periodically with all officers of the Company to review corporate strategy across all aspects of the Company's business and to provide directors with the opportunity to engage the entire senior management team on emerging and continuing issues of importance. The board held a strategic planning session with Company officers in late summer 2024.
The topics reviewed and discussed by the board during the past year include but are not limited to:
Committees
Corporate Governance Committee
The Corporate Governance Committee takes a leadership role in shaping corporate governance of the Company and in officer and director succession planning. The committee reviews and makes recommendations to the board on an ongoing basis regarding corporate governance policies and practices for the Company. The committee also reviews and makes recommendations on board and committee organization, membership, function and effectiveness.
Our board has adopted a Corporate Governance Committee Charter and Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption. More information regarding our corporate governance practices can be found on our website.
The board has determined that no member of the Corporate Governance Committee has a material relationship with the Company and that every member of the committee is independent under the listing requirements of Nasdaq and the Company's Directors Independence Standards that are contained in its Corporate Governance Guidelines.
20
Nominating Process
The Corporate Governance Guidelines also delegate to the Corporate Governance Committee the responsibility of reviewing candidates for our board and making nominations of appropriate candidates for election to the board. As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the candidate review criteria include characteristics such as integrity, business experience, knowledge and independence of judgment, as well as diversity in business and personal backgrounds in order to bring different experiences and perspectives to the board. While screening candidates, the committee will examine potential conflicts of interest, including interlocking directorships and substantial business, civic and social relationships with other members of the board that could impair a prospective board member's ability to act independently.
Given the complexity of the industry in which we operate, the board also values experience. Under the Company's retirement guidelines for directors, contained in the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, employee directors may not continue to serve as a director after ceasing to be an employee, unless requested to do so by the board. All directors are expected to retire not later than the date and time of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the date on which he or she attains the age of 75, unless requested to remain by the board.
The Corporate Governance Committee also considers qualified director candidates suggested by our shareholders. Shareholders can suggest candidates by writing to MGE Energy, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, Post Office Box 1231, Madison, Wisconsin 53701‑1231. Submissions should describe the candidate's background, experience and ownership of our shares and otherwise address the factors considered by the committee as described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines posted on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption. The Corporate Governance Committee will apply the same standards in considering candidates recommended by shareholders as it applies to other candidates.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee oversees our relationship with our internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm and discusses with them the scope and results of their audits, accounting practices and the adequacy of our internal controls. The Audit Committee also oversees compliance with enterprise risk management and cybersecurity policies and procedures. The Audit Committee also reviews all "related person transactions" for potential conflict-of-interest situations. A related person transaction is a transaction between us and one or more of our directors, executive officers or their immediate family members that is required to be disclosed pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. See "Related Person Transactions" below. The committee has a written charter that is posted on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption.
The Audit Committee has established a policy to preapprove all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Preapproval is generally provided for up to one year. Any preapproval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. Once preapproved, the services and preapproved amounts are monitored against actual charges incurred and modified if appropriate.
Our board has determined that no Audit Committee member has a material relationship with the Company and every member of the committee is otherwise independent under the listing requirements of Nasdaq and the Company's Director Independence Standards set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In addition, all Audit Committee members must meet the heightened standards for independence for Audit Committee members imposed by the SEC. Under those heightened standards, a director may not serve on the Audit Committee if the director (i) has received any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from us (other than in his or her capacity as a director) or (ii) is affiliated with us or any of our subsidiaries. All Audit Committee members meet the heightened standards. The board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are considered "audit committee financial experts," as that term is defined by the SEC.
Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Functions of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee include evaluating performance; reviewing the salaries, fees and other benefits of officers and directors; recommending compensation adjustments to the board; overseeing the design and development of new, and revisions to, compensation and benefit plans; evaluating the Company's human resource strategies around workplace environment and culture, employee engagement, talent development, retention and recruitment; assisting the board and Corporate Governance Committee with policies related to Stock Ownership Guidelines; recovering, or the "clawback" of, excess incentive compensation based on erroneous data; and succession planning.
The board has determined that each of the members of the committee has no material relationship with the Company and is otherwise independent under the listing requirements of Nasdaq and the Company's Director Independence Standards set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
21
All committee members must meet additional independence standards. Under those standards, a director may not serve on the committee if the director has received any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the Company (other than in his or her capacity as a director). All committee members meet these additional standards.
Committee members take into consideration performance on both short- and long-term corporate strategy, among other factors, when evaluating executive compensation. The committee also considers performance goals that are critical to Company performance. These goals include earnings, system reliability and customer satisfaction. In addition, the board also considers numerous qualitative performance measures that are critical to our business success, including financial strength, environmental performance, cost containment, business operations, safety and efficiency, and progress on corporate initiatives and projects.
The board has adopted a Committee Charter, which is posted on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption. See "Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Role of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee" for further information regarding the role of the committee in our executive compensation programs.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee acts in lieu of the full board and between meetings of the board. The Executive Committee has the powers of the board in the management of our business and affairs, except action with respect to dividends to shareholders, election of principal officers or the filling of vacancies on the board or committees created by the board. There was no need for the Executive Committee to meet or take action in 2024.
Director Independence
Our board makes an annual assessment of the independence of our directors under the independence guidelines adopted by Nasdaq and in our Governance Guidelines.
Our board has determined that Directors Ackerman, Anderson, Berbee, Dewey, Kelly, Possin, Rieger and Wray, as well as former Directors Bugher and Stolper, who served on our board for a portion of 2024 and retired at the 2024 Annual Meeting, are independent under the Nasdaq definition of independence and the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, which parallel the Nasdaq definition. In reaching that determination, the board considered certain relationships or arrangements that are described below. In each case, the amounts involved in the transactions between us and our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the companies with which a director or an immediate family member is associated, on the other hand, fell below the amounts identified in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nasdaq requirements as being thresholds for concerns about their effect on director independence. Because we provide utility services through our subsidiary, MGE, and many of our directors live in the area served by MGE, many of our directors either directly receive, or are affiliated with entities that receive, utility services from MGE. Similarly, because we and our subsidiaries are active in the community and make substantial charitable contributions in the areas we serve and many of our directors live in communities served by MGE and are active in those communities, many of our directors are affiliated with charities that receive contributions from us and our subsidiaries.
Related Person Transactions
The Company recognizes that transactions with related persons can present potential or actual conflicts of interest. Accordingly, we have a written policy and procedure for the review, approval or ratification of any transaction with the Company or its subsidiaries involving an amount in excess of $120,000 in which any director, executive officer, nominee for director or any of their immediate family members had a material interest, as contemplated by applicable SEC regulation. Under this policy and procedure, our Audit Committee reviews the information assembled by the Director Internal Audit regarding all transactions identified pursuant to the written policy and procedure. Based upon that review, the committee approves, ratifies or rejects the identified transaction. Information gathered by our Director Internal Audit includes:
The purpose of the information is to enable our Audit Committee to perform its review and to consider whether the transaction is on terms that are at least as favorable to the Company as achievable from an unaffiliated third party or, in the case of unique or sole source procurements, whether the transaction is fair to the Company.
There were no related person transactions requiring disclosure since the beginning of our 2024 fiscal year.
22
Code of Ethics
Our Code of Ethics applies to our directors and all our employees, including our executive officers. A copy of our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption.
Insider Trading Policy
Our board has adopted an Insider Stock Trading Policy, which governs the purchase, sale and other dispositions of MGE Energy securities by directors, officers and employees and the Company itself. The policy is designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any listing standards applicable to MGE Energy, Inc. The policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Nonemployee Director Compensation
In 2024, nonemployee directors received compensation as shown below. Directors who are our employees receive no additional fee for service as a director or a committee member. Please see the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” for the compensation received by Mr. Keebler for his service as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, with respect to 2024.
2024 Director Compensation |
||||
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
Stock Awards |
All Other Compensation |
Total |
(a) |
($)(1) |
($)(3) |
($)(2) |
($) |
Patricia K. Ackerman (4) |
62,667 |
67,000 |
3,000 |
132,667 |
Marcia M. Anderson |
93,000 |
80,000 |
- |
173,000 |
James G. Berbee |
84,500 |
80,000 |
- |
164,500 |
Mark D. Bugher (5) |
36,362 |
80,000 |
- |
116,362 |
Londa J. Dewey |
84,500 |
80,000 |
- |
164,500 |
Daniel J. Kelly (4) |
62,667 |
67,000 |
1,500 |
131,167 |
James L. Possin |
95,628 |
80,000 |
1,500 |
177,128 |
Angela S. Rieger (4) |
68,667 |
67,000 |
1,500 |
137,167 |
Thomas R. Stolper (5) |
29,989 |
80,000 |
- |
109,989 |
Gary J. Wolter |
75,500 |
80,000 |
- |
155,500 |
Noble L. Wray |
74,000 |
80,000 |
- |
154,000 |
Cash Compensation
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our Stock Ownership Guidelines, set forth within our Corporate Governance Guidelines, are an important feature of our compensation philosophy that helps align the interests of our directors with those of our shareholders. Directors are expected to achieve the applicable ownership requirement within three years from the later of the date of election or from adoption of the
23
guidelines, which occurred on January 1, 2023. For nonemployee directors, the applicable ownership requirement is equal to three times the annual cash retainer (excluding retainers for lead director service and board committee chair service). The applicable ownership requirement for Director Keebler is equal to three times his base salary as CEO.
A director can meet the ownership guidelines through the following combination of "Qualifying Shares": (i) shares of common stock owned outright or (ii) vested and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units awarded under the 2021 LTI Plan. All the Directors have achieved, or are on track to achieve, the stated stock ownership requirement by the date specified for achievement.
Meeting Attendance
The board met 10 times in 2024. Each member of the board attended more than 75% of the total number of meetings of the board and the committees on which he or she served.
Policy Regarding Annual Meeting Attendance
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines set forth our policy with respect for director attendance at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Our directors are expected and encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All our directors attended last year's virtual Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
24
Beneficial Ownership
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
Directors and Executive Officers
The first three columns of the following tables list the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 3, 2025 (except as otherwise noted), of each director and nominee, the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table, and the directors and executive officers as a group. Except as noted in those columns, the individuals in the table below have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned. As explained in Footnotes 1 and 4 to the table, the second three columns show items that are counted in meeting our common stock ownership guideline.
Name |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
Percent of Class |
Restricted Stock Units (1) |
2023 DC SERP (4) |
Total Shares Considered Owned Under Our Common Stock Ownership Guideline |
Patricia K. Ackerman |
- |
|
* |
1,979 |
- |
1,979 |
Marcia M. Anderson |
1,676 |
|
* |
3,329 |
- |
5,005 |
James G. Berbee |
11,086 |
|
* |
3,329 |
- |
14,415 |
Jared J. Bushek |
1,620 |
|
* |
5,872 |
3,126 |
10,618 |
Londa J. Dewey |
5,589 |
|
* |
3,329 |
- |
8,918 |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
10,315 |
(3) |
* |
3,743 |
- |
14,058 |
Jeffrey M. Keebler |
6,593 |
(2) |
* |
15,484 |
2,837 |
24,914 |
Daniel J. Kelly |
- |
|
* |
1,979 |
- |
1,979 |
James J. Lorenz |
2,382 |
|
* |
2,788 |
- |
5,170 |
James L. Possin |
4,751 |
|
* |
3,329 |
- |
8,080 |
Cari Anne Renlund |
1,686 |
|
* |
4,035 |
- |
5,721 |
Angela S. Rieger |
- |
|
* |
1,979 |
- |
1,979 |
Gary J. Wolter |
21,085 |
(3) |
* |
3,329 |
- |
24,414 |
Noble L. Wray |
615 |
|
* |
3,329 |
- |
3,944 |
All directors and executive officers |
68,986 |
|
* |
63,538 |
5,963 |
138,487 |
* Less than 1%
(1) The time-based restricted stock units do not represent issued common stock or a right of the holder to receive common stock within 60 days and are not considered beneficially owned in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. The amounts are shown here because the Company includes those units when determining whether a director or named executive officer has met his or her applicable share ownership guideline.
(2) J. Keebler is a director of Madison Gas and Electric Foundation, Inc., and, as such, has voting and investment power in an additional 18,000 shares of our common stock held by the Foundation. Those shares are not shown in the numbers in the table. The Foundation receives contributions primarily from MGE Energy, which are used for charitable purposes.
(3) Includes common stock held by executive officers and retired executive officers in the MGE 401(k) defined contribution plan with respect to which those persons have sole voting and investment power: L. Hobbie, 134 shares; G. Wolter, 325 shares.
(4) Includes notional shares in the "MGEE Stock Deemed Investment Fund" under MGE's 2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2023 DCSERP). Those notional shares do not represent issued common stock or a right of the holder to receive common stock within 60 days and are not considered beneficially owned in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). See "Executive Compensation - 2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan" for more information regarding the 2023 DCSERP.
25
Significant Beneficial Owners
Company records and information filed with the SEC indicate that the following shareholders beneficially owned more than 5% of the Company's common stock.
Name |
Number of Shares |
Percent of Class (1) |
BlackRock, Inc. (2) |
5,922,770 |
16.2% |
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (3) |
4,633,415 |
12.7% |
|
|
|
(1) Percentages are calculated based on 36,536,359 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 21, 2025.
(2) Based solely on Schedule 13G/A filed on April 5, 2024, in which BlackRock, Inc., on behalf of itself and certain subsidiaries, reported sole voting power for 5,862,975 shares and sole dispositive power for 5,922,770 shares as of March 31, 2024.
(3) Based solely on Schedule 13G/A filed on November 12, 2024, in which The Vanguard Group, Inc., on behalf of itself and certain subsidiaries, reported shared voting power for 62,004 shares, sole dispositive power for 4,533,701 shares and shared dispositive power for 99,714 shares as of September 30, 2024.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires each director, officer and individual beneficially owning more than 10% of a registered security to file with the SEC, within specified time frames, initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5). Based solely on such forms filed electronically with the SEC and written representations that no additional forms were required, to the best of our knowledge, all required Section 16(a) filings were timely and correctly made by reporting persons for 2024.
26
Proposal 2 |
Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our |
Our Audit Committee and our board have recommended that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) be retained as our independent registered public accounting firm in 2025. We are seeking ratification of that retention by our shareholders.
Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they choose to do so. They also are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Our Audit Committee approves each engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm to render any audit or non-audit services before the firm is engaged to render those services. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee or other designated Audit Committee member may represent the entire Audit Committee for purposes of this approval. Any services approved by the Chairperson or other designated Audit Committee member are reported to the full Audit Committee at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting after such approval has been given. No exceptions to this approval process are allowed under the Audit Committee Charter; and thus, none of the services described in the following table were approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, which otherwise would allow de minimus amounts of services to be provided without specific approval.
The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by PwC for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. (Fees include amounts related to the year indicated, which may differ from amounts billed.)
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees Disclosure |
2024 |
2023 |
Audit Fees (1) |
$1,320,924 |
$1,299,000 |
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
$80,000 |
$80,000 |
Tax Fees (3) |
$134,000 |
$124,000 |
All Other Fees |
- |
- |
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2025.
27
Audit Committee Report
Our Audit Committee consists of four directors who are independent as required by the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Pursuant to the Audit Committee's Charter, the Audit Committee assists our board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the integrity of financial reporting and accounting practices, the system of internal controls; the independence of the external auditor, the performance of the internal and external audit processes, and the Company's process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations. Management is responsible for the preparation of the Company's financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls.
Our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024, PwC, has been retained to audit those statements in accordance with professional auditing standards and is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company's audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. Their duties and responsibilities are set forth in more detail in the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the board. The Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at mgeenergy.com/governance, under the "Governance" caption.
As in prior years, the Audit Committee and management have engaged in a review in connection with the Audit Committee's consideration of whether to recommend that shareholders ratify the selection of PwC as the Company's independent auditor for 2025. In that review, the Audit Committee considered both the continued independence of PwC and whether retaining PwC is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In addition to independence, other factors considered by the Audit Committee included:
Our Audit Committee has issued the following report:
In the course of fulfilling our responsibilities, we have:
Based on the foregoing, we have recommended to the board that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Report dated as of February 21, 2025.
Patricia K. Ackerman (Chair) Daniel J. Kelly James L. Possin Noble L. Wray |
|
28
Proposal 3 |
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation |
We seek your approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers as described under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the related compensation tables in this Proxy Statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on our board or the Company. However, our board will receive and review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.
We believe our executive compensation policies and practices are effective in tying a significant portion of pay to performance, while at the same time providing competitive compensation that attracts and retains talented personnel and aligns the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders.
As described under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, we believe our annual executive compensation is competitive with the market, and our Human Resources and Compensation Committee considers market data obtained from its independent compensation consultant to help establish compensation levels. Our board believes it has been careful and prudent in its approach to executive compensation and has generally taken a conservative approach, taking into account the impact of such programs on our cost to customers and returns to our shareholders. Our program for 2024 was based on cash compensation and share-based awards, consisting of salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation. Our long-term incentives are intended to encourage attention to, and reward participants for, the performance of our stock over a long-term period. Our Human Resources and Compensation Committee monitors executive compensation programs and adopts changes to reflect the dynamic marketplace in which we compete for talent as well as general economic, regulatory and legislative developments affecting executive compensation. We will continue to emphasize compensation arrangements that align the financial interests of our executives with the interests of long-term shareholders.
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of MGE Energy, Inc., approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related materials disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ON THE ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
29
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
In this section, we describe the material components of our 2024 compensation program for our named executive officers listed in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table (the named executive officers or NEOs). For 2024, our NEOs were:
(1) On February 21, 2025, L. Hobbie informed the Company that she plans to retire by the end of 2025.
Highlights - 2024 Performance
|
Financial |
|
Strategic |
|
Operational |
Consecutive dividend increases
Strong credit ratings
Substantial sustainable investment |
41% reduction in carbon since 2005
Focus on affordability through cost management and innovative programming
10-year anniversary of safety initiative |
Top-ranked energy reliability
Zero reported injuries after multiday
50+ megawatts of capacity added in 2024 |
|||
Executive Compensation Program
Our executive compensation program is designed to compensate our NEOs fairly based upon an assessment of compensation available in the marketplace where we compete for executive talent and our desire to achieve a balance of short-term and long-term incentives for maintaining and improving Company performance and shareholder value.
The table below outlines each of the principal elements of the Company’s 2024 executive compensation programs for NEOs:
|
Pay Element |
|||
|
Salary |
Annual Cash |
Performance Share |
Restricted Stock |
Who Receives |
All NEOs |
|||
When Granted |
Annually |
|||
Form of Delivery |
Cash |
Combination of cash or equity |
Equity |
|
Type of Performance |
Short-term |
Short-term |
Long-term |
|
Performance Period |
1 Year |
3 Year |
||
How Payout Determined |
Human Resources and Compensation Committee (Committee) and board |
Based upon objectives established by Committee and board |
Based upon objectives established by Committee and board plus stock price at vesting |
Based upon stock price at vesting |
2024 Performance Measures |
Individual Performance Expectations |
Earnings per share (EPS), customer satisfaction ratings, service reliability, Other Corporate Goals, Individual Performance |
EPS, Return on Equity (ROE), Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR), Stock Price |
At-risk based on stock price fluctuations |
30
2024 Say-on-Pay Vote Each year, MGE Energy provides shareholders with a non-binding advisory vote on its executive compensation programs. The Company received approximately 94% support for its “say-on-pay” vote at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and an average support level of 94% for the Company’s “say-on-pay” votes over the last five years. The Committee evaluated the results of the say-on-pay vote, and in light of the strong shareholder support, decided to maintain the core design of our executive compensation programs. The Committee will continue to consider the outcomes of the future say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions. |
|
Alignment of Executive Compensation Programs with Operational Performance and Stakeholder Interests
The Committee believes a balanced mix of compensation with a blend of short-term and long-term incentives encourages short-range and long-range strategic thinking, which is important given the nature of utility operations and the Company's capital investment necessary in the coming years. We believe that the metrics in our 2024 executive compensation programs balance the needs of our various stakeholders and incentivize actions to provide the best-in-class gas and electric service.
Base Salary
We pay base salaries to provide management with a level of fixed compensation at competitive levels to reflect their professional skills, responsibilities and performance to attract and retain key executives. We adjust base salaries taking into consideration changes in the market, changes in responsibilities and performance against job expectations. We also consider the nature of the position, responsibilities, skills, internal equity and experience of the officer and his or her past performance. The Committee and board also consider expectations with respect to the economic and regulatory climate at the time of review. Based on these considerations, the Committee and board established base salaries for the NEOs in the following amounts: J. Keebler - $775,000; J. Bushek - $400,033; C.A. Renlund - $402,285; L. Hobbie - $377,988; and J. Lorenz - $305,704.
Annual Cash Incentive Awards
Our executive officers, including the named executive officers, are partially compensated through annual short-term incentives (STI). Our STI is intended to reward the NEOs for achievement of short-term Company and individual performance goals.
Setting the Target Opportunity under Short-Term Incentive Program
The incentives are based on objective metric-specific targets and the board’s subjective assessment of overall corporate performance and individual performance. The program is structured to allow payments in excess of the target bonus amount in the event of performance exceeding the target levels, subject to an overall individual limit of 150% of target. This element of compensation provides executive officers with the opportunity for annual cash bonuses tied directly to the achievement of the Company and individual performance goals. The Committee and board believe the structure of our STI encourages executive officers to achieve superior annual performance on key financial, strategic and operational goals.
In designing the Company’s STI, the Committee and board seek to maintain flexibility to refine the program to be responsive to our operating environment and to continue to incentivize actions to drive operational performance and long-term strategies. The board recognizes that not every opportunity or threat that may present itself over the course of the year can be anticipated when the goals for the year are established. Further, the board recognizes that making decisions takes judgment to balance the interests of various constituencies. The board believes it is necessary to encourage actions that have a long-term focus and support our strategy and shareholder value creation without concern that the success of such actions may not be immediately quantifiable. In order to evaluate and reward management’s responsiveness to an evolving operating environment, the board maintains some flexibility in the program by not tying all bonus compensation to a predetermined formula. This flexibility allows the board to appropriately reward performance in areas deemed critical to the Company’s long-term strategy.
The following components make up the target bonus opportunity, each as described further below:
2024 STI Pay for Performance Alignment
The size of the 2024 short-term incentive aggregate target bonus for the NEOs was $1,212,458, an increase of $203,057 from the aggregate target bonus for 2023 established for the same group of NEOs, due to base salary increases from the prior year and 5% increases in the target STI opportunities for J. Keebler and C.A. Renlund and 10% increases in the target bonus opportunities for J. Bushek and J. Lorenz. L. Hobbie's target bonus opportunity remained unchanged. The Committee and board determined the incentive opportunities after reviewing market data and individual performance. Based on these considerations, the Committee and
31
board established 2024 target bonus opportunities, as a percentage of base salary, for the NEOs in the following amounts: J. Keebler – 65%; J. Bushek – 55%; C.A. Renlund - 45%; L. Hobbie – 45%; and J. Lorenz – 45%. The actual award may be above or below the target, with the maximum award capped at 150% of the target.
The following is a summary of the results of each component of the bonus:
Consistent with the approach used in recent years, the Committee and board developed objective targets for 2024 based on EPS, customer satisfaction ratings and service reliability, with these goals reflective of our approach of balancing the needs of our various stakeholders and incentivizing actions to provide the best-in-class gas and electric service. Those targets are shown below. Actual payouts for the named executive officers reflected an assessment that performance exceeded the target level of performance, resulting in a payout equal to 53.0% of the metric-specific incentive pool versus a targeted level of 40%.
Metric-Specific Targets - 40% at Targeted Level of Performance |
||||||
|
Percent of |
Required Level of Performance (1) |
|
Percent of |
||
Goals |
Target |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Actual |
Actual |
Earnings Per Share |
20% |
$2.87 |
$3.19 |
$3.51 |
$3.33 |
24.4% |
Customer Satisfaction Ratings: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall satisfaction rating in annual customer survey for residential customers (2) |
5% |
4.10 |
4.40 |
4.70 |
4.63 |
6.9% |
Overall satisfaction rating in annual customer survey for commercial customers (2) |
5% |
4.10 |
4.40 |
4.70 |
4.60 |
6.7% |
Service Reliability: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electric reliability (average of SAIFI and SAIDI reported in national survey based on 2023 results) (3)(4) |
5% |
Top-half |
Top-quartile |
Top-decile |
Top-decile |
7.5% |
Gas safety measures (average response time for emergency calls and third-party damages rankings in national survey based on 2023 results) (4) |
5% |
Top-half |
Top-quartile |
Top-decile |
Top-decile |
7.5% |
Total |
40% |
- |
- |
- |
- |
53.0% |
The corporate goals consist of accomplishments the board deems important with respect to the Company’s strategic operating plan related to key financial, strategic and operational performance and which supported the Company’s ability to achieve the metric-specific targets. Target payout for these corporate goals was expected to be reasonably achievable with strong management performance, with payouts above maximum expected to be more difficult to achieve in light of historical performance and the operating environment at the time the 2024 STI was established. As part of assessing the degree of achievement in this component, the CEO reviews information with the board on how Company activities, initiatives and programs have advanced the goals over the year. His review includes information on how the Company has advanced overall corporate strategies.
For 2024, the Committee and board determined that management's performance on the subjective measures for the Other Corporate Goals category, as discussed in the section entitled "Highlights - 2024 Performance" above, should result in a payout at 35% versus the target level of 30%. All named executive officers are compensated at the same percentage of target for the Other Corporate Goals category because of the interrelated nature of these items amongst the officers and the required coordinated, cross-functional focus and effort of the NEOs. We believe this encourages a team approach.
32
The individual component is assessed based on the degree to which the NEO’s individual performance contributed to the Company’s achievement of the strategic operating plan and the Company’s ability to achieve the metric-specific targets. Target payout on the individual component was expected to be reasonably achievable with strong performance, with payouts above maximum expected to be more difficult to achieve in light of historical performance and the operating environment at the time the 2024 STI was established.
When determining the CEO's individual performance percentage for 2024, the Committee and board considered the Company's strong performance against the metrics-driven targets discussed above, such as strong earnings and continued top-decile performance in electric reliability, as well as the subjective assessment of management's overall performance against other measures identified by the board. As a result, our CEO was compensated at 38% versus the target level of 30% for his individual performance. Similar considerations were taken into account for the remaining named executive officers, including the strong financial performance of the Company and the degree of accomplishment of individual goals within their respective functions. The remaining named executive officers were compensated between 30% and 38% for their individual performance.
The actual STI payout for the CEO was 126% of his target amount and the actual aggregate payouts to the NEOs for 2024 was $1,503,227, which was 124% of the incentive pool at the target level of performance.
Long-Term Incentive Program
Long-Term Incentive Pay for Performance Alignment
Our Committee and board believe that the combination of our annual and longer-term incentive awards provides appropriate short- and long-term incentives to perform while creating additional and necessary retention for our key executives. Awards under our 2021 LTI Plan, which consist of PSUs tied to performance metrics and time-based RSU awards, seek to reward performance by selected executives over a three-year period.
Setting Award Levels in 2024
In 2024, we issued awards under the 2021 LTI Plan that are intended to align long-term compensation incentives with shareholders' interests. Each award consists of equal amounts of RSUs and PSUs, which were subject to the terms described in the table below:
Long-Term Incentive Plan |
||
PSUs |
▪ 50% of target LTI opportunity ▪ Performance goals and weightings: ▪ 50% average ROE ▪ 50% cumulative EPS ▪ Market Performance 0%-50% relative TSR ▪ 2024-2026 performance period, with vesting 0% - 200% payout curve (threshold vesting of 50%) |
▪ Multiyear vesting schedule with 100% of the award scheduled to vest on December 31, 2026, subject to continued service and achievement of the applicable performance goals. ▪ The total number of PSUs ultimately settled will equal the percentage achievement of the performance measures plus the percentage achievement of the market measure, multiplied by the target number of PSUs granted. ▪ May be settled in cash, stock or a combination of cash and stock-settled based on NEO election at or before the end of the performance period. |
RSUs |
▪ 50% of target LTI opportunity |
▪ Cliff-vest on December 31, 2026 ▪ Stock-settled |
Average ROE and cumulative EPS are equally weighted and were set to be moderately difficult to achieve. Each performance goal is measured using a threshold, target and maximum level of 50%, 100% and 150%, respectively, with performance below threshold resulting in no vesting with respect to such measure. Our board retained limited rights to adjust the measures to reflect modifications outside the control of Company management made by regulatory agencies. However, no such adjustments have been made since the issuance of the awards. Actual targets used in our PSU cycles are not disclosed until each cycle is completed to safeguard the confidentiality of our long-term outlook on projected performance. This policy is aligned with our long-standing disclosure practice to not provide performance guidance.
Market performance accounts for up to 50% of the award target. If the Company's relative total shareholder return compared to the EEI index companies is at or below the 50th percentile, between the 50th percentile and 75th percentile, or at or above the 75th percentile, the numbers of units earned will be 0%, 25% and 50% of the initial units granted, respectively.
33
For 2024, our CEO was granted aggregate RSUs and PSUs equal to 90% of base salary, while the remaining named executive officers were granted aggregate RSUs and PSUs, as a percentage of base salary, in the following amounts: J. Bushek – 65%; C.A. Renlund – 50%; L. Hobbie – 50%; and J. Lorenz – 45%. Additional information regarding vesting in the event of the executive's death, disability, or change in control is provided under "Potential Payments upon Employment Termination or Change in Control."
2022 Long-Term Incentive Results and Payouts
The board granted PSU awards to participants under the 2021 LTI Plan in 2022. Payouts on those PSUs were measured over a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2024, based upon a target cumulative EPS over the three-year performance period of $8.51 and a target ROE of 9.5% for the three-year performance period. The cumulative three-year impact of the Company's performance against the additional performance measures, EPS and ROE, was a 50% increase in the vesting percentage of the PSUs for a total vesting level of 150%. Similar to the PSUs awarded in 2024, as described above, the number of units earned was subject to adjustment, from 0% to 50%, based upon our TSR over the three-year period relative to the TSR of the EEI index companies. Our TSR for that three-year period was at the 66th percentile of the peer group, resulting in an additional 25% adder. Each NEO vested at 175% of the target PSUs granted, with the PSUs settled in cash. The actual payouts were determined by multiplying the number of vested PSUs by the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024.
Other Elements of Our 2024 Executive Compensation Programs
Other Benefits
Our named executive officers participate in our corporate-wide benefit programs. In addition, the Company provides the named executive officers with limited yet competitive benefits that the Committee believes are consistent with the Company’s philosophy of attracting and retaining talent.
All of our NEOs participate in our 401(k) retirement plans and, depending on their date of hire, our NEOs are eligible to participate in our pension plan (the Retirement Plan) and other retirement plans as described further below.
Based on the dates they became executive officers, the Company offers two named executive officers, J. Keebler and L. Hobbie, certain executive supplemental retirement benefits under individual income continuation agreements. Retirement benefits under the agreements supplement benefits from the qualified pension plan (Retirement Plan). The benefit formulas are outlined below in the 2024 Pension Benefits Table.
Executives hired after December 31, 2006, are not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan but do participate, like all employees hired after December 31, 2006, in an enhanced 401(k) retirement plan. C.A. Renlund and J. Bushek were hired after December 31, 2006 and participate in the enhanced 401(k) retirement plan. J. Lorenz, hired prior to 2007, participates in the Retirement Plan and a 401(k) plan with a lower employer contribution.
Our NEOs are also eligible to participate in the 2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2023 DCSERP). The 2023 DCSERP provides participants with the ability to defer compensation into market-based notional investments (including Company stock), provide restoration benefits lost as a result of defined contribution plan compensation limits under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and provide supplemental market-based retirement benefits to help us recruit and retain executives. Executives with an income continuation agreement are not eligible for restoration or supplemental benefits under the 2023 DCSERP. Discretionary contributions are also permitted under the 2023 DCSERP.
The board has approved contributions for all eligible participants under the 2023 DCSERP, excluding executive officers with income continuation agreements, consisting of a restoration contribution equal to 9.5% of compensation above limits applicable to the defined contribution tax-qualified retirement plans under the Code and a supplemental contribution of 6% of compensation.
Additional information regarding the 2023 DCSERP is shown in the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table.
Based on a review of competitive market practices, in 2024, the Company entered into individual supplemental disability policies for executive officers of the Company, including each of the named executive officers. The policies pay disabled individuals a supplemental disability benefit in excess of the group disability coverage up to 60% of salary and STI; coverage varies by individual and may be adjusted from year to year with approval from the Committee.
Severance Arrangements
During 2024, each of the NEOs were subject to a Severance Agreement that provided for severance benefits upon certain qualifying terminations of employment with the Company. The Committee believes that these severance benefits (1) help secure the continued employment and dedication of our NEOs and (2) are important as a recruitment and retention device, as many of the companies with which we compete for executive talent have similar agreements in place for their senior management.
Additional information regarding the employment arrangements with each of our NEOs, including, with respect to each of our NEOs, a quantification of the payments and benefits that would have been received by each such NEO had his or her employment terminated on December 31, 2024, is provided under “Potential Payments upon Employment Termination or Change in Control.”
34
Clawback Provisions
The Company has adopted the MGE Energy, Inc. Policy on Recoupment of Incentive Compensation to comply with SEC and NYSE listing rules that require the Company to recoup incentive compensation paid to certain current or former executive officers of the Company, including the NEOs, in the event of an accounting restatement.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our Stock Ownership Guidelines are an important feature of our compensation philosophy that helps align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. Executives are expected to achieve the applicable ownership requirement within the later of five years of the date they assume their current position or from adoption of the guidelines.
The guidelines vary by position. For the Chief Executive Officer, they are equal to a multiple of three times annual base salary. For Executive Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or the Chief Financial Officer, they are equal to a multiple of 1.5 times annual base salary; and for all other Vice Presidents, they are equal to a multiple of one times annual base salary.
An officer can meet the ownership guidelines through the following combination of "Qualifying Shares": (i) shares of common stock owned outright, (ii) vested and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units awarded under the 2021 LTI Plan, and (iii) notional shares in the "MGEE Stock Deemed Investment Fund" under MGE's 2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2023 DC SERP) and/or other Deferred Compensation Agreements. Unearned performance awards do not count for this purpose.
All the NEOs have achieved, or are on track to achieve, the stated stock ownership requirement by the date specified for achievement.
Anti-Pledging and Hedging Policies
We maintain a "no pledging" policy that prohibits directors and executive officers from pledging their shares of the Company's common stock to secure indebtedness, including a prohibition against maintaining those shares in a brokerage margin account.
We also maintain a "no hedging" policy that prohibits directors and executive officers from engaging in any kind of hedging transaction that seeks to reduce or limit that person's economic risk associated with his or her ownership of shares of the Company's common stock.
How We Make Executive Compensation Decisions
Our approach to establishing executive compensation is to assess periodically the ranges of comparable executive compensation within the competitive market and then to set overall compensation within a competitive market range. Market-based salary ranges are examined for each position, and an executive's positioning within that range is determined by that individual's experience in their position as well as the Committee's evaluation of that individual's performance during the year.
Our compensation programs are designed to link a significant portion of the compensation of our named executive officers to defined performance standards that promote a balance of the drive for near-term earnings and returns with growth in long-term shareholder value.
Our Executive Compensation Philosophies and Objectives
The principal goal of our compensation programs is to pay our employees, including all our executive officers, at levels which:
In addition to its review of external competitive factors, the Committee considers internal equity among colleagues in determining compensation levels. This means that while the Committee considers competitive pay data for specific positions, such data is not the sole factor considered in setting pay levels as the Committee believes promoting internal equity helps to provide long-term stability among its senior management.
Our Committee believes it is important to place a significant amount of an executive's total compensation at risk in the form of variable pay, including both short-term and long-term incentives, in order to better align the Company's pay packages with the interests of our shareholders and customers. Actual award levels are determined based on a variety of factors examined by the Committee, including Company performance, individual performance and market data. In addition, the board considers progress on long-term corporate strategy and performance in setting incentive targets under this program.
35
An additional element of our compensation strategy is to promote a long-term commitment to the Company. As a consequence, while we believe compensation should have a strong performance link, we also believe the Company benefits from creating a team of tenured, seasoned professionals with significant industry experience. The purpose of this long-term compensation mechanism, including vesting requirements and annual grant design, is to promote long-term retention and stability among the senior management team by creating significant potential forfeitures of value for employees who depart for other employment opportunities. The Committee believes this approach will appropriately reward our executives while protecting the Company's long-term investment in its executives.
Our Committee does not believe that our policies and practices with respect to executive and nonexecutive compensation are likely to encourage risk taking outside our established policies, practices and risk management programs.
Role of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee
The Committee, in consultation with its compensation consultant and the other independent directors on our board, determines the amounts and elements of compensation for our executive officers and provides overall guidance for our executive compensation policies and programs. Our independent directors are responsible for the final approval of those recommendations, as they relate to the compensation of our CEO; and our board, including our CEO, is responsible for the final approval of those recommendations as they relate to the compensation of our executive officers other than our CEO. Additional information about the Committee is described in its charter, which can be found on our website mgeenergy.com/governance.
Under its charter, our Committee is empowered to retain, compensate and terminate compensation consultants and other advisors as considered necessary to the accomplishment of its work. With respect to 2024 compensation decisions, the Committee was assisted by Willis Towers Watson, who was hired by the Committee as an independent compensation consultant. The Committee has engaged FW Cook as an independent compensation consultant to advise the Committee with respect to executive compensation decisions beginning in 2025.
To arrive at informed decisions, the Committee collects and/or considers input from various sources and may invite certain senior executives or non-Committee board members to attend Committee meetings to discuss executive compensation and individual performance. Subject to the Committee's direction, invitees provide additional insight, suggestions or recommendations regarding compensation decisions. Deliberations generally occur with input from the compensation consultant, management or other board members. Only independent board members may vote on compensation decisions for the CEO, which are always done without the CEO being present.
The Committee also considers the results of the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation. That vote, which last occurred at our Annual Meeting in 2024, expressed strong approval for our executive compensation programs. As a result, the Committee has not changed its basic compensation policies.
Guidance from Independent Compensation Consultant
Willis Towers Watson was hired as an independent compensation consultant in 2013 to assist the Committee with a review and benchmarking of the Company's compensation programs and levels. Willis Towers Watson provided benchmarking updates in December 2023. The consultant was hired directly by the Committee, and the Committee retains full autonomy to direct the consultant's activities. The consultant has no prior relationship with our CEO or any of our Company's senior management. The consultant was determined by the Committee to be independent in connection with its original retention and was redetermined to be independent in 2024, after considering the independence factors prescribed by Nasdaq, in connection with the selection of compensation consultants. The Committee asked its compensation consultant to develop an approach and conduct studies to determine "competitive market" compensation. Working with the Committee, the compensation consultant identified a peer group for the study, looking at industry-specific survey data and information available from published proxy statements. The objective was to identify companies representing the Company's broad labor market for talent while maintaining comparability, having sufficient size to avoid distortions from a single company, and ensuring sufficient and credible data are available.
In the process of assisting the Committee, the compensation consultant may interact directly with our CEO, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, head of Human Resources and their staffs to provide the Committee with relevant compensation and performance data for our executives and the Company. In addition, the consultant may seek comments and feedback from specific members of our Company's management to the extent the consultant finds it necessary or desirable to do so.
Comparison to Relevant Peer Group
The Committee primarily relied on Willis Towers Watson’s Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey for benchmarking data. Survey samples used for the named executive officers were controlled by Willis Towers Watson to reflect only organizations of
36
comparable size to the Company in terms of revenues. In addition to the survey data, the Committee also reviewed data from an industry peer group selected by Willis Towers Watson. The group, as updated in December 2023, is listed below. The changes in the composition of the peer group reflected mergers and acquisitions involving prior members of the group as well as adjustments for peer revenues relative to MGE and industry focus.
Companies Used for Compensation and Benchmark Purposes |
||
ALLETE, Inc. |
IDACORP, Inc. |
Otter Tail Corporation |
Avista Corporation |
Northwest Natural Holding Company |
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. |
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation |
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. |
Sunnova Energy International, Inc. |
Genie Energy Ltd. |
Ormat Technologies Inc. |
Unitil Corporation |
When reviewing competitive market data, the Committee examines the range of market data but does not set a specific targeted percentile as part of its compensation philosophy. An executive's positioning against the competitive labor market is intended to reflect that executive's experience, marketability and performance over a period of time. While we use benchmarking as described above in determining appropriate compensation ranges, the Committee avoids making "automatic" adjustments based on an employee's positioning relative to the market. The Committee believes this approach better utilizes competitive data to facilitate rather than drive the Company's pay decisions, which we believe allows us flexibility to adjust pay decisions based on individual performance and other factors deemed relevant by the Committee.
Depending on whether the Company and individual performance meets expectations, realized total compensation during any given year may be above or below the benchmark compensation levels. The amount and structure of compensation can also vary by executive due to negotiations and competitive pressures inherent in attracting and hiring experienced leaders in the utilities industry. To help attract and retain such talent, the Committee also seeks to provide an appropriate level of employee benefits comparable to those in the utility industry and to publicly traded companies.
Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of MGE Energy oversees the Company's compensation programs on behalf of the board. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed with management the "Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis" set forth in this Proxy Statement.
In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the board that the "Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis" be included in this Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Report dated as of March 12, 2025
Marcia M. Anderson (Chair)
James G. Berbee
Daniel J. Kelly
Angela S. Rieger
37
2024 Summary Compensation Table
Shown below are the elements of compensation paid or earned by our CEO, our CFO and our three most highly compensated executive officers (other than our CEO and CFO) serving as of December 31, 2024, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and, to the extent required by SEC rules, for 2023 and 2022.
2024 Summary Compensation Table |
||||||||||
Name and |
Year |
Salary |
Bonus |
Stock |
Option Awards |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation |
Change in |
All Other Compensation |
Total |
Total |
(1) |
(b) |
($) |
($) |
($) (2) |
($) (3) |
($) (4) |
($) (5) |
($) (6) |
($) |
($) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler |
2024 |
758,272 |
- |
703,219 |
- |
634,725 |
14,170 |
15,745 |
2,126,131 |
2,126,131 |
and Chief Executive |
2023 |
710,710 |
- |
546,536 |
- |
559,337 |
740,314 |
9,900 |
2,566,797 |
1,842,707 |
Officer (PEO) |
2022 |
671,666 |
- |
504,032 |
- |
474,849 |
19,170 |
9,150 |
1,678,867 |
1,678,867 |
Jared J. Bushek |
2024 |
386,819 |
- |
252,570 |
- |
277,223 |
3,679 |
95,370 |
1,015,661 |
1,015,661 |
Chief Financial |
2023 |
347,519 |
- |
184,206 |
- |
208,584 |
4,212 |
76,358 |
820,879 |
820,879 |
Officer and Treasurer (PFO) |
2022 |
307,787 |
- |
139,492 |
- |
161,532 |
4,647 |
229,761 |
843,219 |
843,219 |
Cari Anne Renlund |
2024 |
395,900 |
- |
206,525 |
- |
217,234 |
- |
93,785 |
913,444 |
913,444 |
General Counsel |
2023 |
377,048 |
- |
187,887 |
- |
184,846 |
- |
82,938 |
832,719 |
832,719 |
and Secretary |
2022 |
359,093 |
- |
173,362 |
- |
175,874 |
- |
352,631 |
1,060,959 |
1,060,959 |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
2024 |
373,142 |
- |
195,899 |
- |
200,711 |
- |
11,484 |
781,236 |
781,236 |
President Marketing |
2023 |
358,790 |
- |
199,890 |
- |
197,270 |
241,087 |
9,900 |
1,006,937 |
765,850 |
Communications |
2022 |
346,078 |
- |
187,969 |
- |
189,501 |
- |
9,150 |
732,698 |
732,698 |
James J. Lorenz |
2024 |
294,786 |
- |
132,416 |
- |
173,334 |
69,759 |
43,297 |
713,592 |
643,833 |
Note: In order to show the effect that the year-over-year change in pension value had on total compensation, as determined under applicable SEC rules, we have included an additional column to show total compensation minus the change in pension value. The amounts reported in the Total Without Change in Pension Value column may or may not differ substantially from the amounts reported in the Total column required under SEC rules and should not be viewed as a substitute for total compensation as calculated in accordance with SEC rules. Total Without Change in Pension Value represents total compensation, as determined under applicable SEC rules, minus the change in pension value reported in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column. We are providing this additional context as the change in pension value is subject to many external variables, such as interest rates, that are not related to Company performance. Therefore, we believe that total compensation minus the change in pension value provides helpful additional information for comparative purposes.
38
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of |
Grant Date Fair |
||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Approval Date |
Threshold |
Target 100% |
Maximum 150% |
|
Threshold |
Target 100% |
Maximum 200% |
Shares of |
Value of Stock and Option Awards |
(a) |
(b) |
|
($) |
($) |
($) |
|
(#) |
(#) |
(#) |
(#) |
($) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler |
(1) |
|
251,875 |
503,750 |
755,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(PEO) |
03/01/2024(2) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
2,581 |
5,162 |
10,324 |
|
377,032 |
|
03/01/2024(3) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,162 |
326,187 |
Jared J. Bushek |
(1) |
|
110,009 |
220,018 |
330,027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(PFO) |
03/01/2024(2) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
927 |
1,854 |
3,708 |
|
135,416 |
|
03/01/2024(3) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,854 |
117,154 |
Cari Anne Renlund |
(1) |
|
90,514 |
181,028 |
271,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/01/2024(2) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
758 |
1,516 |
3,032 |
|
110,729 |
|
03/01/2024(3) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,516 |
95,796 |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
(1) |
|
85,048 |
170,095 |
255,143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/01/2024(2) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
719 |
1,438 |
2,876 |
|
105,032 |
|
03/01/2024(3) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,438 |
90,867 |
James J. Lorenz |
(1) |
|
68,784 |
137,567 |
206,351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
03/01/2024(2) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
486 |
972 |
1,944 |
|
70,995 |
|
03/01/2024(3) |
02/16/2024(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
972 |
61,421 |
39
We have a long-term incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2021 LTI Plan, under which certain key executives of the Company may be awarded PSUs, whose value is tied to the achievement of performance conditions described more fully under the 2024 Long-Term Incentives section, and RSUs, whose value is tied to changes in the Company's share price and any dividend payments made by the Company during the vesting period applicable to the awarded units. PSUs are settled by the Company in cash, stock or a combination of cash and stock. RSUs are settled by the Company in stock. The awards are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 718 as stock-based awards. That accounting also determines the presentation under applicable SEC disclosure rules, including the tables presented above and below. The 2024 awards under the 2021 LTI Plan vest on a three-year cliff vesting period. In the event of a bona fide retirement, not followed by work for a competitor, the executive will receive full vesting credit for each outstanding award. The awards vest 100% on the occurrence of a change in control. See the Potential Payments on Employment Termination or Change in Control section below.
For 2024, the Company made awards under the 2021 LTI Plan equal to 90% of base salary for the CEO and between 45% to 65% of base salary for each other NEO. Award values are based on the Company's share price on the date of grant plus dividend equivalents to be received over the three-year term of the award.
Actual value of units upon settlement may increase or decrease from the grant date fair values shown in the table based upon changes in the Company's share price and any changes in the actual dividends declared over the three-year term of the awards and, in the case of the PSUs, the extent to which the performance conditions are achieved.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2024 |
|||||
|
|
Stock Awards |
|||
Name |
Grant Year |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: |
(a) |
|
(#) (1) (2) |
($) (4) |
(#) (2) (3) |
($) (3) (4) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler (PEO) |
2023 |
3,415 |
320,873 |
6,830 |
641,747 |
|
2024 |
5,162 |
485,022 |
10,324 |
970,043 |
Jared J. Bushek (PFO) |
2023 |
1,151 |
108,148 |
2,302 |
216,296 |
|
2024 |
1,854 |
174,202 |
3,708 |
348,404 |
Cari Anne Renlund |
2023 |
1,174 |
110,309 |
2,348 |
220,618 |
|
2024 |
1,516 |
142,443 |
3,032 |
284,887 |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
2023 |
1,249 |
117,356 |
2,498 |
234,712 |
|
2024 |
1,438 |
135,114 |
2,876 |
270,229 |
James J. Lorenz |
2023 |
737 |
69,249 |
1,474 |
138,497 |
|
2024 |
972 |
91,329 |
1,944 |
182,658 |
40
2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested |
|||
|
Stock Awards |
||
Name |
Long-term Equity Awards |
Number of Shares |
Value Realized |
(a) |
|
(#) (1) |
($) (2) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler (PEO) |
PSUs |
5,495 |
543,868 |
|
RSUs |
3,140 |
310,782 |
Jared J. Bushek (PFO) |
PSUs |
1,521 |
150,541 |
|
RSUs |
869 |
86,009 |
Cari Anne Renlund |
PSUs |
1,890 |
187,063 |
|
RSUs |
1,080 |
106,893 |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
PSUs |
2,049 |
202,800 |
|
RSUs |
1,171 |
115,900 |
James J. Lorenz |
PSUs |
1,209 |
119,661 |
|
RSUs |
691 |
68,392 |
2024 Pension Benefits Table |
||||
Name |
Plan Name |
Number of |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit |
Payments during 2024 |
(a) |
(b) |
(#) |
($) |
(e) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler (PEO) |
Retirement Plan |
30 |
1,019,588 |
- |
|
Income Continuation Agreement |
30 |
2,825,072 |
- |
Jared J. Bushek (PFO) (1) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Cari Anne Renlund (1) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Lynn K. Hobbie |
Retirement Plan |
33 |
1,614,569 |
- |
|
Income Continuation Agreement |
33 |
3,089,174 |
- |
James J. Lorenz |
Retirement Plan |
37 |
1,429,570 |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1) J. Bushek and C. A. Renlund were hired subsequent to December 31, 2006, when the Retirement Plan was replaced by a 401(k) retirement plan for employees hired after that date.
The Madison Gas and Electric Company Retirement Plan (Retirement Plan) is a funded, tax-qualified, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan closed to new entrants hired after December 31, 2006. Benefits are payable at retirement in the form of an annuity. Earnings, for purposes of calculation of benefits under the Retirement Plan, include salary and STI but exclude payments from awards made under the 2021 LTI Plan and pay deferred under nonqualified deferred compensation agreements. The amount of annual earnings that may be considered in calculating benefits under the Retirement Plan is limited by law. For 2024, the annual limitation is $345,000. In 2025, it increased to $350,000.
Benefits under the Retirement Plan are calculated as an annuity based upon the employee's years of service to a maximum of 30 and the employee's highest average earnings for the 60 consecutive calendar month period during the 120 consecutive calendar month period preceding the employee's retirement multiplied by 1.4% for each year of service. The Retirement Plan currently limits pensions paid under the Retirement Plan to an annual maximum in 2024 of $275,000 payable at age 65 in accordance with Internal Revenue Service requirements. Contributions to the Retirement Plan are made entirely by MGE and paid into a trust fund from which benefits of participants will be paid.
41
Eligibility for early retirement under the Retirement Plan is age 55 and five years of service. Benefits in the form of an annuity are available on a reduced basis at age 55 and an unreduced basis at age 65 or at age 62 with 15 years of service. L. Hobbie qualifies for unreduced benefits, J. Lorenz qualifies for reduced benefits and J. Keebler is not yet eligible for retirement. J. Bushek and C. A. Renlund are not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan.
Each NEO, except J. Bushek, C. A. Renlund, and J. Lorenz has also entered into an income continuation agreement to supplement benefits from the Retirement Plan. The income continuation agreements are unfunded, and benefits are paid from the Company's general assets. Benefits are payable upon the six-month anniversary of the employee's retirement in the form of a 10‑year certain and life annuity. Earnings, for purposes of the income continuation agreements, include salary, STI and nonqualified deferred compensation but exclude payments from awards made under the 2021 LTI Plan.
Benefits under the income continuation agreement for J. Keebler range from 44% at age 53 to 65% at age 65 of the employee's highest average earnings for the 60 consecutive calendar month period during the 120 consecutive calendar month period preceding the employee's separation of service less the benefit from the Retirement Plan, if any. Benefits under the income continuation agreement for L. Hobbie are 70% at age 65 or older of the employee's highest average earnings for the 60 consecutive calendar month period during the 120 consecutive calendar month period preceding the employee's retirement less the benefit from the Retirement Plan. In all agreements, the designated percentage is based on the employee's age at retirement. If J. Keebler were to separate from service prior to age 55, the designated percentage is based on his age at separation of service.
A grantor trust has been established through which the Company pays benefits. In the event of a potential change in control or an actual change in control, we are required to fund the trust with cash or marketable securities in an amount equal to 100% of the present value of the aggregate amounts required to pay beneficiaries under all income continuation and nonqualified deferred compensation agreements plus an amount to cover the expense of maintaining the trust.
Amounts shown in the 2024 Pension Benefits Table above use a discount rate by participant which ranges from 5.57% to 5.79% for both the Pension Plan and income continuation agreements. For all NEOs, benefits are calculated at the earliest unreduced retirement age of 62 for the Retirement Plan and age 65 for the income continuation agreements. All benefits are calculated using Pri-2012/MP-2021 combined white collar mortality tables with fully generational scale MP‑2021. No preretirement decrement is assumed. Benefits are payable in the form of a life annuity for the Retirement Plan and a 10-year certain and life annuity for the income continuation agreements. See Footnote 11.c. of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, for additional information regarding the assumptions used to determine benefit obligations.
2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table |
|||||
Name |
Executive Contributions in 2024 |
Registrant Contributions in 2024 |
Aggregate Earnings in 2024 |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions |
Aggregate Balance as of 12/31/24 |
|
($) (1) (2) |
($) (2) (3) |
($) (3) |
($) |
($) (4) |
Jeffrey M. Keebler (PEO) |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan |
- |
- |
53,992 |
- |
799,407 |
2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental |
340,666 |
- |
81,633 |
- |
583,074 |
Executive Retirement Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
Jared J. Bushek (PFO) |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan |
- |
- |
14,019 |
- |
207,567 |
2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental |
45,452 |
59,512 |
97,835 |
- |
575,764 |
Executive Retirement Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
Cari Anne Renlund |
|
|
|
|
|
2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental |
- |
57,241 |
44,552 |
- |
531,501 |
Executive Retirement Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
Lynn K. Hobbie |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
James J. Lorenz |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental |
- |
31,665 |
13,588 |
- |
178,878 |
Executive Retirement Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
42
The 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table presents amounts deferred under a legacy Deferred Compensation Plan for employee contributions made prior to 2023 and employee contributions and Company contributions under the 2023 DCSERP.
Deferred Compensation Plan
J. Keebler and J. Bushek previously deferred compensation under the legacy Deferred Compensation Plan. Participants are no longer allowed to defer compensation under that Plan. That Plan offers participants the opportunity to have their deferrals notionally invested in a Prescribed Rate Fund and in other market-based notional investment options (including a notional Company common stock fund) paralleling the 2023 DCSERP. For the Prescribed Rate Fund, which was the sole option prior to other market-based offerings starting in 2023, the investment earnings credit is based on the semiannual rate of U.S. Treasury Bill with a 26-week maturity increased by 1% with a minimum annual rate of 7%, compounded monthly. Participants may reallocate all or a portion of their Prescribed Rate Fund account balance into the market-based investment options. If a participant chooses to reallocate funds out of the Prescribed Rate Fund, those amounts may not be reallocated or transferred back into the Prescribed Rate Fund. See "2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan" below for a description of nature of the other market-based notional investment options.
The Company did not make contributions to participants' accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Distributions are payable upon the six-month anniversary of the employee's termination of employment with the Company. The form of distribution is based on employee election and paid in semiannual or annual installments up to 15 years or in a lump sum.
2023 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2023 DCSERP)
Under the terms of the 2023 DCSERP, certain executives are eligible for Company contributions, since they do not have benefits under an income continuation agreement (J. Bushek, C. A. Renlund, and J. Lorenz); and all executives are eligible to make employee contributions.
Participants may defer up to 50% of base salary and 90% of STI. The form of distribution is based on employee election. Distributions may be in-service or at separation of service. A participant may elect in-service distributions for a period not exceeding five years or receipt in a lump sum. Separation of service distributions may be elected for a period not exceeding 15 years or receipt in a lump sum. Employee contributions are 100% vested.
Company contributions can be restoration contributions made in excess of defined contribution annual compensation limits, supplemental contributions based on the executive's annual earnings or discretionary contributions. The restoration contributions are fully vested, and supplemental contributions have a five-year vesting provision based on the individual's employment date with MGE. The board establishes a vesting provision for discretionary contributions. In either case, full vesting occurs upon the participant's death, disability or a change in control. The Company contribution amounts are established by the board, are unfunded and are credited to a book entry account on behalf of each executive. Company contributions may not be distributed until the calendar year following a participant's separation from service and shall be made in 20 annual installments unless the participant elects a shorter period or a lump-sum payment.
Amounts credited to a participant's accounts under the Plan, either through participant compensation deferrals or Company contributions, may be "invested" in one or more investment options (including a notional Company common stock fund) selected by the participant from options made available from time to time by the Plan administrator. The investments are hypothetical, or assumed, as there is no actual investment of funds. Plan participants do not have a right to have amounts in such notional accounts actually invested in any investment assets or funds.
Based upon the investment options chosen, a participant's accounts are credited with deemed investment earnings and losses by assuming that the account balances are invested in those investment options. Those earnings and losses are credited to accounts on each day on which established U.S. securities exchanges are open for business. Plan participants may reallocate amounts in their
43
accounts (adjusted for earnings and losses) among the various available investment options according to procedures adopted by the Plan administrator from time to time.
Potential Payments on Employment Termination or Change in Control
For purposes of potential payments on employment termination or change in control, each of our NEOs is a participant in the Madison Gas and Electric Company General Severance Plan (Severance Plan) that covers our salaried employees. In addition, MGE has entered into individual severance agreements (Severance Agreements) with each of our NEOs that provide for payments in connection with the officer's termination of employment in the event of a change in control. Each Severance Agreement is for a three-year fixed term and automatically extends for one year unless the NEO is provided notice that the agreement will not be extended. Such non-extension notice may not occur in the event of a potential change in control or in the event of a change in control. In the event of a change in control where there are less than 24 months remaining in the term of the Severance Agreement, the term of the Severance Agreement will be extended so that the Severance Agreement will terminate 24 months following such change in control.
Employment Terminations Other Than in Connection With a Change in Control
For employment terminations other than in connection with a change in control, the NEOs, like other salaried employees, are entitled to a payment equal to two weeks of compensation plus the employee's weekly compensation multiplied by the number of years of employment, not to exceed 24 years. There are no benefits payable under the Severance Plan if termination results from cause, permanent disability, death, early or normal retirement, or voluntary termination. Because those benefits are equally available to all salaried employees (including NEOs) under those circumstances, they are not separately valued in this section. Benefits receivable under our retirement and deferred compensation arrangements are described above under 2024 Pension Benefits Table and 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table.
Employment Terminations in Connection With a Change in Control
For employment terminations in connection with a change in control, our benefits arrangements provide enhancements, which are described in the remainder of this section. Benefits receivable under our Retirement Plan and employee individual deferred compensation agreements are not separately valued in this section as they are described above under 2024 Pension Benefits Table and 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table and are not affected by a change in control. To the extent not vested, registrant (employer) contributions under the 2023 DCSERP described in the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table are fully vested in the event of a change in control; however, the 2024 registrant contributions shown in the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table were fully vested when made.
Under the form of Severance Agreements, for all new executive officers named in 2012 or later, such as J. Keebler, J. Bushek, C. A. Renlund and J. Lorenz, they are entitled to a severance payment following a "change in control" if, within 24 months after the change in control, the officer's employment is terminated by: (i) MGE, other than for cause, death or disability, or (ii) the employee for "good reason." The definition of "good reason" in these agreements is a material diminution in the employee's base compensation, authority, duties or responsibilities, authority or duties of the employee's supervisor, or a material diminution in the budget over which the employee retains authority. The employee must notify the Company within 90 days of the occurrence of the good reason condition, and the Company must be provided at least 30 days to remedy the condition.
Currently, L. Hobbie is entitled to a severance payment following a "change in control" if, within 24 months after the change in control, employment is terminated by: (i) MGE, other than for cause; (ii) the employee for "good reason"; or (iii) the employee for any reason during the 30-day period commencing one year after the date of the change in control. "Good reason" is defined to include a material reduction in the employee's position, duties or responsibilities; any reduction in compensation or benefits; or failure to provide benefits comparable to peer employees and a required relocation of the employee from Dane County, Wisconsin. The employee's good faith determination of good reason is considered conclusive.
Under all agreements, the employee must remain with the Company voluntarily until an attempted change in control terminates or until 90 days following a change in control. The employee agrees to keep confidential trade secrets and other nonpublic information concerning MGE.
"Change in control" is defined to include:
44
Severance payments to L. Hobbie will be equal to any unpaid salary, pro-rata STI and accrued vacation pay and three times the employee's annual base salary plus three times the highest STI paid during any of the five years immediately preceding a change in control, reduced to avoid triggering excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Severance payments to J. Keebler, J. Bushek, C. A. Renlund and J. Lorenz will be equal to any unpaid salary, pro-rata STI and accrued vacation pay and two times the annual base salary plus two times the highest STI paid during any of the five years preceding a change in control, reduced to avoid triggering excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The agreement with L. Hobbie was entered into in 1994. J. Keebler's, J. Bushek's, C. A. Renlund's and J. Lorenz's agreements were entered into in connection with being named an officer of the Company in January 2012 for J. Keebler, July 2015 for J. Bushek, November 2015 for C. A. Renlund, and October 2018 for J. Lorenz. Severance payments are payable upon the six-month anniversary of the date of separation.
Subject to Section 280G limitations referenced above, in addition to severance, MGE is obligated to pay any legal expenses incurred by the employee for disputes in which the employee prevails. Employees are not obligated to seek other employment or otherwise take action to mitigate the amounts payable by MGE. Over age 67, benefits are subject to reduction (eventually to zero); no benefits are payable beyond age 70 or if the employee dies.
The table below was prepared to illustrate the benefits payable under the Severance Agreements and 2021 LTI Plan for each NEO. However, no change in control of MGE has actually occurred, and no executive has received any of the severance indicated. If a change in control did occur in the future, the actual payments to the NEOs would depend upon the circumstances in effect at the time, including relative compensation and ages.
Executive Benefits Upon Termination |
Jeffrey M. Keebler |
Jared J. Bushek |
Cari Anne Renlund |
Lynn K. Hobbie(4) |
James J. Lorenz |
|
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
Severance: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
1,550,000 |
670,008 |
804,570 |
1,130,621 |
498,796 |
STI |
1,269,450 |
464,316 |
434,468 |
600,358 |
282,817 |
Accrued Vacation (If Eligible) |
- |
- |
- |
43,485 |
28,777 |
Pro-rata STI - Year of Termination (2) |
559,337 |
174,677 |
184,846 |
196,688 |
98,680 |
2021 LTI Plan - Unvested (3) |
2,417,685 |
847,049 |
758,257 |
757,412 |
481,733 |
Total |
5,796,472 |
2,156,050 |
2,182,141 |
2,728,564 |
1,390,803 |
CEO Pay-Ratio
As required by SEC rules, we are providing the following information to compare the pay of our CEO as shown in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table to the median pay for an MGE Energy employee calculated in a similar manner.
For 2024, the median total compensation for all employees (other than CEO) of the Company was $138,555. The annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table was $2,126,131. The ratio of the annual total compensation of J. Keebler to the annual total compensation for the median employee in 2024 was 15.3 to 1.
The rules surrounding the CEO Pay Ratio generally require companies to identify the median employee once every three years and then calculate the total compensation for that employee each year. During 2024, as there were no significant changes to MGE's employee population and no meaningful changes to employee compensation arrangements, we have used the same median employee that we used for 2023. To determine the median employee for 2023, we used W-2 compensation for all employees employed by the Company as of December 31, 2023. Wages and salaries were annualized for employees that were either not employed for the full year or who were on long-term disability. The median employee was identified from this list. The median employee selected as a result of that methodology is not eligible for a bonus/STI or enrolled in the Company's defined benefit pension plan. In some years, the ratio of pay for the CEO compared to the median employee is impacted by the measure of change in the present value of the pension benefit for the CEO, that was not the case in 2024 because of an increase to discount rates.
45
Pay Versus Performance
Pay Versus Performance |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: |
|
Company Selected Measure |
|
Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs |
Total Shareholder Return |
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return |
Net Income |
Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted |
2024 |
||||||||
2023 |
||||||||
2022 |
||||||||
2021 |
||||||||
2020 |
||||||||
Year |
Deduction for Actuarial Pension Present Value |
Addition for Service Cost for Pension |
Deduction of Grant Date Fair Value of Awards Granted in FY |
Addition of Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in FY |
Change in Fair Value of Prior Years’ Unvested Equity Awards |
Change in Fair Value of Prior Years’ Awards Vested in FY |
Total Adjustment to CAP |
2024 |
( |
Year |
Deduction for Actuarial Pension Present Value |
Addition for Service Cost for Pension |
Deduction of Grant Date Fair Value of Awards Granted in FY |
Addition of Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in FY |
Change in Fair Value of Prior Years’ Unvested Equity Awards |
Change in Fair Value of Prior Years’ Awards Vested in FY |
Total Adjustment to CAP |
2024 |
( |
( |
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee did not consider the required "Pay versus Performance" disclosures in its decision-making process when determining 2024 executive compensation.
46
The chart below illustrates the relationship of executive compensation actually paid and MGE Energy Total Shareholder Return (TSR). Also included is the relationship of MGE Energy TSR and peer group TSR.
The chart below illustrates the relationship of executive compensation actually paid and Earnings Per Share (EPS).
47
The chart below illustrates the relationship of executive compensation actually paid and Net Income.
The following table identifies the financial and non-financial most important performance measures used by our Human Resources and Compensation Committee to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs to Company performance. See further discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for description of metrics and impact to executive compensation.
Performance Measures |
48
Voting and Meeting Information
Attending the Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will be held online. Shareholders are encouraged to participate by visiting the following website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/mgee2025. To fully participate in the meeting, you will need your 16-digit control number from your proxy materials. See the Notice of Annual Meeting Shareholders at the beginning of this Proxy Statement for more information. An audio broadcast of the Annual Meeting also will be available by telephone toll-free at 1-877-328-2502. Shareholders of record as of close of business on March 21, 2025, are entitled to participate in and to submit questions during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/mgee2025.
The meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 20, 2025. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online access will open at 10:30 a.m., Central Time, and you should allow ample time to log in to the meeting webcast and test your computer audio system. We recommend that you carefully review the procedures needed to gain admission in advance. A recording of the meeting will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/mgee2025 for one year after the meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in this Proxy Statement.
Each share of common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date for the meeting is entitled to one vote at the meeting, except as described below for shareholders who own more than a specified percentage of our common stock.
The record date for the meeting is March 21, 2025. Holders of record as of such date can vote during the virtual Annual Meeting or prior to the Annual Meeting by proxy. By giving us your proxy, you are authorizing the individuals named on the proxy card (the proxies) to vote your shares in the manner you indicate. On March 21, 2025, there were 36,536,359 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation contain a provision limiting the voting power of any shareholder who acquires more than 10% of our outstanding voting stock. Shares held in excess of 10% are entitled to 1/100th vote per share. We have two shareholders to whom this provision applies. See the section titled "Beneficial Ownership," above. In addition, under Section 180.1150 of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, with respect to any "resident domestic corporation," as defined therein (and including MGE Energy), the voting power of shares held by any person in excess of 20% of the voting power in the election of directors is limited to 10% of the full voting power of the excess shares.
Voting Deadline
To ensure that proxies are received in time to be counted prior to our Annual Meeting, proxies submitted by Internet or by telephone should be received by 1:00 a.m. Central Time on the day of our Annual Meeting, and proxies submitted by mail should be received by the close of business on the day prior to the date of our Annual Meeting.
How Street Name Holders May Vote
If you own shares through a broker, the registered holder of those shares is your broker or its nominee (collectively referred to herein as a broker). If you receive our proxy materials from your broker, you should vote your shares by following the procedures specified by your broker. Your broker will tabulate the votes it received from its customers and submit a proxy card to us reflecting those votes. If you plan to vote your shares at the meeting, you should contact your broker to obtain a legal proxy.
Please note that, in the absence of any direction from you, your broker is not allowed to vote your shares in the election of directors or on the advisory vote relating to executive compensation. Your broker may exercise its discretionary voting authority to vote your shares on the ratification of auditors. Your vote is important to us, so we hope you will make your choices known to your broker using the means they provide to you.
How Registered Holders May Vote
If you personally hold a certificate for your shares, have direct registration shares on our books or have shares held by us in the Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan, then you are the registered holder. Shares you have accumulated in the Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan are held by the administrator under the nominee name of Dingo & Co. Those shares, including your certificate or direct registration shares, will be voted in accordance with the direction given by you on your proxy.
49
As a convenience to you, we are providing you with the option to vote by proxy via the Internet or toll-free touch-tone telephone. Refer to your proxy card or e-notice for more information and instructions. If you prefer, you may cast your vote by returning your signed and dated proxy card. Instructions regarding all three methods of voting are included on the proxy card. The signature on the proxy card should correspond exactly with the name of the shareholder as it appears on the proxy card. Where stock is registered in the name of two or more persons, each of them should sign the proxy card. If you sign a proxy card as an attorney, officer, personal representative, administrator, trustee, guardian or in a similar capacity, please indicate your full title in that capacity.
In voting on:
If you sign and return the proxy card or submit your electronic vote without specifying any instructions and without indicating expressly that you are not voting some or all of your shares on a particular proposal, your shares as to which no indication has been made will be voted "FOR" the election of each director nominee, "FOR" the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and "FOR" the non-binding advisory approval of our executive compensation.
Voting Your 401(k) Shares
If you participate in the MGE 401(k) Retirement Accumulation Plan or the MGE 401(k) Retirement Accumulation Plan for Bargaining Employees (the “401(k) Plans”) and you owned shares of our Common Stock within your account as of March 21, 2025, you will receive a request for voting instructions from Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (the “Plan Trustee”) with respect to the shares credited to your account. The Plan Trustee will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions received by May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. You may also revoke previously given voting instructions by May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, by filing with the Plan Trustee either written notice of revocation or a properly completed and signed voting instruction form bearing a later date. If you do not send instructions for a proposal, the Plan Trustee will vote the number of shares credited to your account in the same proportion that it votes shares for which it did receive timely instructions.
Broker Non-Votes
Brokers holding shares on behalf of a beneficial owner may vote those shares in their discretion on certain “routine” matters even if they do not receive timely voting instructions from the beneficial owner. With respect to “non-routine” matters, the broker is not permitted to vote shares for a beneficial owner without timely received voting instructions and a “broker non-vote” occurs as to such matters if the broker submits a vote on “routine” matters. We believe that the proposal to ratify the selection of auditors will be considered “routine” and, therefore, brokers will have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal. The remaining proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting are considered non-routine. We strongly encourage you to submit your voting instructions to your broker to ensure your shares are voted in accordance with your instructions at the Annual Meeting.
Holders Needed to Establish a Quorum
A quorum is necessary to hold a valid meeting of shareholders. If holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock are present in person or by proxy for any proposal to be acted upon at the meeting, then a quorum will exist for that proposal. In order to assure the presence of a quorum, please vote via the Internet, telephone, or sign and return the proxy card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope even if you plan to attend the virtual meeting. Broker non-votes as well as abstentions are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum for the meeting.
The Vote Necessary for Action to be Taken
In uncontested elections of directors, our Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated September 15, 2023, provide that each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors.
The votes "FOR" must exceed the votes cast "against" at the meeting in order to ratify the selection of auditors. Abstentions will not have any effect. Because brokers will have discretionary voting authority on this proposal, there will not be any broker non-votes.
The votes "FOR" must exceed the votes cast "against" at the meeting in order to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's NEOs. Although the advisory vote is nonbinding, our board will review the results of the votes and take them into account in making future determinations concerning executive compensation. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect.
50
Revocation of Proxies
If you are a registered holder of our common stock, you may revoke your proxy by giving a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at any time before your proxy is voted, by submitting a later-dated proxy or by voting your shares at the virtual meeting. If your shares are held by a broker, you must contact your broker to revoke your proxy. Attendance at the meeting will not automatically revoke any authorization you have given to your broker or any prior proxy you have given.
Why did I receive a separate Notice instead of printed proxy materials?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we are providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we began mailing a separate Notice of Internet Availability on or about April 4, 2025, instead of a full set of our printed proxy materials. The Notice is not a proxy card and cannot be used to vote your shares. However, the Notice includes instructions on how to access our proxy materials online and vote your shares.
If you are a registered stockholder, you may request a printed set of proxy materials by (1) visiting www.ProxyVote.com and following the applicable instructions, (2) calling 800-579-1639 or (3) sending an email requesting a paper copy of current meeting materials to sendmaterial@ProxyVote.com and include the control number located in the Notice.
If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee on how to access our proxy materials and vote.
51
Other Information
Transaction of Other Business
Our Board of Directors does not intend to present any business for action by our shareholders at the meeting except the matters referred to in this document. If any other matters should be properly presented at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote thereon in accordance with the recommendations of our Board of Directors.
Expenses of Solicitation
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be solicited personally by our directors, officers or employees who will not receive special compensation for such services. We have retained Sodali & Co, 333 Ludlow Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to solicit proxies at a fee of $10,000 plus expenses.
Householding
The rules of the SEC allow us to deliver a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as “householding” and can result in significant cost savings. To take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless we have received different instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of proxy materials, as requested, to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and proxy materials, contact Broadridge by telephone at (866) 540-7095 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.
If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and are receiving multiple copies of our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy materials and wish to receive only one copy of future Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and proxy materials for your household, please contact Broadridge at the above telephone number or address.
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received in writing at our principal executive offices (Attention: Secretary, 623 Railroad Street, Post Office Box 1231, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1231) prior to December 5, 2025, in order to be considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and proxy related to that meeting. Any proposal submitted must be in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the SEC.
Our bylaws set forth additional requirements and procedures regarding the submission by shareholders of director nominations and other matters for consideration at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including a requirement that those nominations or proposals be given to the Secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's Annual Meeting. Accordingly, a shareholder proposal or nomination intended to be considered at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Secretary at the address set forth above after the close of business on January 20, 2026, and on or prior to the close of business on February 19, 2026. In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements, to comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company's nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than March 23, 2026.
Contacting Our Directors
A shareholder who desires to contact members of our Board of Directors may do so by sending an email to directors@mgeenergy.com or by writing to Board of Directors, MGE Energy, Inc., Post Office Box 1231, Madison, Wisconsin
53701-1231. The correspondence should identify the shareholder, their address and shareholdings. That correspondence is received by our Corporate Secretary's office. Our Corporate Secretary's office will forward matters within the board's purview to them. Ordinary business matters, such as issues relating to customer service, employment or commercial transactions, will be directed to the appropriate areas within our Company for handling. Comments or concerns regarding financial reporting, legal compliance or other ethical issues should be directed to EthicsPoint® at ethicspoint.com or phone 1-866-384-4277. EthicsPoint is a third party we have selected for receiving and handling such communications from shareholders as well as our employees. Communications to EthicsPoint may be sent anonymously. EthicsPoint will forward those communications directly to the Chairman of our Audit Committee.
52
References to Websites
We have included several website references in this document as an aid to finding additional information about specific subjects. By doing so, we do not mean to incorporate by reference, and are not incorporating by reference, those websites or their content into this document.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain matters discussed in this Proxy Statement, and in the letters accompanying this Proxy Statement, include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "could," "should," "intend," "will," "commit," "target," “plan” and other similar words relating to goals, targets and projections generally identify forward-looking statements. We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied. Those risks are described in our 2024 Form 10-K under "Risk Factors" and in other reports we filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
53
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
54
55
56
